A few days I was complaining about my weight, and how hard it is for me to lose or maintain any decent weight.

Then, because I’m crazy, I purchased a book. You know the breed. The “What to Expect” books.

I left my most recent search up there for your entertainment.

The one that I bought isn’t up there: What to Expect BEFORE You’re Expecting! How cute is that?! I’ve gotten through the first 2 chapters, and they are extremely interesting. But what has most gotten my attention is what you are supposed to weigh before you get pregnant. Or, more like, what you need to weigh to even successfully get pregnant.

Now, I don’t want a baby right now – OK, I’m lying, I desperately want a child right now – but it is a horrible time. My maternal instincts have kicked in so hot and heavy that I can’t even think straight. All human logic and common sense have gone right out the damn window.

We live with my husband’s mother? So what.
I’m the only one who has a job? Who cares.
We can’t afford rent? Hey, whatever.
I’m not done with my degree yet? I will be by the time I have the baby!

Yeah, I know, I sound like a lunatic. Anyway, there are a lot of things that need to happen before we can think about a baby.

1. Todd needs a job.
2. We need our own place.
3. I need to finish my degree. (July if I don’t add the minor in Child Development, but I think I am going to, so go ahead and add 30 more weeks/6 months to that. So I’d be done around December or January, ideally.)
4. We need to be financially stable.
5. I want to be out of debt. (Whether it be by a legal settlement from my lawsuit, or some other *coughs* unspeakable means. Last resort means. Like bankruptcy…which will be our last option if I can’t get a lawyer to take my case.)

Naturally, we are waiting. But that doesn’t mean I’m not constantly thinking about it, talking about it, and counting down the days until our life is back in order. Even though there is no official countdown, because that day is unknown. Which makes this even harder.

So, back to my point – the book and my weight – According to this book, I need to lose quite a bit of weight before I can consider TTC (trying to conceive). I need to be at a healthy BMI, and mine is not in a happy place. We all know that BMI scales are unfair and sometimes inaccurate, because they don’t take into account body types or muscles. According to the chart, I could be healthy at a weight of 108 lbs. I haven’t been 108 lbs since… never?! So, my heaviest weight that I can be and not be considered “overweight” is like 136. I have set up a plan for myself to lose 50 pounds over the next 6-7 months. I hope to be down to 140 by the end of June/beginning of July. It is an extremely realistic goal, and it will put me at losing 7 lbs. a month, technically starting in December, but I have already started to give myself a head start.

That’s my goal: 7 lbs. a month for the next 6 months.
The good news is: I’ve already lost 3! However, my weight fluctuates terribly when I change my eating habits even in the slightest.
I haven’t had a soda in 2 days, and have replaced soda with a cup or two of coffee with Splenda, so I won’t have caffeine withdrawals. Also drinking more water, and keeping a food diary. Have also vowed to start taking Ben on his walks again, at least once a week but hopefully more often than that. I will try to fit in 30 minutes of exercise into my day, whether it be cardio, strength or just weight lifting or walking.

If (and when) I achieve this goal, we will see where we are (in all aspects of our life) in July, and make a decision from there. We’ll examine my weight and health, our financial and living situations, and whatever else.

I won’t talk about my progress a lot on here because it might bore most people and this isn’t a weight loss blog, but I will update every month on whether or not I’ve lost my desired 7 lbs. and where I currently stand. I’m also not going to state my current weight, but you can most likely do the math yourself based on above figures.

Wish me luck!