Reaching Small Fitness Goals: Time for You to Celebrate!
Do you ever daydream about reaching your fitness goals–that final size goal? The realization of that goal was an unforgettable moment for me.
[break][/break]Technically it wasn’t a goal because never in a million years would I have dreamed that I would reach a size 6. I started buying clothes when I got to size 10 because I thought I was done. Then came the day in the dressing room when I tried on a pair of Dockers size 6 capris. They zipped without laying down. They zipped without sucking in. Out came the cell phone and I dialed my husband’s number, hands shaking. “I just tried on size 6 pants and they FIT!”
[break][/break]Great as that moment was, there were lots of smaller accomplishments along the way from size 22W to 6.
[break][/break]This may sound strange, but I remember walking through a parking lot and feeling air circulating across my lower abdomen that hadn’t felt air in many years because of the flab hanging down.
[break][/break]There was a certain trip to the library when I realized my thighs were not swishing together as I walked between the shelves in the quiet atmosphere.
[break][/break]And who could forget the look on people’s faces when I appeared in my first size 16 outfit?
[break][/break]Besides those moments, there were many written goals reached on the journey. Size 14 pants for the 2007 T-Tapp Safety Harbor Retreat.
[break][/break]Size 12 for my husband’s college reunion (even though I still weighed over 200 pounds).
[break][/break]I share these milestones not to brag. I continue to write about my experience to encourage and motivate those who are on the road with me. Fitness is a journey, not a destination.
[break][/break]I share these milestones to remind you to celebrate the smaller goals as you reach them. Relish the surprises along the way, like realizing that you have to pull the seat belt tighter. Go ahead and buy the pants in the next size down instead of walking around in baggy clothes. Call your husband from the dressing room and laugh together over your new size.
[break][/break]Size 16 is just as much a real accomplishment as size 10. Finally having energy throughout your day is an amazing discovery. Rehabilitated knees are definitely something to celebrate.
[break][/break]I have a friend with serious health issues. I asked her how bad it was. She replied that they were using the good china every day. They are celebrating every moment, every small family event. No more waiting until the big stuff to throw a party.
[break][/break]Life is too short to wait until you reach the big goals to celebrate. Notice the changes and focus on the new things you feel. Think about how far you’ve come and let yourself feel the satisfaction. Don’t dwell on discouragement with how far you have to go. Keep your eyes on the good things that are happening and throw yourself a little party or do a happy dance to celebrate!
Share a small goal you’re going to celebrate: leave a comment!
Hi Charoltte!
Thank you for sharing your milestones! I just keep saying to myself….if a mom of 12 can do it…surely I can too! 😀
You don’t know how you blessed me when you came to our homeschool group. I have been doing T tapp faithfully for 2 weeks and I haven’t seen any inch results yet but I am going to persevere. I have to say that I feel better than I have in months. I have more energy. I am still working on having the right form but it is SO hard when you are so out of shape. LOL Thank you for your words of encouragement!
Leah
(homeschool mom of 3)
🙂
Hi Leah,
Good for you on staying consistent for 2 weeks! For starters, be sure your feet aren’t too far apart, toes forward (don’t let toes stray out). Lift ribs to help your tummy. You’ll get it!
I have been working on just that — being victorious over the little changes. Everyone keeps telling me that whatever I am doing looks great –I am slimming down. However, when I step on the scale –nothing has changed. I am a bit confused, but I am taking it as a victory. Guess my transformation is starting from the inside out 🙂
Thanks for sharing today. This was very helpful.
Oh my goodness!! This is just what I needed to remember today. I just last night realized I could pull my jeans off without unbuttoning them. That is my tell tell sign that I am loosing weight. We go to a cowboy church so for me these are my good “church” jeans. Lol! The other things that happened around the same time is my Mom who is also loosing passed me a pair of her jeans that are falling off. They are the next size down from mine. They fit. I was so excited. But, they will not work for church jeans as they are not long enough for boots. But, now I see there is much to celebrate. Thank you for reminding us that at every turn we need to celebrate the little things. This of course is not my final size. I would love to be in a size six again. Not sure they will ever happen but, we will see. For, now, I will celebrate today’s victory.
I’m been consistent with exercise for the first time in my life – over a year now. After reading one of your posts with all the excuses we tell ourselves I stopped doing that. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I get up and just do T-Tapp without any complaints or excuses.
I still don’t like exercise, but it’s fun to wake up on an off day and know I don’t have to do it that day.
I miss your post having the homeschooling tip in them! Can you briing them back?
Tami, Jennifer and Phyllis–Can I just WAHOO for you?!! Glad you’re celebrating!
Wendy, I didn’t realize that anyone missed the homeschooling tip in the newsletter. I’ll try to include one from time to time–thanks for asking!
Thank you so much for this. I am a mom of many and have not exercised since college. I started up again during my current pregnancy and boy do I feel better. I just got done reading Teresas book and can’t wait to start t-tapp. I am serving as a Pastors wife, so between the kids, my husband and the church, I’m spent…but often times it is a good tired, truly. I needed to read this today. I’m so SET on the end ‘prize’ that I just breeze right through the beautiful little things along the way. The road I’m on is filled with little gems and jewels, but I am missing them because I haven’t ‘arrived’ yet in my brain; total wrong mindset that has only led to discouragement in the past. Thanks for the encouragement!
Bless your heart, Jen! I tend to do the same thing and it’s a mental discipline to “stop and smell the roses!” Be sure to continue to care for yourself with exercise so you’ll have the energy and stamina for your busy life!
I started week 4 of T-Tapp. I started the eating plan Trim Healthy Mama about 6 weeks ago. (An eating plan the helps regulate blood sugar and lose weight). I am down 30 pounds from this time last year but I still need to lose a minimum of 81 more pounds. Its very discouraging. Thanks for this article because, right now, I just can’t imagine EVER reaching my goal. I wanted my husband to watch me do T-Tapp tonight because I wanted to make sure my form was correct so I changed into some more form fitting clothes only they weren’t form fitting anymore. So that is my little victory for tonight.
Kelly, that is absolutely something to celebrate! The hard thing about having a lot to lose is getting discouraged on the long journey. Do everything you can to encourage yourself!