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.