Are your expectations...too high?

[Kelsie]

I was thinking about this last night. What are your expectations after losing weight? I'm 46 and even if I lose all the weight I want, I will still be 46 (oops 47 ). I will still have the wrinkles! I will still have the stretch marks!

My expectations are just to be comfortable, to be able to keep up with my DD and be able to participate more in her life. She is only 8 but she is growing up so quickly, I don't want to miss any of it due to my weight.

What are your expectations?

 

[WebmasterAlex]

do you mean before or after I have the plastic surgery?

 

[Kelsie]

LOL Alex, let's try BEFORE!

 

[TigH]

Great question, Kelsie!

I don't think my expectations are too high. I'm 33, I'll more than likely be 34 by the time I reach my goal weight/size. I know I can do it, because I've done it before. I want to have a flat, tone stomach, a lean body, long hair, great skin, tons of energy, buy clothes that I can show off in (instead of hide under), etc. And I want to maintain this lifestyle until the day I die, and hopefully that day will be a loooooooooooooong time coming (although I don't think I'll be doing any belly flashing after, say, 75...)

One thing I love about the Muscle and Fitness HERS magazine is the inspirational story section. Sometimes there is a before picture to go with the after picture of someone who was overweight and decided to take charge of their life and turn themselves into a lean, sexy, healthy person. Sometimes it's just an after picture of an athlete who had suffered an incredible injury and worked hard to overcome the odds and got back into wonderful shape. I always think, "If they can do it, so can I." I know there is an athlete inside me, somewhere!

 

[anniet]

I only have one expectation- to make my body as strong and fit as it can be for me for as long as I live.

I began lifting weights after the dr. told me I have cervical spondylosis- a degeneration of the bones in my neck, which press on the discs causing them to bulge and pinch a nerve which in turn causes constant numbness to varying degrees in my left hand, and sometimes excruciating pain in my left arm. They don't know what causes it, but they said it's part of the aging process! I was 35 when they told me and I'll be 38 next week. My focus was originally building muscle to support my back and neck and take away the pain. I've done that, now I just need to get the fat off of my frame.

That's why I know I'll do it this time. In the past it was about looking good in a bathing suit. Now my focus is to live a healthy, independent life as long as I can. I had one grandmother who was independent all her life and she passed at 90. My other still independent grandmother is 97. With those genes I'm hoping to make it to 110!!!!!!

And if that's too high, well then...what's that saying? Shoot for the moon, if you miss at least you'll be among the stars!

 

[wovenwonder]

I know that I will never look like I did in high school. I am okay with that. I was over 100lbs overweight when I started and I'm only 5'2''. I've experienced HORRIBLE things being that overweight.

I want to feel better (healthier).

I want to feel confident in my appearance again.

I want to be able to tie my shoes and put my socks on with ease.

I don't want to ever have to worry if I will be able to reach all body parts to cleanse them properly.

I want to be able to wear my wedding rings again proudly.

I want to be able to shop in a 'regular' non plus size store.

I want to feel like the 'me' that I know I am -- and not the 'me' that I appear to be!

 

[rbuzzotta]

I believe my expectations are reasonable for me!!

I would like to get down to 120-125 and maintain that weight. I want to tone up my muscles (which are extremely sore after my first soccer game!) and most of all feel confident in wearing my clothes.

I would love to accomplish this prior to my 2 week OKW trip in July. I think that is reasonable as I have 10-15 lbs to go. It is just going very slowly right now.............I need to jumpstart myself again........

Everyone on this board keeps me on track!! You are all such an inspiration!

Thank you all!!!

 

[Jiminy102]

Would you believe that I have never really thought about!!! ALl I know is that It my heaviest which was 289 at one point my knees would ache going down stairs and I hated that. SO I figured I had to do something not that I stuck with it mind you!! Other than my knees not aching I honestly have not given it a thougt!!

 

[WebmasterAlex]

I agree with you Jiminy..... I know I could lose more weight but I don't really have "a goal".
I kind of figure I will know it when I get there...

 

[John In Illinois]

My expectations are to become healthier in general (like blood pressure/cholesterol), to get to the point where I do not feel tired from walking up a few flights of stairs (already there), and to have the people that love me see a HUGE difference in the way I look AND feel.

