Goals...how do you set and reward them?
I was just curious at the different ways some of you have come up with to set your goals, and reward them when you accomplish them. As a standard, I see a lot of weight goals, and I've seen a few size by date goals, like 'in the teens by thanksgiving'. What works for you guys?
Several years ago I managed to lose a lot of weight getting B-12 shots. I spent so much time and energy watching the numbers on the scale that I was not really seeing the physical changes as they were happening. So many milestones passed me by without recognition. So I decided to do things differently this time. Instead of setting goals by numbers, I am setting them by shape. For instance, I bought this adorable surong style summer skirt...mini in he front, drops full length in the back. I picked it up at Kmart on clearance for $5.99. I have it hanging at he end of my closet where I have set aside some space for my rewards. Attached to it is a cute little card that says "Goal...when my thighs gently pass by each other, or don't touch when I walk (instead of the violent slapping and crossing in front of each other that they do NOW)". I also have an awesome backless tie around the neck top that I got that has "Goal...to be able to wear a bra, or not, without looking like I have a second set of boobs under my arms".
I figured this way, maybe I will SEE the changes as they happen instead of letting them pass by without notice. The numbers WILL go down, but I'm gonna make this journey a little more fun. I got my eyes on a cute pair of shoes that can reward my 'I see my toes before my belly' goal...lol
Several years ago I managed to lose a lot of weight getting B-12 shots. I spent so much time and energy watching the numbers on the scale that I was not really seeing the physical changes as they were happening. So many milestones passed me by without recognition. So I decided to do things differently this time. Instead of setting goals by numbers, I am setting them by shape. For instance, I bought this adorable surong style summer skirt...mini in he front, drops full length in the back. I picked it up at Kmart on clearance for $5.99. I have it hanging at he end of my closet where I have set aside some space for my rewards. Attached to it is a cute little card that says "Goal...when my thighs gently pass by each other, or don't touch when I walk (instead of the violent slapping and crossing in front of each other that they do NOW)". I also have an awesome backless tie around the neck top that I got that has "Goal...to be able to wear a bra, or not, without looking like I have a second set of boobs under my arms".
I figured this way, maybe I will SEE the changes as they happen instead of letting them pass by without notice. The numbers WILL go down, but I'm gonna make this journey a little more fun. I got my eyes on a cute pair of shoes that can reward my 'I see my toes before my belly' goal...lol
As someone who gets concerned by the almost obsessive (but somewhat understandable) focus on numbers here on OH, I think it is great that you are setting non-number goals! I had some of both types of goals. I usually rewarded myself with a pedicure, manicure, or massage, or with the purchase of some Lush bath bombs or bubble bars (they are expensive, so not something I use routinely), or -- occasionally -- by purchasing an item of clothing I had been wanting (even if it would be too large later, because I think it is important to feel good about how you look AS you are losing weight (for a number of reasons)).
Some of my non-number goals: being able to walk up a flight of stairs without getting winded; being able to walk without my thighs rubbing together (I rewarded myself with corduroy pants for this one!); using my recumbent bike for 20 minutes a day, 5 times a week for a whole month; getting in all my protein, water, and vitamins every day for a week; accomplishing certain things around the house that I previously did not have the physical energy for (e.g., mowing the grass in the backyard, which has a small hill).
Lora
Some of my non-number goals: being able to walk up a flight of stairs without getting winded; being able to walk without my thighs rubbing together (I rewarded myself with corduroy pants for this one!); using my recumbent bike for 20 minutes a day, 5 times a week for a whole month; getting in all my protein, water, and vitamins every day for a week; accomplishing certain things around the house that I previously did not have the physical energy for (e.g., mowing the grass in the backyard, which has a small hill).
Lora
14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
I love setting goal prizes!
Mine usually revolve around a running distance or race.
I treat myself with new running gear, bath and body products, and my next one is new fitted running shoes from a running store :-)
The shoes will be my gift to me after I run the run for your lives 5 k in October. They do a sneaker donation at the end and I will be giving away my old ones.
Mine usually revolve around a running distance or race.
I treat myself with new running gear, bath and body products, and my next one is new fitted running shoes from a running store :-)
The shoes will be my gift to me after I run the run for your lives 5 k in October. They do a sneaker donation at the end and I will be giving away my old ones.
LisaAnne
10/18/10
10/18/10
My goals are mostly scale related. I tried for so long to lose weight that I just can't wait to step on the scale now.
My first goal was to fit into a pair of jeans I had thatI would always "diet to get back into"
My second goal was to buy something from a non-plus size store that fit. I got a few t-shirts from old navel and they didn't pull up over my belly.
My third goal was to order a dress from the non-plus size section for a wedding I would be attending. Granted the dress was still an 18, but it wasn't from Lane Bryant or Avenue.
My next goal is to reach 250lbs, which is the general accepted limit for horse back riding and jumping out of planes. When I reach that goal I will treat myself to a trail ride.
....I'll wait unitl i hit the 100's to jump out of a plane.
But once I go on my trail ride I'll think of something else I want to do or would like to buy and make that my next goal.
-Jill
My first goal was to fit into a pair of jeans I had thatI would always "diet to get back into"
My second goal was to buy something from a non-plus size store that fit. I got a few t-shirts from old navel and they didn't pull up over my belly.
My third goal was to order a dress from the non-plus size section for a wedding I would be attending. Granted the dress was still an 18, but it wasn't from Lane Bryant or Avenue.
