Nancy Johnson:
It seemed like such a reasonable goal for 2011. Lose 36 pounds in 36 weeks. This goal was set in preparation to attend my 25th reunion at my college homecoming on Oct. 7, 2011.
Well, surprise, surprise, surprise.
I had just gotten home from the Y when I saw it in the mail -- the invitation to my 25th college class reunion. When I opened the envelope, I was shocked to learn that my class reunion is scheduled for May 6, not Oct. 7 -- a mere 22 weeks earlier than I had planned.
When I saw the date, my initial response was, oh well. OK, maybe those weren't the exact words. Remember I am a work in progress.
Now, how do I prepare for a 25th reunion in May when I had already visualized how I'd look at 40 pounds lighter in the cool October air? I have jotted down a few options:
- Option 1 -- Go to the May event without a care. Just buy bigger clothes.
- Option 2 -- Don't attend the May event. Just ignore it and go to the October homecoming as originally planned. I can just read about the festivities after the fact because I will be too heavy and don't want the "looks."
- Option 3 -- Kick it in gear. I have 7 weeks to lose as much weight as I can. Then attend the event with a smile and looser clothes.
- Option 4 -- Hand out copies of this blog, explain that I am a work in progress and enjoy myself.
I choose Option 3. Who knows how much weight I can lose if I kick it up a notch? Plus, this will give my new support team at the Siskey Y a real short-term goal to work toward -- 10 more pounds by May 6.
I know all of the anonymous people will post their comments and I am looking forward to reading them. I'd like to also hear from people with actual names. So, send your comments and ask your Facebook friends to post ideas to help me kick it up a notch!
I know all of the anonymous people will post their comments and I am looking forward to reading them. I'd like to also hear from people with actual names. So, send your comments and ask your Facebook friends to post ideas to help me kick it up a notch!
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24 comments:
Nancy. I don't know you and don't know what you look like except to see your headshot. You are beautiful. Option three + go without a care + shining that beautiful smile. Been where you are at. Then lost the weight. Go for it in the next 7 weeks. Attend KNOWING that when you go to Homecoming in October people will be DOUBLE-wowed by how much weight you've lost. Many who would see you if you wait until October might not notice if they haven't seen you since you gained weight! Think of the high you'll get in October when EVERYONE notices. I know our nasty friend Annonymous will have something to say about our vanity but after years of feeling self-conscious and being scorned for "getting that big" those of us who lose weight deserve some praise, ooohs and aahhs for the hard work it took to lose the weight. Kick up your cardio with weights (even if light) right after the cardio burn versus cutting backon calories...unless your calories aren't in the targeted zone suggested by your doc or trainer. Also, as annoying as it may be - tell everyone about your new goal and ask people to BUTT in when you go for another cookie or the second helping of something. Eat what you love just eat smaller portions. Good luck.
I say choose option 3 AND 4. Accomplish option 4 by going to the VistaPrint website and get a box of nearly-free business cards with the blog URL on them.
I agree with MFS - go to both events and revel in the shocked looks in October!
Anonymous here. Short term goals are important in weight loss and you now have one, which is great. I agree you should bump it up. And, I suspect you will find that you won't want to let off after you see the results.
Anonymous said: If you want to drop 50 pounds by May, go get the stomach band surgery.
Nancy, you have been working very hard to meet your goal weight, so continue to focus on that. Yes, you wanted to look your best and feel great for your 25th reunion and you shall. You have the rest of March and all of April to continue working out and it will be just fine. You will beautiful when that time comes. Go and enjoy yourself with olds friends, that's what it is ALL about.
LIVE---LAUGH---LOVE
CCJ
Goals are great, but if you don't reach it where does it leave you? In my opinion, it really needs to be about a lifestlye change. You are becoming more active and enjoying life. Losing weight will be a by-product.
Don't get too fixated on short-term goals that make you stress. Just enjoy your workouts for the accomplishment each one provides.
25 years of biscuit and gravy, have come home to rooster...
6 lbs a week loss is unhealthy and unrealistic. having said that its simple math, burn more calories than you take in. Do not do this by yourself- enlist a trainer due to the short term goal. they will push you when you need it. And make sure you drink lots of water- thats what has helped me- i started the year wanting to lose 20 lbs- so far, i am at 15 lbs lost- how? walking 30-45 minutes a day and eating healthy - do not take in more than 1500 calories a day. its working and i am not starving! good luck- ron t
I agree with Matt W. Set goals but be willing to change them as needed. Unfortunately, fat people often set goals that are so monumental and unobtainable in the short or medium term that they become dejected and quit.
I am dead serious when I say you are doomed to fail. Why? You're motivated to lose weight simply for a reunion and what others think of you and not for your own self respect. Any weight you do lose will come back 3 fold because your heart is in the wrong place. Doug R
These are ALL great comments (maybe not the lapband but it did make me laugh).
Thank you for sharing your motivating and very encouraging comments.
It is about fun and fun I will have through this whole process. I hope to share the fun!
