Unrealistic goals?!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2000
Unrealistic goals?!
11
Thu, 05-06-2004 - 8:57am
I'm just wondering if my goals are unrealistic. I'm running 3x a week right now, and exercising at least 1 more day. My eating is not "out of control" but it ain't exactly assisting my waistline. I wouldn't mind shedding 3 pounds, and my measurements aren't where they were at my good-lookin' best last year (waistline up, tummy girth up, hips up). It seems like when I do get down to my numeric goals, I can't maintain them. Still, I'm not as droopy and puffy as I was when I started either this year or last year. The doctor at the clinic I went to for my ear infection earlier this year gave me a quizzical look when I didn't like my weight number.

I look in the mirror and I'm content with what I see, even though I wish my pants would fit me better. But I'm starting to wonder... Perhaps my goals are still in their 20s while I'm in my 40s? Last year I was exercising an hour a day 5-6x a week, and I've not been able to set that pace this year (I seem to burn out easier this year, or I fear burn-out). I know I was eating less portions in meals, less sweets/desserts and more fruits - and I felt on the edge of hunger, which I don't feel like being this year. Yet I don't want to gain anything, either, and it seems I always do in November/December. Is it my *thinking* I need to adjust here?












Cussette src="http://pages.ivillage.com/cussette/cross_icon.gif" width=15>, CL- href="http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ppfinances">Family Finances

Visit the href="http://pages.ivillage.com/familyfinances/">Family Finances Website


for links, tips, reading, tools and answers to your financial
questions





and the href="http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ppplaynov98n">November 1998 Playgroup

Visit our Who's Who

Allison's Website!

My greatest fear is that there is no PMS and this is my personality.

C

Pages

Avatar for imthebigsister
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 05-06-2004 - 9:22am
"I look in the mirror and I'm content with what I see".

That's a milestone in itself; I haven't been content with what I see in ages, and I know I still have a way to go. All my latest medical tests were awesome, but I don't feel that I was meant to be my current weight (158) - and I don't think reaching about 143 lbs is unreasonable for my age, height and build.

Honestly, with the level of fitness you've reached, the workouts you do, and the care you take in mostly eating smart, and the discomfort your hip keeps causing you, maybe you should work out to maintain your current weight, and train harder for the races you want to run.

I'm curious - have you had your body fat measured lately by caliper?

Donna

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2004
Thu, 05-06-2004 - 9:46am

3 pounds?

Lori

"Remember, I'm pullin' for ya.  We're all in this together." --Red Green

cl for Ask the

Avatar for dmm11730
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2003
Thu, 05-06-2004 - 9:48am
I have to agree with Donna here on this one. You said you liked what you see in the mirror. That is so important. Gosh to me 3 pounds would not make or break it, especially with how healthy you are eating and the exercise you are getting. I think our bodies just find their comfort zone and that number in your 40's may be yours. Make that the number to stick with and try not to allow the number to go up. I am sure these 3 pounds will make a difference with how your pants fit. They will fit better with time and more exercise, I think. I am probley the very last to offer any kind of advise but I can give you my opinion. You are doing awsome and you look great. Be proud of all you have acomplishedL!

Deb

Debbie

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2001
Thu, 05-06-2004 - 11:18am
Your post sounds alot like some of my thoughts lately.I'm not unhappy with what I see in the mirror but I'm not happy with how my clothes are fitting.Also I know my diet is contributing to the extra weight I'm carrying.I've decided to make an honest effort to change my diet and see how I do.See if it's something I can stick with or maybe find out I just don't want to be that strict with my food.Maybe I am setting an unrealistic goal but in all honestly I do know I haven't made the food changes I need to really find out.

Miss P




 

Avatar for ive_got_five
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-11-2001
Thu, 05-06-2004 - 11:52am
I have to agree with what the other ladies have said. I don't think I would worry so much about the number. I've set a goal weight for myself, but it is far above when I was 20 something. I know I won't see that number again and don't even aspire to it. Also, on the route to my goal weight if I reach a point where I can look in the mirror and "be happy with what I see" I will definitely re-evaluate my need to reach that magic number! This weightloss journey, for me, is as much about getting to a *healthy* weight as how I look. I don't want to take meds for cholesterol and I'm sure if I'm good about my food and keep exercising I won't need them. It all ties in with my weight.

If you have no health issues and are comfortable, I don't think I'd worry about the *number*. Besides, you will be busy and active over the summer. I won't be surprised if it comes off anyway!

Shar

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 05-06-2004 - 12:14pm

Oh, to be within 3 lbs. of my goal weight... Truthfully, I'm more concerned with inches and muscle tone, both of which I am not happy about, than I am with the number on the scale. I haven't been happy with what I see in the mirror for a long time, and it only gets worse with time when you do next to nothing about it as I have the last year.


