Goals Objectives and Desires…Oh my!

I’ve been told that the main reason for not losing body fat is the lack of clearly defined goals. Written down goals. Goals which inspire and motivate. Goals aligned with my values. Goals, goals goals.

Unfortunately, I was raised in a goal setting culture. I have had a difficult time getting excited about “GOALS” per se, because in the past I’ve confused outcomes with process in my goal setting. I, in a sense, burned out on goals by failing too many times. For instance, a goal might be, “lose 100 pounds by one year from now”. This has been done by others before. So I know it is possible. BUT! This is an outcome goal. I have no idea if my body will allow that to happen. I have made hundreds of these kinds of goals. All “date” based. By such and such a date I will be X lbs. I’ve never achieved a goal when it is based on outcomes attached to a date. My view is that there are too many variables outside my control. Metabolism, life events, genetics, etc.

So my take this time around is process. I can set goals about what I can control. Like, “I will exercise everyday this week” or “today I will drink one gallon of water” or “I will not go to bed without having done 1 hour of cardio”.

Here’s how I’m putting this to myself:

1. My desire is to lose about 80-100 pounds

2. The objective is to exercise regularly and eat non-man made, low glycemic foods.

3. My goals to reach these objectives for the next 100 days are; to do daily blog entries on weight loss themes, exercise at least one hour each day, shop at the organic market for my own food, and get 7.5 hours of sleep each night.

As I write this down, I find myself having a hard time distinguishing between the semantics of goals, desires, and objectives. They all seem like they can mean the same thing.

So what I’m going to decide is: desires have to do with the macro view, the overall outcome, the part I would traditionally set a goal for, or desire. My desire, what I am passionate about is to be 80-100lbs lighter and be in good physical condition.

My objective is to exercise everyday, and eat better overall.

Then goals become the daily commitments I’ve made to myself. The achievable actions which I know I must require of my time and energy to get what I desire.

I’ve always thought of Pam Brown, see photo, and her story from bodychangers.com.

Sometimes her goal was to take a 5 minute walk, or to drink one more glass of water. Five minute goals. Little tiny goals when she started that helped her build trust in her own self promises. My faith is that I can do that too.

I don’t know what the outcome will look like, I am willing to accept what comes when I follow the goals and keep tiny self promises.

To that end, I will not measure progress by scales, tape measures, or body fat calipers until I get significant traction with my process goals. These measuring devices all depress me when I think the numbers should read differently, given the effort I’ve expended. They are like levers that get between me and my desires. They pry my white knuckled fingers from daily striving.

I will measure my progress, at least by the first 100 days, by how many blog entries, how many days in a row I’ve worked out, do I shop at organic food marts for non-man made food, and do I get at least 7.5 hours of sleep per night.

I will achieve these goals for the next 100 days, and I will accept the consequences gladly, whatever they may be. Then I’ll weight myself again, tape measure myself again, and test body fat composition. Then those numbers will reflect what I, not somebody else, can expect of my own organism when these goals are followed consistently. My  self promises will create exhaust in the form of fat loss and health.

But I cannot have expectations as to what degree my genetics, metabolism, and emotional make will change.

This process will make for an interesting reveal come Valentines day 08.