So something I haven’t shared here is that I have written my first novel. Much like getting to my goal weight, it was something I didn’t think I’d ever be able to accomplish. It’s amazing when you do accomplish something you didn’t think you could do: All of a sudden all those other things you didn’t think you’d be able to do suddenly don’t seem so daunting.
I figured if I could drop that weight and get to an actual healthy weight, I could write a book.
I was right.
Ahh the holidays, that wonder time of the year for being with family and friends.
It’s also that time of year filled with parties, drinks and food. When I put my jeans on this morning I briefly wondered if I should register them as a lethal weapon because if the button popped off it would probably take out a small child.
So how did they get me, the one who has lost all this weight and kept it off for over a year? It’s not a simple question. First of all, the holidays can be hard for people like me who have lost a lot of loved ones. Secondly, I’ve been working non-stop since August, averaging 80 hour work weeks, hence the lack of blog posts and recipes from me. Lastly, I really love to bake. Not only that, I love to eat it. Sugar, glorious sugar will always be my drug of choice.
I’ve been white knuckling the back of the wagon since September. My crazy work schedule totally threw me for a loop. Food prep and just plain doing anything but sleep when I’m not at work is hard once you throw in my commute time to my 12 hour work day.
per·spec·tive: a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.
Perspective was a very important word while I was losing weight, and I think it is even more important now.
I had a little perspective wake up call this weekend, and thought I’d share it with you all. It was a lesson I’ll never forget, but sometimes gets pushed to the back of my mind until a reminder brings it to the surface.
We have to go in the way-back machine for this one folks. It was back in 2002, the first time I joined Weight Watchers. I was a losing machine, but hungry all the time. You are only going to get so far that way, and thankfully Weight Watchers and myself have come a long way since 2002.
One year ago I walked into Weight Watchers for my weigh in, fingers crossed that I would make my goal weight. I did it, and today I walked in and weighed exactly the same as I did one year ago.
I did it! I can remember people telling me things like “Only 5% keep it off by their one year anniversary.” Guess what? I am the 5%! That is a terrifying number but I did it.
But why? Why do only 5% make it? Maintaining your weight is hard. Yes, losing weight is hard, but in some ways maintaining it is even harder. Now I know when I had about 40 pounds to go I would have wanted to smack someone upside the head that would say such a thing, but it’s true.
At first you are focused on getting to you goal, you know what to do, and you do it with these great little surprises along the way. It’s different for everyone – maybe some want to get rid of a double chin, see a smaller pants size, or just plain feel better. When you get to goal everything is just normal and stays the same. You don’t have all those exciting little developments anymore, so you have to find different things to keep you excited.
Here are some of the things that kept me at goal for the last year:
One more day peeps, you got this!
Coming into the home stretch people. Two more days left of the challenge and I’m confident that I got myself back in the habit of tracking to where I will continue.
How did everybody else do today?
As I said yesterday, I’m really enjoying some of the food that I ate at the beginning of my weight loss. Tonight I had a recipe that I used to make a lot, opa chicken kabobs.
Again I can’t believe how I just forgot about this recipe that I love so much. I also realized that I don’t have it on my blog. I have a version that uses canned chicken but I don’t have the actual kabobs up.
I promise I’ll post that one this weekend, and you all have got to try it. With the new freestyle program they are very economical smart Point wise.
So we have 3 more days to go guys. How’s everyone doing?
