Weight Watchers

 I am not a paid spokesperson for Weight Watchers but I should be after all of the money I have paid them over the years.  A friend of mine told me years ago that she joined and had lost 17 lbs in a decent amount of time.  I thought wow, if it worked for her, it could work for me too.  

I lived in Maryland at the time and found a local meeting.  I liked what I heard and decided I would give it a shot.  I have kept some of my weigh-in logs and it looks like I started in May of 2003.  I had lost a few pounds on my own before I joined because I was embarrassed but at my official first weigh in I weighed 218lbs.  That was 5 months after I gave birth to Jacob.  By January 2004, I was down 41 lbs.  It looks like between 2004 & 2007 I stayed in the 160 - 170 range.  It wasn't until October of 2007 that I hit 145 and hovered around that weight for a few years. 

The reason that I like weight watchers is that it makes sense to me.  There are no foods that are restricted, you just have to plan for them.  Every food has a point and you are allotted so many points in a day.  You get weekly points you can use if you chose to if you have a date night, wedding, special occasion or you just want to treat yourself to something that is more in points.  

Like any lifestyle change consistency is key.  Over time I eventually gained most of the weight back because I love to eat and I lost focus of my why.  Getting diagnosed with RA was a challenge because I had to stop exercising for a while.  I rejoined WW in January of this year and have lost 20 lbs.  I have noticed it takes a lot longer for me to lose weight now that I am older but I am ok with that.  Slow and steady wins the race for me. 

So looking at the dates, I have been on this ride off and on for 20 years.  These are the things I know to be true. 

• There is no magic pill, drink, surgery, or shot for sustainable weight loss.
• 80% is nutrition the other 20% is fitness.
• Water is crucial for weight loss.  Hydration is so important for so many reasons. 
• You do not have to do crazy workouts to lose weight.  When I lost 73 lbs and kept it off, I was walking 30 minutes a day.  I moved my body more. I parked further away, and I took the stairs. Move your body! 
• You do not have to spend money on supplements to lose weight.  I know a few gyms that are making a killing off of their supplement sales.  If you are eating a healthy nutrient-rich diet, you are getting what your body needs to thrive.   
• Your mind has to be 100% on board to start the journey.  Until that happens you will not succeed.  

Sean is currently doing Keto and I am not a fan but it works for him and he likes it.  It is important you do what works for you.  That goes for exercise too.  If you hate what you are doing you are likely not going to keep it up.  This 20-year journey has been a tough road.  Through the years I have not had the healthiest relationship with food but I am getting there.  I am 50, I have PCOS, Rheumatoid Arthritis and it is tough to lose weight but I refuse to give up.  I may get frustrated at how slow it is coming off but I will not give up! I am worth it!

Taking the first step and just going for a healthier lifestyle is hard but I promise you it is worth it. You are worth it!  Someone is reading this right now and this is your sign that it is time to start investing in your health, in you.  Your health is important. Get after it!  Be BOLD!!