DECLARATION of my GOALS

Here is what I posted when I began my weightloss journey, as well as your considerate replies:

	my S.M.A.R.T. goal: Please be a witness for me!
	10 Replies Posted by: SonoTok on 12/03/04 at 10:15 PM
DECEMBER 3, 2004 Hi there, My name is Craig. Today I started NS. I was a little concerned since I have a cold, but I had wanted to start on a Friday because one usually starts diets on Mondays and then end up cheating over the weekends, so I went ahead and started today anyway. I'm a 6'-4", 35 year old married father of 2 (10 & 13), and I am approximately 385 pounds. (my 350 lb scale maxes out, so I'm waiting for a replacement scale that will go higher. It should be in next week) I originally did NS when they were site based back in 1989, but I got married right as I reached my goal weight and I never returned or made an effort to stay on any maintenance programs. My advancing age, deteriorating health, and the concern of my loving wife and daughters has cause me to re-evaluate my own concern (or rather "lack of concern") about my health and weight. I therefore have decided to stop screwing around and get rid of my excess weight once and for all. It is my desire to "set my intention" clearly, which I am doing by way of this post. I GREATLY appreciate anyone who can acknowledge that they have witnessed me make this declaration, as it will help me to stay focused, essentially, for the rest of my life. Using the S.M.A.R.T. method of Goal setting, I COMMIT TO DO THE FOLLOWING: S. (SPECIFIC) I will stick to the NS Program, exercise regularly, and lose 165 pounds to reach my goal weight of 220. M. (MEASURABLE) My progress will be measured by pounds, as well as in inches around the waist, stomach, neck and chest. A. (ACHIEVABLE) It is definitely an achievable goal. Time frame is the only questionable variable. R. (RISKY) I have obvious hangups about over-eating and maintaining an obese body. This is an intimidating risk for me since I will be forced to deal with those issues as I continue to lose weight. T. (TIME) Since I am unsure about what to expect in terms of rate of weight loss, I will achieve this goal within 12 to 18 months. I want to thank you for taking the time to read this post. I look forward to getting to know many of you through emails and postings. Please have a GREAT day! Craig 385/385/220

RE: my S.M.A.R.T. goal: Please be a witness for me! > 0 Replies Posted by: Phatmom on 12/03/04 at 10:33 PM Let me be the first to bear witness to your goal. I believe that, if you stick with the plan, it will be easier than you think & progress more quickly than you think. I wish you the best of luck. Keep in touch via your posts. We're all here for you. Ann Marie

RE: my S.M.A.R.T. goal: Please be a witness for me! 0 Replies Posted by: dindygirl on 12/03/04 at 10:36 PM Craig aka SonoTok - set up a profile because I will watch you like a hawk! Watch me too because my food comes next week and I need to be accountable. I lost 25lbs on this before and I think I can lose 40 this time. Let's hope we end up being the biggest LOSERS on the planet in 2005. LOL!! Best of luck to ya!

RE: my S.M.A.R.T. goal: Please be a witness for me! 0 Replies Posted by: BruceinLa on 12/04/04 at 12:17 AM Hey Craig! Man, you can do this. As I said in one of the other posts, it is definitley achievable. I've lost 121 pounds so far with 14 more to go to my goal of a total of 135 pounds lost. I started last February (2003), so it's been not quite 10 months. And I didn't do anything special except follow this program religiously, check in with my counselor regularly and my NS friends I"ve met through the boards. Keep us posted as you go, buddy! If you'd like a fellow NS-er to email with, I'm available. Just drop me a line. I don't claim to be an expert, but I do know this program and can be a support if needed. Take care! Bruce 300/179/165

RE: my S.M.A.R.T. goal: Please be a witness for me! 0 Replies Posted by: gacot on 12/04/04 at 12:26 AM Great post.

RE: my S.M.A.R.T. goal: Please be a witness for me! 0 Replies Posted by: gramedie on 12/04/04 at 01:32 AM Craig: Welcome aboard and I am happy to be a witness to your declaration. I'm so glad you are doing this while you are still young. The older you get the harder it gets to lose the weight. It will be so much easier for you to do things and enjoy doing with your family. I like your S.M.A.R.T. idea. Best of luck to you on this new adventure. Edie

RE: my S.M.A.R.T. goal: Please be a witness for me! 0 Replies Posted by: elfster on 12/04/04 at 05:55 AM You can do this. This is really achievable. It is fun and healthy and there are a few guys around who have done, and are doing well .... and will be glad to pitch in with advice if you are ever interested. May I suggest that along the way you study glycemic indexing. You make lists of foods that fit into low glycemic eating and choose only from them for your carb foods ( you know grains veggies and fruits ). The trick as I see it is to make this a lifestyle change and not a diet. The list of us (fellows) who have lost more than fifty pounds is getting longer all the time. The list of those who have lost more than 100 pounds continues to grow as well. It is about being organized and disciplined. From the tone of your email I believe that you have those two qualities wired. Remember it is never the doing that is as difficult as taking the first step. You know... breaking the inertia of the status quo. Oh yes.. Remember what Bruce says.. NOTHING tastes as good as THIN feels. He is sooo right Ron 252/218/179(and on my way to 165)

RE: my S.M.A.R.T. goal: Please be a witness for me! 0 Replies Posted by: FirmBeliever on 12/04/04 at 06:55 AM Craig - You're awesome. This declaration should be the first page to your journal. Journaling daily can help you refocus on strengths and weaknesses as well as help you meditate on how to keep from having small, recurring setbacks and making small triumphs something to celebrate and note. If you don't mind, I would like to add ONE to S.M.A.R.T. for S.M.A.R.T. ONE. The ONE is for ONE day at a time. I like that you don't give yourself a time constraint because it is a lifestyle change. Paying attention to today rather than your whole life can make your task less overwhelming. JD

RE: my S.M.A.R.T. goal: Please be a witness for me! 0 Replies Posted by: SonoTok on 12/04/04 at 01:23 PM Thank you guys so much for your responses, I really appreciate them. I feel I'm getting to know a few of you out there through your posts, and your suggestions and experiences are inspirational. Thanks again! Craig

RE: my S.M.A.R.T. goal: Please be a witness for me! 0 Replies Posted by: tonilee2 on 12/04/04 at 01:27 PM Craig, I've read some of your previous posts and I just took another peek at your profile. You seem like a really cool guy and I want to offer my support in any way possible! I like the way you outlined your goals using SMART. The only thing I would say is add "the way I'm feeling physically each and every day" to "pounds and inches lost" as "measures" of progress,etc. I know "feeling better" isn't an objective measure (like pounds and inches) but you're going to be amazed at how much healthier you start feeling very soon after losing just a few of the extra pounds. I'm sure if you stay committed, you're gonna see the pounds melt off. Give yourself a big pat on the back, too as you feel better and better physically, spiritually and mentally with each pound lost! Email me anytime if you want an email buddy to correspond with on a regular basis! My email is tlfiore@optonline.net Best Wishes! Toni Lee

RE: my S.M.A.R.T. goal: Please be a witness for me! 0 Replies Posted by: obeseless on 12/04/04 at 02:40 PM Craig I'm not experienced enough to give advice. In my limited experience with NS I can say it is working so far for me. I started at 378 Oct. 6th and at my last weigh-in last Wednesday I had lost 41 lbs. I'm staying focused, exercise every day. I can honestly say that as big as I am I have not been hungry at all following the NS plan. I know you can do this for your self and to be around to help your kids grow up. I want to be around to watch my grand kids grow up. Good luck. Stay focused 24/7