I just wanted to share some of my favorite food items that have helped me along the way. If you haven't tried these - stop whatever you're doing and go immediately to the food store. You won't be sorry.
VitaLicious Muffin Tops (located in your frozen food section - by the breakfast items) They range in value from 2-3 pts. plus. Blue Bran is my favorite - I throw it frozen into my bag every day and by 10:00am when I need my mid morning snack - it has defrosted and it's like a large soft cookie - yum.
Laughing Cow Light Cheese wedges - 2 wedges = only 1 pt. plus (but even just one goes a long way) every flavor is delicious - I love a wedge of this cheese with Special K bran crackers (12=2 pts. plus) (this is another of my favorite things)
Special K also now has chips - sea salt and sour cream and onion - 10 chips = 1 pt. plus. I don't know about you, but I always need a little salty crunch with my lunch and these really hit the spot.
Greek Yogurt - Chobani happens to be my favorite - the personal size containers range between 2 and 3 pts. - most of them 3. I'm the freak that really loves the plain (2 pts. plus) but to that I add lots of fresh berries (which help sweeten it a little)
Spaghetti Squash - OMG this was a true find. I love it with a tbs. of fat free ricotta cheese and a little spaghetti sauce on it.
Well these are some of my favorites that really help me through my days.
Until next time.................
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
POINTS VS. POINTS PLUS
The first time I lost all my weight was on the Weight Watcher's points program. So naturally, when I started this time I went right back on that program. Well Weight Watcher's changed the rules in the middle of my stream (so to speak).
In November WW broke out the Points Plus Program. What??????????? I wasn't sure about this - I mean I'm a big believer in "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". But I decided I would see what it was all about and give it a try. Then I actually got excited about it. It was another "fresh start".
Well I'm here to tell you that if you were successful on the points program, you will be even more successful on the points plus program. Instead of counting calories, fat and fiber - you now count protein, carbs, fat and fiber. This is actually genius - of course you need to be looking at the protein and carbs - helloooo????
This new program was definitely the kick start I needed and I have really been doing well with it. It made me look at the way I was eating completely differently and fruits (now zero points plus) have become a much bigger part of my diet.
If you have been following the points program and have been afraid to switch -DO IT. Does it take some getting used to? Absolutely. Is it harder to follow? It may be at first (especially if you're a carbs lover) but you will be so happy you gave it a shot. It's so nice to start to see results again.
Until next time.........
In November WW broke out the Points Plus Program. What??????????? I wasn't sure about this - I mean I'm a big believer in "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". But I decided I would see what it was all about and give it a try. Then I actually got excited about it. It was another "fresh start".
Well I'm here to tell you that if you were successful on the points program, you will be even more successful on the points plus program. Instead of counting calories, fat and fiber - you now count protein, carbs, fat and fiber. This is actually genius - of course you need to be looking at the protein and carbs - helloooo????
This new program was definitely the kick start I needed and I have really been doing well with it. It made me look at the way I was eating completely differently and fruits (now zero points plus) have become a much bigger part of my diet.
If you have been following the points program and have been afraid to switch -DO IT. Does it take some getting used to? Absolutely. Is it harder to follow? It may be at first (especially if you're a carbs lover) but you will be so happy you gave it a shot. It's so nice to start to see results again.
Until next time.........
Friday, April 8, 2011
WEIGH DAY
I know I'm a freak, but I usually can't sleep Thursday nights because it's the night before my weigh day. I'm still not quite sure why this is - am I excited? am I nervous? I honestly don't know, but I know that more times than not I'm up earlier than usual on Friday mornings.
Most of the time I know what to expect based on how my week went. There are even times I opt for a "No Weigh" day because there is NO WAY I'm getting on the scale. :) I'm definitely an advocate of the No Weigh Day but only once in a while. This process is difficult enough - why destroy your motivation because of one off week? So take yourself off the hook when you need to, but don't make it a habit - you still have to be accountable.
Well this week I honestly wasn't sure what to expect because I was blessed with my period - this is a crapshoot anymore. Am I getting it? Am I skipping it? Will it be a difficult one? AAAAAAAAAAHH I thought I was skipping it, but no after 42 days, there it was. At any rate, I still did my usual sleepless Thursday night in anticipation of the "the big event" haha. And this week I did have a loss. I lost 1/2 lb., which bring me down to 28 lbs. I'm happy with any loss on weeks like this. The good news about getting weighed when you have your period is that you are almost guaranteed a better weigh day the next week.
