How do you decide your goals?

[HeatherR]

I just noticed that a lot of you celebrate STG's rather than LTG's (which is how I plan on doing it, baby steps, right??) in your tickers.

So what did you ladies and gents decide to use as goals??

I am thinking 10%, 20%, onderland, then what? Like specific #'s lost like 50lbs, 75 lbs, so on? How did you decide?

[christie]

Heather, I think a lot of the short term goals are inspired by the challenges that are going on here. There is a workout challenge and a weight loss challenge going on. I personally set a realistic goal for my husband's birthday, but I'm not going to make it this month unfortunately. Good luck!

[SweetCori]

You just do what works best for you. You want to pick something that you can do but that will also challenge you a little bit, to make you work harder at it. Well, that works for me anyway. Making me feel like I accomplished something.

[Jachut]

Its personality dependent to a large degree, for me, no short term weight goals were going to satisfy. I appreciate the theory behind it being easier to shoot for smaller goals but its just not how my mind works. I wanted to be 70kg and thereofre getting under 100for example, whilst a good experience was not and never was my "goal". Getting to 70 was. Its just how I am.

However, without realising it, I sort of tricked myself because I had tons of non weight related goals - I had running goals. I really got the running bug and I trained for one distance after another and once I hit 10kms - which is really the most my body can regularly handle without niggles and injury creeping in - I worked on time goals, first I wanted to do it in under an hour fifteen, then the next race I did I aimed for an hour five, and I was elated when I got it down to 56 minutes, and now I want to do about 50 in this coming race season. Somewhere along the way, whilst working diligently towards these goals, I also happened to lose a lot of weight, lol.

I honestly believe that having something other than just weight to focus on is what made this experience different for me from all the other times I've tried to lose weight before.

[sassy46545]

My goal is to have my BMI in the "Normal" range. Each step to that point getting me into a different level is celebrated.

Tracy

[WildAlaskaG'ma]

As I have rather painfully discovered, short term weight loss goals are totally self-defeating for me. Wish it weren't so,,, but it is. Nonetheless, I'm gonna stick to my "back to lowest weight challenge" goal, but then I am totally giving up STWLGs forever. Fact is, I'm so totally sticking to calorie goals, exercise goals, food choice goals, and water goals, I'm seriously considering throwing the damned scale away !!! I've decided that it's totally irrational to let a stupid number on a scale define me. To hell with that noise !!!

[Stitchy]

I never set short term goals. Just didn't work for me - Like Judy.

I had a long term goal in my mind but when I got within 20 lbs, I decided that I while still wanted to get there, if I didn't, it would be OK. I am now within 5 lbs of that goal.

[503-250]

I have a long term goal...I started at 503lbs and I want to get to 250lbs...more then half.
After that I broke down my 250lbs of needed weight loss into 5 50lb sections.

For each section I chose a very personal and important reward for myself.

I can't tell you about others or if my plan is better then Judy's (obviously not yet since she is looking hot hot hot and I have lost a full grown man and still have nearly 70lbs left) or anyone elses.

[christie]

For me, every 20 pounds I lose I get a pedicure.....For my goal weight, I'm going to Maui for vacation and I'm taking a jungle zip-line ride....that's some SWEET motivation! Hey....I should start a Maui savings account!

[503-250]

If you save a lot...I can come with you, I have a seriously kick ass pair of cameras...one for scenery and another for underwater photography...so I will come in REALLY handy.

[Kitty]

I think (and obviously it seems that it's the concensus here) that goals have to be as personal as the journey itself. Only you can decide what motivates you. I happen to LOVE LOVE LOVE roses and the only way I get them is if I buy them for myself. SO...I have been rewarding myself with fresh roses for my table (right beside my computer where I can see them every day).

[Texasgal]

Bear you kill me! Cough, I am good at organizing...I think I should come too! Maui should be beautiful this time of year (well any time of the year) hehe.

[oursolidrock]

Bear, you ARE a hoot!! I am trying to decide if you are one of my brothers who is undercover on this forum....you act and post just like them. I am sure you are a great guy and I am really proud of you for your WL already!! i am also jealous of your undewater camera!! I am trying to think of a reason for getting invited to Maui...hmmmm....still thinking...

[503-250]

Kerri, you are in luck...there's a decent little Sony on ebay for dirt cheap...you could bid on it and have your own underwater camera.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-UW-Marine-Pack-MPK-9-Sony-Digital-Camera-DSC-P5_W0QQitemZ110401410424QQ

Don't bid now...wait until the very last minute you can.
I use justsnipe.com, their free version works just fine for me...I set the maximum bid I think an item is worth, it bids for me up to that number in the last 8 seconds of the auction.

Meanwhile...back to goals 9 more pounds and I get another tattoo, wish me luck.

[wingsfly825]

You better start looking for that dragon cause the 9 pounds are going to be off before you know it..you rock bear.....Who does your tattoos anyway? i dont think i asked you that..

[503-250]

Marguerite, Snapdragon Ink, Delhi NY
She is absolutely AWESOME! The lotus at the bottom of the heart X and O was hand drawn by her (the Heart X and O was designed by our very own JULZ!)

[wingsfly825]

gotta love our julzzzzzzzzzzzz shes the best

[firefighter30603]

For me, every 20 pounds I lose I get a pedicure.....For my goal weight, I'm going to Maui for vacation and I'm taking a jungle zip-line ride....that's some SWEET motivation! Hey....I should start a Maui savings account!

I agree with starting saving account.. I am seriously considering it for when I get to onederland because as soon as I do I am gong to do some SERIOUS shopping... I haven't been under 200 in WAY too long.

As far as determing my short term goals Im basically just gonna do getting back into some of my old clothes then having tobuy more because those dont fit anymore... kind of mini short term goals.

[Rini]

My only goal since getting banded back in October was to be the weight that i was the last time i went to greece when my family there last saw me. I didn't want them to say that i gained weight which they would do in a heart beat. So i met that goal and have surpassed it by 10 pounds. Now i am jsut focused on eating right every day and trying to build motivation to exercise. Once i get back from greece my focus will be to start a serious exercise regiment. I'm hoping that the sun and swimming will boost my metabolism and motivation and launch me into exercising when i get back. As far as numbers go I have another 50 pounds that i need/want to lose so i'm trying not to focus on weightloss and focus on living healthy. I don't know how much longer i can keep losing without exercising so i have to make this a priority sooner rather than later.