A friend of mine has started going to Weight Watchers with me. Today was our second weigh-in together, and we each lost three pounds. Happy tears may have been shed. Internal happy dance may have been performed.
I’m so thankful she’s decided to do this with me, because when I try to do this alone, it does not work. Oh, don’t get me wrong. Weight Watchers works. But I don’t. Since my first few weeks (when I was actually successful) of my most recent WW membership, I’ve basically just been donating my money every month. Just like six of the other seven times I’ve done Weight Watchers.
Yeah, don’t do the math. It’s a lot of money I’ve wasted. But the thing is, I couldn’t just stop. I knew if I did I’d be admitting defeat, maybe forever.
On about the fourth day of my friend’s first week on Weight Watchers, she and I took our kids to the park with a few other moms from the preschool they all attend. My friend mentioned that she was doing Weight Watchers, and another mom – this mom, if you must know – went on the attack.
She ranted about how Weight Watchers was stupid and didn’t work. She raved about how HER diet was the better way – no, the ONLY way – to lose weight. And I seethed and shoved a few Doritos in my mouth to keep myself quiet. (I’m kidding. I did seethe, but I would’ve eaten those Doritos no matter what. What?)
Yesterday morning when we weighed in, I was relieved that both my friend and I lost. She’d told me that she believed me, that she knew Weight Watchers would work, no matter what that other mom said. Still, I had admitted that this is my eighth time doing Weight Watchers, and only once have I lost any real weight. Seeing the scale was evidence that the problem really is ME, not the program.
For all these reasons and more, I was inspired when our meeting leader suggested we list 25 reasons for losing weight. Her theory is that by the time we’re digging for reasons 20 through 25, we’ll finally get to the heart of our weight-loss issues. My theory is that by the time you get as overweight as I am, you’ve got a whole closet full of reasons to lose weight without even thinking hard.
But, since I have a couple different things on my mind here, I’m going to make this list a combination of the reasons why I want to lose weight in general and the reasons why I keep trying Weight Watchers to lose weight.
Why I Keep Going Back to Weight Watchers
- I want to shop in regular stores (i.e. Not Lane Bryant).
- I want to set a good example for my daughter.
- My husband has lost a lot of weight and now he’s way skinnier than me.
- I want to wear my “thin” clothes that live in the back of my closet.
- My back hurts when I stand – or sleep – too long.
- My knees hurt sometimes. They shouldn’t.
- I want to wear smaller shoes. Or shoes with heels.
- One time I said I would never have back fat. I do now.
- I want to feel pretty again.
- I’m so tired of failing.
- I really like it when people say, “Wow! You’ve lost so much weight!”
- I don’t want to get diabetes. Or heart disease.
- I want to feel healthy enough to have another baby.
- I want to feel comfortable in my own skin.
- I want to have fun when I take my daughter swimming.
- I’d like to see if a smaller me would sweat less.
- I want to water ski again.
- I’m afraid that I’m known – even if it’s never out loud – as “the fat girl.”
- I’m tired of extra weight holding me back.
- I want to feel like myself again.
21. Weight Watchers has taught me how to eat well (portion sizes, no empty calories, etc.).
22. Weight Watchers is teaching me to eat more fruits and veggies.
23. Weight Watchers is a lifestyle that is manageable forever.
24. Weight Watchers is smart and healthy (I really do eat more fiber and protein now.).
25. Weight Watchers is a group of people like me, who get me and don’t judge me.
Those are my reasons for losing weight (and doing it with Weight Watchers). Are you trying to lose weight? If so, will you tell us why in the comments?
This post will be linked up to Top Ten Tuesday at OhAmanda. Even though I shared more than 10 reasons. Don’t tell on me. I’m also linking up to Share Your Sunday Best at Feels Like Home.
First, hugs to you for sitting through some crazy lady’s rant. I really dislike when people tell me their way is the only way, especially when it comes to diet and exercise.
I did Weight Watchers after my second baby and I loved it. And the program really is all about me and what I make of it. Which, I think, is why I loved it. I liked making decisions for myself and not having someone tell me what or what not to eat {clearly, I don’t really like being told what to do}. I loved WW so much that once this pregnancy is over, I plan on going back to WW.
