"Four weeks in a row." AND "It really is a mind game."

I have lost weight four weeks in a row now. It’s been a long time since I have done this. I plan to do my part to ensure that this trend continues.

I credit tracking to my success with losing.  Tracking seems to work best for me when I can track on the computer.  Just being able to track on my smartphone didn’t work as well for me.  Since the introduction of the PointsPlus® program, I haven’t had a way to track on my computer.

As of the end of April, I now have a WW monthly pass which includes an eTools subscription.  I am LOVING tracking with eTools.  I do most of my tracking on my computer and edit/add things with my phone throughout the day.

I also credit something else that I am trying to do when I am craving something that isn’t the best choice for my weight loss journey.

As we know, this journey is as much of a determination in our mind about our choices as it is eating the proper food (choices and portions) and activity/exercise.  For me, it is also about choosing NOT to eat something that will trigger wanting more and more.

So, I have been working on the “mind” portion of my journey by asking myself the following when I am craving something that isn’t the best choice for my weight loss journey.

Cynthia, IF you feed that craving now.............

►Will you be glad or sad tomorrow that you ate it?

►Will you remember tomorrow what it tasted like??

►Will you enjoy it now, really enjoy it??

►Will you still be enjoying it tomorrow??

►How about when you step on those scales next, will you have truly enjoyed it??

OR OR OR OR OR

Cynthia, IF you choose NOT to feed that craving……….

►Will you be glad or sad tomorrow that you did NOT feed it?

►Will you regret tomorrow that you did NOT feed it??

►Will you enjoy it not having fed it tomorrow??

►Will you enjoying your victory over food tomorrow??

►How about when you step on those scales next, how will you feel when you know you did your best??

Cynthia, you really are stronger than the food!!!!!

And, Cynthia, you really do NOT want the results of eating off program........

I am feeling so much better since the scales are going down again.  I am determined that I will not quit this journey until I am free from the limits of this weight.

I experienced the joy of easier mobility when I had lost almost 70 pounds.  I LIKED it and I want that easier mobility back.

And, you know what???  I want more and more mobility so that I can go places and do things.

Yep, I’ve lost four weeks in a row and I am guarding my mind so that I can continue losing and doing everything I know to do to add to that trend.

It always pays to look at the "big picture!"

This blog entry will be short and sweet.

It is no secret that I've been discouraged at my last three weigh-ins.  I can easily tell others to be PROUD of any loss, but telling myself that isn't so easy.

 

Soooooooooo, I decided to look over my stats for the past couple of months since I “snuck” myself back on program and just before I signed up for etools.  Here is what I learned...........

Since April 14, I have:

• Lost something five of those eight weeks
• Gained two of the weeks
• Missed class one week due to being out of town with work
• Lost something the last three weeks
• And, finally, but certainly not least, lost 10.4 pounds

Obviously I'd like it to be falling off faster, but losing 10.4 pounds the last couple of months is so much better than I have done the previous 15 months.

So, tonight (well early this morning) and I go back to sleep, I am encouraged just a bit.  At least, I'm going to CHOOSE to be encouraged!!!

I will pick myself up and DO THIS THING!!!!!

‘Twas the Night Before Weigh-in……….The Choice is Still Mine!!

I wrote this poem in November of 2010. I pulled it back out tonight because some of these same thoughts were going through my head. A few things are different from what is stated below, but the scale--bless its heart--still has power to hold and bind me.

‘Twas the Night Before Weigh-in……….The Choice is Still Mine!!
© CynthiaO, November 2010

‘Twas the night before weigh-in, when all thru my mind,
Why, oh why do the scales hold and bind
My mood, my motivation, my determination and my joy
Week after week, tend to be their main toy.

I’ve done what I could this week,
I stayed strong and did not freak!
No potato chips, no cake, not even ice cream I’ve enjoyed,
There were days I wanted all, but resistance I employed!

YES! I resisted the temptations! I kept a strong head!
I will not fret over tomorrow’s weigh-in results, I’ll climb into bed.
Then into my mind, these thoughts come with a roar
I repeated again and again all my great accomplishments galore!

I will work hard through my mind’s mire and muck!
I will NOT be discouraged, though the scales seem stuck
I quieted my thoughts and snuggled down to sleep,
And forced my mind to think of anything but sweets.

My mood on the brink of the report of the scales,
Gives thoughts of rejoicing or weeping the details.
Did I lose, did I gain,
did I at least maintain?

