Yeah it's true. Here's how it went for me. My starting weight was 178 (had lost 20 lbs before but not deliberately, I just moved to a city and stopped driving, walked more). So from 178, my absolute goal was 150. I didn't even really think I'd reach it, seemed far away and kind of impossible. But I thought I'd work hard and see how far I got.

I had a very powerful overarching goal (I'd just broken up with someone and wanted to date/look hot/show up my ex, lol. Sad but true :/ Anyway, that wasn't at all specific, really, but it was emotionally compelling. I think a big goal like that, that really rings for you on that level, is important. If you asked me then I'd have said "I want to look great in a bikini" but it was really about love and connection (and revenge, a little bit).

Beyond that, I got into very short-term, process/performance goals. Like max # of burpees in a minute (thanks Zuzka :) ). Beating my own record, doing five more minutes, whatever.

I got a LOT out of those workouts, they were intrinsically rewarding and fun. Got a massive energy boost, on top of feeling accomplished BC of having met little goals. I think its important that people genuinely get something fun out of it.

So between the big emotional goal and the little workout related goals, I ended up hitting 150, then 140, 130, just ended up at 124, where I stayed until I had to stop because of injuries. So I regained a bit of it back (15 lbs, interesting to me that my workouts were 15 pounds worth of energy,lol) But those weight loss achievements weren't goals, they were a byproduct of the process that i attached myself to.

Now, with some chronic tendon injuries and pain, its way harder to find goals. Process goals are mostly about staying functional and preventing further injury. I do have body composition goals and think about bikini s etc but its definitely a one step forward two steps back thing and not as nice as having performance goals. (My performance goals are just, do X #reps safely and don't get hurt. Not as fun. Not doing C25k anytime soon. Can't do any endurance activity often or long enough to get good at it. So :/)