Weighing In - Week Eighteen

For “Weighing In”, you should post the following things: (1) your weight loss, maintenance or GAIN (yes, own up to it if it's true) for the past week (2) your personal goal for the rest of the week (try to restrict it to one) and (3) your anticipated non-food reward for achieving that goal. Since it seems we are all choosing to weigh-in on Tuesdays, I will try to create a post for every new week the day before we weigh-in (Mondayish). This would be a good post to add encouraging words for other individuals as well.

Tips and Tricks - Week Eighteen

Tip: Don't Leave Home Hungry! Before you leave for your event, make sure you're not hungry. If you are, have something simple like a piece of fruit, two low-fat string cheese sticks, or a yogurt or a multi-grain cracker with a serving of low-fat peanut butter on it. All of these will help fill you up and give you control over the foods you choose.

Trick: Go splitzies on EVERYTHING! You and your significant other probably have different tastes, but if you can get them to help you out, everyone will be happier. Anything (absolutely anything) you decide to eat, immediately cut/break it in half and give half to someone else (like your significant other). Even if you go back for seconds or even thirds, you are still likely to eat less in the long run. We do tend to feel embarrassed when people see us going back for more and more and more......

Tips and Tricks - Week Seventeen

Surviving Holiday Parties: Barbel Knauper, an associate professor of psychology at McGill University in Montreal, believes a lack of advanced planning before social situations is one of the deepest pitfalls of diet failure. He writes, "If people were making 'when, where, how' plans, they would be more likely to adhere to their goal." For example, prepare a plan before going to the event. Determine what you will eat and also how you will respond to typical queries from your friends. Before heading out, you might say to yourself, "When I go out for dinner tonight, I won't order a large entree, but a smaller one. I won't eat pasta. I'll stick with my choice even if they pressure me to eat more." Socializing is one of the top three reasons people eventually fail with a diet, according to Dr. Michael Dansinger, an assistant professor of medicine at Tufts-New England Medical Center, in Boston. Even go so far as to write down what you will eat, what you will say, and what you want to talk about (I threw that last one in there just in case the topic of dieting comes up and you want to change the subject quickly, haha). One thing I've tried in the past that has (sometimes) been successful is journaling my food BEFORE I eat it. Then I feel like I've already committed to certain foods, and eating those foods would be easier than breaking out the white-out and having to do the journal over again after I stray.

Weighing In - Week Seventeen

Well, it was Thanksgiving... what's the point? I skipped a week, true, but it was difficult preparing to host my first Thanksgiving dinner party AND finish up the first trimester! But things are settled down now... second trimester is off to a fine start, all the dished are finally clean, and Brad and I have eaten almost all of the leftovers. Things are almost back to normal. One little difference, though; I've broken out the old journal and have started Weight Watchers again (a process that truly has no end, but everyone should go into it knowing that fact). I'm going to the 5:30 meeting today, and afterwards I will hit the gym. At least until Christmas, I intend to follow the plan properly. So who's with me? :) Well, even if we're all just pluggin' away at our own paces, I wish the best of luck to everyone! I'll be back in another week to give you all the update! :)


On another note, since no one ever leaves a gripe or question, I'm just going to drop those posts. Really, hardly a tip or trick has been left, but I will still keep that post up since I like to leave a tip and or trick of the week.

Weighing In - Week Fifteen

For “Weighing In”, you should post the following things: (1) your weight loss, maintenance or GAIN (yes, own up to it if it's true) for the past week (2) your personal goal for the rest of the week (try to restrict it to one) and (3) your anticipated non-food reward for achieving that goal. Since it seems we are all choosing to weigh-in on Tuesdays, I will try to create a post for every new week the day before we weigh-in (Mondayish). This would be a good post to add encouraging words for other individuals as well.

Tips and Tricks - Week Fifteen

Questions - Week Fifteen

Have a random question about the Weight Watchers program or anything else diet and exercise related? Post it here. Have an answer? Go ahead and enlighten us all!

Gripes - Week Fifteen

Go right ahead and gripe! We all have the option to read them or not depending on how we feel. If gripes don't fill you with negative energy, sometimes it's nice to know how much the people around you are suffering, too. Yeah, it sounds bad, but you know it's true...... ;)

Weighing In - Week Fourteen

For “Weighing In”, you should post the following things: (1) your weight loss, maintenance or GAIN (yes, own up to it if it's true) for the past week (2) your personal goal for the rest of the week (try to restrict it to one) and (3) your anticipated non-food reward for achieving that goal. Since it seems we are all choosing to weigh-in on Tuesdays, I will try to create a post for every new week the day before we weigh-in (Mondayish). This would be a good post to add encouraging words for other individuals as well.

