An Urban Mom’s Weight Loss Diary – Week 12

In it Together

Week: 12
Pounds Lost: 24.2

Last week, after a gain of one pound, I set myself a goal: to lose two pounds by the next week’s weigh-in. I chose 2 pounds for a few reasons – it’s a reasonable amount of weight to expect to lose in a week, plus it represented recovering the ground lost last week and an additional pound for making progress. I told myself I’d do it in two key ways: stop deceiving myself and take accountability for everything by getting back to the basics of the program; and getting back on track with exercise.

So, how’d I do? Well, I tell you…this getting back to basics thing has something to be said for it – I lost a remarkable 4.2 pounds! But what I think is the most important is the fact that, over the course of this 12 week journey, I’ve averaged a loss of just over 2 pounds per week. Perfect! That’s been one of my ongoing goals. It’s good to know that although it’s been an up and down journey, the overall course is still on track.

And why is that? Don’t fool yourself into thinking that I’m some kind of weight loss machine who just decided one day to lose 50 pounds and set about doing it with instant success. Although this time I’ve been squarely “in the zone” for weight loss, I can’t even remember how many times I’ve tried – and failed (spectacularly!) – to lose weight in the last 10 years. So to what can I credit my success this time? Well, I think I deserve some of the applause, but I also have to give credit where it’s due, so I must thank my friends, family and you, as well.

I’ve wanted to write this entry for some time now – I simply cannot underemphasize the importance of having people with me (literally and figuratively) on this journey. And that, I think, is the true secret…not doing it all alone. First of all, my husband and I are doing this together, so I don’t have to suffer through eating a salad for dinner while he’s scarfing back a burger across the table. We also go to Weight Watcher’s meetings together, and debrief together afterwards. Any time I need to chat with someone about the challenges of losing weight – I know he knows exactly what I’m going through.

Next, and just as important – my family & close friends. My parents & sisters are so supportive and encouraging – it’s amazing how far a simple “I’m so proud of you” will take me! And then there’s my best friend; we talk on the phone every day (she lives 3.5 hours away) but I know the first phone call I get every Wednesday will be her calling to discuss my most recent entry. And, importantly, she’s the one who originally inspired me to get started, with her 30 pounds (and counting) loss!

And then there’s the support I get from my extended circle: the staff and members at my weekly Weight Watchers meeting and my online friends at urbanmoms.ca. It is so inspiring for me to read your comments, and to know that so many of you tune in weekly to read what I have to say. I read your comments every day and your support sustains me in so many ways!

So, to everyone who’s with me on this journey, I say thank you, and be sure to stick around for more!

Kath is a Calgary mom of two girs (age 5.5 and 3). Join her here weekly to get the latest update on her weight loss progress. Got something to say? Leave your comment below, or email Kath at kath@urbanmoms.ca