We had an excellent Weight Watchers meeting today. We had a conversation about goals. and, as always, I was able to learn so much from everyone. I noticed there was a common thread connecting their stories.
People who were able to make better choices and stop themselves from overindulging (or eating something that really wasn’t worth the points in the first place) were able to “talk back” to that trying inner voice that urges bad choices. They were able to reason with themselves to make a better decision. This is something I do too and it does help.
I have lost another 1.4 pounds making my total weight loss this week 66.6 pounds. I went to T.J. Maxx and this happened:
I am now wearing a medium!
I am now wearing a size 8!
The funny thing is, when I started this journey, I couldn’t have guessed that by Day 189 I’d be wearing a medium and a size 8 jeans. I never looked that far out. I tried to focus on how the day went or if there was something that I wanted to explore more deeply. Having goals and being able to engage them that has gotten me to this point.
Winter is not through with us yet! When I came home from spin class this morning it was snowing.
Tomorrow is my Weight Watchers meeting and I am taking some time to reflect on my week. I rolled over 57 points and I ate within my points range for six out of seven days. I exceeded my activity goal, earning 59 FitPoints for 240 minutes. Speaking of activity, I’m really happy I tried Yoga and it was great to do try it with my sister.
This journey can be unpredictable – some days I feel like I’m on top of the world and others are hard. I wonder why that is… just kidding, I know why – this journey is for the rest of my life. I will always be trying to outgrow myself and become more self-aware. I gained weight because I allowed myself to go on auto-pilot. I neglected to take care of myself and that’s not ok. I want to be the best possible version of myself and that is what this is all about. More tomorrow…
I hope that anyone who wants to lose weight and learn how to live a healthy lifestyle tries Weight Watchers #Freestyle because it works. I had a revelation today, I was washing my hands at work and then I looked up and saw myself in the mirror… I had to look again because I look so different. For the first time, I really feel significantly changed in my appearance.
While this is very exciting, because I’d be lying if I were to say that physical changes weren’t important, I have been changed on the inside for a very long time. The thing is, it is so easy to celebrate physical changes when, really, it’s the inner changes that make them possible. I think I had to change myself from the inside out and that’s strange to think about but it’s also the truth.
You’d think from this post that I’m already at goal – I’m not, but I’m getting closer. I feel good right now and that is a reason to celebrate. This journey does not have to be a struggle! If you read my blog, then you know, for me it stopped being a struggle when I discovered my #why. So, what’s your why? Why are you on this journey? How is it going for you? When you answer questions please be intentional. I believe, that whatever you give to yourself you give to the world. So be kind, keep your sense of humor, be magnanimous because this is how we can change ourselves, influence others, and make the world a better place.
My husband and daughter spent some time together yesterday, and while they were walking through town they took the picture that became today’s featured image. This chubby old dog sunning himself in a jewelry store window makes me smile. Obviously, he knows how to practice self-care!
I love that my daughter and husband went out for coffee yesterday. Makes me happy.
This journey is one that is both outward and inward discovery. The more I change myself, the more I believe I can make positive impacts on the world around me too. While I have decided to lend my voice to a positive perspective on things, this is not to imply that my life is perfect. Who’s life is?
There is always a positive side and negative side of things – both are usually true, but which one do you want to make your reality? For me, I try to take the positive stance (most of the time I can do it) and the more I keep it all in perspective, the more I can learn how to deal directly with my stress so I do not turn to food. This is just another lesson that I’m learning as I stay on the journey.
Taking on the challenge to lose weight and to open myself to learning how to live a healthy lifestyle is pushing me to try new things. Ruts and repetitive routines are the enemies for me, whether it’s food or activity. When I begin to feel like a hamster on a wheel I know that can absolutely sabotage my efforts.
My sister treated me to a session of Gentle Yoga. I do have the best sister a girl could ask for that’s the truth. It was a challenge! When my inner voice started to say things like: You are not coordinated; You might fall over; Don’t even try that one! Then I decided to change those stories to something more productive: This is your first session, you’ve never done this before; You can be proud that you held all of the poses; You are pretty flexible.
