What will you look and feel like at goal?

[Adena]

I'm going out on a limb here, becuase this feels awfully personal, but it was so impactful for me, I wanted to share it with others. ValidRouge (aka Joy) made the following post in my journal:

You MUST visualize yourself getting there. Think about how you are going to eat Atkins, never having those bad foods...Visualize yourself at parties eating the right foods. Visualize yourself fitting in smaller clothes. Visualize yourself fitting in your GOAL SIZE CLOTHES. Visualize how you are going to look. Visualize how you are going to feel. Visualize all the things you are going to do when you get there.

I think we spend too much time visualizing the pain of missing out, of visualizing failure instead of success. When you change your way of thinking, when you are so focused on the goal....your subconscious will start thinking that way too...and quit getting in your way!

You can do this! What are you going to look like at Goal Adena? What will you be wearing? How will you feel inside?

Below is my response to Joy (this is where it gets personal -- and a little scary). I hope you'll share yours as well, and take from it the same motivation and focus I have.

At goal, I'll be a size 14-16. That's where I was at my lowest point in college, and it's the smallest (and most realistic) me I can imagine being. Then, I was about 160 lbs. At the time, I still wanted to lose weight, but looking back, I was a good weight for my size, and relatively fit. That's how I'll be at my goal. Not perfectly flat and toned, but toned and shapely -- more soft curves and less bulges and bumps and jiggles and dimples. My "fat apron," as a friend of mine calls hers, will be gone.

I will feel so much lighter on my feet. I won't feel like I have to pay attention to how I walk so I'm sure not to "waddle." I won't constantly have to wonder if something is clinging to a roll, how my butt or hips look in "those" pants. I will be able to wear heels without my feet hurting (as much), because so much less weight will be on the balls!

I will be able to easily walk/jog 3-4 miles, and will do so on a regular basis. I will enjoy exercise, and will look forward to it. And I will make time for it, for me. I will enjoy my food, but I will eat to live -- I will not live to eat. I will fuel my body with things that are healthy for me. I will treat my body well, through a healthy diet and exercise. I will not miss those "bad" foods, because my body doesn't need them. I will know and believe that my body deserves better, and so do I.

I'll dress classically, Talbot's style (but at Talbot's Outlet prices!!). I see myself in classic, straight leg jeans, medium heels (brown) or boots, a white, crisp cotton button down blouse (TUCKED IN!), and a brown belt. I can also see myself in a similar outfit, but with khaki pants.

At work, I see myself in a nice suit, tailored, a rich fabric... slightly shorter jacket, pretty trousers which make me look long and lean. Classically styled, simple, sophisticated, professional. Or, I'm in a form fitting, ribbed ivory turtle neck sweater and a slim-fitting wrap wool skirt. Elegant and simple. I imagine myself looking and feeling so much more graceful, so much more comfortable in my skin.

I will not constantly be thinking about my size, or how my clothes are fitting, or what I'm eating (or not eating). I will live and enjoy my life, and my weight and how I look will be sources of hard-earned happiness and satisfaction, not a constant source of angst and disappointment.

I have so much in my life to be thankful for. Two wonderful healthy children, a (mostly!) good husband, a beautiful home, a great job I love, good friends, health, family, and so much more. Yet, selfishy, I can think of little else that would bring me more satisfaction than conquering this life-long demon. It is my albatross, and I am so ready to let it go.

What does "goal" feel and look like to you? Whether you choose to share or prefer to keep it to yourself, I hope you'll give this some serious thought, and as Joy suggests, refer to it again and again. Thanks again, Joy!

[ttdriver]

Re: What will you look and feel like at goal?

I loved both Joy's post and your response, Adena. It took alot of courage to write what you did, but after reading it, I have ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBT you will reach and maintain your goal.

YOU WILL DO IT!



Betty

[Adena]

Re: What will you look and feel like at goal?

Thanks so much, Betty. I truly feel like "this time," it will be different.

