Goal or no Goal ??(rambling sorry!)

[LyssaRene]

Awhile back when I went to my doctor about atkins and blood work, he was very supportive. However, he asked me my goal to lose. I told him I didn't have one and he gave me a lecture on how I needed one to meet it etc. Well, I blew him off because my thinking was that everytime in the past I had set one, I failed and went right back into bad eating habits. And, saying I wanted to lose 100 lbs or some # larger just seemed very daunting. So, my goal was one day at a time and what happened happened.

Well, here I am 9 months later and 89.5 lbs lighter. Yes, the scale wouldn't give me that next .5 to make an even #. I debated shaving my hair all off to see if it did but decided that was a bit drastic for .5 lbs.

In my lurking I ran across a headline "Half way to Goal". It brought me into the past few days of deep thought back on the goal subject with myself, exactly how far have I come and how far do I have to go? I think I am afraid of a "goal" for the fear of the above, if I fail it will all yo-yo right back into old habits.

But -- how does one set a goal? We all know the weight charts vary and can't seem to make their mind up right what is a healthy weight. All of our bodies differ even the same heights/builds etc. Fitday has me at 5'7" 120ish-160 healthy weight. Pretty large range, but I feel on my frame 160 is a bit on the thin side or is it? I can't remember 160 I remember 180 and I think I liked it there. I am pretty positive in my mind that anything much less to include 160 is a bit thin for me. I like curves just not my current bumps and rolls with curves.

So -- this rambling (sorry) is just me trying to work it out. It wasn't doing it right in my head so I needed to write it on out. If 180 is the #... then, I am well over half way!! That is a good thing!! 89.5 lost, 55.5 to go. Just not sure I want that # just yet. Maybe it is a commital problem. 160 would mean 75.5 more to go, which gets my head spinning right back into that omg no way can I do that mode. Perhaps some of us are more inclined to be either just no goal people or small ones as to not overwelhm our spirits. Just odd to me as I am very competitive by nature and loves all other goals in life.

Sorry for the ramble!! One day it will figure itself out, just might not happen till I see that # pop up on my little scale.

[dreamof145]

Re: Goal or no Goal ??(rambling sorry!)

When I set my goal weight at 145, I used the "chart" that said I should weigh 133 for my height. Well, I figured 133 was too small for me, so I added 12 pounds to it. Now, since I've lost 112 pounds, I am no longer concerned with reaching that magic number. I just know that I feel great and look better. I will keep losing and get as close to my magic number (maybe even reach it). I am not obcessed with that. I just want to make sure I continue my WOE and keep feeling this great.

I think that most doctors and dieticians want us to have a 'number' in mind so that we are striving towards meeting that goal.

[2big4mysize]

Re: Goal or no Goal ??(rambling sorry!)

don't be a slave to a scale number cause you are going to find on the way back down you are heavier but smaller when you can wear a smaller size you used to wear before you gained weight. i was a happy WOW Atkins weight loss is blowing my mind with no goal in site just very excited i was shedding the pounds. then i met up with some one who chastized me for having no goals and why i needed weight loss goals. Well i set then and being the competative preson i was I slaved to reach them and lost my love for doing my Atkins WOW lookie what the scales said today attitude and the metal monster getting to that magic number was all I cared about. i was exercisng like an addict. I was eatting right chet free almost 700 days and passed my healthy body fat weight loss stop point without even realizing I'd done so chasing that magical scale number goal. I finally realized Hey I got only 14.9% body fat even if the scales say i weigh 167 pounds and the height weight charts and the BMI said i needed to be smaller.

Use a healthie body fat range to set your goal weight if you set one or heck just when you get where you are happy and your doc is happy hoist the flag and declare victory. not all of us can handle the pressure of goals nor need to have them to reach them.

Happy low carbing

[Mary-chan]

Re: Goal or no Goal ??(rambling sorry!)

