Roni’s Weight Watchen Page(s) - Take 2 (the rebuild)

I wrote this yesterday while taking a break from all my Sensational Sunday activities. I hope it makes some sense. ;~P

I’ve never been a gardener (not until recently—stop laughing mom) so I can’t believe I’m about to make this correlation. This morning I received an email from a reader...

I am just so frustrated because I keep trying different weight loss programs...i guess that's my problem...and i just need to stick with one. what makes any of them different? I go between Weight Watchers, Richard Simmons, and the Biggest Loser...I guess it'a all so OVERwhelming because i need to stick to just one, but I think one is easier than the other then I switch.

I’ve received many emails from her, I can feel the pain, frustration, and overall hopelessness through here words…

I've just been so frustrated. I just keep going from one weight loss program to another because i think it will work better...sigh! I just need to lose this weight. any tips...I know i have asked this before tons of times.

I’ve been there, I really have and that’s why I feel her pain. So all day I’ve been thinking how I can response. What is it that I can say to easy here pain? To show here that it IS possible to over come this unhealthy cycle?

A few hours later, I found myself replanting some houseplants. All three of my plants are out growing there homes and they are starting to suffer in there little pots. So I pulled out the potting soil, plant food and got to work.

While making a mess on my kitchen floor it hit me. Houseplants are not very different then dieters (I hate the word but bear with me).

On one hand, if we keep a plant in one pot forever it grows and it survives but it never lives to it’s full potential. We need to respond to the plant, move it to larger pot, change it’s soil or it starts to become drab.  One the other hand we can’t continually move the plant. By changing it’s pot and soil every week the plant is never given a change to grow it’s roots and learn how to survive. In essence we stunt it’s growth while trying to meet it’s needs too rapidly.  The plant needs time to grow, flourish and learn. 

For those of use who struggle with weight, who don’t necessarily know inherently how to eat healthy. Those of us that have bad habits and are ready to change we are not that different from my houseplants.

We need time to grow and learn. We need a plan. That plan may be Weight Watchers, it may be South Beach, Jenny Craig, Biggest Loser, or our own healthy approach to eating but whatever it is but we need a plan. We need to find the plan that works for us much like the plant needs to find it’s ideal pot. Then we have to follow that plan, learn it, and give ourselves time to grow roots. Once we do that, we may out grow out if it and move to a larger pot but we have to START somewhere.

The moral of my very convoluted story is simple. Switching pots –oops I mean plans– too early on your weight loss journey may not give you the foundation you need. Remember it’s not a quick fix. You need to stick to a plan and give it a chance to not only work but a chance to teach you good habits. Once you grow those roots you may find yourself moving to a new pot as I have.

Labels: insights

I have lost 30lbs total and feel good, look so much better but have 30 more to go. I am having a hard time staying in the game. It's like I look better, feel better, so...I can just eat the left over Kraft dinner tonight...I feel I have lost my something...confidence is up...commitment has gone down.  What can I do?
Thanks,
Tanya

Hi, I just would like to say that I just happened to stumble on to your website and it was like finding an old friend. I share the same story like a lot of other women, just a few minor changes here and there. I am doing Weight Watchers at home ( I have the books and such)Finally here’s the question; how do you handle it when you have a bad day or crave things and give into the cravings? I am very bad about beating myself up and thinking that that’s it for me and I have to give up. I know so dramatic. But it is such a struggle!! Thanks for any advice. Keep up the good work. I check in all the time to see what you have to say. Wish me luck, I need it. Thanks!
- JoAnne

Hey Roni, love your blog. I've lost about 65 pounds in the past year, and have about 45 more to lose before I hit my WW goal. I have been struggling with the same 5 pounds for a couple of months now. I find that I am getting the munchies...A LOT!! How did/do you keep this under control? I am tempted to say "screw it" and eat everything I can stuff in my gob way too often. My dangerous time is at night. Just wondering if you have any little tricks you use to distract yourself from the munchies. Thanks!!
- Joyce

WOW.  I don’t even know what to say. I could have written all these questions myself. I’m sitting here uncomfortable because I ate too much, again, today. I feel swollen, bloated, huge, yucky, fat and overall disappointed in myself. I literally feel like I put back on the 70lbs I lost. I know that sounds ridiculous. I can “hear” it coming out of my own mouth. But the body I feel now, is the same I felt then (70lbs ago). It’s almost a feeling of body disconnection. I don’t know how else to describe it. 

