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}.

 

1 Down...Only 54 More To Go!

I am on the weightloss bandwagon, again. But, this time I'm going semi-solo.

By semi-solo, I mean I'm not paying into a program, like Weight Watchers, this time. However, I will be relying on the education and materials gained from being a previous participant in such program.

With the help of this blog and its readers, I hope to remain accountable through this process.

Here's the deal...

You all know that I'm married. I have two adorable boys. My husband and boys deserve a wife and mother to be around for a long time. Some things I can control in that area and others I can't. Why not try to control the things I can? (Insert Serenity Prayer here.)

So, I'm giving it to you straight.

My weight is out of control (again). I know a lot of it has to do with emotional eating and lack of exercise (deadly combo, indeed). My portion sizes could use a major overhaul (again). And, I could drink A LOT more water (and reduce A LOT of pop drinking...soda to those of you not in the Pittsburgh area).

Why am I re-committing to weight loss, again?

The scale scared me...again.

195 pounds!!! 5 pounds away from 200?!? Is that possible?!

To get to my target weight goal of 140 pounds (a healthy weight based on my height & body type). I need to lose 55 pounds.

I joined my local Bally's Total Fitness gym. I've mainly been focusing on cardio for now (treadmill & elliptical).

And, I'm happy to report that I've lost 1 pound so far! Yay! Celebrating victories (no matter how small) is good. I'm now at 194.

On the food side, I'm gradually re-introducing myself to more fruits & veggies. I do love them. But, for some reason, when I'm not "paying attention" they tend to disappear from my diet.

Why broadcast my weight on a public blog linked to my Facebook?

Because I need accountability. I need my friends and family (and even complete strangers if they care) to realize how important this decision is to me to get healthy. This is not just to "look sexy" for a bathing suit type of weightloss. This is to lose weight so that I can make it to at least my 60th birthday type of weightloss. (Heart disease, obesity and diabetes run in my family.)

My husband does help, obviously. What kind of runner would he be if he didn't? His discipline astounds me.

But, sometimes you need your friends to give you that "swift kick" in the behind...so to speak. Or to give you that "atta girl". So, any helpful hints, comments on this blog or Facebook or otherwise are greatly encouraged!