Although I have a goal in my signature, i mostly do it one Mini-goal at a time, as you may also notice in my signature. This is really what keeps me going the strongest. I did make my ultimate goal 160.. that seemed so far away at 102 pounds. The chaarts all say i should be around 130ish, but that would have meant starting out with 130 pounds to lose, that would have totally overwhelmed me!!!

But really, when I started, at 262, I thought to myself "I really wish I could be under 250", and that's what i strove for. When I reached that I thought "I want to get into those 22 pants I've had in my closet for years and never wore", so I strove to fit into this, finally fitting into them at about 225. Then I remembered a time in my life when I was 207 - and I remember feeling pretty good about myself at that weight in that time of my life, so that is what I strove for next.. Almost there.. Then I'm going to try my darndest to reach onederland... and what will make me so happy I will probably cry - 180, my lowest adult weight ever, which only lasted a few months before I ballooned upwards again.. Anything below 180 for me will trully be a bonus...

Anyway, my point is that I have been giving myself mini-goals at each step. And I have mini-goals within mini-goals. I dont think I could have started out and said "okay, 120 pounds to go....." I would so quickly have become hopeless and overwhelmed.

89.5 pounds is amazing!! Obviously whatever you are doing is working for you, and that's the most important thing, forget what the doctor said!!

When I was at my heighest weight, I remember thinking that I just wanted to be at a weight I could be comfortable with, I didn't have to look good in a bathing suit, I just wanted "normal" things like going on roller coaster rides and being able to buckle the seat belt on the airplane!! I remember feeling so wonderful and healthy when I was at 180 back in 2001.., even though the "charts" say that is still overweight, to heck with those charts!!

One step at a time is what works for me. Sorry, I totally rambled on there, definitely an interesting topic!!

[LyssaRene]

Re: Goal or no Goal ??(rambling sorry!)

Thank you for the replies and insight into your thoughts as well.

I think in my mind i have done the mini goal thing. Deep back in there somewhere I think 199 is the magic #. I guess because it is a major milestone to get into onederland. I am not going to obsess about it, it just was a thought that was bothering me and typing it out helped me realize that final goal isn't that important right now. The day to day is. If I do today right, then tomorrow will go well and it will all add up in the end. Or so I hope.

And true on the weighing more but wearing a smaller size. Currently, I weigh 235.5 (again stupid .5) but I am wearing size 20 pants and i bought a pair of 18 jeans the other day and wore them. I don't remember wearing that small at this weight on the way up.

[brabea22]

Re: Goal or no Goal ??(rambling sorry!)

Tell your Doc to take his goal and shove it because you are obviously doing great. When I started I aimed toward being healthy. I think sometime after that, I plugged in an end number, but really I don't care if I ever reach it. If I am healthy at 250 pounds, then I will move into maintenence then and not feel sad in the least about it. If my bodyfat is still outside of the healthy range for my height, though, I will continue to push forward. Keep your outlook and get through everyday just as you are doing. You have the right idea!

[Isabeau]

Re: Goal or no Goal ??(rambling sorry!)

I was like you when I started in that I had no idea what my goal weight should be. I've been overweight pretty much all of my life and when my Dr. asked me about a weight that I felt good being, I couldn't answer him. I too, have a goal weight in my signature but honestly it means nothing. However, I totally have goals now and they all have to do with getting fit. Running my first 10k was one such goal, which I did! Running a half marathon in May is my next goal. My first triathlon in June will be after that. Eating my Atkins, drinking my water, taking my supplements and exercising/training will lead me to all these goals and becoming a healthier, smaller person. And you bet, having a goal of just doing these things one day at a time counts. Good for you and congratulations on your successes to date. You're awesome!

[Spikey1341]

Re: Goal or no Goal ??(rambling sorry!)

You guys have got me rethinking my goal. I have a mini goal of 225. But now I think I am going to change my way of thinking. I am going to aim for two weeks no cheating. After that, I will set my next goal. It may be weight, it may be size, or it may be more cheat free time.

