Failing when setting goals
Ok....every time I set a goal regarding weight loss/exercise I fail miserable. If I don't set a goal, and just keep plugging along, I'm good. For instance, I got to 210 right before Christmas...39 lbs down. I wanted to hit 40 by then but didn't. That's ok. Then, I had a cruise in Feb so I wanted to be under 200 before I went. Completely, doable...but I didn't...in fact....I went way off the other way. Then I come back and take off the cruise weight and say...well, I have a dr's appt for my yearly physical at the end of April, I'd love for them to see me down 40 lbs. Well, once again....so far off the track. Now I am down only 22.8 lbs (which really means I've gained 16.2 lbs). So, why? I'm certain it's psychological. But what do I do about it? Anyone else have this problem? The usual motivators don't seem to work on me. I think this is what happened when I got down to 146 in 2005 and then gained back up again. If I don't fix it....I'll forever be in this cycle. Lose, gain, lose, gain...........
|
I totally know what you mean. Often in the back of my head, I'll think something like, "Oh, I want to be down 30 pounds by my birthday" or "I need to be down 25 by vacation." I've stopped (or am trying to stop) articulating these goals by dates and pounds. Yes, I'm monitoring my weight in pounds, but I'm no longer saying "Lose __lbs by___date!" I find I'm healthier when I say/think things like, "Focus on water intake" or "Find a late afternoon snack that works" or "Hit your veggie goals." It takes away some of that guilt (and ensuing pig-out) that comes from failing a somewhat arbitrary goal. My weight loss isn't on a schedule anymore. Health is health.
|
well why are you gaining weight on the cruise? dieting isn't about losing weight then going back to eating fried chicken and chocolate cake, it's about changing your diet for LIFE. and don't most cruise ships have a gym, too? so if you DO want to have something extravagant, calculate the calories, and go to the cruise gym and burn them off!
|
I find setting behavior goals rather than results goals better for me, since I control 100% of my behavior, and the scale will do what it will.
So, rather than saying "I'll lose 20 pounds by a certain day" I say "I'll stick to my calories 100% of the time, I'll exercise x number of days a week, I'll eat 3 veggies per day." That way if I go on vacation or have a night out, I still have my "goals" that I can meet that day. Make your goal "stay on plan 100%" or "Be able to show my doctor a full month of my food journal and exercise journal," or "walk in a charity 5K." |
Quote:
I wish this site had a "Like" button for this post... Very well put!! :) |
Weight loss is all about creating a whole new life. You have to learn to eat healthy. You have to learn to think differently about food. You have to learn how to incorporate exercise into your daily routine. THESE should be your goals. And then the pounds will disappear and you will become a thinner healthier you.
|
If you lose weight just fine when you don't set goals, then the answer seems to be: don't set goals. Just keep plugging along, one foot after another. Just because goals work for other people doesn't mean that using them is the mandatory approach.
I say, go back to what you were doing when you lost the first 39. The fact that you gained a little on vacation is completely understandable to me. Most people gain a little on vacation. Heck, I just trekked 80 miles in 6 days through mountainous terrain on vacation 2 weeks ago and only lost 2 pounds. The important thing isn't putting on a couple of pounds when you are away; it's how you respond after the vacation; you need to just get right back to it... But all is not lost. Just get back to it now. You know how to lose the weight, so just go back to what worked before. |
Quote:
|
Thanks all for your input. I'm rededicated and going forward. I know its a mental thing. I'm working on it. One day at a time.
|
Sounds like you are going at this in a way that must be too extreme, if you are falling off the wagon so to speak. What is your plan, when you are on plan? How many calories do you eat? Do you have any macro goals? Do you exercise? Tell us more about what you are doing and maybe we can make some helpful suggestions based on what has worked for us.
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
Yes! I'm a slow learner. ;) |
Thought I'd update! One week down. I chose 3 goals. No salt. Walk 1 hr a day. Stay within my calorie limits. Made all three goals. Will weigh in in a half hour but I can't control the number on my scale. I've met the 3 goals and feel good. In control again and on my way. This weeks goals are no salt. Weights M.W.F. (walk to make up a full hour) C25K T, Thu, Sat. (walk to make up a full hour), and Sunday 1 hour walk. Stay within cal. limit. I feel frustrated that I gained 17.8 lbs back but happy that I caught it before I gained it all back and then some. That's better then I've done in the past so I'm learning. Now I will work on not stopping.
|
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:18 AM. |
Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.