Have you lost weight and kept it off? Have you changed your lifestyle and improved your health? We want to know what you did and how you did it! Your story will inspire others to help them lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle!
To submit your story, simply fill in the fields below. If it’s selected, you’ll be featured on our Web site and will receive a Flip Video™ camera. Plus, your story will serve as an inspiration to the entire Smart Ones® community!
So start sharing today, and give others the motivation they need to succeed with their weight-loss goals, too.
Submission Rules & Guidelines
Read All Stories
Have a weight loss
story to share?
Submit your story and you
may be our featured
member AND win a
Flip Video™ camera!
OPEN ONLY TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND WHO ARE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE OR THE AGE OF MAJORITY IN THEIR STATE OF RESIDENCE, WHICHEVER IS GREATER, AS OF THE DATE OF ENTRY. VOID ELSEWHERE AND WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.
1. ELIGIBILITY:
Open only to individuals who are legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, 18 years of age or older or the age of majority in their state of residence, whichever is greater. The following individuals are not eligible: employees, contractors, directors and officers of H. J. Heinz Company, L. P. ("Sponsor"), Promotion Execution Partners, Ferrara & Company, Emanate, Kick Apps, Promotion Fulfillment Partners, LLC, and each of their respective parent, subsidiaries and affiliated companies, distributors, web design, advertising, and fulfillment agencies and other individuals and entities involved in the administration, development, fulfillment and execution of this Contest (collectively, "Sponsor & Others"), and the immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling and spouse or "step" of each) and those living in the same households of each.
2. BRIEF OVERVIEW OF PROMOTION:
The Weight Watchers® Smart Ones® “Share Your Story Contest” (“Contest”) starts on 7/15/09 at 6:00 P.M. ET and ends on 4/30/10 at 11:59:59 P.M. ET (“Contest Entry Period”). All entries (“Submissions”) must be uploaded to www.eatyourbest.com/community (“Contest Website”) no later than 4/30/10 at 11:59:59 P.M. ET. Please be aware that your copy, photos and videos may be publicly displayed on the Contest Website. To participate in the Contest, a community member (“Member”) as defined below must submit a blog post on the Contest Website, which may include photos, videos and copy up to 300 words in length, in which the member shares their weight loss story according to the instructions and judging criteria stated in these Official Rules. (Be sure to carefully read these Official Rules as you will be bound by them.) The twelve (12) Submissions selected by the panel of Contest judges may be posted on the Contest Website for public view. Twelve (12) Winners will receive a Flip Video Camcorder. Additionally, each Winner’s weight loss story may be featured on eatyourbest.com as a “Featured Member”.
3. TO ENTER:
To enter, a Member must go to www.eatyourbest.com/community during the Contest Entry Period, and follow the instructions to register, post his/her Submission, and click on the “Share Your Story” link. Submissions must be received no later than 4/30/10 at 11:59:59 P.M. ET or the member’s submission will not be entered into the Contest. Before uploading a Submission, each member must indicate his/her agreement that s/he has read, understands and agrees to be bound by these Official Rules. Remember: Once a Submission has been posted, it may not be changed or edited. Be sure to save your Contest Submission in its original format after uploading it to the Contest Website. Submissions become the property of Sponsor and will not be returned. Limit of one (1) entry per person/e-mail address. Multiple entrants are not permitted to share the same e-mail address. Any attempt by any entrant to obtain more than the stated number of entries by using multiple/different e-mail addresses, identities, registrations and logins, or any other methods will void that entrant's entries and that entrant will be disqualified.
4. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES AS CONDITIONS OF ENTRY:
Submitter by registering and uploading a Submission, represents and warrants that: (A) s/he has the legal capacity to enter this Contest; (B) the Submission has not been entered in or won previous contests or awards; and (C) the Submission has not been published or distributed previously in any media. Additionally, each Submitter represents and warrants that the member owns all rights and title to the Submission and all the Submission Elements. Submitter further represents and warrants that the member has obtained permission from each person whose name, image, likeness or voice ("Likeness") is included in the Submission, and that such person(s) have granted Submitter all necessary rights to use the person's Likeness as described in these rules, and that Submitter can and will make written copies of such permissions available to the Sponsor upon request. By uploading a Submission, a Submitter, irrevocably grants Sponsor and its affiliates, legal representatives, assigns, agents and licensees, the unconditional, unlimited and perpetual right and permission to reproduce, encode, store, copy, transmit, publish, post, broadcast, display, publicly perform, adapt, exhibit and/or otherwise use or reuse the Submitter's Submission and Submission Elements, including, but not limited to, the recording and the performances contained therein (in each case, as submitted or as edited/modified in any way by the Sponsor, in its sole discretion), as well as to use (or not use) Submitter's and the Family Members’ names, likenesses, photographs, and/or statements ("Bio Information") in this Contest in any and all media without limitation, worldwide and throughout perpetuity, without additional compensation, notice to, or approval from Submitter, or any other party. Each Submitter understands and agrees that although it has granted Sponsor to use its Submission as stated hereinabove, Sponsor, in its sole discretion, may elect not to so use any said Submission. EACH SUBMITTER REPRESENTS, UNDERSTANDS AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT A SUBMITTER WILL NOT BE PAID FOR OR RECEIVE ANY FORM OF COMPENSATION OR ROYALTY OTHER THAN POTENTIALLY THE PRIZES STATED HEREIN IN EXCHANGE FOR GRANTING SPONSOR THESE RIGHTS OR FOR ANY SUBSEQUENT USE OF SUCH SUBMISSION BY SPONSOR. Each Submitter waives all intellectual property rights, privacy/publicity rights or other legal or moral rights that might limit or preclude Sponsor’s use of the respective Submission and agrees not to sue or assert any claim against Sponsor & Others arising out of or connected to the use of the Submission or Bio Information. Each Submitter further agrees to indemnify and hold Sponsor & Others harmless from any and all claims, damages, expenses, costs (including reasonable attorneys' fees) and liabilities (including settlements), brought or asserted by any third party against any of them due to or arising out of the respective Submission, or the Submitter's conduct in creating a Submission or other actions in connection with this Contest, including but not limited to claims for trademark infringement, copyright infringement; violation of an individual's right of publicity or right of privacy; or defamation. Each Submitter further agrees to release and hold harmless Sponsor & Others from any and all claims that any advertising subsequently produced, presented, and/or prepared by or on behalf of Sponsor infringes Submitter's rights with regard to any Submission Elements, contained in the Submission. Although all Submissions will be reviewed by Sponsor before being judged, posted or published; the posting or publication of a Submission does not mean the Submission has been deemed to be in compliance with these Official Rules. Submissions that do not comply with these Official Rules or that otherwise contain prohibited or inappropriate content as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion will be disqualified and, if posted on any websites related to this Contest, removed there from.
5. CONTENT REQUIREMENTS AND SUBMISSION FORMAT:
(A) Creative Objective: The creative objective of the Submission is to create a Submission that will deliver the weight loss story of our community members, and motive other members to share their stories. (B) Content Requirements: The Submission must be a minimum of fifty (50) words and a maximum of one hundred fifty (300) words in length, including any tags, and must be primarily in English. Submission may not contain or refer to any food or beverage brands other than Weight Watchers® Smart Ones®. All Submission Elements used must be either (i) entirely original, or (ii) be in the public domain. Use of any elements, including without limitation music, audio, speech/voiceovers, video, stills, visuals, or other materials that are not original, in the public domain, or downloaded from the Web Site may result in disqualification of Submission, in Sponsor's sole discretion. A Submission must not contain, mention, refer or otherwise allude to the name or logo of any retailer, manufacturer, brand, product, person, company or character nor may it contain, mention, refer or otherwise allude to any obscene, lewd, violent, illegal, offensive, disparaging or inappropriate words, abbreviations, language, signs, products, symbols, political, personal and/or religious references or statements, (including but not limited to words or symbols that are widely considered offensive to individuals of a certain race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or socioeconomic group; must not promote alcohol, illegal drugs or tobacco (or the use of any of the foregoing); or in any way reflect negatively upon the Sponsor as determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion. All Submissions will be reviewed before being posted or judged; however, despite a Submitter’s receipt of an email from Sponsor confirming acceptance of his/her Submission, posting of a Submission does not mean the Submission has been deemed to be in compliance with these Rules. Submissions that do not comply with these Official Rules or that otherwise contain prohibited or inappropriate content as determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion at anytime during the Promotion Period, will be disqualified and will not be considered for a Prize. (C) Technical Requirements: The maximum file size for any Submission to be uploaded to the Contest Website is 100 MB, and must be provided in one of the following file formats: .flv, .avi, .mov, .mpg, wmv, .asf, .mpeg, .mp4, or .3gp.
