My Weight Loss Journey: Our Family Gained Much More Than I Lost

Thank you Jenny Craig for sponsoring this post. — Get serious about losing weight with Jenny Craig!

It is said that “one man’s loss is another is another man’s gain” and in this case, I whole-heartedly agree.

Over the past two months, I lost much more than I could have hoped for. When I set out on this journey, my goal was not even a quantified number. I signed up, hoping to improve my confidence, my health and hopefully lose a few pounds and inches off my waistline.

Now, almost 8 weeks later, I feel that our family gained as much as I lost.

In the beginning of January, I committed to join the Jenny Craig program for 8 weeks. I was excited to start the new year with a focus on ME, my health and my body. Never having dieted a day in my life, I had no idea what I signed up for. All I knew was that I could stand to lose a little weight and 2017 seemed as good a time as any to start.

Our family learned quite a few things from me being on the Jenny Craig program. The kids gained valuable life lessons they otherwise would have never learned.

Life Lessons:

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” (- Lao Tzu)

Jansen asks me every single morning “mama, how much have you taken off now?” (meaning, how much weight have you lost?). As part of the Jenny Craig program, I have to weigh myself every morning and write down my weight on my daily menu. The kids walk up at least once a day to look at my notes to see how much, if any weight, I have lost from the day before.
They see that over the course of a week, I generally lose 1.4 pounds*, which to them isn’t a whole lot. However, as the weeks pass by, they notice the lost pounds add up to a considerable amount.

“A dream becomes a goal when action is taken toward its achievement” (- Bo Bennett)

Our four boys have a lot of questions about WHY I want to lose weight. I am honest with them. We teach our kids to love and respect others and themselves without judgement, especially when it comes to body image.
However, it is also important that they see their mother jump into action instead of pouting and “being the victim” of circumstance when there’s something she’s not happy with.
I have told the kids that I want to be healthy and look my very best – and to achieve this, I have to exercise, eat healthy and not eat an entire apple pie by myself.
When the kids stumble upon an obstacle, we teach them that doing something about the problem is the only way to get through it. Losing weight and self-improvement is much the same. Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I have to do something about it – and I am.
The kids see me make “sacrifices”. They notice that I am walking more and exercising when I have a few spare moments. They ARE watching me work towards my goal – and that’s powerful for them – and me.

Run, hide or blend-in with the walls when mama is hungry.

I must admit, the first few weeks of cutting my portion sizes and reducing my caloric intake was probably as hard on my family as it was on me. The word “HANGRY” comes to mind (“hungry” + “angry” = “hangry”.)
I mentioned to my Weight Loss Consultant, Debi that I had been rather cranky (a gross understatement). She immediately arranged for soup additions to be sent to me and she gave me great “healthy snack” choices to help bridge the calorie-gap in-between meals. Having someone to talk to about my weight-loss journey every week helped me stick to the program, week after week.

These past months have been a little harder than I thought (in the beginning), but much more rewarding than I could have hoped for in the end.

In my initial post about my weight loss journey, I said that my goal was simply to not have to suck in my stomach when I talk to people. I was tired of people either staring or asking if I was pregnant.

I am thrilled to report that NO – I am NOT pregnant… but that today I wore a form-fitting t-shirt… and I didn’t need to suck in my stomach.

I am down 15 pounds* since I started with Jenny Craig. My confidence has soared, my wardrobe is no longer limited to flowy tops, and I simply couldn’t be prouder of myself.

My lifestyle changes implemented through the Jenny Craig program has changed our entire family - for the better.

My favorite breakfast shake from Jenny Craig

I never thought a weightloss journey would have such a profound impact on my entire family – otherwise I would have done this much sooner.

The weight I lost is one way to measure my success. Showing my kids that instead of hiding my body, complaining over my looks and feeling sorry for myself, I am doing something to be a healthier and happier mom – on the inside and the outside – and THAT is a life lesson they wouldn’t have had otherwise.

Thank you, Jenny Craig for giving me the opportunity to show my kids what it takes to turn your dreams into achievable goals.

*) Results not typical. Members following the Jenny Craig program, on average, lose 1-2 lbs. per week. I received promotional consideration.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.