SMART Goals and Chronic Pain: What are your goals?

@tekkie3 ...and here is a weight management blog:

https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/weight-management-1/
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Please don't feel powerless. You are stronger than you think, braver than you think and smarter than you think. Keep fighting for yourself and your goals.

@tekkie3, I can relate to feeling powerless in regards to my weight. It's only been the last year or so that I finally found something that really works and is not really too hard to do once you get started. I struggled with weight through most of my adult life and was always labeled as having prediabetes. A little over a year ago I started into intermittent fasting and now am trying to add low carb healthy fat into my lifestyle which will help me reach my new goal weight of 200. At my high point 20+ years ago I was 330 which is when I got serious and knew I had to make some changes. I joined Weight Watchers for a few years and got down to 250 but still needed to get down to 220 or less. I quit WW because I felt it was a crutch for me. I decided that I had to change my lifestyle and make up my mind to do what I needed to be done. So I spent up until last year going back and forth between 250 and 280 not making any progress until I found out about intermittent fasting. That got me to 220 and gave me the confidence to make a new goal of 200 lbs. That has been more difficult than I thought but I think the reason is too many carbs which led me to the low carb health fat eating plan in addition to the intermittent fasting.

I'm sure it will work for you too. If you want to learn more about it, here is a discussion to get you started.
-- Low-carb healthy fat living. Intermittent fasting. What’s your why?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/low-carb-healthy-fat-living-intermittent-fasting-whats-your-why/

Thank you John for sharing your story and congrats on your weight loss journey thus far. I switched to low carbs, low sugar a little over a month ago, and am only eating one meal a day (dinner) somewhere between 7 - 10 pm .The rest of the time I only drink water because I literally have no appetite. I thought my current regimen already qualified as intermittent fasting, but it looks like there may be more to it. I will definitely look into I.F. guidelines a bit further to see if there what other adjustments I could make that might help kickstart me off my current plateau.

Good luck, you have started down a hard path. But baby steps are the way to go...
I am thinking that maybe moving a bit, along with the intermittent fasting, might help you off the plateau too. Even just 5 - 10 minutes of light stretches, seated exercise, or walking in the house can rev up your metabolism, especially if you can do it twice a day.
Sue

Thank you Rachel, as are you. It’s important to be one’s own advocate and support person! Thank you for starting this discussion. While SMART goals may not solve everyone’s issues and trauma, for me, it’s a way of conquering each day. I also work a lot with community groups and the concept is a great way to bring people together and share ideas, commonalities, and goals.

Thank you for your words. Am starting to feel a bit lighter and little more hopeful. 😊

@tekkie3 When we realize that we truly are not alone in getting through/around the obstacles in our path, it feels good, doesn't it? Being brave with yourself to say your truth, and getting support, is a big deal.

Working everyday with multiple health concerns, never knowing what my energy levels will be, sometimes makes me sad, or depressed. It's a lot of self-talk to get going. It would be easy to just vegetate, to not get out to do something. My experience is that getting up off the couch/chair, and expending whatever energy I can/want to, will really help me in the long run. Coming here to Mayo Clinic Connect, and hearing how others manage, gives me hope, gives me the drive to do it!

Good for you!
Ginger

My list for today (stretched before getting out of bed)
- active 1) get groceries (done! - and walked over a mile doing it) and 2) cook turkey legs for tomorrow (next - I think I'm stalling - pot needs to be washed out from sitting all summer).
- not so active 1) invite a few neighbors for dessert & fellowship tomorrow (done) and 2) a small wool felting project in prep for teaching a class next week (making myself do the turkey first!).
What does everyone else have on the list today?
Sue

@tekkie3 💪🏽👏🏼👍🏼 You got this! 🌟

@sueinmn Wow! Goals!! 🌟