Question:
What are some goals to have?

I reached a goal - I can cross my legs. This was a major goal for me. One of the reasons I actually decided to have the surgery. So now I am wondering what are some of the goals my fellow WLS cohorts have. Now that I have reached this major milestone, I am having a mental block and can only think of smaller clothes and improved health as a goal. What about you? What are some of your goals? Just curious.    — Jeanna M. (posted on July 30, 2002)


July 30, 2002
One of my goals is for someone to be able to put their arms AROUND me when they hug me, Not just on me.
   — Teekay80

July 30, 2002
First goal - Become a member of the century club by losing 100 pounds. DID THAT. Second goal - Lose 150 pounds to hit goal. DID THAT. Third goal - Keep weight off for the next 45 years. WILL KEEP YOU POSTED.
   — MICHAEL Z.

July 30, 2002
Hi. I like your question, thanks for asking it. One of my goals was to rediscover my neck...done it. Another was to be able to shop on the ENTIRE third floor of my favorite dept. store, instead of just that tacky little corner where they stick the Women's section...done it. I'd like to say I have lofty goals like being able to run the minute mile or some such, but I'd be lying. I guess my biggest goal will be acheived when I finally feel confident enough to put myself out there in the dating world, ie on-line, or with personal ads, cause I'd really like to have at least one date before the year ends. Wish me luck. Here's to reaching all our goals!
   — rebeccamayhew

July 30, 2002
My goals were based on percent body fat. I wanted to be within the normal range (22-27%) for my age. Even when I weighed less I was always "fat" at >50% body fat: I was small but had no muscle! Now I am a healthy 24% body fat--smack in the middle of the range. I also set a goal to wear a size 12 but I only wore it for like 2 weeks then was in a 10. I had already bought some clothes to celebrate and they were too loose! My next goal is to shape up and build some muscle definition. I don't have much loose skin but now that I can see the muscles it would be great if they looked nice.
   — ctyst

July 30, 2002
My initial goal was to become healthy, and now that I have done that, I have set even more goals. I just wanted to be able to *comfortably* cross my legs. Well I did that and now I can double-cross my legs!! Never in a million would I think that I could do such a thing! Of course I had goal sizes and weights and measurements which I haven't reached the final ones just yet, but getting close. One goal was to walk into a room with my head held high, with confidence, without worrying who was looking at the fat girl. I have done that and I have so much more confidence. Although sometimes I still feel like I am that old fat girl, until I catch myself in a mirror. I have always wanted to run. Well I can do that now, without pain, but my endurance is still not what it should be. Maybe one day I can run like my husband does every day. I practice soccer with my kids, and its so much fun. I could probably come up with several mini-goals like being able to scratch my back without a back-scratcher. I can now use my own fingernails instead of a long wooden thing. I have enjoyed reaching mini-milestones and then thinking up my next goal to work towards. Its fun to celebrate each and every one. I loved reaching 199 lbs. And then every 10 lbs. after. I just reached the 150's (159) so I got giddy once again. This journey is a once-in-a-lifetime trip and I'm enjoying every moment of it. Thanks for the thought provoking question. Enjoy your journey!!
   — Cheri M.

July 30, 2002
I have several small goals and rewards in place. Lose 50lbs I get a mancure (reached it). 100lbs a small tatoo (shh, don't tell my mom) My big goal is to weight less than my husband :) He has been adding to his weight the last few months by working out. He used to weight between 170-175, he is now at 180 and wants to get to 190 (with muscles). So, he keeps making it easier for me to reach my all time goal;)
   — Cheryl S.

July 30, 2002
One of my goals was to be able to ski again. I hadn't done that since I was in my 20s. My surgery was in April & the following winter, I was back on skis! And, yes, it was as good as I thought it would be. My other goal was to date & have a relationship with a man after all these years. Been there, still looking for the right one, but at least I'm IN the game! :)
   — Kathy W.

July 30, 2002
I recently went on vacation and enjoyed reaching one of my goals. To never again be concerned with "fit-anxiety". You know... will I fit in the airplane seat? (big concern, we were flying Southwest) Will I need a seatbelt extender? Can I pull down the tray table? Will I fit in the booths at the restaurants we go to? Will I be able to ride the rides at amusement parks? I had no problems anywhere and it felt great!
   — Bobbie B.

July 30, 2002
Easy. To shop at Victoria's Secret, and then decide that I want to buy La Perla instead, with all the money I've saved on food.
   — Tamara K.

