You may notice that I don’t normally do guest posts here on Roni’s Weigh. I mean the name of the blog is RONI’S Weigh and I always felt that this was my personal sounding board. A place for me to share my thoughts and my experiences. However, when someone pitches a good idea I’m also open to sharing the space.
Elaine asked if she could do a series of posts on motivation and goal-setting and I thought it was a great fit. You may remember Elaine from a running post we did together awhile back. She’s also been a member of BlogToLose forever!
So without further ado may I present Elaine’s Corner! :)
What’s the one thing that we all have in common?
All people, regardless of their weight, health, or even their level of self-confidence, have the commonality of needing goals to succeed. With goals comes the need for motivation. Goals are the light at the end of the tunnel, while motivation is the part that keeps us going, day-in-and-day-out, when we look in the mirror and see fat, when the gym is revolting, and when pizza sounds way better than a healthier dinner. Roni maintains that self-confidence is the most important piece of the “health and wellness” puzzle and I completely agree – I also think that motivation is necessary for those days when self-confidence is nowhere to be found.
I’ve dedicated most of my career to studying motivation and goal-setting in an academic setting. I’ve studied psychology, biology, public policy, and public health. I’ve taken semester courses on bridging the gap between knowledge and action – we all know that vegetables are better for us than cheesecake, but we often struggle with closing the gap in choosing the vegetables.
I’ve studied public health for over 10 years now; I say this because now I feel like it’s time to put this knowledge to action. What better way to put it in to action with a group of talented, witty, intelligent women (and some men) that are trying to be healthier, happier, and more confident?!?
With that, a formal introduction is in store. My name is Elaine. I’ve been a reader of Roni’s Weigh since back when it wasn’t titled so! Over the years of reading, I’ve resonated closely with Roni’s feelings about confidence, body image, and self-empowerment. For the next 8 weeks, I will be writing once a week about goal-setting, behavior change, and motivation. While the theoretical knowledge of motivation is not enough alone, a thorough understanding of how behavior change works can empower you.
Together, we will empower each other, put goals in place with actionable steps, and take 9 weeks of small behavioral changes to make lasting and important healthy changes in our lives. On the tenth week, we will share our successes, failures, and learn from each other about how to sustain long-term goals.
Think deeply about a goal you want to achieve. This may be something you’ve just recently thought about, or something that’s been stewing in your heart for awhile. It may be exercising three times a week, getting up earlier to make time for yoga, fitting in to an old pair of pants, finishing a 5K, or setting a good example for your family or children. Whatever your goal is, I want to hear about it in the comments section. My goal will be maintaining a three-day-a-week exercise habit even though I just started a new full-time job. For me, the goal is not letting life get in the way of my health; it’s remembering that if I take care of my health just three times a week, I will reap the dividends all week long.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Here is your call to action – tell me what you will be working on for the next 8 weeks.
63 Responses to Elaine’s Corner: Introduction
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What's Cooking in my kitchen?
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About Roni
Roni started this blog in '05 to journal her weight loss. 70lbs later, she's committed to living a conscious, healthy life and hopes to inspire others along the way. Read more on the about page.
I am working on getting back into the habit of walking at least 5 times a week. I am wanting to do some 5K walks and just want to get in the groove again.
I will be working at losing the weight that I have regained. I will be working on feeling better about myself through eating well and exercising. I joined the local Y today and my first training session is tomorrow morning.
I’m de-lurking to commit to food journaling nightly and exercising 3 times a week.
First of all, this is a dream come true. I’ve been a reader for many, many moons and I was elated when Roni and I did that running post awhile back. And now, to think I have a “Corner” of the blog! So exciting!! Thanks again to Roni for being open to this idea!
Jen and Jan,
Thanks for taking on the hardest part of being the first people to speak up. I like that both of you have action tied to your goals (5x a week & training sessions)….actions are the root of all goals, and of all motivation.
Everyone else – what are your goals? Speak up!