See, as I write this I’m sitting in a tank top and size 6 jeans. Some of you may be rolling your eyes now. You might be thinking, “How can she be unhappy is a size 6?” OR “Ohhh she’s just making it up I’d kill to be in a size 6.” But it’s true and no matter what your size is if you feel uncomfortable food is comforting. For me it is/was at every size from 4-14.

I’m starting to realize something…

It doesn’t matter where you right now. If you are just starting, already lost half your weight or are trying to maintain a significant weight loss, it’s all about mindset. If you “feel fat” you subconsciously do what you need to do to get fat. That’s what I did all weekend. I just overall felt crappy. I just didn’t feel good in my own skin and consequently,I ate and ate and ate. Like I’m trying fulfill out some self-fulfilling prophecy about being fat.

However, the opposite is also true. When I’m feeling good, temptation is easy to resist. Having one slice of pizza is a breeze and even saying no to the birthday cake that’s being passed around is possible. That’s how I felt for almost 2 years while I was losing the weight. I’m not going to lie and say I was perfect for two years but overall it was like someone flipped the switch in my head and made me feel good about me, about my body and therefore I ate “good”. It almost seemed too easy.

Now, I’m not going to pretend to know all the answers because I clearly don’t or I wouldn’t have had the weekend I did. But I do observe my own behavior. And for the majority of my life I was unhappy in my skin and my eating habits showed that. The funny thing is my overweight cycle really started when I wasn’t fat but I “felt” fat. And that’s a big difference. Somehow we have to love ourselves, feel good about ourselves because then the right choices are easy to make.

I’m not sure I’m making any sense but as I finish this post I have tears streaming down my face, so either I am WAY hormonal or just a big sap. Either way I refuse to be the person I once was, uncomfortable and ashamed. This is me and I deserve to be healthy and happy.
 
For all the original questions askers, I’m sorry I don’t have all the answers. I hope my little self-analysis helps you realize you are worth it too.

Labels: askRoni, insights

Well, for me and this post it did anyway.  Let me explain.

I don’t have much time tonight, it’s my long day at work. So I was just going to post my food journal and head to bed. Well, after analyzing my journal I realized it was a perfect example of what I call a grazing day (something I need to do on 12 hour work days) and I thought I’d use that has a simple topic and find a few articles that discuss grazing and weight loss, something that I attribute some of my success to.

Then I found this great article about permanent weight loss. According to the article, the study found that people who lost an average of 60 pounds and kept it off for an average of five years hold seven things in common.

1. They believe failure is to be expected, but that when you keep trying, ultimately you will be successful.
2. Those who kept their weight off realize that deprivation leads to binging and binging leads to setbacks.
3. They've learned to eat a wide variety of foods — even an occasional treat.
4. They closely monitor their weight, daily and/or weekly tracking loss or gains.
5. They plan for and exercise moderately for an hour each day and they add in activity wherever they can.
6. As a permanent way of life, these weight-loss successes choose plenty of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean meat and diary products and occasional allowances of sugar and fat.
7. They eat small frequent meals — often five — spread out over the day. They Graze!

I have NEVER agreed with an article more. I believe, know, agree, did, and DO all of these things!!  

Case in points… the grazing day…

Labels: insights, links, menus, Tips

I’ve been thinking about those two words for the past couple of days. As I sit, still disgusted with myself after this weekend (and the chip incident tonight) I realized it’s March. Not only March but the end of March.  That’s three months since I made my new years goals. Let’s do a little assessment.

Get back to my personal goal of 140lbs

Ok there is really no reason I haven’t reached this goal yet. It’s not unrealistic to lose 5 pounds in 3 months. Since working out I feel like I eat more (which I should be) but more out of control.  Almost like my workouts give me some kind of unconscious permission to excessively snack.  This needs to stop.

Climb the inclined (hard level) rock wall at the gym

I can do this! I tried once and failed but I KNOW I can do it.  It’s going to take a lot of work and training but I’m up for the challenge.

Do 1 Unassisted Pull Up

This one scares me. I tried the other day at the gym and it’s really seems impossible but I’m going to keep on trying. A lot can change in 9 months, especially when you’re working out!

So back to these little words, can’t and haven’t.  I caught myself saying I can’t do this a few times in the last few weeks. But that’s just not true. I can do it, I just haven’t yet. I need to drop the negative attitude and get back into my groove. I know I can, I have and I will. It’s that easy.

