Yep. This fat man is thinning.
Over the past few years, I've put on the weight I lost when I did Weight Watchers about 4 or 5 years ago. Not only did I gain it back, but like the Energizer bunny I just kept going and going. Now I'm more overweight than I've ever been. And it's just not fun. Being fat sucks. Out of breath when tying a shoe, out of breath when climbing the steps, a double (sometimes triple) chin, and rolls of skin hiding the beautiful bod I wish I had!
Since last year, I've toyed with going back to WW and paying the money to sit in a room, much like AA, and gain accountability and tools to reach my best weight. Toying is definitely the key word here. Back and forth, with no initiative to actually DO anything! Until December 2011. Decision December. This was it. I had made a choice....and it is a choice, mind you. It's all in my head....at least that's what Biggest Loser always says (as I eat my ice cream and watch the show!)
Decision December is proving to be a very good thing these days. See, I am not going to WW and paying the money to sit at AA and gain accountability and tools. I already have those tools from the last time I did it. What I didn't have last time was the will power - the "me" - choosing each day to make this work. Confession time: I proved to myself doing WW that I could lose weight while NOT exercising. It was my motivation. And it worked - I lost 24 3/4 pounds toward my 25 lb goal - before I went on vacation and blew it off completely! (yes....what a waste!!!) In that part of my life I worked in a job that had little to no sitting down all day, everyday. So while I wasn't exercising, I was definitely more active than my current job, where I sit and work on a computer most of the day. Anyway....I had 1 thing right in my motivation then - I needed to lose weight. And that I did.
So this time around, without WW, what am i doing? I'm changing "me." The fat man is thinning....and learning to listen to the skinny man inside!
First, I'm walking.
Decision December included a letter from a new Workplace Wellness partner that offered a "new and innovative approach to wellness, designed to help our medical plan participants tailor a program that meets [my] individual needs. Participation is voluntary, participation based and 100% confidential."
After attending the on-site meeting, the "voluntary" part actually meant: "by participating, [me and my spouse] will NOT be charged a monthly fee. If [me and my spouse] choose not to participate, [we] will be charged a monthly non-participation fee."
So - me and my spouse now have pedometers and we are participating in a voluntary program so we don't have to pay a fee. I'm walking (apparently this is a new and innovative approach to wellness, designed just for me! Yippee!)
Second, I'm eating better.
Being on WW definitely helped me understand what I needed to eat and what I should stay away from. Using those tools and all the nifty calculators and info online, I've dramatically decreased my calories each day and I'm eating more filling foods so I'm not as hungry as before - - - AND not craving all the yummy stuff!
Third, I'm a Wii Fit Mii.
A couple years ago, we got a Wii for the family to play all those fun games together...and we do that. Then my wife thought it would be "awesome" if we got Wii Fit so she could exercise at home. The first few months were neat. Since then, it just sits there. Hmmm...tickle in my brain.....why don't I start using that? So I am.
I created my Wii Mii and profile. It was so comforting that the little balance board talking icon told me I had to step on the board and then said "oh." (I perceived it as "oh....you're fat.") because the next thing she told me was my actual weight, and my Mii began to expand! Yes, you freakin' Wii board, I am overweight! Thanks for making me feel so good about myself. It's hard enough looking in the mirror! Now I have to look at my fat cartoon self as I work out! Lovely.
Finally got my Wii Mii set up and on to training. My trainer is a well-built, computer-generated guy. I call him "Buff" - - maybe someday I'll be as buff as Buff, I repeat to myself. He has so many nice things to say about me. He's glad I've taken the first step in working on my core strength and balance. At first, after only 5-10 minutes, Buff wasn't quite as pleased with my performance. I was off-balance, sweating like a pig, and giving up quite a few times in the workout. He commented how my right side was shaky, my core needed more work, and not to give up. Yeh. I hear ya, Buffy. I'll tell ya where you can stick this Wii remote!
My attitude has improved greatly. I'm determined not to give up. That's big for me. I'm not much of a motivational person - at least when I talk to myself. I'm learning to listen to my body and respond with positive talk - Yes, I actually CAN do it. Yes, I am getting stronger. Yes, I could actually have abs. Yes, Buff, I am tired and I am shaky, but I am doing it. Buff is much more pleased with me. But that doesn't matter to me. I'm doing this for me.
Results? Well, the goal is 50 pounds. It's February and so far, I've lost about 12lbs. Not bad for a fat man.
The fam has decided to participate in the Flying Pig 5K in our city, so I'm working on not dying while running/walking the 3+ miles. The doo-hickeys online tell me that 50lbs in 3 months is much too small a time period to do that - It's not like I'm on Biggest Loser - so anything I can do to decrease the poundage and increase the muscle will be very exciting by May's 5K.
The fat man is thinning....and the skinny man under there is starting to feel like himself again!