6. SELECTION OF WINNERS:
Judging will commence as Submissions are received and will be completed on or around the fifteenth of each month beginning August 15, 2009 and ending May 15, 2010, at which time the highest scoring entry received as of that time will be declared the winning entry for that judging period. Two winning entries will be selected in the months of (June & July 2010). Non-winning entries from one month will be eligible to win in subsequent months, but will not be re-judged each month. Submissions will be judged by a panel of qualified judges (“Contest Judges”) comprised of Sponsor’s employees. The Contest Judges will employ the following criteria in evaluating and rating the Submissions: (i) Originality – 25%; (ii) Overall appeal – 25%; (iii) Likelihood to motivate people to use lose weight/start a healthier lifestyle -25%; and Use of key messaging – 25%. The twelve (12) Submissions that are selected based on the above criteria will be designated as the Twelve Winning Submissions. In the event of a tie in any month, the tie will be broken based on the highest score received for Criterion (i) Originality, and continuing thereafter to each other Criterion above in order, as needed to break the tie. If a tie still remains, the tied Submissions will be evaluated and ranked by a Contest Judge not previously involved in the judging. Potential Grand Prize Winners will be notified by email, phone, and/or courier within approximately five (5) business days of each drawing. The Submitters of the potential Top Twelve winners will be required to irrevocably assign and transfer to Sponsor any and all rights, title and interest in their respective Submission, including, without limitation, all copyrights, and agree to waive all moral rights in that Submission. The Submitters of the Top Twelve Winning Submissions will be required to complete, sign and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability Release, Copyright Assignment and, where lawful, a Publicity Release and return these properly signed documents to Sponsor in the pre-paid, pre-addressed mailer provided to Submitter within 5 days of date notice was sent or their potential winning status will be forfeited and an alternate winner may be selected. Notification of Winners status must be kept confidential until their Submissions are publicly revealed by Sponsor. All Top twelve winners are subject to verification, including without limitation, verification of eligibility, compliance with these Official Rules and completion of all required documents (described below). Additionally, the potential Winners agree that Sponsor may conduct a confidential background check as described in Rule 7 below. Entrants agree that the Sponsor has the sole right to decide all matters and disputes arising from this Contest and that all decisions of Sponsor are final and binding.
7. PRIZES: GRAND PRIZE (12):
Twelve (12) Winners will receive a flip video camera (Approximate Retail Value: $250.00). TOTAL ARV OF ALL PRIZES: $3,000. Prizes may not be redeemed for cash and they are neither transferable nor substitutable, except at the sole discretion of the Sponsor. The potential Winners may also be required to sign additional documents, as deemed necessary by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right to require a potential Winner to submit to a confidential background check to confirm eligibility as a condition of awarding the Prize to help ensure that the use of any such person in advertising or publicity for the Contest will not bring Sponsor & Others into public disrepute, contempt, scandal or ridicule or reflect unfavorably on the Contest as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. All Prizes will be awarded provided that, in Sponsor’s good faith judgment and sole determination, there are a sufficient number of eligible and suitable Submissions. LIMIT: Only one (1) Prize per Family will be awarded.
8. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY/RELEASE/ INTERNET:
No liability or responsibility is assumed by Sponsor or Contest Parties resulting from any user's participation in or attempt to participate in the Contest or ability or inability to upload or download any information in connection with participating in the Contest. No responsibility or liability is assumed by the Sponsor or Contest Parties for technical problems or technical malfunction arising in connection with any of the following occurrences which may affect the operation of the Contest: hardware or software errors; faulty computer, telephone, cable, satellite, network, electronic, wireless or Internet connectivity or other online communication problems; errors or limitations of any Internet service providers, servers, hosts or providers; garbled, jumbled or faulty data transmissions; failure of any e-mail transmissions to be sent or received; lost, late, delayed or intercepted e-mail transmissions; inaccessibility of the Contest Website in whole or in part for any reason; traffic congestion on the Internet or the Contest Website; unauthorized human or non-human intervention of the operation of the Contest, including without limitation, unauthorized tampering, hacking, theft, virus, bugs, worms; or destruction of any aspect of the Contest, or loss, miscount, misdirection, inaccessibility or unavailability of an email account used in connection with the Contest. Sponsor & Others are not responsible for any typographical errors in the announcement of Prizes or these Official Rules, or any inaccurate or incorrect data contained in the Contest Website. The use of any robotic, automatic, macro, programmed, third party or like methods in this Contest are prohibited and the use or attempted use of such will void any attempted participation effected by such methods, may result in the cancellation, termination, or modification of the Contest and the disqualification of the individual utilizing the same. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE PROMOTION IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS. SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, THE SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES OR OTHER REMEDIES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON (S) RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTEMPT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. Use of the Contest Website is at user's own risk. Sponsor & Others are not responsible for any personal injury or property damage or losses of any kind which may be sustained to user's or any other person's computer equipment resulting from participation in the Contest, use of the Contest Website or the download of any information from the Contest Website. By participating in the Contest, the Submitter releases Sponsor & Others from any and all claims, damages or liabilities arising from or relating to participation in the Contest. By accepting a prize in the Contest, Winners agree that Sponsor & Others shall not be liable for any loss or injury resulting from participation in the Contest, or acceptance or use of any prize. Sponsor & Others are not liable in the event that any portion of the Contest is cancelled due to weather, fire, strike, acts of war or terrorism, or any other condition beyond their control (a "Force Majeure Event"). As stated above, a Submitter shall be regarded as the official representative acting on behalf of his/her Family and Family Members, is authorized to accept the Prize on behalf of the Family and Family Members, and will be the arbiter of any disputes between and/or among Family Members relating to a Submission or participation in this Contest. Sponsor & Others are not liable for any disputes between a Submitter and his/her respective Family or among Family Members as relates to a Submission or participation in this Contest. If for any reason the Contest is not capable of running as planned, including without limitation, infection by computer viruses, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Contest, Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion to cancel, modify or terminate the Contest and proceed in a manner it deems fair and reasonable, including the selection of winners from among eligible Submissions received prior to such cancellation, modification or termination. Further, Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual deemed to be (a) tampering or attempting to tamper with the entry, judging or voting process or the operation of the Contest; (b) violating the Official Rules; or (c) acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person.
9. PRIVACY POLICY:
Any personally identifiable information collected during an entrant's participation in this Promotion will be collected by Sponsor and used by Sponsor, its affiliates, agents and marketers for purposes of the proper administration and fulfillment of the Promotion as described in these Official Rules and in accordance with Sponsor's Privacy Policy as such is stated at www.heinz.com/privacy.aspx.
10. PUBLICITY RIGHTS:
By accepting a Prize, Prize Winners agree to allow Sponsor and/or Sponsor's designee the perpetual right to use their name, biographical information, photos and/or likeness, and statements for promotion, trade, commercial, advertising and publicity purposes, at any time or times, in all media now known or hereafter discovered, worldwide, including but not limited to on the World Wide Web and Internet, without notice, review or approval and without additional compensation except where prohibited by law.
