When I did an analysis of my proven successful weight loss habits, I accepted the importance of tracking and having weekly accountability and support system. But, more importantly, I’m learning the importance of the internal behaviors that must change to be successful. I’ve shifted my focus from “trying to look good” to striving towards mental and physical health. For the past few days, I’ve been working really hard to stop saying bad things like (I’m fat and gross, I’ll never lose weight, and it’s too hard.) Because I told myself all of those things every day, they became reality. So, I’ve adopted a new positive mantra. I was watching Joel Osteen, and praying that God gave me a good word of encouragement to show me I’m on the right track. And, what do you know, Joel told the story about a guy who lost over 100 pounds, and started by changing his words. I’ve tweaked it a little for me, but each morning and all throughout the day, I remind myself, regardless of how I really feel…

“I weigh what I should weigh, I’m active, I’m healthy, I’m dedicated, I’m focused and I have what it takes.”

After a few days of positive self-talk and acceptance, I felt better, and I had the courage to go back to Weight Watchers. As soon as I walked in, the meeting leader greeted me with a big “Welcome Back!” and told me that she didn’t close out my file. It was like she knew I’d be back. There was no judgment as I stepped on the scale 15 pounds heavier than I was last time. I explained to her my apparent denial of where I know I’m supposed to be. When I text my Mom and told her I was at the meeting, she was happy and said she would cook healthy meals if I gave her some recipes. It was sad though that one lady was too heavy for the scale. She was probably over 400 pounds. But, they treated her with the utmost respect and discretion (I’m just nosey and was sitting in the back near the scales.) I really hope to see her back next week, and it actually encouraged me to see that if she was brave enough to come to a meeting I had no excuses. The meeting was great. In the new 2012 program they are putting more of a focus on mental and emotional health needed to successfully lose weight. Their new slogan is “Believe.” I’m on my third day of tracking my food, and tracking is actually making me feel good and in control, and not like cruel and unusual punishment. On my home, I thought I’m so pumped, I’ll lose 100 pounds this year. Then I had to make a conscious effort to scale it back and redirect my focus.

“I weigh what I should weigh, I’m active, I’m healthy, I’m dedicated, I’m focused and I have what it takes…..” What’s your personal slogan?

P.S. my huge court trial at work got canceled! Bad for our clients and the firm, but great for my blog and fitness routine. Back to life as normal.

19 Comments
  1. Happy New Year! What a great way to start.

  2. I went back today to WW myself. I tried to walk in 30 degree weather for the first time in many weeks and made it 1/2 mile before I had to end the walk. It will be warmer tomorrow and I will be back out there going at it again. Just take it one day at a time. TRACK TRACK TRACK.

  3. Hey Carli!
    My slogan last year when I started running (thanks to YOUR podcast!!) was to mentally repeat over and over “hot bikini body”, but I think that was too long and it never really stuck, But chanting to myself: “Size 8, size 8, size 8” did the trick. Every breath in was “size”, every breath out was “eight”. Maybe it’s a bit on the superficial side, but hey, it worked!
    Now I put on almost 6 lbs over xmas and even though it doesn’t seem like much, I’m terribly uncomfortable in my work clothes after the holidays. I’m thinking that when I go back to running (debanting whether I should do better time on a 5K or aim for a 10K), I’ll chant: bi-ki-ni. I think it’s kind of catchy 🙂
    My Grandpa always said: everything has a solution, but death. So that’s basically my life slogan. As long as it’s not death, you can fix it. Seems simple, always works.
    Keep up the good work and all the best from rainy Germany!
    Chooch

  4. Hey Carli!! Happy New Year… I went back to WW, too! Online but it worked 10 years ago for me… I’m committing to doing some kind of exercise daily…and have walked, tried a Zumba class and went back to weights and pushups today. I figure if I can stick to things for a month, I’ll be golden… that’s how long they say it takes to form a habit.
    anyway…. thanks to you I can RUN, too!! Love the comments above too… here’s a hug…. keep letting us know how you’re doing and we will do the same 🙂 your east coast mom

