Sunday 24th June 2012 – The one where I …Talk about the weekly meeting and want to say it how it is

Staying Slimmer in the Summer

This weeks meeting was about discussing the pitfalls relating to weight loss during the summer months and strategies of how to overcome these

 

Quite frankly here in the UK we have not had the greatest summer (here is hoping we’ll at least get some sun!) but despite the miserable weather (torrential rain and flash flooding) many of the challenges we face following a weight loss plan are exacerbated during the summer months.

 

Socializing:  

When the sun comes out, tops come off and we all head outside to a beer garden/back garden.  It seems totally counter intuitive sitting in the sun drinking alcohol, but it is a lovely way to spend an evening, especially if you have had a long day at work.  As such there is a pitfall where you may end up drinking more than you usually would, on a day that you wouldn’t usually drink.

Britain is not a nation of barbeque heroes, however when there is a glimmer of sunshine (and indeed when there is not) the barbeques of the UK come out in force and then to proceed to char any number of food stuffs over hot coals. 

It is also at these occasions that over eating/drinking can occur.  Generally speaking barbequing is a healthy way to cook and you often have a number of salad choices.  But how many of us stop at just one burger (veggie or otherwise)? Or Sausage? Corn cob?  I do find this peculiar that when at home very few of us would make ourselves a ‘platter’ of food, with numerous burgers, sausages, fish, chicken etc?  Most of us would stop at one or two; the idea of eating outside/standing up seems to do very peculiar things to people appetites.

So what to do?  It would be so easy for me to say ‘Don’t drink, don’t eat’ but personally that isn’t what I’d do and I don’t want to be hypercritical.  So let’s get back to basics, Weight Watchers is not a diet it is a healthy eating plan, and within that plan you can have anything that you want (in moderation of course), so if you want to head out for a post work drink, do it.  Only make sure you put it on your tracker.  If you want to eat 4 spicy bean burgers (really do you WANT to eat 4 spicy bean burgers, REALLY?!) put it on your tracker, follow your hunger signals, look out for filling and healthy options, use your 49 weekly points, be a bit more active too make up the shortfall.

 Just because you are going out with your friends it doesn’t mean that you have to stuff your face with wild abandon, but equally you don’t have to be the party pooper, sitting in the corner drinking water and nibbling on bread sticks complaining you can’t eat anything because you are on a diet. 

Use some common sense and if you want to, you can stick to the plan and you can still lose weight, if you want to splurge and put on a few pounds, that is OK too.  Just don’t be too upset when the inevitable happens and you gain a few  (did you really believe that old adage that if you eat standing up it don’t have any calories!)

Holidays:

Ahhh the all inclusive holiday, a newish invention that has been the bane of holiday waistlines across the UK.  OK yes very often all you can eat, you are not in control of what is being cooked, you want to relax, Fuck the Diet!

 

Although you are not in control of what is being provided, you are in control over what you are actually going to eat. 

You need to have realistic expectations about what you want to see on the scales when you get back from holiday.  When we are on holiday you want to relax, and part of that is indulging in little treats.  But ask you self the question, how much do I want to gain?  And be honest, do you really want to gain 10 Lbs over 1 week?  10 Lbs that’s has taken you 5 weeks to lose?  If that is OK with you, great, if it isn’t what can you do as damage limitation?  Move more (swim I the pool not just sit by it), eat in moderation (yes it is ‘free’ but does it really mean you have to eat three of everything?), don’t drink alcohol during the day limit it to the evening (this is a health issue as well as a weight issue).

Relax and have fun, you don’t necessarily want to be thinking about your weight whilst you are on holiday, but do you really want to wake up every morning of your holiday with a hangover?  Do you really want to have to consume a family pack of Rennies to deal with your food hangover?  Treat your body well, you only have one of them.