Elaine
To lose weight (5lbs/month) during the school year.
looking forward to this…
i quit smoking 3 days ago and don’t want to put too much on my plate as after smoking for 21 years, it’s freaking hard to quit let alone focus on a strict exercise routine right away.
however, over the next 8 weeks i want to drink 2 litres of water/day and try to just move more in general and not be such a couch potato. i have to figure out a way to measure that, though.
to work out 3x/week.
also to food journal.
looking forward to reading more posts on the topic of goal-setting :)
I have re-gained 7lbs. of the 23lbs. I lost :( I was at goal and I lost control.
I will turn things around right now. I don’t want to start over…I worked hard and felt great where I was at.
For me it is about the eating, I have got the exercise part down. I think that is why I allowed myself to get out of control with my eating, thinking I would just work the extra calories off. Well, that is obviously not working for me, so it is time for a change.
I find it very satisfying when I use focus and control with my food choices. It is a high…even more so than using food for comfort, because the high of being good to myself last a heck of a lot longer!
For the next eight weeks I will focus on clean eating and drinking plenty of water, when I make a poor decision I will immediately reset my thinking and get back on track. I will lose my last 10 lbs. for the last time.
Thanks for the push.
I’m going to work towards fitting into a size 6 jean and exercising 5 days a week consistently.
I am going to stick to my daily points limit no matter what, and also ride my bike 6 days a week, and if it’s raining (like today) I will hook it up to the trainer and ride it indoors. No more excuses.
I am working on exercising 5 days a week- either walking or dancing. My goal is to do a 5K walk in the Spring. I want to make exercise a habit and goal.
This couldn’t have come at a better time! I’ve put on 10lbs since knee surgery last year (making me 40 lbs from my goal weight, however, I am down 50 lbs which I have kept off for 5 years). I’ve got the exercise down but need to commit to eating better portion sizes and fewer sweet treats. I started food journaling yesterday and recently working with a dietician (free service through my husband’s employer). My husband and I have recently begun trying to have a baby (btw – congrats Roni! I’m looking forward to reading your progress). I know if I lost 20-30 lbs, I would be a much healthier pregnancy candidate. I’m excited about the next few months and re-igniting my motivation and self-confidence.
Another de-lurker here!
I am going to attempt to drink 2 ltrs water every day. Also my dance class has just started back from summer break so that will motivate me. I want to cycle every day for 20 minutes, on the days that I don’t dance.
Decrease my blood sugar
Walk at least 4 times a week for 45 minutes
Drink 90 oz of water a day
Stick to my daily menu
Lose at least 10 lbs
Yep…that’s enough — ha ha!
I will be more portion control concious and weigh and measure everytime I can. I’ve been letting that slip away from me.
Add me to De-Lurker List! I am going to lose the last 8 pounds to reach my goal, and recommit to training for a 5K.
I will work on losing the 7 lbs I gained back from the 20 I lost last year. I will commit to working out 5 x week. I will reduce both my sugar and my alcohol consumption. I’d like to say 2 x week for dessert and only weekends for drinks.
Another delurker, this sounds great, I’ve always had lots of goals but somehow never quite made it so if motivation is the answer, I want me some! My goal is to continue eating well and to exercise AT LEAST 3 times a week, no matter how busy I am.
WOW! I am feeling the energy on this website that I am so happy to stumble across. After 10 years of being a yo yo ww’er and now 85 lbs heavier my goal is to focus on me and choosing me over the food and getting to where I can count my points for more than 2 weaks.
