Getting reacquainted - WW Explained

March of 2018 was my awakening moment. I needed to do something about my health; I was losing my grip, and letting everything be an excuse for my unwillingness to make myself a priority. Having tried to lose weight countless times on my own, I knew I needed some help. I needed people who understood what I was going through. I needed to feel accountability but above all I needed support which I was not able to give to myself. Therefore, on a dismal Tuesday night, I walked into a WeightWatcher's meeting. I was the only one there that night. I met Linda and Lori, my group leader and receptionist who have become a tag team of joy and happiness in my weight loss journey. Since that night I successfully lost 52 pounds! When "life" occurred, my personal weight loss journey was on hold, and when I emerged from a difficult moment in my life, I had regained 12 pounds. As I am now merging my personal and professional goals, I am excited to get reacquainted with the program and people that have changed my life - WeightWatchers.

Here is how the program works. Nothing is off limits! You can eat whatever you want, when you want, as long as you stay within the daily point allotment which is automatically calculated for you based on your age, height, current weight and activity level. However, the program clearly outlines how a balanced, nutritional diet would be both beneficial and enjoyable. Fruits and most vegetables have NO point value. Lean proteins such as chicken/turkey breast, eggs and fish as well as non fat yogurt and legumes are also NO points. Carbohydrates, lipids and fat can and should be consumed as long as it fits within my daily point allotment and/or within my additional weekly bonus in case some days require that extra cushion.

Tracking is easy and quick. I will be using the WW app which has easy to use input options including internal favorite food storage, bar scanning ability and thousands of foods in their online bank which can be quickly added to my day's nutritional intake. Furthermore, recipes and online support in the form of a WW community is only a click away, and I often find myself getting ideas and support from the most positive online weight loss community.

I will attend my weekly Tuesday meetings. In our small but successful group we find laughter, honesty, and an overwhelming feeling of support from each and every person. We receive weekly information brochures with numerous recipe tips and suggestions as well as relevant issues that people face when re-learning what a healthy life-style looks like. Linda has been a key factor in my success, in that she has made it a point to recognize, since she went through a large weight loss herself, that the struggles are real, the self-doubt is real, the moments of euphoria are real, and that the journey in itself is even more rewarding than the number on the scale. WW supports and encourages moments where we falter, as long as we are able to pick ourselves back up and continue. Our ability to self-regulate and overcome moments of weakness is paramount to our ongoing success.

As I aim for my distal goal, I will incorporate what I have learnt in my weekly meetings in addition to all my other resources. I am beyond excited to begin this journey again. I am confident that my knowledge of self-regulated-learning will be front and center as I approach my distal goal.

Salads - My new best Friend!