Milestones/Mini-Goals

I'm a firm believer in chunking down a long term goal into smaller, more achievable ones.

I find that each mini-goal I set for myself works miracles in keeping me focused and on track, giving each weigh-in it's own importance and urgency.

So far, I've been celebrating each mini-victory and milestone as they've happened and here are the next few to work towards and look forward to:

Stage One: moving from the 200's into the 190's
Stage Two: 25 lbs lost
Stage Three: 30 lbs lost
Stage Four: moving from the 190's to the 180's, at which point, moving from "obese" to "overweight" on the BMI chart (this'll be a big one)

That's about as far ahead as I can think right now, but I'm still also on target to lose 50lbs by July 1st which was the first challenge I joined on the WW boards this year and am determined to get there.

The BIG ONE is to be at goal by our anniversary at the end of September. I'm keeping my eyes on the prize and still believe it can be done. I just have to plan, think ahead and have strategies for some of the challenges that are ahead of me.

With Easter dinner coming up, it will be the first big gathering involving a delicious feast since my start date. I'll have to be prepared for it. Summer's coming and bb-que, camping and cottaging season are always a very challenging time for me to eat well and control my calories from the beer and wine. I think this will just take more sheer determination, sense of responsibility to myself and strong will.

;-) Vic

I'm only 90% of the woman I used to be.

So, I've lost my first 10% which also brings me to the one third of my final goal mark. Nice milestones to have met, but it seems to be making me more anxious to progress as I approach another milestone: to be under 200!!

It's so nice to be feeling so well and having so much more energy. The kids were just noticing the other day that I was still up and it was after nine o'clock! Quite an accomplishment!!

I'm noticing too, that I have more stamina for activity and came home from 5km walk with Al the other day with energy to spare. Before, I would've been completely spent. I'm starting to feel some muscles in my arms and legs and I'm feeling stronger and even my balance is improving.

I'd say my eating habits are still pretty good and I'm eating quite a bit cleaner too. I try to have some oats, chia seeds with almonds, berries, cinnamon and skim milk for breakfast most days and this keeps me feeling satisfied all morning. I stop eating when I've had enough (long before feeling "full") and really watch my portion sizes. Yesterday though, I had a bit too much for supper; all healthy, but too much, and was reminded how uncomfortable it feels to feel full. Hopefully, it will have been a lesson learned.

I think eating so little sugar really helps keep those cravings at bay, but I think the real test will come when I get really stressed or anxious. I hope I'll be able to handle it ok and combat the cravings somehow.

Thankfully, I've got some photos now, so I'll try to post them more frequently now to show my progress which is kind of fun.

Well, thanks again for reading and please do let me know if you have any great tips for combating stress and emotional eating triggers. I just want to be prepared.

Cheers!

Vic

20 pounds, gone!!

OOOOhhhh! I have news!!! I am sooo close to losing 10% of myself, but I'm just really excited to have lost 20 lbs in 10 weeks as of my Weigh In this morning. Celebrate with me!!!

To me, maybe not to others, but to me, this means so much. I look at it like a pretty darn significant number, but also, I think of it this way: now, I only have to do this again 2 and a half more times! That just makes it seem so much less far and distant than saying I still have to lose another 48 pounds. I've lost 48 pounds before, so I know that I can do this!!

In the past couple of weeks, I've really picked up the activity level, walking about 5kms most nights and even really enjoyed a late afternoon game of street hockey with Al and the kids. Sure couldn't have imagined keeping up with them before now. What fun!! Looking forward to doing it more often as the spring weather approaches.

My Dr. is really pleased with my progress too, and I'm so glad that I never really had any major health scares, but now in my 40's, it's even more important to take care of myself.

I plan to get a progress photo on when I hit my 10%, so fingers crossed, it will be on in the next week or two!

Thanks for reading. It's so much more fun to share it with people.

Cheers, Vic