A Year of Healthy Changes
Today is an anniversary. A one year anniversary. The day I made a commitment to healthy changes and weight loss. Weight, health, mental outlook ALL needed a bit of adjustment…
Have you been there?
Times when things in life seems to snowball and an internal alarm rings and you know changes have to be made for you. For others who may care for you. For ALL the reasons.
I’m sitting with my feet under the table this morning, sharing some table talk and being brutally honest with you.
I was always the small child in my class. Weighing in as an 88 lb. freshmen entering high school. I was a bottomless pit. Could out eat them all! Never gain. I did grow during the next four years from 5′ to 5’4″; but, I was active. A dancer; a twirler; a cheerleader; a runner; and even bicycling when it wasn’t cool with my best friend at 6:00 am on country backroads so no one would see us. Weight loss was not even in my radar.
And then college happened.
Twenty pounds added to my frame and my mother took me to our family doctor to find out if I was broken. A 1000 calorie diet was prescribed and a fitness college course put me back into running 2 1/2 miles a day. It worked. That plan. Twenty one pounds less of me in 3 weeks! Yippee! I was done…or so, I thought.
My wedding day weight was ideal.
My wedding dress was looser than the last fitting suggested. Then, life happened again. Pregnancy. Weight on. You get it. Finally weight loss after a C-section and fitting back into clothes again. Then, pregnancy number two when baby number 1 was 13 months old. C-section number 2 was more difficult to shake the weight.
Three years later it was back to work I went.
Teaching. Long distance for 2 years and then closer to home. And the weight started to rise. I would try a “quick fix” that had worked before. Crazy diet plans. Off the weight would come; only to return with a few more added friends that decided they liked taking residence up in my body.
Less time for workouts. Gyms weren’t a thing in those days. Activity induced asthma prevented running. My body just felt normal carrying more and more weight.
Weight loss no where in sight.
There were years of being successful and taking it off; but, restricted diets prevented more weight loss when I left the road and returned to “normal”.
A hysterectomy…and aging were not kind to me.
My body would simply want to shut down at 4:00 in the afternoon. I could feel my metabolism turning off and it was almost as if daily I could see another pound make its way to a safe haven on my body. Brain fog. It wasn’t good mentally. I would work on it. I would realize that extra weight was like today’s version of “smoking” with unhealthy results that would domino…and attempts would be made and again I would slide.
And then, 2019 occurred.
I was carrying way too much weight for this frame. I was diagnosed with health issues. Pain in my joints occurred. Movement was minimal. Walking was overwhelming. Metabolism was shot from the roller coaster rides of “diet” plans.
Who had I become?
I ended up with a plan of action. Physical therapy. Adding more movement to my life. But, it was brutal. What was happening? I was too young for this. I had more life to live. More play with littles in my life. More feet to have under my table.
Physical therapy moved to swimming therapy…less stress on my joints. Yoga sessions continued at home. It helped. I felt better. But, weight didn’t go down. No weight loss in sight. It was disheartening.
And, then, as all of us know, Covid happened.
The pool was closed. The gyms were shut down. My paid yoga online program disappeared from the site.
So, a decision was made.
I have dear friends who have been life long Weight Watcher cheerleaders. Been coaches. Heralded their wins from the rafters!
But, for me, it was a turn off. I was tired of counting anything. Calories. Carbs. Points. Done, I tell you. My sweet sister in law, you know, my husband’s twin, (you know that cute one in that pound cake post) as we were talking one day said, I lost 70 pounds on Weight Watchers. What? I never realized that she had battled with her weight or ever had that much to lose! It was during those years when we were all working and raising kids and saw each other at holidays or the traditional birthday celebration and I must not have seen her plight.
Between her confession and a dear friend’s sharing, I thought, what do I have to lose? It was a new and improved version. Boy, was it ever!
That app was downloaded on my phone and I have never looked back.
Weight Watchers had me take a survey…and it decided I was a green. I can change to blue or purple…but, I have taken their suggestion and stayed with green. It shows me how many points I can have daily and how many extra points I have weekly to navigate around. It gives me lots of foods to eat that are 0 points.
You see, on my phone, I can grocery shop and bar code any food and up pops how many points that food is for the serving size. I know if it’s worth the points before I buy…Genius!
The next brilliant thing is that it has a “create a recipe” section.
If I am cooking any of those great recipes that I share with you…I add the ingredients into that app and, there you have it, I know how many points that each recipe that I have shared with you is…and, YES! I have eaten some of ALL of those that I have shared.
If I go out to a restaurant, I can look up franchises and add in the menu to make healthy choices. I’m in love!
I add my food points in daily. It cheers me on!
Once a week, I weigh in at home. It celebrates me each morning and for each win. I earn points and can shop with those points. What?! Who doesn’t love shopping?
Additions can be made of activity, my sleep, and I can even connect with others for motivation, if I need that. There are even videos for workouts! An incredible amount of resources I have yet to get to the bottom. Who even knew?
There’s a constant chat available with coaches. AND, the worst fear that I always had with this plan—I do not have to go to meetings, sit through them or weigh in! YES! I was in.
I was hooked.