I think I am pretty close on the last one as well, my son yesterday told me I should order a pizza, because I am getting too skinny! (taking him to get his eyes examined instead)

 

[jimmytammy]

I don't think my expectations are too high. I know that I can reach my goal weight (140) and if I go a little lower, that would be great. I want to feel better and have more energy (which is already happening just from the exercising). I want to be able to buy clothes that show off my hard work and be able to wear a bathing suit without feeling so uncomfortable.

There have been so many that have lost so much weight and been able to keep it off. I know that for me this is a lifetime, lifestyle change for me and not just a diet to lose weight.

 

[KathyTX]

I want to feel better. Lugging the extra pounds away has kept me tired and made my knees hurt. Just losing the first 27 pounds has made a world of difference there, so I'm really excited to see how the next 45 or so will feel.

I want to celebrate my next birthday (43) (and everyone after that) at a healthy size. Wearing an outfit from a fashionable department store instead of Lane Bryant.

I want to have enough energy to keep up with my 9 year old and his friends.

I don't want to be described as "the fat one" in family photos.

I don't have illusions about looking like a supermodel. I didn't look like one at 20, although I was quite thin. There's no way I should expect to look like one at 42. But maybe I can look like I could be a supermodel's mom! Just kidding... I want to look like a healthy 42 year old woman who takes care of herself.

I don't expect earth-shaking life changes, just less self conciousness about my appearance, more energy, the ability to shop anywhere I want, and maybe an "atta-boy" or two from my doctor!

 

[CrzyforPiglet]

Sometimes I think my expectations are a smidgen high but ultimately I want to get to a healthy weight and body fat percentage and hopefully avoid some of my families health problems - big heart disease on my dad's side. He died just 2 weeks before his 52nd birthday! If I can achieve that then I'll be happy!!

 

[disneychrista]

I know I don't expect to win the lottery or find Prince Charming by the mere fact that I lost weight. I do expect to be able to feel better about my body, to be able to buy clothes in the "regular" size section (not the "fat lady section").

 

[becka]

I don't think my expectations are too high. I am only 27 and I would really love to be in better shape at 30 than I was at 20.

I want to be healthier for myself but also for DS and DH. I want to be able to keep up with a growing and active toddler. I want to know I did everything in my power to try to control the health risks I can. Hopefully it will pay off in the end and I will live a long enough life to enjoy my grandkids and great-grandkids someday.

I want to have fun when I go shopping. Right now clothes shopping is a chore. I don't enjoy it because I can only shop at a few stores and the clothes never look good on me. I would love to be able to walk into pretty much any store and find something that not only fits but looks good as well.

I want to be able to go out and meet new people and not feel so self-conscious about my appearance. I want to feel like people will judge me on my personality rather than just my weight.

I also think that I might someday want to run in the WDW 1/2 marathon. I am a long way from that goal but it is something that I sometimes think about. I would not even have dreamed it just a few years ago but it sounds like such a wonderful challenge (and a great way to get in another trip ).

I want to reach my goal (approx. 100 lbs down) and help to inspire others here on WISH to get to their goal. There are so many wonderful people here that help me everyday to keep working that I hope to someday repay their kindness and encouragement.

 

[Beanie]

My only expectation right now is to feel better about myself...I just want to be able to walk outside and not feel that people are whispering about me, know what I mean? I want to be able to keep up with my kids, which is already happening, so I know once I lose the weight, I will feel so much better!

 

[glo]

I know exactly what you mean Beanie. Not sure that goes away easily...I have a very hard time with it and I know I am my own worse critic. I think my expectations for weight are not to high, they are withing the weight guidelines for my height and body type. I do think that my expectaion of what I want to look like at that weight is too high. I think I would have to be 110 pounds or less to look like I would like to, and it is not going to happen...I could always get that surgery

 

[nativetxn]

I don't think my expectations are too high.

I don't think that anything special will happen after I lose the weight except that I will be happier.

I don't have a career or marriage riding on it. I mean I already have a great marriage, losing weight isn't going to change that really.

I don't believe I will become a movie star or anything after I lose the weight.

I think my answer to this question is no.

 

[perdidobay]

My expectations are to feel better, both mentally and physically. I can tell that the weight I have now is tiring me out. I don't have the stamina I used to have. Some of that is age, some is being out of shape. I want to be fitter as I get older. I'm 46 now, I didn't want to be a complete slug at 50!!!