Set UNrealistic Goals
CC Iguana Jo
When I (re)started this expedition, I had some idea what I hoped would come of it. In other words, I have certain goals in mind. Why else would I be getting up at 5 am and doing DIY liposuction in my garage eating right?
The fact is there are some goals I would like to accomplish that, in my mind, would equal a success.
The most frequent mistake people tend to make when setting goals is that they are unrealistic.
I agree + disagree.
It might be unrealistic to think that you’re going to look like the airbrushed beauty you saw in the fitness magazine. Why? She doesn’t really even look that.
Unless you want to go under the knife and look like this, your ideal self may be genetically impossible. No amount of working out or eating hummus sandwiches will add three inches of height or change your hair color.
But there are some goals that are unrealistic now, but can be achieved through realistic daily work
I couldn’t run a 5k today. But I could in 9 weeks if I completed this.
I can’t do 100 pushups right now, but in 7 weeks what is impossible now could become quite possible.
Marion did the impossible by turning meathead hecklers into friendly spotters at the gym. Joe had the unrealistic goal of dropping 150+ lbs and becoming a 5k junkie.
My UNrealistic goals
- get a clean bill of health from the doctor after having 28 years living high-risk
- do unassisted pullups (# of reps to be determined)
- complete a no-walk 5K in June
- drop ~120 lbs of fat
- through sustainable methods
- …all in one year.
Why those goals? I’ve reached a conclusion that every man should be able to take care of himself and his family. For all of the possible scenarios I can think of, the above list of goals puts me in the best position as far as I know. P.S. if I’m in a speedo come beach season—we’ll just consider it a bonus.
Hold me to it. If I abandon these goals, or start reviewing protein powders or hiding behind kale recipes instead of showing actual results—please stop reading and call me a fraud.
Love. This. Post.
I agree.
Thanks. Sorta inspired by your GTFO post—especially the end.
Hi Chris! I have a fairly good sense of you, I think, and your big goals are *not* unrealistic because I’m betting that you actually have detailed plans for attaining them. In other words, you have a bunch of mini goals (such as daily goals) to succeed in your huge projects. You are not daydreaming, but implementing a real plan. So, yes, I believe all of these things are doable for you.
However, for people who haven’t believed in themselves for a *long* time for weight/fitness, it can also all start with a little *maybe.* Maybe things could be different for me. Maybe if I do little steps, it can turn into big life changes. I’m pretty sure I did not have your confidence level when I started out at the gym. But it all still worked super well.
I do love your goals, btw.
Thanks. I expect the list of goals to grow and change the more I learn.
Thanks for sharing! I’m gonna go set some (un)realistic goals myself…
Good to hear from you again Melissa how are things? You still liking myfitnesspal?
When are you starting the C25K? I’ve been contemplating it myself. I’m having issues with some mental blocks…the biggest, I’m not a runner.
I’m thinking nowish. I’m looking at a 5k in June which is much earlier than I anticipated. I haven’t really been a runner since middle school track.
I like C25k because of the incremental training. It will undoubtedly take longer than the 9 or so weeks it prescribes. It will be my 2nd time attempting it as in 2010 I made it to about week 3 which pretty rough. I’m going to pace myself better this time. I’m still carrying a lot of weight up top and don’t want to mess with injuries.