While doing my normal perusing of the internet (I should be catching up on my blog reading but instead I stumble – I’m addicted) I came across this awesome article on Over Coming Weight Loss BS.  It’s a very straightforward look at losing weight and the author says something that concretes my post tonight…

Q. What really determines weight loss (or gain)?
A. Attitude, thinking, self-control, mind-set and ultimately, decisions.

There you have, the BIG secret to weight loss. It all comes down to attitude and that is why I write this blog. It helps me stay positive. So I’ll say it again, it’s not that I can’t reach these goals, I just haven’t yet.

Labels: insights, journal, menus

That’s what I needed. 

If you read fairly regularly you know I haven’t been weighing in. Honestly I’ve been avoiding the scale. Mostly because I noticed some old habit creeping back in. Not that I think I gained any significant amount of weight but I just assumed the scale wouldn’t be my friend and I just didn’t want to deal with it.  I think a lot of us do that (well, I speak mostly for myself but, you know what I mean) We know we are starting to slip and instead of facing it we ignore it.  Then before we know it we’ve gained back a significant amount of weight, then we get depressed, eat more, gain more and the cycle continues. 

I know this cycle very well.

Well I’m not going to let it happen again! Especially not after 2 years.

So yesterday morning on my way to a client meeting (one of my first for the new company!!) I decided to stop in a Weight Watchers meeting and weigh in. Now I knew I couldn’t stay for the meeting but that was okay. I just needed to face the scale. I needed to be aware of the situation and hold myself accountable.

Well to my surprise I was DOWN!

I mean, I didn’t drop like 5 pounds in 6 weeks or anything but the scale was down 1.8 pounds!

Now I’m taking away 2 lessons from this.

1. I’m not giving myself enough credit. I’ve learned a lot in the past 2 and half years and I know how to balance my diet. Even when I’m being “bad” (I hate that word) I’m not being as bad as I used to be. Years ago if I was on an eating binge I’d eat a whole Stromboli, a 12 inch Italian sub with the works or a half pound cheeseburger with a mound of fries and a brownie for dessert. Now I overeat my own homemade veggie pizza, Butternut Squash Fries with a Turkey Burger and a slice of VitaBrownie Pizza.  The changes in my diet and food choices makes a HUGE difference!
2. Ignorance is NOT bliss.  If I didn’t weigh in I would have been sliding down a slippery slope like I described above. It’s amazing how mental weight loss and weight maintenance is for some of us. By ignoring the scale I’m giving myself some kind of blind permission to go off plan. Just by seeing the number (whether it’s up or down) keeps the importance of what I’m doing in my consciousness. I am a person that will always have to be somewhat conscious of my diet and my eating habits and I’m ok with that.

So even if I can't make a meeting with my crazy shedule I'm comitting to weigh in weekly at a Weight Watchers location. I know some of you think I'm crazy becuse, let's be honest I can weight myself in at home or at the gym but there is a higher level of accounability for me by going to this outside location for a weigh in and having it done by another perosn. It's just what I'm familiar with and it keeps me connected to Weight Watchers as a lifetime member. Something I am very proud of. Plus I think I have a touch of OCD and since I started weigh in there officially I have to keep going. LOL

Hope you have a great weekend to enjoy. It's too pretty outside here not to go out for a hike! I'm signing off!

Labels: insights, journal

Boy does being sick suck! I canceled classes today and actually slept for hours. I needed it but I still feel like crap. Throat, head, chills, fever, you name it.

So what do I do bundled on my couch? I watch the Food Network of course!

Now I love Paula Dean as much as the next ‘wanna be home cook’ but today I saw her do something, well, insane is the only world I can think it. Imagine this (but DON’T get any ideas now) an 8 oz burger (not even lean) topped with a fried egg, 2 slices of bacon and, get this, 2 glazed donuts used as the bun. COME ON! I mean I love being creative in the kitchen as much as the next guy but that is just ridiculous! Don’t believe me? I found the write up on her web site. It’s called the Lady’s Brunch Burger.

Now, I kind of see the evil genius in this idea but with all the health issues and weight problems isn’t this just going a bit too far. I mean the burger she made on that show was over 1,200 calories.  And it wasn’t the only dish for the event, she also made cheese laden grits, and, get this, a “light” yogurt parfait.  

