Thank you for all the amazing and comforting comments on yesterday’s anxiety blog.
I really was embarrassed to share because I feel like, as I mentioned, I create my own anxiety. Therapy has been going really well – I wish I could share with you everything we talk about. It’s been really eye-opening hearing a objective point of view on things and to connect the dots on things.
I started Weight Watchers and it’s been 1 week – the first week was wimpy. I let the excuses of the holidays give way to not tracking and while I didn’t do anything overly crazy in the food department, it wasn’t the healthiest of choices either. But it was balance.
This is one thing I like about Weight Watchers is it is about balance. In my own words, new algorithm in defining points with the theory that not all calories are not created equally. The way I understand the system is that while counting calories is a good foundation, 300 calories from a candy bar is not the same as 300 calories of carrots & hummus. My interpretation of what the points system does is that it is a equation that breaks down the important nutrients like fiber, protein, healthy fats, carbs, etc.
I downloaded an Weight Watchers app for my new iPhone (thank you, Carlos!) and love how easy it is to use. I tried downloading a calorie counting app on my Android and remember it being clunky and cumbersome. The iPhone app is slick and quick.
My favorite part of doing Weight Watchers is that I’m not alone. My friend, Alexa, who flew into Minneapolis for a visit is doing it with me!
I went to my first meeting right before Christmas but wasn’t able to go to the meeting this week because Alexa used my car during the day. I still tracked for the day and look forward to going to next week’s meeting with Jen and Melissa. When I weigh in next week, I’ll share my beginning & updated weight. I also have my friend Cindy who is doing Weight Watchers so it has been nice to have multiple people to ask questions, bounce ideas off of and talk about experiences.
I’m meeting Jen at the gym tomorrow morning and plan on starting back into a workout routine. I think I’m going to start with a 10 minute walk and 20 minutes on the elliptical to see how I feel. I also plan on going this weekend at least once. I don’t plan on jumping back into the gym 5 times a week right away – just want to go slow and make sure my arms & stomach are okay with the added activity.
Having a group of healthiness around me has made it a little easier to get back into a routine. Friends who I know get it. Friends who I know understand the fight.
Friends.
Friends who help me keep pushing.
Friends who support me and encourage me in my journey.
Thank God for friends.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Great post, Jen! It took me honestly about 4-5 weeks to really get into tracking, but now it’s starting to become second nature. I’m down 7.4 overall so far. AND you must be rubbing off on me — I even decided to use the WW blog template to document my experience — check it out if you like! (Just search “Big Apple, Small Waistline” in the WW community section
Another part of the science behind the new Points Plus 2012 program is that your body has to work harder to digest lean protein and fiber. Since losing my 70 pounds, I am now a receptionist for Weight Watchers, so I learned this in my training.
Good Luck!
Good for you! I am joining WW next week, and really looking forward to it. Why not now, you may ask? Well, because that’s when I get paid
Don’t worry about whether or not you create it. It may simply be that your head tends to fire more often than not in that pattern; I know I am ALWAYS in an apocalyptic mood at 2am, so even if there is nothing to worry about, my brain will reach out and FIND something, because it just wants to. Sometimes it’s a matter of giving it something definite and benevolent to focus on instead of just letting it latch onto the first thing that occurs to it.
So if my head is wired to get anxious and perseverate on something at 2am, I can at least take control and give it something inoffensive to perseverate on. It beats letting it pick something at random, because when I let it do that, it ALWAYS finds something negative.
Good for you…finding a new way to what works for you. WW is great and tracking is key. Over and over again, at meetings, people with the best success track everything. WW has a saying, mind your BLTs (bites, licks and tastes), they count. You really see how the add up when you track. Best of luck to you on your continuing journey.
I cannot believe how many amazing friends i’ve made through this healthy living community. Seroiusly, I consider you girls some of my closest friends!! And….. Re: WW, i’ve heard great things about the program and I can’t wait to track your progress!!!
Hey Jen… I started back at Weight Watchers 2 weeks ago. I was a lifetime member when I got pregnant this year, and now after my pregnancy I have 40 lbs to lose to get back to goal… ugh, but such is life. So, I’m right there along with you too. I love Weight Watchers… it is what I did to lose all of my weight before my pregnancy and now that I’m back at meetings I realize how important it is for me to be there to lose this weight again.
Good to walk this journey with you.
We can do it!
I really do love Weight Watchers. I am starting back with my meetings, tracking, etc this week.
I also started therapy this year and it has been one of the most amazing things EVER!
Thanks for always being honest.
I agree, having friends that are on the same journey as you makes it all the more easy (well, maybe not easy…but at least more fun!). I am interested to see how you like the new PP system, I’ve heard good things.
Yep, friends definitely help!
I fell off the wagon big time for a couple weeks – the stress of my husband being in the hospital for a week, his recovery at home which is still ongoing. But I am happy to say that the day after Christmas I dusted myself and have written everything down and exercised every day – I forgot how happy it makes me when I am on track! 
Hope the exercising goes well – don’t do too much too soon.
I love my therapist. It is so nice to have someone to talk to that doesn’t see me in my daily life, so can reflect things back to me without the attachments I have to them.
I am really looking forward to working with her in the new year. I want this year to be a year of mental and physical health.
Yes, Jen!!! You are getting it
All foods ARE NOT CREATED EQUALLY..you said it perfectly. Macro nutrients are what you are concerned with, protein, carbs, fat, and fiber because that is the core make up of the food and your body breaks them down accordingly to how much of eat you are putting in your system. Also very important with weight watchers are the good health guidelines, this keeps your choices in balance 
everyday you should be using some of your points plus to:
2 teaspoons of a healthy oil (olive oil, canola oil, look in your book as not all count.
5 fruits and vegs a day..what counts: 1 small fruit counts for a check, a half of cup of vegs, and 1 cup of leafy vegs…combined you need 5 servings a day
1-2 lean proteins
2 servings of dairy 3 if you are a nursing mom, teenager, or over 50
6 8oz glasses of liquids, what counts…everything except for regular soda and alcohol….of course I believe in water lol
and just choose multi grain when avaiable……getting the good health guidelines everyday gives your body the healthy nutrients it needs while allowing your body to get close to the max loss in a week…
I hope this helps…sorry I went off on a tangent but I am so excited you are doing this
Heather
WW is really such a great program. And it is so great to have friends who walk the healthiness walk with you, too!! You hit that on the nose
I hope that you find that getting back into exercise is easier than you expected and there are no complications for you 
Yes, friends are truly wonderful pieces of my life too. Been on WW and struggling, but of course, it has nothing to do w/ the program. Me, getting in the way of me.
I hope you have a wonderful New Year!
I am also starting back on my ww plan tomorrow. I love weight watchers. I love the fact you don’t feel like you are on a diet. It is a way I can definitely eat for the rest of my life. My issue has always be lack of exercise. I will be changing that. Best of luck to you!
Having friends to help keep you motivated and on track is huge! I did WW three years ago and am contemplating going back again (long history I won’t bore you with) but since we live in a different state now, I’m reluctant to go without my support group. Eventually I’ll face my ridiculousness and get my butt there, I’m just sure of it!