Self Confidence: 

During the summer months self confidence can take a little bit of a nose dive.  During the cooler months you can hide yourself away a bit under layers of clothes if you do not feel confident about your body.  In the summer with shorter sleeves, shorter hemlines and fewer layers, our well constructed armor of clothing gets removed.  You don’t have to have issues with your weight to feel this pressure; recent shocking studies have found that 90% of women feel unhappy with their bodies.  However when you are struggling with your weight seeing others wearing clothes you wish you could wear can knock a little bit of the wind out of you, especially when you may feel sweaty or be suffering with chafing (yes people I said chafing!).

 Quite frankly unless it’s indecent you should be able to wear what the hell you like and say bollocks to anyone who may have a problems with it.  There are plenty of ‘larger’ folks who are out there who wear their bikinis/shorts et al with pride.  I feel so jealous of this self confidence.  I know that I am not alone about feeling that my wardrobe choices are limited because of my size.

I love clothes, I like to bust out some interesting clothing combinations, just because I am chunky it doesn't mean that I am any less interested in fashion/beauty, and in fact I am probably more aware of it as I want to make sure that the clothes I do pick look good and flatter.

If any of you are like me, when my self esteem takes a crash I go for the ‘comfort’ of food.  Lots of it.  Full of salt sugar and saturated fat. This can really knock any weight loss efforts I have made out of the window.

This point is a really tough one to overcome, but I want you to remember that most women short/tall/fat/thin have body issues, just because someone is smaller doesn’t mean they have any fewer body hang ups than you do and don’t feel any less self conscious.

So my advice here? Treat yourself well, don’t punish your body because it doesn’t look the way you want it too. It is really hard to say to people 'Love your Body' because it is such a hard thing to do, but do look after it and treat it well. Show off the bits you like. Stop comparing yourself with others.

I wish I was taller, had longer legs and smaller thighs. All of the wishing in the world is not going to change anything.  But I have luxurious hair, pert bosoms and a cracking arse (pun intended).  Take compliments, when people say you look nice, don’t think they are taking the piss, accept, it will make you feel a whole lot better.

OK I’ve been dwelling on the negatives but what opportunities does the summer give us to help us boost our weight loss?

Setting goals:  Some times the summer can knock our self confidence a bit (see above) but rather than let it batter it down, use it as a time to set yourself goals for next summer.

 There was a time when, come the summer months, I would be firmly ensconced in jeans, no matter what the weather, feeling hot and uncomfortable.  After joining Weight Watchers the following summer I was wearing skirts and dresses with leggings, this year I have been bear legged, and next year?  I am planning to make next summer the year I wear shorts (not short shorts, lets not get crazy).

Summer is a great time of year to visualise yourself next year.  Lets be realistic having images of myself looking as good as Kelly Brook in a bikini is slightly over reaching, but setting yourself realsitic goals is something we can all do.

Getting Active:  OK up until now (the sun is currently shining and it’s about 20 Degrees Celsius out) getting active outdoors has not been too appealing, but with the onset of the sunny weather getting active is hardly a chore.  Taking a walk in the evening sunshine rather than sitting on my arse watching TV is a pleasure.  Going for a bike ride to/along the seaside, playing Frisbee with the kids in the park, taking the dog for a walk in the woods, these things become something to enjoy when the sun is shining and not a chore it is a joy and an excuse to revel in the good weather that we get too infrequently in the UK.

It’s also a great opportunity to get out in your gardens (yes gardening is an activity too) weeding, planting, pruning and colleting the fruits of your labors (literally).  Washing the car, some vigorous scrubbing buffing (Ooo Sexy lol).  Clearing the guttering, up and down ladders (Not quite so sexy).  Having a go on the kids bouncy castle (strap’em down ladies), running away from a freighted heard of sheep.  Just because you are not wearing gym gear doesn’t mean it’s not activity.  Like the advert says every little helps.

Healthier Foods:  Summer is the fruition of the growing season and at this time of year there are so many fresh fruits and vegetables that are coming in to season, so not only are they low in prop points they are tasty and generally cheaper!

Summer weather is when I WANT to choose lighter (as as a consequence healthier) meals.  Salads are often unappealing in winter months, but with a plethora of fresh veggies and warmer weather salads is my meal of choice when the sun comes out.

