136

Know what that number is? It's how much I weighed this morning when I got on the scale. You will have a chance to vote on how long you think it will take me to get down to 130, but first a little about my weight.

This is a touchy subject for women and I'm no exception, but I'm getting rid of the stigma of the number that is my weight. I mean, even at Weight Watchers you go in a little booth so that no one can see what this number is. The nurse at the doctor's office rarely ever whispers it. Why? I say, it's time to get it out in the open.

So, here's my story. I went through a life. . . what shall we call it? change is too nice a word. Less than two months after my wedding, my dad dies of a sudden heart attack at the age of 49. Yep, 49. So, within about a year I quit my job, started grad school full time, got married, had my dad die, got pregnant, bought a house, moved and had a baby. Tough year.

So is this my excuse for stepping on the scale a year later and finding that I weighed 176 lbs? Maybe, but I believe that I control my own destiny. So I decided it was time to wake up and take control. I lost 10 lbs and then joined Weight Watchers, knowing that at that point, if I didn't do something structured, the 10 lbs would probably sneak back on.

And join Weight Watcher's, I did. I went to the meetings, bought an eliptical machine and got to work. In about 5 months I took off another 40 lbs, for a total of 50 lbs. I was 125 and looking a bit thin.

Now, I'm not a little woman. I'm 5'6", I have what I like to refer to as "German farm girl legs" and I work out daily. So, I wil never be 115 lbs. In fact, when I started this whole thing my dream was to be 150. The reality is that 130 lbs is probably about the right thing for me at this point in my life.

So, now you know the story. What do you think:

How many weeks will it take me to lose 6 lbs?
	Less than 4
	4-6
	6-8
	Over 8
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Now I'm sure that some of you will look at my weight and think it's high, other's will think it's low. I guess it's all relative. Heck post your weight in the comments or on your blog. It's kinda liberating!

Comments

[Stephanie]

Wow, congratulations. That's quite an accomplishment. I think you'll be down to 130 in no time at all. And who cares what anyone thinks as long as you're happy with how you look.

[Chelle]

Wow! Congratulations on your new healthier lifestyle...your work has really paid off! Good luck on those last few fiddly pounds!

[erika]

i think that weight is really not an issue at all. for a lot of people, it seems that some extra pounds actually suit them better. its all in the person you are more than anything for me. I'm 5'2" and im 120lbs. i think the govt standard weight for me is 110. but you know what? those extra 10 lbs are muscle, baby, and I love it!!! :) good for you for getting it out!

[Anmiryam]

I have struggled in similar ways my whole life with weight. I maxxed out at 175 in H.S. but have kept it down around 120-130 most of my adult life. Right now I'm heavier than I like and refusing to weigh myself, but I know I have to get back in control. All this is a way of saying: I know something of what you're going through and I admire your determination. I'm sure you can do it!

[Tracy]

You can do it most definitely. I'm at WW at the moment, it's that time of year for me. I put it on over Christmas and then put off losing it until the sun comes out and I panic. 6 lbs will be gone in no time. First week you'll lose 2 or 3 in fluid alone than just keep it going. No problem!

[Jennifer]

I'm about your weight and height and I feel pretty good. When I was thinner I got sick more often. After two babies, I consider my current weight an accomplishment!

[Jo]

Congratulations on your weight loss! I am the same height and weight as you and trying to loose the same 5-6 lbs! I was huge after DD was born, lost about 66 lbs got down to about 127lbs and felt and looked better than I have ever (including as a teenager). Maintained it easily for a year and then gained just a couple of lbs when I weaned DD, then I started fertility drugs and started expanding in a rather alarming fashion. I have a few months off between treatments at the moment and am hoping to get back closer to 130 lbs before I start taking drugs and expanding again. Best of luck to you!

[Kristen]

thank you for posting your story - I'm a few inches taller and closer to where you were when you started your weight loss journey; hearing about how people have actually done it is a huge motivator!

[Beth]

I'm at the crossroads - the difference between WANT to lost the weight and ready to DO it. For me, it's not about the number on the scale, it's how my clothes fit (or, right now, don't fit). I know what I need to do and two years ago I got to within 1 pound of my goal weight. Then I put it all back on and here I still am. Part of my fight is with depression, so I'm working really hard to get a handle on that so I can get the weight off too.

Good luck! I'll be cheering for you every ounce!

[Laurie]

Your current body mass index calculates out to 22. That is thoroughly and completely healthy. Your target weight calculates out to 21. Ditto. Wherever you are happiest is that you should aim for. If the caloric restriction and maintenance is worth it, go for it.
It's all cosmetic at this point, anyway.

