Goal Body

Note: the term "goal body" comes from the book AC: The Power of Appetite Control by Bert Herring, MD.

Here at Bright Line Eating, we often talk about achieving “goal weight,” but in this week's vlog, I talk about the concept of living in a “goal body.” They’re super different, and even, at times, in conflict. I believe this notion of “goal body” will be a long-term addition to our BLE vernacular.

FOR THIS VIDEO BLOG and MORE:

[MicheleMoore]

LOVE this idea of goal body thinking! I need to seriously come up with some goal body benchmarks, but I already know what my number one goal body thing is: I want to be able to comfortably sit on my husband’s lap. I have never been able to do that because I have always weighed more than him. Thank you for sharing this!!!💖

[mammajamma]

Just coming into maintenance and I was struggling with adding in exercise because I do bulk up really quickly when I exercise regularly. The discussion of goal body let a bit of stress out of my shoulders. As a teacher, I have always struggled with the concept of goal weight because I see so many young people obsessing about their weight. I always tell them its about how you feel and what you can do not what you weigh.

[kathyaskegaard]

I will know that I am in my goal body when, any event of any kind comes around, I can go to my closet and not have concerns or tears about what to wear. So many times I have tried on multiple outfits where none felt good and I cried or became angry because I knew it was my own fault that I felt that way. I would either put on the outfit that felt or covered me the most or didn't go and stayed home missing out on an experience. No more, I am going for my right size body.

[ahmandakay]

I'm acutely aware of listening intently for "what is my motivation" for this? I often come to becoming as clean a vessel as possible in order to be of the greatest gift to the transformation of culture. To have as few distractions with my health, body size, etc. so that my attention and focus can be given to awakening to more of who I really am as presence, and support others in the same. A sign that I'm in my goal body would be that I wake up and go through my day without my body pulling for my attention from any discomfort.

[razthadon]

The insight. The Love. That's what I feel in ur programs. What i feel when i pay closer attention to me. Thanks.

[nolongerchunky]

I love the distinction between goal weight and goal body.  I'm now down over 140lbs with Bright Line Eating and I've been hesitant to chose a specific goal weight.  This video is very helpful.

[margaretgallagher]

I to appreciate this change in focus from goal weight to goal body! I wrote a lot of things in my journal about the experience of alignment. They fell in to those basic categories of mind things, physical things & spiritual things. Even as a late 79 year old, it is important to me to feel good, to think & reason clearly, to love and live with gratitude. The weight number measures one aspect of how we are getting out of the way of our own so our body can be it's best self, self-sabotaging might be one way of putting it. You talk about a lot about commitment. At times committing to what is good for me, to living nearer or at the level of my best self can be overturned by so many things. This living with integrity in and to myself improves with practice like so many other skills/traits. I am beginning to see that now. Thank you!

[popster]

I'm at what I thought would be my goal weight but my body composition has changed from when I was in my thirties to now in my mid 60's. 118 isn't the same and I'm not totally in my goal body. I have to work harder doing core exercises, weight training, and more cardio to get results. It is more of a challenge at this age. Feeling fit and healthy should be prime.

[peas]

I'm on day 4 of the 14 day challenge, and binging on the vlog. My goal body would have my type 2 diabetes in remission, be strong enough to climb a couple of flights of stairs without being winded, be able to buy clothes at a "regular" store, and be preparing for a 5k run. That said, my fasting BGL on day 4 is almost normal. And it's been too high for about a year, maybe 18 months. So, I'm already starting to see results. I've never had so much herbal tea in my life, either! Thanks for this!

[cillie]

Susan, your my hero! I struggle a bit with this topic. I'm slight, like you. I'm 4'10 and thanks to Bright Lines I'm holding steady around 105 ish lbs. I've rid of 114lbs of fat over the years. Perceiving a goal body for me means overlooking the extra crepe like sagging and hanging skin. I've had removal surgery, but some of what has been done, cannot be undone. These are my battle wounds. It's ribbon and trophy-like for me. But there are no slinky dresses for me, and sometimes it makes me sad. I love the tribe of determined to be happythinandfree people. These are MY people. I'm proud of my accomplishments and I want to help others achieve their perception of goals. The number though.... sometimes.... It's all I have to empower me.

[christyvanwagner]

I soooo needed this vlog today. Up until now I thought when my hubs thinks I'm too small I'll stop. That happened last week. I just couldn't stop because I was 20 lbs from wedding weight (my first of 3 goals). I just couldn't wrap my brain around it. I have been the same weight (give or take a few ounces) for 15 days. I will pray and journal about my goal body. I also need to tone and exercse. Thank you so much Susan and Sanz for this perspective!

[sandys.]

Just found this vlog and OMG, what an epiphany!!! This angle makes my weight loss feel like a positive journey to a destination instead of a sort of perennial drudgery. Thank you!

[betsytaub]

I'll know I'm in my goal body when I feel good in my clothes, when I feel super confident and outgoing--even more outgoing than I already am, when I can walk in a room and light it up, when you have to peel me off the ceiling, when I feel healthy, happy, sexy, vibrant and more energetic, when I no longer have to take meds for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high A1C, and when overall, I feel like I have "the world by the tail!"

[sorshae.elsbernd]

Dr. Susan, have you heard of T-Tapp? It's an exercise program created by Teresa Tapp (she just recently passed, still sad about it) and her program combines yoga, pilates, and cardio...as well as using your own body for strength training. I've successfully gone down a size using her program. I find it rehabilitative and because of my daily fatigue, I've only been doing the 15 min a day and getting great results.

[annieharmon]

My Goal body is to rid myself of my diabetic medications and High blood pressure meds. Also I'd like to wear some slinky dresses I bought last year when I thought I could do BLE from reading the book. Since then I've done the 14dc and am currently in Boot Camp and loving the support in BC. Annie

[analiapodboj]

I know I'm at my goal body when I'm athletically fit and feel no body aches and friends, coworkers and family compliment you how good you looks, although how I look isn't so important as how I emotionally and physically feel. My looks are totally secondary. I'm 5'3" latina women weighing 164 lbs and I know I should keep losing lbs to reach my personal goals (mental and athletic wise). Thank you for this video Susan !

[sherynngofa]

Thank you for your vlogs! I needed to make peace with the number on the scale; your words really resonated with me. Learning to love my goal body...

[susanrichlin]

excellent vlog Susan. I am re starting my BLE journey after having to do "research" for too long. I have a goal body with lot's of goals like going to hawaii and felling good enough to not wear a mumu all day, Feeling good in my own skin at the gym, showing up anywhere looking like i care about how i look..dressing properly..not in lululemon all day. Thank you for being there for me..again xoxoxox

[jeannieharris]

No pain in my knees and hips are my goal!

[shirleyhagel]

I’m totally going to begin journaling about this topic tonight! As always, thank you for sharing!! PS. I’m in week 5 of bootcamp and week 7 of BLE !!