Fighting Back Against Obesity...and Winning!

I am back on the scale. So far, I've lost 9.6 pounds in 7 weeks through Weight Watchers. I'm .4 pounds away from my 5% target goal weight of losing 10 pounds {you do the math!}. I don't mind telling the world this kind of "personal stuff" because I hope it inspires someone else to start their weight management journey. I know I still have a LONG way to go before I reach my ultimate goal weight. But, I'm thinking of this as a true lifestyle change that will take time and last throughout my life time. So, you can't rush these things. One step at a time. One foot in front of the other...

The hardest part for me has been reducing my meal and food portions. I'm an overeater, to say the least. On top of that I'm married to a marathon runner. You think that it would help me being by being married to a runner, right? Not necessarily. Let me explain. See...when my hubby prepares for a long run or a race, he "carbo loads" a.k.a. eats lots and lots of pasta and carbs. That's great for his body. But, not so great for mine because I'm not running 20 miles {yet}. There are some people who say that they have a "love-hate" relationship with food. Not me. Mine is ALL LOVE! As I sometimes jokingly say to friends and family: "I'm an equal opportunity eater." I don't discriminate against any foods! ;)

 

What I like about Weight Watchers is that I learn how to eat real food in real time. They don't make you eat "their" meals and then expect you to know how to eat right when going back to the real world like some of those other weight plans do.

 

My family has been very supportive in my weight loss efforts. It's so adorable to see the boys getting in on the act. My older {6-year-old} son came home from kindergarten the other day and made a salad for me. My leader at my Weight Watchers meetings gave me a Bravo star and one to give him, as well! He was over-the-top excited. My other son {4-years-old} was a little upset, though, because he didn't get a sticker. And, my hubby was like: "Hey, where's my sticker? I've been buying you all your diet friendly foods and helping you get your exercise!" LOL! ;) {I think I've created a monster here...hahaha...}

 

Weight Watchers is encouraging members to get active. So, I've started running, again. Yes, again! My hubby actually got me into running when we were dating. And, I ran a few races, too. I particularly recall the very last race I ran was the St. Barnabas race in Gibsonia, PA because I found out shortly thereafter that I was pregnant with my older son! After my pregnancies it was hard for me to get back into the swing of things. Oh...I exercised for a while through the gym. Even did Zumba {which I thoroughly enjoyed and want to do again}. Did some spinning, too, for a while. But, I let life run me over and let my exercise fall by the wayside. It seems to me that mothers have a real tendency to do that...I mean take care of everyone else and forget about themselves.

 

So, I'm planning to really make this a lifestyle change for me, not just some "fad diet". If I continue on the current weight loss plan I am on now, I should reach my ultimate weight goal by this time next year or a little thereafter {maybe June or July next year}.

 

Bellydancing...my first attempt...

A while ago I purchased "Bellydance: Fitness for Beginners" thinking it would be a fun way to get some exercise. I tried it out for the first time today. And, it was a lot of fun. This is the kind of exercise I enjoy. Exercise that makes me feel like I'm having fun as opposed to exercise that makes me feel like a masochist. Here's a link to the DVD if you're interested in purchasing it to try it out for yourself:

Use it or Lose it: That is the question!

My family is currently going through Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University workshop through a local church. And, if you know anything about Dave Ramsey, you know that he promotes a debt-free lifestyle. The 2nd Baby Step is the "Debt Snowball". So, in an effort to get that snowball rolling faster, I am evaluating some of our expenses. One of those expenses is the gym membership which I barely use but think that I will someday. It's a tough one for me to decide...Should I get rid of the membership since I barely use it? But, when I do "try" to get exercise I usually do so through the gym. My best weight-loss efforts have been through using the gym instead of "home" or "walking outdoors" methods. You see I am a fair weather person who lives in Pittsburgh...one of the LEAST "fair weather" places to live. LOL! What are your thoughts on this? Should I cut my losses on the gym membership? Or keep it (and actually use it) so that I can save my health? What's your take?