Forever Fighting Fat: The Never Ending Weight Loss Journey

Brittany's First Steps

Dinner had finished so they retired to the living room, leaving the pile of plates and cups in the sink. After all, dishes will wait, your daughter's potential first steps will not. Brittany, a curly-haired, energetic, bundle of energy; was...

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Newspaper Column: The pain & benefits of change

I didn't realize how long it's been since I posted anything! My, what a flake I am! I'll be back soon. However, in the meantime, my newspaper column for this week is available here

Enjoy.

Newspaper Column: The Thing

My column in the Times-Standard for this week. Enjoy: click here.

Biggest changes in Weight Watchers new 2009 Momentum plan

I've been following the Momentum plan for a week now with my first weigh in in about one hour. (I think I might have lost 3-4 pounds, which for me is amazing!) Of course, in addition to following the program, I've conducted two (rather wobbly) "getting started sessions" for my members. Should you not be totally "up" on WW lingo, a "Getting Started Session"is the 30 minute session we do at the conclusion of the regular meeting. It's for new members. This week, which Weight Watchers calls "Conversion Week," we basically turn the entire meeting into a GSS.

I am what is called a "Diamond Leader." As near as I understand that, it means I'm in the top 20% of leaders in my area. I admit to being a little confused as to how that is determined but I'm still flattered and I've been a Diamond Leader for both years that it has been offered. I mention this not to brag -- well, OK, maybe a little -- but more so to point out that I am very comfortable with leading WW meetings. In my 20 years working for WW, I've probably conducted thousands of GSSs. Yet, for some reason, I'm awkward in doing this one. That said, last night I started getting my footing and I think that's because I finally decided that the changes from the Flex/Core plan to the Momentum Plan are more psychological than physical.

Don't get me wrong; that's not to say they are not substantial. Quite the contrary, you can change your actions all day and all night but if you don't change your thoughts, you'll still find yourself returning to old habits. Weight Watchers has always focused on habit change; that is not new. However, there seems to be more of an embrace this time.

Huh?

Yeah, right. OK, let me explain it a little better. The plan still uses points, which it has for the last decade or so. The daily points target, that amount you get each day, has not changed for any of my members. It's the same as it was in 2008. I have not noticed any major changes in points values of any foods.  In my opinion, what has changed however, is the emphasis put on "filling foods,"  hunger levels, activity, and liquids.

Filling Foods

Weight Watchers New 2009 Plan (Momentum) Went Live Sunday!

Alrighty then, I just finished watching the official DVD for the new Weight Watchers Momentum plan, which went live today. It's a video for leaders of how to do the "Getting Started Session" (which is how we explain the program to new members). I had seen it before at Innovations, but I wanted to make sure it all made sense. So, diligently, with my 2009 Weight Watchers leaders materials and my "read along" book, I watcher the trainer and leader on video show a roomful of new Weight Watchers members how to get started.My first meeting is Monday at noon so I needed to be ready. (She has some idiosyncrasies in her speaking that drive me crazy but aside from that, it was a good thing to watch.)

 

The biggest difference between the old and new Weight Watchers Plans?

Barack Obama "Falls off the Wagon"

I was watching Meet the Press this morning. (I had a choice between Condoleezza Rice on "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" or President-Elect Obama on Meet the Press. It was a no-brainer.) Most of Tom Brokaw's discussion with the incoming president was about the important issues we face: national security, domestic issues, finances, etc. However toward the end, Brokaw asked Mr. Obama about smoking. Here's the exchange:

So what does that have to do with weight loss?

Staying Balanced in an Uneven World

I spent last weekend with my wife on the Smith River (see previous post). I spent a lot of time writing and figuring out where I "want to be." Being a "solopreneur," I can get dragged in so many directions. I get stressed. I eat. Repeat cycle.

So, following the advice of my dear friend and accountabilibuddy, Rich DiGirolamo, I decided to take some time and write. I mean, actually write, none of this computer stuff (like I'm doing now).

So, I sat and wrote. Who am I? What do I do? What do I enjoy? What do I want to stop doing? You know, all those light, easy-to-answer questions that don't affect one's life. Simple stuff. (Yeah, right.) It helped. It gave me some clarity -- and some confusion.

I decided:

Ethical Question/Survey/Poll about Habit Change

OK, here's the question. Supposed someone came to you and said he could guarantee you would never again have to battle weight (or whatever your bad habit is). You would be "cured" of all cravings. You would never want to go off your program. However, the price would be that for the rest of you life, you had to follow a very specific, unyielding, exact program and could not waver, no matter what the circumstances. If you made one slip, you were off the program and regained all your weight and could not start again, would you give up all choice to achieve that?

Results are available after you vote but it might take a while to get several votes in so come back later and check again. All voting is anonymous. Leave comments.

If you would like to see all polls on my blog, follow this link. If you would like to take a more extensive survey on motivation, go to http://www.successfulgoals.com/

Set up a trackback or tell your friends to come to this page to vote:
http://scottq.typepad.com/weighlossjourney/2008/07/ethical-question-about-habit-change.html

Enjoying Dieting, Controlling Eating, and Habit Changes

The "Marketplace of Ideas" in many ways, is an underpining to a free press. Summed up (rather ineloquently), this philosophy states that all possible thoughts and philosophies are placed "on the table." If one has faith in the rationality of people, the majority will determine the correct path and will naturally steer clear of others. In many ways, blogs are the embodiment of the marketplace of ideas. Various opinions are placed in equal access. Comments are made. Discussion ensues. Decisions are reached.

Over the weekend, a diet coach found this blog -- as well as my other blog: www.WeightLossColumn.com -- and had several comments. She is quite engaging so I thought I would put a shout out to her and then see where the discussion goes. Normally, I don't do that but she's put a great deal of thought into what she does and I figured, what the heck, can it hurt? Certainly not. Is my way the only way? Certainly not. Is there validity there? Without a doubt.

Dazed and Confused (But Proud)

I'm in Albuquerque right now. I'll be speaking to the IT department on change and stress So, naturally, the change of environment -- as well as wanting to do a good job -- has made me stressed. (Hmm, lesson to self in here?)  Anyway, my eyes pop open at 3:30 with an earworm.  (If you don't know what an earworm is, it's not a living being. Click here to find out.) I can't get the theme from the free credit report commercial out of my head. Argggh!

I toss and roll, eventually getting up at 6:00 with lot of extra time on my hand. So, I decide I'll actually go to the fitness center at the hotel. I usually merely walk by them. This time, I'll dress in my shorts, sneakers, t-shirt and pedometer and do some walking. Away I go.

The room's not too large. Two treadmills, a weight thing, a stair-stepper, and some sitting machine I cannot explain. One of the treadmills is in use by a guy who's really going for it. I stand on the treadmill. It's an array of lights and buttons and switches. It has a TV hooked up to it with a remote control.  All I want to do is take a brisk walk and not do it in the rain. Problem was I couldn't even figure out how to get the damn thing started.

I was proud of myself for going but felt really stupid. Passing thought: something seems a little a kilter when you need training to go on a walk. Just thinking out loud...