Okay, dear readers…the day I dreaded has come. The day where I admit that I have officially fallen off the wagon and I NEED YOUR HELP to get back on. Remember, way back in my first post, when I said:
I’m hoping that by going public with my struggle it’ll help others who
would like to embark on a similar journey, and also that it’ll help me
stick with it once and for all. You can call it support if you like;
I’m going to call it the shame factor: see, if all of cyberspace has
access to my weight loss journey, I figure I’ll be too embarrassed to
say that I gave up because I wanted to be able to eat a whole bag of
potato chips again!
Well, time to call in "the shame factor", I guess. You see, I have a confession to make: it’s been three weeks since my last weigh-in at Weight Watchers. Before this, the only time I’d missed a weigh-in was if they were closed or I was on an airplane. But, you see, that old devil – COMPLACENCY – has come to live in my brain. First, we had visitors in town so skipped the meeting. Then the Hubster was out of town, and I had to work Saturday morning, and I had the kids all by myself, and…and…ahhh, what the heck – they’re all just excuses, aren’t they? If weighing in were truly important to me, I would do it. For heaven’s sake, there is a Weight Watchers meeting somewhere in Calgary every day of the week (and several times on Thursdays & Saturdays).
So the thing is, I’ve been lazy. And unmotivated. And why not? Hell – look at me!
10 pounds below where I originally wanted to be, and wearing a size 12! Why bother doing anything more? Aren’t I happy with myself now?
Well, yes. And no.
You see, I’m so incredibly happy with what I’ve achieved so far, and proud of myself for doing it, that I don’t want to allow myself to become complacent…to settle for less than what I really deserve. And what I really deserve is a healthy body at a healthy weight.
Do I look great? Yes. Do I feel great? Yes. Do I look one helluvalot better than before? A resounding YES!
Okay, I once swore that nobody would ever, EVER see that picture. Now I use it as a way to shame myself back on Weight Watchers!
BUT!
Could I look a lot better? Yes. Could I feel a lot better? Yes.
And those are really the only questions that matter, aren’t they?
So, if you’re out there — reading my blog — and you’ve been moved, inspired, motivated or even pissed off – I want to hear from you! Leave me a comment with encouragement, support, a tongue-lashing or even some well-deserved gloating! I just want to know that you’re out there, that you read me, that people will know if I don’t go back to Weight Watchers on Saturday. In return, I promise to post a BONUS entry this weekend, with all the gory details of Saturday’s weigh-in, so you can sit back and give a sigh of relief or enjoy a snarky giggle at my expense. Either way — if it helps get me back on the wagon, I’ll take it.
wow! amazing.
you have come a long way, baby. 🙂
Hi Kath,
I couldn’t help by post a comment (my first time ever doing this anywhere) the reason being is I too have enjoyed and look forward to reading your story and being part of your journey and I needed to say, “thank you for being real, getting stuck, and sliding back for bit” cause we all do.
I joined ww 3 months after my first son was born (he’s 8 months now). I achieved lifetime farely quickly but I have found lifetime the hardest part yet (not seeing the scale go down is hard too). With only monthly weigh-in’s as a must and everyone assuming you’ve made it and don’t need any more help I often feel I’m sliding back into old my old patterns.
Watching your journey, successes and failures is the real deal and I thank you for your honesty and we all silently are cheering for you (and that part of ourselves that needs it and can relate).
Now, that being said, let us know what happens next so we too can be inspired!
Again, thanks for having the courage to be totally honest with your posts! That is what has been so great about reading every week. I look forward to Saturday as I know you will go to WW. But there are some good points in the comments – maybe being in a “new body” and at a new place in your life you need a new part of your weight loss journey. Think about it and write and let us know. You have done amazing!!
Kath your amazing.
You look fabulous darling…absolutely fabulous!
I completely undestand your head space. What I want you to know is that I watch for your blog every week.
Why? Do I need to lose weight? No, but I got some baggage that you can’t see.
Your getting your baggage off your body and at the same dealing with what kept your baggage on is motivation for me to deal with mine.
You are a role model. And amazingly enough to probably more people out in cyber land than you know.
I journalled my twin pregnancy. It kept me going and kept me focused so that I eventually attatined a goal I never thought possible (you know the ending to that story!). So keep journalling here and sharing for we NEED it as much as you need to put it out there. And in the end the results will something you thought you could only dream of.
My favorite line in any movie is from the Lion King when the baboon whacks Simba in the head and Simba says “Why did you do that” and the Baboon says “who cares it’s in the past!”.
