Bye-Bye, Blondie! Hello, New Goal!

Most overweight people I know didn't get that way by emotionally over-eating because they were so happy with how rad they are. They have emotional baggage that has affected how they view and value their person. One of the basic tenets of re-building self-esteem is centered around setting goals, achieving them, and rewarding for the accomplishment.

The psychology of positive reinforcement and weight-loss has been discussed ad nauseam on the internet (which is an invitation for me to do the same!).  I'm sure if you've ever started a weight-loss program before someone has brought it up.  The concept is simple enough: if you set short-term goals and reward each step as you go, it builds self-worth and momentum towards your long-term goal by offering tangible proof that you are awesome.

• Don't make your goals too hard or too easy
  If you want to lose 100 pounds total as your long-term goal, don't set your first short-term goal at 75 pounds lost or at 5 pounds lost.  Make it something that you have to strive for, but aren't going to be disappointed if it takes time to reach.
  
• Your reward should be rewarding
  Make it special! How hard would you work if you knew after all your effort you were going to get toilet paper?  The reward doesn't have to be something expensive, but it should be something you wouldn't normally buy or do for yourself.  You can get your hair done, buy yourself a new shirt, or go to the zoo! Just make sure it is worthy of the sweat you put into earning it.
  
• Set goals around what you want, not when you want it
  It is discouraging if you don't meet a deadline. Unfortunately, you can't control how your body reacts to changes you'll make in your lifestyle.  You could plateau or injure yourself between now and your deadline.  Set the goal around what you want to achieve (10 pounds lost or to complete 3 pull-ups).
  
• Specificity is a good thing
  A goal of "getting healthy" is too generic to reward unless you outline specifically what you want to change in your life to be healthier.  If you are not doing a "by the pound" goal, set it around the steps you're taking.  Consistency is a great thing to reward! The first time you work out 4 times a week for a month straight is a great accomplishment to celebrate.

That said, as a reward for hitting my first milestone goal (25 pounds lost) I changed my hair color to something I was too scared to do before and I love it! You can now take a moment to change your mental image of me from a blonde to a ginger stick figure.  

My next goal is 50 pounds.  At that point, I will be rewarding myself with new running shoes! I've already done some searching for the running store that will enjoy my patronage!