Journey2Fitness

Weight Watchers Momentum Plan - A New Start for 2009

The new year usually prompts Weight Watchers to come out with at least a plan refresh, if not a whole new plan. In 2009, they're combining the Core and Flex plans back into one-size-fits all. Early indications are it was a good move, but the scale will tell, right? It's called "Momentum" and has a brand-new ad campaign complete with an animated Hunger character (costumed, in some instances) to personify the struggle. We no longer need worry about Core versus Flex, or debate the pros and cons of trying to combine the two plans ourselves in various creative -- and in my case, unproductive -- ways. From the Flex plan, with its journaling requirement and access to any food in moderation, and the Core plan's focus on healthy, whole meats, fruits and vegetables into one plan that hopefully has the best of both. I have to admit, I'm still sold that the Core plan, with its fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and notable lack of dairy, breads, alcohol and processed foods is the healthy way to eat. But I haven't been able to do better on it than hover around my number that must not be named while following Core. Core Foods are renamed "Filling Foods" but it's the same old Core Foods list, with a few new additions. We're all encouraged to eat from the Filling Foods list, but Core plan followers are back to tracking every mouthful, every point. Keys to success with Core that I still haven't mastered:

• Exercise portion control. Despite the many lectures from my leader Paula on paying attention to how full I feel, monitoring for emotional eating behaviors, and advice on how to estimate portions, I find I need the discipline of tracking and measuring.
• Eat out infrequently. I find it especially difficult to follow Core while eating out. I really like to cook, but I crave the relief of restaurants and fast food in my busy schedule.
• Track the weekly points allowance. I definitely couldn't have made Core work as well as I did for as long as it did without the flexibility of those 35 discretionary points per week. But I used those points as "license to fudge." A couple of glasses of wine a night can take care of that in a hurry, leaving no room for eating out, somebody bringing breakfast tacos...

In the new combined plan, those missing skills are still going to be necessary. Going back to full journaling will help. When I first adopted Core, I tracked for awhile, having to lie to eTools to be able to use its full tracker. When I stopped the full tracking, it started a slow but steady downward slide in my accountability. So here's to accountability! There's no escaping accountability for my weight and fitness, except in my own mind. Everybody else sees the results clearly! Let me know what you think of the Momentum plan, how you're doing, whether you miss Core, or feel you can follow it just fine anyway. I'm eager to hear from you!

Melting my Fat Suit

Pondering what to change in my approach for the New Year 2009, I've decided to change the way I think about my personal journey to fitness, weight loss, healthy living and all that. Melting My Fat Suit. This conjures up a better mental image for me - there's a healthy body underneath some extra fat. All I have to do is melt the fat away, using (sigh) the time-tested, proven methods of eating fewer calories than I ingest. I can see the slimmer me trying to get out, right now. In my mind's eye.