This post was created as part of a relationship in which I was sponsored by Weight Watchers to share my experiences. Though I was compensated for my time and commitment, all views, positive and negative, are my own. Their new program Beyond the Scale, a holistic approach with more ways than ever for you to personalize your program, define your success and guide you on your road to healthier living. #WWsponsored
This has been a huge year for me. I have met and surpassed professional and financial goals, my husband became a full time stay at home dad so that I could turn my part time business into a thriving career, and I have discovered that actually I can carry the entire household on my shoulders. Things in my work life have been amazing, and I have grown a ton personally….but. Though all this has been thriving, and I’ve been busy taking care of everyone else, I have forgotten to take care of myself along the way. My days consist of sitting at my desk at home, creating recipes (and snacking like crazy through them), editing photos, and the occasional on-sight photo shoot (though most of them are done at my house). I feel like I’ve become a hobbit, and it has caused me to become lazy. And hungry. And I’ve even put on a little weight. But I can do better!
You’re probably thinking I should just hop on a treadmill and stop whining, but taking care of my wellbeing goes way beyond the scale. It is so much more than just eating less/moving more. Sure, that’s a great route to go, but I need to also make it a positive mind/body experience or else it won’t stick. Luckily I discovered that Weight Watchers has the tools to help me get back on track. I am one of those people who just don’t like exercising or dieting. I hate running, and sit-ups totally make me cringe. Instead, I get my activity from adventures and the outdoors. I love hiking, rock climbing, biking, and similar. As for my daily menu, I am a vegetarian who only marginally likes salads. Sure, I get my fill of fruits and veggies, but I have a mean sweet tooth that wins out pretty much all the time once November hits. So I need a little help, and the Weight Watchers Beyond The Scale program gives me that.
The program itself is designed as a whole-body approach to weight loss that is so much more than counting calories. Whether you want to lose a little, a lot, or just feel better with your body, they can help. When you sign up, they give you a personal assessment which is a 2 minute survey to gauge your goals and see where you’re at. They ask things like “What’s the main reason you want to lose weight right now” and what your normal eating habits are, and then come up with personalized recommendations for you. They even offer personal coaching that is tailored to your specific needs, and they offer a new Smart Points™ system that helps make healthy eating simple.
I love that their approach is more about you as a person, and less about numbers on a scale. I feel like with a more inclusive approach, I have better tools for success which is something that I really need. So, now that I’ve admitted that I need a little help, and talked about what I’m using to reach my goals, let’s talk about what those goals are. Here’s what I want to work on:
- Snacking. Having my office 20 feet from my kitchen is pretty much a recipe for disaster. I’m an emotional eater, and when I get stressed I indulge.
- Activity. Again, working at home has made me lazy. I don’t have a parking lot to walk to and from in, I don’t have stairs to go up, I don’t even have to leave my house.
- I also want to take more time to do things with my family outside. Hiking and trail walking have always been loves of mine, but I just don’t make time for that any more.
- I need to start pampering myself just a little bit. A soak in the tub, maybe a facial, or even a lunch out by myself – I’ve been missing these things for way too long!
So, there are my goals! What am I going to do about those? Well, I am going to start by getting outside and getting back to what I love. I’m going to discover some amazing new ingredients to revive my love for food that *is* good for me, instead of food that I mindlessly chow down on. And most of all, I am going to get back to myself. Because I really like me!
