What will you look and feel like at goal?

[julirama723]

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

Adena--thanks for reminding me of this thread! I'd forgotten that I'd posted this stuff. It's kind of amazing to see how far I've come since October when I posted this stuff.

WOW This is a great thread, I can't believe I didn't see this one before.

Yeah, I agree with Chris, et al., that just because I'm thinner doesn't mean everything will be perfect. But I do believe a lot of things will change for the better. Obviously, many outside factors will remain the same (work stress, schedules, weather, gravity, death and taxes) but I really see things getting better, and I'm really excited about those. Here they are, in no particular order.

1. MY SEX LIFE
I've already got a great one, I can't even imagine how much better it will be with more weight gone! Not because I'm trying to pick up some new hottie or something (I'm still happy with the current model [img]images/smilies/icon_surprised.gif[/img]), but simply because I'll be more limber and more flexible. I am so excited to try new stuff out, or invent new positions if need be, AND I won't feel like Ursula the Sea Witch if I'm on top. Kama Sutra, here I come!

Oh it's DEFINITELY improved! I thought it was good before, it's downright amazing now. I'll spare you the details, but who knew the Atkins plan was an aphrodisiac?

2. HEALTH/FITNESS
Gawd I can't wait to be one of those incredibly healthy, sexy, sort of naturalistic women that you always see hiking, backcountry camping, enjoying the wilderness! My birthday present this summer is going to be a backcountry hike up to Sperry Chalet in Glacier National Park. I think it's like 8 miles up into the mountains, and there's no way I could have done it previously, or even NOW at my current weight. I also want to be able to run without feeling like my lungs are bleeding or my muscles are aching or my fat bulges are causing major motion in the ocean when I move. I want to be the person that people ask for fitness advice, just because I'm so gosh darn healthy.

I think I look really healthy now--sort of that glowing and natural thing. And people DO ask me for fitness/weight loss advice these days. People at the gym, people at work, friends, family. It's amazing--and I feel I have truly earned the honor to give advice. And as for the running thing--my first goal was to be able to run a mile, which seemed impossibly long. I now run 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 miles at a time!

3. MONEY/FINANCES
Health=saving money. Less visits to the doctor, and when I'm older, cheaper health insurance because my cholesterol and blood pressure won't be 200 points over "normal." I also have stopped drinking POP/SODA, which, no joke, has saved me over $100 since August!!! I've stopped eating "fast food" and "junk food" which has saved money. I am also no longer spending small amounts here and there, buying gum, soda, candy, etc. from gas stations and machines.

I have saved LOTS of money on not buying pop--probably $600 so far! I've also saved money not buying junk food or fast food, and actually, since I'm actually able to find clothes in NORMAL sizes, I get to save money not having to buy extended sizing. But, since I am shrinking, I have to buy new clothing every so often. That does get expensive, but overall, I know I'm saving mad loot.

4. APPEARANCE
My younger students think I'm much older than I really am, simply because I'm fat. My older students probably just think I'm a dork anyway, so I really don't care what opinions they have LOL. I want to look my age--if not younger. I want to stay forever young in mind, body, and spirit. And yes, I will be shallow and admit it, but I also LOVE to have guys hit on me--it happened A LOT when I lost all that weight before, and I'm not kidding you, my work must be paying off because three guys hit on me Thursday night. Although my boyfriend is the only one for me, and I know he loves me and thinks I'm sexy, it's nice to know that I am still a sexually attractive woman. Vanity aside, it's a true fact that fat people are often overlooked, pitied, stereotyped, abhorred, and mocked by non-fat people. I don't ever want to be the butt of someone's fat joke again. No pun intended.

My students treat me differently now. Instead of being just a teacher, I'm like a younger, energetic person to them. I honestly think they like me better now--not necessarily because I'm thinner, but because I feel better, have more energy, and I do sort of have a youthfulness about me that they're drawn to. And geez, since I got my hair cut, I look even YOUNGER! Geoff thinks I look like a college kid. And wow, I've been getting looks and compliments and all sorts of attention from the opposite sex. And Geoff says that everyday is the sexiest I've ever looked...and that each day I just get sexier.

