It’s now been just over three months since I started Weight Watchers and I’m halfway through my complimentary six month membership.
Time has flown and I’m reminded of the quote… the time will pass anyway.
This is something I try to remind myself of whenever I’ve struggled with change. The next week, month or year will pass anyway. There’s every likelihood I’ll look back with regret if I don’t make some changes. Indeed the first year of my seachange was (most probably) the best year of my life; however my main regret is that I gained a lot of weight and completely lost my fitness.
I’m tired of regrets. And… the time will pass anyway.
This Weight Watching caper has been a slow slog. I’d lost double this amount of weight on the last weightloss program I did. However, I’ve sustained none of my previous losses. I’ve sometimes lost weight quickly and regained it (and more) even more quickly.
The big changes for me this time around:
1. I don’t feel deprived.
It doesn’t really feel like I am dieting (which is key). I’m not waiting for it to ‘finish’ so I can eat whatever I want again. I’m dining out. I’m drinking alcohol (more than I should at times). I’m trying stacks of recipes but still really just eating what I enjoy.
2. I’m not obsessed.
For a change it’s not all about the food. I’m not just spending my life looking from one meal to the next, as if the life I live in between doesn’t count. I’m not spending every waking moment thinking about Weight Watchers, the scale and my weight.
3. I’m in it for the long haul
Although I’ve often been unhappy at the slow pace of my weight loss this time around, I realise that this is essentially forever. I need to develop habits and a lifestyle that I can sustain long term.
4. It’s a ‘bit’ about me
My inspiration for losing weight is less about others and a perception of being judged as fat, lazy and ugly and more about how I feel. When I started I talked about feeling uncomfortable physically. Not just mentally and emotionally. I’d like to eventually get to a place that I was more conscious about my health… but am still hoping that will come.
5. Perfection isn’t the end goal
I still struggle to accept myself as I am now, but I’m more able to appreciate that curvy women can be attractive. This has been a challenge for me and probably part of my black / white (all or nothing) thinking. There was either perfection (goal weight) or failure (anything else). Appreciation of some stunning plus size women has helped me realise that curvy can be sexy.
Of course I still need to work on quite a few things.
I’m still more focussed on THE NUMBERS (ie. the scale) than I should be. However, I’ve been amazingly tolerant with the slow loss and that’s partially because I’ve recognised it SHOULD BE about more than the numbers on the scale.
And… I really have no desire to exercise. The person who went to 4-5 gym classes a week just a couple of years ago is yet to rear her not-so-ugly head. I’m not quite sure what it’s about. I’m trying to force myself to do SOMETHING without getting to the point that I become phobic about it (and it has been close at times). I’m hoping that a lower weight will mean it’s more comfortable to exercise, but will try to ‘encourage’ myself without having to deal with the antipathy and guilt.
And so… in case you were wondering. After 3 months on Weight Watchers I’m 10kg (22lbs) down. I feel heaps better and not as blubbery. And… getting off my bloody low sofa isn’t as traumatic.
Have you had to lose weight or make health and fitness changes?
How did you stay motivated if your progress was slow?
Disclaimer: I have been given a free six month online membership to Weight Watchers but my thoughts, opinions and words here are my own. Please check out the program for yourself before making any decisions.
I’m linking up with Jess and her fellow IBOTers again today.
April 8, 2014
I hope you are really proud of yourself xoxo
April 8, 2014
Hmmm….. am fairly sure there are lots of things I could have done better! Happy with progress though.
April 8, 2014
Good for you! You’re very inspiring! Keep it up! xx
April 8, 2014
Thanks Lucy!
April 8, 2014
That is a great loss and totally sustainable! I hope that you stick with weight watchers, I think it is a fantastic program that really can make life long changes. Hopefully you can find your excercise mojo too!
April 8, 2014
Thanks Eleise. I hope I can find my exercise mojo as well!
April 8, 2014
That’s such a good loss Deb. It might seem slow to you but you’re making it happen.
April 8, 2014
Thanks Char. Slow and steady I guess…
April 8, 2014
10kgs in 3 months is a great goal and will be totally sustainable. I had to loose weight before I was really able to get into exercise the way I wanted too. I was 116kgs when I started and could only manage a 20min walk 3 times a week. I huffed, puffed, sweated, chaffed everywhere! and that caused so much discomfort it totally put me off walking at all. But I persisted. The weight was lost, the chaffing cleared, the huff and puff got less and I finally started to enjoy exercise. Now I do something every day, more to maintain the weight I am at than to loose, but most importantly, to feel good about myself. It makes me feel good!!!
April 8, 2014
That’s great Barbra! Sadly I’m still more than 116kg but agree and think I’ll feel less lethargic when I lose some more weight. I’m hoping my shin splints disappear!
