Lighter Leader

Nibbles & Bits    January 2012Our daughter asked me not long ago….”How do I get “motivated” to exercise when I HAVE NO MOTIVATION?” Geez!!! That’s a DANG good question!!  I’ve been “on leave” as well in the “making exercise a priority” department!!  After thinking long and hard about the question, THIS is what I have to say about THAT!  If I wait for MOTIVATION to sprinkle its magic fairy dust over me, kick me in the seat of the pants and point me in the right direction…..I may only be “feeling it” once or twice a year at best!!  I do LOVE IT when the switch gets flipped and I’m ready to burn some rubber, but realistically the switch doesn’t flip all that often!!  Watching the first Rocky movie can get me pretty pumped up!!!  There’s nothing quite as INSPIRING AND MOTIVATING as watching Rocky running and punching his way through the streets of Philadelphia, downing his raw eggs then boxing his way through the meat locker, dodging and weaving down alleyways and running up the museum steps….all in the dead of winter…..WHOA!!! Pure adrenalin!!! But then the fight in me fades, the popcorn is gone and I still need some inspiration and motivation I can count on EVERY DAY to see me through to a healthier FOREVER!!  “Yo Adrian!” 

                                                                                                                                                              Research shows that how MOTIVATED people are at the beginning of a weight loss program has nothing to do with how successful they will actually BE in that effort.  On the list of factors linked with SUSTAINABLE weight loss, motivation is NOT even on the list!!  What IS on the list are these: 1) Making wise food choices. It’s important to enjoy the food and eating patterns you choose to lose weight as these will be the same ones that carry you through the rest of your life.  2) Being physically active.  We’ve got to choose something we ENJOY doing or we probably won’t continue doing it. 3) Making positive lifestyle changes. We have to believe WE CAN DO IT and take personal responsibility for our weight. 4) Creating a supportive atmosphere.  Spending time with and learning from others who are also losing weight helps us in reaching our goals. Weight loss has a positive impact on mood, which in turn improves our mental health and even our quality of life!!  Weight Watchers is all about the camaraderie, support, friendship and fun of “losing” alongside others….and NOT going it alone! Bring it on in 2012….we’re BELIEVERS and ACHIEVERS!! “Gonna Fly Now”!!!!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           I  wanted to end with one little “nibble” and one little ”bit”. One of my favorite HEALTHY LOW POINTS DRIVE-THRU choices is Wendy’s small chili (5 points plus) poured over a side salad (0 points) no dressing needed and eat the 4 saltines (1 point) that come with!!! Our Book Club is reading  One Thousand White Women The Journals of May Dodd by Jim Fergus this month.  For you readers out there, it might be a worthy choice!  Carving out some personal reading time for yourself….now THAT’S a wonderful AND healthy indulgence!!  

                                                                                                                                                                               Lovingly prepared by your friend in food, Debbie Ness, Weight Watchers Receptionist (nessco5@gmail.com)