Winning Outcome

I have started to explore the Weight Watchers website and feel that in order to succeed in this program, (and, most importantly, to get my money's worth), I need to utilize the tools that Weight Watchers has provided me. So, the first step is to come up with a Winning Outcome. Essentially, I need to concentrate and think about my weight loss goals and change in lifestyle and write down what it is that I want to accomplish.

What do I really want? I really want to be able to fit comfortably in my clothes. I really want to be at a healthy weight. I do not want to be considered overweight. I want to look at my body and smile. I secretly want to be a MILF, (I know..how embarrassing...but hey..I'm young, I can think that). But, overall, I want to break the 170 mark, I want to feel good when I move, I want my back to feel better, I want my legs to be toned, and I want to give myself a healthy start before I hit 40!

Now, I need to be a bit more specific. I know I want to lose weight and I know why I want to lose weight..but how am I going to do this? What goals am I going to set for myself? Can I make this a positive change or a negative change? Can I avoid temptation?

Okay, so, ideally I would like to weigh 155. It is a healthy weight that I am comfortable with and I know it is attainable. I haven't weight 155 since I was 23! That's 10 years ago!!! Kind of shocking to think about. My problem has been that I have adapted to my weight fluctuation. Of course, I was pregnant 3 times since the age of 23, but that is no longer an excuse. One of the reasons I wanted to stop having babies is that I want my body back! Now that I have it back, I haven't taken care of it. I remember when i was studying Mormonism that I learned that my body is my temple. Regardless of religious prefrences, it is a very true statement. Watching elderly people, I realize that the choices I make now will greatly impact my life in the future.

With this in mind, I need to focus on my weight goals instead of going into it half ass, (I am notorious for half assness!).

For the next 3 months, (that's how long my membership is for right now), I plan on utilizing the tools weight watchers have given to me, focus on my food intake, and work on doing some kind of activity once a day. By implenting these three things, I feel that I can reach my first major goal...break the 170 barrier! I also know that by concentrating on these three things, I will also help my family eat healthier and become more active as well!

How will I fit this change into my lifestyle?
Eating healthier - I will eat my required ration of fruits and vegetables every day! I will munch on carrots, grapes, and berries when i crave sweet and crunchy things. I will substitute fruits in my snacking regimine. Every other night, dessert will be some kind of fruit!
Activity Level - if I am unable to excercise for a day, I will at least walk the dog for 20 to 30 minutes. One of my problems is that I am not as active as I was 2 years ago. If I can't walk the dog, I will do the Wii Fit or basic excercises that I learned from the Abs Diet book. Everyday must be at least sit-ups! No excuses!!!
Weight Watcher Tools - Every day must be tracking food. Even when I'm on vacation, I must find a way to catalog and journal my food intake. Camping is no longer an excuse! Try to read and do something weight watcher like every week.

A New Approach

I fully admit...I haven't been on here in awhile. I was doing so well with my eating healthy plan...then I went camping...took two weeks to go back on track..then I went camping again and gave up for awhile.

As the summer months zoom by, I feel like I'm getting heavier rather than lighter. I try to eat well, but just keep giving in to temptation. My last straw was looking at pictures of myself from a few years ago and realizing that I looked slimmer then...slimmer two years after having Jake...than I do now! So, I began to think back and try to figure out what I was doing differently. The two things that had seemed to help keep the weight off was walking, (I walked almost every morning back then), and weight watchers online.

So, last week, I signed up again for weight watchers. I have made a vow....if I am at status quo by September, then I will go to a weight watchers meeting. If I have lost some weight by then...and kept the weight off, then I will continue what I am doing and make more time to excercise.

And, I will not be embarrassed to post my weaknesses as well as my triumphs on this blog. I need to write down what I do...even when I am not perfect! Today was my second weigh-in. I have lost 1 pound and will strive to reach my goals. Major goal is to weigh a healthy weight of 155 pounds. But, my first small goal is to break the 170 barrier. I would love to be in the high 160s by Halloween...and I feel that goal is attainable. I just need to avoid temptations, avoid alcoholic beverages during the week, curb my diet coke habit, and I do not always have to have a dessert every night! I can do this!!!

Time To Get Crackin'

So, I found out about this Healthy Weight Loss Challenge with cool buttons that you can put on your blog, (its all about the buttons), so I have decided to join. I have to do something. I keep trying different things and never sticking to them. Its getting frustrating. I will start a diet, start feeling good, end up going somewhere or getting really busy with other things, slack off, and then I'm back to same old Shannon...wishing I could get rid of this pouch that hangs in front of me! So, I am going to do this challenge and use this blog to write about my accomplishments, (and failures). I figure today, I will write about what I want to accomplish and why I haven't accomplished it before.

Why Do I Want To Lose Weight?

• I To Start My Mid-30s At A Healthy Weight
• I Want Clothes To Fit Better
• I Want To Look At Myself And Smile
• I Want My Stomach Flatter...Not Wrinkly And Pouchy, (thank you children)
• I Want My Face To Look Thinner
• I Want To Not Have To Concentrate To Suck My Tummy In
• I Do Not Want To Be Embarrassed In A Swimming Suit
• I Want A Smaller Butt and More Defined Legs
• I Want To Shake My Arms And Not Feel Tricep Swing
• I Want To Put Pants On Without The 'Muffin' Top

Why Do I Quit Diets

• I go on vacation or camping and eat everything in sight
• I get busy with other projects, avoid making time for excercise, and get out of my routine
• I get depressed and just think, 'come on, that food item will make you feel better, you deserve it'
• My monthly cycle revs up my cravings, (also, see above item).
• I stop caring about what I eat
• I drink too much alcohol and, see above
• No one likes it when I go on a diet because they eat different things...they complain

So, today, I am going to think about ways to keep me from quitting my diets and when I can excercise. Tonight, I will write more and work on my issues. I am also going to begin keeping track of what I do eat. I like Stacy's idea of writing out what I have eaten during the day. This is a great way to keep track.