Living the Lifestyle, Friday 24 March

Jimb376mfp

Everyone says it, but just how do you do it? How do you take the guidelines of the WW program and turn them into a lifestyle you can live every day...from now on? That is what we are here to explore. Each weekday, a new topic is offered up for discussion. Newbie? Join in! Veteran? Join in! Your thoughts may be just what someone else needs to hear.

Monday -- 88olds (George)
Tuesday -- spospo1 (Steve)
Wednesday -- minimyzeme (Kim)
Thursday -- imastar2 (Derrick)
Friday --Jim376 (Jim)

Today’s topic: Sometimes It’s the Little Things!

We all share some common successes on our WL journey. We enjoy seeing the number on the scale go down, we have bought smaller size clothing, we may have received the NSV comments from friends, family or a random stranger or received good news from our doctor.

Today I want you to think about something that is either personal or unique to just you. Something that you enjoy or know about yourself that makes you think “I Got This“.

It can be something you’re proud of, it can be something that most people don’t know about or don’t notice or would thing “That’s just weird!” LoL

Jimb376mfp

I have been thinking about mine so I’ll start. Please share your own personal, unique thing about yourself that is connected to Living the Lifestyle. Serious, funny or weird is OK!

My thing is my wedding band. I can now easily slip my ring on and off my finger! It’s been on since 1969 and I know I always had to wet my finger to remove my ring. I play with it now knowing that my fingers are a symbol of how much weight I have lost (-158#).

Another thing is when I roll over in bed and lay on my stomach I remember that it used to feel like I was laying atop a basketball!

There are other times that I feel a certain smugness about how I have changed. When I hear people at my WW meeting comment about their struggles I sometimes think, “Yes, I had that same problem… but not anymore!”

There are certain bad habits I have beaten that I know one else really cares about. I can’t tell them any secret, sometimes you just have to DO IT! A big one for me was mindless eating while watching TV. I don’t do that anymore. Does anyone else care? NO. But I do and now know that bad habit was responsible for me gaining a lot of pounds over the years.

I remember staying at our son’s house Pre WW and I was amazed (disappointed?) that they were not eating junk fun while we all watched TV. I thought everyone did that!

Rachel0778

This stems from me being the fat kid in gym class who was one of the slowest ones to run the mile all through elementary and middle school.

I really relish in the fact that I am considered athletic now. I didn't do it fast, but that fat kid in gym class has now completed a freaking marathon.

It's hard for me to see myself going to my old habits anymore because that would involve me giving up all the activities that I enjoy. I love being able to do any drop in fitness class without fear that I won't be able to participate due to being out of shape. I also love that I'm a pretty decent cook and can whip up fresh unique recipes to feed myself while others still have to rely on pre-packaged frozen food and eating out. Since I've been doing these habits since 2011 I think it's safe to say they are going to be there for the long haul.

imastar2

I notice my watch which at one time I had to put a link in is now rolling around on my wrist. It;s a metal band with a clasp on it. So that's a little thing but I notice.

Second thing is since I lost the 100 lbs and went down 10 sizes in pants it looks like with the next 10 or 15 lbs loss that new pants size are in the offering. DW says pants are really looking pretty droopy. So when that does happen I will have dropped 12 sizes from highest of size 60. Whew! Just the thought of that make me shutter.

Then there is the energy I now have just with my daily routine of living. I notice a huge difference and am so glad.

MurpleCat

I'm no longer invisible.

I didn't really realize I was -- I mean, who could miss a 350# woman? But since I've lost 150#, its amazing how much more eye contact is being made. Sales people at stores come up to ask if they can help me. Randos talk to me while waiting for the elevator. I get served at the deli before my number comes up.

On the flip side, people who haven't seen me in a while, don't recognize me until I speak first. My thesis advisor didn't recognize me, even people I shared an office with in graduate school didn't recognize me - I walked up to one of them at a conference and she just gave me that glare like, "You, stranger, are standing way too close to me." Until I spoke, and then I got the *gasp* and the hug. Even recently, I was at the department colloquium and a colleague didn't look up when I walked up next to him at the to the coffee table, until I said hello Ernie. He did a double take and said "Its you! I didn't recognize you. You need to put some weight back on so I know its you."

The whole thing is quite odd. Invisible to people I know; more visible to strangers.

Al_Howard

Hmmm.... Going way back I had my wedding ring re-sized (bigger), and, then I outgrew it. After 50 or so pounds this time, I got back into it, and my religious profession ring is way too big.

88olds

I became the best dressed guy in my office. Thanks to Harry the tailor. But without WL I'd have never gone anywhere near Harry. I had guys trying to buy the ties I was wearing.

goldenfrisbee

Funny you mention the ring. Two days ago I didn't even realize I was playing with my ring while watching TV and it came off. Very happy that that happened.

myallforjcbill

The ring was big for me. At my worst, I had to have it cut off and resized. Eventually it kept coming off accidently and getting lost. I finally had it resized down. I still reach down to make sure I can take it off without much of a problem. When I recently put more weight on and had to buckle down, I looked at it and wondered if it would come off. It did but I remember thinking I don't want it cut off again. Very motivating

gadgetgirlIL

I can easily fit into the middle seat on an airplane flight. Not that I want to sit in the middle seat, but I didn't have any other option on my flight to Louisville. I was just grateful to get one of the last spots in the overhead for my suitcase.

My legs are long so anything other than an aisle seat they don't like, but that isn't something that weight loss will fix.

minimyzeme

This one slipped through the cracks for me but better late than never. A couple things come to mind.

I've been getting out when I can for photography. I often end up carrying a 30-40 pound pack with all my gear. I find myself noticing and appreciating how much easier it is to move even with that weight on my back. The weight isn't all that much, really, but then I realize it's about half of what I lost total. It's a noticeable reminder of my progress and one of the motivations not to go backwards.

The other standout for me is the simple joy of putting clothes on that don't seem so huge or don't require me to suck in my gut or stretch the limits of belt, etc. I just get dressed--no moment of dread and disappointment in the process. Hand-in-hand with that are those periodic reflections (literally) of the "impossible dream". For years, I'd glance in the mirror and not like what I saw, but not do anything to change it. Now, I don't mind looking in the mirror. I don't spend a whole lot of time doing it, but when I do it doesn't leave a bad taste in my eyes...