Trisk -

Sometimes I don't communicate well in writing.... Thank you for being encouraging, and for being concerned about me. It's really appreciated!

5'4" and 135 is a very healthy and perfectly normal body weight for me. It puts me smack in the middle of the BMI charts for someone my height. And, at 39 years old, I believe my age isn't a factor at all. I look great in my clothes, I feel great, I'm getting tons of exercise. In short, I'm very possibly in the best shape in my life. That feels wonderful!! I could pretty happily live at this weight for the rest of my life, and be very healthy doing it.

But...

I want to see what I'm capable of attaining. I have some aggressive goals this year, chief among them a couple of triathlons (which I have lots of experience doing) and my very first ever half marathon in October, to celebrate my 40th birthday.

I want to build muscle throughout this year, and lose the inches I can still pinch on my belly and my thighs (from the waist up, I'm very lean now, but from the belly button downwards, not so much.) But don't worry - I'm a sensible eater. I eat very heathily, I listen to my body, and I would never ever sacrifice my health to be thin or skinny. I want to be lean, fit and muscular, NOT skinny, scrawny and unhealthy.

That's why I said that at this point I don't really care about the number so much. I care about inches and muscle mass. I do think that I will end up losing more fat weight than gaining muscle weight, so ultimately I think my weight may still come down another 5 pounds or so. My WW goal is 130. As I get close, I'll readjust my goals based on what my body is doing and telling me.

Susan