5. EMOTIONAL/SPIRITUAL
Carbs have given me mood swings, exhaustion, irritability, loss of my temper, sobbing, crying, swearing, depression, vulnerability, worthlessness, and despair. The first thing I noticed about changing the way I ate is my mood and emotional stability. Sugar makes me a MONSTER, and I don't want to do that to my loved ones anymore.

Oh my gosh, I haven't had a food-related mood swing or a migraine since I began Atkins. I feel like I'm the picture of health. My emotions are stabilized, my PMS symptoms have drastically decreased, and I have lots of confidence and a positive attitude now.

I'm hoping to be around 160 or 170 (my mind changes daily about this goal, based on how much fat I'm losing vs. how much actual "weight" I'm losing)...or a size 10. I've never been a size 10--ok well maybe when I was 13. Both times I've been on Atkins (2003 and NOW) I started as a size 20. In 2003, I got down to a 12, and I know I can get to a 10, no problem. I guess I'll re-evaluate from there.

My goal is set at 160. When I first posted this, I must have been around 240 or 230, and now I'm at 190. And I no longer want to be a size 10--I'm currently a 12, and I have a couple items that are size 10 that actually fit me. I've changed my goal to 160 pounds OR size 8...and who knows, I might decide that a size 6 is a healthy place for me to be. It's a constant process, always analyzing and evaluating where I am and where I'd like to be. And what's crazy is that although I got to a size 12 before when I did "Fatkins", I look about 2983 times better than I did back then. I'm following the plan to the letter, and I know that's the reason. I have a LOT more muscle now and a different body shape. When I was a size 12 before, I was probably around 180. I'm 190 now, but I've been a size 12 since I weighed in the high 190s...that's a 15-20 pound difference because of weight training.

Adena, thanks again for the "update"--it's amazing to see that I've actually reached most of these goals already!

[Adena]

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

Why am I not surprised, Julie, that you first goal was an improved sex life? That's really funny to see now...

Wow -- you really HAVE made your visualizations real. Almost like you had a crystal ball...

[*Emma*]

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

Wow great post, i think i'll have to have a think about this one though before jumping in with my visualisations. i'll be back shortly.

[Theperfect10]

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

Joy, Adena and Julie - you three are really my inspiration. I can't believe how well you guys have done, seeing how much you have achieved is really helping me with my journey. I know I've thanked you guys before for your tips and support, but once again thank you. You're making my journey all that easier.
I talked to my boyfriend this morning about my visualisation and hes now doing the same too. Its great to share this journey with him too and have his support.

It will be fun to come back to this thread in six months, like you guys have done and update my visualisation with my progress.

[*Emma*]

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

Ok I want....

to be able to walk down the street with my head held high without having to worry about holding the right bits in

to walk in to the same stores as my friends and not have to say "they dont go up to my size in here"

to unpack the suitcase at the back of my closet and fit into the clothes in it (from the last time i did atkins)

for my partner to be able to lift me up - i miss that kind of sex lol

lose my double chin, its going but its still there!

to be able to walk in to town each mornin and evening after and before work (gotta wait for more medical advice on thatone though)

to be able to cross my legs like i did at school in front of me while sat on the floor

to dance without being ashamed of my bouncing bits

Thats it for now, i may be back when ive thought of more.

[ValidRouge]

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

Perfect10, that is SO COOL that you've got your boyfriend in on this with you. There are SO MANY ways that you can apply this technique to your life. I've used it mostly with weight loss, I've used it to quit smoking...I need to start using it in other areas too. Like controlling my temper and saving money

Emma, those are all completely, absolutely, positively attainable goals! Every day when you look in the mirror, see yourself there. Don't ever look back except to see how far you've come. Leave the girl who is not those things behind you. Any time you get yourself "off track" refocus on these visuals and keep going.

[Adena]

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

Perfect -- it's funny (and so nice) to hear that, because Joy has been a big inspiration for me all along -- we call her our Atkins Idol. Now, to be lumped into the same category with her is really cool -- so thank you. Believe me, if I can do this, I know that ANYONE can. You WILL be successful and in a few months, someone will be saying the same thing about you!

