Have served me well in the past...when it comes to losing weight/getting in shape. 2 years ago - when I decided something had to change...I set a date of my birthday. I wanted to lose 25 to 30 pounds That gave me about 3 and 1/2 months to get it together. So after a month of exercising and eating better...and losing a couple of pounds...I knew I had to do something more. So, I asked a trainer to create a workout I could do on my own...saw progress...but not enough...starting working with a dietitian. Didn't see enough progress..So I started adding two a day workouts and meeting with my trainer every other week or so. By my birthday, I had lost 16 pounds. It took a few more months to lose ten more. I had hoped to lose those pounds no later than the new year. The ever approaching deadline (not to mention the birthday trip to Miami and the bathing suit wearing on the beach) helped to keep me in focus.
Fast forward til this year, deadlines didn't seem to work so well..Let's lose these extra pounds prior to our March team meeting. Didn't happen. Let's lose these extra pounds prior to our May meeting with my clients. Didn't happen. :( One of my clients asked if I was still doing Zumba (apparently it looked like I wasn't working out anymore). Then I wanted to lose it before the Zumba Instructor Convention. Didn't happen. Then before my birthday rolled around. Didn't happen.Then before I visited my client in October - where they requested I teach a class. Didn't happen.
But, with the new year coming up...I am definitely more focused. I increased my activity level and more closely watched what I am eating. Dear Sweet Baby Jesus, I just want to get down a few more pounds!!!!! That will be present enough....I'd love to hit 137 by the new year...even if its 137.9...I want to be at 135 no later than Jan. 30th.
I think I realized that it's more than having a deadline. It's about having a plan to successful meet the deadline. Actually counting down the days...looking at the numbers (calories needed to burn, calories needed to eat)...blogging a bit more regularly...bumping up the exercise - in frequency and intensity....
In the past, I've read articles with either two trains of thoughts...1) set a date - to help you stay focused or 2) don't set a date - focus on being healthy "for life". Of course, there are pros and cons to both...1) set a date - cons: you may stop trying if you can't reach the goal or might not continue to make progress/maintain after the date comes and goes. 2) don't - cons: it's a journey approach may mean you don't work as hard or as consistent as you should/could.
I think that healthiness is a journey is part of reason why I didn't quite progress as I should have...I already workout several times a week, swap out water for high calorie drinks, eat well....etc...
Anywhoo....onward and upward!
4 comments:
Great post. I know what you mean about deadlines. I like to set deadlines , but they are so loose that if I do not make them that I have still accomplished something.
Healthier for life may not work as fast but it the results will last and there will be no need for deadlines after that just maintaining.
Great post. I feel that I have experienced both sides when it comes to weight loss. Setting an actual date works in every other aspect of my life except for weight loss though. Hopefully, in 2012 I will be able to get it together.
@MH - Thanks. I was in class the other day and my teacher mentioned that having a goal and being in class was not enough to meet that goal. He said we needed a plan. It really resonated with me! A deadline was not enough...I needed a more focus plan!
@SL - There's a philosophy that goals should be smart - specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely. I do think it's important to have a reasonable timeframe to healthy goals. By this month, I will exercise x times. I will eat this many healthy meals by my birthday...Deadlines - can help you stay focused on what you want to achieve and measure what you have achieved.
@K - Thanks! Wishing you all the best in 2012! You can do it!
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