On another note, I hope you'll plan to join us in Atlanta for the inaugural ING Georgia Marathon in March! I'm a little biased, but I hear it's supposed to be one of the most beautiful "city" courses in the country. It will be spring in Atlanta, everything will be in bloom, with dogwood trees aplenty. I'm working towards walk/running my first 1/2 marathon there!

[ttdriver]

Re: What will you look and feel like at goal?

Girl, tell me more!! I would love to do that! Is there a website with information??

Betty

[floydgirl]

Re: What will you look and feel like at goal?

Thank you for posting that here on the Main Page. What excellent advise and a lot of things for all of us to think about. I love this! Thanks for sharing your innermost feelings with us. That took a lot of guts to post.

[dreamof145]

Re: What will you look and feel like at goal?

Great post. I also feel that visual mental images of ourselves keeps us moving in the right direction. I visualize myself at a size 10. I'll be walking at least 5 miles a day and doing other activities such as swimming, tennis, weights and aerobics 5-6 days a week. I'll feel good inside and out. I will no longer have to worry what others are thinking about me when I go anywhere. If someone stares, it will be because I am smiling back at them and they will wonder if they know me from somewhere. I'll dress in clothes that are in style, not clothes that I have to wear cause they are the only ones that I could fit into.

Food won't be the main focus in my life. I'll eat foods on plan without thinking and bypass the stuff that once had a hold over me.

I'll hold my head high and when someone asks me my secret, I'll proudly say, "Why Atkins, of course."

[Adena]

Re: What will you look and feel like at goal?

Sure, Betty. Let me know if you plan to come! We'll have to meet up and say hello!

www.inggeorgiamarathon.com

[Adena]

Re: What will you look and feel like at goal?

Thanks, Floydgirl. I appreciate it.

And great post, Becky. Thank you for sharing. You included a big one I forgot... knowing what strangers are thinking when they look at me. People have to said to me... "you have such a pretty face." Which translates to: "You do NOT have a pretty body" or "It's too bad -- you could be pretty if you weren't SO FAT!!" Just once, I'd like someone to say -- eh... she looks okay, I guess, but what a smokin' bod!!!

[kislandmom]

Re: What will you look and feel like at goal?

I will be a size 10 (maybe even an . I will not feel rolls when I sit down. I will enjoy having my picture taken with my family rather than running the other way!

I will have more energy to do the things I want to do. I will feel good about myself (inside and out).

I will be able to shop at Victoria's Secret for something other than flannel!!!

[Lisa M]

Re: What will you look and feel like at goal?

Thanks for sharing your personal parts of your journal...they're so helpful

A great post, indeed.

My ultimate "goal" is to be a happy size 10/12 hovering around 160.

For now, I also have to be happy in the skin I'm in....it's part of the reflecting from the inside and loving who we are right now and taking care of us the best way we know how so my inside will match my outside when I reach my ultimate goal

[G-Mom]

Re: What will you look and feel like at goal?

Well, if I know myself, even at goal I will feel fat. HOWEVER, now I know what it feels like to be morbidly obese, and a tiny bit of pudge ain't the mounds of flesh I had at 320lbs. I have these pics of what I looked like thinner:


I remember this dress was a size 16 and I felt like a giant monster compared to the other bridesmaids who wore a tiny size 0 and a size 6.


This is me at a size 12-14, depending on the clothes. I felt pretty good here, but I remember feeling fat, and I thought my boyfriend (hubby now) thought I was fat (he didn't).

I would take either one of those bodies right now instead of this size 18-20 one I have at the moment. However, I wouldn't trade this body for the one 100 lbs ago. So, I guess we should look to the future, but never forget about how far we've come.

[Adena]

Re: What will you look and feel like at goal?

Gosh, G-mom, you've made so much progress already. And you don't have to conjure up a picture of what you'll look like at (or near) goal -- you actually have them! Thank you for sharing!

Kislandmom, I'm with you on Victoria's Secret -- that's a great one!! In fact, it will be wonderful to know I can buy clothes in ANY store!

Lisa, you make a great point about working toward your inside matching your outside. While we are looking forward to our new bodies, we can't loathe the ones we're in.