On March 1, 2020, I began using that app. Monitoring every bit of food that entered this body. Monitoring my water intake that I knew was healthy for me. Added in activities. Looked up suggested recipes. Receiving gifts in the mail for my accomplishments and the cheering me on from the app was worth it. Every. Penny.
You see, I needed a healthier lifestyle.
One of healthy living. One that I could accomplish. A plan that would assist in losing weight slowly (I wanted my skin to remember and stay with me!), increasing my metabolism, improving my health. Placing me in a better place mentally. This plan worked for me. We ALL have plans that work for us. Some of you are on a different plan for weight loss with great results. Some have had surgery; others, KETO or Nutrisystem or other promotional plans that promise great results.
The important thing is to choose health. That happened here. I now see a healthy lifestyle. I can feel my metabolism soaring. The celebration here with this one year anniversary????
Now for the weight loss? there is now 56 pounds less of me!
I’m moving! Actually running! The activity rings on my watch are getting met. I’m sitting in the floor reading books to that 20 month old who loves to visit. I desire to walk. The brain fog has left. Medications to help the joint pain, gone.
I have never been happier cooking than I am now! During the pandemic, I have cooked a lot. Deliveries of bread, cinnamon rolls, hot cocoa stirs, chili, and other goodies left to good friends. Each time I make a recipe, I know how many points per serving. That chili recipe? 9 points for green. Those molasses cookies? 3 points! I am more mindful though of the contents and quality of what I eat and make healthier decisions that ever before.
Can I tell you?? this is not a sponsored post…but, I definitely let them know when they ask how this plan is working for me!
I am thankful.
Truly thankful for this stage of my life. That a healthy lifestyle has returned.
My bloodwork is better than ever.
My doctors are cheering me on! Celebrating my successes.
Dear sweet friends, it’s so worth it. To know that I am making choices that improve the quality of my life? YES.
I hope that you are making choices that are healthy for you.
Whatever they are.
With mindset.
In daily habits. Perhaps, food or activity or attitudes. YOU, friends, have a choice to make this life the BEST it can be.
As for me? I’ll be over here cheering you on! Celebrating your successes! Encouraging you from the sidelines. Not just with weight or food, but with the choices you make to be the best YOU can be. And that app on my phone will still be counting and assisting and cheering me on.
What have you got to lose? or more importantly how can you improve your lifestyle today?
You’ve got this!
P.S. If I have peaked your interest, here’s a code to join me on the Weight Watchers plan. Both of us will benefit through this link!
49 Comments
Liberty
Oh, this is wonderful to read!! Instead of gaining during Covid, you lost amazingly!! Great job!
Leslie J Watkins
I know! Thank you, Liberty! I have had the best year in so many ways!
Anna Travers
So wonderful Leslie u r such an inspiration. U r beautiful inside & out!
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Anna. I am so glad you are here cheering me on! Love you, friend!
Lynn Vogeler
Congratulations! Thank you for sharing. I need to do something because just trying my own “diet” isn’t working!
Leslie J Watkins
Lynn- I have always been a “not for me” when anyone suggested WW before. But, that app! Genius. It’s free to give it a try! See if you like it. I’ll be cheering you on to health over here!
Renae
You are gorgeous inside and out! What a transformation. I’m so very proud of you. You go girl!
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Renae. You are so sweet. This has been a life changing year in so many ways! I’m keeping on keeping on!
Jennifer Howard
How encouraging!! This is amazing; the struggle is real…I bought myself an exercise bike this year to get more active and feel better.
Leslie J Watkins
Yes, that struggle is real…but, I am happy that I am now content with this journey…Now that the weather is better, I can’t wait to begin walking outdoors again. We love to walk new neighborhoods and “adventure” walk. May your journey and choices, even with that bike, bring you much joy and feeling better! Happy weekend, friend!
Brenda Cooper
Congratulations Leslie! You were and always are beautiful! Thank you for sharing! I was like you when younger, and now, as you the pounds keep creeping up with all the health issues that goes with it. So proud for you and may give this a try too❤️‼️
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Brenda. This journey has produced more benefits both mentally and physically than I ever imagined. I feel like I found “me” again. May you find all the BEST ways to navigate health in your life, sweet friend. Miss you!
Rachel
Leslie, you are beautiful! Congratulations!
Leslie J Watkins
Rachel, how kind of you! Thank you, as always, sweet friend, for your encouragement!
Ginger
This is amazing! Way to go.
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Ginger. I’m loving this journey and will be staying on this path!
Vickie Ramey
So proud of you! Mindfulness comes in all forms!
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you…yes, it does!
Cheryl
That is wonderful news! It is so hard! I struggle every day. I am checking out your link! You look amazing!
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Cheryl. I know that you have been on your own journey for healthy eating and what’s best for you. This has been the best choice I have made in making healthy choices. I think with my link, you get to try it for free. That in itself is a winner! Wishing you the best of health to you, friend.
Martha Wallace
A total transformation! I know you feel so much better! Many, many congrats!
Whoohoo!
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Martha! I’m in for the long haul over here and YES! It helps everything!
