First and foremost, I successfully tracked every bite last week! I am so proud of myself. It's the first time I tracked 100% in more months than I can count.
For my diligent tracking efforts, I was rewarded with a beautiful 3.2 pound loss this morning! That brings my current weight to 179.5. I am quite happy. I do want to note that I used 47/49 weekly points allowance (WPA.) This week I commit to tracking everything, and focusing on good health guidelines (GHG.) It's fairly easy for me to achieve all the GHG without much thought, but when life gets busy I will end up missing a dairy or an oil.
In other news, I want to touch on self confidence. I used to severely lack self esteem and confidence. I've wavered back and forth in those departments the last few years. However, I have to say my confidence is at a peak. Despite being at my highest weight, I am in love with my body. There are numerous things that are factoring into my self love:
1) I got a new haircut. A good haircut always makes me feel awesome. I went quite a bit shorter, and I love it. I had planned on going shorter after losing a little weight, but then I realized that was stupid. I have never been one to hide behind baggy clothes, so I shouldn't hide behind my hair.
2) I have been making a conscious effort to leave the house dressed "stylish." Now, I'm not a fashionista by any means. I am just focusing on putting together outfits that are cute and comfortable with great accessories. I have never been one to leave the house in pajamas or workout gear, but I am stepping it up a notch.
3) I am wearing clothes that fit appropriately. Accepting that some of my jeans and shirts were a hair too snug was a hard pill to swallow. Buying a few pieces that fit my current body was worth the money.
4) I realized that when you dress your body in flattering clothes that aren't too big or too small, you look smaller. I have also been paying more attention to other people. My conclusion is that no one really cares and/or notices that you have some arm flab or a slight stomach roll. I wore a sleeveless dress today without a shrug. I held my head high. I even went to the mall and did some window shopping. I felt beautiful and confident!
5) I am definitely not the type to care what anyone else thinks about my looks. Case in point being that I love wearing short hair, and no one will ever discourage me from cutting it all off. I do admit, like a normal human being, my confidence is boosted when the men in my life compliment my looks and my curves. It's just nice to hear that some men prefer thicker thighs and a round butt.
6) I make sure to look at myself in the mirror (naked) each day. This could be a brief look when getting out of the shower, or a prolonged stare while changing clothes. The more I look at my body, the more I accept that it is perfect no matter my size. It will be fun to watch my body change during my weight loss journey.
I think I might become a frequent dress wearer. I used to have a bunch of excuses for hating dresses. It turns out that a well fitting one can make me feel more confident than a shirt and pants.
Here's to feeling fantastic! I'm looking forward to this next week.
Showing posts with label success. Show all posts
Showing posts with label success. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Must I look in the mirror to get a reflection?
Background Stats:
Weight Watchers Start Date: Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Start Age: 19
Start Weight: 176 pounds
Lowest Weight: 140.8 pounds
Must I look in the mirror to get a reflection?
-My two year Weight Watchers anniversary was Friday, August 14, 2009. I remember my very first meeting like it was yesterday. I remember I was wearing rolled up jeans because I was too fat for my capri pants. I took my mom with me...I joined as soon as I walked through the door, and she just sat in on the meeting. I came home that day and followed the plan immediately. I had great success losing, and was down 35 pounds by the end of the year. I felt great, looked great, and had the highest self-esteem I had ever had.
How does that compare to now?
-Fast forward...today I shamefully admit that I am almost exactly back to the person I was when I first began Weight Watchers. Unofficially, I saw 176 on the bathroom scale this morning. I am wearing size 14 pants once again. I am struggling with bras, because the cup runneth over on some. I look bloated. I have difficulty sleeping and sitting because my belly protrudes. Despite all of those unflattering aspects, there are a few things I kept from my "skinny version." I still have some self confidence. It is more about knowing I am a genuine good person than confidence about my body, but this is still a step above the old "fat version." I still also know that I am strong enough to make this journey. Truthfully, I hurt every day because of my weight. Excess weight is as much a physical battle as it is a mental battle. I am uncomfortable and disappointed in myself.
What got in the way?
