I don’t normally make excuses for my behaviour, choosing to own my actions rather than deflect my choices by trying to provide justification.
Do, or do not. There is no try.
(Oh, Master Yoda, is there anyone wiser than you?)
And for the most part, I’ve been successful; pushing beyond my limits and into unfamiliar territory with gusto. Recognizing my mistakes and apologizing when appropriate. Trying to do the right thing.
However, when it comes to making healthy dietary choices, that’s when I have a ton of “reasons” – not excuses, right? – for my lack of motivation. I’ll be honest: I have a complex and emotional relationship with food. Because…
1. It’s hard to separate hunger from boredom. 10:00 PM snacking is “a thing”.
2. It’s hard to say no to leftover cheesecake.
3. It’s hard to fit in exercise when I work 14-hour days.
4. It’s hard to stay on track when eating out and cooking for picky eaters.
5. It’s hard to eat well without feeling completely and utterly deprived of delicious food.
Those are my hard parts. What’s your hard part?
In 2015, I’m done making excuses. I’ve realized that making healthy food and life choices only seems insurmountable when I focus on the change as a whole. Eliminate sugar? I can’t! It’s too much a part of my life. Lose 15 pounds? Impossible! I’m not cut out to go on a diet. Exercise? When! I have no time.
And when I’m happy, sad, bored, tired, stressed, multi-tasking, shopping, reading, talking on the phone, working… among a slew of other triggers… I eat.
The hard part? Admitting there is a hard part. Admitting that losing weight is not easy, simple or uncomplicated.
This year, I’m getting help with my hard parts.
On December 27th, 2014, I joined Weight Watchers. (Of course I gave myself a day or two to eat binge on Christmas dinner leftovers.) Now let me be clear – I did not join because I believe I am overweight or think that health and happiness are dictated by a number on my scale. I did not join because I am participating in a campaign with Weight Watchers (I am) or because I was asked to join (I was not). I have joined Weight Watchers because I recognize that I have hard parts, and I recognize that I need help with them.
And with NEW 24/7 Chat, and Weight Watchers’ many other tools (online recipes, restaurant finder, activity tracking, etc.), I’m closer than ever to their dedicated coaches. Whether it’s getting started, words of encouragement to help keep me going, or help and support with weight loss, I can now access coaches who have followed the Weight Watchers program and were successful at losing weight and keeping it off.
It’s been just over 3 weeks since I’ve joined the program. And I’m already happier with the choices I’ve made, the foods I’ve consumed, and the support I’ve received from Weight Watchers coaches along the way. Stay tuned as I continue to share my journey!
That’s great you joined weight watchers, Support is very important. I am never up at 10pm to snack, my problem is I just learned about “menopots” yikes
May the force be with you on your transformation Jedi Lena!
You know you have my support.
Lena you’re on the right path! WTG! It’s hard for me to keep up with my daily exercises and to say no to sweets lol.
Weight watchers is GREAT and it WORKS! I am a lifetime member and lost over 70lbs in not even a year on their plan. Its NOT a diet its a lifestyle change and that is what is SO great about it!!! Good Luck!! You can do anything you put your mind too!!!
I am a Lifetime Member and truly believe that it is the healthiest and most successful way to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight. We all struggle with something and I too am not over weight but I have my weaknesses. My hard part is I am just so exhausted being mom and looking after everyone else. Going up and down the stairs and doing laundry, vacuuming and running errands is exhausting enough. Good for you Lena! The holidays were crazy and I indulged a bit too much and it is time again to bring out my Weight Watchers Handbook (Bible)
Good luck to you Lena! With your strong will power, I know you will succeed in your weight loss mission.
I would love to join, but I will have to wait till I get some money saved up, I like their program because you lose it slow too which helps. You really don’t need to lose weight Lena, you look awesome the way you are, but then like you said, need help with the hard parts, it’s nice to know they will be there for you!! the more I read your story the more I need to get off my butt and go in!
I am so excited that you are sharing your journey with us and that it is working. I became of lifetime member of Weight Watchers in 1992 after the birth of my 2nd son. I still think that it is the best program and that they help you make lifetime changes and they help you maintaining a healthy life. At the moment my hard part is #3. It’s hard for me also to exercise because I work a lot and make excuses all the time not to go on the treadmill in my basement.
You made me decide, right NOW, just after reading your post to go back to a meeting. I have not gone in 6 months and I have to get back on track.