Well don’t be too hard on yourself, it is in the past and the next meeting is today or saturday and you’ll be there because you really do want to be there and tomorrow you can go for a run and you will land back on your doorstep and think…”wow life is great why am I being so silly”.
You have the greatest challenge with food being your enemy. You are winning though, we can hear it in the words you say and in the way you look.
You go girl!
P.
Listen up!!!
You can’t quit now!
Keep going, when you want that bag of chips, consider in terms of how far you’ll have to walk to get rid of it afterwards.
You inspired me to start my own journey at the end of September and I am now down 18 pounds and feeling better than I have in a long time. I don’t ever want to feel like I used to, tired, frumpy and grouchy at every turn. I wore heels to work again for the first time in ….not sure how many years and the compliments that I got will help me keep going, now I need you to keep going, you’re doing great, get back on TRACK!
Aunt Kath. You look beautiful. I saw the pictures and didn’t even know you were the first one! Mommy asked me what had changed and I said you were fit now. I can’t wait to see you in real life! xo
I think my comment was kind of illegible. I have a brutal headache. If it needs clarification, let me know. 🙂
I think my comment was kind of illegible. I have a brutal headache. If it needs clarification, let me know. 🙂
Omigosh, you look AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! You know, you’ve totally inspired me! Since you look soooo great, but you still want to lose weight, maybe try a different approach now? Like, maybe keep up the exercise and focus on making healthy choices? I.e., instead of making weight loss a focus — as you kind of need to to succeed on WW. Just a thought…. So, you didn’t fall off the wagon. You just changed it up because you don’t need to be so rigorous now. I’m in the same exact boat. I look aiight — but I could look better. But, I feel off my wagon and have no desire to get back on. But, I do want to live a healthy lifestyle and be fit. So, new goals. New wagon — a wagon I can stay on for life, so to speak.
Omigosh, you look AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! You know, you’ve totally inspired me! Since you look soooo great, but you still want to lose weight, maybe try a different approach now? Like, maybe keep up the exercise and focus on making healthy choices? I.e., instead of making weight loss a focus — as you kind of need to to succeed on WW. Just a thought…. So, you didn’t fall off the wagon. You just changed it up because you don’t need to be so rigorous now. I’m in the same exact boat. I look aiight — but I could look better. But, I feel off my wagon and have no desire to get back on. But, I do want to live a healthy lifestyle and be fit. So, new goals. New wagon — a wagon I can stay on for life, so to speak.
Great post, Kath! I was beginning to wonder if you were slipping a bit as I didn’t see the inspiring success stories of the early days. You know I have been there and continue to consciously watch my weight and focus on health.
The ONLY way I am able to maintain my current weight which fluctuated for years because I was using only weight loss strategies was to take up running and keep on running. I run 30-60 minutes 3 times per week. My body has totally changed and my metabolism allows for some slip ups here and there. I now, 6 mths later, crave the run and never miss it. I know people reading this are saying “oh but you’re thin” or “I hate running” or “she must be sporty”. I am telling you, that was me! I was the one saying those things! I have never done a sport or run in my whole life. I HATED it when I started but persevered and now love it. It is great because I can take less than an hour out of my day, step out my front door, and get some exercise and down time. It takes some effort going in but this type of regular activity is what will get you over the hump.
I know you can do it because I ran with you in the summer! I was months into my training program and considerably thinner than you (not anymore!) and you still managed to keep up with me. You have it in you, you just have to make it a priority.
Anyway, that is my advice. That’s what worked for me. What has gotten you to this point will not take you the rest of the way. You have to revisit your plan and make some adjustments. You can do it!
We’re all here for you!!
Holy cow! You look amazing!
I’m new to reading your blog, so maybe I’m not entitled to comment on your journey, but I definitely feel your pain, or should I say your lack of pain (numbness?) Weight loss sucks, but you have to admit that the struggle is worth it when you see results like you have seen. When you achieve your goal, it’s easy to say “whew” and just let yourself think that this is the end of the road, instead of seeing a road that continues forever.
I have found that I keep motivated by motivating others… a healthy lifestyle evangelist, if you will. I’ve just returned to work after baby #3 and I worked really hard during my mat. leave to get the weight off. When I came back I was even smaller than before I became pregnant and everyone was asking how I did it. I would tell anyone who asked how I eat well and exercise. Simple. Cliche. But, effective. Now, I can’t be seen walking down the hall with a donut or bag of chips… what would THEY say??
My point is, you need to keep doing this blog. And, you need to go to that Weight Watchers meeting. YOU are the success story now and it’s your time to gloat a little a show others that it can be done. In doing so, you will tell that evil, complacent devil inside you that this trip is far from over.