Monday, June 27, 2011

Two Sides to Every Weight Loss Story

I’m losing my weight the old-fashioned way: through healthy eating and exercise. I’m using Weight Watchers as a way to help me maintain motivation and have a support system to lose the weight and learn to live healthier. Weight Watchers is basically like counting calories, except you count Points Plus values. Every single item of food is assigned a Points Plus value depending on fat grams, carbs, protein, and fiber. Every single food being labeled means nothing is off limits. Weight Watchers doesn’t teach about deprivation but about portion control.

I’ve been on and off the program since the summer of 2007. So I know the program backwards and forwards. I know what works for me and what doesn’t. I know that the program works if you do it correctly. As one of my all-time favorite Leaders always says, “Let the Program work for you. Don’t work the Program.”

This week, I saw a gain on the scale. Truthfully, I knew it wasn’t going to be a stellar weight loss week for me because of one issue: eating.

My exercise was fantastic this week. Three days I exercised for over an hour (twice hitting the two-hour mark) and two days I hit the gym for an hour. And since I had previously been exercising for 30-45 minutes a few days a week, this is a lot of exercise for me.

But I love it! I love being in the gym, love the classes, love the atmosphere. It pushes me to keep going and pressing forward. I would love to spend two hours in the gym every day but it’s not always feasible. But those days I do? I feel amazing.

But the other side of the story is where I feel not-so-amazing. I grew very lax on tracking what I ate and eating the good stuff, giving myself leeway because of all the exercise I was doing. The week before, I decided not to count my exercise points towards my daily total and it worked out good - I lost 3 pounds. This week was a whole ‘nother ballgame.

If it’s one thing I know, it’s that weight loss requires healthy eating and exercise. I have the exercise part of the equation down pat. And now it’s time for me to get the healthy eating part down pat.

Stats
Starting Weight: 159.2 lbs
Current Weight: 152 lbs
Net Difference: -7.2 lbs (+.8 this week)
Body Fat: 27.57% (+)

13 comments:

  1. Good for you for figuring out one side of the equation!   It will all come together for you, I am sure of that.  And actually, when i started exercising again when I was on WW, I saw a gain for 1-2 weeks, and then I started ot see the loss on the scale.  So you most likely have some great weigh ins ahead of you! Keep up the great work!

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  2. Good for you for going to the gym so much and sticking with it! I don't know how well I'd manage doing that. I started doing the 30 Day Shred and couldn't keep up past one week. I think I'm going to pick it back up now, but it's going to take all my motivation, willpower, and then some. 

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  3. It really is a two-sided coin. But good for you for figuring out half of it so successfully :)

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  4. I felt awful, awful, AWFUL last week, eating my way through Ohio & feeling sick every single night, gassy & bloated & ginormous. The scale hit 190 for the first time, & I cried. And now? I'm waiting on  my next paycheck so I can join Weight Watchers, too. For real this time.

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  5. Sounds like you are on the right path =) I still struggle with the healthy eating part. I just love food. Sigh. Keep up the great work though, those workouts you are doing are awesome!!!

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  6. KJHartenstein6/27/11, 6:17 PM

    Good for you for figuring it out Steph!

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  7. So true my friend, so true! Today's another day though so get back on the wagon and rock it!

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  8. That's what I'm hoping for! I think my body is in shock. :) And I seem to be hungrier than normal so that's good. Hopefully I can just learn to get it together with my eating.

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  9. It's all about willpower. Right now, I'm all over it and I think it helps to find something you enjoy. I really love the gym so it's never a question about going like it was when I was trying to become a runner. 

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  10. Yes. I'm glad I've gotten one side down pat. Now to just work on the second side. I think I just love food, bad food, way too much.

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  11. I'm so excited, yay! Have you joined yet? I believe in this program so much. It works as long as you follow it. And I find it fairly easy to follow along with. E-mail me if you have any questions!

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  12. I love food, too. A lot of bad food, too. Sigh.

    But at least I love to exercise. Counteracts the food, somewhat. :)

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  13. Keep going, girl! One week isn't going to completely ruin everything. I've never really had a weight problem though I'm always trying to lose that pesky five pounds. I've recently started counting calories and I'm realizing WHY I'm not losing anything. It's so difficult to stay in my calorie range! And exercise? Working until 7 most nights doesn't leave much time for exercise and I'm so tired that I just want to relax. I need to get myself together! lol

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Comments make me all giddy with excitement.

 
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