 So when you are eating out or shopping in the super market, do you really want to eat the same foods that you can eat at any old time of the year?  Crisps, chocolates, pasties, cakes? When you can eat foods that are only going to be at their best for a few months/weeks of the year?  Buying local and in season, not only tastes wonderful, but helps the local economy and also you own pocket.

So like everything, taking on the summer is all about balance.  Yes there will be challenges, but that is true with everything in life.

Make the most of the sunshine, its not going to be long before (more) rain and autumnal weather return to our shores.  Get outside and enjoy it!

Do you find it easier to be healthy when the sun comes out?  Do you have any ideas of healthy activities/foods to make the most of this summer?

The one where I am pinning my colours to the mast

*Before I start I just want to clarity I am not a WeightWatchers employee and I have not been paid to write this post.  The opinions contained are mine alone.*

*Also for those of you of a sensitive disposition, I use the F word a number of times in this post*

Attacking WeightWatchers

I would like to preface this post with the comment that I hate it when anyone or anything is attacked by either uninformed people, pseudo science or those who believe they are right no matter what.  I form opinions based on experience, evidence and the experiences of others.  I also do not attack anyone if their opinions differ from my own, every one is entitled to think what they want, however I will try to persuade a person using evidence or moral arguments if I think they are completely wrong, but that happens few and far between.

Being the New Year there are lots of articles and advertisements about getting you fit, healthy and losing weight. 

WeightWatchers are no different and are going all out to promote the new ProPoints plan here in the UK.  There are ads in print and articles in the news papers.  There is the new ‘Mega Ad’ airing on the TV starring WeightWatchers members from across the UK.  I understand that WeightWatchers is a business and that they want to earn money.

However I honestly feel that WeightWatchers have put together a plan that is designed to help its members be healthy, lose weight and keep it off.

There is a perception in society at large that Fat people are somehow lacking in mental capacity, after all you must be stupid if you got fat in the first place right?!  It appears to me that it is OK to mock fat people, because we have a weight problem we must all be stupid and have ‘bubbly’ personalities so we don’t mind being made fun of.  Many of the articles I have read concerning weight and weight loss seem to me (and I could be very wrong here) to be written by people who have no idea how complex weight gain and the emotions (and economics) that are related to it.  I do not think I have read an article written by someone who has experienced a ‘significant’ weight problem.  Therefore this is why I get frustrated when I am portrayed as being stupid for being a WeightWatchers member, for falling for all of the marketing hype and allowing a multi national company to convince me I can lose weight on their plan, only for me to put it back on, rejoin, and make them more money.  I am not stupid and I would like to stop being portrayed as such.

I have said this before and I’ll say it again following ProPoints is not about a diet it is about a healthy eating plan.  To me it is very obvious that many of the people who are writing about WeightWatchers have never been to a meeting, tried the plan or even looked beyond the press releases. 

You can only appreciate how WeightWatchers works by experiencing it yourself, Planning, Tracking, Eating filling and Healthy Foods, attending meetings, and socialising with the members.  It is far more than a little blue folder, it’s an experience.

If I thought that WeightWatchers was an unethical company, I would not be a member.  If I didn’t believe that I can lose weight on the plan and then keep it off, I wouldn’t be a member.  I am not a sheep and I can form my own opinions, I am not that easily swayed by the hype.

I am fed up of seeing comments (or getting comments from others) criticising weight loss organisations and diets in general and I wanted to express what I think the positives of the healthy eating plan I have chosen, which in this case is WeightWatchers, actually are. 

1.    The ProPoints plan does not ‘ban’ any food – Many argue that High protein low Carb or how you should only eat food that are specific to your blood type are the way to go.  Personally I cannot understand why anyone would want to cut out whole food groups.  Yeah you may lose weight faster, but is that healthy in the long term? Does it promote a healthy relationship with food by demonising particular foods or groups of foods? The plan promotes the idea of ‘everything in moderation’.  Personally I think this is a far more realistic way to promote healthy eating.  It also promotes individual responsibility, there are no prescribed menus or meals, and again in the long term it means you can fit it in with you and your families needs, likes, dislikes and dietary preferences.

