Give Yourself a "Why"

I have been a long-standing, nearly-successful member of Weight Watchers for over a year. Truth be told, I have been on and off the program a few times over the last 8+ years (since my youngest son was born), always getting close to reaching my goal, and then quitting just as I get close, each and every time. Except this current membership is my longest yet - I have almost quit a couple of times in the past year - but being off of the program would mean I'd have no guidance whatsoever in living a healthy lifestyle, so in the past year even when I have fallen off track with the program, I have remained a member of Weight Watchers. I always say my worst day on the program is still better than any day off of it - because even when I am off track, I am still on track...as confusing as that sounds, it's true. If I weren't on Weight Watchers now, I am certain I'd be a lot more than 15 pounds away from a healthy weight.

Yet, here I am - still not at my goal weight. So what's the problem?

This week at our Weight Watchers meeting, the topic was about identifying your "why". This is defined as your ultimate reason and driving force behind your weight loss journey. Sure you want to lose 50 pounds, but WHY? When Weight Watchers first introduced this concept I shrugged it off. I want to get to my goal weight, do I really need a reason why?

But while sitting in the meeting this week, I listened to the other members talking about their "why"s and it got me thinking about my own journey.

In the last couple of months I have started working on reframing my thinking and asking myself the reason behind the healthy (and unhealthy) things that I do. I am using this tactic to help myself stay motivated with my goals to train for long distance races and to achieve new personal records when I run. I am also making an effort to cut out unhealthy habits and to remove toxicity from my life...understanding the reason I drink too much when I am anxious or stressed or the reason I used to let people manipulate me can help me be more aware and to take more mindful approaches in the future. See, I have already started giving myself a "why" in many areas of my life. And it has definitely helped.

So, I have not reached my weight loss goal in nearly 9 years. Reaching that goal would put me in the top range of a healthy Body Mass Index, which is why it's so important to me. I have literally come within 5 pounds of my goal several times, and each time, I stop eating healthy and revert back to unhealthy habits, which always results in a weight gain of 10 to 15 pounds. Why is this happening? I used to think my body was incapable of reaching a healthy BMI. I do have hypothyroidism, which can make it hard to lose weight sometimes. But I am on medication for thyroid disease and my levels are all good, so the whole "my body can't lose weight" excuse doesn't really fly.

Again, I ask myself, "so what's the problem?"

I had an epiphany during my Weight Watchers meeting this week - not having a defined "why" might be the underlying reason for not reaching my goal weight all these years. Because when you define a "why", that "why" can give you the strength and motivation to keep going when you have moments of wanting to give up.

Giving yourself a "why" is good for all things, not just weight loss goals. Why do I go to work every day? Why am I giving up meat and becoming a vegan? Why do I choose to abstain from drugs and alcohol? Why should I quit smoking? Why stay married? Why get divorced?

It's important to understand our reasons and motivations behind our actions. Or the reasons and motivations behind our goals. This way, when life gets in the way or if challenges appear (and that will happen, it's a fact), you can revert to your "why" to help you stay the course - or to help you make a necessary change.

I know now I need to give myself a "why" for my weight loss goal. Without it, I am just out there, floating aimlessly, hoping to attain something without any real reason to keep going. Telling myself I just need to do it without putting an emotional reason behind it essentially sets me up for a fall. And I am tired of coming close to my goal and not achieving it.

I will reach my goal weight in 2018. I am turning 40 this year and more than ever, I am realizing how vital my health is. If I continue to neglect my health, as I get older I will be contending with more than just a 15 pound weight loss goal. Being overweight in the second half of my life could cause heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, and a slew of other health problems. It's important for me to take care of myself now so I can live a long life - but not just a long life - a long life full of quality. If I am lucky enough to live into my 80s or 90s, I want to be mentally fit and physically strong. I know that losing 15 measly pounds won't guarantee any of this, but it's a step in the right direction for sure.

So that's my "why". 

I'd like to thank Weight Watchers for their program that supports and encourages mindfulness and a well-rounded healthy lifestyle. Even though I haven't yet reached my goal weight while on their program, I know that is on me and not them. Their program uses science and psychology to help people of all walks of life learn to lead a healthy lifestyle that is 100% sustainable.

And just to be clear, I am not a spokesperson for Weight Watchers and they haven't paid me in any way to talk about them in this piece. In fact, I am the one paying them - every month. 😁 But that's all going to change soon once I reach goal and then "lifetime status". Because now I have something I never had before - I have my "why".