Setting short term goals

My last short term goal was to reach 180 by the end of July and I made it. I haven't completely decided on my next short-term goal but I would like to lose another 5 lbs by my 6 month check up which is in late August. I like to make my short-term goals reasonable about 2-3 months long. Does anyone else set short-term goals in addition to their long-term goal weight? I need suggestions on my next goal. Sandi

My short term goal was to get under 200 pounds so that I could go skydiving. I accomplished that last week after a 6 week stall at 204. I AM somewhat dissapointed by the weight loss as it hasn't been as quick or as much as I thought at 6 months. I started at 260 (254 day of surgery) and am now at 196. I had 100 pounds to lose so I have lost about 60% of my excess weight. I am hoping to lose at least another 20 before stopping. It has really crept along the last month. Now after I skydive I think the next goal will be size 12 pants (I am in a 14 now). I think I need to recognize the weight on the scale but go by the feel of my clothes.

A longer term goal of mine is to be wearing at least a six 10 by February when I go on a cruise. I, too wanted to get my weight down so I could do something exciting...zip-line in Cozumel. I have always wanted to, but at 258 there was no way. They actually base their limits on hip width and I would have NEVER made the cut. Now I will easily. I am in a size 16 comfortably now, so I hope that I can drop three sizes within the next six months. At the slow rate I am losing, I better bump it up a notch or I may not make it. I started at 258 (5' 4") pre-op and am now at 178-179 depending on the time of day...lol. Things have definitely slowed down. Sandi

Hey Michelle - I've come to the conclusion that the people that have these extreme weight losses are either one of two things. 1) REALLY REALLY obese to start (there is no nice was to describe someone that is 325 lbs), or 2) they included all their pre-surgery weight loss in their counter. My surgery was 2/25 - and at the end of the 4th mth I noticed that the loss was beginning to slow down (I'm not really eating more or poor choices, I'm drinking & excersing). My nutrionist figured out that I was starting to slip on my total protien (I got lazy & was only getting like 45-50 grams a day instead of 75). I'm now 5 1/2 mths out, with a surgery date weight of 263.5. I'm 5'4" and I now weigh 195.5 = 68 lbs lost. Not what others seem to be posting, but I'm still happy with the numbers.

I agree with you. I am almost six months out and have lost 80 lbs (started at 258) and am very pleased with my results so far. I don't compare MY loss with anyone's for the very reasons you stated. We are all different and thusly, will lose weight differently. Sandi 2/21/08 RNY 258/178/130

Everyone here should be happy with what they have accomplished so far regardless of their highest or pre-op weight. Being on of those people as you described as "Really Really Obese" I am happy to post that I have lost 93 lbs from my highest weight which was close to my pre-op weight. We cannot gauge our success with the results of others, but hopefully can be encouraged by everyone here at OH success.

i agree with you michelle...i see these people that have lost like 40 lbs in a month?? i was so dispressed about that compared to my own weight lose. my surgeon said to me, this is not a race, each person loses at their on pace and like you said some have like 200 lbs to lose. i have always used the phase " i have to lose 5 lbs this month" as not only my short term goal, but also my long term. and, at some point, i do plan to stop losing. i'm not looking to be a size 0....just healthy! actually, neither by surgeon or my pcp gave me a "goal weight" ! so, i just made one for myself. i just take one day at a time then one week and then one month...i seem to be averaging over 10 lbs a month since i began at 240 and now as of this moring i'm 165. that's plenty good for me since i don't want to pick pieces of me up off the floor!!

I am averaging about 2 lbs a weeks loss (when I am not on a stall...lol). That, to me, is adequate weight loss. Not too fast, not too slow. I met my goal of making 175 by the end of July and am now at 173. I eat what I want, within reason and still lose a little here and there so I am content. I think those losing such large numbers must have a whole lot more to lose than some of us. My next short-term goal is to be at 165 by Labor Day weekend when I go to Atlanta to visit my sister. She had her surgery six months before me so she hands me down her clothes as she out grows them. That has been REALLY convenient. Sandi