Why Is It So Hard To Lose Weight?

I went back to Weight Watchers four weeks ago. I know I need to lose weight but it's so hard to commit. The only thing that ever worked for me in the past was going to Weight Watchers. I went there after my son was born and lost all the extra pounds from my pregnancy. I did it again after my daughter was born. I was so excited to be down to my goal weight at age 33. I've never been "skinny" but at least I was at a weight I was comfortable with. Then a few years ago I started gaining a lot of weight. I put on about 10 pounds a year. I was also having problems with my thyroid so I blamed that for the weight gain. I also blamed my age. I was approaching 40 and everyone knows it is harder to lose weight as you get older. I did try going back to weight watcher's a few times over the years but I wasn't mentally committed to it.

I usually get on the scale at least once a week. But, I was so disappointed with myself this year that I went six months or more without getting on the scale. When I stepped tentatively on the scale in March of this year I was appalled to see the resulting number. Again I was at an all time high and I had reached a number that made me feel disgusted with myself. Of course, dear reader, I am not going to tell you what that number is. But let's just say that I had reached 45 pounds above my original Weight Watcher's goal weight. But, I didn't need to step on the scale to know it was a problem. I had already gone up three pants sizes. I hated getting my picture taken because I was able to see how large I had gotten. I don't like to look at my face because of how pudgy it is. And I stopped liking to shop because I hated the anxiety of finding clothes that I looked okay wearing. I got to the point at that day in March that I realized I would have to go up to another pants size if I continued to gain weight. I also realized that I weighed more at that point than I did in either of my pregnancies.

So, I made a commitment to myself that I would go back to Weight Watchers and really stick to it this time. The week before I re-joined I lost two pounds. Since I have joined a month ago I lost 6 more pounds. It's funny, because in my mind I had convinced myself that it was impossible for me to lose weight. I thought there was something wrong with my metabolism and that it just wouldn't be possible unless I starved myself. But really all I needed to do was to eat healthier and control my portion size. What I love about Weight Watchers is that if you follow it by counting your points values that you eat, then you can't go wrong. If I want to have a bowl of pasta, I have to measure it out - just one cup - so that I stay in my allotted points for the day. I don't have to do without. I just have to choose wisely and have very small portions of the foods that are high in points. I find myself eating a lot more fruits and vegetables. I make sure I get my protein in for the day with chicken, or lean ham, or salmon. Sometimes I even have a hamburger or some steak. I don't eat very many carbs anymore. I don't eat very much bread or pasta. I also don't eat potatoes or corn. I eat a lot of salads. But overall I am enjoying my food, feeling satisfied at each meal, AND losing weight. I now have a renewed confidence that I can lose the 45 pounds I want to shed.

One of the things I am doing is setting short term goals for my weight loss. I am taking a family vacation at the end of June so I've picked a goal weight to reach by then. We are taking a special trip to Hawaii in the fall so I have my next goal set for that time frame.

If you are someone who wants to lose weight, all I can say is, don't get discouraged. It can be done. Maybe Weight Watchers isn't the right program for you. But find something that motivates you and helps you measure or control your eating. I didn't realize how much food I was eating portion-wise and I also didn't realize that the calorie/fat/carb values of my foods were so high. I thought I was eating right but I was eating a lot of foods that were high in calories and fat. Pay attention to that and be honest with yourself. That's the first step. Then figure out a way that you can monitor and measure your food intake in a way that helps you control it. The bottom line is that if you burn more calories than you take in, you will lose weight.

My next challenge is that I need to start exercising again. I hate to exercise. I will be honest about that. I really do my best to avoid it. But I know it is necessary for good health and to help me with my weight challenge. So that's my next hurdle to get over. I need to make time to exercise. We'll see...