Weigh-In Wednesdays-- Hanging on by a Thread
After rejoining Weight Watchers, I knew I wanted to reinstate my Weigh- In Wednesdays posts. On the third Wednesday of every month I'll have a new post/party up for everyone to share workout tips, weight loss thoughts and ideas, and healthy recipes to fuel us on our journey to better health.
Last month I shared some of my favorite healthy snacking options and was feeling so great about "my plan."... This month I nearly threw in the towel and canceled my Weight Watcher membership once again.
It's been one of those months where we are really busy and eating out a lot and I'm not tracking much of anything. I find that WW works best when we're at home and I'm prepping food. While they have a great philosophy about eating out I find that it's nearly impossible to track points for eating out unless you mainly stick to popular chain restaurants which we hardly ever do.
Our weather has had some really cold days and I am unmotivated to work out. I haven't even been walking up to the mailbox!
Luckily my weight is holding steady around the 166 mark so all is not lost. It maybe frustrating as anything that I just can not shed those last 16 pounds but I'm content with knowing I'm not packing on the pounds either. I spent nearly a week wearing just leggings and a sweater and am trying to get myself to wear "real" pants at least every few days to hold me more accountable.
I just reached a breaking one week where it hit me that I was so sick of worrying all the time about my weight, what I'm eating, am I moving enough, etc. I feel like my health has taken up so much mental space my entire life and it just gets exhausting sometimes. Do you ever feel that way? Any tips for finding my motivation again?
I definitely over think things mentally with regard to healthy eating and exercising. I do not like stressing about it. I wish that I had some tips but I don´t. Ok, maybe one- maybe try reading a book written by a doctor or nutritionist who strongly encourages a healthy lifestyle in terms of food and movement because that it what is best for your body, at a cellular level, to function. I have changed a few habits due to wanting to fuel my body better for the inside- and if those changes help the outside (how my body looks) then so much the better! I recommend Good Energy by Dr. Casey Means.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the suggestion; though honestly I think I've read at least a 1/2 dozen nutrition books this year and just can not get myself to read anymore right now. Though I do have one sitting in my book basket that promises weight loss motivation... so hopefully soon!!
DeleteThanks for the book recommendation, Maria.
DeleteThanks for being honest here Joanne, showing vulnerability is hard at times. I agree wearing 'real' clothes every few days instead of comfy leggings is a good idea. It's a hard time and you are the only one who can navigate it to suit your lifestyle. All the best and thanks for joining us for #WWWhimsy
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you! I did wear "real" clothes yesterday and today and definitely feel more like "myself."
DeleteI have not been as successful with WW the 2nd time around. I wonder if being a few years older is the reason? I don't even weigh anymore though to be honest, but am just trying to refrain from additional snacks this holiday season, which I can tell is already going to be hard. You have done such good work and look great!
ReplyDeleteI definitely think being a few years older has a lot more to do with it. I feel like I've nearly given up snacking most days (which is great!) but I am very, very aware that the holidays (and our vacation) are looming.
DeleteI am with you friend- I admire your efforts and think you look great- you are always inspirational to me- to share that weight and health have taken up too much mental space is an understatement- I so feel your pain and don't know if this will ever change here
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you. I'm not sure this will ever change for me either...
DeleteI feel you my friend! I worry a lot about what I eat and it does get exhausting. Exercise is what really keeps me going. I feel stronger. I use the Peloton app which isn't just for using the bike. They have amazing workouts (low impact cardio, strenthc, HIIT) that are less than thirty minutes and you don;t have to go outside. Give yourself some grace and good luck!
ReplyDeletehttps;//www.kathrineeldridge.com
I do go the gym 3 times a week and I'm focusing on working harder/longer while I'm there but I do think I miss the variety I had when working out at home...
DeleteLast week, I didn't move apart from my 2 runs so this week, I am renewing my efforts to walk most days. I feel more accomplished when I do. I am struggling with not oversnacking and I only tested my glucose for a week as I woke up to get a baseline. I should see what it is after meals. I am working on at least portion control at meals.
ReplyDeletewww.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
So are you using those glucose testing strips that diabetics use? I'm curious because I read so much about glucose and how to keep glucose spikes down but then kind of stalled with not knowing how to know if it was working or not.
DeleteYes! For sure! I am not exercising but the good news is that I have pretty much quit snacking. I'm eating a pretty good breakfast and lunch. I need to work on dinner. I also need to up my protein because I really think that helps. Also, I am going about 15 hours between dinner and breakfast, so that is a start. I have been having back and knee pain and once that is no longer I plan to start walking and strength training. Yes, to putting on jeans. That really helps me "keep it real".
ReplyDeleteI think you look great and I know you want that number 150 but I think 160 is also really, really good.
