On Saturday, I was doing great - and then, we went out to dinner. I got a really cool looking sandwich that I know was very high in points. Then I at all the fries.
Sunday morning, I was going to make waffles for Father's Day (with my low-point version), but discovered I didn't have the mix. So, at the last minute, I made a McDonald's run. Yep, I switched my order at the drive-thru to a McGriddle. I snacked the rest of the day on 100 Calorie Snacks and had two servings of low-point spaghetti for dinner.
This morning, I was starving, but I wanted to get back on track. I ended up buying a breakfast sandwich at the deli at work because I was far too hungry to make my oatmeal. By lunch, I was starving again and opted for the Cheeseburger at that same deli. Then, spotted a new candy bar - Twix with PB! Right beside of it was the Milky Way Dark. I decided to get one, but because I couldn't decide, I got both.
I've just finished the huge burger and both candy bars and besides ready to take a nap, I feel sick and a bit dizzy.
I have to admit, it felt good to eat without restraint. I didn't count points, write anything down or worry about portions. I spend so much time doing that every day, I sort of rebelled. Why should I have to do that? The majority of the population doesn't. The average size of an American woman is 14. What's wrong with average?
So, the angel April is here to answer the questions posed by the devil April above.
Eating without restraint is to eat out of control. Oddly enough, structure in your diet and life is actually very freeing. Just like boundaries make a child feel loved. If you care enough, structure and boundaries are necessary. Right now, you feel badly for bad food choices, which will lead to more bad food choices. This path is a downward cycle and you've been at the bottom; you've cried, screamed and yelled at the bottom. You've also clawed your way to the top. So, where do you want to live? Taking it a step farther, where do you want your son to live? What example do you want him to see?
And, really, you're pulling out "average?" You're not average. There's nothing wrong with average, but it's just not you. Anyone can be average - and most people are. BUT, you know that you can't decide to make your bed in average. You know that your hopes and dreams for Caleb are not in AverageLand. And, your mom's hopes and dreams for you aren't there either.
For my last point, I'd like to present to the court Exhibit A: your personal mission statement.
"The mission of my life is to appreciate simplicity; to dwell in a healthful mindset; to inspire and seek inspiration; to allow only me to create my definition of self; to relish in moments; to create where there is a void and create space where there is clutter; to seek to better my faults, but also appreciate my gifts."
In order to answer "Is it worth it?" you have to decide if this mission statement was just a writing exercise or something you intend to live by. Then, make your decision and let me know what's for dinner.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
WW & ALR BFF
If it's not apparent by now, I love Weight Watchers. I'll admit it and say I may even very well be borderline obsessed about the company. How could I not be? If an entity changed a life in such a drastically positive way as they did for me, anyone else would be just as in love.
6:00 am - July 29, 2006: I walked into a WW meeting room for the first time, weighing the most I'd ever weighed. I was tired and frustrated and finally decided my health was worth the cost of the meetings. I honestly thought it would be more like a complainers club for fatties. I was completely energized by what I experienced. I sat in a room FULL of people who were changing their lives - they were focused and determined. The longer I sat there, week after week, I began to catch it too.
I started getting it - WEIGHT is just the first half of their name - the rest is WATCHERS. Do you know what I watched from July 2006 to October 2007? I watched myself change. No, I'm not just talking about the 54 pounds and 5 clothing sizes that I lost. I'm talking about watching myself to stick it out. I watched my smile get bigger, my belief in my dreams grow stronger and my determination solidify. It was infectious to be around people who were training to run marathons - for the first time ever - or who were planning to climb a mountain - FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER. This was a room where dreams were created, shared and achieved.
Life is a journey and I could have probably lost weight another, faster, easier way. I could have taken the pills again; I could have bought into the fads again. BUT, Weight Watchers allowed me to live my life, take my time, eat on my terms, mess up on my terms, get back on track, fall down, speed ahead, cry, rebel, get angry, mourn and all the while, learn to manage what I put in my mouth. I believe life not only throws curve balls, but also sometimes, just flat out intentionally beans us. We can't control the throws, but we can certainly control that bat. I give WW and the many meeting members credit for giving me the advice I needed to learn how to swing. I was armed with batting gloves, learned how to ignore the "hey batta batta" chants and make targeted, purposeful swings.
I say all of this now because last week, I attended the brief "orientation" for new members after the regular meeting. I honestly have the food system down and didn't ever really think I needed to review the basics again, but I saw something pretty cool. I watched 4 new members learning. I saw them at the starting line. I saw them asking questions about points and exercise. I got to see it through their eyes and I got excited. They are standing on the edge of an amazing life change ? if they'll let the determination bug get them too. And, I'm not talking about the weight they'll lose?.
6:00 am - July 29, 2006: I walked into a WW meeting room for the first time, weighing the most I'd ever weighed. I was tired and frustrated and finally decided my health was worth the cost of the meetings. I honestly thought it would be more like a complainers club for fatties. I was completely energized by what I experienced. I sat in a room FULL of people who were changing their lives - they were focused and determined. The longer I sat there, week after week, I began to catch it too.
I started getting it - WEIGHT is just the first half of their name - the rest is WATCHERS. Do you know what I watched from July 2006 to October 2007? I watched myself change. No, I'm not just talking about the 54 pounds and 5 clothing sizes that I lost. I'm talking about watching myself to stick it out. I watched my smile get bigger, my belief in my dreams grow stronger and my determination solidify. It was infectious to be around people who were training to run marathons - for the first time ever - or who were planning to climb a mountain - FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER. This was a room where dreams were created, shared and achieved.
Life is a journey and I could have probably lost weight another, faster, easier way. I could have taken the pills again; I could have bought into the fads again. BUT, Weight Watchers allowed me to live my life, take my time, eat on my terms, mess up on my terms, get back on track, fall down, speed ahead, cry, rebel, get angry, mourn and all the while, learn to manage what I put in my mouth. I believe life not only throws curve balls, but also sometimes, just flat out intentionally beans us. We can't control the throws, but we can certainly control that bat. I give WW and the many meeting members credit for giving me the advice I needed to learn how to swing. I was armed with batting gloves, learned how to ignore the "hey batta batta" chants and make targeted, purposeful swings.
I say all of this now because last week, I attended the brief "orientation" for new members after the regular meeting. I honestly have the food system down and didn't ever really think I needed to review the basics again, but I saw something pretty cool. I watched 4 new members learning. I saw them at the starting line. I saw them asking questions about points and exercise. I got to see it through their eyes and I got excited. They are standing on the edge of an amazing life change ? if they'll let the determination bug get them too. And, I'm not talking about the weight they'll lose?.
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