I'm ARMED and READY...

Hello blogging readers!

The news reporter mentioned that it's been 4 years since Toronto had a white Christmas. Booo! There's something magical about a white Christmas, isn't there? Although it came late, the snow has arrived and it's beautiful. This is when I wish I had an old fashioned fire place, with real wood and a real fire. I guess my Vanilla Orchid oolong tea & electrical fireplace, will do for now. :)

My last blog mentioned how determined I am to meet my weight loss goals. The wedding is a huge motivator, but deep down, I've wanted to meet this goal for as long as I can remember. I remember always being uncomfortable in my own skin, never wearing tight clothing or fitted clothes for fear of showing off the dreaded back rolls and muffin tops. In high school, trying to lose weight and joining various gyms or jumping on different weight loss bandwagons, was how I spent my time. What a waste!

So, today, I'm armed and ready....

The one program that I find fantastic is Weight Watchers. I have joined Weight Watchers in the past and it has always worked for me! Weight Watchers is a program that allows you to eat anything as long as you stay within a daily budget of points for the day. Every food has a points value and you simply deduct the food points from your daily total. In addition to your daily points, you also have a bundle of FUN points to play with a week (think Wine!). In addition to the bonus points, you also have activity points that allow you to enjoy more food (or more wine!). If you work out, you get to eat more - bonus! I love the program! It allows me to enjoy all the foods that I love without feeling guilty.

The hardest part about Weight Watchers is joining. Yes, that horrible feeling that you have as you enter the building and walk through the doors. I felt embarrassed, uneasy, and really nervous. I felt like a failure. I had many thoughts running through my mind like 'Why can't I do this on my own? Why do I have to pay to lose weight? I deserve to be fat'. It's a real mind game but I have never looked back. I stepped on that scale, swallowed the grand total, and moved forward....I knew I was taking the right step, in the right direction.

You see, people like me NEED the support of other people. I've finally embraced this about myself. I can't do this alone. It hasn't worked for 32 years, why now?  There's an online version of WW where people follow the program on their own using online tools. I'm sure some people find this effective, however, I know I am not one of them. I need to know that someone will be weighing me each week. I need someone to hold me accountable.  (Do you know how embarrassing it is to step on the scale and see a gain? Yikes) I need to see people, hear their stories, and celebrate successes with them. (Yes, we do announce when we've lost weight and people do clap for us - those rumours are true!) It really is a community!

It also helps attending weekly, with a buddy. A bestie of mine convinced me to rejoin (back in September). She is pounds away from her lifetime goal and I could not be happier for her! She's a trooper and so inspiring! She keeps me motivating knowing that she weighs in Saturday mornings with me, and will always ask 'Well, how'd you do?'. Usually I mumble profanities....but, I can't wait until I tell her 'I reached my goal!'.

Since September, my weight loss has been slow and steady. It's time that I step up to the plate to REALLY play the game. It's my time to be up to bat and I'm ready to hit that HOME RUN! Better yet, Grand Slam home run!


xo