2.    WeightWatchers actively promotes healthy eating – Surely a plan that promotes you to eat a portion of fruit over a chocolate bar is a good thing!  There are many critics that argue that fruit is high in sugar and telling people you can eat loads of it is as bad as telling them to eat sweets. 

At no point do Weight Watchers say you can eat as much fruit as you like.  Fruit is not Free i.e. you can eat as much of it as you like, it is 0PP.  In our classes we have talked time and time again that you should like every thing you eat it should be in moderation.

Filling and Healthy foods are promoted (wholemeal rice and pasta, vegetables, low fat dairy, lean meats, as well as healthy oils).  These are highlighted, the benefits of these are constantly talked about, recipes are based around them, we are encouraged to eat them.  These foods if eaten with ‘moderation’ are good for us.

And yes Weight Watchers do produce food products, and yes I would imagine that they have weird chemicals in them (I am not a scientist and do not claim to be).  But surely don’t all processed food contain weird chemicals?  You do not need to eat these things to be successful on WeightWatchers. 

3.    You get support from others:  As I have said above WeightWatchers is an experience.  The biggest experience for me is meeting (and becoming friends with) people who have and had similar experiences and feelings in relation to food.  Yes you can do it on your own at home, but for me this support and motivation is a massive reason why I am a member and why the plan has worked for me.

Whatever weight loss plan you follow, good luck to you. 

Everyone is different and different things work for different people.  But this is mine, I love it, it works for me, I am proud to be a WeightWatchers member. 

Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.

Rant Over… And breath…

Sunday 8th January 2012 - The one where I get weighed and regret that Apple Strudel

Breakfast:
X 1 WeightWatchers Dark Chocolate & Orange Bar:  3PP

Lunch:
X 1 Costa Skinny Cappuccino: 1PP
X 1 Costa Banana Breakfast Loaf: 11PP

Dinner:

X 1 M&S Chicken Arrabbiata: 12PP

Snacks:

X 1 Greggs Chocolate Doughnut: 10 PP
X 4 Toblerone Mini’s: 8PP

Points used today:  45PP

Weekly Points used: 12PP

Activity Points Earned: 1PP – A walk up the hill and a pootle round town.

Weigh In Result:  +1/2 Lb – Today was my first weigh in at my meeting since Christmas.  I should have been really pleased (I had been prepared for a +3Lbs) but I felt really unhappy as I though I should of lost.  However I have shaken myself out of it, it was my fault for eating such a big meal the night before weigh in and polishing chocolate, apple pie & cream, bacon sandwiches, apple strudel and after eights!  I think that’ll be the delayed hangover kicking in.

Challenges:

I usually make the excuse that as it’s a Sunday I can pig out.  I then usually use all of my weeklies before the week as begun, but not today.  I made a conscious effort to have a treat but not to use them all.  It has been difficult as my Mum has bought me a whole packet of Toblerone Mini’s, but I have had 4 (8PP) and that is enough at the moment, I may have one or 2 more but that is most definitely it!

Achievements:

Only ½ on over Christmas and New Year!  Considering some of the gains I saw/heard at today’s meeting (12 Lbs!) I feel positively saintly.  I am on it this week and without the mistake of eating all my weeklies in one sitting!

Tomorrow:

Planned tomorrows meals, ingredients are in the fridge defrosting.  It’s back to normal this Monday so a long and busy day, therefore PP earned and banked for the weekend!

Verdict:  Good day, and despite my previous negativity a good weigh in a good weigh in.  The meeting was very busy with 17 new members and a positive vibe.  I love my meeting, so many great people and such a mixture of ages and backgrounds.  It’s the people that make’s it worth getting up for on a Sunday morning.

Ready for the rest of the week!

