I'm semi-embarrassed to admit it but I'm contemplating joining Weight Watchers. I've gained a lot of weight in the past year (or at least I sure feel like it, please tell me that I wasn't always this much of a chunky monkey) which I like to attribute to two things, the marathon and my extra being in love weight. I might have said it before but don't set out to do a marathon if you think it's going to result in massive weight loss because the results are, for most people, quite the opposite. Picture this: you've just run 10 miles (like you do on a regular basis) so obviously you are starving, like African child distended belly starving, so you eat a crap ton and you eat a crap ton of bad food because you're telling yourself "I just ran 10 miles so I literally NEED this bloody mary, buffalo chicken sandwich, mound of tater tots and two beers." Yes, that was me after the Soldier Field 10 Miler and on too many other occasions to count. Like Sunday morning. I had Chicken and Waffles with a Paula Dean-sized dollop of strawberry butter after the 5K.
Back to my original point. I want to fit in my skinny clothes again and fit in them well. In reality, I feel like I have kind of always been battling with my weight. I like to say that I never lost my baby fat, because seriously, I never did! I have always had a pudgy tummy. I've dabbled in several diets and I'd like to say that I generally eat healthy (mostly at home) but when you are a really picky eater and your favorite foods include hamburgers, hot dogs, and fried anything... wait, those are really the only ways I like to eat meat... it's easy to pack on and keep extra poundage. Plus, I am a Carboholic. I could destroy an entire loaf of yesterday's beer bread if I were hungry enough.
I'm not excited about the price of WW. The meetings aren't really in a convenient spot for me either. I'm also contemplating the online version because I am an internet fiend and I figure I can spend less time reading blogs and devote some time to food tracking. I just get freaked out because I feel like on WW I'll be forced to eat a ton of food just to meet my point levels and there are only so many fruits and veggies that I can tolerate. I really just want to gorge on breads and potatoes and other crappy foods that I know are high in points.
Plus, it's so much easier to lose weight by not eating than to eat healthy. Ug.
I accept any and all opinions about WW and really need advice here.
IHGB #342: The Tortured Poets Department
21 hours ago
Girl, you talkin' crazy! Every picture I have seen of you recently shows you just glowing! I totally get what you mean by being a carboholic. I gained a good 15 pounds after getting married all because I was eating the same portion sizes as Zach. I lost at least 10 pounds this year just halfing my portion sizes... not even exercising (I hate to admit). Especially at a restaurant, I take whatever portion I'm given, divide it in half and then don't eat the rest. I bring it home. At home, it's harder, but I make sure I have at least 25% less than Zach's plate. I thought about doing all sorts of things to get back to where I wanted to be, but the truth is, it will only happen if you want it to happen. It's so much about motivation and will power, which is why it is so hard. You look fantastic and I'm sure I probably would've teared up if I had gotten to see you in your wedding gown. I can't wait for the real day. Just know we all love you "just the way you are." (Collin Firth quote!!) Love you much!
ReplyDeleteI can't really tell you if you should join WW or not, but I'll tell you this - I believe in WW and it worked for me. Similar to the comment above, I was eating portions similar in size to my then boyfriend - who has a crazy high metabolism and a job where he's very active. It was my last year of college, and I spent way too many hours sitting - and over-eating b/c I was stressed. Long story short, I graduated, 20 pounds heavier than I had ever been. My mom and aunt started WW a little later, and even though I was in a completely different city than them, I decided a few months after that to join to support them – and b/c I just wasn’t losing it on my own. I felt kind of awkward at first, b/c I only had about 30 pounds to lose, where as others in the meetings had so much more. But no one there ever made me feel like I shouldn’t be there. Everyone was so supportive and helpful, no matter what the goal was. I learned SO much – the main thing being – drink LOTS of water. Anyway, the beauty of the system is yes, you’re supposed to eat lots of healthy stuff – but even if you don’t, but you stay within your points – it will work. I highly recommend the meetings – for the support, for learning new things – and you will – and b/c weighing in front of someone else helps motivation. I did the meetings and the online tools.
ReplyDeleteSorry this got to be so length -but you shouldn’t be embarrassed; it’s a really good system. Feel free to ask me anything else if you want more information or have any questions.
http://running501.blogspot.com
THANKS girls for the great comments! I am still in contemplation, will probably talk to my mom because I know she's a huge believer in WW. Thanks for the support and advice! :)
ReplyDeleteHi buddy! I agree with both the "1/2 diet" and WW. Although I've never done WW, I think that it is one of the more healthy diets because it doesn't deprive you of anything and it also teaches you (via the points system) what nutrutional value certain foods have and therefore you learn how to eat healthier in a way that you can maintain for the rest of your life.
ReplyDeleteI did the 1/2 diet in college after I gained the freshman 15. With a reasonable amount of exercise (which you're clearly exceeding already!) you'll see results quickly enough to keep you motivated and you aren't depriving yourself on this one either. Big key to success in my book. :-) ~Torrey