Since going Paleo my family has fallen even more in love with our grill. Paleo and grilling just work well together. The past couple of years I've even been stepping outside my grilling comfort zone more and more. Grilling things I'd never thought to have grilled before and trying new flavor combinations. I have to say I'm pretty thrilled with the results of most of my flavor experiments. In the past I'd never have thought to grill fruit, but it's amazing. Grilling fruit and adding it to traditionally savory dishes? Brilliant. Oh yes, and? New rule: every burger recipe for the rest of forever must contain grilled pineapple. OK, maybe more of a guideline. It's a seriously delicious combination though. This Smoky Grilled Pineapple Burger is always a crowd-pleaser at my house. It's not only Paleo, but Whole30, glutenfree, lower carb, and clean eating friendly. I promise you won't miss the bun! paleo, grilled pineapple burger, smoky
My goal weight is 140 pounds. Or wait, maybe it's 145 pounds. Well, I am gaining muscle, maybe my goal weight is 150?
Hmmm, maybe we should talk sizes. A size 2? Ahahahahaha! I just fell off my chair. Size 4? Still pretty small for me. Size 6? That sounds nice. Size 8? Wouldn't be the worst thing. But what would that look like exactly?
I've pondered these things a lot along this weight loss journey. I've stated my goals before, edited them, revised them. And now. Abandoned them. I no longer have ANY weight or clothing size goals.
Why?
Well first, because honestly as my body changes I realize it's just too hard to pinpoint what a good weight or size will be for me. Sure I can recall numbers from high school, but my body composition is NOTHING like it was back then. Any number I come up with would basically just be pulled out of the air.
And second, focusing on those things is not mentally healthy for me. I like numbers, a lot. But trying to hold up some elusive 'finish line' number just drives me nuts. Always focusing on the destination sets me up for not enjoying the journey. That could be a long time of not enjoying where I'm at while getting to where I'm going! Plus, the whole finish line mentality isn't really truth. I will never be 'done' eating healthy or 'done' working out.
So what now? Do I give up and eat peanut butter cup ice cream straight from the carton? Well, maybe for a little while... Ha ha, NO! The effort will still be there, but the focus has changed.
I've decided to focus more on the changes I'm making, on the journey itself. And on enjoying this whole process. It's my life, and I only get one!
I've found my lobster as far as eating goes. So my goals (and especially my love for numbers) will be focusing more on my fitness. Mile times, weights I can lift, that kind of thing (more on those goals tomorrow). I am also on the hunt to find more workouts I ENJOY; it can't hurt to have a little fun on this journey!
How can I not have a goal weight? A goal size? How will I know when I'm done, when I get 'there'? I don't know. Maybe I'll just know. Or maybe none of that is even really important. What I do know is that this whole healthy lifestyle thing is forever, not just until I feel great in a pair of skinny jeans.
Hmmm, maybe we should talk sizes. A size 2? Ahahahahaha! I just fell off my chair. Size 4? Still pretty small for me. Size 6? That sounds nice. Size 8? Wouldn't be the worst thing. But what would that look like exactly?
I've pondered these things a lot along this weight loss journey. I've stated my goals before, edited them, revised them. And now. Abandoned them. I no longer have ANY weight or clothing size goals.
Why?
Well first, because honestly as my body changes I realize it's just too hard to pinpoint what a good weight or size will be for me. Sure I can recall numbers from high school, but my body composition is NOTHING like it was back then. Any number I come up with would basically just be pulled out of the air.
And second, focusing on those things is not mentally healthy for me. I like numbers, a lot. But trying to hold up some elusive 'finish line' number just drives me nuts. Always focusing on the destination sets me up for not enjoying the journey. That could be a long time of not enjoying where I'm at while getting to where I'm going! Plus, the whole finish line mentality isn't really truth. I will never be 'done' eating healthy or 'done' working out.
So what now? Do I give up and eat peanut butter cup ice cream straight from the carton? Well, maybe for a little while... Ha ha, NO! The effort will still be there, but the focus has changed.
I've decided to focus more on the changes I'm making, on the journey itself. And on enjoying this whole process. It's my life, and I only get one!
I've found my lobster as far as eating goes. So my goals (and especially my love for numbers) will be focusing more on my fitness. Mile times, weights I can lift, that kind of thing (more on those goals tomorrow). I am also on the hunt to find more workouts I ENJOY; it can't hurt to have a little fun on this journey!
How can I not have a goal weight? A goal size? How will I know when I'm done, when I get 'there'? I don't know. Maybe I'll just know. Or maybe none of that is even really important. What I do know is that this whole healthy lifestyle thing is forever, not just until I feel great in a pair of skinny jeans.
What a smart and true way to look at things. I know I'm always haunted and daunted by goal numbers...I have a number in mind, but what if I get there and I'm still not happy? What if I'm happy before I get to that number?
ReplyDeleteThis makes so much sense to me!! Thanks for sharing!!
I love this. We all just need to keep working and when we hit that right weight/pant size/BF % we'll know it. Go you!!!
ReplyDeleteGood for you! We each have to find the motivation that works for us.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I have found that just doing the right things all/most of the time are excellent for staying where I am (healthy & fit), but having a goal (5 more pounds, or 1 more size down) pushes me just enough to actually make progress. I hit my goal and then reassess. I can't compare my current weight to the last time I used to weigh this, same goes for my size, but having a goal and then reaching it allows me the satisfaction of succeeding at what I set out to do, and then the luxury of deciding what to aim for next: maintaining that weight/size for a period of time or pushing a little harder to make a little more progress. For me, that makes the journey even more enjoyable because I get to tweak the variables for the measurable results I'm seeking. But I can totally appreciate the desire to abandon all numerical goals, too. :) You've got this!
Lol muscle has nothing to do with more weight. Well u need a true weight range still. Duncan diet gives a good example no need to do diet
ReplyDeleteI say if your healthy and are happy you've reached your goal weight!
ReplyDeletePreach it! I think this is a fantastic outlook! I think it is far too consuming to be so tied to a silly number! Life (and health!) is so much more than that!
ReplyDeleteSo how about for Adventures in Dietland, you focus on excercise, receipes, food logs and weekly chit chats on how we're all doing and what we're doing. By the way, I'd love to read more about the 4 Acre Farm. :) Andy maybe one day I can figure out how to sign on here rather than Anonymous. Lydia
ReplyDeleteLOVE THIS!!
ReplyDeleteI gave up these numbers a couple of years ago and doing so was one of the best things I ever did for myself. I focus on how I want to feel versus a specific number and my body has responded well on a variety of levels. I honestly think it's because I am not stressing myself out.