Lessons learned
July 15th is the anniversary of when I joined WW so this year, it's my 2 year anniversary. When I started WW, I was 265lbs. I have NEVER posted that number anywhere. A few weeks ago my brother asked me how much I weighed when I started and I wouldn't even tell him. I was embarrassed, and it stayed with me for a long time even as the number on the scale went down. However, now that number doesn't bother me really. When I really think back over the last 2 years, my starting weight is the least important thing. My life has truly changed SO much in the last 2 years.
I went into the doctor for a physical and she basically was like, "Dude, what are you doing? It's time to change!" and it's nothing I haven't heard before; my own father is a doctor. However, for some reason it stuck with me this time. I went to my car and in the parking lot, I brought up the WW website and joined right there. To me, it seemed so easy. I did online only and I found it simple to follow and stick to, but I didn't tell many people because I didn't want to be embarrassed if I "failed". I was probably down about 10-12lbs when my best friend mentioned it looked like I was losing weight. I started to talk about it to people and at about 40lbs down, even casual acquaintances were commenting on it. To date I have lost 75lbs on WW.
Many people I know personally started to join WW and I have to say, it would have been nice to get a commission on that, haha! Most of these people have not stuck with the program, which is fine. It has worked for me because I've made it work. I still am about 30 lbs away from where I technically SHOULD be, but I can honestly say this program totally helped me overhaul my life and make changes in ways that allowed me to live as I did before, only better. The biggest piece of advice I have for anyone is that if you aren't TRULY READY to COMMIT to a lifestyle change of any sort, it's not going to happen. No one can help you if you aren't willing to help yourself.
The thing is, losing 75lbs didn't magically change my life. I could buy more clothes I liked and gained more confidence slowly but surely, but weight loss has it's downfalls too. Everyone wants to know how you did it, but then doesn't take your advice. People can be jealous and unsupportive. You get a lot of questions like "Can you eat that? Should you be eating that?" and suddenly everyone is an expert telling you why you shouldn't drink Diet Coke, eat anything that says fat free or why you should only be eating organic. A lot of the time I feel judged for food decisions I make, where I eat or what I do. Many times people don't realize they're even doing it, but they are.
I am also my toughest critic and you can't ignore or block yourself. I actually cringe sometimes looking at older photos of myself. I loved our wedding and every single thing about it, but I hate the photos now. I hate that my dress choices were so limited and that my face looks so round in every single picture. This was my 3rd year at my school, and the for the first time I had an ID photo that I wasn't embarrassed about. I feel extremely guilty if I have days where I overeat or don't eat "well". The mental aspect of weight loss is a whole 'nother animal.
My social media accounts have also welcomed more scrutiny into my life, and I often worry about my posts, especially when people I know in my real life are following me. I have had someone message me and call me the "C" word. I had someone comment and say that no matter how much weight I lost, I would be ugly. I shared a post about my faith and belief in God a few weeks ago and I had NUMEROUS people unfollow me because of it. Know how I know that? Because of course they all felt the need to comment or message me telling me that was why. It's not all sunshine and roses on social media, who would have known?! However, I know that it's worth it to walk this path publicly because I am trying to encourage and motivate others on the same path.
In July 2017, I was hired by Weight Watchers as a Receptionist. It is such an honor to be able to work with our members in person every week and hopefully serve as an inspiration to them. On days I am feeling "off track" or down, I can head to a meeting to listen to our members and they motivate me and help clear my head. I also started my website, as well as my Instagram and Facebook pages and have a reach of 23,000 followers. I'm not naive enough as to think all 23,000 people are hanging on my every post and word, but I get enough messages and comments to know that people look to my posts for inspiration, motivation and ideas. I've been lucky enough to both host and attend Weight Watchers/Social Media meet ups and meet so many lovely people in person. I can't tell you how much that means to me. It not only holds me accountable, but to see some of the people in my Facebook group who have lost 30, 50 and 90lbs makes me incredibly happy. It is inspiring and I hope they are inspiring each other, as well.
Basically, I wouldn't change the last 2 years for anything. I have been able to experience so many things that would have been off limits to me before. I have met wonderful people and spent almost a year working a new job that I love. If you're wondering if WW is for you, or if now is the time for a lifestyle change of any kind, don't hesitate to reach out to me. Maybe WW isn't for you, but you know you can't go on living the way you have been. All it takes is 1 small change..something like taking a minute in a parking lot to change your life.
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