Why not be generous and kind to ourselves? There is so much negativity in the world, why take that into your heart?
Consider this, when is the last time you tried something new? It doesn’t have to be a yoga class… it can be something simple like a different route on your daily walk. It can be a recipe. It can be reading a new genre. Yesterday I wrote about habits because habits are part of this process. Packing my breakfast and lunch and pre-tracking it for the next day is a healthy helpful habit. Going to spin class three times a week, is also a healthy happy (and fun) habit. Like all things in life, it’s all about finding a balance. Useful habits and novel experiences help to keep me going. How about you?
It was a busy day back to work and so it went by very quickly. I am not sure if I packed enough food for breakfast and lunch but for the first time in a long time, I was feeling hungry by the afternoon. So, when I got home and packed a heartier lunch and breakfast for tomorrow.
Here is the update on the wake-up ritual that Weight Watchers suggested. I tried it and it was interesting. It felt a little artificial to wake up, stretch, drink water (with lemon), listen to some uplifting music and read something inspiring as part of my morning routine. Especially before heading out to work. I did like trying it on for size though, know what I mean? Trying new things helps to keep this process fresh and engaging. I encourage you to think about this – what are you willing to try?
It is so satisfying to take a moment and sit quietly after doing something physically demanding. I can actually feel my body relax and reset itself. There is still the pleasant warmth in my muscles and I have this great sense of accomplishment and calm. This is how I felt this morning after spin class.
Rediscovering Rituals Focusing on Wellbeing
I was looking at the Weight Watcher’s Website and I found something in their collection of WW Hacks videos that I’m going to try tomorrow morning called. WW Hacks Energize. They suggest doing the following to start your day:
Wake up do some light stretching
Open the blinds or turn on the lights
Drink a full glass of water with lemon
Put on some uplighting music
Read something inspiring
I think it’s important to challenge some of my routines. I am really curious to see if trying this new wake-up ritual has an impact on how I start my day. This journey is not just about losing weight, it’s about building new healthy habits, and it needs to reflect the traveler. One thing I know about myself is that I enjoy discovering new things, so it makes sense that my path includes learning and exploring. Who are you? What defines you? What do you need to be successful? These are important questions to ask and find the answers to and that is both exciting and mysterious.
Admiring Nature It’s a Beautiful World
Here are some inspiring photos I took today. Aesthetics elicit positive emotions within us, so why not look for beauty? Think about it, take some pictures, and if you’re so inclined to share them you’d be spreading some joy. Thank you for reading:
We had an amazing meeting today. It was one of those meetings where everyone lingered after it was over. We all wanted to keep the positive feelings going because one of our friends made it to goal! When she told me I felt so elated for her because I’ve been a witness to her dedication. I’ve seen her work the program and now she has accomplished something that she really wanted – that is very special. When she shared her news with the whole group, everyone applauded because we are all so happy. Our happiness is rooted in real empathy for her because we all understand what she has achieved. It was quite a remarkable experience.
Congratulations Vicky!
Overcoming Stress
Overcoming stress is this week’s topic. This is a good topic because I think it’s important to think about how we are all coping with it. Take a moment and think about this, how do you feel when you’re stressed out? What do you tend to do? When I feel stressed I notice I begin sighing, and if it persists I begin to get a headache. In the past, I would turn to food. If this sounds familiar it’s a good idea to get some strategies. Here is one I found in my Weight Watchers Weekly, Reframe Your Stress:
New to Getting to Goal
I have added a new page click here to access it: Tips & Tools I wanted to create a resource so I could share helpful tools and strategies. I am also hoping that if you have any ideas you’ll share as well. We are certainly smarter together.
A Slice of My Life Stress Comes in All Sizes
“Mom! Can you move your car? I’m going to be late!” My daughter said running into her room tieing on her black apron. I had just measured out a half cup of Greek Yogurt into a bowl and was about to dump some mixed berries on top.
