Weight Watcher

I have been watching my weight most of my life. Mostly I've watched it go up. I wasn't born fat. I was my mom's smallest baby at 7 lbs. 4 oz. (I think my weight problems started at about 10 months of age). I look at childhood pictures of myself and even when I was only 4 or 5 years old, I'm sucking in my cheeks to try and look thinner. I look at high school pictures now and realize I didn't look that bad, but at the time, I felt huge. Now I would love to weigh what I did back then.

A few years ago I joined Weight Watchers and it has changed, probably saved, my life. At the time I joined I had high blood sugar and was testing my blood three times a day. I had to give myself shots and take other pills as well. After a few months on Weight Watchers, my blood sugar dropped to the normal range and I no longer had to take any medication for it or test my blood. My ankles no longer swelled like grapefruit and my feet no longer felt like needles were poking them every morning when I woke up. I'll probably be on Synthroid for hypothyroidism the rest of my life, but my dose has been reduced three times since joining WW.

The main reason I joined was because 1) I thought it would help me get pregnant and 2) I knew it would help me be a better mother by giving me more energy and better health. Since joining, I have started planning healthy meals which has saved us money and improved our health. I know I'm a better mother because of the weight I've lost. I really want Baylie to develop healthy habits.

On May 17, 2008, I hit my lowest weight. I had lost 73 1/2 pounds and was at my half way mark. I have struggled since then, gaining 20 pounds (10 over the Christmas holiday). But I'm determined to continue in my efforts and reach my goal. I know without Weight Watchers I would have gained far more than 20. My net lost is still over 50 pounds which is like carrying around two sacks of flour. That blows my mind. I can't imagine trying to walk around with a bag of flour under each arm.

Here are the major keys to my weight loss success:

1. David loves me the same no matter how much I weigh (LOVE HIM)
2. I have to eat vegetables every day (not a big fan, but it does make a difference)
3. Drink lots of water (fortunately I love water)

It's kind of ironic that I step on the scale hoping to find a lower number while David gets ecstatic every time his number goes up. At least I weigh less than 100 pounds more than him now!