Help me create healthy realistic goals!
 

So today I realized I have no idea how to set realistic goals for myself and why I get so frustrated when trying to lose weight. I'm used to the "I'm going to lose 30 pounds in 30 days" mentality. That being said, I figure now is as good a time as any. So I would like to know how you guys know what is realistic for yourselves as well as what you use to set goals. Weight? Inches? Clothing size? Do you give yourself a deadline or how does it all work? Can't wait to learn so I can set one of my own. =)

Instead of giving yourself time frames, such as "I will lose x number of pounds by so and so date", why not give yourself staying on plan goals?

I will stay on plan, no matter what for the next 30 days (or better yet, even longer).

I will not eat any flour, sugar, fast food, soda for the next 30 days (or better yet, even longer).

I will not turn to food for comfort. I will not stress eat.

I will plan out my meals, in advance.

I will faithfully and honestly track my calories.

I will make certain that I do some sort of physical activity 4 days this week.

And so on and so forth.

Because if you do these things, the scale is certain to move down.

You can't control the exact weight loss numbers, but you must certainly CAN control your behaviors. That you can predict the outcome for, that is within your hands, within your power - the numbers on the scale - not so much.

Now I do think timed goals have some sort of value. I mean you want to lose weight - the thing is WHEN? Now, or in the future? SEtting a timed goal can help light a fire under you and set you towards the finish line. But really, in the end - it's staying on plan - consistently - that will get you to those goals. So that is the most important goal to set. Staying. On. Plan.

I agree with Robin. What made me successful was controlling the behaviours, as you can't control the exact results.

I can only add my "yeah, that" to what Robin said.

My only goal, really - it all boils down to just one - is to make the best choice whenever I am presented with a choice. Prepare sensible meals at home instead of ordering takeout. Go to the gym instead of going straight home after work. Say no to the donut at the office meeting. Grab an apple instead of hitting the vending machines. Pass on a drink tonight when my partner offers to make one, if it won't fit in to my calories for the day. And so on, and so on.

I find I make a dozen choices in a day that affect my weight, and if I am mindful of each and every one of them, and make the best choice I can make, the results have come with time. I have no numerical goal and no time goal. Just that one - make the best choice every time.

Remember weight loss is a journey not a destination - don't get into the mindset I can relax when I reach goal, you have to learn living this way can be fun too, or you will always regain.

Thanks everyone. I never even thought of setting behavioral goals vs result oriented goals. My first goal is going to be to stay on plan for 60 days.

I don't do x amount in x amount of time, just feel like I'd fail, feel bad and then quit. Just try to stick to plan day by day.

Just this week I starting planning my workouts more. I took a calendar and wrote in the workouts to do each day for this week. When I do it, I cross off that day. I'll do it again next week seeing how I feel and what workouts I want to do. For some reason it's holding me accountable to cross off the days, so it's kind of a daily goal, heheh.