Tips and Tricks - Week Fourteen

Tips: According to Discovery Healthy Nutrition and Fitness, here are a few healthy snack option ideas (I've abridged the list to the obvious yet available):
1. Carrots — Cut them into sticks and dip them in salsa, light salad dressing, yogurt dip or peanut butter.
2. Bananas — On their own, they're great, but add them to a smoothie, or freeze them for a fun treat, and they're even better.
3. Celery — They're as versatile as carrots and even lower in calories. And they're crunchy enough to help die-hard chip fans get through the munchies.
4. Cucumbers — Slice them up and sprinkle lightly with salt for a refreshing snack.
5. Orange juice/Other juices — If you have Popsicle molds or even just ice cube trays, pour in the juice and pop it in the freezer. In just a few hours, you'll have a cool and tasty refreshment.
6. Peanut butter — Slather on an apple or to add a tablespoon or two to a smoothie for a protein-rich treat.
7. Quesadillas — Use black beans or any other canned beans you have on hand. Add in a sprinkling of cheese, a dollop of salsa and you're in business.
8. Raisins — sprinkle these high iron and fiber-rich gems into plain yogurt or mix with 1/3 cup of nuts for instant trail mix.
9. Salsa — makes a great dip for veggies and also can be used on sandwiches as a low fat spread instead of mayo.
10. Yogurt — If you have plain yogurt in the fridge, you're ready to go. Add some fresh herbs (parsley, dill or thyme will all work), along with a dash of salt and pepper, and you're set.

Tricks: Buy lots of extra measuring spoons and cups! When you're eating peanut butter, for example, scoop it from the jar using a tablespoon making sure to smooth off the top (no heaping!) properly. Eat it directly from the spoon as if it were a lollipop... slowly! Because you're using a measuring spoon instead of a regular spoon, you will know exactly how much you are eating (2 points worth). This will work for anything that can be eaten directly out of a measuring spoon or cup. Why transfer or start in another dish when you can so accurately assess the damage when using the proper measuring tool?

Questions - Week Fourteen

Have a random question about the Weight Watchers program or anything else diet and exercise related? Post it here. Have an answer? Go ahead and enlighten us all!

Gripes - Week Fourteen

Go right ahead and gripe! We all have the option to read them or not depending on how we feel. If gripes don't fill you with negative energy, sometimes it's nice to know how much the people around you are suffering, too. Yeah, it sounds bad, but you know it's true...... ;)

Weighing In - Week Thirteen

Is thirteen an unlucky number? Did the spooky scale scare you this week? We shall see......

For “Weighing In”, you should post the following things: (1) your weight loss, maintenance or GAIN (yes, own up to it if it's true) for the past week (2) your personal goal for the rest of the week (try to restrict it to one) and (3) your anticipated non-food reward for achieving that goal. Since it seems we are all choosing to weigh-in on Tuesdays, I will try to create a post for every new week the day before we weigh-in (Mondayish). This would be a good post to add encouraging words for other individuals as well.

TREATS or TRICKS - Week Thirteen

Let's switch it up for tips and tricks this week and post about our spooktacular failures (the tricks) and our most devilishly favorite foods (the treats)! First share a hunger horror story, then dish on the kind of stuff you would find in your treat bag if calories didn't exist.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Questions - Week Thirteen

Have a random question about the Weight Watchers program or anything else diet and exercise related? Post it here. Have an answer? Go ahead and enlighten us all!

Gripes - Week Thirteen

Go right ahead and gripe! We all have the option to read them or not depending on how we feel. If gripes don't fill you with negative energy, sometimes it's nice to know how much the people around you are suffering, too. Yeah, it sounds bad, but you know it's true...... ;)

Weighing In - Week Twelve

For “Weighing In”, you should post the following things: (1) your weight loss, maintenance or GAIN (yes, own up to it if it's true) for the past week (2) your personal goal for the rest of the week (try to restrict it to one) and (3) your anticipated non-food reward for achieving that goal. Since it seems we are all choosing to weigh-in on Tuesdays, I will try to create a post for every new week the day before we weigh-in (Mondayish). This would be a good post to add encouraging words for other individuals as well.

Tips and Tricks - Week Twelve

Tip: Halloween may be approaching and, being the super-prepared person you are, you may have already purchased candy for the kids or are thinking about purchasing it. DON'T!!! Don't buy candy until the last possible minute! The moment you let it in the house it becomes fair game. Don't justify it by saying that you're saving time or money or something.... you will probably eat it and then just buy more. Don't buy the candy yet!!!
Trick: If Halloween candy is unavoidable, then don't buy candy that you like. Buy candy that you hate. True, the kids might hate it, too, but better them than you, right? Maybe that's why some people still continute to hand out those horrendous orange and black mystery candies.... to save themselves the calories.....?

Questions - Week Twelve

Have a random question about the Weight Watchers program or anything else diet and exercise related? Post it here. Have an answer? Go ahead and enlighten us all!

Gripes - Week Twelve

Go right ahead and gripe! We all have the option to read them or not depending on how we feel. If gripes don't fill you with negative energy, sometimes it's nice to know how much the people around you are suffering, too. Yeah, it sounds bad, but you know it's true...... ;)

Weighing In - Week Eleven

Well, I'm a turd. I skipped weighing-in this week and therefore forgot to add to the site. But here it is! (And I'm sure you were all beating your heads against the wall and spinning in mindless circles in utter confusion as to why this site hadn't been updated......)

