Sustainability - Sunday Thoughts

By -
Something that has been on my mind a lot lately is all of the different weight loss and “healthy lifestyle” programs that are out there. Now let me begin by saying that whatever program you choose has to be what’s right for you and I don’t judge anyone’s personal choice. This is just me being honest and sharing what’s best for me.

What’s not a surprise is I’ve been struggling to lose weight. I feel like I’ve been in battle for the past 4.5 years-since having James aka baby #2. I’ve run the gamut during this time of different programs. From seeing a dietician that had a fat and weight loss formula - which I liked the program because it was focused on eating “real” foods to doing a few Standard Process Cleanses with supplements and protein shakes to Weight Watchers - off and on between these other programs. During all of this I never really focused on exercise. I focused on the scale and how quickly I could get that number down. 

One thing I learned quickly is that I struggled drinking those shakes daily. Keeping them fresh and enjoyable was a nearly impossible for me. Now don’t get me wrong I still like a nice cold smoothie every now and again, but as a filler, not a meal. I also had a hard time keeping up with the supplement regime that some of the plans demanded to get ultimate results. I barely remember to take my thyroid medication each morning let alone a anything else!

I’ve noticed lately there is such a push for “quick and easy” plans that focus on losing weight through these “vitamin filled/nutrition packed” smoothies and shakes.  Other than Weight Watchers I don’t see anything or anyone that pushes you towards eating real foods. This is why I ultimately keep coming back to Weight Watchers. Because these other programs haven’t been sustainable for me. Shoot, sometimes Weight Watchers isn’t!

Figuring out a balance for eating real foods and incorporating the right amount of daily exercise is my focus right now. I want to make meals that I can feed my whole family instead of making a bunch of different meals every night.  As most moms do - I already make something special for one kiddo (which I pray ends soon), I don't want to make separate meals for me too!  Now my hubby fully supports eating healthy meals - matter of fact, he's love it if I made more of them!  But let's face it, some nights there just isn't enough time or enough energy to pull out the healthiest of meals.  Not to mention the times you just want to treat yourself!  

Working on what causes me to overeat is another factor in my diet lifestyle that I'd like to work on and NO plans (that I know of) work on that part with you.  If you're lucky enough to find a WW meeting that discusses the "real food issues", you are a lucky one.  Many of the meetings stick to the plan material for the week and recipes.  There are some times that you need to talk about what made you eat that entire tub of ice cream or pack of cookies.  I've attended Overeaters Anonymous meetings and read from my step book often, but I found the meetings to be emotionally taxing for me.  I need something a little more lighthearted while dealing with my food issues.  

Thanks for letting me get this all out of my head and I'll be over here trying to figure all of this out, trying to get my body strong while fighting my food demons.  Wishing everyone on this journey the very best!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

10 Ways to Burn 200 Calories (*based on a 135lb woman)

By Anonymous -
Try these out and in case you couldn’t guess after reading….number 6 is my FAVORITE!! 1.        Get into the swing of things .   Take your stress out at the driving range.   Just 62 minutes at the driving range burns those calories away.   Ready to take on 9 or 18 holes…skip the cart and walk.   You’ll burn 50% more calories per minute. 2.        Meet in a dark alley.   Bowling Alley that is.   In 90 minutes of fun with your friends you’ll roll off 200 calories, skip your light beer-you can do it in an hour! 3.        Go Green.   Ride your bike to run your errands.   In just 23 minutes of peddling or 4.6 miles you burn off those 200 calories! 4.        Strike a pose.   Try Vinyasa yoga.   This type of yoga moves you fluidly from pose to pose, burning more than 7 calories per minute.   29 minutes….200 calories GONE! 5.        Rub-a-dub-dub.   Take a 2 mile walk with you puppy (about 40 minutes), come home and give him a 10 minute bath, then treat yourself to a 15 minute bubble bath and
Read more

How To Get Started On An Exercise Program

By Anonymous -
So, you ask yourself…How do I get started?  Everyone has good intentions to exercise on a daily basis, but you need a game plan to make it work.  Here are some suggestions for when you’re beginning to think about an exercise program: Consider what you would like to achieve.  What are your goals?  Are you trying to lose weight or maybe train to participate in a 5K for the first time? Make a reasonable exercise plan.  “No pain, No gain” should not be your plan.  Everyone needs to ease into exercise at their own pace.  Whether you are trying weight training or cardio…ease in… you’ll get to that 5K. How will you fit your exercise program into your day?  Pick the time of day that you feel that you have the most energy and you can commit to your workout.  Schedule your workout time like an appointment you can’t break.  Look at it as “me time”. Try a variety of different exercises.  Don’t do the same exercises all the time, if you do, your body will acclimate over time.  Cross training is
Read more

Speak up for yourself

By -
Image
A simple, effective way to sidestep sabotage (well meaning or not). "Another slice won't hurt, you don't need to lose weight, but you've always looked like this-it's who you are."  Do any of these sound familiar?  If so, you've faced sabotage at some point along the way and it can undermine your weight loss journey. Something to keep in mind, is that most often, sabotage is not intentional.  Often it's the people that love you the most say or do things that could derail your weight loss and maintenance efforts.  These people don't even realize they're doing it.  They think they are helping you.  Many people associate food with love. The bottom line is not to assume that friends and family are trying to harm your weight loss journey.  Take the time to explain to them how you feel sabotaged and let them know how they can better support you and your goals.  after all, they won't be able to change their behaviors unless they know how th
Read more