Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Embracing the Flex.

Last week, I stepped on the scale and had only lost 0.5. I know, rationally, that any loss is a success and should be celebrated, but I've been on Weight Watchers now since January, and these 1/2 pound losses are killing me. Explain to me how I can gain 4 pounds in a weekend and then stay on plan and lose only 1/2 a pound in 7 long days?

So when I stepped on the scale that morning and only lost 1/2 a pound, I threw an adult tantrum. Which is to say: I bought Munchkins at DD and ate about 6 of them. I rationalized it as I 'deserved' them and they were only 1 point each anyhow.

Mistake #1: Munchkins are 2 points each. I'm not sure if this is the 'new' Points Plus system where carbs count, or if they've always been that many, but I'd have sworn they were only 1 point each. So my '6 point splurge' was actually 13 points. Why 13? Because with food like this (candy, Munchkins, and other foods you eat single servings of and count in terms of quantity, not weight or size) may be 2 points each, but if you eat a certain number, the points add up faster.

Mistake #2: I don't need to justify a 'treat' by saying I 'deserve' it. I need to build these things into my week so they don't derail me and I don't end up mentally sabotaging myself.

So as I sat staring at my computer screen and feeling disappointed I'd allowed myself to overindulge on something I did't ever enjoy (much), I realized I needed to adjust my attitude.

So I decided to embrace the Flex. AKA: Eat some of my flex points and not completely freak out in fear.

The result: I lost 1 pound this week. So embracing the flexies it is!!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Strangely, I have found that when I follow my points to the T I don't always lose. Then I get pissed, eat a lot, and show a loss the next day. It has made me re-evaluate how much I'm eating and I'm trying to eat more (sure, MAKE me do that). This was the first week and I lost 0.4 - finally. I've been stuck for 3 weeks while following everything perfectly.

Jennifer

Muffin Cake said...

Jennifer, a friend whose sister is almost at Lifetime told me her leader always recommends using at least some of the Flex points. Her reason being at some point you'll hit maintenance and have a pretty low # of points. If you've been losing while eating flex points, you can typically maintain while eating them as well. If you've only been losing because you NEVER use flex points, it's much harder to maintain if you add them in once you're at your goal.

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