Well, Rockn, you always do actually!

This time it was in the fat vs curvy discussion. I said that even when I got down to 136, which was only 16 above goal, I was still un-waisted.

And you said, well it Was still 16lbs to go.

And I've been thinking about that for a couple of days now, and I'm not going to phrase this right, which is a shame, because it's clarity itself in my head but it's like a sudden realization that I'm worthy of not settling for 'good enough'.

Don't get me wrong, when I get back to 136, actually, determined to make it 135 originally, I will be ecstatic. Last time I looked good, I felt wonderful.

but it feels like now, when I get to that 135 I'm going to give myself a treat, and that treat will be working on the last 15+ pounds and see if I get myself a shape. Because I'm worth not settling for 'good enough'.

See, I said it wouldn't come out right but it was a real lightbulb, thanks Robin!

Oy. That's what I've got you thinking about.

Do you mean that 120 is really your goal - not 135? Not really sure if 120 is realistic for you. Of course only you can know that.

What I really meant to say is that as we get smaller and smaller, each and every pound lost shows up much more. Because it's coming off a smaller person.

I read this here once, something like -

Think of 2 rolls of paper towels. One has 50 sheets. The other 100 sheets. Remove 10 sheets from each. The 100 sheet roll you won't notice *much* of a difference, the 50 sheet roll - you'll notice a LARGE difference.

So yeah, each and every pound as we get closer and closer to goal can really reshape us.

Goals are NOT set in stone. They can be adjusted, up and down and then up and down again. You absolutely don't have to decide now. I don't even like to call it a goal weight. I prefer the term "target weight". You might find it too difficult to hit that *magic* number. I myself hit 120.5 lbs. It lasted exactly one day. One day. I couldn't sustain it. Or rather I wasn't willing to sustain it. It wasn't worth it to me. You may find the same thing to be the case with you. Wait. Just wait and see what happens as you get closer and closer.

rockinrobbin --- it is good to remember that a goal is NOT set in stone. I would think there needs to be lots of re-evaluating as we go.

Aildh --- you totally nailed it girl. I have NEVER set a goal of 170 for myself. I've always said 200 or 220 would be great but you know, it's OK to actually go for it and make a big goal and not short change ourselves. I just came to this myself very recently (thanks to hearing Ruby on that show saying she wants to be skinny... it tripped something in me).

hugs
nikki

Oh my goodness. Do you live in Bermuda? I LOVE Bermuda, was there years ago. In fact, it was before I got married - so I was actually at a pretty normal weight.

Anyway. When I decided to lose the weight it had nothing to do with vanity (although quite honestly it DID come into play as I went along). It was about being HEALTHY. And that meant getting to a healthy WEIGHT. I hadn't started my little venture only to stop part way there.

If the large number intimidate you, as they did me, break them down into 10 lbs increments. 10 lb very doable increments, that is.

Absolutely no reason to settle for second best, when first best is well within your reach. Go for it!!!!

Yes... living in Bermuda. I'm from the States but have been here for a few years now and on & off for a few years before that. It is VERY lovely. One wonderful thing is a big girl is quite appreciated here :P
Yes, health is still my biggest concern but then i thought *what the heck* let's be vain too.. ha.
I plan on celebrating each and every pound but i do like the 10 lb goal. I've joined 2 challenges too. I really can't wait to see the first 10 lbs.
Where did you stay when you were here? I live in Paget. My hubby worked at Elbow Beach before and we stayed there for a few months POOLSIDE! It was incredible.

Ailidh, you need my quote. I love bathtub crayons and have taken to using them to write inspirational quotes on my shower walls, mirrors, etc. My bathroom mirror has this song lyric (Settlin' by Sugarland):

"I ain't settlin' for just getting by, had enough so-so for the rest of my life. Tired of shootin' too low, so raise the bar high. Just enough ain't enough this time. I ain't settlin' for anything less than everything. "

Elbow beach. Just beautiful. I was actually there on a cruise. I'd love to go again some time.

I did have goals to leave the obese category, then the overweight category, etc.

Really and truly though I just jumped in the car and went on vacation as I started my weightloss! When I started seeing the blue water I kept driving towards it. The views just got better and better. Why would I want to stop at the 7-11? Why would I want to go back to the freeway? I can't wait to put on a cute suit and jump in that blue water now. Who would have thought that I would have ever gotten here to this great, exotic place considering I was in the middle of no man's land before? The long drive and the flat tires and stinky reststops along the way would have intimidated me and made me stay at home if I would have thought about it. So, really, I didn't. I just grabbed my toothbrush and jumped in the car.

I have two sisters w/M.S. and one sister now with breast cancer. My health is the utmost of my concern since I have two babies to raise as I enter my latter 30's. The vanity of it all is a nice bonus though!

I love that. I ain't settlin' either.

Thighs,

Your vacation analogy is brilliant, just brilliant!

Brilliant? I will definitely take it! Thanks.

This conversation kind of reminds of what MANY people have said to me.

One of my very good friends actually said to me, "Did you have to go and get SO small?" My mouth kind of hung open. I told her at the time something like I said above, "I didn't start off this venture with the intention of stopping before I got to a healthy weight". Something like that.

Numerous people have said, they could understand me losing weight, but not so much. Huh? Just because I was so morbidly obese, it would have been *okay* for me to be obese or overweight? No way. I knew from the day I began, that I was taking this all the way to "normal" weight. If I was going to do it - then I was going to do it. After neglecting my health for so long and then finally waking up why would I not complete the job? Why would I settle for just health-ier when I could be HEALTH-Y?

Of course no matter what weight we are there are no guarantees in this life. But at least I can sleep nights knowing that I give myself the best chance and do all that I can to ensure a long, healthy life. No more laying awake at night waiting for disaster to strike.

Robin-you're my hero!

Thank you, I am humbled. Not deserving of the title, but humbled and appreciative nevertheless.

This discussion reminds me of one of Jillian Michaels' podcasts, in which she discussed breaking free of limitations on what we are "allowed" to want. She pointed out that society says it is OK for women who have been morbidly obese to want to lose weight for their health, but not necessarily OK to want to be 'smoking hot' (however each individual may choose to define that).

I know my own goals have been limited by feeling that it is somehow selfish/shallow/foolish to want to really look great. I set my goal near the upper end of the healthy weight range for my height although I'm not particularly big-boned, and I often catch myself thinking that getting to onederland/out of the "obese" category (around 195) might be good enough for me.

Listening to that podcast, watching Biggest Loser for the first time last season and threads like this one remind me that there is nothing wrong with reaching for the stars!