Fit for Life

Seven years ago, I joined Weight Watchers for the first time. I lost 13 lbs. 

Six years ago, I joined Weight Watchers for the second time. I lost 14 lbs. Later that year, I got engaged, bought a wedding dress (on sale!) and moved across the country to start a new job in a new state. 

Five years ago, I moved again from an apartment to the home we purchased, and I got married. I gained 20lbs in just over a year, and I was mortified about having to buy a new wedding dress. I dealt with the stress of moving, planning a wedding and starting another new job with food. I fell in love with kolaches, Blue Bell, Shipley's Donuts and Texas BBQ. 

A little more than three years ago, I had a baby. Fifteen months later, I had a second. 

Eight months ago, I started wearing a FitBit and monitoring the number of steps I took each day. 

Six months ago, I started a 9-week fitness program called Couch-to-5K. I completed the training April 1st. If you're sharp at math, you'll note that it took me a little longer than nine weeks.

Four months ago (January 1), I joined Weight Watchers for the third time. As with the two times previous, I chose the online and less expensive eTools option to track my weight and food. Seven weeks ago, I switched my membership to start going to the weekly meetings. I reached my goal weight by the second meeting and needed to maintain my weight within two pounds for six weeks. 

Today I became a lifetime member of Weight Watchers, and I hope I never have to pay them again. That means going in a minimum of once a month to weigh. I can attend weekly meetings and use the online tools for free as long as I continue to maintain my weight. 

How did I do it? 

I resolved on January 1 to be more active by using my FitBit and the Couch-to-5k apps. I ran three days a week when the weather allowed it. I aimed to walk 5mi (~10-11K steps) each day. I don't go on daily walks, but I have found ways to move that register as steps -- from aiming to move around for 5min every hour and dancing while music is on to bouncing on my stability ball while watching tv. You might call that cheating, but I just lost 25lbs in four months. I'd call that a win. Also, there have been only a handful of sick days in the last 4 months where I haven't met my fitness goals. 

I resolved to drink more water. I no longer buy soda for the house. Occasionally, I'll have a diet lemonade from Costco, but I drink water and tea daily with an occasional cup of coffee a few times a week. I love drinking water out of a wine glass during meals. I aim to drink a half a water bottle before bedtime and a full water bottle when I wake up. When I don't reach my goals for liquid intake, I feel lethargic and hungry. 

I resolved to track my food. Weight Watchers has this new plan where you don't have to track food. It's great! It comes with a two week started plan of super easy meals, snacks and what they call indulgences. I use the shopping list from that plan but still measure and count. I still eat chocolate every day. I kind of build my day around the desserts I'd like to finish with. The difference is that I'm not sneaking chocolate all.day.long. I eat a mango almost every afternoon. I replaced peanut butter with a powdered (just add water!) peanut protein called PB2. It can be mixed with water. I eat fewer processed foods and restaurant meals. 

I plan to keep this weight off and surround myself with supportive, motivated friends who also want to stay Fit for Life. My husband and kids deserve nothing less from me.