For “Weighing In”, you should post the following things: (1) your weight loss, maintenance or GAIN (yes, own up to it if it's true) for the past week (2) your personal goal for the rest of the week (try to restrict it to one) and (3) your anticipated non-food reward for achieving that goal. Since it seems we are all choosing to weigh-in on Tuesdays, I will create a post for every new week the day before we weigh-in (Monday). This would be a good post to add encouraging words for other individuals as well.

Tips and Tricks - Week Eleven

Tip: Just adding fiber to your diet isn't good enough when it comes to processing the food you eat. Your body works more efficiently if you include leafy greens in your daily schedule; the greener, the better. Sure you might be getting plenty of "veggies" like potatoes, cauliflower and corn, but you're doing your body a disservice if you're avoiding the gang green.

Trick: "Phone a Friend" isn't just a help on Who Wants to be a Millionaire! When you are thinking about eating something you know that you shouldn't, call a friend instead. Spend the time you would otherwise spend eating chatting with someone. Your mouth will be busy talking, so no food should be going in, and you receive additional support from someone who cares or may even be in the same boat.

Questions - Week Eleven

Have a random question about the Weight Watchers program or anything else diet and exercise related? Post it here. Have an answer? Go ahead and enlighten us all!

Gripes - Week Eleven

Go right ahead and gripe! We all have the option to read them or not depending on how we feel. If gripes don't fill you with negative energy, sometimes it's nice to know how much the people around you are suffering, too. Yeah, it sounds bad, but you know it's true...... ;)

Weighing In - Week Ten

For “Weighing In”, you should post the following things: (1) your weight loss, maintenance or GAIN (yes, own up to it if it's true) for the past week (2) your personal goal for the rest of the week (try to restrict it to one) and (3) your anticipated non-food reward for achieving that goal. Since it seems we are all choosing to weigh-in on Tuesdays, I will create a post for every new week the day before we weigh-in (Monday). This would be a good post to add encouraging words for other individuals as well.

Tips and Tricks - Week Ten

Tip: When it comes to food shopping, something's gotta give. Forgo convenience and shell out the bucks and necessary to eat healthfully! Snacks, microwaveable foods, sale deli meats, portable pre-packaged meals may be cheaper and easier, but so too is a hooker, and you know that's bound to be bad for your health. Suck it up, Scrooge, and realize that getting healthy costs money. Hey, and that stuff costs a whole lot less than lipo!

Trick: Plan meals for an entire week at a time and do not deviate from that plan, even if you aren't "in the mood" for a particular meal on a particular evening. Only buy what you need for those meals for the week, and there won't be temptations or distractions from your plan. Even write out your journal for the day BEFORE you eat anything, and then hold yourself to the plan. Tough stuff, but it WORKS!

Questions - Week Ten

Have a random question about the Weight Watchers program or anything else diet and exercise related? Post it here. Have an answer? Go ahead and enlighten us all!

Gripes - Week Ten

Go right ahead and gripe! We all have the option to read them or not depending on how we feel. If gripes don't fill you with negative energy, sometimes it's nice to know how much the people around you are suffering, too. Yeah, it sounds bad, but you know it's true...... ;)

Weighing In - Week Nine

Don't forget to check out the stuff you missed in week eight while you were away... a tasty recipe for Pumpkin Fluff and a sentimental look back on what we've accomplished during the first two months. Just click on the archives in the lower right hand corner of the blog.

For “Weighing In”, you should post the following things: (1) your weight loss, maintenance or GAIN (yes, own up to it if it's true) for the past week (2) your personal goal for the rest of the week (try to restrict it to one) and (3) your anticipated non-food reward for achieving that goal. Since it seems we are all choosing to weigh-in on Tuesdays, I will create a post for every new week the day before we weigh-in (Monday). This would be a good post to add encouraging words for other individuals as well.

Tips and Tricks - Week Nine

Tip:Some vegetables, such as carrots, are actually more points after you cook them. Heat causes chemical changes within many fresh foods and often leads to caloric differences. With some veggies the change is definitely noticeable, so don't assume that uncooked and cooked are the same... always check the book first.

Trick:When drinking anything other than water, "earn" your drink by first drinking a serving of water, then consume your other beverage. Drinks are one of the biggest wasters of calories and points, so be very careful about how much you drink. By balancing the amount of water and other stuff that you drink, you ensure that you are getting enough good, plain 'ol H2O and you'll drink less of the other because you won't be as empty.

Recipe:For "Lemon and Dill Potatoes", you'll need 1 lb potatoes, 1 tsp olive oil, 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice, and 1 Tbsp dill. First, slice the potatoes in half. Fill a saucepan with water so that it covers about one inch of entire pan, and bring water to a boil. Place potatoes in a steamer basket; set steamer basket in saucepan, making sure it sits above water. Cover saucepan and steam potatoes until completely cooked and tender, about 15 minutes. Of course, you could boil them instead (which is what I do) but they turn out just a little heavier. Meanwhile, mix together oil, lemon juice and dill. Finally, place cooked potatoes in a serving bowl and pour lemon juice mixture over potatoes; toss gently to coat evenly. 2 points for a 1 cup serving!

