Weight Watchers Restarted

I realize that I've posted several "plans of attack" throughout my weight loss journey so far and I've come to the conclusion that I'm still working the trial and error part of finding what works for me. As you may know, I've been stick in a pleateau since March and it's getting frustrating. My friends here on MFP have kept me from throwing in the towel, but I figured it was time to start something different to hopefully get things moving in the right direction again.

I basically took the time from Thanksgiving to Christmas off from really watching what I ate. For most of that time, I still tracked my food, but I just needed a break. Unfortunately that enjoyment came with several pounds.

Yesterday, I restarted Weight Watchers to see if it would shake things up. I was a Weight Watchers member in 2006, where I lost 12 lbs in 9 weeks. It was awesome! However, I quit because I moved and there were no convenient centers. Yes, it's a terrible excuse and it caused me to gain it all back over the next year, plus some. Now, I'm still at a lower weight than I was when I left in 2006, so that's at least something.

Even though I had eaten the majority of my food for the day prior to going to my meeting, I still went back and tracked what I had eaten and even had to use some of my weekly extra points. It's a good thing, however, that I've started eating a lot more fruits and veggies since most are now 0 points on the new plan. Yay!

I know everyone has their opinions about Weight Watchers, but I know it works for me and I need to see progress again to keep my motivation. Heck, the little "Bravo" stickers I got yesterday for declaring my 2011 goal (non-scale goal, mind you!) were a little bit motivating. I don't even care that it's a little bit elementary. Yep, I even like the round of applause you get at meetings for meeting goals!

A New Plan of Attack

As you may know, I've recently expressed my frustration at the whole weight loss journey and the fact that I've been stuck in a rut (plateau!) for quite some time now. After reading Jackie Warner's "This is Why You're Fat" book, I decided to try her jumpstart plan in which you add foods to the things you're already eating.

The plan includes adding 2 eggs, 1 cup of oatmeal, 3 servings of veggies, 2 servings of fruit, 3 liters of lemon water and whey protein daily to what you're already eating. As you can guess, adding all of those things leaves less room for the junk.

I started the plan on Monday, December 6th and so far, I've only had the oatmeal once and haven't had the eggs. I've grown up hating the smell of cooking eggs, so therefore I didn't eat the stuff. I did give them a try on Sunday and although I didn't hate them, I didn't love them either. It will take some getting used to. The oatmeal was the same way, since I'd never eaten it before and the texture gets to me.

Anyway, I've decided I'm going to focus on the eating first. I know last week I said I was going to focus on the exercising but I've come to realize that the food is the root cause. I love food...who doesn't? I especially love ice cream, which is a major problem.

I'm still going to be as active as I can, but I'm not going to stress over getting my workouts done. If I can get the eating under control, the rest will come; I'm sure of this. Most of the time, I like working out but the junk food I'm eating has made me lazy. I also find that I eat the junk with the intention of working out ("I'll burn at least 300 calories tonight"). Of course, I eat the junk and then don't fit the workout in. Enter the list of excuses here.

So, this is my course of action of the next few weeks, and beyond if it takes longer to get the food under control. To be honest, though, after eating more fruits and veggies throughout the week, I had more energy last night than I've had in a long time. I actually stayed awake past 10pm. The clean eating phenomenon suddenly makes even more sense. I realize it will take me a while to get it down and control the cravings, but I think it's important, so I'll do it.

Goal weight, I'll see you 2011!

Inches Lost

As many of my MFP friends know, I've been very down and frustrated this week because I'm stressed about constantly logging calories, trying to exercise enough to eat what I want, etc. and not seeing any results. Add these things to the fact that I've been teetering between 184-188 lbs. since March and I'm bummed.

I decided to take a step back from logging so obsessively and am attempting to get on my scale less. The stress of my weight loss journey is likely causing my body to hold onto weight and I need to figure something out. Now is a good time to relax a little because the six week weight loss challenge I've been on is done. Obviously, I didn't win anything but it did force me to take a look at how far I've come since starting this journey just over a year ago.

As the title of this blog says, I've lost inches. The scale hasn't moved, but my body has apparently reshaped itself.

Since August 2009, I've lost:

Bust    1.50 inches

Waist  7.50 inches!

Hips   3.0 inches

Thigh 1.70 inches

Bicep  0.50 inches

 

Total: 14.2 inches from my body overall!

Going forward, I need to remember not to be so hard on myself. Things are happening, whether it seems like they are or not. Not only have I lost 14.2 inches and 33 lbs. since starting this weight loss journey, I've increased my BMR.

Now, it's time for me to make a plan to get me though the next 33 lbs of my weight loss journey without feeling like I have to throw the scale through a wall.