I
was irrationally nervous as I prepared to start Weight Watchers.
I’ve
done it before and it’s a program that’s always worked for me, I also had a
fair idea of what my weight would be, so I don’t know why I had butterflies as
I logged onto the website.
I’ve
never thought of myself as a massively overweight person even as my BMI called
me obese, but I didn’t feel healthy either.
I
struggle with certain health problems because of having stupid cancer a few
years ago. As much as the chemotherapy saved my life, it left behind a mark.
With scar tissue, stomach issues and chronic fatigue that on their worst day
can emulate the symptoms I had with cancer, leading to some scary thoughts and
panicked paranoia, I was never looking for miracles by losing weight.
But
I also knew that when I crazy-danced (putting on music and dancing all crazy) I
could only last about two songs, and when I chased my dog around my parents’
small garden I could only do one lap, and running up the stairs…? Yeah, that
was never an actual run. Those were things that I knew were affected by my
heavy weight.
So,
on a whim I looked up my local weight watchers and announced I was starting.
The
first week was difficult. Learning about the programme, giving up the binge
eating, and I admit that I’ve slipped up a few times, and because of that, I’m
off to a slow start, but the weight is leaving me, and that makes the donut
sacrifice.
I’m
proud of my achievement so far because when I’ve tried dieting alone in the past,
I inevitably sneak junk food and the diet doesn’t work.
I’m
in the very early stages of my weight loss journey and I miss donuts like you
wouldn’t believe, but I’m doing my best to stay motivated. I’m no expert about
dieting, I’m learning what works for my body and I’m doing my best, but based
on the last few weeks, here are my tips on getting started:
Do it for yourself
I
don’t care what anyone says, losing weight is not easy. Making the decision to
go on a diet and stick to it is not easy. There will be weeks when you do
everything right and the best result is to maintain your current weight, there
will be weeks when someone tells you how much food they ate and they lose four
pounds, there will be people who lose it quicker than you, people who reach
goals faster than you. For some the weight will drop off, for others it’s slow,
painful progress. And that is why you have to do it for yourself. Because if
there is some outside influence provoking you and it’s not something you need
or want then it will be that much harder. Every pound you drop is something to
be proud of. It’s a goal achieved. You’ll feel it so much deeper if you really
want it.
Exercise (ugh)
I
hate exercising. It sucks. I find no pleasure in trying to get fit. So, my
advice to you is do something that you can find enjoyment in. I’m, at heart, a
lazy person so you’re unlikely to find me running or at the gym, so for my
exercise (ugh) I walk the dog and I dance. And I don’t mean dance class. I get
some music going and I dance until I’m tired. Usually with the dog jumping at
my feet because she thinks it’s a game. Like I said, I’m lazy so I might not be
the best person to offer advice on this but, hey, thirty minutes to an hour of
walking has got to be better than thirty minutes to an hour watching TV
dreaming of donuts.
Plan your meals
When
I started weight watchers I found it difficult, not just the cutting down on
all my favourite food part, but I didn’t know what to eat. With a limited
number of points in a day I was at a bit of a loss, and the thing I find that
makes it easier, is planning ahead. It’s difficult to start off with because it
takes a while to build up your store cupboard with all the flavourings and
weird new healthy food that you need for recipes, but after a while, it gets a
bit easier, and soon it’s a part of your weekly routine. Think what you want
for breakfast, lunch and dinner. What snacks you’ll want, and then find out
what you need and add it to your shopping list. If you can prep and freeze;
even better. It takes the stress out of meal decisions. Another problem that
comes with dieting is when you eat out. Fortunately, a lot more places are
adding healthy options to their menus and it really makes a difference but if
you can get a look at a menu before you go then you can plan ahead,
and avoid the part that most other people find annoying; trying to find a low
cal option while everyone’s waiting for you to decide.
Change your habits
One
easy change to make is to eat from a smaller plate. It sounds like pointless,
but I find it makes a difference. Eating from a smaller plate means you don’t
have all that empty space surrounding your smaller portion and it means you
don’t feel the need to fill it. As well as a smaller plate, drink more water.
That way you don’t mistake thirst for hunger. Other pieces of advice I’ve been
given are to eat at a table with no TV because when you’re distracted by
television you’re not paying attention to your food and you shovel in more
without realising. Also, it takes your body twenty minutes to realise your full
so don’t be afraid to eat slowly or take breaks, and don't feel like you can
never eat junk food again. If you cut out your favourites altogether (donuts
for example) then you might find yourself quitting. I couldn't give up donuts
forever, but I also know that eating them as often as I was wasn't healthy.
Everything in moderation. That doesn't mean never again.
Find your motivation
It
always seems easier to diet when you have a goal to achieve. A wedding, a
holiday, anything with an endpoint and an achievement but even if you have
nothing like those things to look forward to, you can create your own goals. I
recently bought a dress for a writing event I was going to, and at the same
time I bought one for upcoming Christmas meals and parties. The one for the
writing event didn’t fit right. It was a little too tight which made it
indecently short so I ended up wearing the Christmas party dress instead. Now
the short, tight one is hanging on my wardrobe and it’s my first goal. To fit
into that. If it happens by Christmas then great, if I don’t quite accomplish
that then I’ll keep going till I do, but it’s a motivation to see this dress I
love hanging up waiting for me to wear it. Another way is to reward yourself
when reach milestones. Maybe you can put aside money for every pound you lose
and then go shopping when you reach your goal weight. Or you can reward
yourself at milestones. At your first half stone, or your first stone get your
hair done, buy those shoes you want, get a tattoo, go drag racing. Whatever you
want, but make a point of making that your reward and then it’s something to
work toward.
Be healthy
This
is my last and most important piece of advice. Dieting isn’t about starving
yourself. Starting a new program is tough; understanding the program, what you
can and can’t eat, pacing your points (or sins or calories: depending on which
diet you do) throughout the day and week, but it should be balanced. You should
be eating meals. If you’re looking for a lifestyle change that you can keep up
then you need to find one that you can live with, that still let’s you enjoy
food, that doesn’t harm you. Don’t starve yourself so you can binge. Don’t hurt
your body to be thin. In my opinion the most important part of dieting, is to
lose the weight healthily.
As
I’ve already said, dieting is tough but one thing I get from going to a group
is seeing how many people out there are doing the same thing. We’re trying to
get healthy and it’s a constant support. People who are happy for you and
encourage you when you lose a single pound, commiserate you when put on, advise
you when you’re fed up and stuck. None of my friends are dieting so having this
group makes a difference to me because they are the ones who understand my
desire to be healthy and to feel better about myself that not everyone gets.
Whether
you’re in a weight loss program, thinking about starting, or just reading this
because you’re bored and it’s there… stay healthy and know we’re all struggling
through this donut sacrifice together.
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