“I’m hungry. You know what I want? Breakfast.” My son said grinning as he entered the kitchen untieing his gi. “Hang on, I have to move the car. How was Nokado?” “Good.” He said leaning into the refrigerator. I threw on my shoes and jacket and ran outside to move the car. I’ll make him eggs I know he will want protein. I can eat my breakfast as I make his.
I turned the doorknob and stepped back inside, ready to go… “Hey honey, did you make that phone call yet?” my husband said from inside the walk-in closet underneath the stairs. “No.” I sighed slipping out of my shoes and leaving my jacket in a heap on the chair. I’m really not looking forward to making that call, pressure started to burn in my temples. “First, I have to eat and make David breakfast.” Silence for a moment, “Could ya’ make me something too?” “Sure.” I watched blue and red berries tumble into the white creamy yogurt. I took a spoonful and closed my eyes sweetness filled my mouth with pops of sour notes. I opened my eyes and reached into the fridge and grabbed the eggs, sausage, bread, and butter.
Water cascades over a bunch of broccoli forming bubbles around each flowery head. Its dark leafy green color is in stark contrast to the shiny stainless steel strainer. I remembered how good the broccoli was the last time I used it in a recipe. I turn off the water, and shake the strainer water droplets rise and fall with each gentle shake,“Hey Hayley, how’d you cut the florets last time?” She looks up from cutting carrots into slim matchstick sized slices, “I dunno ma, you just cut them small, it’s a pain. These carrots are so sweet!” I started cutting, “Just show me how you did it.” She gets up and takes the knife and deftly cuts a little x into each floret, “Then you just sort of pull them apart. See?” Tiny florets returning home to the metal strainer.
Outside the wind picks up, and the strange thing is, it sounds exactly like the ocean. The rain begins falling more steadily and the temperature is beginning to fall. Inside the kitchen is warm and pleasant as the mellow scent of garlic and ginger wafts up from the cast iron skillet. We stir, we chop, we season to taste. Cooking is the thing that turns a house into a home.
Ginger Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry 5sp
Meal Builder: Yay! or nay…
Yay! I think I will use the Meal Builder again next week. There were quite a few benefits to this helpful tool. I had a plan and I had pre-tracked everything for the week. This meant that eating was more relaxing especially at dinnertime. It also helped me to think about variety for my food choices. If you want to change things up, why not try this?
I had a great week, I hit my workout goal. I feel stronger and I am getting closer to goal every single day. It doesn’t matter what the scale says tomorrow because I am so happy with my progress. When this journey stopped being about numbers and more about reflection everything got better.
It’s not that I don’t want to lose weight tomorrow. I would be surprised if I didn’t but I would not be devastated. The thing is, there is nothing I would change. I’m learning how to say, “I’m good with my efforts. I did a great job this week.” That is an amazing feeling because I am not just saying that – I believe it too. I’ll let you know how I did!
I received a letter with a book recommendation from a student of mine today. If you look carefully, you’ll notice the little heart in the character’s name (I love that)…
Reading and writing that kids want to do!
I love teaching students the power of the written words.
This is a very happy surprise so of course I wrote her back!
Forging connections through writing.
So, of course, I wrote her back and sent my letter off with a book recommendation of my own! Writing connects us in important ways.
This quote is very real for me. Through this blog, I am learning and I am learning because I’m writing.
Why is it important for children (and adults) to experience the power of writing? I want them to understand that it’s important because writing helps us to capture our lives. It gives us permission to pause and reflect. It clarifies thinking by allowing us to linger with words. Our words suspend time so we can learn new things, describe experiences and explore feelings. Writing lets us share in each other’s humanity and helps us to outgrow ourselves.
Changing My Life…
I have set my intention to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle. I have been a Weight Watcher for years, but this time it is different. This is my year to get to goal and become a Lifetime member. Having this goal has changed me. It has put me touch with my inner power and has woken me up to my own potential. As I have become more self-aware, I find that I have a deeper appreciation for beauty. I look for it and am finding it everywhere and that is changing me too. It may sound strange to you, but it’s the truth, and I couldn’t have gotten here without writing.
Getting to Goal 