I also read an article in Prevention yesterday about how average restaurant dishes are actually around 4 portions! And to make it worse our mentality is that, that’s a good thing. Like we are getting more for our money or something.

When will we realize we need to be more aware.  Many of us go through life wondering why we have a weight problem when we skip breakfast, eat lunch out and then order dinner in. We think we are only eating 3 meals a day. What we don’t realize is the lunch at the local burger joint probably had enough calories for 3 people and then we topped it off with 2-3 slices of pizza for dinner each with more then 2 ounces of cheese. Not to mentioned the calorie laden soft drinks, coffees and snack we mindless munch on in the office.

Sorry I didn’t mean to get preachy, but watching Paula make that sandwich reminded me about how I used to eat. I was that person who wondered why it was so hard.

All I know is, just like Paula, I like to feed people. It’s the way I show them I care. But, unlike her, I want to feed them good healthy food that nourishes their body not burgers on glazed donuts.

Sorry Paula, I still love you but please ease up on the “stick of butter”.

Labels: insights, journal

I received this comment today on my post Dieting Made me Fat - How’d I get Skinny? and thought it warranted a response.

Ummm, yeah...those are good suggestions and I'm glad it worked for you. But what about those of us who've already been doing exactly that for years, without losing weight? I ate 1200-1500 calories - on a low-fat, high-protein, veggie & whole grain diet - for several years, and worked out at the gym 1-2 hours/day 4-6 days/week (running 20-25+ miles/week for a while). I lost a few pounds initially, then maintained.

All I'm trying to say is that it's not as easy as you make it out to be. Some people (~2-5% of dieters) can lose weight and keep it off - great, I'm happy for them. But please don't claim that anyone can because you did. That's just not true, and there's ample evidence - scientific as well as anecdotal - showing this.

Ummmm, yeah, easy. EASY?? I never said it was easy. I was simple sharing MY observations and advice from MY experience. If it were so easy for me I wouldn’t have to blog, look for inspiration daily, keep food journals, etc.

To quote my own post…

I didn’t say it would be easy, did I?

I understand your frustration and I wish I could help you. Just so you know, this blog is the expression of my thoughts and inspiration for those who need a push to change there diet as I did. I didn’t do those things and I was fat because of it. I’m sorry you are having a hard time. But please don’t claim anyone can’t do it just because you can’t. That’s just not true either, there is ample evidence – scientific as well as my own experience – that it is.

Oh! and why are these type of comments always Anonymous?!?

Labels: insights

Before leaving work tonight, the husband called and asked if I’d be willing to pick up McDonald’s on the way home.

*Sigh*

Not Fast food, anything but that! Especially after my weekend of indiscretions which, unfortunately, included a trip to MickeyD’s.

But I said yes, and hit the drive thru on my home.

Now, any other day, the smell of the fries would be enough to send me into a mindless eating fiasco and the they would be gone before I even got home.

But not tonight! Tonight I had something. Something I’m not quite sure how to describe.

I went through that drive thru, I ordered the husbands value meal and I drove home. No bites, tastes or licks! I didn’t even want one and I WAS hungry.

This surprised even me. I don’t think it was a matter of willpower or that I was particularly motivated I really think it’s something else. I think it’s a form of momentum and mental preparedness.

Let me explain.

This weekend I did indulge a bit. I enjoyed some good dark chocolate, some bad fast food, and just allowed myself to nibble a bit more then normal. I gave myself permission to do so. That may sound weird but it’s true. There’s a difference between “falling off the wagon” and “taking a detour”. While “falling off the wagon” may require repairs and additional help, the “detour” infers you will be back on track sooner rather later. And I told myself Monday was the day the detour ended, so I ended it.

To end it, I started my day with a plan and a Racquetball game.  I packed a bunch of healthy choices and by the time I went through that drive thru I was back on track, full steam ahead.

My momentum kept me going.

Labels: insights, journal

(This was a post I wrote as a guest blogger awhile back, I wanted to share it here)

It’s true! Let me explain.

When I was a kid, I longed to be thinner. I wasn’t obese. I wasn’t thin. I was a normal, active child that could possible be considered “chubby” in comparison to “skinny” people. I had a father that was preoccupied with the weight of his daughter and it was pointed out to me more then a few times I could “afford to lose” a few pounds.