LOSING MY LAST 10 POUNDS. I HAVE LOST 70 POUNDS WITH WEIGHT WATCHERS AND HAVE STRUGGLED THE LAST YEAR WITH THE LAST 10 POUNDS. I EXERCISE BECAUSE I LOVE IT. I DO SPIN CLASSES, CYCLE OUTDORRS, RUN ON THE TREADMILL, WALK AND RUN OUTSIDE TOO AND CARDIO CIRCUIT CLASSES TOO. I JUST CAN’T FIGURE OUT WHY THE LAST 10 WANTS TO HANG ON. I AM DETERMINED TO GET TO MY GOAL. SO I WILL CONTINUE WITH EVERYONE ELSE WHO HAS STRUGGLED WITH WEIGHT. I HAVE NOT LOST MY MOTIVATION JUST A LITTLE PERPLEXED AT THIS TIME.
Dropping the whole yo-yo act! No matter how much it frightens me! After some reflection and soul-searching, I concluded that being successful at weight loss DOES frighten me!
I just started the couch to 5 k program, so finishing that is my goal in the next ten weeks.
I have put on five pounds over the summer and while it is not a lot of weight I can feel it everywhere!! I LOVE to exercise and do it minimum of 5 days a week and I think that’s why I “allow” myself to get so out of control with the food I eat. So I am going to commit to eating healthy 7 days a week instead of allowing myself a “cheat day” that has turned into a “cheat three days”. I’m not saying I’m never going to have chocolate etc. . .I’m going to stop the binge cycle I’m in. It’s so nice to get this out. Great Topic!!!!
Run at least twice per week, crosstrain (cardio) once per week, weight train once per week
Try to eliminate most processed snacks from my diet
Tone my core and drop at least eight of my final 15 pounds of postpartum weight
My goal is to lose 10 lbs by the time I see my family for Thanksgiving. I plan on continuing to journal and count my Weight Watcher points (even though I’m doing it myself). I also plan on going to the gym at least 3 times a week!
My goal is to start back on my healthy eating plan. I have been completely OFF plan for a long time, although I read Roni’s website daily and have for several years. My 8 week goal will be to first purchase scales, then lose 10 pounds in the 8 week period. (my daughter took the scales with her to college last year.) no scales, no problems, right?? WRONG….time to be accountable again…past time, really. But I’m looking forward to this challenge and the upcoming articles!
Thanks for sharing your space with awesome blogger! I can’t wait to read more.
Next 8 weeks- I want to soak in the changes that are happening within me as well as around me :)
My goal is to recommit to my weight loss journey. This will be a combination of workouts and eating a more balanced and healthy way.
My goal is to lose ten pounds and to excercise a minimum of 4 times per week.
My goal is to get to my goal weight with Weight Watchers and obtain the lifetime “KEY”. I am less then 10lbs away and I know I can do it, I just need some more motivation. I am also going to work out with Jillian Micheals 30 day shred level 3 as well as her new video 30 day shred with weights 5x a week! Life with a 2 year old, working FT, and a hubby who works 2nd shift gets crazy but getting my lifetime key by Dec 15 would be AWESOME! :)
I am going to exercise at 3-4 time s a week. I just put on weight from having the summer off. I drank and ate too much. I would like to lose at least 10 pounds. I am not going to drink wine , eat less, and exercise more.
I think it’s great that blogs like this are out there giving such excellent information in suce a friendly and supportive way. I was especially interested in the comments about motivation and goal setting….would you agree that just having a rational logical understanding of your goals or where you might be making dietary choices that aren’t so healthy isn’t always sufficient in enabling you to make those healthy choice you want to make but might be struggling with? Have you ever looked at how hypnotherapy can empower you…boosting your motivation and allowing you to tap into you goals in a much more direct way. I would highly recommend it (but I am biased I suppose!)
I write about this all the time on BTL…but I’ve been a wreck since January with my eating patterns. I do WW and I have only been able to go 4 weeks straight without taking a week off. And when I go off…I go OFF. I want to break this pattern. I am 2 weeks into a good streak. I want to commit right now to getting this right until Halloween weekend. I am traveling that weekend. I don’t want to say I’ll lose my mind then, but I just want to get to that weekend successfully. This might not be a full 8 weeks, but trust me, anything will help. Getting 5 weeks into a good streak would flat-out thrill me at this point!