Sunday 6th November 2011 – Day 8 – The one when I talk about the meeting and weigh in

Gosh, it’s been a week. I have blogged every day, nothing terribly exciting mind you, but I have blogged. I have to say in many respects it has worked. I am far more conscious of what I am eating now as I am going to have to broadcast it to the world! To admit I had a skanky McDonald's made me feel a little bit ashamed, as I know how bad it is for you, but I suppose with everything moderation is the key.

So a summery of the week: Positive, Dehydrated, Good, Knackered, Grumpy, Caffeinated, Passive-Aggressive (I wouldn’t like to hang out with those Dwarfs)

Bonus Points Earned:  37 (I am a walking machine)

So drum roll please weigh in result is…….-1.5lbs

Today’s Meeting:

We have mainly been discussing...Food labeling...

I have to say not one of the most inspiring topics but useful all of the same. Not that we really talked too much about labels to tell you the truth.

Today we had a trainee leader, Angie, take the meeting, and it was great to meet her. She started off a little bit nervous, but you can see she has the potential to become a great leader. It was great to hear her story, she has lost 5st (70Lbs), and she looks fantastic, as this is the amount of weight I still have to lose it was really inspiring to find out about her weight loss journey.

Following on from the meeting last week on positivity, I started to think about how motivating other people’s journeys are. I did talk about using others as 'thinspiration' last week, but I did not realize how much of an impact following others weight loss journeys really has on me.

 

The new WW magazine has just come out, it is one of my 'must buys'. The first section I look at is the success stories, I find them so uplifting and reassuring that the plan works. The same for the website, I love looking at the success stories online, as well as people posting in the community how well they have done at their weigh in.

No matter how much I may enjoy them however, I do often find myself getting frustrated that the magazines will frequently feature people who have only* lost a moderate amount of weight and I would love a few more features on bigger losers, after all I have loads to lose and I want to see someone who reflects my journey. That is why I found it so inspiring to meet Angie today.

I found it reassuring that Angie was able to talk about the fact that not every thing about her weight loss was easy. That honesty, though for some may find off putting, I find refreshing and relatable. One of the things I love about my leader Suzanne is that she isn't perfect when it comes to WeightWatchers, and that she is going through the same ups and down as her members. This makes her so much more approachable and you know that when you discuss that you maybe struggling with her, that she has been through exactly the same situation. I don't think there is anything worse (when it comes to WeightWatchers, I know there are plenty of worse things in life) than a leader you cannot relate to.

Post Meeting sporting new Hat
Scarf and Gloves. Cute Huh! Lol

I am always on the look out for someone that can be a role model for me (I know it is a bit of a tough ask, 30, single, stupidly busy job, non-driver, PCOS sufferer, 5st to lose... Anyone?!?!...Didn't think so) but I suppose there are aspects of many people that I can take inspiration from even if they are not exactly like me in every respect.

So a big thank you to Angie and Suzanne, all of the folks on WeightWatchers online and in the magazine for sharing their success stories, for all of you on the community message boards sharing your highs and lows, for all of the members at my meeting and all of my WW buddies. Thanks to all of you for inspiring me to do better. One day I'll get there and hope to inspire you guys in return.

*I say only like its a bad thing! Please do not misconstrue my comment as dismissive to their journeys, any weight loss no matter how large or small is an achievement.

Sunday 6th November

Brunch:

x1 Costa Cappuccino & 1 Sugar: 2P
X1 Costa Banana & Pecan Breakfast Loaf: 11PP

Dinner:
x1 M&S Ciabatta Olive Roll: 7PP
x1 M&S Beef Lasagne: 18PP
x1 Belgian Bun (With no Cherry, what’s going on with that?!): 11PP

Snacks:
x1 WeightWatchers Chocolate & Vanilla Biscuit: 2PP

Points used: 51PP

Weekly Points used: 19 but not all of them babies

Points Earned: 0PP Mainly laying down...