Around the age of 12, I began to diet. I would be aware of what I was eating, sometimes even depriving myself of lunch at school. This, of course, backfired. I would allow myself to get too hungry and then overeat at my next meal. This very normal dieting cycle, eat less, feel deprived, eat more, continued for me until my late 20’s.

Throughout high school and college, I would have done anything to be thin. Everything except what I needed to do. I needed to learn how to eat and have a healthy relationship with food. I needed to stop DIETING! Sounds weird I know, but it’s true. Dieting made me fat. Once I stopped dieting and learned how to live. I found success.

So you are asking yourself now, “how did she do it? How did she stop dieting?” Well my program of choice was Weight Watchers. Weight Watchers was like school for me. I went to “class” once a week to earn my 3 credits in “Eating and Living Healthy”. Some may call it a diet, I disagree it’s a strategy for those of us who need to be taught how to eat. Those of us who need to learn how to have a healthy relationship with food.

Do you need to run out and join Weigh Watchers to find success? No, I don’t think so. It won’t hurt but it can be done with a few simple strategies.

1. Include more healthy whole foods in your diet. Fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean meats. If you don’t eat enough of them now start slowly. Replace a snack a day with a fruit. Add a side of veggies to your dinner plate. After a few weeks, you may start to surprise yourself and your tastes may change!

2. Learn what a portion is. I was shocked to see what one serving of pasta was! And I almost cried when I weighed out one serving of my favorite cereal. At first you may feel like it’s not enough but again, if you listen to your body you may be surprised that one serving is more then enough to fill you up and fuel you until the next snack or meal.

3. Scrap the concept of 3 meals a day. I eat now when I’m hungry not because it’s noon or 5PM.

4. Get active. I didn’t hit the gym hard to lose 65 pounds but I moved more. Daily walks with the family after dinner and shutting the TV off on weekends is a great start!

5. Get support any way you can. A walking buddy, an online message board, your significant other, anyone who will listen! Share your success and your failures. Weigh in with that person once a week to be accountable.

6. Keep a journal. Jot down what you eat during the day. Even writing out your thoughts at the end of the day will help you reflect and come up with a strategy for tomorrow.

7. Celebrate every good choice and learn from the bad ones. Just because you slipped doesn’t mean you should scrap everything. Weight loss is a journey, a process. If you don’t mess up how will you learn how to deal with everyday challenges? No matter what you do today tomorrow is coming so you might as well do what you can to better yourself. Don’t give up just because you had a piece of cake after lunch just eat a little less at dinner to account for it!

Honestly, I did/do all those things. I didn’t say it would be easy, did I? I still haven’t mastered each once but I work on them daily. Now that I think about it, I don’t think I’ll ever master them all but just by trying I’ve come a long way.

Labels: insights, Tips

I need to turn off anonymous commenting purely for the fact I can’t credit those that make great points on my posts. There were two comments on my BLOW OUT journal that really got me thinking.  The idea I took away from both were so simply inspired…

FOOD IS NOT THE ENEMY!

I know this. I really do. I mean I LOVE food, good food. Healthy food I can be creative with. Food I feel good about feeding my family. That’s the real reason I started GreenLiteBites, I wanted to share my love of food with everyone and use it to learn more about and experiment with the healthy nutritious stuff.  (side note: I posted 2 new recipes, Winter Squash Soup with Roasted Seeds and Sweet & Spicy Black Bean Dip)

So how come I still sometimes feel controlled by the very thing I’m so passionate about? Sometimes the need to eat things for no other reason then to eat them. No other reason then to taste in excess. To point of uncomfortable fullness?

Maybe it’s an emotional thing, a chemical thing or just because it tastes good. Who knows. All I do know is I want a healthy relationship with food.  I’m there, getting there, maybe, but just as with everything, I’m a work in progress. 

So last week I returned to my Weight Watcher roots and followed the Flex Plan.  I had a Weight Watcher Leader once tell me Weight Watchers doesn’t expect it’s Flex members to count points forever.  I understand why. Similar to a parent who sends their child off to college, there is a time where you just have trust that you did all you can to prepare them to face the world.  Hopefully, when they leave they are making the best decisions they can with the knowledge you passed on. 

I think I’m ready. Much like that teenager preparing to embark on a college career I feel frustrated I still have to follow the rules of my parents and I rebel. I think this is one of the reasons I have “blow outs”.  I want the freedom to trust my instincts but I’m restricting myself to follow the rules. It’s becoming an odd love hate relationship with points and consequently, food.  

