Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Weight Watchers Anniversary

Today marks one year that I have been a Weight Watchers member.  One year...52 weeks...a little more than 52 pounds lost.  I am more than happy with that.  Weight loss of one pound a week is healthy and normal.  I am still around 20 lbs from my ultimate goal, but my deadline on that is my 40th birthday and that is not for another 7 months.  The pounds are coming off slower, but then again I have less to lose.  The way I see it, if I never lose another ounce, I am in better health and may live a little longer than I would have a year ago.  The good news is that I don't see it as a diet anymore.  Making healthy food choices is just a way of life.  Let me share a few "dieting" frustrations and no, it isn't about how much I missed candy on Valentine's Day.

The commissary on base is small and you see the same cashiers and baggers on every trip.  I make A LOT of trips.  I will admit that I am in there shopping at least twice a week.  That being said, I don't need to hear the commentary on my frequency or purchases.  Eating healthy means increasing your intake of fresh vegetables and fruit.  Those items aren't dry goods with lengthy shelf lives.  In fact, not much has a lengthy shelf life in my house when I have two growing boys.  The number of comments I endure not just  about  how often I shop, but also "do you know how much those cost?"  Lately, this is accompanying my large purchases of mandarin oranges.  The whole family loves them.  We go through several bags a week.  Why does the cashier care?  She isn't paying my food bill.  The produce manager who asked about my purchases in order to increase his own produce order, he made sense.  The cashier, not so much. She even had the audacity to tell me that the cans of them were cheaper.  I laughed and said I was more than able to price compare, but thank you, I prefer fresh.

Anyone who has ever tried to eat smart will understand this next one.  The people who try to force feed you or guilt you into eating junk.  It is okay if I want to pass on a slice of pizza.  I won't die if I choose a salad.  It is fine if I don't want a slice of birthday cake.  In fact, diet or no diet, if it is a typical cake with overly sweet icing, I would pass anyway.  I am not a big birthday and wedding cake eater.  Sometimes it seems people think if I am saying no that they think I am starving myself.  People have gotten very persistent about me consuming things almost like a drug dealer trying to convert another good girl to junky.  They find it hard to believe that I can say no.

My secret is not really a secret.  I am a planner.  I plan everything in my life.  Drives people insane.  I am not very spontaneous at all.  So, I plan my splurges.  I factor any meal that I can't control, like banquets and other events, into my points for the day and week.  I have had so many people want to talk to me about my weight loss and they don't always like the answers because they are looking for a quick fix.  I chose Weight Watchers because it was a solid plan.  Eat smart and exercise.  Nothing off limits, but everything in moderation.  I don't like prepackaged meals and their programs because you are bound to their meals.  I get to eat at restaurants and parties.  I don't like meal replacement shakes because they literally make me sick.  I don't think there is a magic pill so why would I take pills?  What are the other things...don't eat meat, only eat meat, no bread, no pasta, no potatoes, no sugar.....I could go on and on.  Bottom line is that they all seem great at first and if you need to drop 5lbs before a big event, then go for it, but if you are looking for lifelong weight loss and overall better health, then diet and exercise is the only way.  I am not saying you have to do Weight Watchers, but do something similar because it works.  Lastly, if one more person tells me that they would like to do WW but they can't afford it.  My online program is only about $20 a month.  How much is your life worth to you?  I think living long enough to see my children grown and actually being able to grow old is worth so much more than $20 a month.