Every year, about this time, my mind turns towards the issue of my weight, the unhealthy burden that I carry like a fleshy pig-skin beanbag around my waist. I guess it comes from the guilt of stuffing myself senseless over the Christmas period, and the knowledge I am going to need to “top up” my wardrobe in preparation for the new work year. As a teacher it is important that I have a good collection of bad plaid shirts that kind of fit me.
I am not a huge guy, but I am not a tall guy either, and I have one of those stomachs that projects well forward of my belt buckle. For the last four months or so I have been attending Weight Watchers and have lost about 10 kilograms, which is awesome. The first few weeks were amazing, and the knowledge that I would have to “weigh-in” every week was a real motivation to eat healthy and get some exercise in. But as the year has drawn to a close work got really busy and I got really lazy and slacked off. I am pretty good at making excuses, and as I grew more comfortable with the folk at Weight Watchers it felt less dangerous to not attend the meetings – it turns out they wont hunt me down or call my Mum. That’s not good for someone that operates better with a big stuck swinging above him!
My last couple of weigh-ins saw a weight gain, undoing my hard work, and I didn’t attend this week because I knew it would be another step backward. This needs to stop. I need to pull my finger out, get back to tracking my ProPoints, and attend the meetings. I need to actually exercise. This is me outing myself. I am 172cm tall and currently weigh 93.1kg. I want to get to mid or low 80′s and be able to take a short jog without losing my breath, or a long walk without suffering from painful ankles for the next 48 hours. I will check in each week, probably on a Saturday after my Weight Watchers meeting. You don’t have to say anything (but by all means do), but I need to “put it out there” and believe someone is paying attention. I know there are a lot of other people out there looking to lose some weight and I would love to here what strategies, tricks or tips you have for keeping yourself motivated and on track.
Today I am linking up with Essentially Jess for I Blog On Tuesday.
Weight loss is a long road. I lost 25 from May 2011 til Sept 2012 and have slowly maintained it.. I find the best way to keep motivated is to think about why you are doing this, for yourself, for your family.. Keep a reminded of the biggest pair of Jeans you wore and that will make you not want to go backwards.. but keep going forwards..
Keep going and keep it up! 🙂
#teamIBOT was here 🙂
Thanks for the advice, Yvette. Each year my collection of trousers grows a little because I have to buy a new size of (larger) pants. At the end of last year I was very happy to be able to move back into a smaller size, and now have my eye on a pair of trousers that have not been out for a spin in quite some time!
Sometimes it helps to be accountable! Goodluck its always hard. If I was you I would treat it like you were starting again.
Yes, I am pretty much starting over.
I know exactly how you feel. I was doing so well leading up to the Christmas break. Then I said “YES PLEASE!” to EVERY christmas treat. and then some. Unlike WW though, I go to group personal training, and have a trainer and classmates who will help keep me accountable. I go 2 times a week and we are pushed to our limits. When you work that hard, it makes it easier to say “no” to foods that don’t help with weight loss. I’ve also learned that it doesn’t matter WHAT I do, as long as I do SOMETHING every couple of days. 30 minute bike ride/run/walk, anything is better than nothing. Also, it takes about 3-4 weeks for it to become habit. Maybe a little longer to become addicted to it. And the biggest thing I’ve learned/decided is that you can’t stop/take a break. It’s too easy to just let it all go and unravel all the hard work that’s already been done. My new mantra is “Will that help me lose 10kgs?” If the answer is yes, do it/eat it, if the answer is no, don’t do it/eat it. One thing I’m convinced of, is if I can do it, anyone can! I’m 12kgs down, 6kgs to go!
I love your mantra. Great state of mind to be in. There is a “dad’s workout” starting up locally in February which I intend to get involved in. I am hoping that helps to also get my mind “in the game”, too.
I hate this time of year – the weight reflection month! I did WW 8 years ago and lost 17kg and kept it off but you know what made me stay for the 10 months I became the weigher – I got my class for free and I couldnt not turn up! win win – keep going (first time visit courtesy of IBOT!)
I know. It seems to be a common topic. But the summer time where you are loitering in your underwear and sticking to the leather couch gives you time to ponder your ever expanding girth!
Hello, dropping by via IBOT and sadly – I don’t have a lot of (ie. any) tips or tricks. I’ve been yo-yoing on my weight loss journey for AGES… but I do follow a lot of health and fitness blogs so get pointers from others. There are so many people out there with success stories.
