After going to the dietitian Monday evening and feeling very pissed off and frustrated about the advice I was given, on Tuesday I went to my Weight Watchers meeting as planned.
I hadn’t weighed in at a meeting since sometime in December. In fact on November 24th we were presented with the new ProPoints program and right after that I had my foot operation. I was still on crutches when I went to the last meeting. My weigh-in at that point was 84.2 KG or 185 lbs.
Before I go further I just want to say, I really love my WW Leader Ellie. I’ve been going to her meetings since 2007, though not consistently. The first time I went to a meeting was in Amsterdam and I think it was August. The meeting was packed! As soon as I heard her speaking I knew it must be purely because of her personality that there were so many people there. When I started going back in Feb 2009 I found out that her meeting was moved to a bigger location to handle all the members. So I went to that location and have been going ever since. I also went for a time in Arnhem and in Amersfoort; Arnhem when I could actually make it on time, though I didn’t really like the leader or the members that much and Amersfoort because my friend J lived there and we were going together. I mentioned to her that maybe it would be even better if we just went in Amsterdam after work so that’s when we both went (back) to Ellie’s meeting.
Ellie remembers everyone. She remembers names, details, when/if you went on vacation, what your personal situation is (depending on what you tell her of course), and she is always available if you need to talk after the meeting. Ellie once even sent me a card in the mail that said “I miss you! Hope you come back soon!” These things really give me a great feeling about her.
Also, Ellie didn’t just lose like 10 lbs and become a leader. No, she lost a good chunk of weight (if I remember correctly it was 60-70 lbs) and has kept it off and been a leader since the late 80’s. This is not just some fun thing that Ellie is doing on the side, this is what Ellie does.
So when I walked in last night, for the first time since December and she saw me her face completely lit up. As I approached the scale she said “I hardly recognize you! You are so thin!!” Followed by, “Where have you been? Were you sick? I’ve missed you!” She was almost giddy with excitement! I got on the scale to show a 2.7 KG loss (6lbs) which I pretty much knew was coming (as I thought it was around 3KG in the last 6 months) and she got really excited again, gave me a sticker and congratulated me on 17.5KG lost so far (since end March 2009) (38.5 lbs).
Then the meeting; Ellie always asks how things went for everyone, especially the new members and then there is often conversation with members about their losses or struggles or anything that is going on to get people inspired or thinking. And Ellie did not hesitate to bring up the fact that I hadn’t been around for 6 months, that I went through a pretty rough couple of months with my operation and my back but that I kept going. She asked me what my result was for the past 6 months and when I answered she said “You really are so slimmed down that I could have sworn you’d lost around 8 Kilos” and I said it was true; the number on the scale wasn’t telling the whole story, I really feel like I’ve lost quite a bit on my hips and bum. She asked me to tell everyone how much I’d lost so far and lots of “ooohs” and “ahhhhs” and “wows” came from several different directions in the room. Ellie also occasionally brings up the fact that I live so far away yet I always have time to plan, prepare and to exercise and even come to a meeting once in a while. This helps people put things into perspective when they think they don’t have time, yet they certainly don’t lose 4 hours a day just in commuting alone.
So, I’m pretty frustrated with the slow rate of weight loss and even more frustrated with the advice I’ve been given, but Ellie gave me a giant boost last night. I’m really grateful and appreciative of the fact that I have such an amazing leader. I’m going to try a variation of the Dietitian’s advice and crank up my exercise up notch and see what happens.
Honestly though, I am still more and more feeling that it’s not just the number on the scale. This morning I put yet another old pair of jeans on and they fit. In fact, a few months ago I was trying to wear them but felt a bit like my belly was protruding and I had a camel toe to boot, but now they are loose even. There is really so much more to all of this than the scale results.
Now if I could just find a way of eating that keeps my hunger at a minimum that would really just complete things. Oh, yeah, and a new wardrobe would help too ;-)
Yes yes yes! I’m trying myself not to put so much value on the number on the scale. It’s hard, though. It’s been our measure of “success” for so long. I’m trying to switch my focus. Though I still have about 30 pounds to go to get to my WW goal, I’m focusing on my running longer and getting stronger. I’m staying on plan, doing my runs, and figuring that my body will know what to do. I’m not doing anything wrong, I can’t be mad at myself for what the stupid scale says. If the clothes are fitting loosely then things must be going in the right direction.
we are really in a similar place Debbie! You know who to reach out to if you are feeling frustrated!! It’s good to know there are others experiencing the same thing! We HAVE to focus on other things, not just that stupid scale!
That’s so great Renee! Glad you went back to WW for a meeting, and to sort of see yourself in that “mirror” is cool…it being obvious that you’ve lost more than the 6. I’m starting to see what you mean now and small losses being bigger than they actually are. As I’m getting smaller, I’m noticing that 2 pounds seems to make a huge difference. I can’t quite understand it. I’m going to have to start working out harder, as you do. I need to do the sit ups and push ups, even though I hate them. I really want SOME sort of muscle mass on my upper body.
Yeah! It was good to go back. I really had the best intentions for months, but it just never seemed to work out (it seemed I was running or going to Zumba on Tuesdays, same day as my meeting). So I’m going to try to go once a month. It helps to show my face and reconnect.
Ugh. Pushups and situps… what was I saying about completely those challenges????
Hey Ren – You really are up against it in my home land, aren’t you? The Dutch are very stubborn and set in their ways. The other thing that they haven’t considered is that you were brought up in a different culture, had a very different start in life diet-wise. I truly believe, having brought two children into this world, that your diet blueprint is formed when you are very very young. I also think that the way your body deals with foods is also somehow decided when you are young. I don’t really know what the answer is.
As for your weight, the amount of muscle you build running is astronomical, far more than any other sport I think. It’s weight-bearing bloody hard work. That’s why your weight loss isn’t was high as you’d wish. But who cares, as you say, it’s not the numbers on the scales, it’s how you look. I haven’t lost loads of weight, but my back is leaner, as are my arms (I’ve been weight-training) and legs (running). It’s lovely, isn’t it? It’s your fault, you got me running.
Loving your blog, I’ve only just come across it!
Elsje!!! <3 OMG I love that you are here! I just realized that Shauna put the link to my blog; no wonder you found me! Everyone, meet Elsje! We started WW LONNNNNNG ago, almost around the same time. We had a "club" on Yahoo and got to know each other quite well over the years. :) Not only online but in real life too :)
I know you are right about the muscle weight. And I do feel stronger and leaner and I'm still amazed that I can RUN, like NON-STOP for an hour, an hour and fifteen minutes or more, without stopping. It makes me feel so amazing!
And I never really thought of that about the food, but there must be some truth in it. But how about you? Were you raised "Dutch" food-wise, even though you hardly lived in the Netherlands? Or were you raised somehow differently? What a concept, seriously! I am definitely going to look more into that. The Dietitian did ask me if I was a foreigner and where I came from, but he didn't add anything to it when I said I was originally from the States.
Congratulations on all of your progress Renee. I think you have to give yourself credit for all of your fitness accomplishments! You are an inspiration to me!