  5. ugh….CANNOT believe I spelled my name wrong!! hahaha

  6. I am so happy to hear that you are doing Weight Watchers. I was VERY successful in the past, though I have somehow found myself back in that need-to-lose-weight boat again. I too am starting up with WW again. I think the reason that I was so successful for so many years was because I took the weekly goal setting and daily journaling so seriously. That is why I am dragging out the old pen and paper for this round. I am trying the online version because I can’t make the time to meet in person, but I think my fiance Eric is going to do it with me, so that will help support me. Keep smiling and chanting, Carli. I love your blog, and I can’t thank you enough for the couch to 5k podcasts. You really got me RUNNING! 🙂

  7. Glad to hear your back on the right track. I myself need to start over after a long few months of family issues. I started the new year with alot of Ultra friends and even walked 1 mile at midnight! I was volunteering so couldn’t do more. lol My motto is “I may be slow but I finish!” And as a dear friend said, “rentlessly positive”, Thanks Sally (R.I.P.) We will all get to when we want to be one step at a time.

  8. Angela, Happy New year, thanks for your support throughout 2011!

  9. Diane you got it! I just finished tracking the rest of my points for the day. I went over because one of my best friends from Chicago brought me Garrett’s popcorn. If you’ve never had it…DONT lol… it’s totally addictive. Thank God, its all gone and thank God for the weekly bonus points. I can do 30 degrees but I can’t do 20. Last year when I was training for my half marathon, it took me like 2 hours to unthaw. I’m not doing that again…

  10. Cooch! I actually remembered that you were from Germany. Sometimes I count when I’m running, –repeating 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8. But Size 8 is so cute! That’s actually the size I want to be, an 8 or a 10, I just want to be healthy, I was never worried about being model thin.

  11. Agh! Mama HeleM that is hilarious, lol when the email came to my phone, I thought “oh, it’s someone new” didn’t know it was you till I got to the end!. Happy New year to you too. Keep up the great job staying active, and thanks for your continuous support in 2011.

  12. Maggie, we’ll be tracking points together. At the meeting yesterday, the Leader asked us to tell her about a time that we were succesful, and why. I was most successful with weight watchers, because I tracked religiously, I didn’t gain the weight back until about a year after I stopped tracking. I’m back at it, bringing the lessons from the past with me. Good luck! Keep Running!

  13. Hey Tam! I love that motto, you know I’m slow too, but we finish and that’s what counts. I saw tons of people quit at the 6 mile mark. I’ll be sure remember that. Thanks!

  14. I’m still needing a kick in the butt (not just a nudge) to get to a meeting. It’s been 3 weeks as of this week. I am finding tracking my points to be such a hassle. I do know that, like you, tracking my food was the biggest part of my weight loss. Why is it so difficult to get back into that habit?

    Thanks for sharing Carli.

  15. Have a great year, Carli! Best wishes with staying healthy and active and another half marathon! I hope things at your job stay a normal level of busy!

  16. Hey Tex, please go to a meeting, it was part of the accountability that I needed to help carry me through the week. Tracking points is such a hassle. This week I was carrying food wrappers in my purse until I got to the computer to calculate the points, and one day at lunch I actually fetched my frozen entree box out of the trash to get the nutrition info. It is a huge hassle and super annoying, but IT WORKS! Hope you get back on track soon. Good luck!

  17. Thanks Aubree, Happy New year to you!

  18. Hey Carli….I have been struggling for years and years and years…I have attempted to make it through the C25K like 15 times and get down on myself and give up…but I finally am fed up with my internal battle. A few months ago I bought the book “Made to Crave” by Lisa Tyerkerst and started reading it. Now another lady from the Proverbs 31 ministries is doing an online bible study through this book and I started it. (we are in week 2 so if you check it out we aren’t that far in). Let me tell you girl…this book is powerful. It basically talks about how we are made to crave God, not anything else….including food. I finally feel in the pit of my soul that this time is different and I can do this!!! Also the book “Confident Heart” by Renee Swoop is something I am reading now as well and the first chapter talks about the shadow of doubt….it’s good!!! Check them out….I am thoroughly convicted that God has a plan for us and this struggle is a way for us to get closer to Him.

  19. Hi Kirra! OMG (Literally) Would you believe I was just reading a blog post about this book yesterday? Maybe it’s meant for me to read it. You said it right it’s all in your mind. The couch to 5K is a huge physical challenge, but it’s a bigger mental challenge. Anytime you feel like quitting during your run, say out loud that you have the strength to continue. Say it over and over until you actually do. Good Luck on your journey!

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