Yesterday was my third week of Weight Watchers and the third week in a row of losing. It feels so good. Although this journey has just begun, already I find my blue jeans easier to button and I no longer feel the urge to immediate shed jeans for sweat pants when I get home. On a deeper level, there's nothing quite like the feeling that you're on your way, that if you just "keep on keepin' on" that you'll get where you need to go. I didn't realize how much guilt and shame I was carrying until I felt it just begin to ease up.
The first two weeks of Weight Watchers they recommend you do "Simple Start." You don't tackle portion control or accountability yet, but instead focus on just eating healthier foods. Last week, then, I finally started tracking points. Each food has a point value base on macronutrients (fats, carbs, and protein) plus fiber. At first I grumbled about having to convert everything into points. But not anymore. Eye opening! I can't tell you how many times last week I chose a food only to realize it wasn't a good value when it came to points. The point system steers users towards whole grains, quality proteins, and the like. With a gulp, I realized what a member of the Susan Powter generation I am. Remember her? She was a bouncingly enthusiastic health guru in the early 1990s, a "former fat housewife who finally got it." Her exercise tips have served me well over the years, but she was one of those folks preaching the anti-fat message. Eat all you want as long as it is fat-free! Sounds good until you realize jelly beans, marshmallows, and circus peanuts are all fat free -- but also nutritionally void and bound to wreck your insulin levels. I've known for a long time that over-processed foods need to be kept to a minimum, but now I realize I'm not as good at spotting them as I thought. I'm still a sucker for clinging to calorie count, reaching for baked chips or the like when they may not be the best choice. I'm learning!
I got messages from a couple of people after the last post. From the bottom of my heart, thanks for the support!
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