I had a hard time coming up with a topic, I must admit. It's partly because right now my weight isn't going down. I've been distracted with car troubles and money lacking so even with the walking and such not seeing much on the scale, but that's okay. I'm still working on getting things set in my life and it will fluctuate. So, I needed to pull deep to try and figure what to talk about for the bloghop on something that has affected my health in a positive way. And here it is...
I have found that it helps me to understand what equals a realistic goal.
Sounds easy enough but it's not always so. I used to be in Weight Watchers and lost 40 lbs there but it was hard in a way as I never made a final goal weight. We are supposed to do that near the beginning but even a year later I didn't really have a final goal. Trouble is that for my height (4'11.5") the top amount allowed (the higher weight for during older age) is listed in the lower 120's according to BMI, which is what WW follows. I just could never visualize myself at 125 even, let alone less than that. Not being able to visualize the goal made it difficult to see as possible. I have a pretty good imagination but it just wasn't working for me.
So, I have figured out some goals that are realistic for me. I'm not a marathon runner. I'm not a size 2 type of gal. And I think that's fine.
I am a fiction writer with fitness goals that will help with my fantasy writing.
I would like to be in a size 12-14.
I have a goal of weighing 160.
And I feel better.
What about you?
19 comments:
I go with how I feel, how well my clothes fit and if my ankles are happy as far as weight goes. I don't hold with all this jumping on and off scales - I think we're far too obsessed with it. :)
Tasha's Thinkings
I feel better just thinking about all these tips I have read.
Yvonne.
My mum, myself and my youngest sister are small. My other younger sister is large. Her frame, unlike ous, looks perfect as a 12-14. Even a 16. She's very Marilyn Monroe. Our smaller frames cannot cope with even a little extra weight. We are all under 5'3 (whereas my other sister is 5'7) and our frame dictates our optimal dress size is 10 MAX, otherwise our BMI's shoot off the charts. In my humble opinion, it's not about being a specific size, it's about recognising your body, how it should look (to be healthy) and maintenance. Wishing you luck.
NOTE: My sister is overweight at size 18 (after three kids in a row). I'm not, yet I have pre-diabetes.
Shah X
http://bit.ly/13Y93DV
Great goals. And like you say, much better to have goals you can visualise than fantasy goals. As you get close to that goal, you can always set another one! Good luck.
You're so right - and it's such an important lesson to learn. There's nothing like an unrealistic goal to guarantee disappointment - and when you're embarking on a challenge like losing weight, you have to keep things positive! Good job on your goals!
I agree, our goals must be realistic or we will fail and be even more disappointed with ourselves. Great post!
Dawn-- contact me on facebook or email (julieluek@gmail.com) if you ever need an online buddy-- it sounds like you and I are in similar places with our goals and frustrations.
Making and attaining goals is a great start, so keep doing that.
Remember, a little at a time and you'll get there.
Best of luck! :)
Left and Write
Hi, Dawn. Those are good goals to reach for. Best wishes!
I can't do a goal weight either, because of my anorexic background and lack of a scale. I measure myself on which jeans fit, and since Feb I'm down three jean sizes. Feels good. Your numbers (I'm a math nerd...) look very reasonable to me!
Tina @ Life is Good
You have the right attitude, whatever exercise or changes in our diet have to be something we can stick with. I took it one step at a time. First walking, then a few resistance machines, then free weights and weight training.
Take your time. Stay focused. Good Luck!
If we can't see it,we'll never accomplish it. Glad you can see your goal now.
Thanks for participating in our blog hop!
Realistic goals are so important, as is not being too hard on yourself when things seem to stand still. Just keep swimming...just keep swimming...
I like your goals! I'm short, too, and my weight varies. I'm muscular and weight more than it says...but I like the look, so that is that, lol!
I like your honesty-yes see a goal that works for you~
:D
Making your goals attainable - so right! I have finally accepted I will never be the size I was pre-children, so now I just take 10lbs at a time. Good luck!
Suzanne @Suzannes Tribe
Realistic is hard in an unrealistic world, but you've found your goal and it's doable because you are real.
Good post, keep at it, you'll get there and remember the scale does not count as much as the measuring tape! All that walking is doing you wonders!
Thanks for stopping by!
Hi, Dawn,
Setting realistic goals are so important. I used to think those BMI numbers were INSANE.
Even when I was at my model weight, I was still about ten pounds more than their HIGHEST.
I never believed in them thinking they were unrealistic. I changed my mind.
OF course one has to take their bone structure into consideration and even though I am 5'10" and broad shouldered, I have medium to small bone structure.
Most of my weight after my modeling retirement was over two hundred pounds. I honestly thought that was fine ... until, I got high blood pressure. The meds made me feel even worse, and tipped the scales a bit higher.
I did manage to lose weight and get down to around 190... BUT, I still had high blood pressure. THEN, I started to write and shot up to 240.... NOT GOOD. I felt HORRIBLE.
I was approaching a monumental birthday and decided to take my life back. I cut out all starches, sugars, and processed food. I tailored an exercise program, walking at first ... I could barely do that. But as the weight fell off I increased my workout.
Now I weigh and amazing low 155... yes, you are reading correctly. I haven't been this thin since I was thirteen. AND the what shocks me even more is I am in the middle of my BMI weight. Yup...
This is the reason I told you my whole saga. As we age excess weight is our enemy. High blood pressure, diabetes, joint issues, breathing problems, etc. are just around the corner. Since I have a history of all these issues in my family, I decided this wouldn't happen to me.
It's amazing how much better you feel. So please re-think your numbers. For a tiny lady, your goal should be less. I know it's really none of my business, but my mom was your size and goal weight and she had lots of health issues in her fifties and sixties and died at 66 ... I'm telling you this because I care...
Have a great weekend.
Wow. Thanks everyone for the comments. I had fun with the bloghop and didn't expect to get so many nice comments and suggestions.
For those concerned about the higher number, I do realize that this goal doesn't have to be my stopping goal. It is a goal for now. I haven't weighed less than 170 in a long time and even when I got down to 179 after losing 40 lbs I didn't feel or look different so it's hard to imagine 120. I know that I can re-evaluate my goals once I've made it to this one. But first I need to get there and getting there will be a big step for me since I recently weighed 220.
Thanks again everyone for the encouragement.
Setting realistic goals is a really good thing! My mother was your height and fought weight issues all of her life. I'm 5'8", exercise a lot, and have never had weight problems. Being tall has helped me with that. If you feel good and eat sensibly, you should be okay. Thanks for sharing.
Mary Montague Sikes
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