With the Weight Watchers Flex Point Plan, Melissa is losing weight and changing her life
-City & country: Bethany Beach, Delaware, USA
-Age: 29
-Weight before diet: 185 lbs.
-Weight now: 153 lbs.
-Target weight: 125-130 lbs.
Melissa has made the Weight Watchers Flex Point Plan part of her weight loss journey, and it's working effectively for her. She knows what she
wants and has the determination and persistence to get it. Read about how Melissa not only loses weight, but how she's converting to a healthier
lifestyle through good food choices and exercise.
-What finally made you decide to start with a weight loss program?
After reaching over 200lbs during my second pregnancy I
knew something had to be done. I also knew that I was going to be in at least three weddings over the summer and did not want to be the
"fat" girl in the pictures. So in January of this year I decided it was time to do something and make a change for the rest of my life!
-What type of weight loss program are you following?
I follow the Weight Watchers Flex Point Plan. I am an online
subscriber so I do not attend any meetings, but instead record all my points and weight online through their trackers.
-Why did you choose this weight loss program?
I am a pretty stubborn person so I knew once I had a direction I would stick with it because I do not like to fail at things. One of things that
I knew the program I chose must have, or rather not have, was a list of No-No food. I knew that I would not be able to stick with a program
that told me I couldn't have carbs, ice cream, chocolate, sugar, etc. With the flex points I can eat pretty much anything I want within
reason and certain portion sizes. If I wanted that Friendly's Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Sundae then I could, but would have to watch the
rest of my points and earn Activity Points too. I found that the flex plan helped me to learn how to weigh my food options and make good
choices and found that it became a game of how much can I eat for the points! One of the biggest perks on the flex plan is the weekly
allowance points that can be used anyway that you like. Just for one meal, spread out a couple or all days, whatever you need for the
week. After reading about the plan and talking to people who had tried it, I felt confident that I would be able to stick with
program.
-How long have you been on your weight loss program?
I began my weight loss journey in January of this year, so about 8
months. During this summer I have not been quite as consistent with tracking my points, but am looking forward to heading back to school (I
am a teacher) and getting back to tracking hard core!
-What kinds of physical activities do you like doing to help you lose weight and stay fit?
I would not say that I am a physical person...AT ALL! Growing up I played sports, but nothing really jumped out at me. I live close
to the beach so I enjoy walking on the beach a lot and find when I do that my legs are usually really sore the next day. A few months into
Weight Watchers I did invest in a nice treadmill that I use consistently at night. I began easy with walking at about 3-3.5mph on a low
incline, but now run around 5mph for 4-5 minute intervals for about 45 minutes. I have never been a runner, but have always wanted to be so
I thought I would give it a try. At first I would run 1 minute and walk 5, but now I can go about 4-5 minutes and walk 2 min. in
between. I'm hoping as I stick with it that my endurance will become longer and longer...who knows maybe one day I will run a race or
something crazy like that!!
-What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome or are still overcoming?
The most difficult obstacle for me was probably learning how to shop and cook with more healthy choices in mind. I am a huge Rachel Ray fan
and love her 30-minute meals, but found that they did not often match well with my points. I had to learn (and am still learning) how to
substitute things to make the meals healthier. Another obstacle is those little 100-calorie packs of EVERYTHING! Some are very yummy
and I could easily end up eating three or four bags a day, which kind of defeats the whole purpose!!
-How do you keep yourself motivated?
After losing 32lb I think my motivation comes from buying smaller clothes sizes, feeling more confident in myself, and feeling so much
healthier. I like being able to run around with my kids without being out of breath!!
-Do you have any weight loss tips for our readers?
Do it for yourself!!
Don't try to "give up" anything, but rather learn how to incorporate it in your diet in a healthy manner; for example, having it once every
two weeks, smaller portion, special treat, etc.
Set mini goals and treat yourself when you meet them. Don't try to say I have to lose 50 pounds, but break it down into a few pounds at
a time. I celebrate every 5 pounds!
Drink that water!!
-Do you think it will be easy to fall back into your old lifestyle pattern? How do you prevent this from happening?
I say all the time that I do not know how people allow themselves to gain back the weight that they worked so hard to lose. I feel that I
have changed my eating habits for life and even during this summer when I am not diligently tracking every point, I find myself counting them in
my head. When I reach my goal weight, I plan on giving myself a 5-pound comfort zone. I will stay within that 5 pounds and if I find
myself over 3lb will begin hard-core counting until I get back to my comfort weight again. I will NOT let myself go back to how I was!!
-Do you have a favorite Web site or blog that helps or inspires you to lose weight?
One of my all time favorite weight loss websites is Roni's Weight Watchen Blog @ http://weightwatchen.com/index.htm
A couple of my other favorites are:
http://mousearoo.blogspot.com
http://www.talesfromthescales.net
http://www.weightwatchers.com
You can track my weight loss journey at my own blog: http://www.tuttlefamilyadventures.blogspot.com
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