I think you've been doing great. Only you can determine what is right for you, but I do think that a goal of being what we were in our 20's is fairly unreasonable. I know that even if I could get to that point, I would look gaunt and unhealthy now. As we age, we need a little more

       ~~Rhonda~~


<

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 05-06-2004 - 12:47pm
I think you are in great shape & if you're happy with what you see, you should feel great about maintaining. I also understand how you want to lose just those little bitty 3 lbs. to see your pants fit better. You are so fortunate to be in great health. I wish I could say the same for me. I know I'll never get back to 108 lbs. but I need to get these 5 lbs. or so off of me because of cholesterol problems. You should see the way of eating printout my doctor gave me! He told me I'm one of those people who will always have to adhere to the "no bad carbs & limit fats" way of eating. He also told me I should walk everyday. My doctor gave me a great piece of advice - not to tell anyone that I have to eat a certain way & no one will ever know the difference. You know how some people are, they say "you don't need to lose weight" and things like that. I find myself listening to them as a way to find an excuse to eat badly. I need to have this healthy way of eating in my mindset for the rest of my life - then I wouldn't gain in Nov. & Dec. I, too, am always on the edge of hunger when I eat "correctly". It DOES get old! However, I have to put my health first.

Anyway, my point is that everyone is different & that you should do exactly what you want to do especially since you are in great shape and health!!! You are progressing so much in your running!

Katherine (Kat)
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-18-2003
Thu, 05-06-2004 - 12:50pm
I just echo what everyone else is saying.


 








 
Avatar for cl_grace_50
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 05-06-2004 - 3:11pm

Wow...what a loaded question! Your whole post sounds like me except for the running part. I think it is great that you like what you see in the mirror...I haven't gotten there yet. Some days I do and some days I don't.


I think we have to realize that we will never have the body we had in our 20s and/or before having kids. We can just be the best we can be right now with smart workouts and eating healthy most of the time. However, for some of us, it is easier said than done. We really don't have good role models to look up to. When you get those "you're looking good" compliments...you have to keep them in the forefront to remind yourself what others see too.


I find I have to look around at others my age and see where I am in relation to them. I will be 55 on my next birthday and I can't believe how many of my peers are in such bad shape physically and mentally from not taking care of themselves. I truly believe in "fitness for health" and that is why I use that for my email. working out smarter and not harder. Your plan of running 3x a week plus another workout sounds good to me. I think anymore might be a problem with your hip unless you do things like yoga or pilates. Stretching is really important as we get older and I think it changes our body and posture for the good.


It is good to have a goals...like running 5 and 10 ks. As far as the weight, I have a magic number too. When you are scale addicted like I am, it could make or break a day the number on the scale. I understand that the number is a goal and the number you don't want to go over no matter what. It is a signal to "do something" before it all gets out of hand ( at least for me ).


The important thing is to feel good physically and mentally. Exercising helps physically and mentally. And hey, you just have to live sometimes and have that treat or two. Life isn't about deprivation and feeling on the edge of hunger all the time. I sure hope we can enjoy some good eating in Asheville and not feel guilty about it!!!


I think you are where a lot of us here are. That is why it is good that we have a place for us here at FOF. No one understands better than someone in the same boat.


I guess I went on and on here and it was about you and not me...but you had so many points that hit home with me too. Maybe it will help knowing you have company.


Hugs


Grace


cl-grace_50 

fitness4health@yahoo.com

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2000
Fri, 05-07-2004 - 9:16am
Thanks everyone, just reading your feedback helps. A LOT. Granted, I could be more consistent in my healthy eating - that's been more difficult for me this year than last. Like so many of you, I see my peers and think, Okay, I'm not at the top compared to the true fitness buffs with gym memberships, but I'm way ahead of where I was, and certainly way-way ahead of many women my age. If I could see some change in the inches, and there has been some, I probably wouldn't have had the need to post. In my mind, those pounds-to-lose still equate to inches and would make my clothes fit better... but I'm doubting if that's reality for me. Inches, yes from exercising, but maybe not the pounds. Shar, the few times I've gotten slightly tight clothes in hopes that I'd fit into them it's never worked :^D - yet I know it's great motivation for some. Hope it works better for you!

I am tired of the monitoring that I've kept up for 20+ years. I quit doing that daily a few years ago, but the "magic numbers" haven't changed. If I'm finding that frustrating, I think I need to set my sights on routines and continuing to eat properly rather than numbers. Easier said than done - old habits die hard! Thanks again.












Cussette src="http://pages.ivillage.com/cussette/cross_icon.gif" width=15>, CL- href="http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ppfinances">Family Finances

Visit the href="http://pages.ivillage.com/familyfinances/">Family Finances Website


for links, tips, reading, tools and answers to your financial
questions





and the href="http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ppplaynov98n">November 1998 Playgroup

Visit our Who's Who

Allison's Website!

My greatest fear is that there is no PMS and this is my personality.

C

Pages