I'm getting closer to my GW -- and now I realize I put it at 144 because I didn't really think I could get there! Heck, I was praying I could ever get below 150! So I'm thinking about changing it to 142 or even 138 -- which is where I'd really like to be. Does anyone else do this -- sneak up on their "secret goal" -- or am I just nuts? I promise I won't go below 138 -- I'm 5'10" tall, and any thinner and I look sick.

Geez Louise!!! I bet you look absolutely smashing right now!! 5'10'', 148 lbs damn but you're almost a supermodel Keep up the good work.
Michelle

I am doing it now.

Now that I am far, but not AS far away from my gial weight [35 as opposed to 85] I see myself saying, "well, if I am a size 16 and 197, then I will be a size 12 at 170, so maybe I will change my goal size to 10 so that I will be 160 or so"

I won't, because I can't wait to get to a size 12 but who knows...

Natter, I think you need to find the weight that you feel most comfortable at and that you can maintain!

Right now, 175 seems super-skinny to me! However, I also chose that number because when I used to be 180 or so, I found it very hard to get below 175. My body seemed to naturally settle at that weight. In spite of lots of eating, I stayed three pounds above or below 175 for two years. It seems to be my plateau. However, if I get there and find I can go below it, I just might aim for 155 or so.

I'm 5' 11", so I can only imagine how thin you already look! If you find that you get down to 138 and can't maintain it, maybe 140 or so is better. Just find what works for you. And know that you'll look gorgeous no matter what! :

I can't wait to see before and after photos!

You know, it would be interesting to find out how everyone chose their goals...whether it is just a prior weight, something they think is attainable or a weight that their Dr. recommended.

I chose 130 because of a conversation w/ a doctor. I asked her what a good weight would be. She said around 160 would be a healthy weight, 130-140 would be an average weight.

When I started losing, I didn't really have a goal in mind, I just knew that I needed to lose weight. I just picked 130 arbitrarily because it sounded like a nice weight.

Now that I am close to my goal, I think that I would like to lose more, but I look great now.

My plan is to make my goal & then whatever extra weight I lose, great.
Psychologically, I just need to reach that goal. Then I will feel like I have really won the race. With the lifestyle change and all the benefits, I have already received the prize!!

Laurie, that's great advice. I think I'm one of those people who is secretly afraid of growing "old" -- whatever that means now -- probably afraid of being dowdy. I weighed 138 in high school -- what am I: Cleopatra, Queen of De Nile? I once told my best buddy Annie (the one I'm visiting in Panama in two weeks), "If I ever buy flannel nightwear, just shoot me." Of course, that was eight years ago -- now I wrap up in my wonderful flannel nightshirts, alpacca sockies -- I'm Victoria's Nightmare I wish I had the strength of character to care more about what SB is doing to my cardiovascular system, as opposed to my waistline Before and after photos? Heck, why not -- I'll post 'em after Panama -- maybe I'll be at goal by then! You can all laugh at the bikini shots

I love it...Victoria's Nightmare...*gasp* so true! That's me, exactly!!! I have the frumpiest night wear ever!

I must have missed previous posts about Panama! How totally exciting! What is your friend doing down there? I hope you have a blast!

And how exciting that you'll be wearing a bikini! I haven't felt comfortable wearing one since I was 11! I'm looking forward to the before and after pics!

I'm visiting my friend Annie. She's in the Peace Corps working with the Ngobe Indians. It'll be amazing. On another note, I never said I'd be comfortable in a bikini .

My Aunt used to call me Victoria's dream. I used to be very self conscious and concerned that I would droop. I wore a bra to bed every single night.