What are your goals?

[gollum]

I'd be interested to know what kinds of goals people here have. What do you wish to achieve with eating low carb? Have you gotten closer to your goals? Have they changed during the time you have been on lc?


----


I started lc almost 2 years ago, and my goal was to at least find a way of eating that would stop me gaining weight. Well, I was pleasantly surprised to start losing weight quite fast. What was even more, I noticed a really big change in my overall well-being. To name a few changes, I had never realised how the tiredness I felt all day long wasn't really normal, nor had my stomach ever worked as well as it suddenly did (since, I have discovered a severe grain-intolerance).

All the unexpected changes brought a total change in my attitude towards eating. Before lc I couldn't care less about eating healthy, but all the talk suddenly have a meaning. My body has an immediate reaction to unsuitable food, which imo makes it clear I shouldn't eat it. My original goal, weight control, has lost much of its meaning (not all of it, of course) and the other health factors have become my main focus.

I have been maintaining for about a year and I certainly want to keep the excess weight off. Only it feels more of a side-effect of eating healthily and giving my body the suitable nutrition, and thus feeling a lot better. So my current goal is to keep on high fat lc, and make it even more easy and natural way of eating for me.

[arkie1]

My #1 goal was, and still is, to get my diabetes t2, and all my lipids in acceptable range, and to this end, I have been successful. Now my goal is to keep them this way, and even go a little lower. As you said, a great side effect is that I have (very slowly) lost weight in the process, and feel much better. I was having a lot of trouble with my feet, but my dr took me off the water pill I was taking because my sodium and pot. were getting too low, and what a difference this has made! I can now walk without feeling all the pain I was experiencing. I still have high bp when I go to the dr (he calls it the "white coat" syndrome), but at home it is optimal. Go figure.

[brandy998]

Originally Posted by arkie1

My #1 goal was, and still is, to get my diabetes t2, and all my lipids in acceptable range, and to this end, I have been successful. Now my goal is to keep them this way, and even go a little lower. As you said, a great side effect is that I have (very slowly) lost weight in the process, and feel much better. I was having a lot of trouble with my feet, but my dr took me off the water pill I was taking because my sodium and pot. were getting too low, and what a difference this has made! I can now walk without feeling all the pain I was experiencing. I still have high bp when I go to the dr (he calls it the "white coat" syndrome), but at home it is optimal. Go figure.

Just an fyi...when I was pregnant they were freaked over my bp. We didn't figure out what was going on until I went to a different office of the same practice and they used a manual, large sized cuff on me instead of the medium sized automatic cuff. Lo and behold, my bp was normal. Make sure they are using a cuff large enough for your arm!

[brandy998]

Great thread topic!
My goals are many...
Prevent myself from developing diabetes and control my risk factors for it
Normalize my cholesterol levels
Have overall better health
Lose weight so that I can be more active and enjoy life more fully

I have played at low-carbing several times in the past, but I am really at the point in my life where I have no time left to play around with my health. I need to get my act together NOW. I feel that low-carbing will help me to do this and will keep me satisfied food-wise so that I don't lose motivation and fall of the plan.

[2bflawless]

Mine are more esthetic, I want to be lean and muscular; the body of an athlete.

[itsmeshelly01]

Mine initially was just hoping to lose weight, well it totally worked, after doing it a few times and other diets of course. Now, after maintaining for about 3yrs it is just to keep it off and never go back, which i know i wont, and to live healthy. I am always still tweaking things to find better ways to eat even healthier. I want to be around for a very long time. I enjoy exercising everyday and that is something else that is a huge goal for me. To make sure i keep that up, no matter what. It makes me feel great and I know it will help me live longer. I would love to be like you flawless and have that lean muscular body but with the skin i have that will never happen. I know its lean and trim under there tho....lol

[Shimmer]

Here are my goals:

• To relieve the pressure of excess weight on my arthritic knees
• To wear shorts/swimsuit with confidence
• To be okay with having my picture taken
• To get my bp and cholesterol within normal ranges
• To enjoy lots more clothing choices and styles
• To feel more energetic
• To feel healthier and more comfortable
• To show naysayers that Atkins works
• To fit in public seats (airline/theater) more comfortably

[Anniemar]

My goal, besides all the health benefits of being at a healthy weight is to finally be at peace with food. Knowing that it's fuel for my body...that I'm eating to live and not living to eat.

