Meaning, my original weight loss goal date was late August or early September. The problem is, if things remain the same, I won’t reach my goal until the week before Thanksgiving. Of course, I’d be thrilled to enter the Holidays at goal!
I’ve found a comfort zone. I can (over)eat just enough to still make a 1 to 1 1/2 pound loss for the week, just about every week. On the other hand, if I dig in a little harder, and start losing 2 to 3 pounds per week, I could still make my August goal.
Here’s the question: Should I bust booty to try and make my late August goal? Or should I be happy with consistent loss every week, no matter how small it is, knowing that by Thanksgiving time I’ll be sitting pretty?
I’d appreciate you guys’ input.
For those who may not be interested in commenting, you can pass the time by looking at this picture of a flying monkey:
Love the flying monkey! Cool.
Personally, I wouldn’t worry about the August goal. It’s more important to be learning new eating habits than losing weight at the speed of a flying monkey.
Comment by Anita — July 14, 2007 @ 3:01 pm
Well let’s face it, even being a dude, your inital goal was pretty ambitious. Far better to do it a little slower and not feel deprived. If you feel deprived, you’re more likely to go “WOO HOO!! I’m FREE!!” when you hit goal and eat like a maniac - thus regaining. What you want is a lifestyle that you can keep right on cruising with - goal or no goal.
For me, nothing has really changed since I hit goal except I, GASP, sometimes eat three fruits instead of two! (oh the horror!!)
Comment by blestwithsons — July 14, 2007 @ 3:31 pm
Is that one of the monkeys you and Brandi bought us all for Christmas? I liked those monkeys.
Comment by Debbie — July 14, 2007 @ 5:44 pm
Uhhhhhh bought US all? I believe each of the CHILDREN got one in their stocking although I wouldn’t say that they played with them as much as the adults did!
Yes, I think it’s the same except the ones we got had purple instead of black.
Comment by Brandi — July 14, 2007 @ 6:59 pm
I wouldn’t worry about the August goal, either. It sounds like you’ve found a great, maintainable eating plan, and it makes sense to stick with that!
And I do like the monkey!
Comment by Christy — July 14, 2007 @ 6:59 pm
Our first picture of a monkey… It’s a proud moment!
Should we add a category for it, do ya think?
Comment by blestwithsons — July 14, 2007 @ 7:21 pm
Cool monkey!
I sat and looked at it for like, twenty minutes before I realized I actually meant to comment!
I think if you are consistently losing that’s the important thing. If it doesn’t seem that hard, then that means it’s a lifestyle you’ll be able to maintain. You are doing a great job, by the way.
Comment by Bethany — July 14, 2007 @ 8:02 pm
Thanks, gals. And thanks for the compliments on the monkey. Blest, you’ve got a good idea. A monkey category would be in order.
Comment by Bird — July 14, 2007 @ 8:23 pm
definitely stick with what you’re doing and your thanksgiving goal. 1-2 pounds/week for anyone is great. i agree with blest — you don’t want to be so strict that you go freedom-crazy on the other end and re-gain the last 10, 20, 30, etc. pounds. you’re losing. and you’re happy and not feeling deprived. sounds like a success story to me!
Comment by Anne — July 14, 2007 @ 11:25 pm
I agree with not pushing yourself so hard that you feel majorly deprived. If what you’re doing isn’t something that you could make a lifestyle once you hit goal, you’ll be more likely to revert to your old habits once you do get to goal. I understand and empathize with being a bit impatient. I am the exact same way. It seems like it is taking forever, but in reality it isn’t that long. We didn’t put on weight overnight and we’re not going to take it off overnight either.
Comment by Gina — July 15, 2007 @ 1:01 pm
I love the monkey!
Oh, and the question? I think slow and steady wins the race (think hare and tortoise). You don’t want to over do it adn then put it back on again if you let your guard down.
Any loss is good I’d say.
Comment by Debs — July 15, 2007 @ 1:40 pm