So, to you Flex, I say good bye. Don’t worry, I’m sure I’ll be back for visits when I’m feeling alone and vulnerable. It’s comforting to know you will always be there for me if I need you but you must understand, our relationship is starting to become toxic. I can see that and I hope you do too.  It’s been a fabulous 2 and half years and you know as well as I do, I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for you. I owe you a lot and I will be forever thankful we had the pleasure of meeting.

So armed with the Core food list, motivation to reach my goals, my passion in the kitchen and the knowledge I have gained over the past 2 years, I start a new week. I’m as excited and nervous as I was the night before I moved into the dorms.

Labels: insights, journal

The other day I hit Bed Bath & Beyond.  Man I love that store!

They were having a big sale and as soon as I walked in I was immediately attracted to a large bin with these water cooler looking water bottles in it. They were huge! (74oz) With a great handle and a large sports bottle top.  I bought 2 they were just so COOL!

Now I have them in rotation. One’s in freezer filled half with water getting ready for tomorrow. In the morning, I’ll pull that one out, top it off and replace it with the other one.

Right now, I’m finishing off my 74oz. I lugged it to work, got made fun of, drank from it all day, lugged it back home, shared it with the toddler in the car (he thinks it’s great!), had it at dinner, it’s like My Buddy. You know, where ever I go, he goes...

Now that I successfully got that stuck in your head for the rest of the day I’ll move on (mission accomplished) :~P

The last two days have been great. I think the water is helping, immensely. Plus I’m working my butt of at work preparing for classes that start Monday. The next week or two is going to be crazy! On top of it all, the toddler isn’t feeling well. We have to go to the doctors tomorrow afternoon so that kills my cardio kickboxing class. :~( I’m going to try my hardest to get the gym before work so I can fit it in. We’ll see. I’m just too tired to even try and plan the day tomorrow.

I’m also racking my brain for a new weekly video post idea. I think all this class prep is sucking me dry. So if there is anything you can think of, I’m all ears!

Labels: insights, Tips

A few people sent me a link from the NY Times entitled In the Fatosphere, Big Is In, or at Least Accepted and wanted to know what I thought.   

Why my opinion?

I don’t know, but, OK, I’m always up for sharing my 2¢ :~)

The article showcases fat acceptance blogs like Shapely Prose and The-F-Word. There is a huge online community and they have an RSS feed called the fatosphere.

My first response was cool, to each there own. I envy their self-confidence. Big IS beautiful IF you are confident and happy in your own skin.  I hate to use sizes in an example as they are very arbitrary but, I’d much rather see a happy, healthy, confident women wearing a size 18 then a depressed, malnutrition, insecure size 2 any day.

However, fat acceptance is skirting a fine line for me. It’s intertwining body image, health and fatness, and that can get confusing. A thin person can be as, if not more, unhealthy then a fat person and vice versa. So why focus on fat acceptance and create a fatosphere. Shouldn’t we be spreading the word on health acceptance, teaching people proper nutrition, the benefits of whole foods, how great it is to be active? Shouldn’t we be creating a healthosphere?

In my case, I was fat for one reason and one reason only, I ate too much. It's plain and simple. I was unhealthy, tired, inactive and depressed. I used food as an escape and made unhealthy choices. Some people may not have considered me “fat”. I averaged a size 14 for the majority of my 20’s. But size is just a number. I overate. I didn’t exercise and I was overall unhealthy. Someone else who had my same habits might have been a size 2 or even a 22. The point is, I was unhealthy, my size was irrelevant.

As with any issue, there are going to be to extremist sides. Those that feel all fat people are so by choice and they need to lose weight and those that think all fat people should be, excuse the pun, fat and happy. I, just as with most issues, like to think you need to realize that one size does not fit all.

Overall my feeling is this…  if people are happy and healthy that’s all that matters, size truly is irrelevant.

Labels: insights, links

It’s official, diet and exercise makes a HUGE difference in my mood. Today I feel GREAT! I started my morning with a fun fruit salad and a trip to the gym, and honestly, that’s all it took to snap me out of it. Even though the scale is up, I’m not letting the number get to me as I know it will drop tomorrow after the enormous amounts of water I drank today. We all know I didn’t gain 4 pounds in 3 days, it’s not possible. Most of it is water retention from the bad food choices.  Well see tomorrow, but I’m pretty sure I’m right.

