Monday, February 6, 2012

It's Not a Diet...

...It's a lifestyle change.

I have heard this said about Weight Watchers for years.  Anyone who knows me knows that I have always struggled with my weight.  At my heaviest, I was over 300 pounds.  That was about 7 years ago.  I weigh close to 280 whenever I'm pregnant.  My "normal" weight is close to 275.  After I had Milly, I became very active by running after 3 little ones.  In November of last year, I noticed that the scale had started to move down.

I've tried diets before.  I just never stuck to them.  I dabbled with Atkins, I drank Hydroxycut and I even bought outdated Weight Watchers books and tried to do it myself.  I just never wanted to ask anyone for help.  I went to a gym for a season and then stopped when it became inconvenient.  Whenever I moved to a new apartment with a gym room then I would tell myself to utilize it.  I would go once or twice and then make excuses.

It wasn't until Milly and seeing 260 on the scale that I really wanted to do something about this.

My best friend has been doing Weight Watchers and told me about a January special.  I could do everything online.  The Points system has changed so I can eat most veggies and fruits to my heart's content for no points.  There are phone apps to help track everything.  Another girlfriend had a Facebook group where we could encourage each other and exchange tips and recipes.

So I held my breath and joined.

Today begins week 3.  I stood on my scale and forced myself to look down.  I began this journey at 259.  Today I weighed 249.  It's the first time I've weighed under 250 pounds in over 10 years.  I nearly collapsed and cried.

I'm not going to lie; this is TOUGH.  I'm having to stop and think every time I reach for food.  My shopping list looks very different.  I've given up my 9 - 10 daily Dr Peppers / Pibbs for one Dr Pepper 10 a day.  I drink at least 2 bottles of water a day.  I'm researching new recipes and learning how to cook differently.

I'm also having to come to terms with the fact that I "eat my feelings".  Doesn't that sound hippie-ish and psychodramatic?  Basically, when I get upset, I reach for the chips.  Now I can't do that.  Since I've also quit smoking years ago then I actually have to do something healthy and DEAL with my problems!

It is WAY easier to eat 2 rows of Oreos.

This is all to say that it truly is a lifestyle change.  It's making me look at all aspects of my life.  I'm better hydrated and that's helped my chronic migraines.  I'm trying out pilates and yoga which should eventually be a stress reliever.  I'm taking a vitamin every day and I'm making sure that my kids take their vitamins.  Drinking fewer sodas and buying more fresh produce has drastically lowered my grocery bill.  When I get stressed, I listen to music and read my Bible for direction.  I have a whole new group of girls to laugh with when we despair over the Dunkin' Donuts commercials and husbands who eat Jack in the Box tacos right in front of us.  We cheer each other on when smaller pants fit and when the scale moves.  We encourage each other when things stall or slip.

It works.

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