Little Goals vs. Big Goals

Which was more useful to you?  Having lots of little goals or one big goal?  

I'm starting out with an ultimate goal (127 - right in the middle of normal BMI for me) but I also have these goals on the way -- 

Extremely Obese - 291
25% EWL - 271
Driver's License Weight - 260
Obese - 233
50% EWL - 229
One Hundred Lost - 213
"Onederland" - 199
75% EWL - 187
Age 18 - 180
Overweight - 174
Half the woman I used to be - 157
Normal - 145

ULTIMATE GOAL - 127 (Normal is 145-109)  I figure I'll revise to a body fat % goal at some point..

I did both. I set a major goal of reaching 150lbs. I will then determine my final goal. I did set small goals along the way. Behavioral goals was focusing on eating to plan, drinking the water and moving. I broke up those goals into smaller goals each day. Eat breakfast to plan, drink 24 oz of water by 9:30A, etc. I set my moving goal as 4 days at the gym. It is reasonable and I know that i can reach that. I work to fit in extra moving and use those as a "pat on the back". My weight goals were broken up into loose 50lbs first. That meant that I hit Onderland, met a weight that I was "praying that i would get to" before surgery, and that i was about halfway to my goal. My next goal is to loose a total of 75 lbs. After that i****ting the Century mark! Setting short goals for me keeps me on a success path and if I stumble then I can easily turn it around the minute! I am not one to follow all the all the weight guidelines. I am muscular and when toned, I carry a bit more weight. I want to be healthy and strong! Having muscle burns calories! 

Take some time and think about what would spiral you into constant success. In the past I set goals that when I stumbled I never recovered! 

Congrats on your success and keep up the great work! 

I also have a goal of "please let me reach this before surgery."  I really want to be out of that top BMI category!  I only have 4 pounds to go, and seven days left, so I think I'll make it :D

I can't help but look at the scale and have some goals in my head.  

I do find it more helpful to be focused on my behaviors.  What are my calories / protein / carbs goals and my workout goals.  These are things we can truly control.  The scale will not always behave as it should based on what we have been doing.  If you focus on the positive behavior the scale will eventually co-operate.  

I would definitely recommend not tying and dates to your weight loss goals as that can make you feel like you are failing when indeed you are not. 

I definitely like behavior goals. At this point I'm seeing those as "requirements" and not so much as goals, but that might change when I'm post-op. 

I think I like the idea of multiple small goals since I like the idea of celebrating success more often ;) That seems like it will help me keep my mental momentum going. 

I used both, in fact I have (had) three levels of goals.

(1) Six top level goals: Control the Diet, Loose the weight, Elliptical machine, Running, Cycling, Weight Training.  The details are more involved, but you get the idea.

(2) Major Goals like "get to normal BMI", "loose 100 pounds"

(3) Minor Progressive goals like "get to onederland", "loose more than best previous efforts", "get to xx.x% body fat"

Thanks for the reply!