Two of the biggest reasons for me in loosing weight the first time {and again in the future} is for my daughters and for my health. I want my girls to have a good role model and I want it to be me. Plus, my family has crazy heart and diabetes issues, and I want to not take the same route that both my grandmothers did.
Yes, opinionated ranting people are not my favorite. I love that WW worked for you! And YES – being a good role model (for all kiddos, but especially daughters, when it comes to this issue) is a huge motivator!
Like you, I had made made many donations to WW without seeing any results. I think I need to have a buddy to keep me on even footing and lose the 30-40 pounds I want to lose. Thank you for the inspiration. And good luck! Your 25 reasons are alot like my 25 reasons.
Like you, I had made made many donations to WW without seeing any results. I think I need to have a buddy to keep me on even footing and lose the 30-40 pounds I want to lose. Thank you for the inspiration. And good luck! Your 25 reasons are alot like my 25 reasons.
Too bad all of our WW donations aren’t tax deductible, right? :) I hope you find a weight loss buddy soon so you can see some results!
My hats off to you for trying again!! That is one of the hardest things to do!! And your reason really rang true with me too! I have been putting off (for years) losing weight because I didn’t believe I could do it.I’ve done WW but I didn’t do very well…no real belief in myself that i could do it. that’s changed now. We’ve been changing our eating habits for quite a while now but we (my daughter and I) started exercising this weekend, It’s time for a change in our lives for the better. So we’ll be on that journey with you too! :)
Thank you – and congratulations on making some great changes of your own!!
Oh. My. Word. When you said “that mom” I immediately knew you were talking about ‘Juice mom’ and had to check the post to be sure. Seriously? Juice mom sure has a lot to say. I don’t know why, but Juice mom really irks me and I don’t even know her…oh wait. I do know her. I’ve got Juice mom’s in my life too. sheesh.
I’m proud of you Mar. You can do this! #9: You are pretty! #10 You are not failing…you are successful and doing really great things. And I have to admit, I choked up at #18…that’s not who you are known as friend. :)
I’m so glad you have a friend who is doing this with you and can cheer you on! I’m cheering you on too!
Thank you. Love you. :)
Way to go, Mary! I was going to ask you the other day how your WW meeting had gone! Ignore “Juice Mom” and stick to your goals and do what is best for you and your body! I am more than willing to be a guinea pig if you need to try out some WW recipes on small group =)
Thanks, Amanda! I need to start making more WW or WW-friendly recipes. If only I didn’t have so many NON-healthy recipes bookmarked and waiting to be tried! :)
I was totally going to write a post VERY similar to this one today, something like the top 10 reason I want to lose weight. And so many of my reasons are simliar to yours. You go! Three pounds is awesome!!
Okay, I just checked your blog and didn’t see a list. If you write yours, will you let me know? I’d love to read it!
Nope I haven’t written it; just was at the top of my mind last week for the top 10! But, since tomorrow is Tuesday and time for another Top 10, seems like no time is better than the present. So check back tomorrow on my blog, and you should see it!
I think it was Consumer Reports that recently ranked Weight Watchers as the most successful weight-loss program. You have chosen…wisely. :) And you’re already succeeding!! you go!
You are beautiful and amazing, Mary. I love you!
Hehe. I always love it when I can work in a “You have chosen…wisely” to a conversation! Thank you for the laugh, the encouragement and the sweet words! Love you, too!
I don’t know you in real life, so I certainly don’t know your body type. I really do think our culture puts way too much emphasis on the way a body looks – it’s almost like a religion or God the way some people diligently work out, pay hommage to the gym and study their food intake more than their spirit intake. Still, I love your reasons and above want to be healthy and feel like I can fully engage in life with my children, too! For that reason, I know I would feel better with 10 less pounds. AND, my nemisis is sugar, particularly in liquid form! I love my Coke’s, sweet tea and fruity drinks.
My college besties and I ‘weigh-in’ each week for accountability and that really does keep it accountable. I creep up, but I have to be fully aware of what’s happening and address the issue before it gets out of hand.
Thank you for sharing!