I will run 3x a week and I will make healthier food choices.
Commit to making better food choices~Lose one pound at a time, slow and steady~Improve my health one day at a time~Become a better role model for my family~
I have two; To increase my running milage to include at least one 5 miler per week and to continue journaling my food.
To cut way back on the eating out! I will commit to eating dinner at home at least 5 days a week and to packing my lunch 4 out of 5 days. Also, I want to incorporate at least two strength training sessions per week into my exercise schedule.
Figure out/work within my daily points max of 30 now that I stopped nursing last week. Continue to find ways to get exercise in while not aggrivating my hip flexor injury, so I can run a 10 km race Oct 24.
Also delurking…Roni, I’ve read your entire blog through the archives, and much of GreenLiteBites. Love your writing and thanks for sharing your journey. Elaine, I’m excited to join in and look forward to your series of posts! I’ve lost and regained and lost 100 pounds three times! It’s ridiculous. I’ve maintained that last 100# loss for about about two years, but I’ve been slipping again the last couple months, so I’m back up about 15 pounds. I want to nip this upward turn in the bud this time, before I’m back to having 100# to lose FOR A FOURTH TIME. It’s ridiculous. So my goal is to get back to what I know works with the eating. My exercise is good and I’ve been maintaining that (bodypump 4X a week at the gym and walking 2-4 miles four days a week). Thanks for the motivation (already!).
I will be working on better eating. I have 20 pounds to drop. My goal is normal, healthy meals and snacks during the day and excersice about 3 times a week.
I will be working on losing that pesky 25 pounds I’ve been avoiding the past year. I hope to exercise at least 3-5 times a week and just feel good about myself that I am making good, healthy decisions.
I want to lose 5kg, since I was 5kg less last year and felt amazing — but more than that, I want to get back to the habits that led me there in the first place.
So I guess I want to get back to the gym and get back to eating well. And even just losing 2.5kg is a sign that I’m actually going somewhere, rather than feeling like I’m treading water.
I have been having food allergies once again. Doctor put me back on the cave mans diet. Fresh meat, fresh veggies, and fresh fruit. I was suppose to do this for a month. Guess what I love how i have been feeling and love that I am taking steps towards a healthy lifestyle. This is very difficult for me. I have lost and regained my weight several times with weight watchers. I have been trying to exercise 5x a week and starting to run again. I feel like a brand new woman coming out of her shell. I love this website and I love to read peoples success stories
I’m going to food journal every day. No excuses, no exceptions. I’ve accumulated lots of good habits over the years, but I just need to focus on implementing them every day!
My goal is to food journal because I can control that, but my hope is that it will help me achieve what I want – to lose about a pound a week. I only have 13 or so pounds to go!
My second and easier for me goal is to run faster. I just got a Nike+ for my birthday, so I’m excited to use it to help me come in under 30 minutes when I run my next 5K on Thanksgiving!
My goal for this challenge is to complete my food diary, stay under 1500 cal/day, and drink more water.
My goal is to exercise 3 times a week and to drink more water.
My goal for the next 3 weeks is to walk at least 3 times a week. Once the doctor gives me the ok to workout again I plan to start running again, at least 3 times a week. I keep putting off my exercise worrying about milk supply for the baby, but I need to get over it and get back to it. My second goal is food related. I know I need the extra calories for nursing, but that doesn’t mean they should be crappy calories. This goal is to make healthier choices for my meals, less treats and snacks. No more DQ!
-exersize class 2x a week
“-other” cardio 2x a week
-stay on gluten free, casseine (milk products) free, allergen free eating plan (which really sucks because I am SO limited in what I can eat and often eat for convenience) but SO worth it not to feel sick!
-writing 1x per week
I said I was going to work on eating less and exercising more last week. Well, I did not do so good. Tomorrow is Monday, a new week, a new beginning. I plan on being a better planner and also taking some yoga classes to focus help focus on my goals.