In an effort to be more vulnerable with you, I wanted to share something about my life and what I’ve been doing lately. It’s nothing radical… it’s actually something I’ve done many times in the past. Motivated not only by my wedding in October but also how uncomfortable I’ve been in my own body for quite some time now…I joined Weight Watchers.

I’ve never tried another weight loss program but it’s the only thing that has helped me lose weight in the past. I also feel like I drank the “Kool-Aid” in terms of the weight watchers approach but I truly don’t believe that anything is worth doing unless it lasts. So things like Jenny Craig or other meal replacements always make me feel as though it’s a waste of time unless you literally do it forever. That means you can’t go out with friends for dinner or go quickly to a drive-thru if you really have no other options. That seems unrealistic in my current lifestyle. Sure, I want to limit the trips through the fast food joints, but to never have it again? Please. Plus I don’t see it as sustainable because those programs cost money and so does their food.

My point is that I love how flexible weight watchers is because you aren’t buying “their” food but rather buying food that everyone eats. And you get to eat whatever you want with the goal being you’ll begin to want healthier options as you progress through week-by-week. Everything has a points value and each member is given a select number of points to use throughout the day. So you get to decide what you have and how many points you want to eat. Want to eat a McDonald’s double cheeseburger? OK but it’s high in points so you’ll want to eat lower point options throughout the rest of the day to stay within your points budget. Choices like should I have bread or would I prefer the frozen yogurt after dinner? Do I want to fill up on fruits and vegetables (which are 0 points) or that one croissant (which is probably 9-11 points)?

Although this is not my first time on weight watchers, it feels like a completely new experience. My mindset is completely different than it’s ever been. I was recently telling a friend that I used to see each weigh-in as a game that I would try to beat. So instead of eating healthy and being mindful of my food, I would try to eat literally anything I wanted right after my meeting and then only be “on plan” for 2-3 days prior to my next weigh-in. I guess I thought I had found a secret loophole to game the system. Joke was on me because I literally gained weight and felt even worse about myself. NOW I am more committed to daily habits of tracking (even if it’s a 22 point muffin from mimi’s cafe!) and being content in my choices. Meaning, when I go out, instead of ordering a swiss avocado burger with fries…I may order a “lighter” burger and salad instead. Previous years I would have been somewhat bitter about what I felt I couldn’t have.

I even made a notebook for all of the weekly booklets we get. They are small and usually only 3-4 pages but it helps me feel even more committed and organized. I also drew the “Love your Life” part of the front page! And I found a notebook that had dividers and a pocket holder for my weekly check-in book that I need each week.

It’s going to be a slower process than alternatives like surgery, pills, or meal replacements…but I’ve learned that doing things slower can often lead to longer lasting results. I’m excited for this journey and feel good about where things are going.

This is a lifelong journey and while that seems daunting, it’s nice to have people who understand and can help support me through the app, the meetings, and through good conversations. The new motto for weight watchers is “Live Fully” and I like all that it implies. Not only can we live fully satisfied by eating good food, but we can experience life to the fullest when we treat our bodies well and have the strength to enjoy all life has to offer. I love it. I hope each of you reading this live fully!