Mmmmm…sweet tea and Coke… :)
I just recently re-joined WW as well. The only time I’ve been successful with it was when I was BF’ing my youngest and I could eat all my points and then some and still lose. Which is why I’ve failed ever since then because I seem to think I’m entitled to go over my points and of course I’ll still lose. I joined again when they were running the promotion of 1 month free (I’m such a sucker) but this time I’m going into it with the mindset that I’ll do whatever I need to to stick with it and stick to the plan, since I guess that is how it actually works :). My reasons are really to set a good example for my kids and my husband. And also vanity, I really just want to look good. And not let my weight hold me back, which it shouldn’t anyway but I tend to let it.
Way to go at your weigh in!!
Vanity is certainly one of my reasons, too. :) And yes – they do expect us to stay within that pesky points allowance, don’t they? My friend said today that she often has points left over at the end of the day. I just stared at her, because while I understand we all struggle with different things, THAT is NOT my problem. Haha! Good luck to you. Good luck to both of us in actually sticking to the plan!!
love it! started my list before i read all of yours. i’ve been needing to do that.
i’ve been doing ww for about 6 weeks now. i think it’s a great, do-able program. did you hear about the doctor oz partnership??
I don’t know anything about a partnership between WW and Dr. Oz. I’ll have to look it up now! :)
I just wanted to say thank you for posting this. I had joined WW last dec and lost 40 lbs thru the end of June when I stopped going thinking I could do it all on my own now since I had all the “tools” I needed. I have mainted since then, but have really been thinking about going back to re-lose the rest of the weight I have been carrying around. Your thoughts today and list have inspired me to do just that. THANK YOU!!!!
Carolyn, you are welcome. But more importantly…CONGRATULATIONS!!!! That is awesome – losing 40 lbs?! I hope you can lose the rest, but don’t lose sight of the accomplishment you’ve already achieved!
You always help inspire me! Love this post. Thank you for being real and sharing this. My list would be slightly different, but would also include #s 1, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20. Especially 18. I’m a people person, have a ton of friends, and am always afraid that despite how much people seem to like me, they’d still refer to me as the “fat girl” in their heads or if needed to describe me. “The outgoing, crazy, fat girl.” *sigh* I just want to get past all that so badly, but I keep failing too.
Thankful God’s grace never fails us and that he loves us in spite of our sin & failures! Hang in there friend, you can do it!!!
Rochelle, I’m glad you liked the post. You are so right – God’s grace and love are ALWAYS there, and our jeans size has nothing to do with it!
This is definitely a “giving up on perfect” post, Mary. But that’s good, because God likes to show His power through our weakness. :)
I’m on a diet, but I’m not trying to lose weight. Well, no, that’s not entirely true. The intent in starting the diet in the first place was not losing weight but another health reason that I was pretty motivated by (I think it really does just take strong enough motivation!), but now that I have lost some weight on it, I’d like to lose more. Or just more in some specific target areas. ;) Or one target area. :) Anyway, it’s working for me so far and I think it’s good for me because it’s teaching me to cook (some) and be patient and that I CAN live without some things, like Doves and bread and pasta. (Crazy.) Anyway, I’m glad you’re giving this another try. That’s all we can do is get back up again when we fall. I’ll be praying for you! :)
I’ve been thinking today (after weighing in and – GRRRR – gaining those 3 lbs right back) that maybe I should give up bread, pasta and potatoes for a little while. Not forever. You know I don’t have the discipline to do what you’re doing. But maybe just to kick start myself into gear? I don’t know. I guess I thought this very same this very same thing over the summer and didn’t get far. It seems like a good idea, though… ? :)
I went back to weight watchers last year (my 4th time round) and am so glad I did. Don’t think i was really ready till now, and I think I would’ve never been ready had I kept listening to the “but you always fail!” voice in my head. I’m glad you’re giving it a go again!
Thanks, Karen. I saw a picture of you on Facebook (the one with Julia) and you look GREAT!! Congratulations on making it work this time!
I’ve donated to WW about four or five times now. I found out from looking at old emails that I joined once a year, each year, for about four or five years. I won’t lie though — I have considered doing it again.
Your list really spoke to me. I have so, so many of those exact same reasons. Although, I have to admit that I’m afraid I would start spending way too much on clothes if I could shop at regular stores. ;)
Angie, I was thinking just today that if only I could attain a healthy weight, I would totally become a fashionista. Haha! :)
I would add, So, I get off my heartburn medication. And like you, I basically want the next time I get pregnant to be easier on my body because I will weigh less. I did really well at the beginning but, I stop tracking and get off track and I am basically back at my starting weight…Trying again though, this time tracking…
Tracking DOES make a huge difference! And it’s not that it’s that hard…although admitting to myself just how much I ate is. Good luck to you in your weight loss journey!
