With less than a week until my operation, I thought I would focus on the three big weight loss goals that I would like to achieve, in a Japanese way.

Today is Setsubun, an old Japanese holiday that used to mark the change of seasons. It involves wearing a mask to scare children and throwing dried Beans or peanuts around (and out of) the house to get rid of bad spirits (and encourage good ones to come in). However, this holiday often includes getting a Daruma doll. In Japan, when one has a wish or goal they would like to complete, they get a Daruma doll, which is a small, hollow, wooden doll, usually painted in red, with the eyes blank. You fill in one eye when you make your wish, and then when that wish/goal comes to pass, you can fill in the other eye. These dolls are a symbol of perseverance and good luck, and are popular all over Japan. I happened to visit the centre of Daruma-doll production (Takasaki, Gunma), where I picked out a few of them. I thought they would make great visual reminders of the goals I want to achieve.

The three goals are: hitting onederland, losing 100 pounds, and achieving goal weight.

What are (or were) your three big goals?

Edited February 3, 20179 yr by biginjapan

What a great idea! Thanks for sharing

Thank you for explaining that. It's a really cool idea!

@@biginjapan Wow, that's a really cool tradition. I hope you get to fill in your other eyes this year! My three goals are to get to onederland, open (and wear) a box of clothes I haven't worn in 5 years, and be more active/ engaged in life. Best of luck to you in your surgery!

I love this thread - thank you! My goals are:

Get to onederland

Be able to buy all my clothing from non-specialty stores

Get in good enough shape so stairs/hills/running doesn't wind me so fast

I want to feel healthy and able to run and play with my DD8 before she's too old to run and play anymore.

Happy Trails to all of us:)