Expectations vs Reality:
When most people embark on a journey to reduce their weight, it's often because of some incident, comment, advice from a doctor or simply because they've achieved an awareness of their weight that feels like it's become "unlivable" on some level. We call it a "last straw" event. Mine was more like a series of events, but the 2 that stand out for me were both comments from doctors, one a "throw-away" comment and one a more pointed comment about my weight.
The last straw event is what makes us take the next, logical, decision; to lose some of the weight. Good, right?
Yes, good! But lets look at our expectations in that case, vs the reality of what is likely to happen. There are many examples in our world of folks being successful and making it look simple, various TV shows are no small illustration of this, advertising of "miracle cures", "pills and potions" and "no-exercise, no pain" solutions are also demonstrated in magazines, on TV and all around us and set us up for unrealistic expectations. How many weeks did you think it was going to take to shed the excess pounds you have been carrying around with you?
Weight Losers vs Weight Watchers:
It is true, that when you first embark on a weight management program, there is some aspect of "water loss" (it's not as simple as that, but it does neatly describe what happens in a succinct manner, sufficient for this blog). That means that one can see a sizable drop in weight in week one & two (and sometimes, three), but thereafter weight loss slows to a much slower rate. Some members can even see a small gain at this stage - that can be really hard to fathom and can be totally disheartening.I've heard folks say that the honeymoon period is over too quickly and I've more than once heard someone sat that the program has stopped working. It hasn't, it's the NORM! I know - it's a total bummer! The normal weight loss that occurs over time for the majority of people with a healthy attitude to their weight loss and who persevere through all the ups and downs is between a-half to one-and-a-half pounds per week. That means that some folks could take a year to lose 25 pounds and some could lose 75 in that same period of time. I hate to say it, but it can take even longer, dependent upon your circumstances, outside influences, time and other resources.
Dieting vs Living:
That is exactly why you hear me say things like "the scale doesn't define us, our behaviors do", "we're building a new relationship with food", "look at your shopping cart now vs before you began your weight loss journey" and other reminders of how to stay focused. Fun must play a role in this, live a little don't deprive yourself and definitely don't miss out on special events and occasions because you're fearful of the food that'll be served. It is possible to live in the world as a foodie and still be in control of what we put in our mouth. I know, I am one of those and I do!
Control is defined in this case as making more better food and activity decisions than more worse ones over the course of time. In other words; simplistically, since weight loss occurs when we achieve a "calorie deficit" and also simplistically, a pound of weight is measures as approximately 3,500 calories, to lose a pound I have to either eat 3,500 calories less than I did last week, exercise 3,500 calories more than I did last week or a combination of both...
SO then, how does the statement of making "more better" decisions than "more worse" ones work in reality: if I drink a couple of glasses of wine, to make up for the extra points that I consumed, I will need to cut back somewhere else and then perhaps again later in the week to compound the "calorie deficit". In addition if I can get out there, move a little and earn a few PPV, I am now ahead of the game!
Here it is in illustration - lets say I am out to dinner with friends, I decline the bread and butter, but accept a first and then a second glass of wine, Score: 1 decision to add to calorie deficit, 2 against. Later that evening everyone is eating dessert, I settle with a cup of chamomile tea, Score 2 towards the calorie deficit, 2 against. Tomorrow morning I get up 30 minutes earlier and take a walk before work - now I am in the lead, Score 3 decisions towards the calorie deficit, 2 against.
I know it seems very simplistic this way, but it sorta works and allows us to "LIVE" with this and not "DIET"!
The point is - don't over complicate this, try to keep your expectations in perspective and more importantly, please realize that this is a work in progress for all of us - we don't lose the weight and then we are somehow "fixed"! The most successful lifetime members will tell you that it takes care and thought to maintain just as it does to lose. There is NO MAGIC PILL, I'm sorry, however there is your meeting, your community and a wonderfully supportive environment to help you to stick with it and make "more better" decisions than "more worse" ones! See you at your meeting this week :)Drum Roll Please:
I shared with a LOT of meetings this week and I am very happy to share here now that we have an amazing new tool to help to encourage all of us to begin a new activity regimen or or ramp up what we already do... it's called ActiveLink. I began using mine approximately 3 weeks ago and I have had a constant smile on my face regarding my activity level ever since - it takes the guesswork out of tracking activity and gives you honest feedback regarding your efforts! It's worth every penny and it costs less than $40!
Developed for Weight Watchers by Phillips; ActiveLink combines a state-of-the-art Activity Monitor with a personal Web experience to seamlessly help you set personalized goals, track your activity, and motivate you to reach your goals.
I took this from the WW Website for you:
What is ActiveLink
ActiveLink is an integrated activity experience consisting of a monitor, a personalized website, and tips and motivation brought to you by the experts at Weight Watchers and Philips. You wear the small ActiveLink monitor in your pocket or clipped to your clothes, and it tracks all of your activity throughout the day., Whether you’re walking the the dog or working out at the gym, ActiveLink will let you know how many activity PointsPlus values you’re earning. The personalized site creates an activity goal for you, and provides information and motivation to help you achieve your goal over a 12-week period. And when you reach one goal, it will help you set, and reach, another.
ActiveLink challenges you to move more in all aspects of your life, not just through sports or set workouts
There are items on Sale this Week:
Drop me an email to wwnina@gmail.com if you would like me to bring some products to your office for you (if you are in a work-place meeting with me). Let me know the meeting name you attend and also the day and time plus your product order... If you do order items, please make sure you come and collect them, payment by check, cash or credit or debit card is accepted.
All Smoothies (usually $7.50),
All Mini Bars (usually $7.50), &
All Oatmeal (usually $5.95),
are on sale for $4.95
All Candies - Fruities (including the *NEW* Citrus flavored Jelly Candies) and Cappuccino Creme Melts (usually $2.50) are on sale for $1.75 per duo-pack or $3.50 for 2 duo-packs.
And, finally:
July 15, 2012Today is Iris Murdoch's birthday, British Novelist and Philosopher 1919-1999.
From Ms. Murdoch: "We live in a fantasy world, a world of illusion. The great task in life is to find the reality".
Happy Birthday Ma'am!
No comments:
Post a Comment