My plan to lose weight and get in shape included setting several goals throughout the process. For example, I wanted to walk a certain distance by a specific date. Then I wanted to pick up the pace by another date. Finally, I wanted to be racing by a specific time. It took me almost four months to get there, but I reached my goal.
I did the same thing with my weight loss. I set realistic goals for the end of each month. The first month I made my goal. The next two months I exceeded my expectations. Months four, five and six I missed my objective, yet I was still losing weight. So, each time I reached a milestone I celebrated by rewarding myself.
My rewards were simple. After my first ten mile run in four years, I rewarded myself with a chocolate chip cookie. You can burn about 1600 calories in a 10-mile run, so a 200 calorie cookie is a no-brainer. After losing my first 10 pounds, I ate a steak. After that I rewarded myself with a special meal or some other type of treat for every 10 pounds l lost.
My teammate John Thweatt has offered me a special reward if I can reach my target weight by January 22, 2012. That is a huge motivator for me.
I know the key will be if I can maintain my weight and stay in shape. Check back with me in six months and let’s see where I am then. Perhaps then I will have another four steps to add to the process.
For those of you serious about losing weight and getting in shape, let me know what I can do to help you. Now get after it and get in shape.
A friend of mine just saw an idea we are going to try where you get a jar then put in $1there every time you exercise. After $100 you use that money for new clothes you will need!
Hope, I like that idea. If I put in $1 a mile I could take a nice vacation next summer.