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    POOKASLUAGH   78,317
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I'll know I'm done when...

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Thursday, June 14, 2012

Sometimes, when we've never been thin or haven't been for a long time, we can only guess what our ultimate "goal weight" will be. More than a specific number, I've decided I'll know exactly when my weight loss journey will be over and I'll be ready to enter maintenance. I'll know I'm done...

...when I no longer feel the compulsion to step on the scale daily and see the numbers decrease.

...when I can see my collarbones completely and distinctly.

...when my chest shrinks to a normal (for me) size (around 36C).

...when I regain my normal body shape, somewhere between hourglass and upper triangle.

...when I shop for clothes I love and that fit my style, rather than for clothes that make me look thinner or fit a certain number.

...when I feel attractive or sexy again, and don't mind dressing up.

...when I stop measuring my food.

...when I look thin (ie "normal") in pictures even in funny positions/angles or in awkward-fitting clothes.

...when I look in the mirror and feel satisfied with what I see.

...when I can go to the doctor without worrying about stepping on their scale.

...when I fit into my wedding dress again (about 6-8 inches around the bust and waist to go!).

...when I look at pictures of me next to people of all sizes, big or small, and feel okay with my size in relation to them.

...when I no longer think about food constantly - planning out meals, ideas, snacks, and times, etc.

...when I feel confident in public without constantly verifying the lay of my clothes, my posture, etc.

...when I'm comfortable taking a single picture, rather than multiple shots, and don't worry how it'll turn out.

...when I look at those pictures afterwards and am satisfied (not asking to be happy constantly, just satisfied).

...when I stop comparing my current self with old pictures.

...when I can honestly say I'm a success story (because no matter what anyone tells me right now, I feel like I'm a success-in-progress, not a completed story).

...when I feel and look fit and healthy, rather than super-thin.

...when I no longer care if I lose another pound, because I'm happy just the way I am.
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  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MIMIDOT 6/15/2012 8:22AM

    Good list. Keep up the good work.

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ANGIEINTRAINING 6/15/2012 8:18AM

    emoticon

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SUSANK16 6/15/2012 8:10AM

  very nice

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ANNESYLVIA 6/15/2012 6:31AM

    emoticon

As for me, I think even when I am at my goal weight I will continue be conscious of measuring my food, even if just my eye-balling it.

Again for me, I will have to think and plan ahead for meals. It may feel like I am not because purchasing healthy foods is now a habit of mine. Making sure the veggies and fruit dominate the plate, etc...

My fitness activities and nutrition will always be plan. It is not a choice for me. I never want to slip again.

But that is just me because this is my journey for life not a destination to a particular number on the scale.

Best of luck on your healthy weight journey.

Comment edited on: 6/15/2012 6:47:57 AM

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NCSUE0514 6/15/2012 5:22AM

    I figure I'll never be done - not while I'm living!

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NEWTINK 6/15/2012 5:20AM

    You Rock !!!!

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TRUE-NESS 6/14/2012 11:53PM

    A lot of the things you mentioned in your blog have to do with self-image.... how you'll "feel" and about being "comfortable" with YOU. Did you notice that? Being at a place of being comfortable with self is huge and is a great marker for "SUCCESS."

emoticon emoticon

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RYDERB 6/14/2012 9:55PM

    emoticon emoticon emoticon
Ditto for me!

Comment edited on: 6/14/2012 9:56:08 PM

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IRONBLOSSOM 6/14/2012 5:41PM

    Good call. It's hard to know where to aim sometimes!

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MISTYBLUE716 6/14/2012 4:43PM

    you go girl!!!

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LORILEEPAGE 6/14/2012 2:51PM

    Sounds great! You put into words so many of the thoughts I've had lately. I see I'm close to being on maintenance, if I'm not already!

You're doing great!

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SWAYDE 6/14/2012 2:49PM

    Very practical and healthy way to evaluate your goal weight =) I like it!

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PRAIRIEBETH 6/14/2012 2:43PM

    This is written so perfectly!! You sound like you have a great attitude with realistic goals emoticon

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MUGGLE_MOM 6/14/2012 2:41PM

    Love this blog! Thanks so much for sharing!

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MISSB8604 6/14/2012 2:06PM

    YES.

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MELITOD 6/14/2012 1:36PM

    You are always able to put things into words!! Great list. I can't wait to hear when you finally get there! It has been so good for us that you are so expressive!

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DRAGONFLY02 6/14/2012 1:18PM

    I like this post! You really hit on how I feel too, I've just never put it into words.

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ANDYBUGG2000 6/14/2012 1:17PM

    I think, for me, this will be a forever struggle. I've been "skinny" and thought I was fat... *ugh* if I only knew! But it's true, you can relax and stop focusing on all the little things and just love you for you. You can do that now. 100% it isn't about a # or how you look. It's about how you FEEL. :) It's true.. there are other ways to measure success.

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WORDLILY 6/14/2012 1:01PM

    Great post! Love it.

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HOLLYS_NEW_LIFE 6/14/2012 12:51PM

    This is an AWESME blog! These are perfect ways to measure whether or not you're "done." I've been thinking a lot about all of this. My 2 yr sparkaversary is tomorrow, and once again, I'm reevaluating my stopping point. Time to consider these.

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CECE0330 6/14/2012 12:41PM

    Wow. Thank you for posting this. I ended up UNDER my goal weight in November of last year, and started maintenance. I've gone up a bit, which ultimately I think is good because i'm just over what I thought was my "ideal" weight anyway. BUT! I've been obsessing lately because I DID get down lower, and going back up a few lbs makes me feel like I'm failing. But going through your list, I can relate to ALL of those points, and am happy say that I MEET almost every single one, so I need to calm down, appreciate where I've gotten and how much my life has changed (more physically fit at 38 than I have been in my ENTIRE LIFE). I don't think I would have realized that without reading this blog. emoticon

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MELINDAKAYE2 6/14/2012 12:09PM

    Love this blog!! Thank you!!

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PRESBESS 6/14/2012 12:02PM

    Excellent blog! I love that you know what "accomplishing your goal" means to you.
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TDMTBIRD 6/14/2012 12:02PM

    Awesome list! Inspiring to others!

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THE_COUNTESS 6/14/2012 11:58AM

    Love this!

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MJ-SHE-BEAST 6/14/2012 11:53AM

    We should all make similar lists and remind ourselves occasionally that we are so much more in tune with what makes us a success story than in what others' perceptions of our success is. Good blog!

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TAMARA6905 6/14/2012 11:50AM

    I think that's a good way to look at it! A number is just a number, but how you feel about yourself is what really matters! You're so close! EXCITING!

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SHUFFMAN126 6/14/2012 11:46AM

    Kudos for knowing it's not all about the number on the scale, or a pants size! For me, success will come once I've hit my goal and successfully maintained it for a year. Maintenance is always a bigger struggle for me.

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TINAJANE76 6/14/2012 11:45AM

    This is a great list! I've been on maintenance for more than three months and I'm still working on some of these things--it's a continual process but it gets better and better every day! For me, I'll know I'm really done when I can wear my skinny jeans without muffin top!


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MNJONES2 6/14/2012 11:45AM

    Very nice.

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CHANGINGSAM 6/14/2012 11:44AM

    I love this! Keep up the great work!

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