Winning at Losing: My Battle with the Scale.

As promised last week, in this post I begin to share my my never-ending battle to lose weight. Hopefully I’m coming to the end of the “never-ending” aspect of this journey – one that I started about 50 years ago. It’s been quite a ride, but I’m finally winning!

The Battle Begins

Ever since I was a kid of 8 or 9 years old, I was called “chubby” or some version of that, and was even referred to as “fatso” occasionally. I never understood that because I looked the same as other kids, to me anyway. Even now, looking back at photos of myself as a child, I was not fat or chubby – I was just a typical looking cutie pie. What the heck?

That early indoctrination into being concerned about how other people saw me contributed to introspection and an eventual conviction that I was too curvy to be considered attractive. By my late teens, I was heavier than most of my friends. Admittedly, I sometimes envied them and wished that I could be slim and fit into “normal” sized clothes. But, I was very fit, strong and healthy, and had great hair. I figured great hair was better than being thin, so I wasn’t really worried about the body image – well, not too much ☹

Starting in high school, I tried different fad diets and later started the Weight Watchers program. I did, indeed, lose weight and at the age of 22 got down to the thinnest I’d ever been. For the first time ever, I felt like I was a “normal” size. Unfortunately, I didn’t stick with it and I officially started the yo-yo cycle of weight gain and loss. Before I knew it, I was over 65 years old and had reached the ideal weight for someone 6’ 11” (too bad I am only 5’ 6″).

Arghhhhh!

Wake-up Call

In February 2024, when I stepped on the scale and saw that awful number, it really hit me that I needed to take control. I wanted to be healthy and fit when my youngest grandchildren got married, and I wanted to be able to dance at their weddings and be active and alive! I didn’t want to end up dying before I had a chance to hold my great-grandchildren in my arms.

I’d always done well on the Weight Watchers program (about 8 times in 50 years) but had never reached my goal weight and each time found reasons to quit. This time was different – I had a future to think about and I truly wanted to make it to that future!

Determined to win at losing, I found a Weight Watchers group nearby and joined up. I must say, this is the biggest (60 people) and best Weight Watchers group I’ve ever been a part of. The coach is dynamic, funny, and super encouraging. My fellow members share great ideas and recipes and motivations, and our encouragement of each other makes all the difference!

In the last year, I’ve lost 40 pounds. Holy cow!!!  I still want to take off another 30, and I will by golly! What keeps me going is the goal to live well into my 90s as a healthy and fit person who can enjoy her great grandchildren.

It’s Not Fair!

So many times, “It’s not fair!” has been my response to my up and down battle. Like, it’s not fair that some people eat whatever they want and never seem to gain weight. It’s not fair that pizza covered in melted mozzarella, when consumed three pieces at a time, makes my body magically gain five pounds overnight! It’s not fair that cheese tastes like heaven in my mouth but produces a bigger butt in just minutes! And it’s definitely not fair that potato chips are bad for you – I mean, c’mon, it’s just potatoes, right?

The thing is, that kind of thinking is not actually beneficial. The fact is, there are absolutely delicious and satisfying foods that are healthy and don’t add pounds to my body. Big fat tomatoes, fresh from the garden – oh, they are just to die for! Or what about peppers and onions, roasted just right, along with grilled chicken breast, wrapped up in a tortilla with fat-free Greek yogurt? Ahhhh, the BEST fajitas, and so good for you. Of course, you need to use all the great spices that make a fajita a real fajita, and those spices are calorie-free. Oh… my… goodness!!!  And don’t get me started talking about crisp apples with PB2 (an awesome peanut butter product) – it’s like eating nature’s candy and my body loves me for it!

Finding a Silver Lining

Last year, I started having some trouble with my back, and began struggling to go up and down stairs, even just two or three stairs. I blamed it on being older and “having bad knees.” Well, I’m happy to say that I can now go up and down stairs without even holding on to a railing – wow! And the other day I even ran up a few steps quickly, and when I realized what I’d just done, I could hardly believe it – best feeling ever!

I plan to continue this journey and will share my wins (and losses) with you, as well as recipes and tips if you are interested! Just let me know in the comments.

And, what about your biggest health goal? Share your story in the comments – I’d love to cheer you on!

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