My weight loss goal

[NHGal]

As most "new" moms want to do, they want to lose the baby weight.  Well, I am a not so new mom anymore - Bekah is nearly 18 months old - but I still am holding onto some extra weight.

I joined Weight Watchers just over a year ago and was doing great for the first 6 months or so.  I was still breastfeeding at the time and just wanted to get some control over my weight.  I lost about 20 pounds in about 26 weeks.  It was a huge victory for me.  I never had any problems with my weight until I graduated from college and then the scale was on its way up.  By time I had Bekah, I was nearly 200 pounds.  Wow!  I have never written that before and while it doesn't make me feel great, I think by seeing it helps me on my journey.

Then I hit a roadblock.  I don't know what it was.  So for the past 6 months, I have been gaining and losing the same 5 or 6 pounds.  It has been very frustrating.  Then I remember - I have never been able to keep weight off AT ALL since I started gaining weight, so the fact that I have been able to keep the 15 or so pounds off for 6 months, isn't that a victory?  Sure it is!  Sure, I am no where near my goal, but hey, I proved that I can keep the weight off somewhat.

Well, Weight Watchers rolled out a new plan a couple of weeks ago.  It seemed like a good time to get serious about my weight loss journey again.  When we started the new program, I was 180 pounds.  Yup, 180 pounds on 5 feet 4.5 inches.  I surprisingly don't feel as fat at 180 pounds would lead me to believe.  It is now about 22 weeks or so until Memorial Day, the official start to summer.  I have challenged myself to lose 20 pounds before then.  It is going to be tough, but I put the challenge out there - not only here, but also in my weekly Weight Watchers meeting.  I figured that it strangers knew about my goal, it would be a little more difficult for me to go back on my goal.  I know that sounds crazy, but it works for me.

So for the ladies who are out there reading this and need some help on their weight loss journey, I challenge you to challenge yourself.  Let you loved ones, coworkers, friends, strangers, whoever, know that you are striving to meet a goal of x number of pounds lost in x number of weeks.  Make it tangible.  Don't just say I want to lose weight, make it I want to lose 10 pounds by my birthday or whatever. 

So, here it is:  I want to be 160 pounds by the beginning of bathing suit season.  If I am, I am buying myself a new bathing suit.  I would have to, wouldn't I?  The one from last year would be for the old 20+ pounds heavier me.

Here's to the new year, the new me and possibly the new YOU!

[DanyielJ]

Dec. 29, 2008 at 9:18 AM

Hey I am with you.....I would like to loose 15 lbs by my b-day in May.  :)

[momma2claire]

Dec. 30, 2008 at 11:54 AM

yay!! i know we talked abt this last night, but i wanted to read your post and cheer you on! good for you!