Most seem to relate to: ensuring whatever you do (diet-wise or exercise) is sustainable and forever. The whole ‘lifestyle’ thing!
Deb
I totally agree that the changes must be sustainable. And so far, the shifts in the way we do things at home have been very straightforward and easy to do. I think I am now at the point where all the easy options have been taken and enacted and now I actually have to work to achieve my weight loss goals! Time to put on my joggers!
Good on you … I need to find some serious motivation to do the same. Do you think it could be hiding under the chocolate bar on my desk? 😉
Motivation could be under that chocolate bar. I have certainly looked for it there on more than one occasion!
Good for you. I recently gained 5 kgs overnight when I stopped breast feeding. So I’ve since joined a gym that has child care. Am excited about the prospect of getting fit again. I know a number of people who have had success with weight watchers. Their point system seams reasonable and not overly restrictive. All the best with your weight goals.
Thanks! The WW point system is really straightforward and not restrictive in any way. Attending the meetings actually prompted me to really think about what and how I eat, and I discovered a few interesting things – like rice does not fill me up, no matter how much I eat. I get “full” and bloated, but it does not satisfy my appetite. Strange, right?
Put up a large sign on the fridge that says – STOP MAKING EXCUSES AND JUST DO IT.
I don’t trust signs. I fear they have a secret agenda… 🙂 I do have a menu on the fridge, though, and it does pretty much the same job, reminding me what I am working towards.
Putting it out there is sometimes all the motivation you need. I have 15 kg to lose. 2kg down and 13 to go. So I’ll be trying my best along with you. (And that Nutella jar be damned …)
I totally agree – saying it out loud to the world makes it more “real”, which means that failure is more real. Good luck with your weight loss, too.
I truly believe diet is 80 per cent of losing weight, it’s SOO hard, but you have lost 10kg already so I have no doubt you’ll get there. Just keep your eye on the prize, more years with your gorgeous children (and wife)! Emily
That’s it exactly – the big prize. I would be more than happy to sit on the lounge and eat cake. But I want to be around to annoy my family for a lot longer! They deserve it!
You can do it! We just need to support each other better and remember why we’re doing this – so we can be happier and healthier for our kids.
Agreed!
I’ve located the runaway wagon this week – wheels spinning, hooves flying, reigns flapping. I’m still trying climb aboard. I had some good results last year when I stopped eating sugar, so I’m on my third day of ‘detox’ and feeling pretty ordinary about it.
I try to be realistic about it though. Giving up on a day because you’ve eaten something bad is like driving your car off a cliff because you dented it parking!
I totally agree that being realistic is important. And not giving up because of one break-out meal is an important lesson that I have learnt. In fact, on some days where I thought my lunch or snack was waaay too nasty for my diet, I have kept steady and ended up having a pretty good day in the end.
Of course you can do it. I just watched the movie “Fat Sick and Nearly Dead” and boy did it inspire me to do something. I not not overweight as such but have some extra kilos that I’d love to lose.
I started a blog http://ditchingthesugar.blogspot.com.au to help make me accountable for what I put in my mouth, and so far its working. I feel great – good luck..
I’ve seen the advertisement for “Fat Sick and Nearly Dead” and some of the things looked pretty gross.
Way to go, and good luck with your goals, too.
Good on you Nathan.
Boatman and I are being super healthy after Christmas too. I only have a couple of kilos to lose, but he’s got at least 10 so I’m trying to be super supportive with him
Christmas can be a real killer for the old diet – it sure was for me. But, it’s a new year, and I am lighter than I was this time last year, and hope to continue to improve. Thanks for your support!
Good on you for putting it out there Nathan, and super cool that you are throwing out to #IBOT to help keep you accountable. Last Feb I started learning how to run but the last month or so you wouldn’t know it. I need to get back out there more often, I am hoping the return to school will allow for that to happen. Best of luck to you in your journey, keep at it and you will get there
Hi Rhianna and thanks for the support! Exercise is my real downfall. I have really improved in my food portion sizes and cutting out unnecessary snacks, but I am still a couch potato. I need to get off my backside!
I will be there right along side you, I am day 4 into my weight loss. Early days so I hope my motivation sticks around.
Hi Alicia, and good luck with your weight loss! I think starting is always the hardest bit, now you just have to keep it up!