Do You Tell Others About Your Goals?

[Alex Brecher 10,494]

The weight loss surgery journey is all about chasing and achieving goals for weight loss, healthy eating, new activities, and tons of other NSVs at every stage of the journey. When you set new goals, do you share them with other people? With whom? And do you update them on your progress so you can get support? Or do you prefer to keep your goals personal until you hit them so you can focus on the goal?

[Babbs 14,680]

I am one of those who have shared my WLS on Facebook. I have shared many of my goals, scale victories and non scale victories. Not every single one, because I don't want people to think that's all I talk about, but the BIG ones, like the first time I ran the distance of a 5K, or when I reached 80 pounds lost. I would update everyone how close I was to my 5K goal periodically. I got so much love and encouragement, it kept me going. I've even been told I was an inspiration a time or two. That always helps me strive to be the best that I can be, and keeps me motivated to lead by example and set new goals.

I have the best, most supportive friends and family in the world!

[dhrguru 1,238]

I mostly keep my goals to myself. Only my sister who had had WLS knows what all my mini goals are. Only my doctor/nutritionist (and bariatric pal peeps) know my ultimate weight goal.

The reasoning is because this... When I successfully did Weight watchers in the past I told everyone and anyone. I got to a point I was very happy with where I was, still obese, but felt and looked so much better. I started working in maintenance just to see if I could maintain. But people would make comments like, keep at it, just a little more to go etc. It totally messed with my head-- left me feeling like I shouldn't be enjoying what I had accomplished. They meant well, but my head interpreted differently.

So I keep my goals to myself and relish in them privately, or on these boards. That way, others views on my being 'finished' (or not) with this journey won't mess with my emotions again.

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

As an obese person I often"self protected" and as a result was sometimes perceived as standoffish. On of my major changes is to be more vulnerable and open with people. I only shared progress and goals whilel losing on here. Now that I in maintenance I am very open with my friends about regain/eating challenges etc. It is part of my transformation and I have found it to be very positive.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

As an obese person I often"self protected" and as a result was sometimes perceived as standoffish. On of my major changes is to be more vulnerable and open with people. I only shared progress and goals whilel losing on here. Now that I in maintenance I am very open with my friends about regain/eating challenges etc. It is part of my transformation and I have found it to be very positive.

Interesting post, CGJ.

Hmmm .... thinking ....

[tjstark 74]

Some but not all. There are ones that I will share with family/friends like wanting to run a 5K, and I've even asked them to help me think up some NSVs. There are others that I feel are too embarrassing/personal that I would keep to myself, I mean at least until it happens maybe.

[nmstaci 29]

I've been open with my Family- Friends- and Co Workers, and I figure when people start to notice and ask I'll just tell them. I feel like I've already faces some challenges with people saying "you lost 30lb on pre-op diet, why not just continue that". Good Question. Quality of Life. I'm just going to keep on keeping on.

[Doubletruble#1 31]

My twin sister and I are going to have the surgery on November if everything goes well. We have decided not to tell or family or friends on Facebook we stopped posting pictures and made a new Facebook for the two of us where we are only adding people who have done the surgery or are going to doit. This will be our support system for now. We will only let our immediate family know. ones we have reached one of our goals then we will add pictures on Facebook so everyone could see how we are doing.