When I realized I really needed to lose at least 20 pounds to look my best for my son's college graduation, I really only had time to lose 6-8. It was enough to let me show the pride I had in my son whenever I smiled for pictures. To use the words above, "I was a work in progress." I eventually met my goal. When I look back at those pictures, I'm amazed how much better I look now, but satisfied that the true happiness shows on my face. The event wasn't about me, but experiencing and sharing the event with those I loved. Don't even think of missing your reunion--don't deny yourself, but more important, don't deny others of the happiness of seeing you. It is good to care about our appearance, but for those who love us, it is most important that we make an appearance!
Miss Nancy, if you lose 14 - GREAT! If you lose 4 - GREAT! Don't let the number(s) throw off your potential for greater success. Who really knows if the poundage will be water, a mixture of fat and water, or whatever! Anything can throw you (us) off for a day or two. You're a winner in my book - and in many others. Luv you Sis!!!
Nancy,
Stay the person you are *inside*! If added weight is a health concern, then by all means address it on THAT basis. If your self-pride is connected to vanity and you're troubled by what others think of your appearance... well, good luck with that because that's a mental obstacle none of us can ever win.
If you're healthy and feel good for who and what you are ... then Option 3 might be something to look at.
Besides, unless all of your late-ish 40 year-old "sisters" from 25 years ago show up looking like Hallie Berry, I'm betting your concerns are just that: Yours alone.
Go. To both. Do what you can for the May event - if YOU want to. Then ... knock 'em dead at the October event after you've had time to do a little more work ...
I am currently on the Ideal Protein Weight Management Plan offered by Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat (Belmont). I have successfully and safely lost 25 lbs. in 5 weeks. Others I am close to have lost 60 lbs in 90 days. It can be done - you just need to know what to do. It is worth a review. Best of luck to you!
There is a lot of good feedback and some pretty harsh ones too. I would just like to say, I think it is wonderfully brave that you are posting your journey, even if it's not perfect because nobody's ever is!!! Now with that said, here is my 2 cents for what its worth. Do not focus on the reunion, your health is a lifelong commitment and thus your approach should be a bit different. Stop putting pressure on yourself to get to a goal that has become a bit daunting for you to achieve (and a bit unhealthy at this point). The next thing I would say is get with someone about your diet. someone who knows what they are doing and you would have to be accountable to on a weekly basis. I suggest to my clients to work with a registered dietitian. Diet is 80 to 90 percent of your success and if that is out of whack, all the exercising you are doing will not be as visible, until that diet is under control. And last, cardio is great and yes it is necessary, but make sure you are doing some form of weight training as well. By lifting weight, you are building metabolic tissue (ie, muscle) which can burn calories, even at rest, for hours after you have stopped working out. I can't stress this last one enough! :-)
Anyway, I hope this helps! I wish you luck and look forward to reading more about your health and fitness journey!
DG, Personal Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor.
Go the way you are to the May event. Look around. There will be others there who gained a few pounds over the years. Be happy. Someone there will say: "You haven't changed a bit".
To the anonymous poster crowing about friends losing 60 pounds in 90 days, write back in 18 months when all that weight is back. That type of drastic quick weight loss makes for great short term press but never works long run.
FYI: The 60 lbs in 90 days was 2 years ago - still off. It can be donw if you change your life style and eating habits long term. Don't be a hater!
How many in the program total? How many kept the weight off. Quoting one of two success stories does not make it so.
It's great that you are committed to losing weight, but be careful. Losing too much weight too fast is not normally healthy and usually results in gaining all the weight back in the long run.
Just stick to your original weight loss plan and be happy with who you are. Anyone who is so shallow that they are judging you over your weight is not someone that you need to be friends with anyhow.
Option 5 - Wear the hottest tightest fitting dress you can find and tell everybody you invented post it notes. It sure worked for Romy and Michelle...
I am a 53 year old guy who needs to lose 25lbs. If my goal was originaly set for October based the most important event - I would chose #1.
The reason is pragmatic. If you go to the May event, you may take your eye of the reasonable target date of October. Secondly, you won't lose that much weight and it would not be a sustainable process.
Scratch the May event - go to the October event and lose the weight, get your heart/lungs in shape and you will keep the weight off longer.
BTW: my son is in Basic Training. I told him I would lose 20 lbs in 14 weeks (his total training period). I have lost 8. I use a Droid MyFitness App (counts calories - very easily).
Good Luck
Don
Thank you all for your encouraging words, suggestions and great pointers.
I will attend both events with bells on regardless of the weight!
I will use the earlier date as a true up on making sure I am doing what I should, eat less work out more.
I loved someone's Option #5. The visual picture was funny.
DG and the Protein Weight Mgt, I'd like to hear more. Send me an email at energizingcharlotte@yahoo.com.
P.S. I don't recall ever having having biscuits and gravy and I don't think I'll be eating any soon.
I am sticking to my original goal -- 1 to 1.5 pounds per week. Anything else is extra!
I will find that outfit and will hang it up like the red Special K dress code.
Thank you again for your support. It really does make a difference.
Have a great weekend until next Wednesday.
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