Are Your Weight Loss Goals Realistic?

Back when I was losing weight the first time around, I had one goal. Actually is was more like one focus as it wasn’t exactly a goal. Maybe it was really an unhealthy obsession now that I think about it. I wanted to get down to 120 pounds and be skinny. Think about it – what is that magical number that you always hear people talking being the most attractive or perfect weight for women? Yup, it is 120 pounds and that is why I wanted to reach that number on the scale.

Well, guess what folks? When you start out weighing over 200 pounds, it is damn hard to get down to 120 pounds. What’s more is that depending on things like your height, your muscle mass and even your genes makes how much weight that you can lose and even look healthy vary from one person to the next. In fact, some of us just are not designed to get down to 120 pounds. And I am one of those people, which is probably a good thing because it would not be a very healthy weight for me. Fortunately, this is something that I know now and will not be focusing on here in round two of my weight loss journey.

So, how does one come up with a healthy goal weight? Well, look at it like this. Plenty of doctor’s out there say that about 1 to 2 pounds a week is a healthy way to lose weight. Granted, those first few weeks of weight loss will likely see you drop a lot of pounds – the heavier you start out, then the more you will lose quickly at the beginning. But for the long haul, really aim for this one to two pounds per week as your max weight loss. If you notice that you are losing more than that and are well into your weight loss adventure, then make some adjustments so that you can be healthier with this thing.

You can read more on this here.

Getting Skinny, The Sequel

Well, if you have been here before, then you might have noticed that this site looks a lot different from the way that it used to. You see, a few years ago, I set up this site as a way to track my progress with a weight loss goal of “getting skinny.” As you might have guessed, I ended up meeting my goal weight and getting right where I wanted to be on the scale.

I managed to stay that new Sara for quite some time. Then, gradually, the pounds started creeping back on. Honestly, I did not really notice it at first. Not for a while actually. It was not until my favorite pants got a bit too snug for comfort that I realized that there was a possibility that I was gaining weight. But, it was also close to time for my period so I tricked myself into thinking that was the culprit as I dug my “fat pants” out of the back of the closet. A size bigger and roomier than my fave pair.

I bet you already know what happened next. Before too long, my fat pants were fitting a bit snug and I convinced myself that I’d shrunk them in the dryer. Dug out another pair of my fat pants that fit and carried on. Long story short, I now at pretty much back where I started. I need to get in control of my weight and start seeing those scary numbers on the scale go down, down, down!

Basically, I have to do all the same work all over again. The cool thing is that I already know that this is a goal that I can achieve. That not so cool thing is that I have to do it all over again and I know that this is some hard work that I have ahead of me.

Well, here’s hoping that the sequel of this journey does not involve a follow-up version in a few years down the road! Now, it’s time to start melting away some pounds so I can get back in my fave skinny jeans!

Getting Left Behind All The Thin People

You know, whether you are someone who has always had a bit of a problem with weight or someone who has steadily gained weight over the years, one thing is certain. You get left behind all the people who are not overweight. And I am not even sure that it is intentional.

Think about when you are at a restaurant and they put you in a booth. Getting in that sucker is a heck of a lot easier than getting out of it as a fat person. So, everyone else is already at the door and you are still trying to shimmy your way out of the book. That is why I so much prefer tables and chairs at restaurants to booths. But even then, sometimes you get a similar issue if the place has their tables too close together.

Another place where I notice this a lot of places with really cramped seating like theaters. Whether you are seeing a concert or a movie, sometimes those seats just do not want to let you back up out of them! The worst though is when you are on the end and everyone is just waiting for you to get up and get out the way so that they can start leaving. Or worse, when someone needs to go to the bathroom during the show.

Airline seats are a similar situation. I always try to get by the window so that I do not have to worry about getting out of my seat in front of other people. It takes me a while so that is something that I would rather do without feeling rushed.

And do not get me started on outdoor recreation. It is not that I would not like to be outside having fun like that, but my weight makes it difficult. So whether it is my family or friends, I always get left behind on this one too. And I am honestly not sure what is worse, feeling down at being left out and left behind or the possible embarrassment of trying to be active with them and just looking like a pathetic fatty.

That is why I want to give thi weight loss thing another shot. I have tried it in the past. Lots and lots of times. And I just cannot seem to make it work for me. Maybe I was not trying hard enough. This time, I will push myself more to make it happen.