Abandoning goals and being realistic?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2004
Abandoning goals and being realistic?
38
Fri, 09-02-2005 - 1:11pm

Is there ever a point where you decide your goals are unrealistic and you decide to just accept your abilities/strength/whatever at the level you're at right now?

The reason I ask is this... I haven't made any headway with the goals I set out to accomplish in terms of losing more weight. I've been training for about 5 weeks now and have been sticking to my eating plan about that long. My weight seems to reguarly fluctuate within a 5 lb range but hasn't actually changed. It's becoming pretty clear that I'm not losing anything with the program that I'm using. However, I like the program I'm doing. I'm not willing to eat less because I turn into super-cranky gymrat when I don't eat enough. And, I believe I'm getting stronger. It's the weight loss piece that isn't changing. (And no, I don't really think my clothes are fitting much differently.)

So, I'm just wondering if I should accept the weight that I'm at right now. Sadly, I'm not even nervy enough to post it here because it just seems so *high*. But, from what other people have said, they estimate that I weigh about 30-40 lbs less than I do (even when I was heavy, I don't think anyone would have guessed what I really weighed). My husband found a statistic that said that most people are unable to lose more than 10% of their high bodyweight and I've already surpassed that. Maybe my body is just *done*.

At this point, I just feel tired of fighting and striving to reach something that is starting to seem unattainable. Yet, my Type A urge that is always pushing me to be better/faster/stronger finds it hard to let this go because in a way, it feels like defeat (and if no one else here gets this part, I know Jean will).

Thoughts? Comments? Opinions?




Edited 9/2/2005 1:19 pm ET ET by gymrat76

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-27-2003
Sat, 09-03-2005 - 10:03pm

Hans and Frans!

They were the best..."I am Hans and this is Frans, and we are here to pump you up."

Love it.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Sat, 09-03-2005 - 10:09pm
Yeah, that's them!





iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Sat, 09-03-2005 - 10:16pm

I wonder if something like that would help my mom.






iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2004
Sun, 09-04-2005 - 12:28am

You are so right that we're damned if we do and damned if we don't. I never thought about it that way but it's absolutely true. My clients have regularly told me that the Barbie-esque trainers do not appeal to them and yet... in a twisted sort of way, I want to be that person.

You've given me some really good perspective about this, Sol. I appreciate your wisdom and insight so much. (And yes, I could probably kick some serious a$$. :) I may have to print out that post and put it on my fridge or monitor. Thanks again.

Avatar for soleilune
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 09-05-2005 - 11:06am
You're welcome. It took me a lot years, self doubt and heartache to get to this point, so if you've been spared a little of the same that makes it even more worth it.
Soleilune
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-15-2004
Mon, 09-05-2005 - 11:52am
I would like to reach my goal just so I can say that I did it.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Mon, 09-05-2005 - 12:11pm
Hey!





Avatar for soleilune
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 09-05-2005 - 12:15pm
" why do we make ourselves believe that we can't be in better shape than we were in our twenties? There are women in their forties competing in Fitness contests. It isnt' impossible." You're right, but it comes down to what we're willing to do to acheive that. Women competing in fitness competion follow a strict diet & workout regimen AND have genetics on their side, often time, money & the extra freedom to persue this as well. I'm smaller & in better shape then I was before having a child, BUT it took a long time to get there and I pretty much have the diet & workout regimen of an elite athlete (don't look like one though). That's not to say your attitude is wrong by any means. It clearly works for you, you look great in the pic @ the Plaza. Sometimes however, people do set goals that are unrealistic for them.
Soleilune

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