So...what IS your goal?

Now that I'm getting pretty close to my goal weight, I have a lot of people asking me this question.  Some of them do the whole, "You've already lost so much weight, how much more do you need to lose to feel good about yourself?"

First off, on most days, I feel pretty darn good about myself.  I'm a good person, I love that I'm active, I love my friends and family.  I have a strong creative spirit and, I think, the uncanny ability to express myself easily and with humor.  I'm strong, I can run (not track-star fast, but whatever), and I inherited hyper mobility so I can do really hard yoga poses.  I have small hands and feet which remind me of my femininity-no matter how man-ish I may seem while working out.  While I have the occasional blue day (who doesn't) I'm normally pretty content with myself as a person.

So, I'm not losing weight in order to love myself.  On the contrary, I lost weight because I finally started loving myself and making my health a priority.  For me, the act of improving myself doesn't mean that I don't love myself as I am, it's acknowledging that I'm not perfect and can always grow.

"If you aren't growing; you're dying." ~ James Ray

But, I know this isn't the answer people want to hear.  They want a number or size or something more tangible.

Okay, okay, okay.

As far as weight, my realistic goal is 139.  My "reach-for-the-stars" goal is between 130 and 135 only because then I'd be right in the middle of my BMI and wouldn't have to worry about eating a little extra on holidays and special occasions.

Size?  Well, this I really can't say because everywhere I go, I'm a different size (damn American nonstandard sizes).  Plus, I have a natural hour-glass shape - very small waist, but larger hips and boobs.  It's normal for me to be two sizes - so, I try not to worry about it too much.

As far as fitness, well, my running goal is to have my average mile under 10:00 (right now I'm at 11:12).  I'd also like to be able to do an actual chin-up.  My upper body strength sucks - so I think making it a goal to do one of these would be incredible.  I also want to find an inverted yoga pose that I love and can hold for five minutes.

How about some pictures (all found on Pinterest)?

My "trouble spot" is my arms - This lady is pretty much my arm goal.

Source: google.co.uk via Alison on Pinterest

Goal: an inverted yoga pose I can hold for 5 minutess

Source: tonedcurves.tumblr.com via Blah on Pinterest

Please excuse her nipples, but I want her abs.

Source: fit-and-happy.tumblr.com via Kendra on Pinterest

Source: bohemea.tumblr.com via Paige on Pinterest

Runner Legs.  Love.

Source: google.com via Kelsey on Pinterest

Keeping It Real/Countdown to 29 - Tuesday 8.9.11 Stats

8.10.11 Weight: 144.0

Meds? yes
8HG? no (didn't get all my fruits and veggies)
Activity: 3.76 mile interval run (6 P+); 20 mins of weights

APs earned WTD: 20

P+ consumed: 36

Weekly P+ remaining: 12

Something Fun: I'm just generally feeling a lot better about life.  My mantra is working!

Breakfast:

Thomas Bagel Thin (3 P+)

Nut and Honey Cream Cheese (2 P+)
Banana (0 P+)
Coffee (0 P+)
Fat Free Half and Half (2 P+)

Lunch:

PB & J (6 P+)

Special K Crisps (1 P+)

Bacon (3 P+)

Turkey (1 P+)

• I was going to eat the other half of my Subway from Monday, but it was not good.  So picked the meat off and ate it.  LOL!

Snack:

1/2 Glazed doughnut (3 P+)

Dinner:

Fiber One Bar (2 P+)

Special K Crisps (3 P+)

PB & J (6 P+)

Treat:

Mini Drumstick Ice Cream Cone (4 P+)

Found the below on Pinterest, makes me giggle :D

Source: None via Karen on Pinterest

Keeping It Real/Countdown to 29 - Monday 8.8.11 Stats

8.9.11 Weight: 145.6

Meds? yes
8HG? yes
Activity: 3.92 mile interval run (6 P+)

APs earned WTD: 13

P+ consumed: 36

Weekly P+ remaining: 19

Something Fun: Umm...I'm not sure.  I had a good day, although I'm very tired.  This burning the candle at both ends thing isn't for me.  Two more days until my long birthday weekend!

Breakfast:

1/2 Cup Skim Milk (1 P+)
1 1/2 cups Cheerios (4 P+)
Banana (0 P+)
Coffee (0 P+)
Fat Free Half and Half (1 P+)

Lunch:

Bacon, Turkey and Avocado 6" Subway with lots of veggies (13 P+)

Snack:
Mozzarella Sticks (3 P+)

Dinner:

Lunchable (7 P+)

Cantaloupe (0 P+)

Treat:

Mini Drumstick Ice Cream Cone (4 P+)

1/2 Glazed doughnut (3 P+)

• I've been spending some time on Pinterest lately (okay, okay, I'm always on the damn thing), looking at inspiration for this last bit of my WLJ.  As a general rule, I loath "thinspiration" blogs and pictures, but I do like a good quote about fitness; before and after pics; or pics of athletic and curvy women.  Here are two quotes that have been keeping me going to the gym during this crazy exhausting week:

"No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everybody on the couch."

and

 "I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday."

• Some interesting food for thought.  I hope you all have a wonderful and blessed day!