One of my goals for this month was to go back to Weigh Less.
I have stayed away for a few weeks for two reasons:
- Things in my life were crazy for the past month or so – not really a good reason because I can slot in at any group if the time doesn’t work for me.
- I was starting to hate that scale. Let me explain.
The bad thing about having to weigh every week was that I was starting to become obsessed with the numbers on the scale. This was not what I wanted. I used to beat myself up if I lost less than 400g. I would eat something “illegal” like a piece of chocolate that I’d been craving and then do star jumps in my room so that it wouldn’t show on the scale. I stopped socialising because more often than not it would put me in a position where there was nothing suitable for me to eat and I would end up eating all sorts of pastries etc.
I do not want to be that person anymore. WL is ultimately a life-style change. I really love it and it works for me. I love that it has the perfect balance of carbs, protein, fruit, vegetables, healthy fats and eventually treats. I love that even if I should adjust my lifestyle to vegetarian or vegan, or if I fall pregnant or am breastfeeding, then there are excellent options for me too. I love that I am never hungry and that I have the world of energy if I complete my formula and drink all my water for the day.
I listen to what other people eat on their weight loss plans and I honestly believe that my plan or rather, my lifestyle change is the better one. Their plans limit them so much and I often wonder what will happen when they decide to go off it start eating carbs or whatever?
Since I started running, my weight loss has come to a standstill. I believe that I am losing cm’s. I am not measuring myself but I can definitely feel it on my clothing. Fact is, I have not been losing grams or kilograms and this made me feel despondent.
My GL did explain that my body will go through a period of adjustment when I start exercising but that it would eventually settle down. Still, I wasn’t coping with losing 200g at a time and after chatting with my DH I felt that my obsession with the numbers on the scale was bordering on unhealthy.
This is what I have decided:
I am going to eat as well as possible during the week AND be good with the water – I am currently doing this anyway so it is really no adjustment. I menu plan (including lunches and snacks), I shop weekly for all the fresh produce and perishable foods that I need, I watch my portion sizes. This is part of my lifestyle and won’t stop.
On the weekends I am going to allow myself to eat what I want BUT I will watch my carb and fat intake – am not going to start eating junk and fried foods again.
When I am invited to a party I will try to eat something before I leave to prevent me from overeating on food that is not good for me. I will save my carbohydrate serves in case I decide to have a glass of wine or two.
I will continue to run – I really miss it when it doesn’t happen. I will focus on becoming fit and healthy and NOT on the numbers on the scale.
I will go back to WL towards the end of September to see where I am at – I don’t currently own a scale and I am so glad I didn’t give in and buy one.
For now, my obsession with the numbers needs to be tamed. In fact, it needs to be nipped in the bud.
I have gone though a significant thought process this past weekend and I feel comfortable with this decision. I need to learn to trust myself and stop letting food and numbers control me. I need to not live to eat. I need to learn that I eat to live.
I believe that my relationship with food has matured in the last few months. Food and I have certainly come a long way. It no longer controls me. It’s no longer on my mind ALL THE TIME. I do occasionally comfort eat but am aware of this and am working on it.
I truly believe that I can do this. And I will.
I am also proud of your 10.4
I have totally fallen off the WL wagon – thankfully only in the going and paying, but still eat more or less right.
I must add that when I was a firm WL advocate (not that I’m not now) years ago, I’d always eat before going out and it’s then so easy to have a starter for your main meal and call it a night. Also you’re not so hungry that you break all the rules!
Oh, I broke 60 again today, this time without the stomach bug
You broke 60? Well done! Am going to go back in Sept. Just need a scale break for now. Also want my body to settle down with the running.
i hear you….loud and clear. when we focus on this stuff it can consume us. lifestyle changes is what it is about. well done on recognising and nipping it early!
it’s all about balance in the long run isn’t it? Too easy to be cosumed by a ‘number’. I hear you and agree with everything you have said. My problem, is that i just cannot bear to go without chocolate/sweeties. Therein lies my problem. We do eat a balanced diet at home, and a varied one.
Must get back to W/L next week. In fact, must get back to a lot of things next week. xx
I have a totally different opinion about eating than a lot of people – I refuse to become obsessed with food and eating ever again. And funny enough, I have lost about 14kg since I made that decisions. Weigh less is great though to make one aware of what is the right food int he right amounts. Just do nto get sucked into obsession.
Way to go with the loss! Remember that when you’re in maintenance the numbers won’t change either, but you will still have to do what needs to be done. So take your plateau as training for maintenance. And really, don’t sweat the scale!
My sister did very well on Weigh Less too. I believe that it’s a good system, provided that the member steers clear of the processed Weigh Less crap and eats real, whole food instead – much cheaper too. And of course, it’s not a solution for someone with an eating disorder. I did WL about 15 years ago and lost about 25kg – but of course I couldn’t wait to regain them again!
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