At what point do I consider changing my goal?

[pyccku]

I started WW almost 2 years ago - Nov. 23, 2001. My original weight was 203, goal was 153.

I have been working my tail off these past two years. I've journaled and counted points. I've become active and worked out nearly every day. The results have been that I am down 47 pounds and I've gone from a tight size 18 to a comfortable (even a little loose) 12.

My life has changed - I don't sit and eat and watch TV or read all of the time. I walk on the treadmill, ride my bike, and picked up a great hobby along the way - speedskating. When I started I never imagined I would have the guts (or the figure) to wear a skinsuit out on the ice. Well, my very first skinsuit arrived yesterday and I am wearing it today! My first competition is in 2 weeks and while I'm nervous, I'm also excited to be able to look like I BELONG on the ice, not like I'm some beginner!

But here is the problem - no matter what I try, I can't seem to reach the magic number of 153. I keep going from 155 to 158, then back again. I'm staying OP. I tried eating all of my APs and FPs. I tried eating my APs and some FPs. I've tried cutting back on exercise. I've done just about everything I can think of doing, but I just keep staying in that 3-pound range. One day I was 154 and I thought it was only a matter of weeks. But nope, right back up the next week.

Since it's discouraging to be so close and not get any closer week after week, I'm wondering if it's time to reconsider my goal. Why 153? Because 50 was a nice round number of pounds to lose. I'm starting to think that maybe I've reached the weight that my body is comfortable at, and that forcing myself to go to 153 is just going to be not very rewarding, since it won't be a maintanable goal.

My current weight is healthy. My BMI has gone from 30.1 to 24.7. My body fat% has gone from 38% to 28%. I'm active and my clothes fit. So what do you all think - is it time to reevalute my goal and start focusing on maintenance, or keep pushing for 153?

[FitGirl0815]

What difference would 2 pounds make? I mean I doubt if you would even notice. I would declare 155 your goal and focus on maintenance. To stress over 2 pounds after all you have done seems silly to me. Obviously you are happy at this weight.

I understand your psychological reasons though. If you go to meetings, can you possibly find a very lightweight dress that would make you 2 pounds lighter. Weigh in wearing that, get your 50 lb magnet and always wear that dress when weighing in (good thing you are in Arizona - you might get frostbite on the way there in Canada).

People do it all the time to reach that "magic number". I have heard of women practically stripping at weigh-in to reach goal.

[Chief]

I know this won't sound great to you but how bout making 158 your goal? 2# above GW and you have to start paying. This way you give yourself a bit of lee way. Also, there is that whole phenomonon of couples that cant have children, adopt, and then shortly after get pregnant. Happened to someone I know. Once the stress was off things just fell into place. Maybe once you get to go for free and are lifetime those pesky 2# will melt off. Maybe they won't. But I think it is worth a try. No one said you cant lose more after GW, BCBers do it all the time. A woman made 50# at my meeting awhile back, and my leader asked her why, since she had been lifetime for a couple of months. She said that she was so close (I believe she made lifetime ,@ 40 simething# as well) she figured why not.

Cheryl

[calgal]

I'd say declare goal now and focus on maintenance. Given your exercise and the muscle you've built up by speedskating, you just might be fighting those last 2 pounds forever. Or, it might just take your body a while longer to adjust to its new level before it's ready to release those few more pounds. I hit lifetime more than 2 years ago, and it has only been the past 3 months that I've been able to break through and lose the extra 2 lbs I've been trying to get off forever. (I haven't been at this weight since I was about 15.) I think there's a lot to be said for taking the pressure off of yourself mentally and allowing your body to find its comfort zone.