The topic of our meeting Monday night was milestones. When asked what I thought my most important milestone was, I said stepping into the room and getting weighed the first night. That meant I had admitted to myself I had a problem and the time had come to do something about it. This is one of the most important milestones on the journey because it is the first step to a healthier and happier lifestyle. This is only one of many milestones I have hit in only 4 short months.
Each 5 and 10 pound loss is a milestone. I proudly hang my 10 lb ribbon in my cubicle at work!!!!! I was the first in the at work group to get my 10% key chain. What a great feeling that was that night!!! I still remember how proud I was and how I changed my keys from my old key chain immediately. I have also received my clapping hands charm for attending 16 weeks of weight watchers. I have shown everyone that little gold charm!!!! It proves to me that I have made a commitment to a healthier life style and am really on my way on this life journey!!!
I have dropped from a size XXL shirt and size 44 pants that cut of my circulation to a L shirt and wearing size 38 dress pants with a shirt tucked in!!!!!! I have shopped through my closet and dresser and have even started having to buy clothes at the store because there are no more clothes in the closet to get into!!!! I have noticed that I am not automatically looking for gray, black or navy blue to wear. I am buying bright colors and things that fit. I have quit looking for what hides my body and am willing to show it now. I have started ironing my clothes and taking time to look my best even in the most casual situation. There is no telling what type of clothes I will buy when I am actually at Goal!!! LOL
My BMI has dropped from a 37 when I first started to a 30. I am no longer considered OBESE. I am now overweight!!!! I love it. This means a great deal as I know what a difference this has made in how I feel about myself and how I live my life. Walking Billy the beagle is no longer a dreaded chore each morning. It is now a pleasure!!!! I enjoy walking. I enjoy going antiquing again and also strolling through large malls. I prefer going and doing something to sitting. I will stand at parties and keep walking around talking with different people instead of finding a comfortable chair and waiting for others to come to me.
I have hit the halfway mark on my way to goal. This is a major milestone!!!! Before I have lost 20 lbs and always started finding ways to sabotage my own best efforts. Not this time!!!!! I am on a life journey and will keep heading towards that goal and then to lifetime and then to leader training!!! I have lost at every meeting so far. I know the day may come when there is no loss or even a gain, but this will not stop me on my way. It is only another stop on this fabulous journey of self discovery that weight watchers has started for me.
This journey is about so much more than just weight loss!!! I am learning to look at life, food, and myself differently. Food is a pleasure and a joy. Learning to make healthier selections, try new and unusual foods, rethink how I make old standards have not taken away from my joy of cooking and eating but have made me enjoy it all the more. Realizing that one big meal or over points day is no reason to chuck it all. I journal everything and go on from there. My mantra has become "Regrets, like extra pounds, only weigh us down." I believe this to be true with all my heart. Life is a series of events and choices and each one is a chance to learn and grow. I am growing as big old loser instead of watching my waist expand like I did in the past. I am dealing with stress by walking, swimming, playing with the dog instead of visiting Ben and Jerry, Papa John, and the M&M's guys!!!! Learning to love myself again and realizing I am worth the time and effort it takes to journal, cook healthy, really look over a menu and decide what to eat and how I want it prepared is a great thing. Exercise is no longer a curse word. I love moving my tuckus. I am finding new ways to add exercise into everything I do. I park in the last parking spot in the parking lot and walk to the stores. If the store is only a mile away, I walk to the store unless I am doing major heavy shopping. I use to drive 1 block to get dinner.
I have to say thank you to Weight Watchers for giving me the tools and my leader( Larry), my group, friends, family and the people at the ww boards for their unending support. I am halfway to goal but have a long way to go. I will be journaling at 90 and hopefully seeing someone I have helped write this same type of note!!!!
Lots of Hugs,
Steve
