Setting goals

[onthefly]

I need some ideas, something to aim for.
I'm flabby and unfit. I dont' know how much I weigh - we don't have scales - so I'm not sure a weight loss target will work. What do you work towards (if not purely numbers)?

[Early Kids]

I look at the cms, rather than the kgs. I measured my waist, hips, neck, etc. It's fascinating if nothing else

You could also work towards a goal of how much exercise, better eating, etc. Like start at 5mins a day exercise and work towards getting it to 30mins.

I'm rather interested in some of the other replies too

[Phteven]

I think measurements are a great way to set goals. When you are doing them if you do some of the muscles (like biceps) flexed and unflexed you will be able to see an increase in muscle as well as overall loss.
Also I think that goals of strength and fitness are good - being able to run up the stairs without feeling puffed, being able to lift more, being able to stretch further. I think that everyone gets a lift when they feel stronger. If you can do 4kms in 20 minutes on the rowing machine and you increase that to 5 kms in 20 minutes you will feel great. Same for whatever time/distance you set on your first attempt. The great thing about fitness/strength goals is that you're competing against you so if you work you will win!

[Ngala]

The best way to acheive your final goal, is setting up small goals inbetween! A lot of people look at the final result and think 'wow that will be really hard to do' but if you set up small 'milestones' then it will be easier to achieve the final goal.

Like Early Kids said, if you are not a big exerciser, then start small at 5 min exercise and then build it up.
Measuring cm's is a great indicator of how you are going. Weighing gets frustrating especially when you get to a stage where you are building muscle because the scales will show a higher weight. CM's will show that you are getting slimmer and a body fat percent analysiser (sp) will show if you are losing body fat.

A few other goals could be.....
cutting out carbs, fats, sweets
healthy eating
drinking more water
if you have a favourite outfit that you no longer can fit, maybe use the outfit as a 'measure' so you know how you are going.

Good luck!! The first step is setting the goals and making sure that you stick to it. It is very easy to fall off track too, but you have to remember to just jump right back on it and continue with your goals.

[Junglemum]

Find an old pair of hot jeans and aim to fit back into them! Jeans are always my bench mark.

[MummaSue]

Find an old pair of hot jeans and aim to fit back into them! Jeans are always my bench mark.

My skinny jeans are my marker. But I also weigh.

If you can get into your old skinny jeans and do them up then you're looking good!!

I got into mine today YAY! But still have a tiny bit to go until I can fasten them without passing out

[Mak]

Currently focussing on walking for an hour at least 3x/week, drinking 2L of water a day and sticking to my meal plan. I get discouraged easily if I don't see results so this way I can keep up the motivation. I plan on increasing the walks -> runs when I am doing them easily!

[onthefly]

hmm. maybe i should buy some skinny jeans. i used to be a size 8
mini goals i wlll have to think of some. i'm hopimg i can lose lot of cms from my belly. can't afford lipsuction, so exercise it is.

ok, tomorrow morning when DD goes down for her first nap I'm goign to drag the rowing machine out and do at least 5 minutes.

ETA - forgot to say thanks!

[MrsB26]

I go by my skinny jeans and how much my arms wobble when i wave!

Scales are evil i think cause they can vary so much - i can pee about 1/2 kilo apparently