What is Your Real Weigh Loss Goal?

I went to yoga tonight. It was awesome, but wow, I could sure tell I hadn't been for three weeks! The flexibility, strength, and balance were not up to my normal levels (which aren't fabulous anyway!). But still, it felt really good to go, and I am still super relaxed an hour later.

I heard somebody speak once about goals, and he/she (I honestly can't remember who on earth it was, but it's a common idea anyway) instructed us to think of something we want (like to lose 40 pounds). Then, think about how you think you'll feel once you have that. Your real goal is that you want to feel like that. Not necessarily the thing you think is going to make you feel that way.

So, this came to mind the other day, and I got to thinking, what feeling(s) do I truly want that I think losing weight/getting healthy/increasing my fitness is going to get me?

Of course, I'm human, and I tend to focus on the surface things first. If I were thinner, I'd look better. My clothes would fit. I'd enjoy shopping. I would imagine people would see me and think, "Wow! She's gorgeous!" (as opposed to, "Wow! Her boobs are HUGE!") So, the feeling at the root of wanting all that is, I want to feel confident in myself. And honestly, there are probably a lot of ways I can work toward achieving that which don't necessarily have anything to do with weight. Though they'd probably have an interesting side effect in that if I felt more confidence, I'd want to take better care of myself.

A more under the surface reason I want to get healthy is to have more energy. I want to wake up in the morning full of energy and excited about the day ahead (which, admittedly, may just not be within my DNA regardless of my weight!). At least, I'd like to have more energy once I get up and going. I want to feel like I can take a short walk, carry a heavy object, bend over, etc... without getting winded.

With this in mind, I'm trying to focus on my energy level throughout the day, and to think about certain activities, situations, and people that increase my energy or deplete it.

Yesterday, about halfway through my walk, listening to peppy music on the Ipod, I felt energetic. I made a mental note.

Today, during my walk, I felt like a slug. Just prior to this walk, I had eaten a huge serving of mashed potatoes that tasted yummy, but were actually oozing butter. I'm not kidding. Not like a pat of butter on top. A scoop of potatoes on my plate, and I could see butter seeping out of them. I'm thinking this could be one reason for my lethargic feeling.

Anyway, something to think about. I know I will continue to think about what I truly want from living a healthier lifestyle, and to take note of things that seem to help or hinder my efforts.

What about you? What is your real weight loss goal? How do you truly want to feel?