-The only reason I gained weight back is because I let myself. I have made excuses. I convinced myself that work, socializing, and dating were higher on my priority list than healthy eating and weight management. I found little reasons to skip the gym, whether it be a little overtime at work, or wanting to eat dinner with my family. I accept that my actions (or lack of actions for that matter) are the main cause of my weight relapse. However, I do question a medicine I have been taking since May 2008. I feel that it has contributed to some of my weight gain, but this is not proven. I am not able to quit taking the medicine, so hopefully I can overcome its' side effect. Medications are a legitimate, although unwanted reason, for weight gain; excuses are not.
What I can I do to remedy the situation?
-I am changing my habits effective immediately. I know how to properly nourish my body with water, whole grains, dairy, protein, fruit, vegetables, and healthy oil. I know I should limit alcohol and sugar. I know that exercise is important. I know these things, yet I have not been practicing them. That is changing now. I am determined to follow the Weight Watchers plan. I know that it works, and I will be successful. In fact, I am using a coping tool from the program: Positive Thinking/Self-Talk.
Out With the Old, In With the New...Cheers to a New Beginning
There it is folks, the honest truth about where I am two years after beginning my Weight Watchers journey. I am ashamed, unhappy, and frustrated, but I am also accepting, knowledgable, and prepared. I will not give up. My long-term goal is to lose right around 50 pounds. My short-term goal is to take control of my eating in each individual day. I am taking this journey one day at a time.
-Tracy
Weight Watchers Start Date: Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Start Age: 19
Start Weight: 176 pounds
Lowest Weight: 140.8 pounds
Must I look in the mirror to get a reflection?
-My two year Weight Watchers anniversary was Friday, August 14, 2009. I remember my very first meeting like it was yesterday. I remember I was wearing rolled up jeans because I was too fat for my capri pants. I took my mom with me...I joined as soon as I walked through the door, and she just sat in on the meeting. I came home that day and followed the plan immediately. I had great success losing, and was down 35 pounds by the end of the year. I felt great, looked great, and had the highest self-esteem I had ever had.
How does that compare to now?
-Fast forward...today I shamefully admit that I am almost exactly back to the person I was when I first began Weight Watchers. Unofficially, I saw 176 on the bathroom scale this morning. I am wearing size 14 pants once again. I am struggling with bras, because the cup runneth over on some. I look bloated. I have difficulty sleeping and sitting because my belly protrudes. Despite all of those unflattering aspects, there are a few things I kept from my "skinny version." I still have some self confidence. It is more about knowing I am a genuine good person than confidence about my body, but this is still a step above the old "fat version." I still also know that I am strong enough to make this journey. Truthfully, I hurt every day because of my weight. Excess weight is as much a physical battle as it is a mental battle. I am uncomfortable and disappointed in myself.
What got in the way?
-The only reason I gained weight back is because I let myself. I have made excuses. I convinced myself that work, socializing, and dating were higher on my priority list than healthy eating and weight management. I found little reasons to skip the gym, whether it be a little overtime at work, or wanting to eat dinner with my family. I accept that my actions (or lack of actions for that matter) are the main cause of my weight relapse. However, I do question a medicine I have been taking since May 2008. I feel that it has contributed to some of my weight gain, but this is not proven. I am not able to quit taking the medicine, so hopefully I can overcome its' side effect. Medications are a legitimate, although unwanted reason, for weight gain; excuses are not.
What I can I do to remedy the situation?
-I am changing my habits effective immediately. I know how to properly nourish my body with water, whole grains, dairy, protein, fruit, vegetables, and healthy oil. I know I should limit alcohol and sugar. I know that exercise is important. I know these things, yet I have not been practicing them. That is changing now. I am determined to follow the Weight Watchers plan. I know that it works, and I will be successful. In fact, I am using a coping tool from the program: Positive Thinking/Self-Talk.
Out With the Old, In With the New...Cheers to a New Beginning
There it is folks, the honest truth about where I am two years after beginning my Weight Watchers journey. I am ashamed, unhappy, and frustrated, but I am also accepting, knowledgable, and prepared. I will not give up. My long-term goal is to lose right around 50 pounds. My short-term goal is to take control of my eating in each individual day. I am taking this journey one day at a time.
-Tracy
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