You know what? You inspired me to do it and I will. I want to COMMIT to exercise in 2015 and I know that with the help of WW I can do it! Let’s do this Lena :) And I can’t wait to try the NEW 24/7.
I am fixing my goal, right now on your blog, to do at least 4 walks a week of 45 minutes on my treadmill. When you write your next post on WW I will tell you how I did.
Reading everyone’s stories has me pumped and I’m going to go and sign up, I can’t wait to live a healthier life, it’s going to be a hard struggle, but I can do it!!
Go Lynda! You CAN do it. :)
You sure can hon,sometimes we just need an extra boost !
Sometimes it is the support we need to get past the hard parts. I am trying to make a few changes this year but taking them one at a time. Right now I am cutting back on coffee and drinking more water, so far I am sticking with it and doing good. I figure one small change a month, instead of trying to do everything at once.
Alright. Alright!!! I am doing this too. You have inspired me Lena!! I am 15 pounds away from my pre-baby weight and I had my baby 12 years ago. It is time to do something about it!!
I am on the WW website right now and I can’t believe I’m doing this but you have inspired me!!!
WAY to Go, we can do this!
Congrats on your weight loss so far! It certainly is NOT easy to lose weight – or stay on track! WW is def the way to go – I know several ladies who have had amazing success with their programs!
I gained 45 pounds during my pregnancy (almost 4 years ago…can I still call it “baby weight”?)and I was so shocked/embarrassed that only 12 of that came off after my son was born. What happened to the “the weight will just fly off with breastfeeding” comment I heard from so many other moms? That didn’t work for me at all.
After months of being upset with all the weight that I couldn’t shed, I tried the Weight Watchers points system and it worked! I took off 15 pounds on that program and learned to make healthier food choices. I loved the point system because it shows you that not all calories are created equal. Sure, you can stay on a 1200 calorie diet of candy, but you certainly won’t lose weight that way! That was the sad part for me but I got over it. {wink}
I’m not on the official program anymore but I do still use the tools and tricks I learned while on the program. Just 3 more pre-pregnancy pounds to go…then a few more to lose this belly.
Good luck with the program and I’m excited to read about your progress!
This is GREAT news! I have heard so much great about weight watchers
I have heard a lot of good things about Weight Watchers. I struggle a lot with the same issues that you do. It is hard to say no to all the extra treats and snacking. I find in the winter I eat a lot more because I am more stressed, tired, etc. I’ll have to look into it. Thank you for sharing!
My mom is a Lifetime Member. I know it works because I see how well she has done on the program.
Chocolate is my hard part. and Oh how I love my chocolate!
My mom is interested in this program
Good for you for taking this step!
The hard part for me is when I have plateaued and than I want to just eat what I want.
Love to hear about your journey! I am currently trying to commit to at least 3x a week of hot yoga. So far so good. =)
I was actually thinking of doing the online one because lack of transportation during day and sometimes at night. but Im afraid Ill lie even though I know im only fibbing to myself
I think this is a totally healthy program that changes outlook on food and you still get delicious food! I wish you all the best! Inspiring!
Good luck on your journey! I have heard a lot of good things about WW.
hubby gets paid this week I hope there is enough so I can join online. I need it bad.
I’ve had the excuses but finally on track with my eating habits. All the online apps are a great help
Awesome I look forward to reading about your progress.
Great job on taking this step. I know how it is, I was in this position 9 months ago, under certain circumstances forced me to take action and stop with the excuses and hard parts. I’m happy to say I’ve made steady progress and huge changes to my lifestyle and routine thanks to online apps and the encouragement of friends and family.
congrats on taking that first step
This post hit a nerve…Always a struggle
Have you tried myfitnesspal.com?
Support is so very important when trying to lose weight,me and hubby both just started wheat free
Chocolate is my hard part. I’ve learned that one square of a good quality chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa helps a lot.
Good for you. We all have hard parts. For me it is stress and chocolate.
Words that many woman can own and attest to its’ TRUTH. Trying to find a BALANCE is very hard…still struggling to find my acceptance of the norm. Your post has refuelled my desire to become the best version of me – Treadmill awaits – fruit/vegetable shopping tomorrow. Good luck on your journey.
Eva Mitton-Urban
I love weight watchers, It really works, but I need to get my head organized first.
I have always struggled with food and weight!
Weight is so easy to put on but so hard to lose,take dedication!