Over at Live Your Legend Scott is asking readers: What’s your most important goal of 2012?
My most important goal for 2012 is to find my ideal weight.
I’m not trying to diet to a particular number of pounds or inches. I’m using things like BMI as a guidance only. Only I am going to know what the ideal weight for me is. I know that I’m not at my ideal weight and I’m only going to know that once I’m there.
I’m focusing on eating a more natural, veggie and fruit rich diet and exercising every day. 11 days in and I’m going strong.
I’m heavier than my ideal weight. I know that I’ve fallen prey to chocolate, ice cream, chocolate, pizza, chocolate, cheesecake and mostly chocolate in an otherwise balanced diet. I’ve been a gym member for almost two years but only averaged two days a week. It’s been enough to maintain my weight. I’ve never fluctuated more than 2kg over the past 12 months and now weigh the same I did this time last year.
A few years ago I spent six months removing carbs and sugar from my diet and swimming three times a week. I lost 10kg and then it was Christmas and I was on holiday and I was going to have cheesecake at every opportunity. The weight came back on and the cheesecake hardly ever tasted quite as good as I imagined it.
I’ve never been a big dieter. I’ve always known that it took years to put the weight on and it would take months if not years to take it off again in a healthy, maintainable way. I’ve always known I would need a healthy diet and exercise program that I could maintain long term. At the end of 2011 I realised that I’d never given healthy eating and exercise my entire focus for any set period of time. It had always come second to writing in a bid for my time and attention. No wonder the weight wasn’t shifting.
I decided that in 2012 I would commit myself to my health and set it as my number one priority. Writing has been relegated to the weekends to make room for time at the gym and new recipes full of vegetables for dinner. I am putting energy into finding new recipes, planning meals, buying fresh and natural ingredients and making new recipes. I am spending my time going to the gym and finding exercise activities that are fun.
I want more energy. I want my body to be a reflection of my mind and soul.
Hi Kerryn
I think most women will understand where you’re coming from with this! I’ve kind of decided to accept my body is where it’s supposed to be, but I think I’m just fooling myself. I would like to be at least 5 – 10kg lighter, maybe I will follow your inspiration and work on that this year 
Good luck!
Hi Tammy.
Yeah, I think every woman goes through this journey at some point in their lives.
I’ve gone through the past couple years accepting myself and trying to accept my body as it was. I could never shake that feeling that my body just didn’t fit with how I felt about myself otherwise. I think I could do to lose 10+ kg but I don’t know how that will feel yet so I’ll be constantly reassessing. Thanks!
Good luck. I recently addressed my body weight issues by looking at my bmi numbers (I love my bathroom scale for that feature). It’s funny how important they can be. I’ve never found lbs to make that much of a difference, but as soon as I hit the percentage where I go from overweight to obesity class 1, I can feel the difference in my body and my joints. I’m not one for much exercise (two days at the gym seems insanely dedicated to me) but I managed to watch my food (including watching my food groups to make sure it was the right kind of food) and hit the bmi I should be at, and feel much better for it.
Amai, that’s so great that you’ve found a measurement and value that works for you. That’s exactly what I want to discover. It’s challenging because each of us is different so what works for one person won’t necessarily work for you. So much trial and error can sometimes be discouraging.