So I caved this morning. I had told myself all along that if I were really in the mental place to lose the weight this time, then I wouldn't need a numerical measure of success--I'd just feel and look better and that would be enough for me. And truth be told, it is, but I find that without knowing at least where I'm starting out, it's difficult to measure success.
Thus, before I showered, I weighed myself this morning (for the first time in 5 years!). Truth be told, the numbers read back to me were almost exactly what I'd expected, so I filed them away and went on with my day.
But here's the thing--I have no idea where to start myself out with mini goals. I have never before been in a place where I could safely, logically, and permanently commit myself to losing the decades' worth of extra weight I've been carrying around and so I've never really gone at this with any kind of plan. Now that I have one, however, I'm not sure what realistic milestones should be.
So, before I set myself up with an adorable, colorful weight tracker in my signature, I thought I'd ask quickly: what have you found are realistic mini goals? Should I be looking at a 1lb-2lb a week? More at the beginning and then steadying out as the months go by? Should I wait until I've logged in a couple of weeks before I set myself up with a goal or should I go ahead and set one up now and simply adjust it based on my losing experiences? Obviously, our mileage may and will vary, but I want to be in this for the long-term and to do it completely safely, but I really want something to look forward to, also!
When you first started calorie cycling, what were your mini goal experiences?
Personally, while I do set weight loss goals, I try not to set timetables for those goals -- weight loss is erratic, and if I tell myself I want to lose 2 pounds a week and don't, it gets frustrating.
I try instead, to set goals that are under my control. A goal to eat x many servings of veggies, or get a certain amount of exercise. The weight loss will be one of the results, but the GOALS are things I can control.
All that being said, I did set quite a large first mini goal (I know now that's unusual) -- it was 45 pounds away. I had no idea how long it would take me to get there, and I steeled myself for the possibility that it would take over six months, maybe longer. I had no idea what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised to lose that weight in 4-5 months! Of course, I started at about 300 pounds, and it seems easier to lose more weight the further you are from an ideal weight.
I guess what I'm saying is, if you plan to be in for the long haul, it may be good to look far down the road, but since you don't know what road blocks you'll encounter, you may want to be cautious about timetables.
I have never met a goal on time. The few times I've tried, I've been very disappointed. So I'm not doing it any more. My goals now are more like ... trying to stay on track for more than a day and a half
I, too, started out with a "X pounds by Y date" goal. That deadline is rapidly approaching (next Wednesday) and unless there is a miracle, I'm a-gonna miss it. I came to that realization yesterday. I was completely bummed out.
But that realization also came with a revelation. I have already made wonderful strides toward the goal. And that's what is important, not meeting some arbitrary date. I'd rather celebrate the progress rather than regret missing the deadline.
So, as of yesterday, I've completely changed my way of thinking on this, including how my ticker below reads. I broke my original long-term goal into 10 pieces. The first piece is the biggest (23 pounds), just to get me going and to make the other 9 goals an even 10 pounds each. I'll get there when I get there.
And I think I'll be a lot less stressed out and able to enjoy the ride!
I like goals because I am competitive and it makes me want to "win" against the old self. I also know that my goal is adjustable, and accomplishment is worth more than winning, so if I am making steady progress I am happy. I have read numerous times that if you want to perminatly lose the weight then you should lose 1-2 lbs per week. So keep that in mind if you do chose to set a goal or mini-goal.
I, too, am competitive, but whenever I have set a goal to lose a certain amount by a certain date and didn't meet it, I was completely frustrated with myself. Instead, I just pick a goal (example: to lose 10 pounds) and don't set a completion date. It will happen when the planets finally properly align
I think what everyones said about setting goals (and mini-goals) with no timetable is probably a smart option. The only time-based goals I set for myself are exercise goals. Those are ones that sodium, TOM, and water retention can't slip up for me and it's entirely on my shoulders to meet
I'd wanted something to keep myself steadily on track to reach my long-term goals and mini-weight goals seemed the first option to come to mind. Exercise goals, however, seem far more controllable and even smaller goals like water intake or veggie servings are easier to control.
I'll try these for now and thank you all so much! The wonders of learning new things...
Well I set alot of mini goals from mins of workouts to weight but, I dont give days that I should complete them. Well I do for my workout mins but, not my pounds because I am always disspointed when I dont lose it by that date. I do weight myself weekly but, I dont say well I should lost 2 pounds in a week because sometimes I dont. So I gave up on that. I do the 4/3/3 challenge and just lose it whenever it comes off. I dont give myself a date it should be off. I do set goals for my workout mins like I try to put in 300/400 mins of workout weekly I may push it up to 500 mins but, I started slow from 100 mins and up only when I know I can do it. I think you have more control on exercise goals then your weight goals I do look forward to reaching long term goals but, mini goals is the first start to reaching my long term.
I don't use "by this date" weight loss goals either. Even if they are realistic, like 1-2 pounds a week, life happens. The thing with all dated goals is you have to be very, very forgiving. I've broken up my weight loss goals by 25% - or 28 pounds each. I'll reach them when I do. I'm not going to starve myself to get there. I do participate in challenges here where I get points each day for sticking to my food plan, water intake and exercise. I hold myself accountable each day for those things. If I do that, I know I'm doing all I can to lose weight.
Realistic mini goals?
