Isn't it funny?

How everything I see, hear, think of, etc. these days always relates to Weight Watchers? Take these pictures and captions that I got in an email today. I've received this particular email about 1,999,999 times. Today I saw it and my mind immediately went to how it applied to my weight loss journey. I find it ever so true.

1. STAY OUT OF TROUBLE

If I fail to plan, I plan to fail. Simple as that. I swear to God I'm such a child sometimes. If i don't plan my menu in the morning, I will NEVER eat a vegetable. I like milk, but if I fail to plan them all in first thing, I'll be lacking when my head hits the pillow at night. Healthy oils the same way. I know they're good for me, I just forget. Not to mention if I didn't plan I'd eat about 159 points each day!

2. AIM FOR GREATER HEIGHTS

I learned years ago that I need goals. I need small goals, and what I really learned is I need a long term goal too. When I first began my WW journey, I had goals. I reached them all. I wanted to buy clothes in a store as I had to make all mine. I wanted to fit in the seat at the theater. I wanted to fit in the booth at the Burger King (ya, counter intuitive eh???), I wanted to fit in the seat of a roller coaster, I wanted to tie my shoes without passing out. I wanted to weigh less than TBM, and the list went on. I'd neglected to put an end goal in my mind. You see how that worked out for me eh? So, even if you've a few hundred pounds to lose, and that seems overwhelming (believe me I know!!!), please always have an end goal in mind. Don't focus on it daily, just have one. I have one now.

3. STAY FOCUSED ON YOUR JOB

It is a job. It must be taken care of, scheduled, etc. Make it a priority. Keep it in the back of your mind so it's fresh. You're less likely to be taken by surprise that way when the unexpected things pop up.

4. EXERCISE TO MAINTAIN GOOD HEALTH

As much as we may not like it. It's mandatory I'm afraid. I used to feel you could lose weight without exercise. You can, but it's not healthy. You need to build your muscles and never forget your heart is a muscle! I was only trying to lose weight to get gorgeous....health was never a goal of mine. It is now. If you're not moving it, get out there and do it. If you're moving it, move a little more! Never use the excuse you don't have time. That's just what it is, an excuse. Get up 10 minutes earlier and take a leak and then hit the pavement for 10 minutes. Go to bed 10 minutes later and do the same loop. I don't care how busy you are, you can carve 10 minute blocks out of your day. Jump rope, hop, dance, do something, anything. Move it or lose it!

5. PRACTICE TEAM WORK

I love, love, love this picture!!! This is what my blog is all about. Teamwork. I write, you comment, we support each other. This blog, and the ones I read are my main motivations. I learn SO much from what you guys write. I laugh, I cry. I give, and I take. I go to WW meetings and they're great but you guys are better. I went to bed last night thinking about the last 4 blogs of this girl. OMG I think she's fantastic. She's educated and she shares it well. She's been there, she understands. She won the battle and is sharing with us. How cool is that??? I'm not going to go on to name all the blogs that mean the most to me...I think they'll know who they are. It's just that Diane is kind of new to me and I'm in awe of her talent at getting things across and me not feeling I'm being lectured!

6. RELY ON YOUR TRUSTED PARTNER TO WATCH YOUR BACK. TAKE YOUR TIME TRUSTING OTHERS.

We should all have one person that we turn to always if possible. A spouse, a trusted friend, a fellow blogger you have come to love and trust. Someone there so when you're having a hard day, they can help. Some of our friends are poison. They drag us down and we don't need any more of that. Be careful of who you trust with this journey as it's important. If you find people giving you wrong advice, or tempting you, ditch them and move on. Life is short!

7. SAVE FOR RAINY DAYS

Weight Watchers allow us 'flex points'. Thirty five extra, precious, lovely, points to use during the week whenever we want them! God I love my flexies! If you're not on Weight Watchers, you should really try to build some extra calories in for 'whenever'. They save me over and over. I would feel so deprived if I knew I couldn't have a treat now and then. I get 22 points a day and man let me tell you, some days that just ain't gonna cut it! If I thought I could only eat those 22 and never any extra, I'd binge for sure. Just knowing that even if I do eat my 22 points, I have those 35 extra gets me through a lot of days. I don't always use my 35 extra points a week...but I sure love knowing they're there if I want them!!

8. REST AND RELAX

Pretty self explanatory I think! We need down time to rejuvenate. We need me time. Time to smell the proverbial roses. Just do it, you'll thank yourself for it. Again, don't say you don't have time. We make time for the important things and this is important. Ten minutes alone in a room with a book or just resting your eyes...whatever floats your boat. Breathe deep, relax, reflect..mmmmmmm I feel better just thinking about it!

9. ALWAYS TAKE TIME TO SMILE

I love to laugh. I need it in my life. I have never been a whole day in my entire life without laughing. It's important to surround yourself with people that make you laugh. I've got such good friends...sometimes I laugh until I have tears. I read blogs that NEVER fail to make me laugh. I'm smiling thinking of them!

10. REALIZE THAT NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE



I don't care how big your challenge is, you can do it if you want to. If you're struggling, you really don't want it bad enough. You have to know in your heart of hearts that you CAN do it. Yes, you might have to lose 300 pounds. You have to believe that you can do it. You have to KNOW it's going to be a long, slow, arduous process. As long as you know you can do it, who the hell cares how long it takes? We're so into instant gratification that if we can't have something, and have it now, we just say forget it. Sometimes, just like this goat, we feel we're hanging on by a toenail. Don't forget your goal. You can do it. Believe it.

:-)