11. GENERAL:
By entering this Contest, participants agree to abide by and accept these Official Rules. Participants waive any right to claim ambiguity in these Official Rules. In no event will more Prizes be awarded than are stated in these Official Rules. In the event that due to technical, mechanical or other errors, there are more potential Prize Winners than are stated in these Official Rules, a random drawing among the claimants will be held to determine the Game Prize Winners. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. In the event of a dispute as to the identity of a winner based on an email address, the winning entry will be declared made by the authorized account holder of the email address submitted at time of entry. "Authorized account holder" is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an email address by an Internet access provider, on-line service provider or other organization (e.g., business, educational institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted email address. The interpretation of these Official Rules shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Any and all disputes will be resolved individually, without resort to class action, in the appropriate courts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania exclusively, and subject to the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Should there be a conflict between the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and any other laws, the conflict will be resolved in favor of the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. All federal, state, and local laws apply. Void in PR and where prohibited by law.
12. WINNERS LIST:
For a list of the Grand Prize Winners, visit www.eatyourbest.com/community, by 5/30/10.
These Weight Watchers Smart Ones “Share Your Story Contest” Rules may not be re-printed or republished in whole or in part without the prior written consent of H.J. Heinz Company, L.P.
Sponsor: H. J. Heinz Company, L.P. 357 6th Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 ©2010
Inappropriate Language
Weight Watchers® Smart Ones® wants all members to feel comfortable within the community. Comments including, but not limited to, profane or provocative language will be removed. This includes any comment that can be seen as hateful, racially or ethnically offensive, derogatory, threatening, obscene or sexually explicit.
Copyright Infringement
The unauthorized use of copyrighted material will be removed. Please see our Terms of Use for additional information.
Personal Attacks
Weight Watchers® Smart Ones® believes that people come first. Please keep this in mind when posting your opinion. If you disagree with a post, we’d like to hear from you, but we ask that you refrain from personal attacks or being disrespectful of other members.
Illegal
All federal laws and all laws that govern the state of Pennsylvania, as well as any other applicable laws, rules and regulations (together “Laws”) will be followed on eatyourbest.com. Any comments pertaining to or referencing illegal activity (i.e. activity that could reasonably be viewed as violating any Laws) will be removed.
Spam
Comments focused on selling a product or service, un-related self promotion, extremely off-topic remarks and comments that have been posted more than once will be removed.
Health Claims
While we encourage members to discuss how they have achieved a healthy lifestyle, please don't post any medical advice. These items will be removed.
For more information about what is acceptable within the Weight Watchers® Smart Ones® community, please review the Terms of Use within the Heinz Privacy and Legal Policies.
I like the Fiber One Cereal. I do eat a lot of bran Flakes or high Fiber Cereal. I do believe Fiber plays a really important part in your overall health :)
Up again! It's the same story I've been in for over 2 years now. I get so close to that 10% off goal - then creep back up again. Lately the "ups" have been smaller and I've avoided putting everything back on, so that's progress of a sort, but still begs the question: why?
Sometimes I know I self-sabotage, but as best I can figure, the last couple of months I've not succumbed to those negative behaviors. I've been very committed to my journal, including weighing and measuring, even recording those nasty little BLT's. I even get myself to my WW meetings when I'm certain the scales will show a gain. But I haven't been consistent with my exercise/activity. And I am dealing with a lot of different stresses. I still grieve for my husband; my daughter's wedding is approaching faster and faster each day; and my bride-to-be daughter just lost the job she's had for 7 years - as she worries, Mom worries. Then there are the normal worries and stresses of job and finances in a less-than-certain economy.
So now I stand at a decision point. Am I going to let all of those external influences, none of which I can control or change, control me? Am I going to meekly accept that I'll "never get to 10% or beyond"? Or am I going to fight? Today I choose to fight. I will increase my activity. I will take a closer look at what types of foods I'm tracking - am I really getting in all those Good Health Guideline foods? I will resolve to stick to this and I will punch through this annoyingly long-termed plateau. I will win at losing!
I've found, first at the health food store then later at Kroger, mint waters that are very refreshing and 0 calories, no artificial sweeteners, just water and flavoring. They have peppermint, spearmint, orange mint, lemon mint and even chocolate mint (think drinking a York Peppermint patty!). I believe there are even berry flavors. All are great straight from the fridge, or with ice added on extra hot days. You can satisfy a sweet tooth/dessert desire and get more of your wat
I was reading an article that said working harder during your exercise routine (not necessarily longer) will yield the best heart and health benefits. Of course, any exercise is good exercise including long slower aerobic exercise. But, when you are running short on time and overall general better health and body fat reduction are goals we should think of working harder not necessarily longer.
