What will you look and feel like at goal?

[Adena]

I'm going out on a limb here, becuase this feels awfully personal, but it was so impactful for me, I wanted to share it with others. ValidRouge (aka Joy) made the following post in my journal:

Originally Posted by ValidRouge

You MUST visualize yourself getting there. Think about how you are going to eat Atkins, never having those bad foods...Visualize yourself at parties eating the right foods. Visualize yourself fitting in smaller clothes. Visualize yourself fitting in your GOAL SIZE CLOTHES. Visualize how you are going to look. Visualize how you are going to feel. Visualize all the things you are going to do when you get there.

I think we spend too much time visualizing the pain of missing out, of visualizing failure instead of success. When you change your way of thinking, when you are so focused on the goal....your subconscious will start thinking that way too...and quit getting in your way!

You can do this! What are you going to look like at Goal Adena? What will you be wearing? How will you feel inside?

Below is my response to Joy (this is where it gets personal -- and a little scary). I hope you'll share yours as well, and take from it the same motivation and focus I have.

Originally Posted by Adena

At goal, I'll be a size 14-16. That's where I was at my lowest point in college, and it's the smallest (and most realistic) me I can imagine being. Then, I was about 160 lbs. At the time, I still wanted to lose weight, but looking back, I was a good weight for my size, and relatively fit. That's how I'll be at my goal. Not perfectly flat and toned, but toned and shapely -- more soft curves and less bulges and bumps and jiggles and dimples. My "fat apron," as a friend of mine calls hers, will be gone.

I will feel so much lighter on my feet. I won't feel like I have to pay attention to how I walk so I'm sure not to "waddle." I won't constantly have to wonder if something is clinging to a roll, how my butt or hips look in "those" pants. I will be able to wear heels without my feet hurting (as much), because so much less weight will be on the balls!

I will be able to easily walk/jog 3-4 miles, and will do so on a regular basis. I will enjoy exercise, and will look forward to it. And I will make time for it, for me. I will enjoy my food, but I will eat to live -- I will not live to eat. I will fuel my body with things that are healthy for me. I will treat my body well, through a healthy diet and exercise. I will not miss those "bad" foods, because my body doesn't need them. I will know and believe that my body deserves better, and so do I.

I'll dress classically, Talbot's style (but at Talbot's Outlet prices!!). I see myself in classic, straight leg jeans, medium heels (brown) or boots, a white, crisp cotton button down blouse (TUCKED IN!), and a brown belt. I can also see myself in a similar outfit, but with khaki pants.

At work, I see myself in a nice suit, tailored, a rich fabric... slightly shorter jacket, pretty trousers which make me look long and lean. Classically styled, simple, sophisticated, professional. Or, I'm in a form fitting, ribbed ivory turtle neck sweater and a slim-fitting wrap wool skirt. Elegant and simple. I imagine myself looking and feeling so much more graceful, so much more comfortable in my skin.

I will not constantly be thinking about my size, or how my clothes are fitting, or what I'm eating (or not eating). I will live and enjoy my life, and my weight and how I look will be sources of hard-earned happiness and satisfaction, not a constant source of angst and disappointment.

I have so much in my life to be thankful for. Two wonderful healthy children, a (mostly!) good husband, a beautiful home, a great job I love, good friends, health, family, and so much more. Yet, selfishy, I can think of little else that would bring me more satisfaction than conquering this life-long demon. It is my albatross, and I am so ready to let it go.

What does "goal" feel and look like to you? Whether you choose to share or prefer to keep it to yourself, I hope you'll give this some serious thought, and as Joy suggests, refer to it again and again. Thanks again, Joy!

[ttdriver]

I loved both Joy's post and your response, Adena. It took alot of courage to write what you did, but after reading it, I have ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBT you will reach and maintain your goal.

YOU WILL DO IT!



Betty

[Adena]

Thanks so much, Betty. I truly feel like "this time," it will be different.

On another note, I hope you'll plan to join us in Atlanta for the inaugural ING Georgia Marathon in March! I'm a little biased, but I hear it's supposed to be one of the most beautiful "city" courses in the country. It will be spring in Atlanta, everything will be in bloom, with dogwood trees aplenty. I'm working towards walk/running my first 1/2 marathon there!

[ttdriver]

Girl, tell me more!! I would love to do that! Is there a website with information??

Betty

[floydgirl]

Thank you for posting that here on the Main Page. What excellent advise and a lot of things for all of us to think about. I love this! Thanks for sharing your innermost feelings with us. That took a lot of guts to post.

[dreamof145]

Great post. I also feel that visual mental images of ourselves keeps us moving in the right direction. I visualize myself at a size 10. I'll be walking at least 5 miles a day and doing other activities such as swimming, tennis, weights and aerobics 5-6 days a week. I'll feel good inside and out. I will no longer have to worry what others are thinking about me when I go anywhere. If someone stares, it will be because I am smiling back at them and they will wonder if they know me from somewhere. I'll dress in clothes that are in style, not clothes that I have to wear cause they are the only ones that I could fit into.

Food won't be the main focus in my life. I'll eat foods on plan without thinking and bypass the stuff that once had a hold over me.

I'll hold my head high and when someone asks me my secret, I'll proudly say, "Why Atkins, of course."

[Adena]

Sure, Betty. Let me know if you plan to come! We'll have to meet up and say hello!

www.inggeorgiamarathon.com

[Adena]

Thanks, Floydgirl. I appreciate it.

And great post, Becky. Thank you for sharing. You included a big one I forgot... knowing what strangers are thinking when they look at me. People have to said to me... "you have such a pretty face." Which translates to: "You do NOT have a pretty body" or "It's too bad -- you could be pretty if you weren't SO FAT!!" Just once, I'd like someone to say -- eh... she looks okay, I guess, but what a smokin' bod!!!

[kislandmom]

I will be a size 10 (maybe even an . I will not feel rolls when I sit down. I will enjoy having my picture taken with my family rather than running the other way!

I will have more energy to do the things I want to do. I will feel good about myself (inside and out).

I will be able to shop at Victoria's Secret for something other than flannel!!!

[Lisa M]

Thanks for sharing your personal parts of your journal...they're so helpful

A great post, indeed.

My ultimate "goal" is to be a happy size 10/12 hovering around 160.

For now, I also have to be happy in the skin I'm in....it's part of the reflecting from the inside and loving who we are right now and taking care of us the best way we know how so my inside will match my outside when I reach my ultimate goal