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