One unique aspect to goal setting is planning out the small steps that lead up to reaching your overall goal. Runners do it all the time. You want to run a half marathon, marathon, or any other distance. You plan out your training over a period of time and over that time you reach your goal by race day. I have always tackled running this way but today was really the first time it clicked for me with weight loss. The number I want to lose is larger than can be done in one week (barring a major flu or loss of limb) so I need to break it down into chunks leading up to the day when I step on that scale and do the happy dance! Let me say as an aside that I do feel that if I never lost another pound I would be healthy, however I know that I feel more comfortable at a lower weight in addition to feeling faster. I am not giving up on my goal!!
This week, and I put it here so I can think of you all shaking a finger at me as I think about eating dessert, my small step is to lose 3lbs.....there I said it....it's out there and I can 't take it back! Oh boy! What small step are you going to take today to get you to a bigger goal? What is your big goal? Share away! There is power in numbers!!!
Oh and if you need a kick in the don't give up department....I could be bias but just imagine how this would feel:
Pats are going to the Superbowl!!!
I know what you mean with regards to setting the small goals for yourself w/ running (I'm just getting started with my half marathon training plan) AND with weight loss. Yes I could be this weight and be fine and healthy but like you, I also feel better about myself/am faster if I weigh less!
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your 3 lbs. You can do it! I plan to hit the gym hard this week and give it everything I have since I missed out last week due to snow.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for putting it out there! Nancy you are very motivated so I have no doubt you'll hit your goal!
ReplyDeletePsyched the Pats are going back to the Super Bowl!!
I just read a very good piece somewhere about effective goal setting. It includes small, intermediate and long range goals. Small, incremental milestones (but achievable) on a path to longer term bigger goals. it is like marathon training. As for wight loss, I know one piece of advice is to never weight yourself or only once a week, but I never do that. I need the feedback and the short term horizon to stay on the path. And good luck with yours.
ReplyDeleteTotally do-able!! Chunk it up - just like running! I've officially giving up pop. Not trying to lose weight, just want to lose that crutch - and put those calories to work in another way!
ReplyDeletewell I've just decided that I am going to run a marathon!!!!!!! so my big goal is to finish. the small step I'm taking is signing up and creating a training plan :)
ReplyDeleteI think that it is ALL small steps! I usually run long runs one mile (or step) at a time, otherwise it is daunting! This week I am just trying to get 4 days of running in. A week at a time!
ReplyDeleteI thought you'd be pumped for your Pats!! This superbowl makes the east coast very happy, huh?!
ReplyDeleteGreat motivation! I am working on the smaller steps thing too - especially with strength training. Focus on the little steps one at a time! I know you can do it!
ReplyDeleteI do a lot of my runs a tenth of a mile at a time. I may start slow, but the next thing you know, I've finished 9 miles. Baby steps. I'm trying to build my weekly mileage to 35-40 miles a week. I'm slowly inching every run longer. Eventually I'll get there.
ReplyDeleteSo true, that's why running helps me in so many ways! While training for my first marathon I learned to take it one day at a time in order to reach the big goal.
ReplyDeleteOh my Ravens....
I am going to pick up a NASM personal training book to take one step closer to getting certified :)
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