Change Is Hard

…but change is certain.

Tag Archives: weight


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The great Cheez-It conspiracy

I love Cheez-Its.  I know.  They’re not good for me.  They’re empty calories.  They derail diets.  Who knows what’s really in them.  I know.  I still love Cheez-Its.

For years I’ve worked on loosing the 20 pounds I’ve gained since 2004.  Actively counting calories.  Recording everything I eat.  Foregoing dessert or seconds or night time eating.  Struggling.  Making progress, falling back.  Giving up, trying again.  Joining groups, quitting groups.  Some of you know the routine.

Right now I’m allowing silly little yellow orange squares to beat me.  They sit in the vending machine I pass several times a day.  Did you know that little bag in there is 6 Weight Watcher points?  In a diet that only allows me 21 points for the entire day?  Crazy!  I think the manufacturer bakes something into them that triggers my craving.  It’s a conspiracy I say!

I know that snacking is one way of coping with stress…and there’s plenty of stress in my life…but not enough to eat like this.  So what else is it?  Why does it seem impossible to walk by that machine without contemplating spending the 85 cents?  Some days I win the battle.  Some days I don’t.

So now I need to give up on the crunchy salty goodness.  If I tell you I’m not eating these anymore will that make it true?  Can I think about each of you when I’m tempted and keep the change in the purse?  I hope so!

What about you?  What’s your favorite snack item?  And how do you keep your cravings under control?


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Weighty issues

I have struggled with weight for many years.  Took a few pounds off, gained a few pounds plus a few more back.  So in May I finally broke down and joined Weight Watchers.  It’s been OK…I’ve lost 10 pounds, but I’m falling off the wagon again.  The last two weeks have been small gains in weight and I’m discouraged.

This week I really thought I was being good…though I failed to write everything down, and when I do that I know I’m probably eating more than I realize.  But still.  I managed to get out to walk 4 out of 5 work days, and Friday morning when I weighed myself I was down.  I went to bed feeling pretty good about today’s weigh in.

Which is why I was so distraught when I woke up this morning and was heavier by four pounds!?  Four pound?  In one night?  Come ON!

I decided I wasn’t going to go to weigh in, no need to do that when I already knew I was up.  I wasn’t going to sit through a meeting where our leader fancies herself somewhat of a stand up comedian and often just annoys me.  I left the house early, took my WW stuff with me…just in case, and a book to read.  I drove aimlessly looking for a place to sit in the car and read and found myself up at the mall where I used to walk every morning in the days before the full time job.

Well, I said to myself.  I’m here, it’s morning – maybe I can just go for a walk and then I’ll read for awhile.  And maybe eat something really fattening just because what’s the use anyway.  The mall was pretty quiet; not nearly as many walkers as in winter.  I started out and immediately remembered why I enjoyed walking there so much. Energetic music playing, at a tempo perfect for walking, pretty shop windows to look at, carpet and hardwood underfoot.

I did two miles, then hopped back in the car and went to my WW meeting.  Facing reality I stepped on the scale.  I wish I could say I was down, but I wasn’t.  I stayed for the meeting which was  in full swing when I got there.  The topic was not to let little things like the number on the scale get you down and off track.  Today is a new day.  Respect yourself.  Make commitments not excuses.

I was proud that I hadn’t gone off and eaten a fattening breakfast and sulked.  I was proud I walked the two miles and then went to the meeting even though I knew the number on the scale wouldn’t be what I wanted it to be.  I’m glad I mustered the strength not to give in.  Because today’s a new day.  This is a new week.  Next Saturday I KNOW will be a better weigh in.

Meanwhile I think I got a couple pounds off of Katie just by brushing her.  She is not as appreciative of my efforts.