Lindsey

Thornhill, Ontario
Published November 28, 2016

“Investing in me has changed my life for the better."

Lindsey

My name is Lindsey and I am a single mother of an awesome 11 year old boy.  Just over two years ago I found myself staring down a milestone birthday and not happy about my energy, my activity or my weight.  After an especially unhappy day, I looked up my nearest Weight Watchers meeting and joined the next day.  Making time for myself hadn't been a priority and I knew that had to change. 

I connected immediately to the leader and the members, the meetings are about comradery, support and sharing with people who understand, and have the same struggles and successes.  I have learned that we are more alike than we are different.  

What I like about the program is its focus food, fitness and overall fulfillment as well.  It is balanced, intuitive and fun.  Yes, I said fun!  I've made great friends at my weekly meeting and through WW connect online.  I have also shared my journey with my sister Madre Moynagh who attends a different meeting in a different city at almost the same time!  Investing in me has changed my life for the better. 

I reached my goal weight and have maintained, so I am now Lifetime!  I have renewed confidence, and energy, and my clothes fit better. I am excited about being in control of my continued journey! 

Lindsey - Food

Listen to your body

I love food, all the different flavours and textures and tastes.  What’s not to love?  But, as my meeting leader Kelly likes to say, none of us arrived at Weight Watchers because we ate too many vegetables! 

Weight Watchers has taught me about control and balance in what I eat.  With amazing mobile and online technology, I bring the Beyond the Scale plan with me wherever I go. It’s easy to follow and doesn’t deny me anything.  By mindfully choosing WHAT I put in my body instead HOW MUCH, I’ve learned to listen to my body and learn what I need to fuel my day. 

Most weekdays at noon, I can be found in the kitchenette at work putting together a variation of a salad like this, a hard-boiled egg (2 SPV), 1/3 Avocado (4 SPV), 1 oz. feta (3 SPV), balsamic vinaigrette (2 SPV), and a variety of delicious, colourful vegetables (0SPV) all for 11 SmartPoints values.  The protein will often change but the vegetables create a canvas for me to start with.

My colleagues are always commenting on how beautiful my lunch looks, and it keeps me full all afternoon.  I’ll usually snack on an apple during my commute home so I’m not feeling hungry as I prepare dinner.  For me, planning my meals and tracking everything I eat has been a big part of my success.

Lindsey - Fitness

Dashing through goals

I have always been interested in sports, but as my weight increased I found it increasingly difficult and tiring to be active. One of the best things that happened to me as I began to lose weight was that my energy increased.  With increased energy I started challenging myself with walking more. And then I bought my Fitbit.  My Fitbit has helped me to continue to set higher fitness goals for myself, and it’s also great because it synchronizes with my Weight Watchers app.  Walking led to the elliptical, which led to trying the rowing machine. 

Soon I was actually looking forward exercising and being active.  But here’s the best part: my increased activity didn’t just make me happier, but it benefited my son.  My beautiful, active 11 year-old now has a mother who can (almost) keep up with him!  I run, swim and play baseball with him, and I even volunteered to coach his house league baseball team!

In May of this year, my sister and I decided to attempt something big for us –the Warrior Dash.  The Warrior Dash is a 5K, 12 obstacle race through mud.  We finished, it was a blast and I felt such a sense of accomplishment.  Setting new and different fitness goals for myself keeps me excited about exercising; it doesn’t feel like a chore but a reward.  

Lindsey - Mindset

 Pushing boundaries

“Me time”.  Yes, a couple of years ago, that had gotten lost too. I was doing a lot of stuff, and getting a lot accomplished at work and home, but I was doing it to get it done and then I was on to the next thing.  I wasn’t enjoying life as I used to.  Don’t get me wrong my life wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t balanced.

The Beyond the Scale program encourages you to think about the WHYS and think about the choices that you’re making in food and fitness.  It reminds you that these choices contribute to overall fulfillment.  Making the time to do some fun stuff in life and pushing my own boundaries has brought more enjoyment to my day-to-day.

This summer, my son and I travelled to Prince Edward Island for our summer vacation.  We decided to go on a clam digging excursion.  Little did I know at the time we boarded the boat that we would be given wet suits to wear in the chilly North Atlantic waters.  My initial thought was “This body doesn’t fit inside a wet-suit”.  But guess what?  This body totally fit into the wetsuit!  I snorkeled around the ocean in a wetsuit and I had a great time doing it.  I’m trying new things and learning to push myself past my comfort zone.  

Lindsey

Your best you

I am proud of what I’ve accomplished, but I also know that this is a journey and I will continue to succeed and maybe slip, and then succeed again, because that’s life.  But I have the tools now to get back on track.

I love the way I feel and I love the confidence that Beyond the Scale has brought to me.  I couldn't have done any of this without my amazing meeting leader Kelly who, teaches, inspires, laughs, cries and encourages us every step of the way.  As well, the crazy crew of beautiful humans who let me sit in their “section” every Saturday morning, Gloria, Adrienne, Risa, Cindy, Gillian, Karen and Michelle to name a few, you inspire me!

Do something for you today, find a meeting, go online, join Beyond the Scale and re-connect with your best you, you’re gonna love her/him!

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