Before I began WW I was a fast food junkie, or close enough, hitting the drive through several times a week either for breakfast, lunch or snack. Early on in my journey when I reached my 10% and received my keychain I placed just my single car key on the keychain. With it right there in front of me in the car I would look at it when I was in a drive through to get a diet soda or to pick up the occassional food item for one of my kiddos. As time passed I added the 25, 50 and 75 pound "washers" to the keyring as a constant reminder. Every time I leave the house the keychain is in my hand, reminding me what I've accomplished and giving me that little boost that says I can do anything I set my mind to. Now, in the past year or more, I've only been through a drive up 3 times. My kiddos don't even want the stuff anymore. The only drive up that would hold any interest for me is if they could put one in at the local Subway!

Also very early on in my journey I went to a Silpada party. I had never been to one before and found several pieces of jewelry I really liked, but was unwilling to spend that much money for them. As a reward to myself for hitting lifetime in December I'm having my own Silpada party next week, and will be purchasing one of the bracelets that I fell in love with.....in addition to my keychain, this bracelet will be a new anchor for me to remind me every time I put it on of what I ACCOMPLISHED FOR ME!!

I have been in WW for over a yera now, and when I first joined my friend had given me a dress (it was HER fat dress) I couldn't even get it up to my knees.SOOOOOOOOO I hung it in the closet, I told myself one day it will fit! So as I lost little by little every so often I would pull it out and try it on, slowly I got it up to my thighs, lolthen actually managed to get "into" it couldn't move or breathe but it was on! Then one time I actually got the zipper up a little! The day I put that thing on and zipped up and it fit I RAN all over the house! Its now too big for me and I have passed it on!
I also have a string of beads from my leader, you add a bead for each pound you lose. It hangs from my rearview mirror so when fast food calls my name its right there!

I love the bead idea I am going to try it out if you don't mind :D

I think I need something like that as a reminder that I need to keep going and that I can do this

Thanks for all the ideas everyone :)

I really like the idea of a physical object to use as an anchor. (I do the at home program too). I guess I'll go get the beads out and make some stuff.

cool, i like to play :D

Well my anchor is more of a memory, 15 years ago when I started having problems in my marriage (I was a size 4), I started gaining weight, by the time I divorced I was 166 lbs. After the divorce and my Mom passing, my world went upside down and at my heaviest I was 211. My anchor if you can call it that, was I wanted to get back down to 166 ( I guess this is more of a motivation then an anchor). Since I've reached that goal, (sorry I'm just going on and on this morning.. must be PMS) My new anchor is (and this is silly) I was given a bookmaker when I started WW and I love when the leader places little stars every time I lose 5lbs. I sometime reach into my purse and just look at it to remind me of where I was before.

What a great idea! I hadn't heard of it before this thread as I'm new to WW meetings, but wow... it makes so much sense to have a physical representation of what you're trying to accomplish for you to focus on if you're having trouble. I'll have to think of something to use as my anchor... Unfortunately I don't have any memories whatsoever of being at a healthy weight, so I can't be "reminded" of anything. I'll have to find something like the "last straw" trick.

I like the string of beads idea as a physical representation of weight lost... I have a small decorative jar I've been trying to find something neat to put in, I think I will put something in it for each pound lost. Maybe those little polished rocks or colorful marbles or something!

That sounds like a great idea Suite, I might do something like that and have it at the kitchen window so it catches the sun and I see it alot. I always tell myself you can't lose 10 lbs. or 50 or 100, whatever without losing 1. So each one is important. I try to never say only 1 lb. lost. Having them represented by a pretty marble or stone can be a reminder of how important every little one is.

You can say "losing your marbles" is a good thing! Also, you don't have to worry about "finding" them again, because you'll know right where they are. :D

Hi all, I'm new here but I love this thread. My anchor is definitely Levi's 501 jeans. Thats all I wore in high school (the last time I was really fit, but I'm only 27) and I loved being a 30w-32l. A Levis keychain would be great for me. Thanks for the awesome idea.

I actually have 2 that were produced by Nike and one is for (trying) quitting smoking, it's yellow and sys "LIVE STRONG" you all may remember these, Lance Armstrong promoted them for cancer. and I have a lavender one( for losing weight) that says confidence( I have none of this), and when I look at it I try to remember how much of it I will have when I lose the weight!!

I've got two, but the one item that truly serves as an anchor for me is my weight tracker booklet. I keep it in a small front pocket of my purse wherever I go.

Just having it with me, seeing it when I open my purse, being able to easily look back and see where I've been, how I've worked through the ups & downs, and knowing how far I've come and how far I have yet to travel is anchoring for me. :)

I do also keep my 10% keychain with my keys. It's a back-of-the-mind reminder that this is all very possible and real. When I didn't think I could lose 5 pounds, much less 30. And there's this solid item, this physical testament, to the possibilities if I just stay commited. I'm now working on my "third 10%" and that keychain still makes me smile on days when I'm just not sure of myself.

My anchor is a necklace that has two rings. One is engraved with the word "strength", and the other with the word "integrity". I play with them all of the time, and when I see them in the mirror, it keeps me in check. I also keep pictures of my new (and first) baby nephew all over the place, as I want to be a healthy auntie, and able to keep up with little Mateo. Love that guy more than words can say. I have a niece due in May, so I'll have even more anchor pictures! Yay big families!!

modkittn, keep it up! So glad to hear that you're a survivor! My best wishes are with you!

anchors
 

These tips on anchors are simply fabulous! :carrot: I haven't reached a 10% goal yet but I do have a Disney watch that I bought about 15 years ago and I'll use that till I get one. (needs battery first) So many good tips! Thanks to all. We deserve to be thin again!:D

Glad this thread revived. I needed a reminder. I just got my new Lifetime booklet in the mail with my new WW goal, (only 12 lbs. to get there !!) and my married name (it only took me 5 years of marriage to think I was actually going to get back to goal and get my right name on my WW stuff!).

I keep looking at that gold card with my info on it, I think that's going to be a new anchor.

thanks, Ladies!

And Mod, so glad you are getting healthier and healthier, you're a great source of info on these boards.