How do you set and celebrate your weight goal(s)?

[sebander]

I might get yelled at for this one, but typically I push myself to eat very healthy meals and exercise all week long....my incentive, one "cheat" day.

I take off on Saturday's and generally eat something that I have missed throughout the week. Not everyone can handle this though. Sometimes it does seem a little harder during the week, because I am craving something bad. Not always though and I push through it because I know if I do, I can have what I am craving on Saturday. Sometimes by then, I don't want it anymore.

Don't take advantage of that day and go hog wild. Maybe only enjoy one meal, say pizza but have a salad beforehand. If you do burgers and want the bun, don't have fries, have veggies. Or if you don't want the bun, have a few fries. Give yourself a small treat at the end of a great week. If you don't do well during the week, then you need to eliminate "cheat" day for that week.

It's all about control though. If you think that you may overdo it, then I wouldn't recommend this. If you are not exercising, then I wouldn't do it.

All in all, this way has worked for me. That's what matters, find a way to make it work for you. Don't make it harder than it really has to be. Mind over matter.

Does food control you or do you have control over it???

AnitaB

[Bundle777]

I'm a newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic. So this means a life change for me. I want to be healthy fit and flab free. LOL LOL

Since it has only been 2 weeks since my diagonsis, I plan to get pictures of the body parts that diabetes will affect if left unchecked. That way when I get lazy in my exercise of at least 30minutes a day.., I can look at the notebook pictures and say I'm doing this to keep my legs andfeet and eyes, and my heart healthy and pumping

I have made my mid-ranged-goals and then my final goals. It is easier that way for me.

I plan to have heathy snacks on hand . Clean out all the JUNK foods that you have in your house. Make goals other than weight loss for yourself. Be it clothes, furniture a spa treatment wehatever, that helps too.

You and only you can and must decide to choose that you are in to win no matter what. When you reach that mountain that's half the battle right there. It is hard when you love food, but now I see that I was consumung way too much sugar.

I also use the exta sugar in my meals for my cardio 1/2 hour after eating then Gilad and I are working this flab off of me. I'm tired of all this weight and I got too many things to do in this life and diabetes is NOT one of them...you know?

Have a great day all.

[LyndaB]

andrya, I'm actually finding that with every day, I just naturally make better food choices for myself and DH. The cravings are completely gone. Well, I shouldn't say that; let's just say I'm not craving anything 'bad' for me. Sometimes now I'll crave something like SF jello... go figure.

My mindset has just completely changed. I know that I'm already healthier and well on my way to being more fit. I know that this lifestyle will help keep my internal organs working properly and keep in sync.

It's like one day you wake up... and this is now your life. You don't argue with the feelings of "Oh, I can't have that... or I can't have this".

SB is so worth it... I love it. And I love being introduced to foods I might not otherwise have ever tried.

[Myrealana]

As far as weight loss, I have set two goals - one for the end of 2004 (150) and one for Memoral Day 2005 (129).

I don't really have a good reason why I picked those goals. 150 is a nice even number, and 129 is a good mid-range in the "Healthy BMI" category.

However, I do have several mini goals for other things.

I have a goal of increasing my treadmill walk slightly by both time and intensity every day. I used to do a 30 minute walk at an average speed of 2.8 mph at no more than a 2 degree incline. I'm now up to an average speed of 3.3 mph, a max incline of 6 degrees and 42 minutes total time.

I also have a goal to make my cross training workouts 6 days a week. I haven't done it yet, but I consistanly make 5/6 days, so it's better than nothing.

Finally, I have a goal to improve my mile time every Sunday. I'm up to 3 miles in 39 minutes.

My ultimate goal in all of this is to run the Bolder Boulder 10K race on Memorial Day 80 lbs lighter than I was at the same time this year, and to finish with an average pace of 12 min/mile - in other words in under 75 minutes for 10K.

[FoxFyre22]

Myrealana - Those are great goals! I didn't notice before that you were in Colorado until you just mentioned the boulder boulder!! I dont think I could ever do that...but stick with it, sounds like you'll get there!!

[LyndaB]

Myrealana, your goals are wonderful... I think I'd be too chicken to compete in any kind of event like the Bolder Boulder... best wishes!!!

[walkinggirl]

I've been on the beach for 6 weeks. I use mini goals and then have two long range goals, one my doctor set and one I set. I don't make my mini goals too easy. I want them to be something I really have to work for and earn. When I reach a mini goal I will buy myself some costume jewelry. I've been thinking of making a money jar too, maybe add a dollar for every pound I loose. I have a lot of pounds to loose! Boy, could I could buy myself one ultimate goal gift when I'm done with phase 2.

[joinphilly]

I recently went from a long range goal to just setting more of a "mini" goal. I want to be at least 30 pounds down by the time school starts again.

My rewards - I just bought an awesome pair of shoes!!! Love them shoes!!! I also bought a new shirt and pants in my new size - now looking forward to having them fall off soon (maybe around 210).

