I’m not a dieter – I’ve never liked diets. I’ve always believed that
dieting meant major limiting and deprivation – and I’m a more the
merrier kind of gal. As a result I’ve always shopped in the plus sized
department typically rocking a 14/16 – and while I certainly didn’t have
my ideal body I was comfortable in my own skin, had plenty of dates, a
great job, played sports and I didn’t feel limited by my dress size.
Fast forward to baby number 1, I went up a dress size. Fast forward to
baby number 2, I still hadn’t lost the weight from baby number 1 and I
was up another dress size. Sigh.
Now I’m going to share my deepest darkest secret…. My son is
14 months old and I’m still wearing my maternity pants. If I’m not
wearing maternity pants I’m wearing loose fitting yoga pants. I hate
getting dressed every morning. None of my cute outfits fit anymore. I
don’t really recognize myself in pictures. I don’t feel like my usually
confident sexy self. I’m not me.
The problem is – I LOVE to eat.
Sadly, this LOVE has left me
feeling ick about my body and it’s just making me unhealthy. I’m feeling
limited, uncomfortable, tired all the time and desperately in need of a
change – but I didn’t know where to start, after all – I’m not a
dieter.
Then fate intervened, I was offered an opportunity to try Weight
Watchers Online for 3 months and write about my experience on my blog
MomAboutCharlotte.com and Katie’s blog
MomFavorites.com. I felt very hopeful, but nervous that I’d fail. Ultimately I told myself that I had nothing to lose – but the weight.
My goal is simple – to feel good in my skin again and to feel
healthy. I’ve also made a goal to run a road race or obstacle course for
my 35th birthday in March 2014. I had to sit on the sidelines as my
husband did the Ridiculous Obstacle Course last month, and this year I
will become a participant instead of an out-of-shape onlooker. First
things first – I’m going to get out of these maternity pants. Here is my
story.
Week 1
I’ve downloaded the Weight Watchers app and Weight Watchers scanner.
It all seems pretty intuitive. Each food has a point number (2 points
for an egg, 4 points for a yogurt, 0 points for fruit and vegetables
etc.). I’m given 43 points each day, and that number will decrease as I
lose weight. I’m spending lots of time in my pantry scanning food items
to get a sense of each food’s point value.
I have spent $40 on fruits and veggies at the farmers market and I’m
ready to get started. As the week progresses I’m amazed by how much I’m
not shoving into my mouth because I have to account for it. I’m not
eating an extra piece of cheese as I’m making lunch for the kids, and
I’m not stopping for an ice cream just ‘because it’s summer’. I’m also
realizing how few fruits and veggies I was eating, because now I’m
eating them non-stop. I forgot how much I actually enjoy them.I
purchased a food scale and I have measuring spoons and cups at the
ready. I honestly had no idea what 3 ounces of chicken looked like. Now
I know.
This week my husband wanted to go out for BBQ, and it’s the first
real challenge about living life on a diet – will I be able to eat out?
The answer was unequivocally – YES! I was even able to get a pulled pork
sandwich for dinner. Instead of eating 2 biscuits I didn’t eat any. I
had my pulled pork sandwich and 1/2 of the portion of mashed potatoes. I
was able to find the point value for the menu items because Weight
Watchers has hundreds of restaurant menus listed on their app. I didn’t
even have to break into my weeklies. I’m starting to think I can really
do this.
The hardest part? I’m going through a mental depression about all the
foods I can’t eat on a whim. Not because I’m hungry, but because
I’m mentally hungry.
This is the biggest hurdle – my mental addiction to foods and the wave
of satisfaction that pours over me after I’ve had exactly what I’ve
wanted to eat. I step on the scale – week 1 weight loss is 6 pounds!
This is giving me hope.
Week 2
I’m looking up recipes on Pinterest for Weight Watchers friendly
dinners and also using the Weight Watchers app to search for recipes.
I’m really loving this app. I’m finding myself doing more meal planning
in advance.
I always make sure I have 2 pieces of fruit with me when I
leave the house, or a bag of baby carrots. This way I won’t be tempted
to make high point choices if I get hungry – and since veggies and
fruits are 0 points I feel like I’m ‘getting away’ with something!
