My first week’s attempt to lose weight was an epic failure. I thought that buying healthy food would be enough to ensure that I would make healthy food choices, but I was wrong. I thought that ‘winging it’ would work – sadly mistaken. Complete flexibility was a huge flop.
The choice to be completely flexible was inspired by my previous attempt to lose weight (Sept ’08 – April ’09). At that time I followed an extremely strict exercise and meal routine, and I lost quite a bit of weight. However, as soon as my schedule had to change (due to life getting busy, holidays, etc) my weight loss efforts unravelled. I slowly began gaining the weight back, and I finally gave up. I couldn’t get my routine back - no matter how hard I tried.Now I have gained all the weight back, and more. Although I was tempted to completely restructure my life in a similar way as before (structured menu and exercise routine) I knew that something so rigid wouldn’t work for more than a few weeks. But I found out that something with complete flexibility is just as bad, actually – it is worse, since it doesn’t work for more than a few hours.
So, I decided that the key to my success would be finding a structured weight loss program, but one that is flexible enough to meet the changes that occur in life. But I had no idea what system would work! I have tried all sorts of things in the past, and was scared that there was nothing left.I love how life delivers… over the last couple weeks it seems like the universe has provided signs as to where to turn. My doctor, my friends, people online, and even my mother all recommended the same thing, something I had never tried. All independently! Well, I am no fool – even if it is a coincidence, I am going to go the direction that all signs seem to point to. So, I joined weight watchers.
Yesterday I weighed in (341.4 pounds, yuck), and attended my first meeting. I got my little booklets, learned about the points system (I am allowed 40 points a day), and met the group. So far, I am really enjoying it. I am especially fond of the idea of earning little rewards (5 pound stickers, etc) which are celebrated at the meetings. I feel confident about the level of structure and flexibility offered through this program. I like the idea of points, as it tells me how much to eat everyday (giving me the structure I need) – and I love how we get 35 extra flex points every week, which gives me the flexibility to have an ‘off’ day/days, as needed, guilt free!I love organizing, writing, and budgeting – and this program fulfills that by encouraging me to write down everything I eat, assigning a point value to it, and budgeting for what I am able to eat given the number of points I have left. Plus the accountability mandated by attending weekly meetings is fantastic.
It seems like something that I can do, and live with, for the rest of my life. That is very promising considering I am looking to make a lifelong lifestyle change. This program seems like it will provide the structure I need along with the flexibility necessary for the changes that are bound to occur in my life. I think I have found something that will work for me, and I am very excited about it.
Yay!