For starters, they SUCK. If you have to completely give up foods that you love to lose weight, then odds are you aren’t going to stick with it. If someone told me that I could lose 30lbs but I could never eat sweets or Italian food ever again, I’d say, “oh well, guess I’m staying 30lbs heavier!”
Now, I’m just going to share what worked for me, so please take the information and use it however you want. At the very beginning of 2012, I started Weight Watchers with a coworker and my mom. I made sure to add in all of my food throughout the day into the tracker as well as my activity. I figured out that WW has a built in fail system, but it is not entirely their fault. They pride themselves on allowing the typical person to continue eating the foods that they love, just have smaller portions. However, they give you a ridiculous amount of “extra” points that you can use throughout the week and if you add in fitness they give you even more points to use. Basically, you could have an abundance of points for the week. Here’s where I found an issue with the program. If you used the extra points (not including anything earned via fitness points), then you most likely wouldn’t see a decrease on the scale.
How I was successful with WW was by following the points system. If I earned points because I did some sort of fitness activity, then every once in a while I would use those points for an extra treat. Otherwise, I would only treat myself once a week and I would make sure the points were there to enjoy myself. It took 6 months to drop 25lbs, but I maintained that weight loss until I was pregnant with Hailey. *Side note: I also cancelled my WW membership once I hit my weight loss goal because I felt that I had learned how to portion control and safely indulge when needed.*
My entire pregnancy I was very concerned about my weight gain. I had spent a year and a half losing and maintaining a comfortable weight, that I did not want to see the higher numbers on the scale again. As the pregnancy progressed, I really tried to not concentrate on the scale. At one point my husband actual hid the scale from me! I ended up gaining right around 25lbs by the end of the pregnancy.
Well, Hailey is now 6 months old and I am back down to pre pregnancy weight. I am constantly hungry and really have to watch how much junk food I am eating, but I am starting to feel more comfortable with myself again. I may alway struggle with how I feel about my weight, but I want to make sure I am healthy for my daughter. I want to be able to support her with whatever goals she has in life and that means that I need to take care of myself as well.
In conclusion, you need to find what will allow you to enjoy the foods you love while still losing weight. Moderation is key when it comes to food. Remember that you are amazing and can do anything you set your mind to! Be confident! Be fit! Be you!
confidentandfitmom 