Weight Watchers Week 1

Photo: mason bryant/Flickr

I promised myself that there are some numbers on the scale I will see never again. When I got down to 300 pounds, I said bye-bye forever. Again at 200 pounds, I vowed the needle would never reach two anything -- ever again. Having consistently teetered between 183 and 191, my two-hundred-phobia has resolved. However, still looming in the back of my mind is the fact that by medical standards, I am still considered 'overweight.'

My 'normal' weight range is between 125 and 150 pounds. Did anybody else laugh reading that? Because I sure did. Those numbers are a little too low for someone stricken with bigbuttitis. In my usual fashion, I have taken the initiative to set a goal of 170 pounds. That is still 10 pounds above the recommendation of my doctor and trainer Jake, but any lower and I may have to turn in my big-butt club membership. I'm not quite ready to do that. It does have its privileges.

This goal lead me to my first Weight Watchers meeting at a local synagogue. I jumped on the scale and went through the routine hesitantly but proud of myself for making the steps and not stopping where I am because I "feel" good. Losing these 20 pounds, I expect to feel better.

The room leader had lost weight back in the 70s and had recently rejoined. She's a comical old lady but very profound with her words. She said overweight people are probably the only ones on the planet who gain 10 pounds from overeating because they actually gained one. When she said it, I listened because it's been true of me in the past.

I am excited to be at a stage in my weight loss where I can say it's the last 20 pounds. I've heard that the last few pounds are the hardest, but I've never been close enough to say. Until now. Weight Watchers is going to help me fight these last 20. And even though I chose this program because I can do it long-term, my hope is that these last 20 are for the last time.