We have a date night this week that I’ve had planned for a while, and
we’re going to my favorite restaurant. I’ve hoarded my daily and weekly
points for this night and I’ve researched the menu to see what I will
be able to order. I am even going to get a martini.
I spent another $40
on produce this week, and am trying veggies I’ve never tried before
like okra.
The hardest thing? Trying a new creamer for my coffee because I don’t
want to waste 3 points on the full fat kind! Luckily it’s fall and
there is some fat free pumpkin creamer that has a low point value and
tastes good.
I’ve ordered new sneakers because I want to start exercising as well
to help with my energy level and weight loss goals. My first goal was
set by the Weight Watchers app, and that is to lose 10% of my body
weight. It seems feasible.
This week (according to the new scale) I’ve
lost 1 pound. It’s not as much as I was hoping but it could be because
of the new scale. Either way, a loss is a loss.
Week 3
This is starting to feel easier and more like simply eating and
living my life versus dieting. I’ve also decided that I’m not going to
eat anything after 7 PM if I can help it. I’m saying no to foods that
people offer me. This week I’ve said no to french fries and birthday
cake. This is big – birthday cake is my favorite. But I don’t feel sad
about it because I know I’m going to see the results on the scale. I
also have purchased some low point chocolate treats so I can get my
chocolate fix when I want to.
The portion control is starting to work for me, now that I’m
measuring food I know what a ‘serving’ is. I’m also not feeling hungry,
and what I really love is that there is ALWAYS something I can eat for 0
points – any veggie and any fruit.
We had a moms night out and I had to
bring an appetizer to share. I opted for fresh made salsa which was 0
points and baked Tostitos Tortilla Chips, 14 chips for 3 points. I ate
the heck out of that salsa and loved every bite of it.
I’ve made it to a
work out class and I’m feeling the pain of how out of shape I am!
I’ve
made another trip to the farmers market and purchased an eggplant and
made a low point egg plant parmigiana that was delicious and a hit with
the hubby and the kids. We’re eating a lot of veggie full meals.
This week I have lost 4.4 pounds. Yeay!
The hardest thing? I’ve lost almost 12 pounds so far but I’m not
really able to feel it in my clothes quite yet. Maternity pants allow
too much sin to be unaccounted for, and they will be donated to Goodwill
as soon as I’m able to comfortably fit into non-maternity pants.
Week 4
I’ve joined a Weight Watchers Facebook page and it helps to hear
other people’s stories. I like to know that I’m not alone – and it’s a
great place to turn to for support or suggestions. Weight Watchers also
offers support forums through their website.
This week I find myself
moving more, and feeling a little lighter on my feet. I’ve also been
taking the kids out for short walks whenever I can. I’m not getting my
heart rate up too much, but any moving is a step in the right direction.
I was chasing my daughter around the couch as we played duck duck goose
and I felt more able to move and get down on the ground.
I’m able to wear some of my largest-sized non-maternity non-yoga
pants. They’re still not 100% comfortable but at least I’m able to fit
in them and wear them. This is progress.
The hardest thing? All things pumpkin are starting to come out in the
stores and saying no to them is SO hard! I’ve used the Weight Watchers
app and Pinterest and I’m going to make some low point pumpkin muffins
and pancakes. After all – pumpkin is 0 points!
Being prepared with low point options from the store has been my
biggest help. Keeping the house stocked with produce ensures that I
always have something to eat and that I won’t be hungry.
My husband’s
support has been constant – he told me that he loves me at whatever my
dress size is, but that he will help in any way I need so I can reach my
own personal goals. He’s the BEST.
This week I step on the scale and have lost a total of 15 lbs in 4
weeks. I’m really proud of myself.
Next week my goal is to start
exercising and getting my heart rate up.
Stay tuned for the next 2 months of my progress as I work my way out of maternity pants and into a healthier, happier me.
Weight Watchers Disclosure: People following the Weight Watchers plan can expect to lose 1-2 pounds per week.
MomAboutCharlotte.com Disclosure:
I
have received a free 3-month pass to experience Weight Watchers online.
I am not being paid to use or endorse Weight Watchers and thoughts are
my own.
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