Day 29 - Goals and Challenges

If you scroll all the way to the very bottom of my blog page, you will see a list of the categories of obesity, and a different ticker graphic that indicates how far I am from my overall destination, as measured by the scale.

The ticker at the top of my page follows my mini-goals. This first mini-goal is to lose 10% of my initial body weight, which would be 30 lbs.

I haven't set a timeframe for reaching that 30-pound loss, but I would like ideally to reach that number (277 lbs) by my October doctor's appointment. That is my short-term goal. My long-range goal is to get down to 145 lbs.

Some people say that isn't doable, but of course they are wrong. If I can gain the weight, I can lose the weight. I've made up my mind to make it so.

I'm not hoping to get there. I know I will get there.

I have no set timeframe to make that happen, but it will take care of itself, as long as I am consistent and mindful.

I am lacking a mid-range goal, and have been talking with fellow-blogger, Kathy, about setting one. She actually had a great idea, to challenge each other to a target, to be reached a year from now. I am so ready! Once we agree on the target, I'll post it, in case anyone wants to follow along.

A goal needs to be reasonably obtainable, and putting a timeframe to it just brings the challenge up to another level.

Changing topics - I notice my arms are looking a little puffy. Okay, the upper arm flaps go beyond puffy. I'm talking about the forearms here, people. We ate out last night, and I'm wondering if I had a bit too much salt in my dish. (It did taste a bit salty to me.) My water intake should flush that out today, if that is the case.

Hmmmm ... I wonder if I can pass 291 lbs off as water retention ...

Naw, I'd probably look ridiculous trying that.

Speaking of ridiculous, and water, I went to the pool last weekend. No one was around, which is a good thing. There is nothing worse than being obese among the bikini-clad. Well, that isn't quite true, but let's just agree it isn't much fun (for either group). I loved being in the water, but I was shocked at how little I could do, compared to the last time I went actual swimming. There is wisdom in regular exercising. It doesn't take long to lose cardiovascular stamina, does it?

My current BMI is 47. That is a high, high number. Literally, 47% of me is fat. That is almost 137 lbs. Ouch! I don't normally think in those terms, but I need to. Is it no wonder I've been suffering with the heat of this summer? I'm literally carrying around another person with me, every single second of the day. I can't imagine what this is doing to my bones, joints and heart muscle. Who stops to think of that? Well, actually, I do (apparently) a little bit. I've been sleeping on my right side (JUST my right side) for several years now. I think I am subconsciously afraid to put the left (heart-side) down, under the weight of the rest of me, while I sleep. Gosh, that sounds goofy, doesn't it?

Enough rambling for now. Time for me to go out into Blogland and read what others have been up to today! I gain a lot of insight and inspiration from my fellow-bloggers.