I’ve eaten well and exercised, even if the scales don’t downward budge.
I’ve had a good week, the scales are not my judge!
Why oh why do the weigh-in results hold such power;
Over my mood, over my week, I will not resort to cower!

My victories are great, I begin to repeat—
No more BP meds, no more walking stick, moved up the car seat,
Smaller sizes in pants, shirts, swimsuits and more
Won’t give those details, don’t want to be a bore.

I love the night before weigh-in, as I think back over my week;
I’ve fought a good fight, my PointPlus® were kept meek.
Again, I repeat, THE SCALES ARE NOT MY JUDGE!!
I will face a new week and with my POINTS® will not fudge!

Those who know me best, have verified
My life has changed. That fact cannot be denied.
From inactivity and fast food, I’m completely refraining;
Healthy eating and exercising choices I’m sustaining;
As the weeks are passing, my life I am regaining.

So on the nights before weigh-in, as off to sleep I drift;
I think of Weight Watchers® and my new life as a gift.
Dear friend, don’t give up, don’t ever back down;
The choice, after all, is ours and a healthy life is the crown.

Today--June 8, 2012
Some details are not quite like they were when I originally wrote this poem. One detail that must be SHOUTED is that I haven't given up and I will not give up!!! After all, as my buddy Jill says often, I cannot fail if I do not quit!!!

For life................not just to lose.

Okkkkkkkkk…………I am up way too late and I’ll “pay” for it tomorrow. Uuuggghhh!!!! But, this is important. So, I’m going to take time to blog this quickly while it is fresh on my mind.

In an effort to encourage me after my frustrating few weeks at WI, one of my WW boardie buddies just posted this statement on my wall: “I finally realized that I am doing this for life…not just to lose.”

Okkkkkkkkkkkkk, I know that in order for the weight loss to be maintained, I have to make lifestyle changes. Weight Watchers is a lifestyle, NOT a diet. But to reverse the thinking--this just MAY be what I need to focus on for now.

My focus has been to lose weight. Well, duh!! That’s why I’m here and obviously that is important. However, if I focus on making these changes, specifically following the WW program for life, then the weight loss will happen. And, if I follow the WW program day after day, then I will have a successful week. If I focus on weight loss, then I will have weeks where I feel unsuccessful based on the results at WI.

So, I’m going to repeat to myself over and over these next few days that I’m doing this (staying on program and tracking) for life. And, actually “for life” can be defined as getting my life (mobility) back, becoming healthy, length of days, etc.

I’m choosing to speak to myself these words: I’m doing this for life!!

What's good for the them is.............

I wrote the first part of this on May 26...........but never posted it.

Okkkkkkkkkk............I'll admit it. When someone else loses 1.4 pounds, I am all over it, congratulating them, cheering them on. BUT, when I lose 1.4 pounds, it is "only 1.4" and, yes, I am extremely disappointed. What's worth celebrating for "them" doesn't feel so good when it's me.

YES, I have been inside my head all day long bantering back and forth trying to be okay with this loss. I wasn't at class last week, so it's been two weeks since I weighed in and at my last WI, I gained 1.4.

Some background information is that I have been completely tracking and staying within my PPVs (daily and some weeklies) since April 29 when I first had access to etools. Prior to that time, I was tracking in my head and we all know how that works--it doesn't.

I know, I know..............a loss is a loss. A loss is a good thing.

Sooooooooooo, what now?? I do what I've been doing and head back to class next Saturday morning and the next and the next and the next...............I will NOT quit until I reach goal!!!!

And, now on June 3rd, I update this to say that I did keep doing what I'd been doing and went back to class on Saturday and lost. I lost .4 of a pound. Disappointing, to say the least.

How did I respond this week? Not quite as good as last week. I left my WW class and drove through Bojangle's. (Why did they have to build one of so close to my house???) UUGGGHHHHH!!!!! Made me sick as a dog, which, I guess, is a good thing. Bleck!!!!

Then, as I realized the frame of mind I was in and that I could not trust myself, I decided that the best thing to do was to quarantine myself to my home. I needed to run a couple of errands, but I realized that the better thing to do at this point was to protect myself from myself, so I grounded myself. I had plenty of PointsPlus friendly food at home, so I would be fine. The only thing I didn't get in today was my dairy servings since I'm out of milk. It wasn't the best nutritionally balanced day, but I stayed within my daily PPVs.

So, yet again, the question is: What now?? I do what I've been doing and head back to class next Saturday morning and the next and the next and the next...............I will NOT quit until I reach goal!!!!