Challenges:

Not to eat all of my weeklies! I mainly achieved this because it was sooo cold today (the first 'proper' day of Autumn) I left town without completing all of my shopping and couldn’t be bothered to head to the pound shop to stock up on snacks lol. Have been enjoying a lazy afternoon in my room watching a crap film snuggled under a fleece blanket. Bliss.


Achievements:
OK no pedometer today, certainly with the tightness of my dress that was not going to happen!

I did not eat all of my weeklies. I have enjoyed my treat of lasagne (considering I don’t like cheese I often wonder why I like it so much) and a cake, but I do not need to eat anything more.

I do not have anything planned socially over the next week (I seriously need to sort that shit out, I am starting to take it personally that my friends don't want to hang out with me) but I really want to save those points for some booze. I have not had a drink in I-don’t-know-how-long and with all of the work stress that I am under I am feeling the urge. However I hate drinking on my own so they may very well get spent on some Pizza next weekend.

Tomorrow:
Another day of stupid busyness, I am going to struggle to eat and drink for most of the day, however I have got dinner for tomorrow planned and ready to go therefore I am not going to use the 'well I haven't eaten all day' excuse to pig out on crap. Fingers crossed.

Verdict: Feeling better, and the most positive I have been for a while

Weekly Meeting (Originally Posted 25th July 2011 on Facebook)

Activity was the topic of this weeks meeting, and in all of my mini posts I don't think this is a topic I have ever addressed.
 
Now I can't remember the statistic (I'm sure my leader has it somewhere), but gold members who have incorporated activity in to their lives are more likely to keep the weight off in the long term. We also know that exercise is good for us, it increases the body's ability to burn calories, strengthens bones and keeps your heart and lungs healthy. Also exercise and the boost of endorphins exercise gives you can boost your mood and exercise has been 'prescribed' by Doctors to patients with depression and mood disorders to help with symptoms.
 
With all of these pros why then do so many of us try to avoid it?  There are so many excuses that you can use to try to justify why you don't exercise, time, money, energy, injury, self consciousness, chafing (!). But there is always something you can do.  Remember a bigger muscle mass means you burn more calories (even when you're just sitting down). So come on folks share with us all what exercise you do, and what are you going to do to 'do more than you've done before'?
 
Me, well I have always walked, but as my job is changing I am becoming more sedentary so here is what I do and here is my pledge.
I did ... Go jogging twice a week and walk 5 mile a day
I do ...  Zumba once a week and walk 3 miles a day
I will ... Return to go jogging twice a week, continue to go to Zumba once a week, and aim to walk a longer route home from work to increase my daily mileage.
 
How about you?

Remember Onwards and Downwards, Rock on losers!

Weekly Meeting (Originally Posted 27th June 2011 on Facebook)

I wrote a couple of weeks ago about keeping in mind the reasons why you started and after having a chat with a couple of people at today's meeting and I thought I would share with you again my 'before' picture. This is me at my brothers wedding in August 2008. This isn't me at my heaviest this is me half a stone lighter; I embarrassed to say I weight nearly 18 St in this photo.
 

In the grand scheme of things I have not lost a massive amout of weight, I still have loads to lose, but I have changed massively since that picture was taken.
 
Physically I struggle to recognize myself; I am 4 dress sizes smaller that I am on that picture.

But also emotionally and mentally I am in a total different place. I am more positive, I treat myself with more respect, I don't abuse my body with food any more, I am less conscious of what other people think of me, I like myself more.

I have also realized that I have some fantastic friends, granted I may not see some of them very often, but they are there when I need them. There are many of you who are reading this who I have met through WeightWatchers that I now consider my friends. I want to thank you all so much for making my life in Colchester that little bit brighter and bearable.

WeightWatchers has changed my life, and I am not talking about the number on the scales.

For those of you who are struggling, I want you to think about what being a member of WeightWatchers has done for you, remember the person you were when you first walked in to your very first meeting?

For me WeightWatchers is about a hell of allot more than just my weight, don't just focus on the numbers. 

Remember Onwards and Downwards, Rock on losers!