Hi everyone! I’m a new OWOA member. I’ve been doing Weight Watchers since October. However, I didn’t officially join until November 26th. I just hit my 50 lbs mark on Sunday. (I’ve actually lost around 70 lbs- but I didn’t actually start weighing myself until I joined WW because I was in denial).
I am a little over 30 lbs away from goal. I think an ideal (and realistic) weight would be in the 120’s, but I am not committed to an exact number yet. Until now, things have gone pretty smoothly. But as I get closer to goal, some issues are coming up. Such as:
1. I’ve recently hit a bit of a plateau. My weight loss has slowed down and I’ve had to intensify my workouts and make some changes in my diet.
and, the big one:
2. I’m starting to panic about reaching my goal and actually think part of the reason for my plateau could be due to my fears. (What if I gain the weight back? What if I’m still not happy with myself? Will I be able to stay motivated after the newness of being thin wears off ? What will I do when being fat is no longer an excuse for not doing something that I am afraid to do? How will I handle the attention from men? etc)
Anyway, despite the challenges, I want this so bad. And, I’m not going to give up. I feel really blessed to have found such a great group of women to share this journey with and I look forward to getting to know you each better.
Gina
Welcome Gina!
Comment by Anita — July 31, 2007 @ 8:57 pm
It’s great to have you with us Gina
Comment by Debs — July 31, 2007 @ 11:25 pm
Gina those fears are real ones but you don’t have to give into them. One of the reasons this web group are so accepting of each other is we are all christians and we know that nothing we do earns us our salvation. we are saved because of God’s great love and mercy, its pure grace. Because of that I know that God loves me whatever size I am. When I turn to food as comfort instead of God yes I am sinning. However it says in 1 john that if we say we don’t sin we are liars but if we confess our sins, God forgives and cleanses us. That means we can start fresh each day.
I worry about the weight going back. i know the pressures of life that cause me to overeat are not going to go away. However I owe it to God to be as gosd a steward as I can of my body.
Well done for getting this far. you can do it and keep the weight off.
Hope the above isn’t too preachy, its meant in love.
Comment by Debs — August 1, 2007 @ 2:52 am
(That last comment was actually my Mum, Elly using the computer which has me, Debs logged in, which is why it came up as being written by me rather than her.)
Comment by Debs — August 1, 2007 @ 2:56 am
thanks Deb yes just came back to say sorry for using her name, it was an accident. Comments are all mine
Comment by Elly — August 1, 2007 @ 2:59 am
Well not all yours, the first one written by Debs was actually me. Anyway, I hope that all makes sense Gina. I guess this is what happens when you have two members of OWOA living in the same house!
Comment by Debs — August 1, 2007 @ 3:03 am
Welcome, Gina!
I understand many of your fears and have had some of them myself.
Comment by lady laura — August 1, 2007 @ 5:52 am
WELCOME Gina! And congrats on your accomplishment so far!!
Let’s see…
Will you still not be happy with yourself? Very possibly. Losing weight did not fix any of my issues except being fat. I’m still NUTS. And sometimes I like that- and sometimes I don’t. But at least I don’t have that self-loathing that goes along with being overweight and out-of-control of my eating anymore. And honestly - I’d rather be fit, cute, and nuts then fat and nuts. I have more energy for my nuttiness…and that has to be a good thing.
Stay motivated? I know I’m still motivated. But the newness hasn’t worn off yet. I think that’s where the acquisition of lifelong habits comes in though. Junk food is just SO not a part of my life now. Ditto for over-eating for emotional reasons. Habit is WAY stronger than motivation or mood, y’know?
Attention from men… Personally, I kinda like it.
But then, I never had it much before. I like the smiles… I just look demurely away. I don’t like stares, though. That’s only happened once or twice- I pretended I didn’t see it and got away asap. And of course, it’s not like I’m dating and having to deal with it on a more practical level.
Comment by blestwithsons — August 1, 2007 @ 6:21 am
Welcome Welcome Gina!
Comment by Kellie — August 1, 2007 @ 6:27 am
Welcome Gina! you’re doing awesome. I haven’t any answers, since I have some of the same questions/concerns but I’m not anywhere near to worrying about it yet ;-D.
(Blest - I like the phrase “fit, cute, and nuts”… it’s just so cute! and happens to be my goal!)
Comment by Tracy — August 1, 2007 @ 7:20 am
Welcome, Gina! I agree with many of the others - yes, you may still not be happy with yourself even at your goal weight. I think that’s why it’s important to also work on inner issues and our relationship with Christ at the same time as we are working on our ‘outers’, kwim?
Way to go losing 70lbs already!! I know you’ll be able to bust right through this plateau with a little tweaking to your routine. Good luck!
Comment by Dawn — August 1, 2007 @ 9:09 am
Welcome!
Comment by Bird — August 1, 2007 @ 1:49 pm
Hey Bird- how are you coping with all that extra attention from men?
(gales of hysterical laughter)
Comment by blest — August 1, 2007 @ 1:55 pm
Thanks for the encouragement everyone!
Blest, part of the reason I put on so much weight had to do with something really bad that happened in my 20’s and it involved a man. I think the excess weight was a protective covering so that I could avoid having to deal with relationships. I thought if men didn’t notice me much anymore, I could just avoid the whole thing. But of course that only works for so long.
Comment by Gina — August 1, 2007 @ 3:09 pm
[[[[hugs]]]]
Yeah. I think mine was only a protective coating against my own lustfulness. Honestly, I’m grateful I had a weight problem all through high school. I’m sure it kept me out of trouble!
Comment by blest — August 1, 2007 @ 3:58 pm