I'm kinda scared to reach goal.. lol

[Tiggerdagibit]

I was thinking about something the other day and I thought I would get your opinions on the subject. When I was in nursing school, my goal was getting through. All along, it was "I can't wait until May '09!" Finally in my last semester I got scared. I thought "oh crap! Once I graduate it'll just be work. everyday. No date to look forward to." I realized that I am starting to feel that way with maintenance. While I'm losing weight, I have that goal to look forward to. Even though I can always get more toned and in better shape, I won't have that goal to work toward. Does that make sense? lol Do any of you feel that way? I love this WOE and it's helped tremendously with my diabetes, but it still scares me that I'll be able to eat higher carb foods. I rarely have cravings now and I don't want to fall off the wagon later. I just wanted to make sure I'm not the only one that's terrified of reaching my goal. rofl!

[liv]

Re: I'm kinda scared to reach goal.. lol

I was kind of the same way. My weight hit the goal number but I hesitated to actually declare that I was there. It is very satisfying to lose but maintaining is harder for some reason. Are you very close now?

[atkinsgal08]

Re: I'm kinda scared to reach goal.. lol

That's why maintenance is the hardest phase, imho. There's no reward of the scale. It's just "doing Atkins".

>>it still scares me that I'll be able to eat higher carb foods.>>

You're on rung 8. What "higher carb foods" are you going to introduce? And how do you know you'll be able to eat them?

[JulieB]

Re: I'm kinda scared to reach goal.. lol

I'm scared too. I'm not that close yet, but I am very goal oriented, and I know how much I look forward to the number on the scale going down every (OK, most) week(s). I also catch myself thinking "I'm not going to eat that, because I want to lose weight this week". Will it be as effective if it is "...because I don't want to gain weight this week"?

I have been thinking that I will need to set new goals
- keep my weight under xlbs,
- look good in a bathing suit,
- fitness goals like able to run a mile in x minutes, bike to work in x minutes, bench press x lbs

I know mini-goals work well for a lot of people, and we've discussed non-food rewards for meeting goals...so how about
"a new pair of (awesome!) shoes if I maintain my weight for the next 30 days"
or
"no winter vacation if I gain weight"
or
planning an active vacation (hiking, rafting, whatever) so that I have to stay in shape
or
...whatever floats your boat

[Paula.in.NC]

Re: I'm kinda scared to reach goal.. lol

I think you have to try to change your thinking. As you know, Atkins is called a WOE and not a diet, therefore is no "end". When you reach a number on the scale, or a health goal that you want to achieve then the "new" goal becomes keeping that new number. There is no going back to your old way of eating.

[liv]

Re: I'm kinda scared to reach goal.. lol

Julie you met your high school grade weight. Wowsie. That is so wonderful

The idea of having goals if you maintain is a good idea - although punishments like no vacation would probably scare me so much I'd eat ice cream. I know I am weird. One of my goals as I am working on maintaining is to always fit into my size four pants. They do make me feel good.

[JulieB]

Re: I'm kinda scared to reach goal.. lol

Julie you met your high school grade weight. Wowsie. That is so wonderful.

Thanks It is weird...I've never been smaller than this at my full height (all 5'2" of it).

The idea of having goals if you maintain is a good idea - although punishments like no vacation would probably scare me so much I'd eat ice cream. I know I am weird. One of my goals as I am working on maintaining is to always fit into my size four pants. They do make me feel good.

Yeah - I don't think I'd actually use the "no vacation one" either - I like my winter escape too much

[Tiggerdagibit]

Re: I'm kinda scared to reach goal.. lol

Glad to know I'm not alone! =)

I was kind of the same way. My weight hit the goal number but I hesitated to actually declare that I was there. It is very satisfying to lose but maintaining is harder for some reason. Are you very close now?

I'm at 139-140 now. My goal is either 135 or 130, just depending on how I feel when I reach 135.

You're on rung 8. What "higher carb foods" are you going to introduce? And how do you know you'll be able to eat them?

I guess I just meant the starchy veggies and whole grains. I've tried so hard to stay away from them, that eating them occasionally is hard. lol

I have been thinking that I will need to set new goals
- keep my weight under xlbs,
- look good in a bathing suit,
- fitness goals like able to run a mile in x minutes, bike to work in x minutes, bench press x lbs

Yeah me too. I know that even after I reach goal, I will still need/want to tone up, get in better shape, etc. so I will try to set goals like that.

I think you have to try to change your thinking. As you know, Atkins is called a WOE and not a diet, therefore is no "end". When you reach a number on the scale, or a health goal that you want to achieve then the "new" goal becomes keeping that new number. There is no going back to your old way of eating.

You're right. It is a WOE. I've been doing this off and on since 2003 (off due to falling off the wagon, not because I think it's a quick fix.) I'm really motivated to stick with it this time. I just need to find new goals to work toward.

Thanks everyone for your input!

[Elizellen]

Re: I'm kinda scared to reach goal.. lol

I just need to find new goals to work toward.

I think that is one thing we will all need to think about when we get close to our goal weight
We spend all this time concentrating on getting there that we don't really work out how we are going to stay motivated to stay on plan once we do!

[Tiggerdagibit]

Re: I'm kinda scared to reach goal.. lol

Exactly! I know that I will keep an eye on the scale and how my clothes fit, because those pounds can slowly creep on without you even realizing it. I will probably set more fitness goals. Those will get me in better shape and maybe lose more inches.

[JaxMama]

Re: I'm kinda scared to reach goal.. lol

I think when I get to goal I am going to start working out again. Now, just when to figure when I will be there.....

[Elizellen]

Re: I'm kinda scared to reach goal.. lol

Are you not exercising now? I love the quote one of our members used to have in her siggy

Eat Atkins and look good clothed; Eat Atkins and exercise and look good naked!

[Tiggerdagibit]

Re: I'm kinda scared to reach goal.. lol

I remember that siggy too. Was that Brook?

I've been trying to step up my exercise lately. I had been walking "briskly" on the treadmill for 30-60 minutes (running hurts my knee and kills my lungs. lol) and doing the weight machines at the Y. I liked it, but felt that I wasn't doing enough/ pushing myself. I found some classes to mix in and they kick my butt! I feel more like I've accomplished something after them. BodyFlow is a mix of yoga, pilates, and tai chi. It works me out and is relaxing at the same time. BodyPump is a strength training class that has a LOT of reps and gets my heart rate up too. There's a 3rd one that I haven't tried yet called BodyCombat. It's a mix of kicking, punching, karate, etc. I don't know that I can handle it yet, but I'm gonna try to work it into my schedule soon and see how it goes. lol