Emma, those are great goals. Thank you for sharing them with us. If you keep them top of mind and work the plan, I have no doubt you will realize them. By the way, I love how folks from across the pond call their body parts "bits."

[julirama723]

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

Perfect--I'm in total agreement with Adena! Joy has been an inspiration to me (and to a lot of people!) from day 1. It feels wierd to be compared to her, like I don't deserve it!

I had forgotten that I posted those goals, but that doesn't mean I'd forgotten about the goals themselves. One of the most important ones for me was the exercise. I want to be able to run a marathon someday. Not that I'll ever actually run one, but I would like to be physically able to do so. Goals like that, ones that are NON-WEIGHT related, I think are what keep me motivated.

[*Emma*]

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

OKay... four months down the line

to be able to walk down the street with my head held high without having to worry about holding the right bits in

still do this...

to walk in to the same stores as my friends and not have to say "they dont go up to my size in here"

Done!

to unpack the suitcase at the back of my closet and fit into the clothes in it (from the last time i did atkins)

done!

lose my double chin, its going but its still there!

done

to be able to walk in to town each mornin and evening after and before work (gotta wait for more medical advice on thatone though)

done

to be able to cross my legs like i did at school in front of me while sat on the floor

done

to dance without being ashamed of my bouncing bits

i just cant dance, period.

think i need some new goals now, ive lost about 35lbs since this post.

anyone else gonna post some goals so they can come back a few months down the road and see which ones theyve attained?

[Adena]

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

Emma, since I started this thread, I'm game...

I want to run a marathon.

I want to wear a size 10.

I want to be confident and fit enough to be able to run in just a jog bra by Summer 08. (I don't need a perfect stomach - just an acceptable one.)

I want to make my children's lives active ones and help them never have to be "the fat kid."

I want to still be living and eating this way one year from now.... then 2 years... then 3...

I *might* want to learn how to ride a bike (without wobbling) and compete in a triathalon. Still chewing on this last one.

[Adena]

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

Hey... just realized I didn't include what I want to weigh in that list. Wow, that shows major progress for me. I now know that all those things I listed will mean my weight is where I want it to be. But it's about way more than the number...

[misplaced southerner]

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

i will feel confident every day that i look my best

i will be much less shy than i used to be

i will be able to run a 5K or more....without dying!

i will have the continued energy that i have experienced so far....

i will be able to keep my size 6's and some 8's and not have to reach for the 10 and ups.....

my daughter will think that "i rock" because i can set a goal and work hard and achieve it

i will continue to me a model of what is healthy for HER...not skinny....but healthy...

i have more but.....time'r run out for now...

[Georgiana]

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

This thread can be read by guests, huh? I thought twice about posting, but then I read Julie's post... so what the heck! Let's see...

I will wear a US size 6.

I will run 5k's.

I will wear shorts without wondering if everyone stares at my legs and without feeling like a plugger.


I will look awesome in swimming suit, without worrying about my tummy when I bend/breath or about other parts of my body when I do whatever movement.

I will have arms like Gillian (this is a bit lame, I know :P) and I'll stop blaming gravity for whatever is "hanging"... because nothing will.


I will say

not because I have eaten it and feel guilty, but because I'm not even tempted by it knowing the damage it can cause (same with any other "empty" food for that matter).

[julirama723]

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

Perfect--I'm in total agreement with Adena! Joy has been an inspiration to me (and to a lot of people!) from day 1. It feels wierd to be compared to her, like I don't deserve it!

I had forgotten that I posted those goals, but that doesn't mean I'd forgotten about the goals themselves. One of the most important ones for me was the exercise. I want to be able to run a marathon someday. Not that I'll ever actually run one, but I would like to be physically able to do so. Goals like that, ones that are NON-WEIGHT related, I think are what keep me motivated.

Wow, I had forgotten AGAIN about this thread! Who knew that one year after that post, I'd be completing my first marathon? Not only that, but I trained myself, stuck to my schedule, and had almost identical halfer splits (meaning my pace was dead-on.)

Very cool...I think we need to have an update on everybody who posted in this thread.

Where are you now, what have you achieved?

[julirama723]

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

Glad I could be of service to you with my saucy posts...

Georgiana, where did you find that old picture of my arm!?