Mixed Bag Of Rant

So, I didn’t make my goal weight in 2011. Am I disappointed? Sure. Am I surprised? Nope. I had medical issues. It is going to take some time to find the right formula to start losing again.

What I did do successfully in 2011 is lose 20 lbs? I know to many who have lost oodles doing other programs that seems like a kick in the bucket but for me, it was a hard fought battle. I did change a lot of my habits and I am proud of the progress I have made at becoming a healthy person. One of the driving factors for my initial weight loss last year was to have a goal. A vision. I was a bridesmaid in a wedding and I wanted to look good for those pictures that would grace many albums and walls for years to come. It was excellent motivation. Once the wedding was over, I kind of didn’t have anything specific to work towards anymore. I became complacent. Nothing was holding me accountable anymore when there wasn’t an end goal to make.

A Disney Promise For Potty Training Success

What is my motivation in 2012? Vacation. There is a lot of talk in my household about taking a couple different large scale (shorts/swimsuits) vacations at the end of the summer and the only way I will book them is if I am at or at least reasonably close to my goal weight. One way or another, I am going to make my goal weight by the 4th of July. It would require me to lose just 7 lbs a month. At this point it feels crazy. I haven’t made any progress over the past few months despite my efforts and fear that I am setting myself up for failure.

We were invited on an adults-only trip	to Key West

However, that is why I said… one way or another. I have started to wonder if WeightWatchers is the right program for me. Don’t get me wrong here, it is an awesome program full of awesome people. I have been working the program for a year. Despite some setbacks with my health, I feel like I should have lost more weight not to mention a 4 month plateau? Really? I feel like I am not getting the support I need to help me make changes to my diet that might help stimulate more weight loss. Let’s face it. Eating healthy is important, yes, but so is finding the right balance to trigger weight loss. Am I eating too many carbs? Too much sugar? Not enough protein? Am I not working out enough (holy cripes… I don’t think my body could physically do more)? I feel like my WeightWatchers meeting is so packed and nobody has the time to truly sit and talk with ME and frankly… I kind of question the expertise. Is completing the program enough to make someone a WeightWatchers expert? Enough to lead a group of people struggling with their weight?

I have been researching other programs. I’ve looked at ones that are total meal replacement (i.e. eating their food… Medifast, Nutrisystem) thinking that these are dummy proof and perfect for me since I apparently have no ability to make good choices. I have proved I can maintain. I’m not worried about that, but I need to lose more weight. I’ve looked into programs through my gym (Life Time Fitness). I’ve been intrigued about their Team Weight Loss program. It is expensive. They have a 90% success rate. You get to be on a team as opposed to one on one. But it meets 3 nights a week… full time job + husbands full time job + mommyhood = completely no ability to plan anything (P.S. Putting Jack in their childcare is just not an option for a kid who is already in daycare 9 hours a day… he deserves better than that from me). I’m also intrigued by their MyCoach program in which you meet with a trainer, they set up a one month program (which includes nutritional support) and you can touch base with questions virtually and then meet once a month and it is relatively cheap (under $100 per month).

As much as I could use the added support and motivation in the gym, I don’t think it is my weak spot. I am registering for an Earth Day 5K with a good friend and will HAVE to train for the next 3.5 months. People like me can’t just show up and run one of those things, plus I’m determined to knock 3 minutes off my time from last year (38:07). I have the exercise motivation. I’ve been working out 3-5 days a week for over a year now. I’m there.

So I’m thinking my problem lies in my food/nutrition. I need a specific direction and a day by day program to follow. I know of at least 3 people who are successfully doing Medifast and thinking it may be the right program for my needs. I am going to give WeightWatchers one last month. If I can see significant progress in the next 3 weeks then I will stick it out and know that I just wasn’t working the program hard enough. If I stay still then I know there is something deeper going on that needs the attention of a more controlled program.

Wow. Babble, babble, blah. Thanks for letting me hash this out. 

I’m going to make this happen if it is the last thing I do!!!!

What is your motivation for weight loss/healthy living in 2012?