I got an email from the WW people saying that my monthly official weigh-in was overdue (it’s taking me a while to understand the rules here) so I thought I’d check out a meeting out here in the Midwest. Found one just a mile from my hotel.
Now this is the deal with Lifetime. You are eligible for free meetings if you are no more than 2 lbs over your Goal Weight. (the weight you were at when achieving LT). At my last weigh-in, I was almost two pounds UNDER. So today, I was 1.8 lbs over THAT weight, which meant I was .4 lb over my GOAL. (also, the clothes I am wearing are easily .4 heavier than my normal weigh-in outfit) And the weigher tsk-tsked at me and said, “Hmm, 1.8 up. Well, you’re on vacation, right?”
It affected me. WOW. Why did I let it affect me? I sat and steamed through the whole meeting (and btw the leader was TERRIFIC, not the same person as the weigher). It made me think, once again, about how sensitive this whole weigh-in thing is. People who do this can seriously throw people off. When I do this at my job, I really try to be as positive as possible, as encouraging as I can.
I really liked the meeting, which was about restaurant eating. Speaking of restaurants, my daughter took me to this GREAT place last night. It was so uber-healthy and delicious! You basically go to this huge vegetable bar, load up your bowl, add some protein (if you want) and they stir fry it up and bring it to your table. You have total control of portions, ingredients, etc. It was incredibly yummy.
Anyway, back to the meeting. The leader had everyone fold up their nametags (good way to have people not walking around with tags on all day) and she did a drawing for a prize. The woman next to me said she does this every week. I’ll have to remember this. It was fun – she gave away a journal. I wonder if she gets these things in bulk or whatever, but I thought it was a great idea.
I came back to my hotel for breakfast. They have this free buffet thing with a decent assortment. I headed straight for the hot egg mcmuffin (actually a mcBagel thing). Definitely not the best choice but I was still all messed up from the stupid weigh in. WHY? And why did it make me make a “bad” choice? I didn’t just have one, but two. (OK, two HALVES so I guess one whole bagel!) NOT a big deal in and of itself, but the fact that I was eating out of pure emotion. Hmmm.
Then after breakfast I was too full to go work out. But I’m not in the mood for hotel gym right now. I’m going to go to that Nia class again. I am hoping it will help calm me down.
Interesting what a crazy cycle it all is. If I had weighed-in at home, I would have felt perfectly HAPPY with my weight, which is just FINE. But that offhand little comment/facial expression whatever, just threw me. It THREW ME ACROSS THE ROOM. It made me eat all emotionally. How stupid is that? Or how…? I don’t know. I’m just feeling all discombobulated right now and I could really use some spacey music (or maybe some geriatric lavender aromatherapy, hm Mizfit?) to calm me down.
foodfoodbodybody 
September 11, 2009 at 12:54 pm
I can’t believe someone at a WW meeting would say that. Don’t let it get to you. Plus, you are on vacation, and there are times to indulge yourself.
September 11, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Mmm, I can see why you were thrown by that! YOU know and I know that you’re doing great at maintaining. But the system doesn’t recognize that.
I think you have to go with your gut here, remind yourself you’re fine and file this experience under “Things not to say at WW meetings”.
September 11, 2009 at 1:19 pm
The scale all by itself can throw me across the room if it isn’t giving me the information I expect at Weight Watchers. And it almost always sends me into an eating frenzy for the day. I can’t imagine what it’s like to have someone pass judgment on my results for the week. I’m fortunate that in my WW group, the leaders and weighers are all very careful about this and always encouraging.
Don’t let it throw you for too long. You are amazing and have made an amazing transformation. I hope your Nia class makes you feel better!
September 11, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Like I told you on Twitter, I’m just really surprised that she had that reaction. You were perfect. Weight fluctuates a bit every single day!
I’m sorry she threw you off, but just know that those of us in real life maintenance with you think you are rockin’ it!
September 11, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Oh I’m so sorry that happened!! I think you are doing awesome and maybe her own insecurities about the scales were reflected in her reaction. You are happy and healthy and that’s what matters. I know you will pass that happy, healthy attitude onto those women you weigh in that may have had less then a steller week. You’re doing awesome! Don’t let anyone take your success away from you!!
September 12, 2009 at 4:13 pm
I am sorry you had to have that experience. You really are doing great. I hope you are having a nice weekend.
September 12, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Ah. Interesting. I would think that the people that weigh in people would have special “non-tsk-tsk” training and they would be able to keep that kind of reaction under control.
We all should “tsk-tsk” that person. I don’t think that is very nice or professional.
I am just seeing this now (9/12) and from what I have seen of you I am sure you are over this and have bounced back to your usual “kick-butt” self. So, I am not going to give you words of encouargement to get you over this . . . . I am going to cheer you on because I am sure you ARE over this and you are kicking some tushie! Rah-rah-rah!
September 12, 2009 at 6:41 pm
Are the weigh-in people supposed to be so judgmental? I wouldn’t think so, based on how sweet you are; this would really bother me. Sorry it hit you so hard. You are doing so well and your maintenance has been stellar – I hope you are feeling better about everything today!
We had a restaurant similar to the one you went to – it was so great to build a healthy meal while eating out. Unfortunately, it went out of business…not enough deep-fried items for my southern neighbors, I guess. 😦
September 13, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Oh, I can so relate to feeling thrown across the room by the number on the scale, even when there’s no one there to tsk-tsk. And as you said, it wasn’t the number, but the tsk-er. Anyway, I have had my days (weeks) when I let the emotions of a situation throw me into a food frenzie. It’s just one more thing to have to forgive ourselves for, to learn from, and catch ourselves sooner the next time!
September 14, 2009 at 9:21 am
I absolutely hear ya. Offhand comments can really throw you for a loop! That woman is stupid. +1.8 is NOTHING in a month! Seriously, the average poo weights like, what, 3 pounds? What about water retention? Clothes? Time of the month? ANYTHING could make the scale move around a pound or two.
Anyway, keep doing what you’re doing – it sounds like you’re doing great!
September 15, 2009 at 11:07 pm
That’s so frustrating. We’re so easily influenced by one word or one look from someone else!
I think it’s also really interesting how we can eat more one day but feel good about it because it was hunger-related, and less on another day but feel bad about it because it was emotional-eating. Hm.