weigh-2-go.org

So I’m about 10 pounds over the lowest weight I achieved last year, and tired of having my “skinny” clothes fit tight.  So I started counting my Weight Watchers points again on Sunday.

It’s tedious, and a little disappointing when I talked myself out of that granola bar this afternoon…but as with many seemingly arduous undertakings, it is not nearly as difficult (so far) as I thought it would be.

Am I hungry?  Yeah, a little.  Is it worth it?  Yes.  There’s nothing like that sense of power and confidence I feel when I’m comfortable in my body.  Woo hoo, I’m going to lose this 10 pounds!

I’ve been “lurking” (just reading, not posting yet) on the Weight Loss Forums at www.weight-loss-forum.com. It’s a large, active, and respectful community of people who want to lose weight. Many appear to be just starting out and looking for advice and motivation, and many others are willing to share their experiences.

Most of the posters have a “ticker” that is some graphic (they come in many motifs!…a belt with a buckle, a city skyline, just a row of hearts…there might be hundreds of styles) that shows each person’s weight loss goal (the end of the graphic) and their progress (some graphical marker). Pretty cute!

I recommend these forums for anyone–especially young people (by young I mean in your teens or 20s, maybe 30s) who are getting started and looking for information and support.

I am going to keep “lurking” to find ideas for this blog, as well as reach out to the weight-conscious community online.

So, I’ve lost a bunch of weight. I can trot up and down the stairs, my blood pressure is great, and now I shop for clothes in all the stores at the mall–not just Lane Bryant. I’m happier–there’s no doubt. But now what?

It’s hard work to stay this way. My goal is just to maintain the new status quo (or in my case, re-lose the last 12 pounds–but I will blog about that some other time). The hard work isn’t as easy without the reward of seeing a brand new number on the scale (just about) every week.

One thing is the same as it was 75 pounds ago: my most compelling motivation comes from being accountable to others. So, I’d like to make myself accountable for staying healthy. Here’s how I propose to do that:

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* *      I dedicate my good health,     * *
* *       for which I am grateful,      * *
* *    to helping others be healthier.  * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
 

My motives aren’t so altruistic. My real objective is to stay motivated to stay healthy. But, as we see say in cheesy business lingo, this is a “win-win.”

My first activity is the Breast Cancer 3-Day in Atlanta, the last weekend of October. I will raise at least $2200, and walk 60 miles in 3 days to help fight breast cancer. (I will post a link to my personal page once I get it set up.)

I’ve also thought about Team In Training, a marathon training program that raises money for Leukemia and Lymphoma patients and research. And then there’s a whole slew of 5Ks and 10Ks. Maybe this concept could motivate other newly-healthy people, and help those of us who aren’t “born jocks” to think like athletes.

If you’re a weight-conscious person who loves food, then you’ve got to know about Hungry Girl at www.hungrygirl.com. She is my new hero. She’s a Weight Watcher and a healthy food aficionada. There isn’t much to say about this site that she doesn’t say for herself–so check it out and subscribe!

Blogging, like weight loss, is a commitment that you can’t effectively set aside for any length of time. You need to think about it consistently, and work at it regularly, for it to be a success.

But life throws up interruptions and distractions. In fact, some of the distractions from blogging are the same as the distractions from exercising daily or being diligent with food: distractions like breaking up with a boyfriend, or trying to negotiate a possible career change.

I can’t very easily prevent the world from throwing me curve balls. But I can get back on track.

I am interested, though, in the notion of the “track.”  Many learned behaviors in life are simply “on the track,” and I will never stop doing them–like brushing my teeth, showering, wiping off the kitchen counters, or keeping a bottle of water by my bed at night.

So now that I am trying to re-lose my last 10 pounds, can I get certain other behaviors “on the track” and keep them there for good?  Like carrying my snacks with me each day, taking vitamins, keeping my food log, and sticking to my exercise plan?  And writing my blog?

I’m better off when I can make good habits automatic.  Then, when possible distractions come up, they don’t distract me from the essentials.  Does anyone have any creative ideas on how to get new habits “on track”?