So on to this catching up thing. Over the weekend I noted a few things I wanted to tell you about but (as you know) I was uninspired. Now I’m more motivated and ready.

There were two particular quotes the husband made that I need to share.

His first comment was after I offered to make him lunch. Saturday morning he hit Burger King for his absolute favorite breakfast (you are going to die, I told you he’s a fast food junky, right? Ok ya ready?) 3 egg and cheese croissan’wiches. (believe me I TRY – don’t ask) Anyway, that was about 8:30AM. Around 2:00PM I tell him I’m going to make lunch and he says…

“No thanks, I’m still full from this morning.”

What? Full from this morning?!? Now granted he ate about 1000 calories in one sitting but still, if I did that I’d be looking to eat lunch at noon anyway. Almost like I was programmed to do so. It was then I realized how much he listens to his body. He may not make the best choices but overall the man does not eat when he isn’t hungry. It sounds funny to say that but think about it. I mean really think about it. How many times have you eaten when you weren’t hungry just because it was “time” to eat? I don’t know about you, but I do that ALL the time. It’s like I use the time as an excuse to eat instead of listening to my body.

The second one is a bit of a pat on the back for me but it made me feel so good I need to share. 

“Look at you, you are THAT girl.”

This came out of the husbands mouth at the gym Saturday morning. He said it after I came out of the locker room in my sports top and workout clothes. It made me smile because I still have a hard time seeing myself as “that” girl.  I was never the active fit girl, if anything I was the complete opposite. It is really amazing how much I’ve changed. If you don’t think it’s possible, believe me, it IS! It really is.

Labels: insights, journal

I normally get comments and emails regarding my Tummy Tuck and I’m always more then willing to share my experience. However recently the questions are getting quite disturbing…

“i see you weighed in. i just have to ask.. was all the tummy tuck pain worth it when you arent being good to your weight??”

“are you taking advantage of the fact that you have a flat stomach and mocking your body??”

“I notice you have gained a couple pounds..  I wonder why anyone would go thru all the pain to gain.  is a TT worth it in the end”

“does having a TT 'allow' you to 'let yourself' not watch the weight as closely?????”

What? Are you guys serious?

I'm going to gain a little and lose a little, gain a little and lose a little, THAT'S CALLED MAINTENANCE!!! 

Please don’t think you hit some magic number on the scale and then miraculously stay there forever. You age, you build muscle, you lose muscle, you retain water, you splurge on the holidays. It happens, it’s called LIFE!

Maintenance is a funny funny thing.  My favorite Weight Watchers leader once said maintenance is like a wave. Your weight should go up and down, it’s normal. Now my weight is a little higher then I’d like it to be but that is JUST A NUMBER ON THE SCALE. I feel great, I look great, my clothes fit perfectly. I am strong, I am fit and I am motivated. I am a Weight Watcher Maintainer, hear me roar!

OK, that may have gotten out of hand.

Anyway, speaking of Weight Watchers (did you like that transition? ;~P), WAY back before Christmas Cranky dissed Weight Watchers (she didn’t really, it was just the title of her post) and their new ad campaign. Apparently some people are up in arms because Weight Watchers is declaring they aren’t a diet they are a lifestyle and this is causing some discussion about my particular program of choice.

Weight Watchers really did change my life and it is a lifestyle for me now.  I’ve read opinions on both sides of the Weight Watchers fence and I can understand why some people don’t buy it.  One size does not fit all when it comes to dieting, oops I mean lifestyles. All I can do is share the 2 big reasons I think Weight Watchers worked for me. (Because I did need something, I wanted to lose weight and get healthier!)

1. FLORE
   
   Weight Watchers has 2 plans, Flex and Core. Flex has you counting points for any foods you eat. The number of points you get depends on your height, weight etc. Core on the other hand gives you a list of foods you eat from until you are satisfied. (Note: the programs are more complicated then that, this is just an overview)
   
   Now I’m a flex girl all the way. The point system really helped me control portions. Probably Definitely my biggest problem. When you like to eat you tend not to realize you just inhaled 4 servings of pasta. Flex forced me to learn what a serving was and it gave me the tools to track food in an easy way.
   
