Success

A couple of weeks ago, I admitted to being a big fat failure.  Fat being the operative word because I had failed at Weight Watchers online.  So, I bit the bullet and signed back up for meetings.

Last week was my first meeting.  I wasn't happy with the number on their scale - weighing at the end of the day is a pain in the ass.  But, while I wasn't happy, I wasn't too shocked either so I tried not to let it get me down.

The meeting was exactly what I expected it to be and it was actually really good.  Instead of feeling stupid that I'd failed and had to go back, I felt like I was back among my people - the ones that understood my struggles and were there for support.  I walked out feeling like I had a plan and I could face the week.

I set some goals for myself: track everything I ate, be meticulous about portion sizes, and make the best choices I could while still leaving a tiny bit of wiggle room.  To these ends, I made an effort to read through and organize my materials from Weight Watchers, I purchased a journal for tracking and a notebook to take notes at meetings.  I was ready to tackle the week.  What can I say?  I'm a nerd, office supplies motivate me.

I managed to meet my goals.  I tracked everything I put in my mouth and if I didn't want to track it, I usually didn't put it in my mouth.  I admit a stray piece of cheese or two might have snuck through but that's about it.  On Father's Day, I made steaks, broccoli, salad, roasted potatoes, and my mother-in-law brought brownies and ice cream for dessert.  In indulged in all of those foods - being careful to limit portions where appropriate - and I *still* had points left over at the end of the day.  I even managed to get a little exercise in here and there over the course of the week.

Tonight I had my second meeting and my first weigh-in after starting the program.  I lost six pounds.

Let me repeat that:  I lost SIX pounds.  In one week.

To give you some perspective, the only other time in my life that I've lost that much weight in a single week, it involved birthing 8 lb babies.

I have now lost 10 pounds over all and weigh the same as what I did when I started Weight Watchers 4 years ago.  I put on shorts today that were a smaller size and I didn't just manage to squeeze into them - they actually fit comfortably.  Some of my clothes look big on me now (not many, but a few!).  Scot told me one day earlier this week, "You look skinny today."

So I know what works and I know how to make the program work for me.  Not every week will be this successful but it's a great boost to my confidence.