When someone buys a custom nutrition program with Code Red, they fill out a questionnaire with over 30 questions on it.
One of the questions I ask you is, “What do you think your goal weight should be?” followed by “Why do you think this should be your goal weight?”
The weights people put in and their reasons for choosing those weights are always very telling.
SO many people choose a weight that seems “realistic,” vs. one that’s actually healthy for them.
I get why.
My sister Cari, when she weighed 250, initially wanted 180 as her goal weight, just because it seemed attainable.
The truth is, 180 is still too heavy for Cari. Her ideal weight is the same as mine – mid-150s.
But when she weighed 250, being in the 150s was unimaginable for her (until she got there).
One of the many benefits of a custom program is that you get the certainty of a goal weight chosen by me.
If you choose to set your own goal weight without a custom program, here are three ways NOT to go about it.
1. Do not base your goal weight on the goal weight of someone who’s the same height as you.
People come in all shapes and sizes. Case in point: I told you Cari’s and my ideal weight is in the mid-150s.
Certified Coach Andrea is the same height as Cari and I, but her ideal weight is in the mid-130s.
Andrea looks great at her ideal weight, and Cari and I look great at ours.
But if Cari and I were to try and get to Andrea’s ideal weight, we’d look (and probably feel) sickly and tired.
At our ideal weight, Andrea looks, in her words, “chubby.”
Someone being the same height as you absolutely does not mean their goal weight is right for you.
2. Do not rule out your high school weight as your goal weight just because you’re “older.”
If you were heavy in high school, this one won’t apply to you.
If you were NOT overweight in high school, then your high school weight is something you can very likely hit. You may even safely be able to reach and maintain a weight BELOW your high school weight.
Coach Andrea, at age 41, is at her high school weight.
Cassie Adams, who went to high school with Cari and I, weighs LESS than her high school weight.
They aren’t the only ones. I’ve lost count of how many Code Red Rebels – including those in their 50s, 60s, and 70s – have told me they weigh at or less than their high school weight.
“Being fat is just a part of getting older” is a BULLCRAP LIE.
So if you were slender (YOUR body’s version of it) in high school, don’t rule out your high school weight, no matter your age or how heavy you are now.
3. Do not base your goal weight on other people’s “concerns.”
The people in your life are used to seeing you heavy.
After you lose a certain amount of weight, you’re probably gonna start getting comments like, “When are you going to be done losing weight?” “You’re too skinny.” “I’m worried you’re getting too thin.”
Obesity is so common in today’s world that people are starting to forget what a healthy weight LOOKS like on a person.
Plus, just like you may struggle to mentally and visually adjust to your new size, so will people in your life.
Certified Coach Toni’s husband struggled with Toni’s size when she first reached goal. He just wasn’t used to seeing her at that size.
But after a little time passed, his eyes and brain adjusted, and now he thinks she looks great. If she’d gained back weight because of his initial concerns, she’d still be at an unhealthy weight.
Bottom line: Do NOT base your goal weight on a loved one’s “concerns.”
I’m sure they mean well and care about you (Coach Toni’s husband definitely did/does), but their discomfort is not a standard for YOUR healthy weight.
So, what SHOULD you do when picking your goal weight?
I wrote a whole chapter on this in my book, The Code Red Revolution, but my #1 tip for you is this:
Don’t limit yourself.
If you aren’t sure what your goal weight should be, go ahead and start with whatever weight feels “attainable.”
But once you reach that weight, don’t stop there just because it’s comfortable.
Instead, reevaluate. See how you feel.
Because I’ll bet my mohawk that once you reach that “attainable” weight, you realize you both can and want to keep going (unless you’re the unicorn that happens to pick your ideal weight as your goal from the get-go. Hey, it does happen! But most people underestimate themselves).
Your goal weight is YOUR goal weight, not mine, not my Coaches’, not your neighbor John’s. Remember that, okay?
And if you decide you want the certainty of having me choose your goal weight – plus the tools, training, coaching, and a custom plan to help you reach it – a custom nutrition program is definitely the way to go.
To see what you get with one and invest in yours, go to www.CodeRedLifestyle.com/Coaching.