[Julia in K/W]

If you feel better at 6 lbs less, then all the best. I lost 25lbs with WW a couple of years ago and felt really good at 129lbs. This past year has been an emotional one for me and I let myself add an extra 10...I will feel better with them off and am trying to decide how best to lose them...exercise or diet (ok, I know that the right answer is a combination of the two - but I am lazy you know, so it would be easier to just deprive myself in the short run, rather than make life altering excerise-type changes.)
Do whatever feels best! That will be the right answer!!

[Deb]

Good for you! I do try not to pay too much attention to my weight, but I do try to keep an eye on how my clothes fit and how I look in them. I found that I lost weight as soon as I started paying more attention to what was "healthy" rather than what was "low-fat" or "low-carb" or "low-calorie." A good mental outlook is key, and it sounds like you've got one. And, you should be so proud of yourself!

[melissa j]

that is so great! congrats on your success and keep it up!

[Teresa]

Thanks for your post Julie.
I'm 5'2" and sitting at a very comfortable/uncomfortable 170. So far I don't have the motivation to *get busy* like you have and I'm not sure what's going to spark my motivation. Sometimes I feel like I must be the laziest woman in the world to be ok with being at least 40-45 pounds over-weight; other times I carry an aire of pride that I'm not going to let cultural standards run my life.

You should be beaming with pride that you know what you want and have gone, and keep going after it. Yay! for you!

[Kate]

Oh I love this post. I agree - it is just a number! I'm 130, would love to be 125 but am happy those days where the scale says 128. Weight Watchers is fabulous, I have never joined but have friends who have and with great results.

Good luck, you can do it!

[witchypooh]

"German farm girl legs" ROFLMAO! I come from Pennsylvania Dutch stock and Grandma always refered them as "thick" legs. Too funny. Good luck with your diet journey.

[elaine]

congratulations! i know dieting is hard work, and sometimes not very rewarding because if you do it right (see below), results don't seem to come very fast.

just take as long as you can to get the weight off. the slower the weight comes off, the less likely it is to creep back. plus it's better to make long term eating habit changes that go on a crash diet. and it's never healthy to lose more than about a pound a week. that's just my 2 cents.

[Betsey]

Way to go. You should be very proud of your accomplishments thus far. I think most women struggle with their weight and self image at sometime in their life. Kudos for taking things in hand and making positive changes for yourself.

[mia]

Just take it off slowly. Or you can also work out with weights and add muscle mass. I know that is not what a lot of women want to hear. I am happy to hear that WW works for you. I tried it but I gained weight on their program. I stopped going and started eating veggie again and lost the weight. Their program seems to work for a number of people. I could never weigh what the charts say I should for my height simply because of my muscle mass. But you also need to be comfortable with your body and healthy.

[NYCMouse]

I think this is awesome! But it is also telling... lots of people here posted that they'd like to be just a smidge less. I always feel that way myself, no matter what I weigh. When I was 150, I only wanted to lose 10 pounds. When I was 140, I thought I could stand to lose ten more. Then at 130 it was the same thing. The moral? I guess at some point we have to say, "Okay, self, it is time to wake up and smell the gorgeousness just as you are right now!"

[Pete]

For the record, Julie is already gorgeous at 136 pounds. As she was at 146, and at 156, and at...

[Jazzyfaz]

You take as much time as you need, the weight will come off. Remember it is better to lose 1-2 pounds a week. Congrats!!!

[laurie]

This is a wonderful accomplishment, and I'm so happy you wrote about this! I have been obsessing about my weight for some time and debating whether or not to write about it, because it is sensitive and it is a struggle. I loved your post :)

[Jenn]

I think that sounds like a healthy weight. I'm 5'4, and my comfort weight is 125. That's mostly because although I feel I look better at 120, or a little less, I drop weight easily (not a good thing, as when I get sick, I can get down to 105, a dangerous weight for me, VERY easily). Good for you, feeling healthy is a great goal to have.

[Jackie]

I'm the same height, same weight, same attempt to lose right now!! If only I could stay way from the ice cream it would be all good. :)
You'll do it in no time - 3 weeks tops!

[Ericha]

I applaud the new healthier you. I'm curious though. You say you work out everyday. How much time on average do you workout each day? I'm trying to get back into the daily routine of exercising and would like to know where I should be. Thanks for the wonderful post!

[Steph]

I'm 5'6" as well and weigh 153 lbs. My BMI is 24.8 and I'm pretty happy here. Under 150 is a nicer place for me to be, but I don't like how I have to restrict my eating to get there.

Good luck with the weight loss. Like your very fabulous husband, I think you look great whenever you post a photo of yourself.

[Andrea]

Wow, I'm totally proud of you for posting your weight. I have long being trying to do my part to dispell the stigma women have when it comes to their weight. I think that many people just have no idea what a "normal" woman weighs. So I always like to tell people, "Well, THIS is what 155 pounds looks like." Which is around what I weight nowadays. Isn't Weight Watchers the best? I'm proud to be a Lifetime Member.