Just set my weight loss goals!

RachelSteeners
RachelSteeners Posts: 249 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Just set all my weight loss goals! Seems like it'll take a year to reach my goals. Does that seem reasonable?

Weight loss journey commenced late April, 2014 (at 262lbs, I've lost 14lbs so far). My weight loss goals are:

1st goal: 214lbs/97kgs (moved into overweight BMI category) - mid October 2014
2nd goal: 178lbs/81kgs (moved into normal weight BMI category) - mid February 2015
3rd goal: 150lbs/68kgs! It would be amazing and a dream come true when I reach this weight!! - mid June 2014

How do I keep motivated to stay on a strict diet for a year?!

Feel free to add me. I need all the support I can get!

Wish me luck :)

Replies

  • catherinemwells
    catherinemwells Posts: 1 Member
    hello there! I have just joined up with Michelle Bridges 12 week body transformation, (which you can continue to do longer than 12 weeks if needed) I am loving it so far and know a few people who have had amazing sucess with it and lost large amounts of weight. The beauty of the program is that she provides exercises and also meal plans which you can change if needed and also weekly mindset videos to help change your behaviours towards food. Check it out, just google it.
  • NancyMarie13
    NancyMarie13 Posts: 193 Member
    Going to have to be a lifestyle change in order to maintain it. But I do try and remember why I started to change my eating habits so I won't give up. I have good days and some bad days but I never give up and try and log what I eat. I have a food scale which helps with accurate portions as well.

    I am on a mission to lose 130lbs
  • stephe1987
    stephe1987 Posts: 406 Member
    Make it about a lifestyle change rather than following a strict diet. This is something you're going to have to be able to maintain for more than just a year because you cannot return to your old habits once you reach your goals or you'll just gain it all back in less time than it took you to lose the weight.

    Make your limit a weekly limit rather than a daily limit, so you can go over your calories 1-2 days a week as long as you're under the rest of the week. Weekday workouts can be about earning indulgent calories for the weekend. However, make sure you cut the calories burned in half to allow for overestimation.

    Follow the 80/20 rule: 80% healthy, 20% indulgent so you don't deprive yourself of your favorite foods. This is, after all, a lifestyle change. Something you will have to keep up and you don't want to not be able to have your favorite foods for the rest of your life.

    Most importantly, if/when you do mess up/have a bad day, make the next day a good one. If you fall off the wagon be sure to get back on it ASAP.
  • TiberiusClaudis
    TiberiusClaudis Posts: 423 Member
    If I could give you one piece of sound advice it would be to take LOTS of pics all during your weight loss but...especially at the beginning of your journey. From all sides, and in different lighting.

    I didn't because I was too ashamed at where I was, so I only took one. But trust me, in a years time you will want proof of what you have accomplished. In addition, it really does help show where the fat loss takes place.

    I'm in the military located overseas. When I left the USA, they had to take all kinds of ID photo of me...like over 10. Now whenever I show one of those to anyone for any reason, they really don't think it is me. When I go thru airports, they have me show two more photos because my passport isn't "me".

    Regarding your goals...they look achievable...but realize, the first lbs will be MUCH easier than the last ones. But that's good, as it will keep you motivated.

    Also this comes in stages. At first only you will notice the difference, usually in how you feel. Then you see some changes in your image/mirror/pics. Next loved ones and close friends will comment. People that don't see you but maybe once a month will really notice. Some may actually ask if something is medically wrong with you.

    Usually around the say 3rd month (at least for me), I felt my muscles forming. Then the real fun begins. If you lift weights along with cardio, you will see incredible gains that first year. Infact, people accused me of being on steroids, as I gained atleast 20lbs of muscles. From then on it just gets better. People will be wanting to know your secrets and some will actually want to start working out with you. This will keep you motivated. Finally, you will see things in your body you never thought possible: calf, abs, tricep forming. I realize this is from a guy's perspective, but I'm assuming ladies have similar changes.

