If you want to feel 50...

then join weight watchers.



Really people. I feel like I can officially slip on some Jordache jeans, or swap my purse for a fanny pack because now that I have joined the WW, I feel as though I have taken the leap...the next step into momhood.

It is not the actual WW program that makes me feel this way. It is the dreaded Saturday morning (7:30 am because I have a suckling baby and wild toddler and can't get there any other time unless my hubby babysits) weigh-in.

From the time I walk in that door, I am surrounded by middle-aged, out of shape women who are undoubtedly suffering from hot flashes and have come with a group of friends for moral support. Immediately I feel slightly out of place. I look for my file and approach the "weigh-in" desk only to be greeted by an overly-zealous "after" product of the WW program who will look me in the eye after I step on the scale and find a positive atta-girl/you'll-do-better-next-time comment for my +2 weight gain.

Then comes the fun part. The meeting. The gathering of fat souls, if you will.

The meeting is where you learn special skills to help you battle your weight problem. You can talk through your struggles and celebrate your accomplishments. Just last week I was awarded with another gold star for my 5-pound loss. I got to stand in the front. People applauded. People cheered. I felt good about myself.

Some of the meeting topics include: Staying the course, Avoiding pitfalls, Know your eating "triggers".

In my Saturday meeting there is one man. ONE MAN in this pool of estrogen who is at least 75 years old, skinny as a rail, and keeps a notepad with him to jot down tips from the lectures. Last week when talking about what we do when we feel an eating trigger come on, he responded, "I fix myself a warm cup of tea and sit down to watch a show until my mind is distracted from the temptation to binge."

Really mister? With all due respect, do you really know what it means to binge? Do you know what it feels like to have children pulling at your ankles, barf on your shirt, no time for a morning shower, and finally when you manage to get both kids asleep at the same time all you want to do is reward yourself with a dozen warm chocolate chip cookies for a job well done? I'm sorry, but warm tea is not going to cut it for me. Seriously!

This same 130-pound elderly man (bless his heart) raised his hand last week and said, "I found Sara Lee DeLIGHTful bread at costco for only $4.00. It's only one WW point for each slice." I admire his enthusiasm. Who knows...maybe he's lost 300 pounds on the program?

Last week I heard a confessional from a woman who attributed her obesity to her abusive home life as a child. Call me crazy, but I don't think I'd be sharing such information in a group of total strangers. I suppose WW can be a safe haven for all to unload their psychological baggage.

Well, all strangeness aside, the fact is...I have an after-baby muffin-top/dunlop that needs immediate remedying. This is what keeps me coming back. And I'll be honest...each time I go, I feel more part of the group. I love the little old man. He's endearing. I love the chubby moms all trying for the same goal. I love swapping recipes with the lady who's lost over 180 pounds. It is truly inspirational.


Now, if only I could love eating celery instead of cereal. Or cherries instead of chocolate chip cookies. Or fat-free mayo instead of french fries. Why? Why does it have to be SOOOOO hard?

If you have a healthy recipe/snack you'd like to share, please tell me. If you need to vent about your dieting frustrations...you can do it here too. This blog is a safe haven. Come one, come all.