Questions - Week Nine

Have a random question about the Weight Watchers program or anything else diet and exercise related? Post it here. Have an answer? Go ahead and enlighten us all!

Gripes - Week Nine

Go right ahead and gripe! We all have the option to read them or not depending on how we feel. If gripes don't fill you with negative energy, sometimes it's nice to know how much the people around you are suffering, too. Yeah, it sounds bad, but you know it's true...... ;)

Weighing In - **Week Eight**

It's week eight... two months! Time to reflect on where we've been and where we want to be! In this week's posting, if you're willing, write about your total progress for the past two months. Which goals have you achieved? Which ones fell flat... and why do you think they did? How do you plan to tackle the next two months?

For “Weighing In”, you should post the following things: (1) your weight loss, maintenance or GAIN (yes, own up to it if it's true) for the past week (2) your personal goal for the rest of the week (try to restrict it to one) and (3) your anticipated non-food reward for achieving that goal. Since it seems we are all choosing to weigh-in on Tuesdays, I will create a post for every new week the day before we weigh-in (Monday). This would be a good post to add encouraging words for other individuals as well.

Tips and Tricks - Week Eight

Tip: Cut back on the binge snacking by immediately portioning out your snack into baggies as soon as you bring it home. Even better: number the baggies with a permanent marker so that if you start to eat more than one, you have to come face to face with the number of servings that you are consuming. Sometimes that honesty is enough to make you rethink your decision to munch.

Trick: When you find yourself repeatedly opening another snack bag or even eating standing up in front of the cupboard, try this little trick. If a snack comes in prewrapped individual packages, hide them all over the house. Trust me, a hungry girl never forgets where the food is hidden... that's not the point. Often, we eat because it's accessible, but if you actually have to get up or walk up the stairs or run around to find snack after snack, you are not likely to do it (or at least, not as often). If a bag does not come with individual packages, portion it out into baggies, as was mentioned above, and then hide them. Hey, with any luck, someone else will find it and eat it before you ever do, hahaha.

Recipe: 'Tis the season! When the leaves start to change, fall foods fill my face. One of my favorite autumn treats is "Pumpkin Fluff"; you can have one whole cup of pumpkin fluff for only ONE POINT! Often, a half cup is satisfying, and then you can come back later for the other half cup. The fluff is basically a kind of pumpkin pie without the crust--just delicious! To make it: Mix one cup skim milk with a package of Jell-O sugar free cheesecake pudding in a large mixing bowl; it should take five minutes or so to set. Then add the following ingredients: 8oz container of FF whipped topping, one 10 oz. can of pumpkin, 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice, and 1/2 tsp of cinnamon. Mix it all together and you have pumpkin fluff! You can also use graham crackers for dipping, adding a "crust" taste to the pumpkin pie. Enjoy!

Questions - Week Eight

Have a random question about the Weight Watchers program or anything else diet and exercise related? Post it here. Have an answer? Go ahead and enlighten us all!

Gripes - Week Eight

Go right ahead and gripe! We all have the option to read them or not depending on how we feel. If gripes don't fill you with negative energy, sometimes it's nice to know how much the people around you are suffering, too. Yeah, it sounds bad, but you know it's true...... ;)

Weighing In - Week Seven

For “Weighing In”, you should post the following things: (1) your weight loss, maintenance or GAIN (yes, own up to it if it's true) for the past week (2) your personal goal for the rest of the week (try to restrict it to one) and (3) your anticipated non-food reward for achieving that goal. Since it seems we are all choosing to weigh-in on Tuesdays, I will create a post for every new week the day before we weigh-in (Monday). This would be a good post to add encouraging words for other individuals as well.

Tips and Tricks - Week Seven

Tip: If you only have a few moments for fitness in your day, the three most important exercises to do (according to Discovery Fitness) are: squats/lunges, bicycling the abs, and push-ups. Even if you're constantly strapped for time, you need to stop accepting personal excuses not to throw these three exercises into your daily schedule. In fact, after I started writing this, I dropped and gave me 16... I figure, I should practice what I preach and do some push-ups. And it only took a few moments. NO EXCUSES!!! JUST DO IT!!!

Trick: For you working gals, here is a trick I picked up that works "like a charm"... bring a piece of portable fruit (apple, plum, nothing messy) to work with you. When you get off work and you're driving home, eat the fruit on the way home. The fruit should ease up some of that "after-work snack" desire so that you don't start mindlessly munching as soon as you crash on the couch and kick your feet up. Not only that, but you're getting in some healthy food as well. It's not like you'll have a choice in the car--single piece of fruit--but if you're hungry when you get home, so many choices--everything--is up for grabs. And since not everyone is working, here's a little common sense trick for everyone (and it's always good to be reminded of the common sense stuff we forget about): if it won't immediately go bad, cut fruit up and leave it in a highly visible, see-through container on the main shelf in the fridge. Plain and simple. If it's grapes, pull them all off of the vine at once and put them in a pretty bowl. Easy snacks are the ones you will eat, so you are more likely to eat healthy items if they are easy and attractive. Duh! but... sometimes we get lazy or forget. :)

Recipe: Well, I'm not really much of a cook. I can tell you some things that I eat every day, if that's interesting to you. I start my day with a Slimfast shake, glass of water. For lunch, I have one ham sandwich on light bread with mustard. On the way home I eat a piece of fruit. Then a glass of water (or two). Then a snack... perhaps some fat free Pringles, 4-8 marshmallows, more fruit, all chased with some water or a lite pop. Then a sensible dinner (fish, chicken, pork prepared lightly and accompanied by some kind of vegetable, often cooked in olive oil). Okay, so that's not at all a recipe. But I like to look at it as kind of my recipe for success. When I eat healthfully every week day, I seem to survive the more lax weekends mostly intact. Hope this helps...

