Heather7
Posted: Oct. 20 2008, 21:14 ET
Hi guys,
I was wondering what the purpose is of the 'two week goal' you are assigned. I mean, I'm sure it's meant to motivate people, but does anything bad happen if you don't make your goal?
I made my two week goal last time, and I'm pretty sure I can do it again this time, but I'm finding these goals a bit stressful. The nurses have assigned me a goal of losing 8-10 lbs in two weeks, which I can do right now, but I don't think that rate of weight loss will continue as I get thinner.
So my other question is whether your two week goal will change as you get thinner? As in, when I have lost a significant amount of weight will be goal change to be maybe, 6-8 pounds in two weeks?
I thought some experienced Dr. B people could help clarify this element of the program.
Thanks,
-Heather
bri070102
Posted: Oct. 20 2008, 22:33 ET
Hey Heather,
My two-week goal has always been 7-10 pounds loss. BUT if I don't make the goal it's no biggie AS LONG AS I'm consistenly burning and eating the right foods. It's just a guideline to keep you on track but sometimes I made the goal, and other times I didn't.
I also know many people on here who were slow losers and who never made the goal. I think there's supposedly some rule now that you have to at least lose (hmm...this has changed...anywhere from 6 to 10 pounds...a moderator will prob know this) in a month.
So unless the clinic tells you there's something to worry about, worry about it then. Otherwise, treat it as fyi and nothing else.
Hope this helps 
- Bri
BrianB
Posted: Oct. 21 2008, 01:12 ET
I think it's mostly because different folks respond to different types of challenges. Some folks (like me) are probably really motivated by the repeated short-term challenge of a 2 week mini-goal, whereas some folks may find them distracting or even disheartening. Some folks here have gotten to goal without "making" a single mini-goal ever, and some folks have made every single one. It's all about what works for you.
I wonder if anybody has ever asked not to "do" the mini-goal thing? Like, "fine, write it in your records, but don't put it on my diet sheet or talk to me about it"?
Alecto
Posted: Oct. 21 2008, 01:50 ET
Hi Heather7,
I've only ever made the mini-goal at the very start of the program - after the first one or two my weight loss has slowed and they've become really unrealistic. I personally ignore them and just do my best. Overall I've been happy with my progress so I don't find them demotivating - mostly because I don't pay attention, and the nurses & doctor don't seem to be concerned.
Interesting thought Brian about asking the nurse to not put them on - I've never considered it.
Heather7
Posted: Oct. 21 2008, 10:05 ET
Thanks, everyone.
That's good to know. I was worried that there would be some sort of consequence if I was unable to meet the goal, but I guess that's not the case. I have heard various rumours about being 'kicked off' the program, and I just wanted to make sure these two week goals didn't have anything to do with that.
Thanks for easing my fears!
-Heather
DonnaN
Posted: Oct. 21 2008, 11:02 ET
Heather7 you are doing great! Keep it up!
I've only made goal at the most 3 times...they just readjust it and afix a new goal at the two week mark.
Ada
Posted: Oct. 21 2008, 11:18 ET
I totally ignored the goals....never made one, being one of the slow losers. Actually, it was a joke between me and the nurses...protocol requires them to write in on your sheet but once I made it clear the goals were totally unrealistic for me and I joked about it no one ever remarked on my not making them.
Paula
Posted: Oct. 21 2008, 12:06 ET
I reacted the same way as Ada with goals. I too was a slow loser and never reached one. Instead of feeling discouraged about it, I decided to make it a non entity for myself. I also felt that way about measurement time. No two nurses ever managed to measure on the same spot on my body so I knew that their losses were not accurate anyway. So, my advice would be .... use the numbers if they make you feel good...but dont let them discourage you if you don't meet them!!
Ada
Posted: Oct. 21 2008, 14:12 ET
| Quote (Paula @ Oct. 21 2008,12:06) |
| I reacted the same way as Ada with goals. I too was a slow loser and never reached one. Instead of feeling discouraged about it, I decided to make it a non entity for myself. I also felt that way about measurement time. No two nurses ever managed to measure on the same spot on my body so I knew that their losses were not accurate anyway. So, my advice would be .... use the numbers if they make you feel good...but dont let them discourage you if you don't meet them!! |
LOL Paula....I also felt the same about their measuring me...so after the 1st 2 or 3 times I measured myself in front of the nurse and then got more meaningful numbers to record on the chart. The nurses actually liked the idea !
NPacheco
Posted: Oct. 22 2008, 10:52 ET
Hi,
I never made the 2 week goals and I was always burning at +2 and higher -- I was a slow loser so I just ignored it and would joke with the nurse "yeah right, if only I could lose that fast".... As long as I was burning and I knew that I never deviated from the diet, it was easier to ignore those numbers....