I started my plan on May 22 and then shortly after, joined a challenge that went until July 31. It worked out to be exactly 10 weeks for me, so I decided to challenge myself to that - staying on plan for 10 weeks. Making that commitment to myself has been more powerful than I expected. Especially as time has gone by, I am less and less inclined to be willing to go off plan and break my streak. Even if I momentarily think about it, I decide that I'm not going to blow the 7 weeks I've put in already.

At the same time, 10 weeks is a short enough time period that it didn't feel so overwhelming to commit to. It's not the same as making a promise that I was going to stay on plan until I got to my final goal, because that would feel like something I could never do. But 10 weeks? I can do that, and I AM doing that, with less than 3 weeks to go now.

I'm not planning on going on a binge, or even going off plan when the 10 weeks are up. More than likely, I will roll right into the next 10 weeks. But even if it's just playing a mental game, doing 10 weeks twice seems easier than 20 weeks. (and hopefully 10 weeks 3 times vs. 30 weeks, etc).

This was a new way of looking at things for me, so I figured I'd share in case it might help someone else.

I'm doing the eaxct same thing! Just made up my own 100-Day Challenge and am on Day 60. I haven't budged for one day, and I know having a timeframe goal, instead of weight, has gotten me through some rough days. After this 100 days, I'll just start a new challenge! Good luck!

ChickieChicks, that's great that you've found the time commitment works for you too! I thought about 100 days, but that seemed more intimidating to me. I'm already planning my next 10 weeks because that ends up taking me to October 10, so it seemed like good timing! lol!

But 100 days is still in my head, so maybe once I've got 20 weeks down, I might be able to take that on.

That's a great idea! I like setting mini goals for myself as well, time wise. It makes it seem less like an agonizing, drag-your-buttocks-across-hot-coals experience. =P

the great thing about time based goals is that they are in your control. I consider myself fortunate that my weight loss is going well, but I never take it for granted. I know that even if I am 100% on plan, there could be times when I stall and there won't be anything I can do other than stick with it and wait for the stall to break. Of course it would be great if I don't experience that, but I know I can't guarantee it. But I can guarantee to stay on plan every day for my 10 weeks, and the 10 weeks after that, etc because that is the part that I can CHOOSE and MAKE happen every single day.

Mini-goals are extremely important to me as well. Like base-camp 1, base-camp 2, etc, until you reach the summit.