Sunday, November 30, 2008

Setting smaller goals.

Ok, I have a lot of weight to lose. I know this. I have a goal weight of 150. This means I have 140 pounds to lose to reach my goal. It's a really big number but it's doable. I know how to get there. I know what I need to do to succeed. I know what I should and should not be eating. I know what exercise my body responds best to. I have successfully lost weight before. So why is this time so hard? Why does this feel like an ongoing struggle?

I always start out strong. I eat right, exercise, and the weight starts to drop right off. I feel amazing during this period. I start fitting into my cloths better. I have more energy. I feel good about myself. So why does that always come crashing down? I feel like I am a crash test dummy! Speeding forward only to hit a brick wall.

Well, I was reading something today that may give me a clue. I think the problem lie's not in my execution but in my goals!

You see until tonight my goal has been that big number. 140 pounds! That is huge. In my recent pursuit of weight loss glory I have been focusing on that number. In the past year there have been times when I was down 30 pounds or more. This seems like a big number until you put it up next to my goal.

140-30=110

I still have so far to go. I start to get depressed. I lose focus. I cry about the 110 instead of celebrating the 30. This causes me to lose motivation. "Why work so hard for so little results!?!" starts playing in my head. Then I start missing workouts. I start sleeping later. I start eating to drown out the noise in my head. The voices telling me that I have failed again, that I am worthless, that I will never beat this. It does not take long for me to end up back where I started, or worse. I find myself faced with that number again. 140. Always there, always tormenting me. I feel defeated, disgusted, and disgraced.

I am back at that number again. 140. It haunts my dreams and lurks around corners and in the shadows waiting for a chance to jump out and knock me down again. 140. Like the bully at school, whose greatest pleasure was the suffering of others. 140. My demon. 140. My constant companion.

Well not any more. I am not falling for that trap again. My goal is 10 pounds. I am going to celebrate that 10 pounds. I am going to treat it like the holiday that it is. 10 pounds is not only doable and realistic, but it's also a challenge. 10 pounds is a step in the process. 10 pounds puts me closer to the endzone. 10 pounds is my friend. My best friend.

And when I have reached that 10 pounds, when I have celebrated that 10 pounds, I will start to look forward, toward the next 10.

And the next.

And the next.

Till one day I will be standing at the other side of my nemesis. Till I have the upper hand in the fight with my bully. Till I am standing at the gates of 140 and laughing.

10 pounds. I can do that!

Happy Training,
Love Jenn

12 comments:

Charlotte said...

Hang in there Jen! You are definitely on the right track. I honestly think there is nothing harder in our society than trying to lose weight in a healthful manner and I'm proud of you for setting short-term goal in addition to your long-term one!

Jenn said...

Thank you for your encouragement. MizFit, I deleted your comment. Thank you for the info, I will be checking that out after work.
Charlotte, you are such a great blog friend. Thank you so much.

Love you all,
Jenn

new*me said...

I think that is great advice. I get down sometimes thinking of how much further I have to go. Concentrating on the little goals may be the way to go for me mentally too.

raulgonemobile said...

That's the way to do it.. A small amount at a time. You do that, and you'll get there. Good luck, and it's a great plan!

QueenTracy said...

http://tracysaidwhat.blogspot.com/2008/09/weight-loss-goals.html

This is a link to my weight loss goals. I've lost about 110 pounds in the last four years, but have restarted my efforts for about three months or so. LITTLE goals make me feel more successful and want to keep going! I've bookmarked you and look fwd to coming back to see how you're doing.

Alice said...

Clap clap clap!

Jenn! 3o lbs is a LOT Give yourself some credit. I think you are on the right track with breaking the big goal into tiny, measurable, attainable ones. You are worth it, you can do this.

One of my Turbokick friends lost over 100 (and beat Type II diabetes), if you are interested, I am sure she would love to talk to you.

Mrs. Jelly Belly said...

What a great attitude! In the past, I had always been bogged down by the total number. And when you're losing weight at 1-2 pounds per week, it almost seems like you will never get there.

But I did. And YOU WILL, TOO! Good for you!

new*me said...

hope all is well and those 10 lbs are flying off ;)

your guide and companion said...

I just recently started a weightloss blog and would love for you to take a peek. I find that the best way to fulfill our goals are having someone to share it with, that being adivce, successes, and failures. good luck on your journey, and wish me luck on my own! :)

Laura said...

Sorry I'm so behind but just wanted to say I LOVE your attitude and your new goal. GREAT post!

Brianna said...

Ah, small, wonderful steps. That is THE way to go! Sometimes that's the only way I make it through a day - one hour at a time. What a difference it makes, too. Celebrating the small successes makes the big success even better because you've had some fun along the way. Hang in there - you've got a solid plan and you're doing great!

Elaine said...

Hi Jenn,
It's nice to meet you. I am inspired by your story and I think you are on the right track with the idea of setting smaller goals. Thanks for checking in at Junk DNA and thanks for your nice comments about Harper. I look forward to reading more about you. Have a great Christmas.
Elaine