Questions - Week Seven

Have a random question about the Weight Watchers program or anything else diet and exercise related? Post it here. Have an answer? Go ahead and enlighten us all!

Gripes - Week Seven

Go right ahead and gripe! We all have the option to read them or not depending on how we feel. If gripes don't fill you with negative energy, sometimes it's nice to know how much the people around you are suffering, too. Yeah, it sounds bad, but you know it's true...... ;)

Weighing In - Week Six

First, I apologize for being late the last couple weeks. In my defense, school has just started and I'm a bit scatterbrained. I see that Mom was able to post something herself, so perhaps if I miss again in the future someone can just post for me. Thanks!

For “Weighing In”, you should post the following things: (1) your weight loss, maintenance or GAIN (yes, own up to it if it's true) for the past week (2) your personal goal for the rest of the week (try to restrict it to one) and (3) your anticipated non-food reward for achieving that goal. Since it seems we are all choosing to weigh-in on Tuesdays, I will create a post for every new week the day before we weigh-in (Monday). This would be a good post to add encouraging words for other individuals as well.

Tips and Tricks - Week Six

Have a tip, trick or recipe straining to burst out of you? This is where you can let it roam free! My tip of the week for you: get enough sleep! It has been proven that adequate sleep is necessary for successful weight loss. Having trouble sleeping? Exercise should help, PLUS it burns calories and makes your body healthy. Sleep is a crucial component, so don’t overlook it because it takes time.

Questions - Week Six

Have a random question about the Weight Watchers program or anything else diet and exercise related? Post it here. Have an answer? Go ahead and enlighten us all!

Gripes - Week Six

Go right ahead and gripe! We all have the option to read them or not depending on how we feel. If gripes don't fill you with negative energy, sometimes it's nice to know how much the people around you are suffering, too. Yeah, it sounds bad, but you know it's true...... ;)

Your Most Difficult Hurdle

What do you think are your most difficult obstacles in the "weight loss game"?
I would have to say that drinking alcohol is one of mine. When life gets hard on a diet, I think "Well, I at least deserve a drink!" Or, if I am staying away from alcohol, I think, "I at least deserve a donut for this!" I have difficulty finding rewards that are more satisfying. Of course, the big problem with this is that I can't stop with one. Six Krispy Kreme chocolate iced, creme-filled donuts really add up! I would think that all I need to do is "get more busy", but then I read about how some of you write that your biggest problem in getting exercise is that you are "too busy". I used to think that was my problem, but now I think I'm simply just too lazy.

I need to discover non-food rewards that will satisfy me, but this has proven to be very, very difficult. If you have any advice, I'm open to it, but I really don't get a lot of pleasure in buying new things for myself or my home. Weird, I know. Reminder: Please share your most difficult obstacle(s) too!

Weighing In - Week Five

For “Weighing In”, you should post the following things: (1) your weight loss, maintenance or GAIN (yes, own up to it if it's true) for the past week (2) your personal goal for the rest of the week (try to restrict it to one) and (3) your anticipated non-food reward for achieving that goal. Since it seems we are all choosing to weigh-in on Tuesdays, I will create a post for every new week the day before we weigh-in (Monday). This would be a good post to add encouraging words for other individuals as well.

Tips and Tricks - Week Five

Tip: Citing the latest research, Women’s Fitness magazine published that, overall, it is more important to include weight training in your fitness regiment than cardio when trying to lose weight. Shocking, huh? Of course, weights and cardio are best in combination, but if you’re strapped for time (and according to our latest poll results, that’s the majority’s biggest problem), pick up those dumbbells and leave the pedometer on the table.

Trick: Throw out the leftovers when you go out to eat at a restaurant and you order a "not-so-healthy" option, or when you have to contribute to a potluck, or when a loved one sends you home with goodies. We've been trained to feel guilty about the starving children in the world, or we remember childhood battles with parents who wouldn't let us leave the table until we cleared our plates. Throw out the guilt, and throw out the leftovers. And even if you can't get rid of the guilt and it makes you feel bad, not making weight loss goals can also feel bad. Learn to forgive yourself, whichever way you go.

Recipe: Nope, I'm done. Someone else needs to contribute a recipe or two.

Questions - Week Five

Have a random question about the Weight Watchers program or anything else diet and exercise related? Post it here. Have an answer? Go ahead and enlighten us all!