Embrace any loss and remember there is no time limit put on you. Enjoy your journey - there are so many new things for you to experience and even as we all chip away at the weight, we are still succeeding - a 1/2 lb. at a time.
Until next time..........
Most of the time I know what to expect based on how my week went. There are even times I opt for a "No Weigh" day because there is NO WAY I'm getting on the scale. :) I'm definitely an advocate of the No Weigh Day but only once in a while. This process is difficult enough - why destroy your motivation because of one off week? So take yourself off the hook when you need to, but don't make it a habit - you still have to be accountable.
Well this week I honestly wasn't sure what to expect because I was blessed with my period - this is a crapshoot anymore. Am I getting it? Am I skipping it? Will it be a difficult one? AAAAAAAAAAHH I thought I was skipping it, but no after 42 days, there it was. At any rate, I still did my usual sleepless Thursday night in anticipation of the "the big event" haha. And this week I did have a loss. I lost 1/2 lb., which bring me down to 28 lbs. I'm happy with any loss on weeks like this. The good news about getting weighed when you have your period is that you are almost guaranteed a better weigh day the next week.
Embrace any loss and remember there is no time limit put on you. Enjoy your journey - there are so many new things for you to experience and even as we all chip away at the weight, we are still succeeding - a 1/2 lb. at a time.
Until next time..........
Thursday, April 7, 2011
POWER BANDS - PROCEED WITH CAUTION
Have any of you heard of power bands? They are actually quite amazing. They are bracelets that improve your balance, strength and energy and they apparently convince me that I have super human powers and can do anything. Well I'm here to tell you that I cannot.
First of all, let me just say I think the Power Bands are amazing and they do work, but definitely proceed with caution.
The first time I wore mine - I got on my elliptical machine and I was like this wild woman - OMG I was incredible - I was literally flying and I thought - wow this band is amazing - look at me go!
The second time I wore it I was at my jazzercise class and again out came this wild woman who couldn't be stopped. Okay now for the reality check - just because this bracelet gives you more energy and it definitely does - it DOES NOT give you the ability to do moves you have never been able to do before. It didn't stop me though -lol - so I go right into this crazy side plank (I had never been able to do this before) guess what? I still couldn't and the result? I injured my leg involving my sciatic (sp?) nerve and because of this I have not been able to get back to working out. It's been weeks.......... So frustrating! I really miss it but I'll be back soon - can't keep a good woman down, right?
So the moral of the story is wear your power bands responsibly. :)
Until next time..........
First of all, let me just say I think the Power Bands are amazing and they do work, but definitely proceed with caution.
The first time I wore mine - I got on my elliptical machine and I was like this wild woman - OMG I was incredible - I was literally flying and I thought - wow this band is amazing - look at me go!
The second time I wore it I was at my jazzercise class and again out came this wild woman who couldn't be stopped. Okay now for the reality check - just because this bracelet gives you more energy and it definitely does - it DOES NOT give you the ability to do moves you have never been able to do before. It didn't stop me though -lol - so I go right into this crazy side plank (I had never been able to do this before) guess what? I still couldn't and the result? I injured my leg involving my sciatic (sp?) nerve and because of this I have not been able to get back to working out. It's been weeks.......... So frustrating! I really miss it but I'll be back soon - can't keep a good woman down, right?
So the moral of the story is wear your power bands responsibly. :)
Until next time..........
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
THE FIGHT REALLY BEGINS
As I told you all in my last post, on my 50th Birthday I started my journey (or picked up where I left off). Somehow I had nearly 50 pounds to lose, but this time I was more than ready for the fight - bring it.
Menopause be damned. It's definitely a slower journey this time, but that's okay - lots of time for sightseeing...
I joined jazzercise which is one of the greatest workouts you will ever experience. It is not the jazzercise of the 80s - not by a long shot. It's a great aerobic workout to pop hits followed by strength training and topped off with ab and leg work. It's a full workout and lasts 60 minutes. Depending on your age, weight, and how much you put into it, you can bet on burning between 300-600 calories. Yee Ha! :) There are sites nationwide and you can find one near you by checking http://www.jazzercise.com/
I also discovered our elliptical machine, which is phenomenal. There are great 20 minute workouts - I mean come on - who can't spare 20 minutes?