Kimberly Jones Snyder
Thank you for sharing this , Leslie! You look amazing! Congratulations!!!!
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Kimberly. You always make my day!
Dee
I’m so happy for you Leslie, I’m proud of your efforts! It’s encouraging to know that it seems like weight watchers has made things a lot easier. It’s embarrassing to say I’ve done the program seven times in the past and it just never worked long-term for me, or I never worked it long-term. I think I’ve been on every single diet practically that there is least it feels that way, maybe it’s time to try www again
Leslie J Watkins
Dee, I think the beauty of this for me was having it on my phone and it took the guesswork out of applying it. I track my water. EVERYTHING that goes into my mouth, smart free points or not, I track movement when I can, and weigh in faithfully. I truly understand the not working long time thing. That has happened to me over and over again. I know that the other thing that has worked with this is portion control. It holds me accountable. I was in a downward spiral that affected me in everyway…and not in good ways. When mentally I was having trouble seeing positivity in life or past the pain or brain fog, I knew I had hit my wall. I think all of us get to the point in our lives when suddenly from deep within, change has to happen. I am thankful that this was the path for me. I’ll be praying that you find what’s best for you, sweet friend.
Cara
Leslie, you look great! Congratualtions on your journey, it is so hard… I understand your struggles, nut you showed up everyday and did it! You are amazing!
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Cara. This journey has been one that is so perfect for me that I’m still on that yellow brick road heading for home! Not to my goal, but there have been so many huge benefits in so many ways, that I am happy skipping along the way!
Vickie
So proud for you! I’ve struggled my entire life with yo-yo dieting. It’s time to do something again!
Leslie J Watkins
I think all of us get to that moment when changes have to be made. I hit that wall and am so thankful that this was awaiting in the wings for me to grab hold and pull me out of the mess! I’ll be here cheering you on from the sidelines! You go, girl!
Maria
This is a very empowering story!!
Thank you for sharing this with the world!!!!!!!!!
Leslie J Watkins
Maria, it was one of those things that I carried on my heart and knew that I needed to share. If it could inspire someone, it was worth spilling the details. Not that it didn’t come with a few tears; but, I am so very thankful for all of the benefits that this journey has given me…and will continue to do. Happy day, friend. Thank you, as always, for your sweet encouragement.
Joyce
You look so amazing, Leslie! So happy you posted this to all of us to remind us to choose health!
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Joyce. I am always so happy to share.
Elizabeth@pineconesandacorns
Congratulations! How wonderful you look and feel. It is exciting to finally find that thing that “clicks” with us. I think that everyone has a point in their life where it is the right time to do whatever they need to do, loose weight, move, make a change, even though they have done it many times before, it wasn’t the “right time”. The most impostant thing for any eating plan is what works for you, each person likes or finds something that works for them. My neice who is a personal trainer said about exercising, “the best exercise for you is the one you see yourself doing in 5 years, if you like it now you will like it then.”
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Elizabeth! So very true! All of it. I’m so thankful for the timing and the right fit to get me back to moving, eating healthy and being back in the right place. I love the exercise advice so well. Changes, whether small or large, for our health is always a win! Thank you for responding! I so value your insight, friend.
CoCo
Oh my gosh, Leslie, I am beyond excited for you! You look amazing! I know it must have been a lot of hard work too. I’m so thankful you stayed the course and put yourself and your health first. It’s such a testament to how much you value yourself and your loved ones. What a gift! So proud of you and proud for you too, CoCo
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you so much. I think for me, the hardest part is committing to the mindset. Not just for myself, but in thinking about what complications in my health and how they affected everyone that might one day take care of me helped me to make hard choices. Once, I make a decision, it’s done. Are you that way? This journey is now a lifestyle. Not yet at my goal…but, I’m enjoying the benefits!
Brooke
Leslie. so amazing! Loved reading ever bit of this transformaton story. You are an inspiration for sure. We have 2 high school aged children on the track/cross country teams and we try and keep up with them. It’s been a struggle with some injuries along the way, two fractures in my leg/ankle but I’m fighting to get back out there soon. Maybe a slower pace and less miles but I miss the exercise.
Leslie J Watkins
Oh, no, friend! Injuries are always an issue. I had a torn meniscus that threw me for a loop…but, you got this. I am loving sharing life on your blog, too. You always inspire me!
Lori Fort
You look amazing, Leslie! I’m checking out WW now and have downloaded your link. I’ve never tried it before but I HAVE to do something! I may be in touch for advice 🙂
Leslie J Watkins
So amazing, Lori! I’m over here cheering you on!! Check out all the resources, recipes and use that bar coder and create your own recipe file! It’s genius. SOOO thankful to have found my way to navigate back to finding myself on this journey! Always happy to help!
Sharon
Great post. I’ve gained some weight over the past 5 years that seems almost impossible to get off. I’ve gotten through the health issues that I believe led to the weight loss. I know with my age, my metabolism has slowed, and I’ve got to find a way to live a healthy lifestyle with that. Thanks for the inspiration!!
Leslie J Watkins
I understand all of that. I simply had a realization of the impact for choices on my health and life. I will be cheering you on!!
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