    Finally, you will have what I call fathom fat. You will feel your new body...arms, legs, abs..and freak, as that CANT possibly be your body. You look in the mirror and the person staring back at you is someone that is beyond anything YOU could ever achieve....but guess what...that is the NEW YOU.

    Good Luck...and keep us updated,
    TC
  • flow2512
    flow2512 Posts: 74 Member
    Make it about a lifestyle change rather than following a strict diet. This is something you're going to have to be able to maintain for more than just a year because you cannot return to your old habits once you reach your goals or you'll just gain it all back in less time than it took you to lose the weight.

    Make your limit a weekly limit rather than a daily limit, so you can go over your calories 1-2 days a week as long as you're under the rest of the week. Weekday workouts can be about earning indulgent calories for the weekend. However, make sure you cut the calories burned in half to allow for overestimation.

    Follow the 80/20 rule: 80% healthy, 20% indulgent so you don't deprive yourself of your favorite foods. This is, after all, a lifestyle change. Something you will have to keep up and you don't want to not be able to have your favorite foods for the rest of your life.

    Most importantly, if/when you do mess up/have a bad day, make the next day a good one. If you fall off the wagon be sure to get back on it ASAP.

    This exactly - works perfect, I've lost 65lbs following these rules, it is for a lifetime, not just while you are losing.

    My friend came to see me yesterday, saying 'oh now you have lost your weight, I've brought you a bottle of wine and the largest creamy cake I could find' !!!

    I said very politely, that I would have a glass of wine with her, and she could eat the cream cake, as I would rather spend my calories on something else now, she honestly thought, that now I am slim, I can eat what I want without gaining, I told her, this is for life !
  • katkins73
    katkins73 Posts: 416 Member
    I think goals are essential but I avoid tying weightloss ones to dates because sometimes you do everything right but the scale doesn't move much! I keep making myself mini goals, the first was to get under 12st which I did in week one! I am now 11st8 which is 162lbs so my next mini goals are to get to 11st7 and to be under 160lbs and also to have lost a whole stone which is 3lbs away! With any luck I will reach the 11st7 goal next week (though maybe not as it will be ovulation time :huh: ) It is so wonderful to reach these mini goals and they are never too far away :smile: I also have goals like burning a certain amount of calories over a week, eating a certain amount of veg a day and some inch loss goals too. I ahve definitely found these mini goals motivating.

    Good luck with your goals everyone :flowerforyou:
  • galprincess
    galprincess Posts: 683 Member
    I agree I prefer mini goals as they keep me motivated and I have lots to be happy about as I feel everyday im achieving something towards the big goal my new mini goal is to be under 11st im 11 st 4.
  • RachelSteeners
    RachelSteeners Posts: 249 Member
    Hi everyone! thank you for your posts and support!

    I am definitely making a lifestyle change. I recently got my blood work done and the doctor found that I have high cholesterol and pre-diabetes. This has been a really big wake up call! I've been drinking, eating and partying for too many years without considering the effects to my body. I'm in my mid 30s now, so it's time for change!

    I guess my goals are focused on losing weight as quick as possible, because I'm soo scared of getting type 2 diabetes. I'm pre-diabetic, so the main thing I can do to prevent type 2 diabetes is lose weight and lower my cholesterol. I'm doing this by following a low carbohydrate diet (basically a diabetic diet), and at the same time I'm educating myself about food and researching healthy recipes. I like to cook, so this has been enjoyable. I haven't been able to work out for the past month due to being in hospital with an MRSA infection on my leg, so I hope to be able to hit the gym again soon!

    Since these results a month ago, I haven't had a drop of alcohol (which is very unusual for me!). My husband is also trying to change his lifestyle habits by eating healthier and drinking less. He has about 20lbs to lose.

    The idea to take photos of myself from various angles is great. I'll take a few pictures tonight, so I can look at them in the months ahead to see where I've come from, and where I don't want to go back to!

    I find that mini goals work best for me. They seem more attainable then having to lose 110lbs!

    Thanks for all your comments and support. Good luck to everyone with your weight lose :D

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