Monday, October 14, 2013

why i decided to head back to weight watchers and a bit of background on my weight loss battle

so as i mentioned yesterday, i rejoined weight watchers last week. i put a lot of thought into this decision and i really do think it's the best one for me.

some background... i have fought to control my weight for pretty much my whole life, but seriously after i graduated high school. i did weight watchers the summer before i started pharmacy school and had a lot of success. unfortunately, when i went to school i quit going to meetings (i'd been going with my mom and grandmother at home), so i never got lifetime status, and i gained back the weight. i've done various things between then and now and i'd definitely classify myself as a yo-yo dieter. food is my achilles heel for sure.

as i shared on here last year, i worked with a guy who made a workout plan and an eating plan for me. it helped me to lose a little more than 20 pounds. for reasons that i don't really want to get into right now, i gained pretty much all the weight back.

so here we are again. i did a lot of thinking and spent some time trying to figure out what's important to me. i kept coming back to weight watchers.

here are the major reasons why i chose weight watchers over all the other options:

  • it's tried and true. they've been around for 50 years and they're constantly updating the program to incorporate new research. they know what they're doing. i have personally done weight watchers twice before (here's hoping the whole 'third time's a charm' thing rings true here also) and when i work the program, it works for me. 
  • i am sick of being so extremely restricted in what i can and cannot eat. while i had great success losing weight with the clean eating approach i followed last year, maintenance was very hard for me. i mean, i couldn't eat a peach for goodness sakes. and unfortunately, i'm very much the type who thinks once i eat one thing that's not on the plan i've messed up the whole day, week, etc. i'm not saying it makes sense or is rational, i'm just saying that because of that, my previous plan was no longer an option. plus the guy who made my plans had no idea how to help me fuel to run. NONE. 
  • i like the accountability of weight watchers [weekly weigh ins + going to meetings with friends]. 
  • my OCD self loves tracking points and looking at spreadsheets/charts (WW has seriously stepped up their online tool game). 
  • i want something that helps me to keep the weight off, instead of abandoning me when i've worked so hard to lose the weight. 
  • i want something live-able. 
  • i enjoy cooking, and i really like that i can try new dishes and cook some!
anyways, i just wanted to share. i'll keep you all updated!

23 comments:

  1. You couldn't even eat a peach? that is crazy, I have some friends who have had great success with weight watchers too, restrictive eating has a very negative effect on me. I just want more of the forbidden stuff!

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    1. no i specifically asked and he said they have too much sugar. i mean, i get that too much fruit isn't always a good thing, but come on. i couldn't handle eating the same 6 meals every day for the rest of my life apparently. no thank you!

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  2. I don't like anything that is super restrictive. It just can't work for a lifetime. I have heard only good things about WW and it has already worked for you so I think it's great!

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  3. Good luck with Weight Watchers! I know you have the motivation and drive to do it! Have you seen my new business It Works? check out my website: southernwrapgirl.com. The wraps are all natural and help to tone and firm and I did my first wrap the other day and within 45 minutes I lost 1 inch around my waist. These products are amazing and if you are interested in trying any I would love to do a party for you or we could meet for you to try a wrap for $25. Keep it in mind and let me know if you are interested!

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  4. Your story sounds SO familiar to me :) I've recently joined WW again for the 3rd time ....so far its been good! Now with pinterest/online tools its SO much easier finding recipes and eating out. I hope it work out for you and me both :)

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    1. i totally agree jordan, i've really enjoyed all the recipes i've found so far on pinterest. good luck to you also!

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  5. Girl, you are writing my story! I too am a yo yo dieter, and have battled my weight my entire adult life.( I'm 49!) I rejoined WW for the umpteenth time in May. My weight had been creeping up and it was really affecting my running. I've lost 15 lbs. WW is so livable(is that a word?) Hope to see you at Cherokee this weekend; I'm doing the half.

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    1. so sorry i missed you saturday! how did the half go? AWESOME job losing 15!!

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    2. I looked for you Sat. morning. We walked from our hotel, and arrived about 0745. My Garmin was having difficulty locating the satelite, so I was freaking out! The half was okay, not a PR or anything; 2:14something; and I was happy with that. Didnt you just love that hoodie?

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  6. Girl, you are writing my story! I too am a yo yo dieter, and have battled my weight my entire adult life.( I'm 49!) I rejoined WW for the umpteenth time in May. My weight had been creeping up and it was really affecting my running. I've lost 15 lbs. WW is so livable(is that a word?) Hope to see you at Cherokee this weekend; I'm doing the half.

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  7. You couldn't eat a peach? I have found that the key is finding what works for you that is sustainable and satisfying. Not being able to eat a peach is neither satisfying or sustainable. After my son was born I started weight watchers and it worked! It was the foundation I needed for lifelong healthier eating.

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    1. yeah, very ridiculous right?! i like what you're saying about sustainable and satisfying, they're both extremely imp!

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  8. I have done WW in the past too and it worked wonders. I dropped 35 lbs in 4 months and kept if off for a few years. Then I moved here and the struggle began. I feel like I keep going up and down (usually up) and I'm right back to the heaviest I've been. I did WW completely online the first time but I can understand how the meetings and support can be vital. Good luck Courtney. I know you can do it!

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    1. thanks suz, that is an amazing loss in 4 months! i don't understand how it feels like i barely blink my eye and undo all the hard work we put in to lose. i hope we'll get to a balance soon.

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  9. I lost 55bs with weight watchers and kept it off for about 5 years, I was a leader and then I started gaining a little at a time, and am about 15 lbs from my goal. I stopped being a leader about a year ago, I went back and lost about 5 lbs and then it didn't fit into my schedule. I need to do something, because buying a bigger size pants is not working for my bank account!

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    1. i didn't know you did WW or used to be a leader! how amazing that you lost 55!! i put it off for a long time because it didn't really fit in my schedule, but i've decided i'll go weigh in weekly and just get to go to meetings every 2 weeks. it's gotta be better than what i've been doing!

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  10. I think WW is great because it actually lets you have all kinds of food...they don't limit the types, but just the quantity and that's really what it's all about. I lost almost 30 pounds on WW several years ago. I've been back once before when I was about 10 pounds over goal, and got back to goal weight within just a few weeks. I struggle with my weight as well. I've only ever been "overweight" by medical standards once, but I can never seem to be where I really want to be. Good luck with your weight loss!

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    1. thanks michael! it's very encouraging for me to hear stories of people losing and maintaining with WW! i know what you mean, i feel like right when i get to where i want to be i start gaining again.

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  11. During our nutrition segment in pharmacy school, they said any diet that forces you to cut out a food, food group, etc is never going to be sustainable (unless due to allergy). I think you can do this! I support you 100%!

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    1. thank you cecilia! support from you all means so much to me!

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  12. During our nutrition segment in pharmacy school, they said any diet that forces you to cut out a food, food group, etc is never going to be sustainable (unless due to allergy). I think you can do this! I support you 100%!

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