Leadership

Good news ... today was my weigh-in day and I lost 4.6 pounds last week! That more than makes up for my wild NYC weekend. I guess all my kvetching about 11 flex points really wasn't that big of a deal. I think now that I'm back under 200 again my daily points allowance changes from 26 to 25. I think that's doable. I was worried it was going to change to 24. I know 1 point isn't a big deal, I think it's just the idea of losing 2 points at the same time that had me scared. A gradual loss of points is more manageable for me.

So, my goal of 34 by 34 is potentially doable at this point. It would mean I'd need to lose at least 3 pounds each week for the next 2 weeks. I think I'm going to go for it. Even if I don't make it, I'll still probably be down 30 by the time I turn 34. Believe it or not the numbers aren't a big deal to me. It's more a game I'm playing with myself to keep myself entertained. After a while losing isn't as exciting. I can't believe I'm actually saying that. In fact it's a little bit of a lie. I was worried after NYC that I had somehow plateaued and I wouldn't be able to get past 200 again. It's nice to see counting points and exercise does works.

I didn't make my exercise goal as you can see from the ticker up top. I went 3 days out of the 5 I had wanted to go. I think it was more of a stretch goal than a realistic goal. But, I like the idea of a stretch goal. I'm going to set the same goal for next week ... 225 minutes in 7 days. School is getting busier now that the semester has started in earnest, but I can read for class on the bike so it's multi-tasking!

I'm taking a leadership development class this semester. During the first class we had a discussion on the difference between managing and leading. Managers focus on getting the staff to accomplish tasks while leaders focus on motivating the staff to achieve the company's higher level strategies and vision or mission. My Weight Watchers meeting leader tonight got me thinking about leadership. (I switched from Tuesday night meetings to Thursday night meetings.) The Thursday night leader, Melvin, is awesome. He is so energetic and actually funny. People laugh at his self-deprecating humor instead of the faint-hearted smiles the Tuesday night group would give our leader when she tried to make a joke. He engages the members and makes it a safe place to share. He is successfully leading the group and fulfilling the Weight Watchers vision. (I know, I have totally drank the kool-aid.) It is great to see that in action. While I have only been a member since August 2006, I haven't had any inspiring leaders until now. I'm looking forward to next Thursday night!