Last Friday was The Big Day. The day I joined Weight Watchers . . . for the sixth time.
I know.
I’d like to say that this time it’s going to work, that this time will be different, that I’m tired of worrying about my weight and my health, and I’m ready to make a change.
But I’ve said that before.
So I think I’ll stick with this instead: I’m going to do my best today.
In case you don’t know how Weight Watchers works, the basic plan helps you manage your diet by giving you a set number of points you can eat each day. Your number of points is determined by age, gender, typical day’s activity and starting weight.
That means the heavier you are, the more points you get. Yay.
But back to Friday. My co-worker and I went to a meeting over our lunch break, where we signed up and weighed in. It’s a necessary evil, that scale.
The meeting was inspiring, if only because it put me back in the lose weight mindset. I get off track easily – yes, I realize this is shocking information – and I need the weekly reminder meetings provide.
I also won’t turn down the free samples of Weight Watchers snacks. And that is unfortunate, because those pizza pretzel thins were disgusting.
Not even worth the two points. Good thing I only ate one before pitching them in the trash. (I know, I know – wasting food is bad. But you know what’s worse? Eating a bag of pizza pretzel thins, thinking they’re going to get better and knowing they’re going to leave one nasty aftertaste.)
The best moment of our first meeting? When our leader, trying to prompt us, asked, “What’s a good appetizer to order at a restaurant?” That girl sitting across the room who answered, “Mozzarella sticks!” – I want to be her friend.
I suppose I should tell you how I did in my first week back on plan (or, OP, as we like to say). The bad news is that the weekend kicked my butt. I fixed my chocolate éclair dessert for my day o’ scrapping – and then finished it off myself. (NO, not all in one day. Thank you.) I didn’t even end up counting points on Saturday and Sunday.
But I did make some good decisions! I walked with my friend Brittany (and Annalyn, who likes to call Brittany “Bernie”) on Monday and Wednesday. I ordered soup and salad at On the Border and the TenderGrill Chicken Sandwich at Burger King (no mayo, even!). And when I “needed” to pig out one night after Annalyn went to bed, I ate chips and salsa (That’s a veggie! Really!) and a cheese sandwich (on whole wheat bread with low-fat cheese). Sure, I overindulged, but it only cost me 12 points.
Believe me, even if that sounds like a lot, it could have – and has been, many times – way worse.
So, I’m making progress. Wednesday was the first day that I actually stuck to my points allowance, but I’ll get better. I’m looking up every little thing, even when I think I remember the nutritional value. That’s a good thing, because even though I actually do remember most things (like I said, I’ve done this five times before), it’s good to be reminded that honey mustard is not fat-free. Or point-free.
But it is tasty . . .
Overall, my first week has gone pretty well. I’ll weigh in over lunch today, but even if I haven’t lost a pound (oh, please say I’ve lost a pound!), I know I’m back on track.
And that feels good.
My goal for this next week is to write down everything I eat; that habit really keeps me accountable and mindful of my choices.
What’s your goal for this week?
Congratulations on joining! Good luck this week :-)
Best of luck to ya girl! When I was on WW two things that worked really well for me was writing the point values on everything with a magic marker when I came home from the grocery store. Annoying for my hubby but so helpful for me! Also, I carried one of those pocket WW calculators with me EVERYWHERE! It was so useful at the store to add up points quickly to determine which brands to buy at times.
I like the way you're approaching this. Everytime I've done WW, I've beaten myself up so much for every point over the limit that I've just given up long before seeing any results. I think you're being way smarter than I was and maybe that'll be the key to success! Good luck!
Good for you, Mary! I've done the online version of WW before, and I thought I was going to starve to death that first week. It does get much easier, and it really works.
If you REALLY want motivation, you should add "The Biggest Loser" to your TV watching list. Boy, that'll make you never want to gain weight. I love that show!
that's a good way to look at it mary–do the best you can do today. because i can say from experience that you're bound to have a bad day!
good luck! i'll be praying for you. let me know if i can do anything else to encourage you!
Um, how cute is it that the graphic matches your header?
Oh, yeah, goals!
My goal is doing a Walk Away the Pounds DVD three times next week. I need to get moving. My hips are starting to frighten me.
My goal for this week is to finally move into my new house…I can dream, right?
FYI, I can't remember the exact number but it's something along the line of people consume 60-70% of their entire calories for the entire week on Fri, Sat., Sun. So, that's less than 1/2 the week but more than 1/2 the calories. So, don't beat yourself up about the weekend too badly :)
My goal this weekend is to clean up my house.
Keep up the walking, that is great!
Sarah L.
I so need to lay off the Coke. I would not only lose weight, but I would save tons of money! My goal for next week: cut back to one Coke/day and walk!
I think you have the right attitude, which is 'don't beat yourself up'. Like life, it can't be 'all or nothing' and 'perfect or none at all'. You have a great attitude!
My current projects are to give my house a very thorough cleaning and to help my son with his 4th grade social studies project. Fun times!
Have a great weekend!
Great job. That eclair dessert is a killer, I want some right now, Mmmm. Anyway, keep up the good work.
Let's eat healthy when I visit you (i.e. no chocolate eclair, even though it sounds really good). I could use some of that too (eating healthy, I mean). I'd be up for a walk too if you wanted. :)
(Huh. I'm eating Milanos as I type that…)
Okay, so I won't even tell you how many times I have joined WW. (More than Six for sure). But I WILL tell you that I have a new attitude about this whole thing. First, I don't care how long it takes me. Because, you know, if I want to keep it off, I am gonna have to do this forever. Second, I am not willing to give up anything, or start doing anything that I can't maintain for a lifetime (ie-exercise for an atrocious amout of time everyday, or give up ice cream). Third, I have been fat my whole life, so if it takes me years to lose this weight, I am better off in the long run…right? Fourth, I need to have more good than bad days in order to see results. Congrats on joining and doing something good for you!
I joined again too. Seems I can't keep a food journal up to date unless I am paying through the nose for it! I am tired of being stuck! Ug! I just need to get under this number (give or take 2.5 pounds up or down at any given moment) and push through it!!!
We can do this!
Now, if only I get the courage to write down what I am having for dinner tonight as my last hurrah…those extra 35 points aren't going to get me very far if I track tonight! lol
I want to be friends with the mozzarella sticks girl, too.
:-)
Hugs! You are doing GREAT!!!