April 8, 2014
10kg is amazing effort! GO YOU! I on the other hand am putting on kilos by the minute being pregnant. I’m looking forward to losing weight slowly and for the long haul after I have my baby, not because I want my body back (which sadly won’t happen because it’s been stretched forever) but because I just don’t like the feeling of being heavy and puffing and panting going up one flight of stairs. Super proud of your effort lovely.
April 8, 2014
Thanks so much…. and don’t forget you have the most perfect excuse. (I’d gladly swap you!) 😉
April 8, 2014
10kg over three months sounds like greta, sustainable loss to me.
I wasn’t reading you when you last did WW (I’m just assuming you blogged then), but from what I’ve read this time, I feel as if you’re really getting on top of the mental stuff, and not just the actual weight. Which is possibly even more important?
I do hope I get to meet you one day. We can have a drink together 🙂
April 8, 2014
Absolutely Jess. I actually actually started Diet Schmiet in 2010 when I last did WW. It grew in 2011 when I did the Michelle Bridges program cos I blogged daily and met a lot of people through that program (which was the program I lost weight more quickly on – but didn’t last).
April 8, 2014
I completed 2 rounds of Michelle Bridges 12wbt last year and got down to my goal weight, sadly I didn’t stay there for long but haven’t gained too much and am now remaining steady so am happy with that. I also know that I am a lot healthier and stronger now than I was 12 months ago. Good on you for making this change and learning those lessons!
April 8, 2014
I lost 19kg in my first round (12wks) of 12WBT but didn’t do as well in my second round (though my dad was hospitalised on day one and passed away 6wks in…. so I was kinda distracted). I still lost 6kg though. Sadly I regained that 25kg and more!
April 9, 2014
I think 10kgs in 3 months is amazing! Much faster wouldn’t be sustainable. I think the fact that you don’t feel like you are dieting and deprived daily is awesome. Mucch more likely to result in real long lasting changes!
April 9, 2014
Very true Jess. Although I’ve put a few things off-limit at home (for binge-eating reasons) there really are no restrictions!
April 9, 2014
That is a good loss so far I reckon, I’m considering getting back on WW – I just can’t seem to do it any other way, I need the structure. My willpower has gone and need something to get me back on track, it’s worked with me before so I hope it can again! Keep doing it lovely 🙂
April 9, 2014
Thanks. I like WW cos it has something to suit everyone!
April 9, 2014
Hi Deb!
All this sounds very good to me, especially points 1, 2 and 3. And it doesn’t really matter how slow the loss is if you stick to it. Eventually the weight will be gone. And it’s probably better if it’s slow so you can get used to it psychologically.
Maybe the will to exercise will come back on it’s own. I also had a very weird period last fall when I overate in the evenings and gained some weight. I don’t know what it was all about but I stopped the habit in January.
My weight loss is very slow – slower than yours – but I have no difficulty staying motivated because the way I eat is very comfortable and matches my preferences. I could go on indefinitely. I don’t say I wouldn’t like to lose weight faster but have no intention of doing it if it requires starting some bland restrictive diet. 🙂
April 10, 2014
Very true Satu and I love your approach! I have to say I really don’t feel like I’m ‘dieting’ so it isn’t really a hardship at all. I feel guilty about the exercise thing though so I need to get past that, but otherwise… slowly slowly!
April 10, 2014
Thanks for sharing this at #wwchat. Such a great list! And I totally agree about being in it for the long haul and not depriving yourself. I am adding you to my feedly reads. XO!
April 10, 2014
Hi Marjorie and thanks for your lovely words.
I’ve been on many MANY diets over the last 30 years and though some have been successful, the weight’s never stayed off. I’ve also always thought of them as being temporary. Because of my disordered eating history I’m not good at moderation. Previously I was either dieting rigidly or bingeing a lot.
I’d love to one day be an intuitive eater and not count points / calories / kilograms or anything but I need to be ‘stronger’ mentally and in terms of willpower before I can do that. I like to think I will do it at some stage though.
Deb
April 12, 2014
Wow you’ve done so well. On the other hand, I have not! I’d tell you that I’m proud of you if I could say it without sounding patronising…oh wait, I just did…tell you I was proud of you, that is.
April 12, 2014
Thanks Jo. I know you mean it. People who’ve played the weight-watching game in any form KNOW what a challenge it can be, so I do appreciate that! x
April 13, 2014
Weight watchers has always made sense and has been good to me when I have used it. It never stayed off for me though after it and its not until I have worked out the foods that a re making my body systems inflamed and am avoiding those, that I have had good ongoing results.
Good luck with your journey!
Hello from #teamIBOT
April 13, 2014
Hi Chantel and thanks for your comment and well done on finding out what works for you!
Deb
May 3, 2014
Good to hear it is going well and you are feeling pretty good about everything. I think “I need to develop habits and a lifestyle that I can sustain long term” is key, that is the approach I take to my I Quit Sugar new lifestyle… so far it’s working!
May 4, 2014
Great work on the IQS lifestyle! That’s a biggie!