Counting calories does not always work

Many of us have let our bodies go a bit, we gained some weight, indulged in to many "treats" and just stopped finding or making time to exercise.
 SO like many of us, we turn for support or help. In my 30's I turned to Weight Watchers. I did terrific on weight watchers, I lost 20lbs in 8 weeks, I walked daily and added exercise back in my life, and really pushed myself to make the meetings. I felt the speakers were inspiring and I loved hearing the other members tips. What I never really liked was the counting of calories and the obsessing about what went in my mouth. I felt it was defeating the purpose of what food is. It's not exactly for pleasure although it can be, it is to fuel us, give us energy. To help us live?
  I used post-it's in my pantry on all the cookies, crackers and 100 calorie snack foods. Everything was a number. I didn't mind the food journal, and still use food journaling in my practice.

I then stopped weight watchers because my work schedule changed and I couldn't make the meetings and soon, I gained back a lot of the weight. Jump forward ten years to now, I am a health coach, I do a program very similar to weight watcher 360 I have meetings and group sessions. I work with clients one on one. I give them recipe ideas, and help them meal plan. Many of them choose Weight watchers over my program. I asked myself and other health coaches why they think that is?  Most of us believe it's because they don't have to have a lifestyle change.  Some of them evaluate their current lifestyle, behaviors and relationship to food. They learn how to achieve balance and tune into their body. IF you really do this you can see what foods you thrive on, and what foods bring you down and that is different for everyone. It's what I like to call Bioindividuality. ( a phrase from my School, IIN)  Most of what weight watchers offers is packed, prepared foods and I understand as women we are overworked, over stressed and short on time so we need convince. But many of the convenient food Weight watchers promotes is full of chemicals, sodium and your are microwaving it.

David Kirchoff, president of Weight Watchers has said "Calorie counting has been unhelpful."

IF we have a 100 calorie apple in one hand and a 100 calorie pack of cookies in the other, we view them as "the same" because the calories are the same, it says everything that needs to be said about the limitations of just using calories in guiding food choices."

I am NOT saying weight watchers is not a good program. Weight Watchers has been around for 40 years. Weight Watchers is more than a diet. It's a a weight-loss program. The weight loss community and support is terrific, but Weight Watchers isn't for everyone.

I also feel like the on-site weekly weigh-ins, although confidential, can be a downer if you are not meeting your weight loss goals or are ashamed of your weight. In my coaching practice I ask clients to share their weight with me at the time of our first session, some choice to tell, other's don't . Then I ask them not to get on a scale again till our 6 month program is over.  I think inches and BMI are more important, along with movement. It is up to the individual to make healthy choices. Do not make your food choices based on points alone. Read labels before purchasing things and limit your fat and sugar intake.

The yo-yo effect is dangerous. The results that can be achieved from counting calories are temporary. Once you stop counting and limiting your calories, you can easily go back to your previous weight, and in many cases even beyond that weight. Your old habits need to change for life, and you need to really figure out if you are hungry, stressed and or emotional eating or binging.

So all and all, I applaud every man and women who do Weight Watchers and lose weight and keep it off, I just feel like these same people would have even better success if they worked with a health coach who could help them- move away from processed foods and who could teach them how to meal plan and who would listen to them, for one hour twice a week. They could still get support and recipe and inspirational tips, and most Health coaches are cheaper than weight watchers, in the end.

Weight watchers is an impressive organization but you have to ask yourself as a mother and a women, they are not pushing whole foods and plant based diets- and why is that???

I am always happy to see vegan and vegetarian dishes on their websites, but no specific meetings for vegans or vegetarians and no support system for people choosing Vegan or Whole food Plant based- and let me tell you when you first transition from processed food to plant based you need SUPPORT.

I contacted someone from my local chapter about the lack of WFPBD ( whole food plant based diets) and they told me there was not an interest in this in our area.  I think some time they might offer this, but just not sure when.  They could make a huge difference in the global shift, as mothers and women decide they are not going to serve processed food any more and they are going to have Meatless Monday's for there families. They could make a huge influence that could manifest across the country in many ways... I hope they see the light... but in the mean time ~ if you are a WFPBD eater or family.. check out a health coach... your listening to one talk right now... and I do phone, skype and in person sessions.



what could a health coach do for me ?
A holistic health coach is responsible for educating and encouraging individuals in multiple areas of wellness, such as balancing work and life, nutrition and meal planning, exercise, medications and self-esteem. These professionals guide people with this health approach because they believe that all parts of health are connected and that looking at one individual area of wellness is not sufficient. As part of her work, a holistic health coach also engages in other activities related to business and health services, such as coordinating with physicians on behalf of the client and keeping client records.

Whale or Mermaid

 * this is going around facebook... so I put here with my thoughts....

A while back, at the entrance of a gym, there was a picture of a very thin and beautiful woman. The caption was "This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?"

The story goes, a woman (of clothing size unknown) answered the following way:

"Dear people, whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, seals, curious humans), they are sexually active and raise their children with great tenderness.
They entertain like crazy with dolphins and eat lots of prawns. They swim all day and travel to fantastic places like Patagonia, the Barents Sea or the coral reefs of Polynesia.
They sing incredibly well and sometimes even are on cds. They are impressive and dearly loved animals, which everyone defend and admires.

Mermaids do not exist.

But if they existed, they would line up to see a psychologist because of a problem of split personality: woman or fish?
They would have no sex life and could not bear children.
Yes, they would be lovely, but lonely and sad.
And, who wants a girl that smells like fish by his side?

Without a doubt, I'd rather be a whale.

At a time when the media tells us that only thin is beautiful, I prefer to eat ice cream with my kids, to have dinner with my husband, to eat and drink and have fun with my friends.

We women, we gain weight because we accumulate so much wisdom and knowledge that there isn't enough space in our heads, and it spreads all over our bodies.
We are not fat, we are greatly cultivated.
Every time I see my curves in the mirror, I tell myself: "How amazing am I ?! "

(The girl on the picture is French model Tara Lynn)


 I am struggling once again with my weight.. in high-school I could eat what ever I wanted and not gain a bit... sound familiar... then in my late 20's... I had some depression... and I noticed I used food as comfort.. I looked forward to it... I was never a big drinker, nor did I do drugs or smoke... food made me feel good. I wasn't a big shopper and I never gamble.... SO food did it for me. When I got married I was still thin in the stomach but the but and the thighs... were getting bit... I think big can be beautiful.. but I learned MEN don't like it... and yes, who cares what they think... but in reality I care... a bit.

Then came Weight watchers... I love vegetables.. and fruit.. is good.. but I have a problem.. a terrible love affair with sugar... Pumpkin bread, Carmel....sweets rule me... I don't drink soda.. but after most meals..I need a little snack... NOW... I am 200 lbs... and I am not exercising regularly... I have done boot camps and kick boxing.. love them all... but I need the push... and once I don't go due to money.. the push isn't there and I fall.... I eat healthy.. Little red meat.. lots of vegetables. especially in the fall.. butternut squash, and acorn squash.. and Kale and my favorite sweet potatoes... but it's my servings... I have seconds.....I love the saying that we gain weight when our wisdom.. has no room... in our heads so it spreads... but in reality.... I think BIG weight gain and no or little exercise can be unhealthy and I want to live to see my son's children.. So I really love this picture and these words above.... but we need to be realistic... and check are cholesterol numbers and or blood pressure and really be sure we are a HEALTHY weight... regardless of whales and mermaids.