Hi everyone
This is my story. I was always a skinny kid, skinny teenager and that continued until several years ago when I was in my late 30s.
I put on a few pounds one Christmas, and my friend who was in WeightWatchers at that time, gave me her WW info and told me how to do it. It worked. I lost that weight, then more weight, probably borderline underweight. I was used to feeling hungry I got into bad eating habits - too much fatty and sugary foods. I had spare capacity so I thought that a few pounds didn't matter. But I put on all the weight I lost and then some. I was the heaviest I have ever been.
Attempts to go back on the WW points and lose weight stalled after a a few pounds and I was into bad eating habits again, put the weight on, and a bit more. I was going through a difficult situation involving my house, and I lost motivation. I was not bothered about my weight and accepted it, even if I didn't like it.
In many ways, I believe that following the WW points scheme was the worst thing I ever did. All I wanted to lose was 2-4 lbs and I ended up gaining about 20lb or more from that very first day I wanted to try it.
I moved house, I felt better. I lost some weight by good habits but then my friendly next door neighbour had a love of cakes and biscuits, so I indulged when she invited me, and the weight returned and stayed. I gave up weighing myself.
Time passed and I somehow broke the association between comfort and eating. It just happened. Eventually I found that I didn't want chocolate and sweet foods whenever I was at the local corner shop. Before, I was an addict and the temptation was too great. I have no explanation. The link between comfort and eating was broken somehow.
I became more disciplined at home, as my husband and I had some bad eating habits and indulgences. I cut out snacking between meals, so that helped a bit. We had the occasional treat, but as we know, occasional can become commonplace, so I am wary of that.
Visiting relatives always meant lots of food and overeating, to the point of feeling disgustingly full, to the point of discomfort. They always have lots of biscuits, cookies, sweet cereals and snacks to hand to nibble on between meals. Last time, in August, I had one slice of cake, not two or three. So, again, I noticed that I was making a change without being 'on a diet'.
After that visit, I stood on the scales and was a few pounds down. I began to be more disciplined about food, and gradually the weight came off. The first few pounds were easy. After that, it would take maybe three weeks to lose just one pound but the general trend was downward.
Then, I reached an impasse. My weight was stuck. I did not give up a few indulgences but I realised that maybe I had to if I was to shift this last half stone. So I began to cut out the treats a bit more, to just once a week.
Anyway, Christmas is coming .... and that means a party with as much Indian food as I can eat (every year I pig out), and a weekend with the relatives (see above) which is always one big calorie-fest. On top of that, I am given Belgian chocolates, shortbread, biscuits etc as gifts.
About 10 days ago, I decided I'd try the WW points again. My aim is to weigh the same on 11 January as I did last week. I know I will eat, but I am hoping that I have the willpower to prevent myself from overeating.
I am interested in the WW Core Plan far more than the points system as I believe that it promotes a healthier eating plan. 20 points a day makes me ravenously hungry during the late afternoon/early eating and that's when it becomes hard to remain disciplined.
My intention is to eat more wholefoods - brown rice, wholemeal couscous, polenta, quinoa, oats etc and make sure I eat at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables every day.
I do not particularly want to eat 'diet' food. I don't want shakes, meal substitutes, artificial sweeteners or anything like that. I believe that changing one's eating habits is the key to permanent weight loss.
OK, that's the sensible me talking. I know the risks.
Firstly, that Christmas indulgences will break my resolve, and secondly, I am at risk of returning to the lose weight/put on even more weight cycle.
In the New Year, I intend to try the Core Plan and then use it to maintain my weight once I reach my goal. I am very close to goal now, but 'tis the season to be .... eating, drinking and making merry.
I'm here to keep my resolve.