What are your exercise goals? How long do you workout each day and what do you do?
xo,
<I do agree about the olive oil, apparently it's better for you anyway than most other oils, at least the ones you can buy in any supermarket and not in a health food store.
Hi nmeadows1,
Congratulations on reclaiming your health, you've taken the most important step on this journey to good health! You received a lot of good advice already, especially about how to look up a healthy BMI for your height. This will guide you - and it is great you are taking care of your health now so you do not have a lot to lose!
You will find a lot of support here, and I hope you will also keep track of your progress by starting a blog. It is a great tool to look back on
Hi and welcome. I am also 5'3 and I weigh about 165. I'm a couple of decades older than you and weight really does creep up or I'd be telling you not to worry about that little bit of extra.
I do believe that rather than going on a restricted diet, it's healthier to eat properly - with "bad" foods out of your life (almost always!) and more activity into your life. That way, no matter which way the scale tips you can feel you are doing what you can to live as healthy person and then everyone benef
I Am A Weight Watcher
I am 12, I am 30, I am over 60 years old.
I am a Weight Watcher.
I am 20, I am 50, I am over 100 pounds overweight.
I am a Weight Watcher.
I am powerless on my own but with Weight Watchers I am losing weight.
I am a Weight Watcher.
I am watching my health improve.
I am a Weight Watcher.
I am amazed at how my body is changing and becoming the person I always wanted to be.
I am a Weight Watcher
I am seeing my self esteem increase and my confidence grow.
I am a Weight Watcher
I am receiving incredible support from my weekly meetings.
I am a Weight Watcher
I am making a lifestyle change that will improve my quality of life forever.
I am a Weight Watcher.
When I first began Weight Watchers I made a commitment to myself that I was going to lose the weight. Since that day I have been on a phenomenal journey. I have learned patience, perseverance and self-control. I have experienced the let down of weight gain and the fantastic joy of weight loss. Most of all I have learn that all people have the inner strength to accomplish their goals when they trust themselves. This with the good support system that comes through Weight Watchers has been the key to my success.
Author,
Cheryl J. Wilson
For me Weight Watchers is an incredible journey. I find the meetings, my friends on this web site (always looking for new ones), and e-tools give me a complete program that will help me reach my goal. Every week I write down (2) new things that I am thankful for. When I am having a difficult moment I focus on those things. As I update this blog I will list those things I am thankful for as my journey continues. Please give me feedback on what you think about "I Am A Weight Watcher", I am interested in knowing.
I recently came back to Weight Watcher's after being let go from a medical supervised weight loss program from a major hospital here is Missouri. The reason I was let go was because my doctor did not agree with one of their polices so the program removed me. As I left they told me I could continue to spend the $400-$500 a month a do there program from home on my own. I responded by telling them I did not need their program I could go to Weight Watchers
Increased activity, journal every little thing eaten, follow the good health guidelines, and experience a loss. What a concept!
Yeah, I know all of that; I know it works and I know how to do it all; it's just that I don't. At least not consistently. This week I made a commitment to myself only and, yes, it worked like a charm. I enjoyed the extra walks I took, made sure I did something physical when I didn't/couldn't walk, and I had no problems recording just about everything that went into my mouth. I missed a couple of things, but I did remain conscious of those unrecorded BLT's (bites, licks & tastes). And the scales rewarded my efforts with a 1-pound loss. Am I a happy camper? YEP!
Now, though, I have to commit to re-live that "on program" week. And that's where I have a tendency to fall flat on my face. It's why I hit plateau after plateau. It's why it's taken nearly 2 years to hit the 18-20 pounds off plateau. It's why I'm continually frustrated with myself. I sort of remind myself of my daughter in high school. She could pull A's and B's, but she rarely did. She'd let her grades fall until they hit the D's; we'd lecture her and encourage her to do what we knew she could do, and she would - for a marking period; then the cycle would repeat. That's what I seem to be doing with my weight loss. The big question is: WHY?
