The "trouble" with losing weight by a specific date

[cruiser gal]

Re: The "trouble" with losing weight by a specific date

Well said Betty, I totally agree! Mini goals are nice to have, and easier to accomplish. The ultimate should be to change our old eating styles and continue way past our goals. It is a lifetime, not a short term fix!

[sofarsogood]

Re: The "trouble" with losing weight by a specific date

I'm new to this WOE and my main goal is to lose weight. I used to think I was fairly healthy overall right now (at 30), but the longer I eat this new way the more I realize that I would like to be running marathons at 49, instead of bloated and tired.

I'm still trying to fight the carb addiction, therefore I'm in a "one day at a time" mind set. This is gradually changing and I am starting to think about long-term and keeping Atkins for life.

When I started I did not have any mini-goal in mind, then the weight started coming off so easily and I was not hungry. I am a competitive person (even just with myself) so I thought, "well if you stick to induction and stick to the rules you could weigh 140 by X-mas." I think after reading this post I am going to get rid of my mini-goal, just so I take away the possibility of feeling like a failure if I don't make it.

Thanks for posting about this Betty!

[Stefanie]

Re: The "trouble" with losing weight by a specific date

I also agree with setting mini goals...but not giving them a time frame in which to achieve. When I finally reach a mini goal, I feel good, but I'm the type of person that would feel like a failure if I didn't meet the goal in time. Some people would be more positive and say, "well I didn't make my goal, but I'm that much closer, and I've done great!" I'd say, "STEFANIE, YOU SUCK!". I do have one goal/ time frame set, but It is a way reachable one if I eat right and exercise..and that is to go from 215 to 150 in a year's time. The only reason I have that time limit is that I had a bet going with someone. I made the bet on purpose as a beginning motivator to start trying to lose weight, because I hate to lose a bet! Now, I got into kind of an argument with the person (unrelated to any dieting or anything) and told him that I WOULD be 150lbs by September 6, 2006, but it would be for me and I don't want his ^%^%&* money!
Hey, whatever works, right?

[AllieCat0817]

Re: The "trouble" with losing weight by a specific date

Thank you, Betty. Thank you, so much, for those wonderful words of wisdom. It's amazing how many folks come here and say (about this time of the year) "Will Atkins let me lose 35 pounds by the time I go to the family Christmas gathering?"!!

Yeah. This totally kills me because they usually don't last too long.

[I lost it]

Re: The "trouble" with losing weight by a specific date

I agree with what has been said,If the event gets you started great! Hopefully your get in shape for life senses will kick in after you see some success.Your lifestyle usually sets the pace for your eating habits.

[Yoly1001]

Re: The "trouble" with losing weight by a specific date

I like to set mini goals for myself but do not get bumbed out if I don't make it in the alotted time. It is a method that I have found works for me so that I can push myself as hard as I can. I agree with the idea that losing weight for a specific event is bad, this is a WOL, if you haven't figured that out yet then you are doomed to gain your weight back, if not more. I know this is forever, and you know what, I don't mind it. I enjoy the foods I eat, I don't feel deprived, but more importantly I love the feeling I get when I'm walking aroudn on campus. I feel confident and secure, I feel attractive, I can walk with my head high because I know that I am doing everything in my power for my betterment, it is something I'm very proud of. I work hard and I enjoy all of the benefits.

[ttdriver]

Re: The "trouble" with losing weight by a specific date

Yeah. This totally kills me because they usually don't last too long.

Yep, short-term goals typically yield short-term results. That was why I wanted to post this thread.

Thanks to all of you for understanding where I was coming from with this. As an "old-timer" to Atkins, I've seen more than my share of people who use Atkins as a crash diet and that's what unfortunately, to alot of people makes this just another "fad". Not true at all for those of us who have embraced this as our WAY OF LIFE. For me, going on 4 years with Atkins has been a totally revolutionary experience and one I will always be indebted to Dr. Atkins for. He truly changed everything about me, the way I look, the way I think, the way I feel. FOR GOOD!!

Betty

[Alienore]

Re: The "trouble" with losing weight by a specific date

I know a few weeks back I said on this forum that I wanted to lose a stone by Christmas - my weight isn't going anywhere right now so that ain't gonna happen. However, by eating the way I need to and making certain I go to Curves at least three times a week I know that I am doing myself a world of good.

I'd love to be a certain weight by my birthday in March but as long as I weigh less than I do now that's the main thing. Heading in the right direction is what keeps me going, not beating myself up if I can't do it all at once.

And as other people have said, this way of eating is for life not for Christmas. And come Christmas I will enjoy the things that my parents will have available to eat but will make sure I walk the dogs, go to Curves and keep a firm eye on what I'm doing.


Deborah