Gripes - Week Five

Go right ahead and gripe! We all have the option to read them or not depending on how we feel. If gripes don't fill you with negative energy, sometimes it's nice to know how much the people around you are suffering, too. Yeah, it sounds bad, but you know it's true...... ;)

Weighing In - Week Four

For “Weighing In”, you should post the following things: (1) your weight loss, maintenance or GAIN (yes, own up to it if it's true) for the past week (2) your personal goal for the rest of the week (try to restrict it to one) and (3) your anticipated non-food reward for achieving that goal. Since it seems we are all choosing to weigh-in on Tuesdays, I will create a post for every new week the day before we weigh-in (Monday). This would be a good post to add encouraging words for other individuals as well.

Tips and Tricks - Week Four

TIP: Even if you’re sick of hearing it, breakfast is still the most important meal of the day. Eating breakfast as soon as you get up kicks your metabolism into gear and allows it to burn more calories during the entire course of the day. It has been proven, those who eat lunch have more success with weight loss and more success in maintaining a healthy weight. Your breakfast should be using 20-25% of your entire daily points. It’s also a really good meal to help you fulfill part of your milk and fruit good health guideline obligations.

TRICK: Got a lotta candles? Well, lucky you! You can use aromatherapy to help train your brain for waist watching success. When I think about lemonade, I can’t help but drool. Literally. This same phenomenon also occurs around doughnuts, grilled cheese, fresh chocolate chip cookies… the list goes on. My brain is trained to know that when it smells those items that they will soon be in my mouth making me happy and satisfied. You can use this same idea to trick yourself into thinking that you’re fuller and more satisfied that you really are. If you burn a certain candle or spray a particular scent every time you’re full after dinner or generally content, your mind will begin to associate that smell with fullness. If you do it enough times, when you find yourself feeling hungry and desperate, just burn that candle or spray that scent and the desire to raid the pantry may fade peacefully away. Just don’t forget to continue to do it when you are full for real, or the scent may begin to remind you of painful hunger!

RECIPE: Dieting can be very expensive… fresh fruits, vegetables and meats cost more and spoil faster. One meal I have often is chicken tacos, and then I eat up the leftovers quickly with taco salad. For the tacos, cook strips of chicken breast in a pan with some seasoning; you do not have to add oil if you are attentive and flip/stir often enough. Lay 1-1½ ounces of chicken (1 ounce = 1 point) per taco shell. I use Don Marco’s Fat Free tortilla shells, which are 2 for 0 points. Then top each with 1/8c FF shredded cheddar cheese, chili powder, onion, lettuce, and tomato. I also top with 1/8c FF sour cream per taco. I usually eat two, wait a while, and then realize I’m full. The entire dinner is 4-5 points. Lunch the next day can be a salad of 1 ounce hot, shredded chicken, lettuce, tomato, onion, and a Tbs of FF sour cream as a dressing. Mix it all up so the seasoning of the chicken gets on everything, and the sour cream coats all of the veggies. Lunch for 1 point, and you really get in your veggies!

Questions - Week Four

Have a random question about the Weight Watchers program or anything else diet and exercise related? Post it here. Have an answer? Go ahead and enlighten us all!

Gripes - Week Four

Go right ahead and gripe! We all have the option to read them or not depending on how we feel. If gripes don't fill you with negative energy, sometimes it's nice to know how much the people around you are suffering, too. Yeah, it sounds bad, but you know it's true...... ;)

Weighing In - Week Three

For “Weighing In”, you should post the following things: (1) your weight loss, maintenance or GAIN (yes, own up to it if it's true) for the past week (2) your personal goal for the rest of the week (try to restrict it to one) and (3) your anticipated non-food reward for achieving that goal. Since it seems we are all choosing to weigh-in on Tuesdays, I will create a post for every new week the day before we weigh-in (Monday). This would be a good post to add encouraging words for other individuals as well.

Tips and Tricks - Week Three

TIP: Avoid BLTs at all cost! And by BLT, I mean Bites, Licks and Tastes. When did eating begin to follow the same logic of “When a tree falls in the woods…” by coming up with its own version: If a snack (or an itsy bitsy nibble of a cookie, or just one Hershey’s kiss) flies into my mouth and no one is around to see it, did it really enter my mouth? Will it really turn into calories and derail my program? Keep it real, kiddies! If you eat anything, write it down… and if you run out of points faster than if you didn’t write it down and/or you gain at the end of the week, at least you will KNOW why. I can tell you from experience, it is very discouraging to look through your journal at the end of a week that you felt you did everything perfectly, and not lose weight. But reality may have been that a case of the BLTs sabotaged your plan, but you forgot about them because you never wrote them down. Remember, if a snack flies into your mouth and no one’s around to see it, it still counts!

TRICK: Cut the carb.....onation! Either cut back or cut out your carbonated beverage intake to help you with your diet. Sure, we all know that pop has a large number of calories, but many of us solve that problem by drinking diet pop instead. However, calories aren’t the only problem. An unpleasant side effect of this kind of carb is, naturally, gas. But a great deal of that gas doesn’t escape the body immediately, and causes the stomach to expand. The empty feeling makes you hungrier! You are more likely to eat unnecessary food when you are also imbibing in some fizzy fun, and even if you are able to conquer those cravings, the misery of hunger doesn’t seem worth it… at least not to me. Other random things that carbonation does to the system: breaks down calcium in the body and contributes to bone/tooth decay and osteoporosis, increases the absorption of alcohol in the body, and irritates the esophagus. Good things? It’s tickly and it kills bacteria that may cause infection… drink up when you’re traveling out of country.

