A Shelah First

I signed up for Weight Watchers today. I went back to the doctor for my second post-baby checkup (they do an IUD checkup after a month) only to find that the number on the scale hasn't dropped at all in the last month. So, despite fitting into my prom dress, I'm going on Weight Watchers. My little sister's wedding is looming in the not so distant future, and I want to weigh 14 pounds less than I do right now. I'm not sure if it's possible. I'm eight pounds away from pre-baby weight, and 11 pounds from my historic adult low (right before Isaac was conceived), but I'm going to try to make it to that "magic" number where I think I should be.

I signed up for a free trial for the online program, and being the computer junkie that I am, immediately tried out the message board for moms trying to lose weight. In my first post, about three people accused me of being a troll, so I'm guessing I'm not welcome. That's ok, I can get skinny without those ladies anyway.

I signed up after eating two pieces of supreme pizza for lunch. I guess that means I get to eat carrot sticks for dinner while everyone else has manicotti. I'd be in really sorry shape if I didn't get the extra ten points for breastfeeding. The whole WW thing also opens up a whole bunch of questions. Do the stray marshmallows and M&Ms I pop into my mouth out of the kids' after-school snack bowls count? How can I do Weight Watchers without being a slave to my measuring cups and food scale (those of you who know my mom know what I'm talking about)? What will I do next month when I go to New Orleans with Eddie for our anniversary? Is it even possible to lose 14 pounds in the next 12 weeks? Is it true that nothing tastes as good as thin feels? (Honestly, I'm thinking "no" to that last one).

Anyway, I'm telling all of you this to keep me accountable. I need to stay on track and really accomplish this goal. I've always talked myself out of getting into the kind of shape I want to be in by telling myself that it wouldn't be worth the effort when I was just going to get pregnant in the next year anyway.  Since I'm not planning to get pregnant again, it's time to be proactive and get hot.

Even if it's annoying (and yes, it probably will be), I'll be checking in on Wednesdays to tell everyone in cyberworld how I'm doing. If I don't check in-- call me out and make me do it!

--originally published 2/22/07