“I used to feel held back and stuck. Now I know I can do anything as long as I put the effort into it."
Hi Weight Watchers Canada, I’m Shanna! I'm a 34 year old living in London ON and I’m super excited to be sharing my journey with all of you! Weight Watchers is an integral part of my daily life and has been so for the past 3 years. I was never "the fit girl" growing up. I have always struggled with my weight and just never considered that I could be healthy or fit. I felt stuck and at a loss. Then in 2013 my best friend asked me to be her maid of honour. I desperately wanted to look and feel good on the day of the wedding, and in all the photos. The wedding, and my mom's encouragement (she has been a Weight Watchers member for as long as I can remember) were the catalysts that finally gave me the courage to walk through the doors at Weight Watchers. That day was the beginning but by no means the end. Throughout my journey I have learned that while I have lost about 75lbs, this is a lifelong commitment to my health and happiness and there is no finish line.
Shaking up snacks
My typical day is filled with healthy and tasty fruits, veggies, protein, fats and whole grains (I especially love crock pot steel cut oatmeal for breakfast). But I also need healthy, yummy and varied snacks. Someone in a meeting mentioned frozen yogurt bark. I went on an online search and found a super easy recipe for chocolate frozen yogurt bark with fruit. At only 2 Smartpoints values per serving this snack is easy and delicious and is awfully tasty after a day of home renovations or after a long hot run. Bonus - it feeds my chocolate craving!
Taking chances
I always hated gym class and was never good with team sports. I'm too clumsy! I spent the majority of my adult life being pretty sedentary, but a few years ago I considered learning to run. It was one of those ideas that just pops into your mind and won't go away. So I signed up for a learn to run clinic and a few years later I have completed multiple 5K and 10K races and just ran my first half marathon last fall! I am now training for my second half marathon. I always feel awesome after a run (even if sometimes it is difficult to convince myself to go). Running has made me believe that I can do anything. It has helped me to be less scared to take chances. One of the best things about running is meeting new friends! Some of the best conversations happen during a run. I have a Fitbit as well and I love that it tracks all my steps (especially when I am in training for a run as I rack up a lot of steps) and it shows me how many FitPoints I earned. The extra kick of motivation really helps.
Being comfortable
Health and happiness for me extend beyond whatever the scale says. It is about having the energy and ability to do the things I used to shy away from, whether that is hiking 85km through Bruce Peninsula with my boyfriend or participating in mud runs with my friends! It is about being inspired by the fitness journeys of my friends and family - my dad joined Weight Watchers this year and is now back in the same size jeans he wore in 1975 (but no plaid bell bottoms this time around!). It is also about being comfortable in my own skin - this summer is the first summer I have ever worn shorts as an adult! I am also comfortable and happy in a bathing suit now - something that I found difficult all of my life. I am stepping completely out of my box and doing a fun outdoor boudoir shoot this summer to celebrate my achievements. This is something I never would have considered in the past.
An amazing feeling
Weight Watchers really did change my life. I used to feel held back and stuck. Now I know I can do anything as long as I put the effort into it. I feel like my life has more balance, and am now the version of myself that I only wished I could be when I was a little girl. That is an amazing feeling. The plan hasn't been restrictive. It's so easy to follow and I know I will be able to continue this for the long term. My leaders Brenda and Moya and all the lovely folks in the meetings have been so wonderful and inspiring over the last few years.
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