[LCINFLA]

I am much more aware of processed foods... if you have to read the label it is processed...

Since I did boot camp at my gym Jan 2009 I realize how much protein is so important , and makes you less hungry...

Exercise is much more important than I thought..

There is so much that I ahve learned fom the Low Carb friends, I can't even begin to tell you. (the support is wonderful)

Lynn
61 years young
185/175/??
93 miles walked in May
Hours of exercise in May= 40 hours...

[Knittering]

This probably sounds silly and shallow compared to some of the previous posts but what I really want is a closet full of clothes that fit me. Right now I've got your classic "accordion closet" and it takes me forever to get dressed. I try on one thing -- too big -- try on another, too small -- try something else, too tight across the rack of doom, sigh... it's so annoying and disheartening. I want to reach my goal and then fill my closet with cute things that actually fit me. I want to be able to reach in grab something, then put it on with absolute confidence that it will fit!

[AngieCakes]

Originally Posted by Knittering

This probably sounds silly and shallow compared to some of the previous posts but what I really want is a closet full of clothes that fit me. Right now I've got your classic "accordion closet" and it takes me forever to get dressed. I try on one thing -- too big -- try on another, too small -- try something else, too tight across the rack of doom, sigh... it's so annoying and disheartening. I want to reach my goal and then fill my closet with cute things that actually fit me. I want to be able to reach in grab something, then put it on with absolute confidence that it will fit!

Thank God I am not alone LOL This is so me. I have an entire range of clothes. I'm in between sizes right now and it's so frustrating.


Okay so, my main goal was to LOSE WEIGHT. Just as simple as that. Lose weight. Be a healthy weight for my height. Which will then allow me to... be more active, get out more, feel better about myself, feel attractive etc.

The list goes on... I don't (thank GOD) have any health issues to speak of, everything checks out okay however I want to prevent anything from developing. I've been a big girl all my life, and it's FINALLY time to be a small girl for the REST of my life And of course, be healthy, live long, prosper, etc

[Stevie Renee]

I started LC years ago and was able to get to the mid 140's which turned out very difficult to hold. I went through a regain in 2007 of about 10-15 pounds and am happy to be holding 160.

I used to drive myself nuts about trying to get back to that weight but now, thank the Lord for reasoning, I really just want to be healthy, capable and attractive to my spouse.

My goals are just that...and I am hoping that will be with the scale wight of the mid to low 150's but more important, I want to look healthy.

I still goof here and there but after all these years, I never give up striving to take care of myself.

[gollum]

Originally Posted by Knittering

This probably sounds silly and shallow compared to some of the previous posts but what I really want is a closet full of clothes that fit me. Right now I've got your classic "accordion closet" and it takes me forever to get dressed. I try on one thing -- too big -- try on another, too small -- try something else, too tight across the rack of doom, sigh... it's so annoying and disheartening. I want to reach my goal and then fill my closet with cute things that actually fit me. I want to be able to reach in grab something, then put it on with absolute confidence that it will fit!

No this doesn't sound silly at all! It's actually a really cool thing. Alvays berore I've grown out of most clothes, as a kid when getting taller, and as an adult by gaining weight. But now when I buy fitting clothes I'll be able to wear them possibly fot a very long time.

[CalRon]

When I started in February, my goal was only to quit drinking Jack Daniels every night. (a lot).

By March 5, I had lost 10 lbs to 230 and began to think of losing more weight.
I began a low carb regimen of my own devising which I hoped to keep between 25-50 carbs a day. I went over 50 frequently, but not egregiously so. I noticed in my food diary, that I ate Wheat Thins and apples and potatoes during that time, though sparingly.

I started researching low carb diets on the internet and landed at this site.

On April 27, I reluctantly joined an egg fast (actually, meat and eggs.) I weighed 214. I lost about 5 lbs in 3 or 4 days and began getting really serious about low carbing. All the benefits of dissappearing aches and pains
and feelings of well being were present.

