January 4th, 2010 - Just another day!

I know I am not the first person to say New Years resolutions don't work, or that we make them too big, but I am going to say it again. 1/4 is just another Monday! Keep it in perspective.

I've went on my first "diet" when I was 13. After that every Jan 2ND was a big "start the diet again" day. During the end of December, while I was planning what next, new, big, exciting weight loss plan I would follow I was eating my way through bags of chips, chocolate, and in later years, bottles of wine, because, this was it! I am never eating or drinking anything "bad" every again. That would last about 2-3 weeks...

What did I learned during all those winters? Well, eating all that junk makes me sick and I don't have time to feel like that anymore. But in moderation, I like those things. So I only have them occasionally. What else did I learn? I've been a very healthy person for over 19 years and I want to be that way for a long time. And that takes work and discipline. Frankly, I need a break from it sometimes. So usually around Christmas and during my vacation, I take a vacation from being on plan. I do exercise, because I love it and I am usually training for some race, and I do many of the Weight Watchers Good Health Guidelines, but then, well, I just do what I feel like. Eat junk, drink and sleep late. Oh, and maybe watch all 3 Lord Of the Ring movies. No shame, no guilt and a little common sense. The scale goes up, the stomach sticks out and then I crave lots of veggies.

Now here is what I REALLY learned and what I want to tell you. I do set new goals for the new year. I know goal setting is very important. But I can do that any and every day of the year. I actually added more weight training after Thanksgiving, so my workouts are already in full swing. But what I don't do - ANYTHING RADICAL!!! I know every commercial is going to tell you do this and that and become a model or an Olympic athlete, but think about what you really want to be and take one step at a time.

I believe most of my members get it backwards. They have had some bad health habits and think they can change everything after listening to one 45 minute meeting. THAT'S TOO MUCH PRESSURE!! Listen to the Weight Watchers orientation, take note of what you already have down pat (drinking water, eating veggies, exercising) and take one change and work on it each week. Make sure it fits your lifestyle. Don't worry about the pounds so much. Returning, or reinvigorated members, don't talk about last time, or I was better before. Work on progress not perfection.

Now, this is not an excuse to slack off or to set easy goals. But most of us are getting all the habits of our everyday life back in order right now. Get organized. Plan. Write down everything you eat (even if you don't know the Points value). Go back to basics, and when you are ready, tighten up how you are following the WW plan. No matter where you are at in your healthy living goals, you will find the wisdom to keep moving forward in our Weight Watchers meeting.

See you there.