Last week’s Weight Watchers Weekly, was entitled “What’s Your Why?” I have many “why’s” and this is how it unfolded. On April 30, 2014, I joined Weight Watchers online. I never went too far with this membership since it was online and I had no accountability. While it was short lived, I remained on their email list. Fast forward to November 9, 2015. I remember vividly sitting in the den watching TV and checking my email. I was looking at an email from Weight Watchers and knew it was time for me to return. Something finally clicked. Without hesitation I told my family that tomorrow come hell or high water, I was joining Weight Watchers. Tuesday morning, November 10, 2015, my grandchild was sick and I needed to care for him. Keeping my promise, I packed him up, walked through the doors of Weight Watchers and told them I couldn’t stay for the meeting but I was there to join and weigh in. From that point on, I’ve never looked back.

Why? As my grandson was approaching the age of eating real food and learning to walk, I didn’t want him to be a fast food baby while he was in my care. I also wanted to have enough energy to keep up with him!

Why? I was sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Why? The junk food I was eating wasn’t enjoyable anymore. It was literally and figuratively weighing me down. Sugar crashes are a real thing and it was making me miserable.

At the time that I joined WW, I was going to Starbucks regularly for a full blown frappuccino topped with whip cream and syrup. Load it up with the works!!! As if that wasn’t enough, I almost always ate something sweet from their bakery selection. On my first visit to Starbucks after joining WW, I looked up the points. WOW, that was eye opening. I learned to choose lower point coffee drinks and eliminated the sweet snack. Why? Because I didn’t want to waste my points on it. One day I realized that I hadn’t been to Starbucks that whole week. It was the beginning of small gradual changes that started to accumulate. Today I am back to being a regular Starbucks customer, but the difference between then and now is that I choose wisely.

Exercising has always been a part of my life. Going to the gym at 4:30 am before work was how I started my day – before and after kids. I was fortunate to have a supportive husband. One of my proudest accomplishments was walking a half-marathon for the benefit of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in 2003. Exercise continued to be a part of my life until 2015 when I quit working out with one of the best trainers in our area and stopped going to the gym. Up until that point, even though my diet was poor, at least I had a trainer pushing me and challenging me physically. It was eye opening when I realized that I had let that fall to the wayside. I was walking, which I enjoyed and is still very important to me, but at the time I felt like it wasn’t enough. I knew I couldn’t afford to be inactive AND consume a poor diet.

When I joined WW, I made walking a priority. I invested in a FitBit that tracks my progress and keeps me accountable. Three weeks later, with the encouragement of my husband, I decided to step up my fitness routine and join Isokinetix. Iso is a cardio strength training class. Prior to joining, I had already loaded down the teacher with all of my excuses. She smiled and told me to come to class when I could and they would work with me. I quickly became a regular and Iso continues to challenge me during a fun workout to this day.

Now I FINALLY have nutrition and exercise complimenting one another. The better I nurture my body, the more efficient my workout. Food = Fuel. Fuel = Energy.

On June 23, 2016 I become a WW Lifetime member!!! Bravo!!! Now what??? I’m going to keep on doing what I’m doing!!! When I went to the doctor for my annual physical the following month, I learned that for the first time in my adult life, I have NORMAL CHOLESTEROL!!! What??? My doctor was so proud of me and I have to admit, I was proud of myself too.

As a result of my continued commitment to nutrition and fitness regimen, the weight continued to come off. People wanted to know what my secret was. For me, there were no gimmicks, no shortcuts, no quick fixes. Just good old fashioned hard work and discipline, consistency and balance.

I was 49 when my journey began. I have a bad knee – torn ACL that I’ve had 2 surgeries on. I’ve been menopausal since my full hysterectomy in 2009. I have hypothyroidism. While I have these physical limitations and conditions that I am powerless over, I do have control over what I choose to eat daily. I also listen to my body and when my knee is bothering me, I either alter my workout or give it a few days rest.

Why do I continue? Because at 51, I’m at my optimum health. Yes, my doctor actually told me this as my lab work from 2016 to 2017 improved even more!!!  I get so much more satisfaction from eating healthy and truly nurturing my body. Yes, I have the occasional dessert and I will feed my cravings when they hit. It isn’t all or nothing, its about finding balance.

Before & After

Walking, WW, FitBit & Iso

Why is this important to me? My health and my family have benefited from my journey. I feel way too good and have newfound energy that is such a gift. Why would I want to go back to old ways and sabotage all of my hard work that took me to where I am today?

Have FUN with your fitness and have FUN in the kitchen discovering new recipes for you and your family. I’m a big Andie Mitchell fan, and her cookbook “Eating In The Middle” was a game changer for me. I’m actually enjoying cooking and eating food more now than I did before.

Imagine with all your mind ~ Believe with all your heart ~ Achieve with all your might

Lisa