Weighty Matters

I have seen a lot of posts on social media recently about loving yourself no matter what your weight and how being overweight doesn't equal being unhealthy.  These have brought up a lot of thoughts and feelings for me.  

First - I one hundred percent agree that you should love yourself no matter what your weight is.  Your value is not equal to how much you do, or do not, weigh at any given time.  You are SO much more than that.  No doubt about it.  

Where I start to struggle is the insistence that weight doesn't affect health.  Maybe, for you, that is true.  If so - that's awesome and I am truly happy for you.  You carry on being your amazing, beautiful self!

But for many of us (me - for example), our weight most definitely has an effect on our health.  As I have seen the numbers on the scale go up, there has also been an increase in numbers that are hurting my health- such as cholesterol and A1C.  There is a history of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and kidney problems in my family, which can be aggravated by being overweight and those numbers are a warning sign that my risks are increasing.  

So - Yes, for me, being overweight does equal unhealthy.

I also notice other, less concerning, problems with my feet, legs, and back aching, my energy levels decreasing, and even my asthma seems to flare up more when my weight goes way up.  

This is why I am trying to lose weight.  

No, it doesn't mean that I don't love myself.  I'm not doing it to meet some ideal of the perfect size or to have a hot bod.  And if I only managed to get the other numbers where they need to be and didn't lose all the weight - I would be ok with that.  

I choose to write and post about my journey to share my experience and keep myself accountable.  It also helps me to feel that by sharing my story,  perhaps I can give support to others going through the same experience.

If you are on a similar journey to lose weight and get healthy, I would love to hear from you in the comments!  Share what is working for you, or tell me a little about what you have been struggling with.

Challenge: Health

 It was inevitable under the circumstances.  For the past year, I have drowned all of the stress and anxiety over the pandemic under waves of sweets, junk food, and take-out.  

Feeling worried about the health of yourself and all your family members?  Have some donuts!

Lonely after months and months of self-isolation?  Ice cream!

Another day of helping the grand-kid with remote learning?  Order Chik-fil-a delivery for lunch!

Worried about the effect the pandemic is having on your online small business?  Tacos, pizza, candy, cookies!  

Sure... the 'rona didn't get me.  But the bad eating habits certainly have.  Not only did I regain every pound I lost in 2019 (and then some) - but after seeing the lab results from my yearly physical last week, I realized that it has also taken a toll on my cholesterol and blood sugar.  I'm not going to share numbers.  Let's just say - it wasn't good.  Overall, I'm not very healthy right now. 

If that isn't motivation for making some major lifestyle changes - I don't know what it!  It's a good thing that my One Word for the year is "Challenge"!

I have to get my weight down.  I have to get my cholesterol under control.  And I have to get a handle on the sugar before it becomes an actual problem. 

So - here's how I plan to meet that challenge:

I am recommitting myself to the WW program.  It helped me lost quite a bit of weight before, and I know if I buckle down and accept the challenge to really follow the plan, it will again.  I will be focusing on lots of good cholesterol-lowering foods that really nourish and fuel my body. 

I will start incorporating some movement back into my life - whether it's taking the dogs for more walks, doing some at-home workouts, or finally trying out that fancy exercise bike the Man of the House got for Christmas. 

This is one challenge I can't afford to give up on.  I have big dreams for the future and I plan to be around to see them come true!

So, this is me.  Stepping forward and being honest and transparent.  Asking all of you to help to keep me accountable. In return I promise to post regular updates on my progress and be honest when I'm struggling.  

Friday Favorites: Weight Watchers

I was sick and tired of complaining about my weight.  I was sick and tired of making half hearted attempts to diet.  Something had to change.

On July 1st of this year, I officially joined Weight Watchers online.  Best.  Decision.  Ever!

In the 6 and a half weeks since I signed up I have lost over 15 pounds.  I still have a long way to go to reach my goal weight, but I am happy with my progress so far.

The program is so much easier than I expected. Most foods I eat are easy to find and track using the app.  And it syncs with my Fitbit to keep track of my activity points.

Nothing is off limits!  I have indulged in a pulled pork dinner, pizza, and even key lime pie.  You just have to manage how you use your allotted points and adjust accordingly if you want to treat yourself to a higher point food.

Weight Watchers is helping me train myself to thing about what I am eating and why. I'm learning to make smarter choices.

 If I am at a loss for something to make for dinner, or I just want something new for the meal plan - there are tons and tons of yummy recipes available.  I haven't tried one yet that I wouldn't make again! 