I purchased Atkins '72 and several other books, Apple cider vinegar, a weight scale and continued to do research on line,

So my goals have changed dramatically in three and a half months since I began. My goal weight of 182 was just a number picked out of the air and I may revise it as I get closer.

I have diabetes and high blood pressure and these are dramatically improved.
I've reduced my medication quite a bit and today my fasting bs was 91. BP
was 107/70 and I weighed 200 even.

I will continue to tweak my diet as I stay with the basics of this plan. Where I end up is still open, but it will be very close to what I have been doing.

Special thanks to Jenny at BS101 for reccomending this site and many other tips.

[brandy998]

Originally Posted by Shimmer

Here are my goals:

• To relieve the pressure of excess weight on my arthritic knees
• To wear shorts/swimsuit with confidence
• To be okay with having my picture taken
• To get my bp and cholesterol within normal ranges
• To enjoy lots more clothing choices and styles
• To feel more energetic
• To feel healthier and more comfortable
• To show naysayers that Atkins works
• To fit in public seats (airline/theater) more comfortably

All of this!!!

[brandy998]

[QUOTE=Knittering;13533470]too tight across the rack of doom, sigh.../QUOTE]



Yeah, I know all about that, too!

[peachy]

I want to be back in my life. An active participant. I want to be in pictures with my children. There are too many lost years where I ducked the camera.

[Stevie Renee]

Originally Posted by CalRon

When I started in February, my goal was only to quit drinking Jack Daniels every night. (a lot).

By March 5, I had lost 10 lbs to 230 and began to think of losing more weight.
I began a low carb regimen of my own devising which I hoped to keep between 25-50 carbs a day. I went over 50 frequently, but not egregiously so. I noticed in my food diary, that I ate Wheat Thins and apples and potatoes during that time, though sparingly.

I started researching low carb diets on the internet and landed at this site.

On April 27, I reluctantly joined an egg fast (actually, meat and eggs.) I weighed 214. I lost about 5 lbs in 3 or 4 days and began getting really serious about low carbing. All the benefits of dissappearing aches and pains
and feelings of well being were present.

I purchased Atkins '72 and several other books, Apple cider vinegar, a weight scale and continued to do research on line,

So my goals have changed dramatically in three and a half months since I began. My goal weight of 182 was just a number picked out of the air and I may revise it as I get closer.

I have diabetes and high blood pressure and these are dramatically improved.
I've reduced my medication quite a bit and today my fasting bs was 91. BP
was 107/70 and I weighed 200 even.

I will continue to tweak my diet as I stay with the basics of this plan. Where I end up is still open, but it will be very close to what I have been doing.

Special thanks to Jenny at BS101 for reccomending this site and many other tips.

I am so happy for you. You are making wonderful strives.

[JustCallMeAmy]

originally, my goals were purely out of vanity. i was so big i was growing out of the plus sized section of some of my favourite stores, i wouldn't pose for pictures with my dh & my boys (looking back i'm SO angry at myself about this ) and i didn't want to embarass them by being the fat mom/wife. i knew THEY weren't embarassed of me, but i was embarassed for them. at that point, my health was only a side effect of losing weight for me.

now that i'm *technically* a healthy weight, my goals have changed. i still have goals out of vanity, but i've found i've taken such a greater interest in my health and eating to benefit it. i never thought i'd be one of "those people", but know i wear that badge with honour

[dgbuch]

One of my goals is to get back down to 164. Then hopefully make it to 150 and maintain.

I have PCOS and am a boarderline diabetic so I've already achieved one of my goals by striving to make myself healthier.

[Alania]

I want to get back down to my low weight, 124. I saw it for a few months and then -poof- it was gone.

I want to lower my BP, but that is normally high even when I am at a lower weight.

I want to look good in clothes, especially short dresses (my legs are my worst feature) and bikinis. My stomach already looks pretty good (I don't carry weight there at all) but my legs are thick. Just once in my life I would like to look good in a short dress, pair of shorts, or bathing suit.

