Succeed This Summer!

Summer’s many delights can pose challenges to your weight-loss efforts. But here’s the thing: It’s totally normal to drift a bit. Luckily, as you might have discussed in your meeting this week, there are lots of ways to accommodate your desire to have fun, travel, entertain—in short, to enjoy all that the season has to offer—while not losing touch with your healthy-living efforts. Your Weekly can help you decide what success looks like to you this summer. You might tweak your goals, or to allow a small gain—what’s important is to stay connected so you don’t go too far off track.
And thanks to our new Summer TRY-athon, it’s a pleasure to do so—literally. We’re encouraging you to try something new—whether it’s dining at that new Thai restaurant in town, or taking a barre class, or even finally making time to shop for a new suit. You can get some more inspiration here. Ask your Meeting Room team for all the details!

Try these ideas to help you stay focused to your summer goals:

• Be here now As long as you’re committed to your plan today, you’re succeeding because you’re taking charge of your life. Scanning the horizon for goals that are far in the future can sap your motivation.

• Watch your language Recast negative phrases. Instead of saying "No,” “I can’t” or “I’ll try,” shift to the positive. Say: “Yes,” “I can” and “I will.” For example, instead of saying, “I won’t overeat” or “I can’t have chocolate,” say “I will track my food and stay within my budget.”

• Picture this Find a photo of yourself before you started your weight-loss plan. Tack it on the refrigerator, a bedroom or bathroom mirror, or inside the pantry. As you reach new goals, take new pictures to visually mark your progress.

• Weigh in Although the number on the scale isn’t the only way to measure success, weighing in every week at your meeting can help to keep you accountable and guard against a slip becoming a slide.

• Keep moving It does you good physically and mentally—and every little bit counts! And an activity device makes sure to count every little bit! Watching your steps add up can be a great motivator.

• Partner up Exercising with a friend makes an everyday workout a social event. Schedule days to meet with your workout buddy, and if one of you tries to bow out, act as the other’s conscience. Participating in a Community Challenge is another way to stay connected and get inspired.

• Be in touch Hit up a Weight Watchers meeting regularly—even when you’re on vacation if you can. It’ll connect you with a member support system that will give you a gentle nudge if needed. If you’re away from home, try our Find a Meeting tool. And Connect on our mobile app brings a world of encouragement and inspiration to your fingertips.

• Set mini goals (and celebrate yourself!) When long-term goals seem far away, downsize them. Making it to the gym twice a week counts; so does choosing a fruit or veg for your snack. Thank yourself for your commitment and hard work with a nonfood pleasure. It doesn’t have to cost a thing: take a book or DVD out from the library, steal a 20-minute nap, take a selfie and post it on Connect. Do something that makes you feel good about you—and do it often, all summer long!