My reward for long term goal - boob job and tummy tuck!!! I know that sounds pretty darn vain - but I have been dealing with a very large chest all my life and they actually started sagging around my 20th birthday! Now that I am nearing 40 I want them smaller and looking straight out instead of at my shoes! the birth of my children and a 100 pound weight gain did damage that will never NEVER be undone by exercise or weight loss!! tummy tuck is looking pretty good to me!

[Elspeth]

My goal has changed several times since I started the diet. Originally it was to fin in a size 12 by my neice's wedding in October, I'm not sure I'll make it, but I will be so happy to wear a size 14-16. I've lost 35 lbs so far and am about 208 now. I want to be 190 by the end of August or first part of Sept. And 175 by Thanksgiving. My original goal was 140-150, and now it's down to 130. I've got pictures from my virtual model for all those weights put side by side to show what I would look like as I slim down. When I lose 50 lbs I want to order a pewter dragon goblet for my renaissance costume. I saw it in a magazine and it was so pretty and cost $50 which I thought was appropriate. I also need some clothes soon, but they will come from second hand shops, I'm saving my big money for the new clothes that I'll get when I reach my goals.

[Myrealana]

My reward for long term goal - boob job and tummy tuck!!! I know that sounds pretty darn vain - but I have been dealing with a very large chest all my life and they actually started sagging around my 20th birthday! Now that I am nearing 40 I want them smaller and looking straight out instead of at my shoes! the birth of my children and a 100 pound weight gain did damage that will never NEVER be undone by exercise or weight loss!! tummy tuck is looking pretty good to me!

You know, one of my ultimate rewards is also a tummy tuck, and possibly a breast lift or reduction (that part depends on how they look when I'm done). That's after completing the full 80 lb goal, and staying there for at least 6 months.

Maybe it is vain, but vanity in moderation never hurt anyone. It's not like we're not willing to put in a lot of work before we resort to surgery.

And after the surgery - my husband has promised to take me on a cruise of the Greek Isles for our anniversary.

[Bastet]

Mine is just a single long term goal. What I will probably do is impromptu celebrations - like if I can make it two weeks without a single drop of beer/wine - surprisingly the thing I miss the most more than fruit or pasta. When I can zip my jeans without "sucking it in" I will probably do a happy dance. So I will have little moments...and then hopefully one big one. I am kinda nervous - I will be weighing myself for the first time tomorrow.

[PatriciaS]

My mini-goals tend to be fitting in the next size down. I started at size 18 which was a new and unpleasant reality for me, and I've reached the goal of fitting into my old size 16 clothes. Now I'm aiming for size 14. No time limit. I'm doing the diet rather religiously, and working real hard on cooking, researching recipes, and all that and I figure I don't need the extra pressure.

My other main goals are health related. Avoiding cholesterol medication, getting off blood pressure medication.

I have another goal. I want to be able to run again. When I say "run again," I'm not talking about races or marathons or anything like that, no nothing like that. I just want to run again like I did as a child. I haven't even tried that for many years -- which should be some indication of both the sedentary lifestyle I live as well as my general unfitness. I want to change that. Running is kind of an indicator, but I also want to be able to do it for its own sake. As I said, like a kid again.

Celebration or rewards? Clothes, of course. The next thing I'm going to buy myself are some shoes for around the house -- New Balance, probably. I also need a new watch, might as well include that as a reward somewhere along the line.

[Sunheart67]

Hi, All!
My goals include decreasing my arthritic symptoms of SLE (lupus). This means increasing muscular strength, joint range of motion, and decreasing pain experienced by losing weight.

My weight loss goals: to weigh
182 lbs. in November, 2004
145 lbs. in September, 2005
130 lbs. in January, 2006

Losing the weight will help the arthritis.

My rewards? For my mid-goal of 145, I'm saving for a trip to Dallas/Ft. Worth: clothes shopping (at least one fab outfit from Neiman Marcus) and to have my hair cut, a manicure, pedicure, and a facial at a dayspa. DH has said he would spring for a facial acid peel if - no, WHEN - I make it to 130. (I'll be close to 40y.) I pay myself $10 for each pound I lose to save for my rewards. (I'm broke this week: I've already lost 5.5 lbs and Monday is weigh-in.) I don't plan on buying a lot in the meantime because, sadly, I have two closets full of 4 different sizes of clothes that I can't wear right now. I won't go naked while I'm losing.

Happy Losing!
Dawn
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"Everything we feel, think, say, or do [or do not do] is a choice, whether we make that choice consciously or unconsciously. Each choice we make has consequences, positive, negative, neutral, or all three, that we reap immediately or later, sometimes both, and sometimes repeatedly. You have more strength and control over your body and your life's path than you will ever know, all wonderful gifts from God. Choose with awareness and you can change your life forever!" - DMF

"Each of us is born with a base, fleshly nature. Whether we struggle with that base nature or commit to its gratification determines the essence of our character and our future." - DMF

"If you give in abundance without expectation and agenda, you shall receive in abundance." - unknown
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My thread: http://www.southbeach-diet-plan.com/for ... c&start=30