How ironic!?!? I just started Weight Watchers again for the 3rd time last week. My list would look almost completely like yours, with the addition of getting off blood pressure medicine and avoiding getting on cholesterol medicine. And because my husband is doing it with me. Yay! Way to be supportive right? Except for the fact that he’ll lose weight 3-4 times faster than me, simply because he’s male. Why couldn’t they (males) have the weight loss issues?!?! We deliver the babies for gosh-sakes. LOL.
Thanks for sharing. It’s always motivational to see there are others out there just like me, even if they don’t live right next door. :-)
Good luck on your journey….maybe we’ll both be successful this time!
Oh, yay! Good luck to you! And how great that your husband is doing it with you. Just ignore his progress and soak up the camaraderie and support! :)
Wow, that mom sounds like a real charmer. Bleh. I know lots of people that have lost weight with weight watchers and I think what works about it is that it is not a crash diet, it is about learning to be healthy. You are doing great.
I’ve heard that crash diets never work. As a big fan of The Food, I’ve never actually scraped up enough willpower to try one myself. Haha! :)
I joined WW a year ago. I’m down about 30 pounds right now and I feel great. I love this. I joined because i realized how much easier some of the things I do would be if I weighed less. And my wedding ring quit fitting. And, my mom was diagnosed with diabetes and I don’t want to follow that.
WW works for me too. I’m eating so much better and I enjoy exercising. Good luck!
Amanda, that is awesome!! Congratulations! My wedding ring hasn’t fit in quite a while. I can’t wait for the day when I can slip it back on my finger!!
Those reasons rang true for me too. I feel like I’m always working towards a healthier lifestyle – but not usually getting anywhere. Best of luck this time!
Thank you! I figure as long as I’m trying, that’s better than nothing (even if I don’t get anywhere)!
Oh, Mary, I have always known we were kindred spirits. I could have written this post, though I’ve only donated to WW four or five times. Something always gets in my way. Most of the time, it’s plain old self sabotage, and it makes me so very sad.
I wonder if there’s been any research to say that, on average, it takes X times going to lose a lot of weight. I would be interested in that statistic, if only to validate my repeated failure.
And, for what it’s worth, I never thought of you as fat. From our singular meeting, I remembered only that you were beautiful and smart and that we had a lot in common (one kid, professional women, etc).
Kindred spirits indeed! I hear you on self sabotage, and I am determined to kick it! This time…maybe this time…
Very inspireing. How do I keep from not over eating? When I do I feel so sad and beat myself up over it.
Amanda, I do not have the answer to this one, though I sure wish I did! I know that beating myself up doesn’t help, however, so these days I’m trying to start over immediately. (As opposed to beating myself up the rest of the day/week/month and promising to start again tomorrow/on Monday/next month.) Good luck to you in your journey!
Thats my problem. I beat myself up and dont restart for like a week. I just need to let it go and start again the next day.
Sister, you are singing my tune!
I can never figure out why this is the ONE thing I continually struggle with. In other areas of my life, I’m usually pretty successful, reaching my goals and all that. But losing the weight? I have always lost that battle.
New year. New beginnings. New chance to succeed.
Thanks for the post and the inspiration to try again!
I have always lost, too. Well, one time I lost 30 lbs (on WW). But then I gained it. A few times over. *sigh* But YES – this IS a new year. I think it will be OUR year to finally deal with this thing once and for all! We CAN do it. I know it.
Thank you so much for your sharing your story. Mine is a little different. I was always thin until having 3 kids and being put on a medication that made me gain 10 lbs in one month. I started WW in September and I’ve lost 16 lbs. Tracking has made a huge difference for me…I never realized how much I snacked before and this fast food lunches are a killer! The first meeting I went to had a man who had just reached his 100 lb weight loss goal! Amazing! I find a lot of encouragement from going to meetings! Hang in there! God loves you and He can help you in this journey :)
Thanks so much for sharing your journey, Mary. I’m glad to hear WW is working for you so far!