Yay for no more snacking! That is great. My sister did point out that 150 is probably not a reasonable goal either and that WW often sets pretty high goals so that they are harder to maintain so you'll keep paying for their service... which made SO much sense to me and kind of made me wonder why I never questioned that in the first place! I'd love to get back to 160 which I do feel is reasonable. We eat dinner at 5:30 and I rarely eat again until 8:00/8:30 the next morning. But I am kind of hating that even most of my real pants have so much "give" in them nowadays that make it a bit harder to judge the true fit.
DeleteI've just started added low carb regime as I noticed while my weight was the same, my waist has gained a couple of inches. In a week I've lowered my visceral fat, which I'm pleased about. Great idea for a link-up!
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome!
DeleteYes, I feel that way all the time. On the one hand I hate how much I weigh and how it looks, and on the other, I know that I can't fix it so I hate thinking about it!
ReplyDeleteYep, that exactly!
DeleteI so agree about eating out. I go through periods of overthinking it all and then trying to find some balance too. I'm a bit older than you and will say it's more of a challenge to drop the weight. I think maintaining a healthy weight is a reasonable goal for me now. Don't add pounds, but maybe keep my expectations low on the actual losing end. I do keep in mind how much I'm eating and about how much I should be eating. If we over do then I eat light the rest of the week. This time of year is particularly hard between the weather and the holiday eating. I think you look great!
ReplyDeleteI definitely cut back after overeating too!
DeleteI had ww over 15 years ago. I felt it was easier to eat out on it compared to making things at home, but I was always eating at chains. I also didn't lose any weight when i tried it then. This closer weather puts a big damper on motivation.
ReplyDeleteOh I lost over 40 lbs when I first joined but am finding it so much harder to keep off... which is weird because I don't notice (or think?!) I have changed WHAT/amounts/etc. that I am eating and I'm still pretty active most of the time.
DeleteNow that the weather is cooling off in Florida, I can change things up by walking outside! Congrats on the lifestyle change!
ReplyDeleteYay! Walking outside is such a mood boost as well as a good workout.
DeleteI can imagine that it's so much easier to follow any diet plan when eating at home but sometimes we just need to do what we can. You do look fabulous though regardless of what the scale tells you. I don't really have any tips for you but at some point (many years ago) I read a tip that getting dressed in real pants every day is a great helper. I was going through some issues back then (not weight related) and it's when I got rid of all my "at home" clothes and only wear leggings when going to the gym or hiking. It helped me a lot with productivity and just feeling better about myself. I know that isn't for everyone but it really works for me.
ReplyDeleteYeah I really try to only wear leggings when going to the gym or hiking too but since I do at least one of those nearly every day it's harder to get myself motivated to wear real pants. Usually by afternoon when I'm "done" my physical activity it seems to pointless to change since I'll be putting on pj's in a few short hours. LOL
DeleteJoanne - I appreciate your honesty and vulnerability here. One tip I find is to put my work out gear on in the am and I don't eat lunch until the work out is done. Another is that I have a dog and she insists on walking every day, even in blizzards or pouring rain. Now I know that isn't a commitment everyone will make but she does keep me out there. As to food yes it takes up a lot of mental space in my head as well but I am happy that at 65 I am now down 30 pounds from a year ago but sadly the last 12 pounds is stubborn. I've been down a few more and then bounce back up. The summer and it's ice cream beer season combined with desserts in France packed on some more so I had to lose that and now I am back on track. I love this idea of the public accountability. Bernie
ReplyDeleteOh I definitely do that; putting on my workout clothes first thing! I do go to the gym 3 days a week at 6:30 and my son and I try to walk/hike most days but I fully admit we are fair weather hikers. I don't mind the cold but I don't go out when it's actually snowing or raining. Good for you for shedding so much weight. I do find vacations are where I often put on pounds too and it definitely seems like each year it takes longer and longer to get those pounds to drop back off after coming home.
DeleteI will say that I've felt that way in the past. Back when I weighed myself constantly. It can be overwhelming when you have to constantly think about it. That's how I felt.
ReplyDeleteWhen we go to a Mexican restaurant, I "blow" it because of the chips and salsa...they are so addictive. But what can you do? You have to enjoy life also.
At least at home, there are no "bad" foods so all options are good for us. That's my saving grace.
XOXO
Jodie
True! I try to live by the motto "everything in moderation."
DeleteI hear you. I think I lose and gain the same two pounds every three or four days. Schedules/dining out/not tracking/stress all add into it for me. But hang in there -- you DO look wonderful, despite the numbers (which I sometimes think are overblown!)
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you!
DeleteI stopped weighing myself years ago, too annoying and nothing good ever comes of it. I simply walk more, eat less sugar and figure if my clothes are loose then that's good enough.
