Forcing the Issue

My work forced me to take a 4 day training on positive affirmations and positive thinking techniques that can help develop a powerful and positive attitude to life. Well, to be fair... it wasn't just ME they forced, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone recommended me specifically. Let’s just say that for people like me it was a big waste of time. I literally fell asleep, laughed out loud at inappropriate times, and played footsy with the gentleman next to me, much to his surprise... and mine. I'm a happily married woman so let me just say in my defense, I honestly thought I was rubbing my foot on the table leg, but it happened to be a leg connected to a very handsome man sitting next to me. He did say that I could go ahead and keep doing it as it was keeping him from falling asleep also. Moving on... the reason I brought this up is because recently I have felt like I have hit a wall concerning my weight loss journey. I have lost 32 lbs in a little over 4 months. I have gone from being obese to over weight. I have gone from X Large to medium, but lately I just haven't been feeling it. My motivation has not been where it was and should be. I have had my first gain since starting Weight Watchers and this week maintained. My weight loss has slowed considerably too. I know I'm getting closer to my goal and have been expecting all these things, but it doesn't make it any easier when you do experience them. I read something recently that has been repeating itself in my head lately that I'm about to share. Please know this is very difficult for me and I'm feeling very vulnerable right now..... Drum roll please.....

"Success is holding on when you want to let go." (not sure who said it or where I got it.)

Could this be a positive affirmation?! (Gasp!) My husband swears I'm Sybil's twin sister so I'm explaining this voice in my head as my alter personality, by the way. I have tried to find solace reading the message boards, but let’s face it, drinking water when all I want is a brownie sundae does not help. Eating vegetables when I feel like if I don't get a chocolate chip cookie I just may literally die does not help. And let me tell you, there is nothing scarier then thinking you’re going to die when all you really need is a cookie! Somehow, this quote has helped me keep going and know what is important.... even if it is a stupid positive affirmation.

The Griswald's Go To San Diego

I don’t care who you are, what you do, or where you go….. if you have children, there is no such thing as a relaxing vacation. Couple that with following Weight Watchers, vacations can be down right catastrophic. This past weekend I braved my first vacation since starting Weight Watchers. I’ve had a quick weekend getaway where I managed to actually still lose weight, but this was my first true blue vacation with a car looking like the Griswald’s were going on vacation to sunny San Diego. Somehow, during the stress of packing me, children’s stuff, and my larger man child (husband) I forgot to pack nutritious healthy snacks. Forget the fruit and chopped veggies this was going to be a true adventure!  5 miles down the road we were pulling into the nearest fast food drive thru. Everything Weight Watchers taught me, instilled into my brain, and suggested went right out the window…. that and my daughter’s shoes. Trying to explain to a 4 year old how shoes traveling at 75 mph can be a dangerous weapon can be a daunting task, by the way. At one point, I was proud of myself because I would drink a bottle of water in between 2 beers. 6 hours later I realized it has taken me a lot MORE beer to obtain and maintain a suitable “vacation buzz”. Geesh. I just couldn’t win. Long story short, I gained 3 lbs during my vacation and a reality check. It doesn’t take much to derail you from your goal. One bad day can lead to a week of bad choices. Picking yourself back up and getting back on the scale is just as hard as the first week on the program. I will admit that my motivation prior to my vacation was seriously lacking and most likely contributed to not staying on plan. Truth be told, maybe seeing the scale go up is what I needed to kick my “smaller” behind back into gear. Bring it on, Weight Watchers. Bring it on.

Weight Watchers Vs Drug Dealers

I came across an article regarding the History's 15 Worst Diets: Weight Loss through the Ages. It was laugh out loud funny and I encourage everyone working hard behind their cubicle to Google it immediately! Although being at work myself and having time to "blog" is just wrong, I will highlight the ones that just won't work for me.

1) Consume Nothing But Booze
I did this for most of my 20's and it resulted in a marriage, 2 children, and being 50 + lbs overweight.

2) Nothing But Tube Steak
Um, if your not big on raunchy pet names for the male anatomy you might not get this, but apparently the ancient Greeks were referring to large quantities of smoked pork. That’s all I'm going to say about that.... (As my good friend Forrest Gump would say.)

3) Tapeworms
I'm pretty sure I'm already infested with tapeworms since I can never seem to get full.

4) Eat Nothing But Air
After 5 minutes of contemplation, I'm seriously at a loss for words and that is very unusual.

The reason I stumbled upon this article (if you would call it that) is because I have been asked lately what my weight loss secret is. Some have assumed (My mom has always said "what are the first 3 letters in ASSumed?" Gee, I wonder where I get my sarcasm from?) that I take pills, starve myself, or have developed a very healthy meth addiction. Being the complementary, kind, and very respectful person I’ am (cough cough) I decided to come up with a great response those types of questions. I'm just not sure which is worse.... not being able to come up with one on my own or actually taking the time to research an answer, but we won't dwell on that right now. I have found during my weight loss journey that my diet and lifestyle change has been just as hard or harder for those closest to me then it has been on me. I'm extremely flattered when someone notices my shrinking belly and not above fishing for compliments, but it almost diminishes my spirit when they follow up with a whisper "Sooo.... who's your dealer?" with a wink. Like I don't have self control?! Ok, so I was more then 50 lbs overweight and I did mow through a box of Twinkies at the last office meeting in less then 5 minutes, but in my defense... I was really bored and pretending I was in one of those eating contests. And my supervisor was way out of line when he took my water away from me that I was clearly using to wash the previous Twinkie down with. My co worker sitting next to me was not THAT wet! My point, see my success and give me a little credit, darn it!

Secondly, I get "C'mon.... you can eat that double bacon cheeseburger fried in fat stuffed with ice cream and topped with hot fudge just once." Um, no. No, I can't. Hellooo.... I'm on the Consume Nothing but Air diet. Geesh. These same people are the ones that say "You've been doing so well so you need to reward yourself!" I have started to look differently at these people. They remind me of the creepers my mom used to warn me about when I was at the park or walking home from school. The ones that come up to you and ask if you will help them find their puppy, but mysteriously they have no pants on? Those ones. Too bad too, because my husband is one of these people and until I started Weight Watchers we were pretty happy. Now my mother instilled instincts kick in when he gets that creepy look in his eyes and my body goes into the "fight or flight" response.

I think it has become my duty as President Of The United Weight Watchers Community (too much, too soon?) to teach people one by one the proper way to give compliments to those of us in this weight loss journey and show the support needed by us to be successful. Starting first with my drug dealer.... (I kid, of course)