Getting Prepared

I've been cruising on the SparkPeople website for a little bit today. I took a quiz that tells you how prepared you are to changing your lifestyle, whether it be weight loss or an unfavorable habit. Out of 5 stages, I'm at stage 3, which is preparation. I agree with that! I definitely am preparing to make this change. I'm approaching it more well-roundedly this time. I'm exploring my options, pacing myself with my exercise, and trying to find the reason I failed last time. Was I just not committed enough? I don't think that's the whole story.
I read an article today that really stuck out to me. It said that the average dieter's "dream" weight loss goal is 38% of their body weight, and when they lose less than that then they feel like a failure! So that 15 pounds you lost is failure, even though you lowered your risk for multiple health problems, have more energy, are eating healthier...that's not failure. I think this is part of what happened to me last time. I wasn't losing weight as fast as I wanted and I felt like I would never get there. I was looking at the whole mountain instead of looking at the ledge right above me.
This article said to take your weight loss in 10% chunks. For me, that would mean to focus on losing 18 pounds at first. Then, once I reached that goal, (which would make me feel great and motivated to keep going) take 10% of that and make that my new goal. That would mean my goal would then be 16.2 pounds. Once I reached THAT goal, I would reach 145 pounds! only 5 to 10 pounds left! This breaks it up into very doable chunks and it keeps you motivated. You feel like you can actually do it!
Oh, and by the way....I looked this all up AFTER I burned 244 calories at the track. :)