Thanks for bringing this up. I have been stuck with the weight goal mind set and it seems so far away that I end up derailing myself. Starting today I am approaching this in a whole new light.

[Isabeau]

Re: Goal or no Goal ??(rambling sorry!)

You guys have got me rethinking my goal. I have a mini goal of 225. But now I think I am going to change my way of thinking. I am going to aim for two weeks no cheating. After that, I will set my next goal. It may be weight, it may be size, or it may be more cheat free time.

Thanks for bringing this up. I have been stuck with the weight goal mind set and it seems so far away that I end up derailing myself. Starting today I am approaching this in a whole new light.

Awesome!

[yelah22]

Re: Goal or no Goal ??(rambling sorry!)

There have been some great ideas posted. I just wanted to add one thing quickly that popped up in my mind. If you do decide to set a goal and you reach it or are getting close to it you can always re-set your goal if you feel like it. You are in charge of your goal so you can change it whenever or to whatever you like. It's not set in stone. It's just a number. I like the mini-goals either week to week or to a certain event. Example: 6 weeks from today is Thanksgiving! (Can you believe it?) I also have a GW in my siggy but who knows if that's really gonna be it. It could end up being higher or lower depending on how I feel on the way down! Good luck to all!

[BabyDreamer]

Re: Goal or no Goal ??(rambling sorry!)

I have been reading all the talk about goals and weights and I don't know about them either. I have been heavy my whole life so I don't even know what "a normal" body size would be for me. I have a sister who is built much the same as me, but shorter so I figure as I get smaller I will morph into her shape. I would love for someone to tell me what I should realistically weight, but I don't think that is going to happen.

Deb

[cleochatra]

Re: Goal or no Goal ??(rambling sorry!)

BabyDreamer-- In the 2002 DANDR, you can look for the weight chart that Dr Atkins uses, and that will give you a rough idea, based on your frame as being either small, medium or large. It also depends upon how tall you are, as well. And, even then, it realllllly depends on how you feel. If you look good and feel good at 170 and are in a normal weight range with muscle, then you're doing great! The danger we face is trying to be too thin, manytimes. As an example, my goal is 125, but if I'm a size 8 at 135 with muscle, within normal range and feel great, I'll take it! It all depends on how you feel as you get nearer goal.

[cruiser gal]

Re: Goal or no Goal ??(rambling sorry!)

I totally agree with Cleo! A # is just a #. If you feel and look good at a higher #, who except for you knows the difference. We don't walk around with #'s posted on our foreheads saying we weigh x amount of weight, so does it really matter what the scale says? It's more how we feel and how our clothes fit us that counts, as that is what people see!

[Kent]

Re: Goal or no Goal ??(rambling sorry!)

I totally agree. I personally needed a number to shoot for. I had to know where the milestone or the goalline was, but once I reached I had to change it for something else. Some people are very goal number-oriented (I am as evidenced by my new non-weight goal), and some people aren't. In either case, this is a WOE not a race with a definite end (except when you croak). If you focus on the journey to get healthier, chances are you will be happier and more successful than someone crash-dieting to a certain weight.

The weight will take care of itself in time, but the more important part (healthy living and eating) will last much, much longer. Keep up the great work -- you'll know when you are ready to switch phases.

[Lyssie]

Re: Goal or no Goal ??(rambling sorry!)

I did my goal weight all screwy - I weighed 145-155 at 5'10" the first time I was on this WOE (never exercising). This time around, I figured I should hit about the same points, wear the same clothes, etc. Only this time, I work out like a fiend, weights, cardio, whatever. I'm still learning to grasp that my body probably won't go below 165 anymore. But geez, I fit into 12/14s weighing over 200 pounds, and these are sizes I was wearing when I was *at* the lower weight. I guess all I have to say is if you *need* a goal, at least make it a *size* (one you remember fitting into at some point in your life), not a weight. It *amazes* me constantly fitting into Abercrombie 12/14s.