Weight loss - how do you hold yourself accountable?

atlantic

I've been a yo-yo-er for a while now.  Today, I recommitted to WW (but I seem to have "recommitted" a number of times now).  I'm a big believer in accountability and although a few years ago, before I got pregnant and gained the weight back, I lost over 30 lbs just with WW online, I really feel the need for accountability this time to keep my momentum going.

I plan to go to meetings as much as possible, and I think that will help.  It's a challenge as I often have V by myself on the weekends and weekday meetings are very hard for me to get to but I just have to really, really try. We were doing those daily check-ins here for a while, which I did find helpful, but I also knew y'all weren't going to yell at me if I had a bad day (which i may need!).  I 'm curious if you do anything unique to hold yourself accountable or have any additional ideas.  TIA!

JayandJack

I set small goals. 5lbs at a time. I know I want to lose more than 5lbs but for now it's just 5lbs. I write a list of gifts I am going to buy myself after losing each of the 5lbs and when I lost them and keep it off for 2 weeks I go buy it. It could be as simple as a pair of shorts, shoes or earrings. 

I also keep a goal sheet on the front of my pantry and another on my fridge becuase I'm a snacker. I LOVE snacking. I will do fine eating all of my meals but I'll come home and snack from the moment I walk in the door to the second I go to bed. The sheet helps me decide if I really want something to eat. 

I also weigh in daily. Some people don't like to but I find that if I don't then I won't lose that much weight. Doing it daily keeps me more accountable. 

Personally, we go on a beach trip every year to Port A with a bunch of friends. Most of my friends are petite and look fantastic in their swimsuits. While I looked decent in pictures next to them before I got pregnant, I don't now. I'd like to just look decent again. I have 84 days to the beach...yeah I put a countdown clock on my desktop. That's my ultimate goal is our beach trip.

bobcatsteph

I blog about it and tell everyone (family, friend's, coworkers, etc.) what my plan is. I don't like to fail at things and it helps me to know that everyone's watching me.

atlantic

Thank you, these are great ideas. Bobcat... I just read a couple of your blogs. I died laughing at the pic of Carolines morning hair!!

AustinMimi

We do weekly WW check-ins on the Austin Nestie board - feel free to chime in! Those help me with motivation, getting recipe ideas, etc.

austxgrl

I hold myself accountable with my clothes.  As soon as something is too big for me it goes straight to Goodwill.  If I gain even the slightest back my clothes are uncomfortable and it really keeps me in check.  I'm 5 pounds away from my "ideal" now and don't expect to go down any more clothing sizes so now I've started only spending on clothes that I love and look forward to wearing as opposed to clothes that I need.  It sounds goofy but it works for me.

MrsAJL

Weight Watchers, my sister (who is in WW with me) and our leader.  I've tried so many things and I give up so easily.  So far this is what has worked.  They keep me accountable in areas other than the number on the scale.  That's the least important part of weight loss for me.

I think the difference, in addition to the support, are a couple of things.

1) I don't have any time limits on when I'm going to reach my 10% and final goals. I have a general idea of when I'd like to be at my goal weight, but it's not something I'm pressuring myself over.  I'm focused more on learning new ways of eating and relating to food.

2) I don't get negative on myself when I have a gain or not as big a loss as I hoped/expected.  In seven weeks, I'd netted a loss of 7 pounds. Not bad.  I lose one week, I gain a little the next week. I lose again the following week.  I'm sort of on this two-steps-forward, one-step-back process. As long as there is a net loss, then I'm happy.

 

bobcatsteph

atlantic:

Thank you, these are great ideas. Bobcat... I just read a couple of your blogs. I died laughing at the pic of Carolines morning hair!!

Yeah, she has a lot of hair. It's a constant battle to keep it looking decent.