As soon as I completed the 10 Day Body reset last week, I received and accepted a scholarship from Nichole to the Orientation and Module 1 of her Wildly Alive Weight Loss Program. Just one day after completing the 10 Day Body Reset, I began my orientation to WAWL. I went "gung ho" on Day 1 and Day 2 and then slowed down a bit on Day 3. Today is Day 4 and I'm right back on track! I've completed Parts 1 and 2 of the Orientation and tomorrow I will begin Part 3. Each part takes two days to complete. Along with WAWL, I'm also tracking my food intake again with WW online tools. I'm adjusting my eating as I realized I have been eating more than I need to - a good reason to get back to tracking! I'm now seven pounds over the weight I was when I first arrived here in North Texas 16 months ago. I hope that by focusing again on my journey, I will get back into my size 14's and eventually even lower. More importantly, I want to feel strong, energetic and generally improve my well-being. Carrying around extra weight seems to do just the opposite!
Here is the general format for each part of the Orientation: each part includes a checklist, an audio with instructions by Nichole, and a packet of activities and/or questions and answers. In addition, on Facebook, there is a WAWL Sisterhood Forum for members of WAWL, and on the Website (some are also available on YouTube) , there are exercise and motivation videos created by Nicole. The website also has informative links and videos from other experts in the field of nutrition, and other health topics and access to recordings of past conference calls which consist of discussions on various topics with the members of WAWL. There are many more resources on the website than I can possibly list - including "extra credit" assignments. It is truly a comprehensive program!
I will write a short synopsis of each Part as I go through and complete each of them:
Part 1 of the Orientation was more about getting organized which is a KEY to success for weight loss. Along with organization comes setting up a daily routine and following certain steps which in themselves facilitate the journey to weight loss. I am working hard at keeping to the time I've set aside to work on my program. No excuses. After all, between Facebook and working on my health, the choice really should be an easy one! (completed Tuesday, November 4)
Part 2 delved into questions and answers about what has happened in the past year of our lives. It is entitled "Celebrating and Releasing the 12 Months/The Past". Other aspects of Day 2 addressed exercise (45 minutes of aerobics) and nutrition (adding veggies to at least one meal each day). I completed each component of Part 2 successfully - and I do feel a sense of accomplishment! (Completed Thursday, November 6)
Part 3 included strength workouts (30 minutes in two days) so I did a pilates workout. However, the real focus on Part 3 was identifying my "limiting beliefs". Basically, what they are are "beliefs" we hold onto about ourselves that actually sabotage our weight loss journey. I had to think hard before coming to terms with some of mine. I know I get frustrated because frankly I get tired of the yo-yo effect - lose a few pounds, gain a few pounds. I was successful a few times in my life, but eventually some of the weight crept back up each time. I also get distracted a lot - and then stop doing what's good for my body i.e. stop taking care of myself. I do have a love/hate relationship with myself. I don't enjoy trying on clothes or seeing my body in the mirror (thus the "hate" relationship) when I've gained weight - but then I have the opposite reactions when I've lost weight! I think I also have a love/hate relationship with food and get upset at myself when I eat food that truly is not healthy nor does it make me FEEL healthy! After reading Nichole's e-book "Be a Food L.O.V.E.R." , I agree that my relationship with my body is directly related to my relationship with food. Clearly, a big part of this "Orientation" is delving deeply into ourselves. Nichole believes strongly that once we discard the "limiting beliefs" and heal our relationship with our bodies as well as with food, our journey will begin to take us wherever we want to go! I do love that concept!
Part 4 is primarily about setting up "Dreams into Reality" short-term and long-term goals as well as identifying what I want my core desire feelings to be each and every day. (i.e. excited, connected, grateful, confident, energetic" etc. It's about setting up goals for all aspects of our life (not just weight loss) - in a very specific format i.e. in the present tense, using authentic language (in our own words) etc. Ex: I am feeling connected with all members of my immediate family. After we identify our personal goals, we are to choose those that are high priority (as rated on a "believability meter" and write them on goal cards, and then say them out loud to ourselves each day, or even twice a day (morning and night)! The premises, of course, is with repetition, we will actually begin believing that these goals are attainable and we will subsequently do what we need to do to reach them - which is why they are called our "manifestation goals". In addition, Part 4 asks us to list the things that we already love about our own body - which is something I found to be difficult to do! It's also about setting up a "When Helga Attacks Action Plan" (Helga is what Nichole calls our self-sabotaging voice). What steps will I take when I begin to lose confidence in myself and my ability to follow through with this program, or when I start believing that I cannot reach the goals I've set for myself.
Part 5 is less intense than parts 3 and 4 as it includes a 1) Health Evaluation and Testing of Endurance and Physical Ability 2) Measurements 3) Finding a supportive sister (thanks to my friend, Elaine, that part was easy! :) 4) buying dumbbells (have plenty of those!) 5) Self-assessment on such topics as physical energy, sleep, emotional well-being, and food cravings and 6) program commitment agreement and general suggestions and advice on following the program.
I was glad to hear from others in the forum that the Orientation was "tough" and took a lot of time! It sure has for me! But as I've mentioned to my supportive sister, I've felt a true sense of accomplishment each time I completed one of the five parts of the Orientation. I know I will be modifying some aspects of it as I go through the program - such as my limiting beliefs and short/long-term goals as they are not set in cement!
I will say that so far, this is a weight loss program like no other I've seen! It seems to be very comprehensive - a holistic approach to weight loss, not just tracking points, and exercising. As I also mentioned to Elaine, I know what I will get out of the program will depend on how much energy I put into it! I'm looking forward to feeling surrounded by more positive energy, more energetic, more connected to those around me, more goal-oriented, and more Wildly Alive! :)
My plan is to continue blogging my journey….next will be as assessment of Module 1.
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