I have been following WW for almost 2 years. The last 6 months I switched jobs and have fallen into a slow weight gain pattern. I am a lifetime member .. but am struggling to stay within my 2lbs goal. I know a lot has to do with me not being happy at this new job, can anyone offer any advice? I have hit a rut and thought some inspiring words from fellow WW-moms would help rejuvinate me.
In some of my lower times- I found that WW was a great place to refocus my energy and thoughts. I could revert back to tracking my points and getting myself on track! So while you may not be happy at work, this gives you something to be happy about when you get back on goal. Good luck!
Hang in there, is my advice. I've been up and down since November. I am so close to my goal weight, I can taste it. But I refuse to give up. I will make it, and I will continue to go to my meetings. It's one of my few me times. I have a group I sit with every Saturday morning, and I need it. The comraderie is amazing. Make sure to give yourself some exercise time, even if it's just 10 minutes. Drink plenty of water. Think of lots of zero point and 1 point snacks to keep on hand. Canned pumpkin is back in the stores. I make a pumpkin pudding that is only 1 point. One of the little sugar free snack pack vanilla pudding cups, an equal amount of pudding, a packet or 2 of sweetner, and cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg. Mix it all up. If you want, pop it into the microwave for a minute. It's reall yummy. Or celery stalks with fat free cream cheese and salsa. Great crunch! Do you eat oatmeal in the morning? Add a packet of the 25 calorie Swiss Miss hot cocoa to it. Chocolate oatmeal! DELICIOUS!
If you've done WW for a while, you probably know where exactly you're having trouble. Are you tempted by snacks? Eating less healthy meals? Skipping exercise? All of the above? For me, it's all about the snacks. If I'm going to go off-track with WW, snacking will do it. So, if I find I'm starting to stray, I look for new healthy snacks out there. Shake things up. If I feel I'm eating new, interesting things, I don't feel as tempted to go off track.
I agree with the others about writing things down, too. Keeping an eye on what you're eating can really be an eye-opener and help you target what needs to go.
Also, when you hate a job, it's all the more critical to get that exercise in. Channel your frustration into your exercise routine. Use it to give you that extra zip when you take a walk during the lunch hour or hit the elliptical at the gym later on. When I'm angry about something, I remind myself that I'm not going to let that whatever make me fat and start up my snacking again.
Good luck!
If you aren't still journaling, begin again. Every time I don't - I gain. Measure everything for at least three weeks again if you have not been in awhile to reprogram your brain. Portion sizes tend to grow when we don't keep it in check. When you are not home, remember the portion size guides they suggest (ie: palm of hand = 3-4 oz meat for one portion).
This is a biggie!! If you aren't exercising, try at least walking for 30 minutes a day. Exercise of any kind helps with brain activity, including depression. If you are already exercising, try changing it up a bit. Rent some videos from the library (for free) and see if you like any.
Go to the meetings for support. Find a leader you like and a time that is convenient for you to attend weekly - then go. :) Hopefully you will get to know some fellow members or lifetimers with which you can share your successes (and setbacks).
I wish for you all the best! Remember nothing lasts forever, so the rut won't either.
I have been doing WW for 9 years, so I think I have been through it all! I had lost almost 50 pounds (took me 3 attempts and a few years), and went back after I gained 45 pounds with my first pregnancy and got back to my goal. So please feel free to email me personally with any questions.
Absolutely, journaling is the #1 bit of advice I have. If you haven't been, start again. It's amazing what that will do...not only so you can see what you're eating and compare day to day/week to week, but it's such a sense of focus. Even if the rest of your life is disorganized and you feel out of control, journaling can make you feel like you are managing yourself. If you can only journal one meal a day or a few days a week, start with that and work in more writing. It REALLY helps!
Activity...start adding that in if you haven't, or add more if you are. Eve 1 minute more a day adds up fast. If you're bored with your exercise routine, switch it up. I would swim alot for a few weeks, then switch back to walking, etc. Variety is key! If you need a workout partner or class to keep you motivated, do that as well.
Go to meetings-accountability is key. You can say you'll weight yourself at home on your scale...but hey, their scale is better and you can't blame your wet hair or the floor being uneven, etc, when your go there every week. Stay for the meetings too...if you think you don't need to be there, you're still helping someone else with your feedback. And the days you don't want to talk, sit back and soak it again.
I could go on and on...but WW really works, i think, because it's common sense and the way we probably all should look at being healthy in the longrun. Stick with it...you'll feel better, and you're are a rolemodel for others!! Good luck. :) rg