RECIPE: Today I’m writing during some surprisingly cold August rain, which has inspired me to introduce a couple cool-weather recipes. Sure, it’ll probably be 90 next week, but one doesn’t have to wait for snow to eat some good soup or au gratin potatoes.
For 8 can soup, you’ll need one regular (14-16oz.) can of each of the following ingredients: green beans, corn, sliced potatoes, crushed tomatoes, turkey chili with beans, chili without beans, mixed vegetables (Veg-All), Campbell's Old Fashioned Vegetable Soup. First, drain the can of beans, then mix contents of all cans together. Bring to a boil and simmer for at least 20 minutes. The whole pot should be 30 points! I’ve also seen the chili replaced with a can of chicken, the vegetable soup for chicken broth, and the tomatoes for peas for a chicken version worth even fewer points. Just count the points on the cans for accuracy.I love my crockpot because I can start something cooking in the morning, and it will be waiting for me when I get home… no “cooking” work on my part. I also love ham and potatoes au gratin. Ingredients: 2 cups extra-lean ham (sliced, diced, your choice), 4 cups sliced or diced fresh potatoes, 1 cup chopped onion, ¾ cup shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese (I’ve tried the FF, it just doesn’t melt well), 1 10¾oz can reduced fat cream of chicken soup, 1/8 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp dried parsley, 1 tsp yellow mustard. To make, first spray the crock pot with butter flavored cooking spray (or canola spray); combine ham, potatoes and onion; sprinkle cheese evenly over the top; combine soup, pepper, parsley, and mustard in a small bowl, then add the bowl to the crock pot; mix everything well to combine; cover and cook on low for 8 hours. Makes six 1 cup servings for 3 points a cup!

Questions - Week Three

Have a random question about the Weight Watchers program or anything else diet and exercise related? Post it here. Have an answer? Go ahead and enlighten us all!

Gripes - Week Three

Go right ahead and gripe! We all have the option to read them or not depending on how we feel. If gripes don't fill you with negative energy, sometimes it's nice to know how much the people around you are suffering, too. Yeah, it sounds bad, but you know it's true...... ;)

Weighing In - Week Two

For “Weighing In”, you should post the following things: (1) your weight loss, maintenance or GAIN (yes, own up to it if it's true) for the past week (2) your personal goal for the rest of the week (try to restrict it to one) and (3) your anticipated non-food reward for achieving that goal. Since it seems we are all choosing to weigh-in on Tuesdays, I will create a post for every new week the day before we weigh-in (Monday).This would be a good post to add encouraging words for other individuals as well.

Tips and Tricks - Week Two

TIP: I don’t know about you, but I HATE milk… and that makes it even more difficult to get my dairy in each day than it already is. It’s difficult just to know what I can have instead. It seems as if there are so few things that constitute a full dairy serving. A calcium pill doesn’t cut it, since there are many more things in dairy that we need than just calcium. Only the following items are considered a full dairy serving: 2 ½oz of powdered milk, 4oz of ricotta cheese or condensed milk, 8oz of milk, yogurt, yogurt drink, or instant pudding, 12oz of latte, milk shake or cottage cheese, 16oz of cappuccino. A dairy diet shake (like Slimfast) works, too. Hard cheeses have more fat than value (and therefore are highly pointalicious) so try to avoid using them to get your daily dairy; you’d have to eat an awful lot of cheese to check off that little box…

TRICK: We all know portions at restaurants are out of control. When placing your order, also ask for a box to go. When your food arrives, immediately put 1/3-1/2 of your meal in the box and set it aside. Do not eat it while you are at the restaurant. If you boxed up lunch, then eat the other half for dinner; if for dinner, save the rest for tomorrow’s lunch. However, if you’re like me, you’ll tear into that box almost as soon as you get home. Even THAT would be better than eating it at the restaurant, because either way you were going to eat it… but by taking it home and drawing the process out, you won’t eat that additional snack. Other restaurant tricks? When placing an order, you must make it clear that you want your vegetables steamed, your condiments on the side (like salad dressing for dipping rather than pouring), your butter substituted for olive oil, and any other healthy requests honored. So why is a baked potato at home 2 points when the one at the restaurant could be as many as 5? You better believe they brushed it with butter. Be assertive, always ask before ordering, and never assume that vegetables are plain.

RECIPE: I myself struggle with breads, but since, according to last week's poll, 40% of the group identifies chocolate as its biggest problem, let me suggest a simple recipe for satisfying the sweet tooth. Buy a box of Fiber One cereal and a bag of regular baking chocolate chips… those are all the ingredients you need! Microwave two cups of chocolate in a mixing bowl until melted (not long), then mix in one sleeve (each box has two) of Fiber One cereal. Quickly form the mix into 24 no-bake cookies, or 48 mini-drops. One whole crunchy, chocolatey cookie is only 1 POINT! I especially like the mini-drops because you can have one and then eat the other later for the same single point. Because it’s real chocolate, it definitely satisfies the craving, and the extreme fiber keeps the pointage to a minimum. Eat up, chocolate lovers!

