Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Ah-Maze-ing Updates and Randomness

I had an ah-maze-ing week end two week ends ago.  My friends from college and I get together about this time every year for a "Girls Week-End".  I was so excited to see them, because the last time I saw them I was about 30 pounds heavier.  Well, and to catch up on what has been going on the past year (that we have not been able to follow on Facebook). 

I was conscious of everything I put into my mouth.  I did indulge, and I made sure to get in activity points before and after the girl week end.  Afterall, every girls week end we manage to go to a candy shoppe.  The past two have included wine tasting.  I think all but one has included looking at art of some sort.

I have rediscovered thrift shops.  I am still trying to get over my issues with them, but I am just over halfway to goal.  I could not keep my pants up.  It was getting annoying to keep yanking them up all of the time.  My issues with thrift stores is that I have to try on everything before I buy it, you have to sort through everything to find what you might be looking for, and even then you can come up empty handed.

People are really starting to realize the weightloss too!  I hear it everywhere I go :).

Last night, I received an e-mail from a friend/fan.  She recently joined WW, and had some questions.  I am sure I could make this a separate blog post, but I really want to share with you parts of my reply.   I think they could help more people.  Here are my reccomendations and advice:

My number #1 tip is to think: "Baby Steps"  This is a lot to take on at once. I only incorporate 1 or 2 new things into my lifestyle a week. 

Etools is great. My first recommendation is if you have a smartphone: download the Weight Watchers App (it is free) and the Weight Watchers Scanner (also free). If you have an ipad there is a Weight Watchers kitchen app (free) that houses a lot of recipes. The phone app, takes away any excuse to not log my points, because I always have my phone on me.

In regards to eating out and drinking: the smartphone app is wonderful. There are tools in there that can guide you on what to eat and drink. I love me some pizza. You can build your piece of pizza in the app and it will tell you the points. Diet pop is 0 points. Lighter colored alcohol is less in points than darker. Light beer is not bad points wise. I would alternate between beer and water at the bar. (Perk: less chance of a hangover). If you go over your 49 weekly points you can fall back on the activity points you earned during the week. If you know you are going out, come up with a plan. I use eTools to roughly plan what I will eat and drink. I don’t always stick to it, but I stay close. Like I may say 2 glasses of wine, but really have 3. I keep track. The cool thing with the app is that all your friends think you are texting.

Get a pedometer.  Track any and all activity. Cleaning house and yard work count, too! WW also has this device called ActiveLink. You can hook it to your pants or shirt, wear it all day, it logs your movement, and you plug it into your computer for it to read. It will tell you how many activity points you earned and shows opportunities for improvement. It is waterproof. One of the WW support staff accidently threw hers in the washer, and it still works. I don’t have activelink because it is an additional fee each month.

At one of my first meetings there was a lady who just became lifetime. She reached her goal for the second time through WW. She said the first time she lost 150 pounds. The second time around she lost 20 pounds. Anyway, she said the first time she struggled losing the last 50 pounds. This time she struggled losing the last 5 pounds. Keep in mind everyone struggles your 50 may be my 5. After 10 months I am finally able to recognize a plateau earlier on. I hit one in April (which also happens to be my birthday month…a lot of alcohol and cake was consumed). It took me MONTHS to realize I need to switch it up. At the end of July I started seeing results again. I am approaching another plateau. I know I need to change it up again. Looking back at my logs helps with this. I can see patterns and I learn a lot from them.

At one of my first meetings there was a lady who just became lifetime. She reached her goal for the second time through WW. She said the first time she lost 150 pounds. The second time around she lost 20 pounds. Anyway, she said the first time she struggled losing the last 50 pounds. This time she struggled losing the last 5 pounds. Keep in mind everyone struggles your 50 may be my 5. After 10 months I am finally able to recognize a plateau earlier on. I hit one in April (which also happens to be my birthday month…a lot of alcohol and cake was consumed). It took me MONTHS to realize I need to switch it up. At the end of July I started seeing results again. I am approaching another plateau. I know I need to change it up again. Looking back at my logs helps with this. I can see patterns and I learn a lot from them.

My biggest advice is break down your goal. I know you think you have a long way to go, but if you should follow WW principles to celebrate each milestone (every 5 pounds lost, when you have lost 5% , 10%, and 20% of your starting body weight). Reward yourself with a nonfood treat (get your nails or hair done, etc). In your weight record on-line you will see stars for every milestone your reach! I rarely thought, “I have 58 pounds to lose.” I keep focusing in on the small milestones. Now I have 24 left to go. Actually, I am focusing in at 1 pound to lose, because it puts me at 35 .

1 comment:

  1. I love the one pound at a time theory! Great motivation!

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