[clackley]

Originally Posted by JustCallMeAmy

now that i'm *technically* a healthy weight, my goals have changed. i still have goals out of vanity, but i've found i've taken such a greater interest in my health and eating to benefit it. i never thought i'd be one of "those people", but know i wear that badge with honour

'Those people' - I used to gag but now I get it!!! Only thing is that 'those people' probably would not 'approve' of my ideas on healthy eating!

[JustCallMeAmy]

Originally Posted by clackley

'Those people' - I used to gag but now I get it!!! Only thing is that 'those people' probably would not 'approve' of my ideas on healthy eating!

ha! same! the majority of "those people" out there simply don't understand my love and appreciation for fat!

[Mogget]

My first and most urgent goal was to get my terrifyingly high blood pressure down to normal and this has been achieved.

I had also planned to lose 100 pounds in 09, and came pretty close at over 90 pounds.

Things then sat by the way side for 8 moths or so after a death in the family, change of career, inheritance of a mortgage and a battle to terminate a long lease....

Now at the start of June I am ready to start again and get back on the losing wagon. My goals now are

*to get back to ICMYT/IE which lost me 90 pounds last year and lose another 90 before Easter next year (for a trip to Europe)
*Get back into weight training - hopefully with a personal trainer!
*Walk to and from the train station daily (10km)- and try to take up running.

[gollum]

Originally Posted by JustCallMeAmy

now that i'm *technically* a healthy weight, my goals have changed. i still have goals out of vanity, but i've found i've taken such a greater interest in my health and eating to benefit it. i never thought i'd be one of "those people", but know i wear that badge with honour

Originally Posted by clackley

'Those people' - I used to gag but now I get it!!! Only thing is that 'those people' probably would not 'approve' of my ideas on healthy eating!

Totally! I was the last person to care about healthy eating or lifestyle! But it was propably partly because of I thought healthy eating equals eating very little portions of low fat, dry, tasteless food, and that is something I would never have been willing or able to do. I mean, what is the point of living if you can't enjoy food? But suddenly the amazingly good food and healthy eating are the same thing!

[clanger]

Originally Posted by JustCallMeAmy

i wouldn't pose for pictures with my dh & my boys (looking back i'm SO angry at myself about this )

At least on family pictures going forward, generations to come will be asking "who's the hottie?" I must say your new avatar is brilliant! I know it's not the same, as I don't have kids, but there aren't any pictures of me with my little nephew, as I've avoided the camera for years, which is a bit of a shame. So one of my goals is to allow myself to actually be in some photos taken at Christmas (probably the next time we'll see him), when he'll be amost two.

As well as general vanity and health goals, a quite specific goal I have is to be able to run a 5k race by the end of the year. I don't want to win it, and I don't want to run a marathon - just to be able to run 5k will make me extremely happy and proud.

[DKells]

My first one was to get my binge eating habits under control. And whilst they rear their ugly head now and again, eating this way means I can manage it all so much better.

My other one is aesthetic. I want to have my weight under control and be a size I'm happy with. I know I already look great, I just think I owe it to myself to look the best I can.

My first goal of 160 will also put me in the 'normal range' for the first time in about 5 years. I've been around 170-180 most often. Then last year I added another 30lbs to that. So I'm thrilled to be back down to a more normal weight for me, but this is the time to push.

[CalRon]

My wife and I go for a lot of walks. I always say to her jokingly, people always say "Look at that big fat guy with the pretty little redhead?"

My fondest wish is that they start saying "Look at that tall, ugly guy with pretty little readhead"

Not entirely kidding.

[clanger]

Originally Posted by CalRon

My wife and I go for a lot of walks. I always say to her jokingly, people always say "Look at that big fat guy with the pretty little redhead?"

My fondest wish is that they start saying "Look at that tall, ugly guy with pretty little readhead".

, oh CalRon! Good luck to you!

[PhillyDude]

My original immediate goal back when I started first time around in 2006 was to break myself off of sugar, since my three brothers all have diabetes. I lost 41 pounds. Unfortunately, my eating habits regressed and I gained most of it back.

My current goal is in my signatue; fit into a 32 inch pair of jeans. I'm guessing I would then weigh around 160lbs. - 165 lbs. I figure if I am at that weight I will be healthy which is of course my ultimate goal