Questions - Week Two

Have a random question about the Weight Watchers program or anything else diet and exercise related? Post it here. Have an answer? Go ahead and enlighten us all!

Gripes - Week Two

Go right ahead and gripe! We all have the option to read them or not depending on how we feel. If gripes don't fill you with negative energy, sometimes it's nice to know how much the people around you are suffering, too. Yeah, it sounds bad, but you know it's true...... ;)

Questions - Week One

My mom mentioned that it would be a good idea to also have a post just for questions. If you have questions about the program, I will answer them according to what I know... and if I don't know, I still have the massive leader manuals where I can look up answers. General questions can be answered by anyone if you know the answer.

NOTE TO ALL: I will be changing this page tomorrow morning to "Week Two". I've also decided to change the main page on Monday evenings from now on, that way when we weigh-in, we will post it at the beginning of the week rather than the end. We can look at our postings all week long rather than only for a few hours on a Tuesday evening. That would make more sense. So even if you post your results for the week today, please copy/paste and repost them tomorrow (or the next day, whatever). After that, I think things will run smoothly from that point on....... YAY! Please email with specific questions/concerns about that particular idea of mine.

Gripes - Week One

Go right ahead and gripe! By listing them as comments, others have the option to read them or not depending on how they feel. If gripes don't fill you with negative energy, sometimes it's nice to know how much the people around you are suffering, too. Yeah, it sounds bad, but you know it's true...... ;)

Tips and Tricks - Week One

Trick: Try the "twenty minute" rule... after you have eaten one serving of a snack (for example, a cheesestick or three oreos) and you still want more, don't eat anything for at least twenty minutes. In all probability, you won't want to eat something at that time or you'll get busy with something else and forget about it. If you find yourself watching the clock, be sure to drink some room temperature water to take the edge off.

Tip: Try to keep in mind that at least 4 points a day should be reserved for two servings of dairy, 2 points for two teaspoons of healthy (only canola, olive, flaxseed or safflower) oils, and 0-5 points for vegetables and/or fruit (most veggies are 0 points per serving). In other words, if you start with 28 points a day, you're really starting with at most 22 points. Don't underestimate the power of the essential 6 servings of water, 5 servings V/F, 2 servings dairy, and 2 teaspoons of oil. Along with those essentials, you should also eat whole grains, protein and a daily vitamin/mineral supplement and avoid excess sugars, fats and alcohol.

Recipe: Healthy, yummy fat free taco dip! In order, layer most of a can of fat free refried beans, an 8oz container of fat free sour cream, a 16oz bag of fat free shredded cheddar cheese, a sprinkling of chili powder to taste, shredded lettuce, diced tomato, and black olives. The whole lot is worth 16 points, so divide accordingly. Chop Don Marcos fat free flour tortillas into 6-8 triangles each and bake/microwave until hard to create your own chips! You can have up to two full tortillas for ZERO points! ...or use fat free or light tortilla chips or scoops to keep the points low.

Weighing In - Week One

Hello everyone! I know it doesn't look like much, but since you all expressed interest in creating our own "Weight Watchers" type group, I finally got around to starting something. To make this work, you will need to "publicly" post at least once a week, preferably the following things: (1) your weight loss, maintance or GAIN (yes, own up to it if it's true) for the week (2) your personal goal for the week (try to restrict it to one) and (3) your anticipated non-food reward for achieving your goal for the week. Because I will be the "leader" of this blog, I will create a post for every week starting on Thursday. You can make your own "weigh-in" day whatever day of the week you would like, just so long as it's consistent... in order to log your weight and any other comments for the week, be sure to COMMENT on the post rather than create your own post. That will keep things neat and organized.

What I will do: FIRST, create a post every Thursday titled "Weighing In: Week ???" for each of us to comment on our official weight news, goals and reward. This would be a good post to add encouraging words for individuals. I, too, will be weighing etc. SECOND, create a post every Thursday with weekly "Tips and Tricks" according to the Weight Watchers program. This would be a good post to comment on regarding your own tips, tricks, recipes, discoveries, and anything else that would be positive. THIRD, create a post every Thursday titled "Gripes" for anything that's not positive, hehehe.

What you will do: Above all, to thine own self be true. In other words, be honest about both the good and the bad. I'm not asking that everyone reveal their current weight or the number of pounds you want to drop. If you want to, that's cool, but don't feel obligated if it would make you feel uncomfortable. Just publishing your loss/gain is good enough. ALSO, choose a time of day you plan to weigh yourself on your chosen weigh-in day and stick to whatever the scale says AT THAT TIME, even if you were an entire two pounds lighter earlier in the day. That is all part of the program. I'm not trying to preach or be a meanie, but I know that, when followed properly, this program WILL work for every one of us. I KNOW we can make our goals working together!!!! Remember, THERE IS ALWAYS A CHOICE. I choose to succeed... are you with me?