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Thanks to the Weight Watchers Freestyle Program, I reached my goal weight in March of this year.
Yay, me!
As of a couple of weeks ago, Weight Watchers is now called “WW” which, apparently, stands for Wellness that Works. Uhh…okay. Honestly, I don’t see why they needed to change the name. But as long as they keep the eating program at the center of it, I’m on board. Because Freestyle really does work, just ask my doctor.
Come to think of it, forget my doctor. Ask me. I lost over twenty pounds and kept it off from mid-March to mid-October. Seven months!
Yay, me!
Then came my son’s wedding.
Okay, it wasn’t just the wedding. I’d been doing a lot of traveling before that, seeing old friends back in Connecticut, making new friends when I went to visit the Christmas Everlasting set in Atlanta, and generally doing a lot of celebrating. A lot of celebrating. And not quite as much exercise as usual.
Then, of course, came the wedding.
How could I say no lobster dipped in melted butter? Or to real Maine blueberry pie? Made with real Maine blueberries? And those salt water taffy wedding favors?
I couldn’t and didn’t. And I don’t regret any of it.
Look, there are things in life that are worth celebrating. Seeing your son happily married to a simply lovely young woman is one of them. However, when I stepped on the scale last week and saw I was four pounds over my goal weight, I was a little discouraged.
The Weight Loss Merry-Go-Round
If you’re anything like me, chances are you’ve ridden the weight loss merry-go-round before. You lose ten pounds, or fifteen, or fifty, only to have that weight creep back on later and bring along a few friends.
So often, the demise of that hard won weight loss begins the discouragement that follows with stepping on the scale and seeing you’ve gained back a couple of pounds. Before you know it, discouragement leads to guilt, and then to frustration.
You find yourself saying, “This is ridiculous! I mean, if I can’t even have a piece of pie now and then without gaining back all the weight, then what is the point? I’ll never be able to keep this weight off! Why even try!” Next thing you know, you’re burying your sorrows in a quart of Ben and Jerry’s and those merry-go-round horses are off to the races.
Sound familiar?
Hey, I get it. I’ve been there. But this time, I’m not going back. I’m not going to let a couple of pounds and a little discouragement derail my weight loss or my newfound healthy lifestyle.
Here’s my plan to get back on the wagon.
Tell Guilt to Be Gone
Look, there is no point in feeling guilty about gaining back a pound or two, or enjoying a little lobster and a piece of pie.
But, at the same time, don’t kid yourself. You didn’t gain back four pounds by eating one piece of pie. You had several. And some champagne. Oh, and that bag of mesquite flavored potato chips. And a pulled pork sandwich.
Quit feeling guilty or sorry for yourself and just own it. You fell off the wagon for a while. It was delicious. In the same circumstances, you’d probably do it again.
Climb Back on the Wagon
So, it was a swell party, a grand celebration. Fair enough. But now that the party’s over, it’s time to get back on the wagon. The sooner the better.
It’s easier to lose four pounds than forty. The thing to do now is nip the weight gain in the bud. I know that my eating plan works because I lost that weight in the first place. All I have to do to get back to my goal weight is get back with the program.
How?
Rid the refrigerator of unhealthy foods, stock up on fruits, veggies, and lean proteins. Then pull out your cookbooks or peruse some of the many WW friendly recipes I’ve shared here on the blog.
Find some little delicious inspiration to reinvigorate your commitment to lean and healthy living. (And stay tuned to this channel. Later in the week I’ll be sharing a new, perfect for fall recipe that I think you’ll love. It’s in the crock pot right now and smells amazing!)
Keep Things Interesting at the Gym
Exercise played a big role in helping me lose the weight. It will play an even bigger role in helping me keep it off.
However, fall weather and dropping temperatures are making it a little harder to keep working out the way I was this summer. I’m adjusting my training schedule to include more time at the gym and looking for ways to change up my routine. If my workouts get boring, I know I won’t keep up with them.
I’m giving indoor rowing a try this week. It’s challenging and really gets my heart pumping! But now might be the time for you enroll in water aerobics, try a spin class, or set yourself a mileage challenge on the treadmill.
Another part of my action plan is to try something new at home, like the yoga classes I get through my Bluprint unlimited membership! They have all kinds of yoga, pilates, and dance classes that you can try out from the comfort of your own living room. Sign up for a 7 day FREE trial on Bluprint and cancel any time. Their watch and learn tutorials are perfect for learning something new at your own pace.
It works! Really!
You’ve got this!
I’ve been employing all of these methods this week and guess what? They work! I’ve already lost two of the four pounds I gained.
It can work for you too. Jump off that weight loss merry-go-round and hop back on the weight loss wagon. Banish the guilt and get back with the program you already know works.
That’s what I’m doing and it’s working. It’ll work for you too.
