I started a a post similar to this last year, but didn’t “stick” with it. I’m hoping there are others out there who have had similar challenges: you think you’re motivated to lose weight, but then “life” starts to get in the way and all of the sudden your weight loss goals go on the back burner.

I’m hoping by posting weekly, I’ll have some accountability for myself, and I promise to try to share things that are “bargain related” in this weekly post, too.

This year, as I set my annual goal to lose weight, I decided to do something a little bit different.  I decided to involve my entire family in the process.  In the past, when I’ve tried to lose weight, I’ve tried to do it more on a personal level – cooking one thing for me and something separate for my family, which honestly never worked out very well because by the time I get home from work, I am too tired to cook for one some days let alone cook two separate meals.  I got The Biggest Loser Cookbook: Budget Friendly Meals Your Whole Family Will Love for Christmas and several of our meals this week (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) have come from this cookbook.  I let my kids look through the book (the pictures are great) and help to pick out the recipes.  Because they’ve been involved in the process, they are “invested” and excited.  I’ve seen positive changes in my kids already that are making this “worth it” to me – they have ASKED for more fruits and veggies and been willing to eat more fruits and veggies over this past week than they have probably eaten in the past month.  Instead of asking for fruit snacks or cookies or crackers as snacks, they are asking for fruits and veggies and I love it!

Here are my initial goals: (I’d like to set much higher goals, but I also want to be realistic and I don’t want to get discouraged early on)
*Commit to making healthier meals overall for my entire family
*Exercise a minimum of four times per week – that has not been happening this week because I’ve been really sick
*Lose 10 pounds by 2/14/10

Here’s my plan:

*Commit myself to Weight Watchers~ My weight has always been a struggle for me and Weight Watchers is the only program that has really “worked” for me. About 10 years ago, I became a lifetime member and I managed to keep the weight off….until I had my first baby. After two babies, I’m read to get back on track. My first goal is to just TRACK consistently so I actually know what I’m eating and by tracking, I also know that I’ll be less likely to “cheat.”  I have to say that I am loving the new Points Plus program now that the most of the fruits and vegetables are “free” because I have been choosing fruits or vegetables when I feel the need to snack, which is helping me stay on track.

(On a side note, if you’re wondering, I have a monthly pass so I can use the online tools, but I can also attend meetings. I love being able to use the online trackers and being able to put in my recipes and calculate the points values, but I also do best when I have the accountability of actually attending a meeting).

NOW, for the bargain:  Right now, Weight Watchers is waiving their registration fee!  To make things even better, you can also sign up for Weight Watchers through Swagbucks and get 280 Swagbucks!  To access this deal, log into your Swagbucks account (or sign up here if you don’t have one yet) and click on “Special offers” on the left hand side of the screen.  Then, click on the “Trial Pay” tab.  The Weight Watchers offer was on the first page for me.  If you’ve always wanted to check Weight Watchers out, this is a great time to do it!

Here’s “the fine print” on this offer:  Purchase a Weight Watchers Online subscription or Monthly Pass. Registering for the free trial does not qualify. Valid information required. Please note: If you cancel within the first month, TrialPay reserves the right to discontinue access to your free product.
(Thanks Jess for the heads up!)

*Drink more water – I never drink enough water! I plan on taking a huge water bottle with me to work and filling it up a couple of times each day. I know that is one of the keys to weight loss (for me at least).  Those Crystal Light packets that you can drop into the water bottles have definitely helped me with this!

*Create an exercise plan for each week – Exercise tends to be the thing that gets pushed aside when other things come up, but I’m an “emotional” eater and I know that when I exercise, it helps me deal with those other issues. I also know if I make a plan, I’m more likely to stick to it! Once I’m “better” and can start exercising, my plan is to use the “Couch Potato to 5K” plan and to alternate it with Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred.

My first Weight Watchers weigh-in will be this Saturday, so I’ll keep you posted on my progress!  If you’re on a weight loss journey, too, please feel free to link up and share your experiences, plans, favorite recipes, etc. below!

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information. Just a note: I did not receive any compensation from Weight Watchers for writing this post – I just really love and believe in their program!