Baby Steps

First off, congratulations to my Mom who has lost a total of 8lbs in her first 3 weeks on Weight Watchers!!!! She is hoping to have at least a 15lb loss to show her doctor when she goes for her next physical in a couple of months.

Which brings up another Daily Dose (from Wednesday, March 22), the focus of which is the value of setting short-term goals. In my case, I started this diet having to lose 142.5lbs to reach my target weight of 180lbs (which, mind you, is still more than 20lbs heavier than the maximum recommended weight of someone my height). Most of you have no idea how daunting and overwhelming it is to think, "Gee, I lost 2lbs this week. Great! Now, I only have 140 more to go!"

So, I've started off this 12th week on NS with some new mini-goals to aim for.

1) Day 90 on NS - April 9, 2006: 288;



2) Birthday/Day 120 on NS - May 8 or 9, 2006: 280;



3) Fourth of July: 265.




Today's Weight (starting/current/goal): 322.5/291/180

Once each of these goals is met, I will treat myself to a "non-food" reward. Goal 1 = two 8-10lb dumbbells to work my triceps. Goal 2 = weekend trip away to the Florida Keys or Disney World. Goal 3 = an IPod or digital camera.

Ideally, I want to reach 180lbs by my 32nd birthday (May 8, 2007), but that's long-term and the point is not to focus too much on that. It's one meal at a time, one work-out at a time, one day at a time.

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." -- Mark Twain