Weight Loss

I have always struggled with my weight. It’s been an issue in my life for as long as I can remember. I have always been a “bigger” girl. I have never been able to share clothes with my girlfriends because I was usually a couple sizes larger. I was never able to do those trust exercises (you know, where you fall backward and someone catches you) because I was always scared that no one would be able to catch me. But I was “satisfied” with myself, for the most part.

When I started dating my boyfriend Peter (now my husband) in grade 11, it all went downhill. I gained over 60lbs over the next 7 years. But I did not let it bother me too much because I kept reminding myself that Peter loved me no matter what I looked like. I felt so comfortable in my relationship that I kind of just stopped trying to maintain my appearance.

It got to the point that I would just look into the mirror at my reflection and cringe. I hated what I saw. I hated having pictures taken of me because they always made me look worse.

So in January of 2010, I joined Weight Watchers. This was not my first time doing Weight Watchers. I joined in 2008 a few months before my wedding to shed some pounds. I lost about 15lbs but I never stuck to it in the long term. After the wedding I just kind of ignored the plan and thus, stopped. I didn’t have anything to lose weight for and so I thought, what’s the point. I kept saying to myself that my husband loved me for who I was. He didn’t care what I looked like.

Well, it turns out, I was the one who cared. I wasn’t happy with myself. I wanted to lose weight, for myself and no one else. Even though I was increasingly unhappy with what I looked like, I didn’t do anything about it until 2010. My new year’s resolution was to join Weight Watchers again and to stick to it.

After joining WW, I found myself in the same patterns I was in in 2008. I really wasn’t taking the plan seriously. I wasn’t tracking what I ate and I wasn’t exercising. I was doing it half-assed. And although, I lost a little bit of weight in the first month and a half, it wasn’t until I had my first gain that I knew it was time to take the plan more seriously. I mean, I was supposed to be on a weight loss program and I gained weight?! Not cool. So the very next day, I started tracking diligently and I started going to the gym. For the next few months (and to this very day), that is exactly what I did every single day. And the pounds just started falling off. I was having losses from 3-5lbs per week.

I was so determined. My head was in the right place. That was one of the most important changes that I had to figure out and make. I had to wrap my mind around the plan. The WHOLE plan. It was a lifestyle change, NOT A DIET. Sure, everyone wants to lose weight, but unless you are committed and willing to change, it won’t happen.

When Weight Watchers switched to the Points Plus system, I found the plan even easier to manage. Fruit was free and so choices for snacking were no-brainers. I lost my last 10lbs quickly with the Points Plus program and finally got to my goal.

I reached my goal weight on January 17, 2011 and couldn’t be happier. Weight Watchers changed my life. I am eternally grateful for the skills that I have acquired. Weight Watchers taught me how to eat properly and that is one of the biggest changes I had to make. It taught me what my body needed each day and how to live my life to the fullest and healthiest.

After reaching my goal weight, I lost a total of 73.8lbs!

Start: 207.8lbs – Current: 134lbs – Goal: 135lbs

Here is a picture of my goal weight star given to me by Weight Watchers: