The Goal Is Not Weight Loss

In the past I have found that when I focus on losing weight, I usually fail. I have never been overweight but I have been above the weight I like to be at sometimes by 15-20 lbs.

Last year was a tough year for me and for the second half of 2015 I really struggled with staying active. I was too sick and too heartbroken to practice the self care I was used to. It surprised me as a person who is very physically disciplined.

I didn't want to go outside, I couldn't stand being at the gym and I was starting to focus on the fact that I was gaining weight which seemed to be working against me. I decided to allow this phase in my life. I told myself that maybe I could not be the same person I was before right now. I told myself the time would come when the darkness lifted enough for me to step outside and move again.

Knowing that I made it through one of the most difficult years of my life this far really encouraged my spirit. I didn't die from illness, and I outlived (most) of my heartbreak. I felt the weight lifting as the new year approached.

I don't make New Years resolutions becuse I just don't connect with the practice. But I did tell myself that I would get back to the high fitness level that I was before. For awhile I forgot how I sustained the focus of a disciplined workout schedule.

I have to remind myself that the workouts that I do are not about losing weight. The purpose of the workout is to rid myself of anxiety, depression and irritation. The purpose is to help me regulate my mood.

Everytime I connect to this deeper purpose beyond the external consequence of working out, I am able to sustain the practice. I have always needed a deeper motivation than beauty. I'm glad I remembered what the real reason was.

Two weeks into my regimen and I am feeling great and slowly building up my routine. The goal is to not go too fast but to participate in a regimen that is appropriate for my fitness level and slowly build up over time. That way injuries from overexertion will not hold back my consistency.

My new (old) rules for working out are.

1. Do it for the health benefits not the physical approval or outcome. This will happen naturally so there is no need to put undue focus on it.

2. Start slow

3. Stay consistent

4. Praise yourself daily for the progress you've made.

I almost forgot earlier this year that this is how I executed being a very fit person in the past. I'm so glad I remembered.

Well said!

I can't believe I didn't notice this thread earlier, because it's such a good topic to discuss.

I've lost weight in the past, was able to sort of keep most of it off, and then ended up gaining the weight back because of depression, being overwhelmed, and neglecting myself. Well over a year ago I decided to take ownership of my health, and weight loss was going to be a sub-task underneath that goal.

The reason why I'm responding to this is because we all forget the end goal shouldn't just be about the weight loss. Yes, it's great to lose weight if you're overweight; there are significant health benefits; weight loss is a great confidence and energy booster; reaching a healthy weight can extend your life. We're all aware of these things and should ever discount them.

But it's easy to get wrapped up in the idea of weight loss as the final determinant behind our health goals. Then we get wrapped up in our size, and we could be reaching a healthier weight, have better health, and even start to get ripped muscles, but we're too focused on one of the numbers we lose sight.

I've also decided weight loss shouldn't be my only goal. I remind myself I need to make this lifelong-- when I have children I want to set an example for healthy habits and not cover everything up in what's the "right" weight. I want to do this to extend my life, and reach my grandmother's age without suffering the health problems she unfortunately experiences. My health goals have reduced depression symptoms dramatically, and it's helped me think more clearly and manage my emotional state better, even when things do get rough. I keep all of these things in mind.