Ask Roni - What is the "Key"?
Roni,
I have started several times, but never stayed with it, what is the key to sticking to WW for such a long time and how can i do it?
-Darlene
Hi Darlene,
That's a great question! I wish I knew the answer. I really do. But, unfortunately, all I can do is speculate.
I truly think it has a lot to do with mindset, readiness, commitment and the right plan.
Weight Watchers gave me the tools that made it easy to stay on plan. It wasn't hard to journal and keep track of points. I treated them like money and that worked for me. I made the commitment to stay on plan no matter what. Others find the same simplicity in the CORE plan, and still others find plans like South Beach or Jenny Craig to give them most logical approach.
My suggestion is to research the right plan for YOU! Maybe Weight Watchers isn't it. Or maybe you aren't ready. And I say that in the most non-condescending way possible. I wasn't ready for 15 years and if I tried Weight Watchers in the past it may not have worked for me either. I know (many) other plans did not.
If I have to pick one thing, the “key”, if you will. I would have to say it’s the realization that I was making a lifestyle change and I was NOT on a short term diet. Once I realized that everything else started to fall in place.
Last year I wrote a post about weight loss motivation you may find it applicable to your situation.
I hope that helps a little.
-Roni
Labels: askRoni
posted by Roni
at
8:53 PM
8 Comments :
That is so true...you have to be in the right frame of mind...if not...you are not ready. You have to really want it to make it work.
You are always right on the money Roni!! That is why I like your blog!! :~P
I once read that one should never stop trying to quit smoking. The "Heck, I never follow through, so I'm just going to quit trying to quit until I'm totally serious" attitude is dangerous. Thing is, how does anyone know when she's totally serious--could be the first time, could be the hundrednth.
I say this because I probably joined weight watchers at least 20 times since I was 13 (back then you had to eat liver once a week and foods were called "legal" and "illegal"). So now, at 44, I have lost 50 lbs and have been a lifetimer for the last two years. I had no idea that that 20th odd time would be THE time I was ready. Go figure.
I find the simplest diet is the best.
The first time I lost weight it was remarkably similar to the no S diet.
sometimes diets allow for "occasional" indulgences, but for me they end up being entirely too frequent. i'd rather cut them out entirely.
I find the word D-I-E-T to be totally off the mark and that is not what I do.
I do H-E-A-L-T-H-Y things.
I eat healthy. I exercise smart and healthy. I sleep healthy. I take my prescriptions healthy. I keep up with the things in my life in a healthy way so they do not weigh me down. I spend money and pay my bills in a healthy lifestyle way. I keep up with the clutter so that I am relaxed in my healthy environment.
All of this moves me forward in a healthy way.
Mindset really helps and it's something you can't buy in a bottle. And getting involved in a community of other people who are actively seeking a healthier lifestyle is a great reminder to stay on track.
I have been through the same thing - not committing. For some reason, it is different for me this time - because I know I could start having some major health problems - and I want to be around for my kids. I've been OP since March 1st! :-)
I think my biggest thing about this is knowing that WW is my life plan, not "until I shed this 50 lbs" because when I did those types of diets it was a race to lose it to get to the finish line so I could start eating again and start my bad habits again. Hope this makes sense. I have picked something that I can do for the rest of my life and not feel deprived.
I agree completely with the other comments. You need to have the commitment and the right mind-set. You have to want to do it. You have to be willing to make those changes and put in the effort.
Some people have asked me how I've dropped weight, and I've told them about it. (I use SparkPeople nowadays.) They've gone to the site and signed up for an account ... but don't do anything with it.
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