So, after writing last week about how I don't need a fancy weight loss program, I went ahead and joined Weight Watchers this week. Perhaps I was wrong about being able to make healthy choices; self control is not a strength I posses.
You should know that I am no stranger to Weight Watchers. It ranks not just among the diets I have tried in the past, but among the diets I have tried MULTIPLE times. The first time was the best - I went with a friend, and she totally kept me accountable. We did it over the summer (I was teaching full time at the time), paid for the entire summer in advance (so we had no excuses), and it was a mild success. I didn't lose a LOT of weight - just under 10 pounds for the summer - but it was nice to go back to school in the fall with pants that fit. I didn't keep it up. It was too hard to count points while I was working, and getting to a meeting after a full day at school was just not happening. I attempted on my own for awhile but I couldn't do it. So I went back, though to a different meeting. I don't know why - I just didn't think it was right to go back without my friend to the first one. And I did it more than a few times. Every time I would see one of those "no registration fees" ads, I would give it another go. Three or four times with meetings, another couple of times doing the online program. The program worked, but I just couldn't stick with it. I don't know why.
So why would I plunk down money to try it again? I honestly can't even tell you. I think that I thought that spending the money would hold me accountable. I hate to spend money - I am not one of those girls who thrives on shopping. I love a good bargain, and I am very careful to not spend money on "extras." If I spent the money on Weight Watchers, I would have no choice but to follow the plan. Right? I had also heard good things about the new program. One of the things I liked about the old program was that you basically ate healthy food in moderation, and you could work the occasional Starbucks or ice cream cone in. The new program supposedly uses all the new science about weight loss, and, as many are excited for, features zero point fruit. That's right, if you want a banana, you can have a banana. Good enough. I need to lose weight, and perhaps this will hold me accountable.
So, why the sudden interest in getting healthy? Well, first of all there is the issue of my mirror. You know, the one that has decided to show me a much larger me than I am used to seeing. It has, apparently, been talking to my camera, since it has been showing me an unflattering view lately as well. I’m not huge; I couldn’t even apply to be on The Biggest Loser. But if you just look at my height and weight, I am definitely in the obese range. And while I am not someone who cares too much about my appearance (I am definitely one of those no-makeup-hair-in-ponytail-jeans-and-a-hoodie moms), I don’t like how I look.
The bigger reasons have to do with my daughter. I am trying to teach her that vegetables and fruit make a good meal and that snacks are small and healthy. This was easier when she was content to eat what I served her. We went through a phase where she just wanted peas and grapes to eat. She’s still very into fruit and would choose that over sugary sweets any day, but she is also starting to want to eat what I am eating. It doesn’t matter what it is – if it is on Mommy’s plate, she wants it. This works out well when I’m having a healthy snack or meal. But if I’m having chips or garlic bread (hey, don’t judge me), it gets a little trickier. I need to lead by example and have healthy foods on my plate to share.
There’s also the matter of my health. I am the unfortunate recipient of a laundry list of family health problems. You name it, we’ve got it. When I fill out one of those family health history forms at the doctor’s office, it’s often easier to just cross off the three or four things we DON’T have. When I was in the hospital with my dad years ago, his doctor looked at me and explained that the two main causes of his problems were family history and stress. Fantastic. I can’t control my family history. And, to be fair, I can only control so much of my stress-level. A certain 18-month old enjoys a chunk of control over that situation. But I can control my other risk factors. And I can do it now.