I remember being on spring break in 2015. Dixon and I were taking a short hike around Kolob Canyon. Every move was painful. I was sweating like an all-star athlete, but was the furthest thing away from athlete status! And during that spring break, I was popping Aleve like it was candy!
It was then and there, while still on spring break that I KNEW, when I got home from vacation my first stop would be to my local weight watchers. I remember watching the Biggest Loser last season. The biggest woman on the show was MY SIZE! Actually, I was 1 pound heavier. I wasn't going to put myself on national T.V. It was hard enough to walk through the weight watcher doors and have someone other than myself see a number on the scale. But I did it. And so began my journey.
I'm going to be very honest. My heart wasn't in it at first. My heart was not into ANYTHING at this moment. This was one of the lowest of lows I've EVER felt in my first 39 years.
My first week on the WW program, I lost 5.8 pounds. My heart still wasn't in it. I thought..."Cool, but it's mostly water weight." My second week I dropped another 4.6. I thought, "Hmm. That's not too shabby." My third week... -2.8 and the week after THAT....-3.0. Um. Hi guys! That's 16 pound in a month. I was hooked! I continued to exercise, and track every single morsel that touched my lips! By the end of month 2... I was down 25 pounds!
I started setting some goals. My first was actually set by WW. It was to lose 10% of my body weight. I hit that goal at the end of that second month. The next goal was a personal one. Since this seemed to be working, I thought, why not try to get off 40 pounds by my 40th birthday. At this time, I had 2 months to get off 15 pounds. Heck. I'd lost 25 in the first 2, surely I could do 15 in another 2. By my birthday, I had lost 47.4 pounds! TOTALLY HOOKED!
So fast forward to today. I have reached my lifetime goal. I joined WW on 4/9/15 and hit my goal 4/7/16. And I've since lost another 2.6 pounds. 85 pounds, GONE! And I say gone vs. lost because I have not intention of finding them again. I'm not trying to lose more weight. Sometimes I just happens. With lifetime status, you can be over your goal weight by 2 pounds, so losing an additional few, actually gives you some cushion:)
I still track every bite. I still exercise at least 5 x a week, but try to get in 6. Sundays are my rest days. Unless I get antsy and then I'll go for a stroll outside. Nothing strenuous. Everyone needs a rest day!
I'm still attending weekly meetings, and I weigh in every other week. As a lifetime member, you are only required to weigh in once a month, but for me, I wanted to stay more accountable. Some lifetime members still weigh in every week. I am trying a different approach. My focus has been taken off of a number on the scale, and placed on my overall health. I want a longer and more enriched life, so I’m living healthier. I frequently eat more than the recommended five servings of fruits and veggies each day, and I USUALLY (yes, there are times that I just don't wanna, even though I go anyway) enjoy going to the gym and being physically active. I feel like if I weigh too often, I'll let the scale determine what I eat, meaning if I see a higher number, I'd starve myself, or if I see a lower number...My brain would say..."OREOS! YAY!" You get what I'm saying? I have it in my head that if I continue to track and just be aware, I'll be ok. So far my plan is working for me.
When I walked in to my WW meeting the week after I hit my goal, a gentleman looked at me and said, "Hey! You don't need to be here anymore." Oh...But I do! I am constantly inspired by my Weight Watcher friends! And...I'm a food addict! If I wasn't, I would have never walked into that building in the first place. I love the way the weekly meetings hold me accountable, and I think they are a major key to my success. The friendship and support of my leader and fellow classmates is inspiring and reassuring. Sometimes it’s comforting to know that others can’t always control themselves around Girl Scout cookie season, either. Although this season, I didn't even get a knock on the door. I'm considering it a tender mercy!
Sometimes I don’t recognize myself when I see a picture of the old me. I don't think my personality has changed. I'm still me. Just a much better, healthier version of myself. And guess what, I like her! I'll even check the mail now, go to stores other than Walmart, AND...I do things that I would NEVER have done before. Like races, and hiking, and relays and I'm even doing a bike ride the first weekend of June! I am constantly amazed that I was able to lose the weight and I now realize that I can do anything if I put my mind to it and I am a strong and beautiful woman. I am no longer afraid to set a goal and I'm no longer a prisoner in my own body. Weight Watchers isn’t a diet. It is a way of living…a lifestyle. And it's the kind of life, I'm loving!
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| Before. April 2015 |
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| April 2016 |