Even though I am doing the program entirely online, I am never really alone in this journey!  If I need extra motivation, support or encouragement there are articles I can read on the website or the app. I can reach out to other members with the Connect feature.  I can even chat with a coach online.

I'm having so much success that the Man of the House decided to join also!  He was supportive before, but doing the program together is extra nice.

If you are interested in giving Weight Watchers a try, you can sign up using THIS LINK and we can both get a month for free!  If you do, I hope you find the program to be as simple and successful as I do.

Disclaimer:  I have received no compensation for this post.  However, this post may contain affiliate links.  Keep in mind that I may receive a free month when you click these links and sign up for the program.  Be assured, this does not impact my reviews. All opinions expressed are my own. Your results may differ.  Weight Watcher's International is not affiliated with this blog. 

I Want To Eat ALL The Things

I am starving this morning.  Starving, I tell ya! Ok, obviously not literally (first world problems much?)  But I did wake up feeling oh-so-very hungry today.  I could eat all the things.

What I really want is a chicken biscuit from Chickfila, complete with potato rounds and a big lemonade.  Or a giant bowl of sugary cereal.

It's all about choices. Sugar cereal and fast food are not part of my healthier eating program.  So, I'll skip them.

What I am going to eat is an egg sandwich with a side of light Greek yogurt and berries.  Which I know will satisfy my hunger just as well as the other.  Or better.

It's worth it.  I am making some 5 point flat bread pizza for dinner.  And I am looking forward to that.  Because... pizza.

Wake Up Call

One afternoon you're sitting on the couch, minding your own business, happily eating cheetos right out of the bag (no judgment) when the phone rings.  You casually lick florescent  orange powder off your fingers and take the call.

That call.  The one from your doctor with your lab results.  Telling you that your cholesterol is too high and she wants to discuss a management plan with you as soon as possible.

You go in the next day.  Your cholesterol isn't just "kind of" high.  It's high - period.  It's all just a big mess.  Bad cholesterol is too high.  Good cholesterol is too low.  Triglycerides are through the roof.  This isn't good.

Not. Good.  At all.

You know you've put on a little quite a bit of weight in the past couple of years.  You haven't been exercising for the last several months.  Your eating habits have been on a down hill slide recently.

But you didn't expect this.  This is a big red flag being waved right in front of you.  Alarm bells are ringing. This is your wake up call.

photo: publicdomainpictures.net

It's time to get serious about your health.

I say "you" - what I mean is "me".

I've been kidding myself.  Making excuses.  Turning a blind eye.

"It's not that much weight"

"A lot of people eat worse than I do"

"I'll start exercising again soon"

"I deserve a treat because _____"

But I'll be honest - this shook me up.  Put a scare into me.  Got my attention.

It's time to stop the excuses and get real.  Take charge of my health and make some permanent changes.

Healthier eating.  Reading labels, making better choices, tracking calories.

Regular exercise. Wearing the FitBit and tracking my steps.  It's no longer a matter of "I don't really want to".  Now it's a matter of "I have to".

This will be my journey toward health.  I'm inviting all of you along with me to keep myself accountable.  And maybe for a little moral support from time to time.  I plan to post weekly updates to start.  And we'll see where this goes from there.

So, here it is - I am embarrassed  to even share this with you - the not so pretty honest truth.

Today:  January 16
Weight: 167.8 lbs (you have no idea how much I did not want to type that)
This week I exercised: none
Steps walked: ?

My goals for Week 1:
*  Drink enough water
*  Wear FitBit daily
*  Exercise at least 3 to 5 days

Have you ever had a wake up call which caused you to make some  health or lifestyle changes?

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Watch THIS

I know I'm not the only one that does this.  Every time the new year approaches I say "this year I am going to lose weight and get healthy".  And by the time the holidays roll around at the end of that year - I have managed not to accomplish that.

This year really is going to be different.  This is the year I have jump started my resolution and joined Weight Watchers.  I'm all signed up, have 3 months paid for in advance, and I am ready to go.  My points are figured, my plan is being managed.  I'm official.

Am I nervous?  A little.  Maybe.

But this is my public declaration...

THIS IS THE YEAR I LOSE WEIGHT AND GET HEALTHY!

It's out there.  I'm accountable now.  And anyone that may happen to read this post is welcome to ask me in about a month how it's going so far.

I am so ready to watch my weight... watch it disappear!!