July 30, 2002
When I was pre-op, my kids kept asking me what I'd look like when I was done losing weight. I always answered the same thing, I'd look like Aunt Lori (my sister), who is 5'8" and about 150-160 lbs. Just the other day my 10 year old asked me how much more I want to lose (I'm about 30 lbs from MY goal, I'm at my surgeon's goal of 180) and I asked her, "Do I look like Aunt Lori yet?" Katelyn said "No, but almost!" So one of my goals was to get to look about the same as my sister. <br><br> Another one of my other goals was to weigh less than my husband. I am now about 60 lbs less than him (WHO KNEW!!!). And I've ALWAYS wanted a man that can pick me up and carry me. When Chad and I started dating, he could, but I'd never let him, at 160 lbs I thought I was FAT! But NOW, I want him to pick me up and carry me all the time! That's one of those stupid little goals that probably doesn't mean much to anyone else, but it means a lot to me!
   — Becky H.

July 30, 2002
Great question, and I love the responses. My first goal was to get under 200, then to weigh less than my hubby. Achieved both of those. Then, to be able to shop in the regular sized stores and not the Lane Bryant-Women's stores. Recently did that. In fact, don't fit in the Women's sizes anymore (not on top anyways!). Of course, crossing my legs was a big one, and another was being able to wear heels again without pain. And to achieve all the yoga poses in class comfortably. All achieved. My next goal is to get to goal-30-40 more to go, and go down 1 or 2 more sizes. Then a goal will be to have plastic surgery to tighten up the loose skin. A final goal-to maintain once I am at goal, say for the next 30 years??
   — Cindy R.

July 30, 2002
I had several. One was to be able to wipe myself after going to the bathroom and to be able to clean ALL OF ME in the shower. I could at two weeks postop! Then to be able to cross my legs. That was at around 4-5 months. Then to get to 235 lbs. Then to get "half way to goal" of 190 lbs total. Did both of these. My next goal is to lose HALF of my highest body weight. Was 319 and I hope to get to 159.5 (I'm 170). Then my next goals were to reach around 129 lbs and were a 30 REGULAR FIT jeans. Well I'm at a 34 REGULAR FIT at 170! So perhaps I will get a 30 (or even 28) jeans and not have to get to 129. If so, I'll be happy with the jean size rather than weight. It is'nt so much weight as SIZE that is important with me. I can't believe that after wearing 56 jeans (Relaxed and fuller cuts) that I would ever be wearing a 34 REGULAR (not fat ass) jeans. As Jackie Gleason would say "How sweet it is!" :)
   — Danmark

July 30, 2002
Great Question!!! I enjoyed reading everyone response! I am 7 weeks post op and I have lost 44 pounds and I still have a 100 pounds to go before I reach my goal of 150. But the little goals-I can cross my legs!! I was not planning goals but this question has inspired me to do so--and maybe I will have a date this year too!!!
   — Felicia S.

July 30, 2002
My WLS goals are listed at the top of my profile. However, there are a few more goals which I did not put on my profile: (1) I look forward to walking into a crowded room and feeling that people are looking at me because I am beautiful, NOT because I'm the fattest woman in the room; (2) Not having to worry about my fitting into small places (booths, airplane seats, etc.); and (3) Being able to go to the beach & wear a bathing suit proudly, without feeling like I have to put on a cover-up! I'm sooooooo happy I had this surgery!!!! :o)
   — Jennifer A.

July 30, 2002
Thanks for the answers to this question. I smiled at each one of them. I hope others read what you have written and are encouraged to share their goals as well. I have thought of another goal: Enjoying it when someone takes my picture. The nurse at my surgeons office says that after she lost much of her weight she did not recognize herself in pictures. Even her mother did not recognize her in person. Now that would be nice:)
   — Jeanna M.

July 31, 2002
Jeanna, I really enjoyed this questions and also reading all the other posts, Lets see I'm at 9 weeks post op and down 56 pounds, my first goal was 50 pounds, at that point I started tanning (in the teh tanning salons) , My next goal will be at a loss of 75 pounds, to where I would like to have acrylic nails and my toes done on a regular basis, (I've never done) so I figured that it would be a treat. At 100 pounds, well I would like (3) things, first I would like to get scuba certified, 2nd I would like to get a small tatoo on my ankle of a sea turtle, just something small nothing tacky, (trying to get the husband to allow me) and go out and spend $500 on clothing seeing I've been hitting all the thrift stores and susie deals ($5 )clothing stores, as I'm loosing weight fast and don't want to waste the money on new clothes. When I reach my final goal, of 160-180 pounds depending on how I look, seeing I can't remember how I looked at that weight, and I'm 5"10, I would like to go out and buy a brand new VW BUg, silver in color with black out windows, stylish wheels, as I'd like to re-invent the kid inside that has been hibernating for a long while, (still trying to talk the husband into the VW Bug, he's totally against it, says it's too small of a car, and he dosn't want to see me dead.. ) Other then that, life is great and Love is sweet, wishing everyone much luck, love and happiness on achieving any and all goals you've set.
   — tannedtigress




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