Messages By: dheuft

Hi Megan! 

Just got back to check in.  Yes, I'm still doing ww.  I also try to include the good wholesome foods from Dr. Phil's... so I think it's a blending of both diets. 

WW is working out great for me.  I lost another 1.6 pounds.  Writing down everything I eat has been a huge eye opener for me.  I have no idea what I used to consume because I never wrote that down. hahaha... but I quickly found that when I was in "diet" mode I was cutting back way too much.  Learning to eat a little more was a really hard concept for me but I never feel deprived so it's awesome. 

WW works well for me as far as being able to adapt to life and what the family is eating.  I don't have to stress out if there's a a party or we go out to eat.  I just choose wisely and save up for it.  Tomorrow is our book club and we always do a pot-luck with yummy foods.  I try to bring something that is yummy and nutritional so I have a good base to start from, but I eat low point foods during the day so I have a few points to "splurge" with at book club.  Being able to do that without feeling like I "cheated" has really helped the mental part of this journey. 

WW does have meals (Smart Ones is the brand name) but they really aren't my favorite.  I shop the sales and can often find Lean Cuisines or Healthy Choice on sale.  This week HC is on sale at Albertsons 4/10.00 and then they have a deal where you get 10% off your frozen food purchase that fits in a paper bag.  I try to add a salad or fruit to the meals to make them more sustaining.  I use the frozen meals a couple times a week for lunch, I go to lunch with hubby once a week and I fill in with leftovers or other things the rest of the week. 

I could totally blow my points on pizza and garbage, but because of Dr. Phil, I understand the importance of using them for good foods.  I'm sure I would've had a much harder time with ww if I hadn't been familiar with Dr. Phil first. 

Dawn 

Little gains can be sooo frustrating and depressing.... 

Here's what I do. 

1. Write down everything you eat.  If you eat on program and still gain then you know that it isn't you.  You can feel confident that you're working the program and the weight will eventually come off. 

2.  Drink your water.   

3.  The gain might just be water.  You could be retaining water or if you just exercised really hard, your muscles could be holding water.  It will disappear soon. 

4.  Take your measurements.  Usually when I have little to no loss, I've dropped inches.  

Journaling my food really helped me to see when I lost weight and when I didn't.  I finally figured out that I have to eat a minimum of 1600 calories per day (average.  some days higher and some days lower.  I try to mix it up and not eat the same thing every day).  I have to eat more on the days I work-out.  Usually about 100-150 more.   

I'm not advocating binges but.... one time a friend brought my most favorite dessert ever (Baskin Robbins Turtle Pie).  I ate two pieces in two days.  Other than that I was totally on program.  That week I lost 4 pounds!!   Another week I was at a conference and splurged more than I usually do and I lost 4.2 pounds.  Once I looked at all my journals I started to see a pattern and I increased my calories a little bit.  Now instead of big losses one week folllowed by gains or staying the same for a couple of weeks, I'm consistently losing every week.  I dropped 1.6 pounds this week and I have never ever ever lost at this point in my monthly cycle!!!   

So journal and be honest about what you are eating.  It can be sooo eye opening. 

Dawn 

Thank you for sharing your struggles.  Sometimes just writing them down releases us from them.  I don't quite understand how the holiday/charity list thing works, but I can tell that it is something that weighs on your mind.  One of the things I've learned through my involvement in my church is that we see the most benefit and spiritual lift when we serve others.  If you feel left out socially then really take some time to think about something you can do to serve someone else.  It will be dificult at first and it may be something that you're uncomfortable with, but when we serve the Lord by serving others, miracles happen. 

Serving others puts you in a position to have new experiences, to forget about your own problems for a while, to follow the example of Christ.  When we serve and get to know other people, it allows them to get to know us and pretty soon friendships develop.  I bet you won't feel as socially out of it if you give yourself the job of serving in your community. 

I hope that helps. 

Dawn 

Hi there everyone!  It was fun to read your favorite movies.  I'm horrible at picking favorites, but there are a few movies I'll watch over and over and over again....anything with dancing... like Center Stage.  Anything with John Cusack, like Serendipity; love Star Wars and Star Trek movies... and tons of other moves.... 

Sorry I haven't checked in much, it's tax season...ugh!  It's coming to a close soon though.  Whew, I might survive. 

Brenda - Sorry to hear about all the stuff going on with your inlaws.  No wonder you're having some struggles!!! 

My program is going wonderfully!!  I'm doing great and feeling strong.  I'm finally starting to lose a little more quickly.  It was taking me about 5 weeks to lose 5 pounds.  This time it only took three weeks.  I hope I can keep this up!! 

My new found love is Yoga.  I still walk 2-3 times per week, go to Salsa class once a week and now I try to go to yoga at least once a week, plus I do short yoga workouts at home.  I can't believe what a difference it has made.  At first it was hard and awkward, but now that I'm getting stronger, it's getting easier and I'm loving it and it has given me renewed enthusiasm for working out. 

I've found that when my workouts start to get boring, I need to mix them up a bit and try something new.  Sometimes I'll throw in a couple of swims one week instead of the elliptical or I'll try a new class or this weekend we went for a three hour hike.  When I mix things up I find that I have more energy and excitment about working out. 

Have any of you tried anything new lately? 

dawn