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful!
DeleteJoanne, I have had this body dysmorphia since my early 20s. It's debilitating and harmful in so many ways. I would go to sleep at night, thinking about how I was good or bad. I do know, when I'm at the weight I want, I feel so much better about everything. I let that slide four years ago and gained a massive amount of weight as I'm an emotional eater. Now that I'm finally losing weight, I'm trying to focus on what's good for me mentally and physically. Don't give up on yourself...WW may not be the program for you. It seems to me you are one of the healthiest eaters I know. And, goodness knows you definitely get lots of exercise. Perhaps, you should meet with your doctor to see if there's something else going on. I wish you luck as I know exactly what you're feeling.
ReplyDeletehttps://marshainthemiddle.com/
Aw, thank you!
DeleteI know exactly how you feel! It's a constant struggle for me too. It's been especially hard with the holidays. I know everyone says this, but I plan to just enjoy the holidays and not stress about it, and start fresh after Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThat is a good attitude to have about it.
DeleteYes, Joanne, I can relate. Sometimes, especially in winter, simply maintaining is a worthy goal. When I get tired of tracking everything, I try to simplify things by "eating real food, not too much, mostly plants" most of the time. When I want a treat, I let myself, then just eat it slowly and savor every bite. I realize you already know all of these things, but I share them to remind you aren't alone in the struggle and hopefully help you shift your mindset. You've got this! Remember your "why!"
ReplyDeleteThat is how I try to eat most of the time... but that is really hard to find dining out. I mean I usually have the option of a salad but I do get sick of those. And two of the places we ate only had Caesar salad which I just think are full of junky calories so if I'm going to order that I might as well have something tastier with just as many calories. Thanks for the reminder and the vote of confidence. Just writing this out and seeing all the support has helped me redouble my efforts these past couple of days.
DeleteHang in there, you will get there. I had the same issue, dropped a good number and then just nothing, and then a month or so later, slowly again the needle moved again.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for hosting.
My entries this week are 5+6
Hope you will join SSPS https://esmesalon.com/tag/seniorsalonpitstop/
It's keeping that consistency going that can be so tricky!
DeleteI love this post and it definitely resonates with me. I've been thinking lately about reinstating my posts about health/fitness. If I can manage to get one done over the weekend for November, I will join you. It's a coincidence that you say you've been a bit tired of stressing over your weight. That has also been on my mind, and I've decided just to try to be healthy and fit, and hopefully the kilos will look after themselves. That's the plan anyway.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a good plan!
DeleteThis time of year it's truly so hard to have the motivation to work out, and it's also a very rough time of year to watch what you eat because of all of the goodies! So I'd say that it's been a major win that you're holding steady!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks!
DeleteI always find it hard not to put on weight at this time of year with life happening and not wanting to move when it's so cold. That's great that your weight is still steady.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteToday, I am feeling just like you are!! I have tracked for about 2 weeks and we have eaten out at local restaurants where I just have to guesstimate about my points. I am tracking but who knows how accurately. It is mentally and emotionally exhausting, and I am hungry!! And then grumpy. I have lost 3 pounds but need to lose about 8 more. Grr. Maybe we should give ourselves some grace through the holidays and then start back reenergized in January. We are healthy, careful about our food choices, getting exercise. We can get back at it once all the festivities are behind us.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I suppose so.. I too get hungry and grumpy and that is not a good combination.
DeleteHi Joanne, we all go through ups and downs when trying to live life and still be healthy. You are doing so well but just remember, life will get in the way at times. When that happens, don't beat yourself up, just get back on track and reset. It is all about consistency but also about being kind to yourself. Thanks for linking up to the #WWWhimsy and take care. Sue L #TeamWWWhimsy
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for these kind reminders.
DeleteOh girl....I so feel your anguish! All the things you wrote...I have been there a million times myself over the years! It is a constant struggle to stay motivated! I began my "health journey" in June 2023 & have managed to lose 61 lbs! If I can offer one small tidbit of advice it would be to stop beating yourself up when you get a little off track! I remember those days of weighing in & either losing little or gaining after an unsuccessful week! I stopped weighing myself every week - matter of fact I let a few months slip by & didn't do it....and discovered I still lost weight. I couldn't handle the constant mental stress! You are doing amazing...such an achievement! I say focus on that.....I find if I wear leggings..I tend to get a bit too comfy...lol. And that is okay, Keep up the great work....you are awesome!!
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome that you have lost so much weight! I am trying to focus on the 20+ I've lost and kept off since 2019 and not the 10-15 I've gained back in the last 3 or 4 years. This week I am refocusing my efforts on weight lifting and body sculpting since I think I've lost some muscle mass.
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