I jokingly say that I come from a long line of rebels. From as far back as the American Revolution. And to a degree, maybe that's my problem. There are, I'm sure, deeper psychological issues involved as well, but there's a lot of truth to the fact that I don't like to be told what to do. I want to do things my way. Sometimes that's fine, but when it comes to WW, it just plain doesn't work. I have to follow the program. I have to allow myself to be "told" what to do. I have to get over that instinct to rebel, especially when I see first-hand how well the program works when I do surrender to it.
So, here's to setting that bar back up to Program standards, and here's to me surrendering to self to achieve better health for me and for my family.
Hi Beth, you've made the most important step and that is getting started. Now it is time to make a plan! Set mini-goals to keep yourself motivated. Give yourself non-food rewards each time you meet a mini-goal, maybe buy a cute outfit or a book or get a massage or a manicure.
Put yourself first, make your health a number one priority!
Start your day with exercise, tell yourself you will do cardio for 15 minutes every morning. Make a commitment to that. It will start your day right, give y
Hi Casy3, and welcome to the community!
Congratulations on making your health a priority, that is the most important step! I know that people find Weight Watchers® to be successful, but I'll let the other members comment on that.
I struggle with cooking too, the Smart Ones® meals have been a big help for me when I am pressed for time and still want to eat something healthy. It has also helped me understand healthy portion sizes. You can find all of their products listed here
Hi Beth, and welcome to the community!
Congratulations on reclaiming your health, you've taken the most important step on this journey to good health! I know that people find Weight Watchers® to be successful, but I'll let the other members comment on that.
I find it difficult to stay on track when it's easy to find "junk" food everywhere. Smart Ones® will certainly help you to stay on track by giving you a lot of variety so you won't get bored. You can find all of their pro
Okay fans, thank you so much for your support. I find that the idea of disappointing you all is too much to bare so after all the encouragement and support over this last week, I made myself get moving. I've walked twice this week! And I'm walking on Friday after work. I've also planned alot of out door activities for the long weekend; attending a Festival, swimming and grilling, and dancing on Sunday night!
Let me tell you what wonderful compliments I received yesterday. Truth be told, I was feeling kinda low. Funny how God sends a little something to grasp onto in those low occasions. One of the girls at work kept going on and on about how my pants looked like they were falling off me. She did it all day. If she walked up to me and someone else in conversation, she would break in and say "can you believe how much weight this girl has dropped?". What an angel.
So, I have a date tonight. I date alot. Go figure, there are entire websites for men who like to date girls who are curvy and big boned :) Believe it or not, I've actually been told I WASN"T BIG ENOUGH to date some of these guys. And well, they encourage a girl to eat, alot. I can't get on board with abandoning all effort and just acheiving size 4X or have to really pay a ton for specialty clothes. I love the Torrid clearance sales too much. I cannot date men who can't get behind me loosing weight and getting healthy.
That's really what this is. It's getting healthy. To tell you the truth, I don't really care how much weight I loose. I have always been a beautiful girl inside and out so I'm not unhappy with myself. I just want some of the health problems to go away. That's unrealistic. I just want to have them under better control and be the healthiest I can be so I can deal with them better.
Having pneumonia was actually a good thing, friends. I am a smoker. I know I know...I'm trying. I have had one pack of cigarettes for a week. That's little more than 2 a day in some cases. I've gone 15 hours without one at this moment. I don't allow myself to smoke at work, so by the time I get out of work it will be over 24 hours and I'm out. So, I'm going to try and NOT buy a pack tonight. If I can do that, I won't be able to buy a pack until after work tomorrow. And if I can wait until then, then maybe I can wait until Friday night. I'm going to try; can't promise anything.
So to wrap up this very scatterbrained block entry; I got moving, I plan to move more, and I'm trying not to smoke. I didn't loose any weight but hey, that happens about once a month, so it's life.
Hi JayCee,
Wouldn't it be fantastic if we could just stop eating chocolate for a week and lose all the weight we wanted? I long for the days I was younger with a faster metabolism. :) Have you tried any of the chocolate Smart Ones® desserts? They are delicious! One of my favorites is the
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