   When you do Flex you realize quick enough that you can eat more healthy foods then junk, because healthy foods have lower point values. Well, where can I get a list of good, healthy low point food? Why? The Core food list of course!  
   
   So instead of picking Flex or Core I created FLORE! Count points while sticking to the Core food list as best you can. This worked great for me! It really helped me learn how to eat healthier.
2. The Weekly Meetings
   
   I am super competitive. Did I ever tell you that? I don’t mean I’m “bum rush the umpire” type of competitive but I like to win, I like to succeed and I like to impress. Meetings helped me because every week I wanted, I needed to raise my hand and say.  “I did it! I lost 1.2 pounds this week!” Everyone clapped and it psyched me up for the next week. (I know you are going to ask about the weeks I didn’t lose, well then I’d work even harder to share my success the next week, it’s just how I tick.)
   
   Beyond competitive reasons, the meetings kept me focused. Once a week I reminded myself what I was doing. I sat in a room with people who share my struggle, who understand what is feels like to be me. It’s my ½ hour AA meeting and I love celebrating others successes.

Now, these same reasons may be the reasons that it doesn’t work for you.

Who wants to count points? Or sit in a room with other people trying to lose weight?

Like I said one size doesn’t fit all. But when push comes to shove, Weight Watchers is a lifestyle, because if you learn it. I mean really learn it, you live it. If you are anything like me, you need it.

I should say I don’t believe Weight Watchers is the only program that works. I truly believe most reputable ones do IF (notice that’s a BIG IF) you follow them and are able to follow them for a lifetime.  I guess that’s why Weight Watchers went with their new ad campaign. It makes sense to me.

Speaking of me (oh I used that transition already – Didn’t I?), I have been in the zone for the past 2 days, food journaling, working out, getting things done! With all the site updates I’ve been making it’s been hard for me to post my daily menu. I did update my Goals, my Weight Progress, and my Workout Progress. I also recorded a new video post, Cutting Sweet Potato Fries and posted one of my favorite butternut squash recipes, Butternut Carrot Chicken Soup/Stew.  But fear NOT, daily menus will return tomorrow!

Labels: insights

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I wanted to start the year off with a list of things I am going to try to accomplish in 2008. While putting together the list I started thinking of all my failed resolutions of past. Then I started think of why I failed them. The answer is simple, I made unrealistic resolutions instead of attainable goals. You say the difference is semantics, I say it's a state of mind.

Let us hold hands with the ghost of New Year's past and travel to depths of Roni's memory…

The year is 1999. I just graduated with my Masters degree weighing in at my all time highest weight of 210 pounds. I moved, got a new job and was starting my new life as a working professional. The boyfriend (now the husband) and I were celebrating New Year's Eve together alone in our new apartment. We snapped a picture of ourselves on our new web cam (man are we gadget whores) and I am devastated by what I see and I say… (yes that is really me 12:30AM Jan 1 2000.)

"THAT'S IT!! It's New Years and I AM going to lose this weight. I AM never going to eat a carb again. I AM going to wake up every day before work and jog. I AM going to only drink water. I AM going to do 100 sit ups every night before bed."

You know how long that lasted?

1 day.

By the afternoon of the first, I'm hung over and I'm starving. We order pizza and I say, "I'll start tomorrow. Who actually starts a diet on the 1st anyway?"

Sounds at all familiar?

Now let's return to the New Year's of present. (I can't lie this picture was taken on Christmas but it serves my purpose)

The year is 2008. I am embarking on my own business ventures raising my very active toddler and am now married to "the boyfriend". I weigh about 145lbs, 10 pounds more then my all time low of 135 but 65lbs less then my all time high. Now, what do I say today…

"By the end of this year WILL climb that steep incline wall at the gym, I WILL be able to do one unassisted pull up, and I will return to my personal goal of 140lbs. To accomplish these goals I WILL make working out a priority, I WILL continue to journal and watch my diet, choosing healthy foods that nourish me and my body."

See the difference?

I do.

In the past I put too much pressure on myself and I made resolutions that even if I kept I'd hate doing. Now I know better. Now I set goals and do what works for me to reach those goals. Not only what works for me but what is fun and possible for me to do. It may not seem like a big deal but unrealistic resolutions create a sense of failure when you don't achieve them. However, realistic goals create a sense of confidence when you do.

Here’s to us achieving all of our goals in 2008. We can do it with a little bit of hard work and patients. I KNOW we can!

Labels: insights, journal