Reflections

Dear Weight Watcher Members,

It’s hard to believe another year is almost over! I’ve been very blessed to have shared some of that time with you. I am always amazed at your success at living a healthy lifestyle, even when obstacles get in your way. Your stories not only inspire me, but also the other people in the meetings. You never know when someone else might be having a tough time, and your words may help him or her turn the corner. They may return the favor one day.

So when you look back on the year, I want you to remember all that you did RIGHT (not how many cookies you ate over the sink). I want you to see how far you have come, how much your habits have changed and how you have affected those around you. Look not just at the numbers at the scale, but the numbers on the tape measure, your clothing size, blood pressure readings and cholesterol tests. Make sure you see the cup (of water) as half full and not half empty!

What’s impressed me the most this year is how many members have finally realized this in not a temporary “diet”. This is forever. And in the span of forever, you will have some bad days. But if you don’t give up, you will keep moving forward and get to goal. However, that is not the real prize. It’s when your brain clicks and realized this is the right way to live, the best way to live and not being healthy is “cheating” - cheating yourself out of a healthier, stronger today and future. Living the Weight Watcher way teaches balance. You can eat veggies AND chocolate, French fries, etc and have your best body – and it’s the only body you’ve got!

Now that you’ve looked at the past, it’s over. We must concentrate on the future! Think of what you want to accomplish, (not just to lose weight), and WHY!! When you just huffed and puffed up 3 flights of stairs, think about how it would feel to bound up the stairs if you were healthier. Write it down. At the end of the day, if you feel wiped, think about how it would feel if you were healthier. How would you feel if you took care of yourself by eating the right foods, drinking your water and getting enough rest? Those are the goals that will give us strength to do everything else we need to get done.

I know this is hard work, but think of all the energy you’ve wasted feeling guilty about what you ate, how you didn’t exercise, thinking what am I going to wear today. Put that energy into setting goals, shopping for healthy food, moving more and getting to a WW meeting. No matter how long it takes – that time would pass anyway. Don’t you want to be a thinner, healthier you in the future? Which direction do you want to go – away from your goals or towards your goals. YOU CAN DO IT!

Let’s PLAN to make 2010 the best, healthiest happiest year ever!

Happy Holidays,
Linda

Do The Best You Can

I cannot believe Christmas is this week! Even if you have all your presents wrapped under the tree, this is still a hectic time. Just trying to get ANYWHERE is tough because of the traffic. And we seem to need to be 100 places at once. So, many of the tasks we have to do will have to be done good enough. And that's how I want you to handle your healthy eating and exercise - good enough.

Now, for any of my Weight Watchers members that are 100% on plan - good for you! I am not telling you to lower your standards just because it's the holiday season. However, for the rest of us, whenever you are faced with an eating decision, think what is the best I can do right now. For example - if you are running out the door to get your ingredients for baking and you know the store is going to be busy, take 30 extra seconds and put a bar or a piece of fruit in your bag. That might not be the best, or even most appealing snack you can eat, but it will prevent you from sampling freebies in the store or buying a candy bar at the checkout.

Even if you are not writing down what you eat, make as many healthy, filling food, portion controlled food choices as possible. And don't stress over it! My bed isn't made everyday right now. I leave more dishes in the sink right now (though they eventually get cleaned) and the measuring cups and food scale may not come out all the time, but at least my plate has chicken and some Birds Eye steam fresh veggies in it. That will make sure my New Years outfit will fit!

Based on all the members in my meetings this season - yours will, too!

Don't Give Up!

Less than 3 weeks until the New Year - don't give up now! Do you have any parties today? It's Monday, so I don't think so. Make today the best Weight Watchers day ever! I know, especially on the weekends, we sometimes want to throw in the healthy towel. You want to "Have some fun" until January 2nd. If a decadent food comes along that you really want, have a small piece. Going out to dinner with friends you haven't seen in a while? Make healthy choices and, if you want, choose one part of the meal, appetizer, dessert, etc to splurge on with your points. Keep the Good Health Habits in mind. Filling foods first. Move, move, move.

Remember, don't let stress get the best of you. Make this holiday about about what you really want. Don't worry about what you ALREADY ate, or about what you MIGHT eat. Just focus on what is in front of you. Hopefully, that will be ME in the meeting.

You Never Know Who's Watching

One of my members came up to me today to say her teenage daughter finally "got it". We always want the best for our kids, but we know they do as we do, not what we say. This member has really embraced the healthy lifestyle. One of the biggest factors in her "mental transformation" is that she joined a running club. Of course, I first met her because she joined one of my Weight Watchers meetings (lucky me!) and she came with her friends in her company. There has been lots of pounds lost in this group and they all support each other.

When she told me she was going to run a marathon, I hooked her up with my training group, www.goingthedistancefb.com where she gained confidence and the skills to accomplish her running goals and, more importantly lots of friends to train with. I believe, because of her accomplishments, but most of all, the joy it brings,to her life, her daughter decided to eat healthier, get in shape and join the cross country team at her school. This lifestyle is contagious!

Now. for all of you who don't run and would never join a running club or sports team, please keep reading! The most important action step to take is to surround yourself with positive, healthy people who want to live life to the fullest, and to take control of their health. We LIVE this way. It's part of who we are. We don't change who we are temporarily to lose weight. We change first on the inside and then on the outside.

For some people, you walk into my Weight Watchers meeting wanting to change only the outside. But if you let go and give in to the positive spirit from the members in the meetings, you will change too. Oh, it's not all unicorns and rainbows - it takes work. But once the change happens, you will never look back.

To read more about my running club and the crazy people I hang around with, log onto www.GoonSquadRunners.

Remember - Health does not take a holiday, so I'll see you in the meetings in December!!!