[Jerrica]

Re: What will you look and feel like at goal?

Adena that was wonderful. I cried because many of us want to feel that way. The few things I will add are... I will be able to tie my shoes without feeling like I am going to pass out,lol. And I will cross my legs always when I sit. I will include myself in every family photo for holidays, birthdays, or any time for that matter to just be recorded as part of my family. I will not wear clothes that hide me anymore. I will be overjoyed to see old friends instead of humiliated. Joy what a inspiration you are. Thank you both for that perspective. It is so easy to focus on negative things about ourselves. Today is truly the first in a very long time that I saw myself and smiled.

[jcapulet]

Re: What will you look and feel like at goal?

The smallest I've been is a size 6...this was the last time I was on Atkins, several years ago. Will I get to size 6 again? I don't know...but I'd be happy with a size 10.

How on earth do people get to size "0"?! They must have a really small frame...even at my skinniest, I have never been under 120 pounds!

[TammyJo348]

Re: What will you look and feel like at goal?

This is an excellent topic! It's nice to have it written out.
For me, the thinnest I can ever remember being was 133. I was 7 years old! Seriously, I went to a nutritionist in the third grade and the first time I ever remember being really weighed growing up was that time, how could I forget that...
I, obviously, have always been obese. In 6th grade, age 12, we had a project in our math class about averages. Of course, we had to get on the scale in front of the class and our weight was written down for all to see...mine was 190 that time. In 8th grade, getting a physical to try out for the volleyball team, I weighed 228. Going into college I stayed around 230, after losing 40 pounds from birth control pills of all things! But since then...switching pills was NOT a good idea!...I gained 100 more pounds...in the past 3 years...

The only way I have ever seen myself was FAT. Just plain FAT is all I have ever been. NO MORE THOUGH!!! I guess I had just made it a part of myself...but I know that I was not simply meant to be an obese woman, I am so much more than that. I have so much energy and excitement that needs to come out but can't because my body can't possibly handle it!

I am 315 pounds right now. My goal is to get down to 200. Yes, I will still be overweight, but I haven't weighed that since middle school! I used to be very active, played softball in elementary school until we moved, loved playing volleyball with my church and all, and I would love to get back there. I want to go on a bike ride with my husband, without worrying about breaking the bike! I want to be able to walk along a beach, or across a cruise ship!, without needing to rest.

My vision for myself is just that. The furthest thing from my mind is having the hottest bod in the world, that's just not me. I just want to be about 200 pounds wearing I guess a 14-18 (would love to be able to buy a pair of women's jeans, not PLUS size. I am a 26 now). And, Lord, what I wouldn't give to be able to shop at Victoria's Secret! I don't care if I have to get the biggest size in there, as long as it would fit me! I want to be able to shave my legs without having to bend in abnormal directions because I can't reach the backs of my legs! I want to be able to sit in the seat of a ride at an amusement park, not worrying that I will fall out beacuse the harness isn't tightened around me properly!

I loved how you said something about not thinking about what you will miss, but how you will simply be and live. I can tell you know, there is NOTHING that will be worth giving up being smaller for! No frosty or donut or potato chip or soft drink or molten lave chocolate cake from Chili's will EVER taste good to me again, because I see that those choices are what got me to where I am now.

I will be the same person, but I won't have to feel like less of a woman because I am not shaped like a "woman". I will wear skirts and dresses, instead of hiding my legs and wearing pants beacause of the friction in my thighs! I will wear tight low cut shirts to tease my husband when we go out!!! I will be able to do more "things" for him in bed, that will be fantastic!!! My PCOS problems will fade away and I won't have to worry about having little kiddos when we are ready down the road (and yes I will do Atkins again when I have baby pudges!)

Man, it feels so good to think about that...there really is nothing in this world that I would rather have than to be a healthy weight. I don't care about pina coladas and snickers bars! Why would I ever want three donuts for breakfast again?!

This is it. This is the start of my life. And I WILL be thinner!