My next goal is to reach 250lbs, which is the general accepted limit for horse back riding and jumping out of planes. When I reach that goal I will treat myself to a trail ride.
....I'll wait unitl i hit the 100's to jump out of a plane.
But once I go on my trail ride I'll think of something else I want to do or would like to buy and make that my next goal.
-Jill
most of my goals are size related, but I love celebrating the non scale ones too. Like doing workouts i couldn't have done 130 pounds ago. Or climbing the rope wall to use the slide with my kids. or fitting into cute clothes, all those things.
early out I rewarded myself with things. Big milestones, like 100 pounds lost, weight i was at when i got married, lowest weight i remember in college. now though, i'm not planning anymore rewards.
I buy clothes when i need them (always second hand lol), an that is an accomplishment in itself. when i get to goal i guess my reward will be to get my batwings sliced off!
early out I rewarded myself with things. Big milestones, like 100 pounds lost, weight i was at when i got married, lowest weight i remember in college. now though, i'm not planning anymore rewards.
I buy clothes when i need them (always second hand lol), an that is an accomplishment in itself. when i get to goal i guess my reward will be to get my batwings sliced off!
Follow my vegan transition at www.bariatricvegan.com
HW:288 CW:146.4 GW: 140 RNY: 12/22/11
Here are/were my goals:
Eliminate all co-morbidities and prescription meds to control them- done! ( including type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cholesterol)
Lose 100 lbs - Done (140) in 15 months including pre-op weight loss - maintaining within a 5 lb. parameter (165 - 170) since May
Increase activity to maintain my weight loss - completed 5 road races this year (so far) and am off to run a half-marathon this afternoon -
My continuing rewards for my accomplishments are:
increased lifespan
healthier lifestyle
nicer, better fitting clothes
improved self-esteem and confidence
I admit that I am persuing an appt with a plastic surgeon to get a chin lift (for starters) I guess you could consider that a reward!!
Just sayin'
Tim T.
Stats: 9/30/2012
Highest Weight: 315 -
Start Weight: 1/1/2011 305 -
Tufts Start Weight- May 2011: 285 -
Surgery Weight-7/5/2011: 265 -
Weight last Sunday Weigh-in: 165 -
Current Weight: 166 -
Goal Weight: 170ish -
Lbs. lost/gained this week +1 -
Total loss from Start Weight: 139 LBS.
Eliminate all co-morbidities and prescription meds to control them- done! ( including type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cholesterol)
Lose 100 lbs - Done (140) in 15 months including pre-op weight loss - maintaining within a 5 lb. parameter (165 - 170) since May
Increase activity to maintain my weight loss - completed 5 road races this year (so far) and am off to run a half-marathon this afternoon -
My continuing rewards for my accomplishments are:
increased lifespan
healthier lifestyle
nicer, better fitting clothes
improved self-esteem and confidence
I admit that I am persuing an appt with a plastic surgeon to get a chin lift (for starters) I guess you could consider that a reward!!
Just sayin'
Tim T.
Stats: 9/30/2012
Highest Weight: 315 -
Start Weight: 1/1/2011 305 -
Tufts Start Weight- May 2011: 285 -
Surgery Weight-7/5/2011: 265 -
Weight last Sunday Weigh-in: 165 -
Current Weight: 166 -
Goal Weight: 170ish -
Lbs. lost/gained this week +1 -
Total loss from Start Weight: 139 LBS.
When I hit 50 lb loss my oldest daughter bought me am arm band thing for my Ipod.
My husband will pay for a spa pedicure when I hit onederland. less than 2 lbs to go til I reach that goal.
My middle daughter said she would buy me $50 in clothes when I hit 75 lbs lost. Only 5 lbs to go for that goal.
I haven't thought beyond those goals and need to set some more new ones.
My husband will pay for a spa pedicure when I hit onederland. less than 2 lbs to go til I reach that goal.
My middle daughter said she would buy me $50 in clothes when I hit 75 lbs lost. Only 5 lbs to go for that goal.
I haven't thought beyond those goals and need to set some more new ones.
Lori 
So far, I don't have a system for setting goals. I just look into the future, picture where I want to be __ weeks from now, and make it a goal. It's arbitrary, and so it tends to shift and change. When I reach a goal, I like to do a little dance.
I'm not real huge on rewards. I reward myself a lot in little ways all the time, for no reason, so when I meet a goal, it just gives me a sense of satisfaction, without needing an extra treat. For me, reaching the goal IS the reward.
I'm not real huge on rewards. I reward myself a lot in little ways all the time, for no reason, so when I meet a goal, it just gives me a sense of satisfaction, without needing an extra treat. For me, reaching the goal IS the reward.
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Check out my video blog! www.youtube.com/user/HappilyShrinking/videos
Highest weight: 269. Surgery weight: 233. Goal weight: 144, and then we'll see..
Check out my video blog! www.youtube.com/user/HappilyShrinking/videos
Highest weight: 269. Surgery weight: 233. Goal weight: 144, and then we'll see..
I have to say, after I made this original post, my dream that night was that I passed my cute shoes goal! I could finally see my toes before my belly! So I ran out to get my shoes since I hadn't gotten them ahead of time like the other stuff, and they said they didn't carry that shoe in a size 14....WHaaaaaat? LOL...I saw my toes first cause my feet grew, not cause my stomach shrank! (Since I wear a 9)...that was CRAZY! 😜
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