Setting “Impossible Goals” by Reframing Your Past, Present and Future 

When was the last time you set a goal so ambitious it felt out of reach? A goal so big it forced you to rethink everything — your habits, priorities, and mindset? These are impossible goals. They’re not just challenging; they’re transformative. 

As a bariatric patient, you’ve already taken a monumental step toward a healthier future. But what if you aimed higher? What if you set a goal that seemed unattainable today but could change your life forever? Inspired by Dr. Benjamin Hardy’s 10X Is Easier Than 2X, this blog explores how reframing your past, present, and future can help you achieve incredible success in weight loss and beyond. 

What Are Impossible Goals? 

An impossible goal challenges you to think bigger than ever before. Unlike typical goals, which are often small, incremental improvements, impossible goals force you to: 

• Focus on Your Why: What truly drives you? 
• Eliminate Distractions: Only actions that align with your goal matter. 
• Transform Your Life: You don’t just improve — you evolve. 

Reframing the Past 

Your past plays a crucial role in shaping how you approach goals. For bariatric patients, the past often carries weight — both literally and emotionally. You may feel burdened by failed diets, health struggles, or moments of self-doubt. But what if you could rewrite that story? 

Turning Struggles Into Strengths 

Dr. Hardy emphasizes that before you can create a brighter future, you must make peace with your past. This doesn’t mean erasing the difficult moments but reframing them to serve you. 

1. Recognize the Lessons:
   Every setback has taught you something. Maybe a failed diet showed you the importance of support. Perhaps a tough health scare made you realize your resilience. 
2. Practice Gratitude for Growth:
   Instead of seeing your past as a series of failures, view it as preparation. Each struggle has made you stronger, more resourceful, and better equipped to tackle your future. 
3. Let Go of Limiting Beliefs:
   Stop letting your past define your future. You’re not the person who “always quits” or “can’t follow through.” You’re someone who has learned and evolved. 

Daily Exercise: Reframe a Challenge 

At the end of each day, write down one difficult moment you experienced. Ask yourself: 

• What did this teach me? 
• How can I use this lesson to move forward? 

Over time, this practice trains your brain to find the positive in even the toughest situations. As Lora Grabow starts out every Project Reset session, what are your WINS? 

Living in the Present With Purpose 

While your past shapes you, your present is where transformation happens. But staying in the present is harder than it seems. Everyone juggles competing priorities — work, family, recovery, and lifestyle changes. 

The Power of Present-Moment Awareness 

1. Intentional Action:
   Focus on actions that align with your larger vision. For example, if your goal is to run a 5K, prioritize activities that move you closer to that goal — whether it’s meal planning, scheduling workouts, or joining a running group. 
2. Mindful Choices:
   Every decision matters. Ask yourself: Is this choice helping me build the future I want? If the answer is no, it’s time to adjust. 
3. Celebrate Small Wins:
   Living in the present doesn’t mean waiting for the finish line to celebrate. Every step — every healthy meal, every workout, every mindset shift — is progress worth acknowledging. 

Reframing the Future: Let It Pull You Forward 

Dr. Hardy argues that we should operate from the future, not the past. This means imagining the person you want to become and making decisions as if you’re already that person. 

What Does Your Future Look Like? 

1. Create a Clear Vision:
   Visualize your 10X goal. Maybe it’s completing a marathon, starting a fitness blog, or inspiring others through your transformation. 
2. Let Your Future Self Guide You:
   Ask yourself: 
   • What would the healthiest version of me eat today? 
   • How would the future me spend their time? 
   • What habits does my future self already have? 
3. Embrace Bold Action:
   A big goal demands big changes. Start small but think big. If your goal is to compete in a bodybuilding competition, begin by committing to consistent strength training and clean eating. 

Reframe Setbacks as Stepping Stones 

Even as you operate from the future, setbacks are inevitable. The key is to view them as opportunities for growth, not reasons to quit. 

Why 10X Goals Are Easier Than Incremental Goals 

It might sound counterintuitive, but aiming for something massive — like a 10X transformation — is often easier than making small, incremental changes. Why? 

1. 10X Eliminates the Non-Essential:
   Big goals force you to focus. If you’re aiming to run a half-marathon, you’ll naturally prioritize training over activities that don’t serve your goal. 
2. 10X Inspires Commitment:
   A lofty goal is exciting. It motivates you to show up and do the work. 
3. 10X Redefines Your Baseline:
   Even if you don’t hit your ultimate goal, you’ll achieve far more than if you’d aimed lower. 

The Bariatric Advantage: Why You’re Ready for Impossible Goals 

As a bariatric patient, you’ve already proven your ability to tackle big challenges. Surgery was just the beginning. Now, it’s time to use that momentum to dream bigger. 

1. Reframe the Past: Let your struggles become your strengths. 
2. Live in the Present: Make intentional choices that align with your vision. 
3. Let the Future Pull You Forward: Operate as the person you’re becoming, not the person you’ve been. 

What’s Your Impossible Goal? 

Whether it’s running a marathon, losing a significant amount of weight, or simply becoming the healthiest version of yourself, impossible goals are within your reach. They’ll challenge you to grow, push past limits, and transform your life in ways you never thought possible. 

Share your goal with us by texting 407-543-0971. Let’s take the next step together and make your “impossible” future a reality.

Listen to The Weight Loss Collab podcast with Dr. Betsy Dovec and Hannah Schuyler, RD. 

XOXO,
BodyByBariatrics   

*BodyByBariatrics blog does not replace medical advice. Seek the help of your healthcare professional if you have questions related to your condition. We strive for patients to achieve healthier, happier, longer lives through weight loss surgery.