May 24, 2011

Reevaluating Goal Weight

Last week in my First Place Bible Study book we were asked to look back at the goals we set during one of the early weeks. We were at a halfway point and it was time to reevaluate.(These are goals to be reached in a 12 week period) There were 4 labels from which to pick for each goal:

1. Right on track, I'm going to make it!
2. Can do it, but I'll have to work harder.
3. Met my goal and I need a new one!
4. Adjust my goal to something more doable for me right now.

Well, I did that with all of my short term goals and it was very helpful. I highly recommend doing it. But then I turned to my long term goal. THE goal. I couldn't exactly use the 1-4 from above because I had not put a time limit on my goal but it was just good to really think about how my goal originated, the purpose of it and how it fits into the picture now.

In case you didn't know, my goal is to lose 100 pounds. I weighed 229lbs. when I began. The healthy weight range is from 115-145 ish. Losing 100 pounds would put me right in the middle of that range at 129. Which would be fabulous. But when I really thought hard about how I set that goal I remembered that it wasn't the first goal I wrote down.

The first goal I wrote down was 140. I chose 140 because it was several pounds under the top of the range--enough wiggle room to stay healthy even after a rough weekend ;) . I knew that when I had weighed 140 before I looked and felt great. I wore about a size 6 which seems like a dream now. It was the perfect goal weight.

Why did I change it? Well. This little blog is more than just a journal for me. It is an artistic outlet. Whether people realize it or not, much thought goes into each and every little item that I put on here. I like everything to work together, to be appealing, and to be nifty. So when I typed that I wanted to lose 89 lbs, something seemed off. I wrestled with it for a few days. Eighty-nine pounds? That just didn't fit. But 100 pounds! Yes, that fit. That sounded nifty. It also sounded awesome that one day I would be able to say I lost 100 lbs. So, I changed it to 100 lbs.

Now here I am, 64.6 pounds down and I'm starting to think eighty-nine lbs sounds a little more nifty than it used to! I think I had solid reasons for choosing that goal in the beginning and so I've been thinking about changing my goal back to 140 lbs. Actually, it's pretty much a done deal. Yes, I admit I am changing it because I am ready to reach THE goal. That's not to say I can't reevaluate again when I get to 140...heck, maybe I'll decide to go for 115! Who knows?

But as of today I am 24.4 lbs away from my GOAL WEIGHT. Doesn't that have a nice ring to it? I recently set a kind of short term/long term goal of losing one pound every week. If I stay on top of this (lofty, in my opinion) goal I will reach my goal weight before the end of 2011. I will be at my goal weight when I take my trip to NYC (which we booked today, by the way!) I will have lost 89 pounds.
Eighty nine might not be as "ideal" as the one hundred, but in the end what I've concluded is that 100 pounds is so NOT the goal that fits with this blog and who I am. I mean, if at some point I have lost exactly 100 pounds that will be fine, but I am not going to go for the "perfect" number just because it has a nice ring to it and sounds more impressive. Could anything be more superficial?

Yippee for goal reevaluation! Try it.

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8 comments:

Munchberry said...

Hmmm... Interesting post. I found your site today and then came back to read something and found your new post. Glad I came back. I think it takes a bit of courage to rejigger plans, to not look at it as some sort of failure, but instead, after real soul searching figuring out what is best for YOU. Who gives a rip what anyone else thinks about your decision to change! You know what else? 89 pounds may actually be better for you. A number you can live healthily with, happily with and not be forever plagued with the fear of gaining up from that blessed 100 loss. 89 will be easier to live with and you already know you will look good! I think you look fabulous right now, but it is you that has to stare in the mirror and YOU that knows your health best. I say high five! Good re eval. and congrats on what you have done thus far!

Keelie said...

Thank you! And I think I should add to this post that I am happy with the way I look right now (aside from the gut that still hangs down to my knees without some uplifting that I never show in pictures) but I know I am not at a HEALTHY weight for my height and that's why I don't just stop right now. believe me. My biggest goal is to be healthy. Just don't want anyone thinking I am obsessed with my looks and think I won't "look" good until I reach a certain weight. I am happy with how I look:)

Absolutely, Positively Josie said...

The artistic value of this blog isn't lost on anybody, Keelie. Your style is made of faithfulness and hard work, and it's a testament to the glory of God!

I think it's great that you're reevaluating your goals. I think it's great that you've GOT goals! ;)

Iris Took said...

Big fan of yours...have been reading for a while and felt very compelled to comment today. Congrats on all your success. You continue to inspire me and others.

Loved this post about re-evaluating and actually writing down goals.

Nikki G said...

Congrats on all you have done! You don't have to explain yourself or feel bad for changing your goal. Sometimes when you're starting out, its too hard pick an ultimate goal. You never know who you're going to become, and how you'll feel along the way. Picking a goal becomes easier once you're closer to it, if not when you're actually there. :)

Janet said...

Hi there, I have been a silent follower of your site for a few weeks now and have to say, you are really an inspiration for me. You look great and looking at you before and after pictures amazes me every time. Good for you to have readjusted you goal weight. Sometimes we can get lost in the journey itself. I am sure you will get there eventually. Keep it up.

AJ said...

I so hear you girl. My original goal was to get to 140. Well, when 150 happened and I was at my goal size (couldn't remember what size/weight I was at this size on the way up) I stopped losing and now maintain. I have been within a few lbs. for the past 2 years. Now I focus on healthy living, period.

My husband likes my size, or well thinks I'm a tad to thin (the wonderful man ;)), but I know I'm healthy and that's what matters.

Kimberly said...

Losing 89 pounds as opposed to 100 pounds doesn't in any way take away from how wonderful your blog is Keelie. You've inspired me already and it has nothing to do with a number, but rather who you are!

I say go for it! 89 pounds is still alot to lose! You're getting oh so close and you should feel proud!

God is so good!!!