So between the weight watchers food plan (the points system, which I was very familiar with) coupled with my new workouts, I began losing weight - FINALLY. But I'm definitely chipping away at it. It has been nearly 7 months and I have lost 27.5lbs. so far. I'm incredibly proud of myself and have officially moved down to a size 10. I still have a ways to go, but I know I'll succeed.
As I continue on here, I will keep you posted on my successes and failures (yes I have them all the time) as well as tips that work for me and recipes that I love and you won't believe they are low cal.
The moral of my story is - don't be afraid of being over 50. Anything is possible if you stay focused. As my daughter has told me in the past "eye on the prize mom". Don't look back!
Until next time......
Menopause be damned. It's definitely a slower journey this time, but that's okay - lots of time for sightseeing...
I joined jazzercise which is one of the greatest workouts you will ever experience. It is not the jazzercise of the 80s - not by a long shot. It's a great aerobic workout to pop hits followed by strength training and topped off with ab and leg work. It's a full workout and lasts 60 minutes. Depending on your age, weight, and how much you put into it, you can bet on burning between 300-600 calories. Yee Ha! :) There are sites nationwide and you can find one near you by checking http://www.jazzercise.com/
I also discovered our elliptical machine, which is phenomenal. There are great 20 minute workouts - I mean come on - who can't spare 20 minutes?
So between the weight watchers food plan (the points system, which I was very familiar with) coupled with my new workouts, I began losing weight - FINALLY. But I'm definitely chipping away at it. It has been nearly 7 months and I have lost 27.5lbs. so far. I'm incredibly proud of myself and have officially moved down to a size 10. I still have a ways to go, but I know I'll succeed.
As I continue on here, I will keep you posted on my successes and failures (yes I have them all the time) as well as tips that work for me and recipes that I love and you won't believe they are low cal.
The moral of my story is - don't be afraid of being over 50. Anything is possible if you stay focused. As my daughter has told me in the past "eye on the prize mom". Don't look back!
Until next time......
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
AND SO IT BEGINS.............
I don't know if anyone will ever read this, but I think it will help me to just write it all down and maybe it will help someone else. I think if I had a blog like this to read and relate to, it might have helped me when I started this journey.
And that's what this first post is about - the beginning..............of this journey actually began shortly after 9/11. I, like so many people, lost someone very special on that day. It became so obvious how precious life is and how important it is to live life to the fullest and one of the most important parts of "living life" is "living healthy". Well I decided then (with the encouragement of two friends) to join Weight Watchers. I will never EVER forget the terror of stepping on that scale for the first time. How bad could it be? I mean I knew I was overweight - that was the whole point of being here, but how bad could it be? Well it could be as bad as 240 lbs. (I'm 5'5") It literally knocked the wind out of me. How did this happen? I was 41 and the mother of two great girls and the wife of a wonderful man - how did I let this happen to myself? It was time to start taking care of me and so it began. I worked very hard and after 15 months, I had lost 97 lbs. It felt amazing - I felt amazing. I managed to keep the weight off or most of it for a number of years but when I turned 50 this past September, I had put nearly 50lbs. back on. sigh............. Again, I asked - what happened? Well clearly I let myself relax too much and got completely off track. I guess I actually believed that all I had to do was lose the weight - and then it would magically stay off. :) if only. Of course throw menopause into the mix and there I was with nearly 50 lbs. to lose AGAIN!!
Okay so I picked myself up, dusted myself off and began the journey again. Except this time it was completely different. Hormones are a terrible thing, aren't they? jeez - they make you act nuts, cry at the drop of a hat, and one of the worst things they do is take away your metabolism. I mean like it's completely gone. For a few years leading up to my 50th birthday, I made a half ass attempt to lose the weight, but kept giving up. It usually went something like lose 2 lbs. one week and gain 1.5 lbs. the next - over and over.
I finally decided I was worth fighting for and realized that "nothing tastes as good as thin feels" so I really REALLY began the journey again but this time I was going to succeed.
So, on my 50th birthday the gift I gave myself was good health. I joined Weight Watchers online and started. I am the type of person that when I get my mind set - get out of my way because I was going to succeed and nothing was going to stop me. Thank God I was able to get into that mindset.
So that is how it all started - as I continue to blog I will catch you all up to where I am today and share tips and recipes that help me.
Until the next time - remember to never give up
And that's what this first post is about - the beginning..............of this journey actually began shortly after 9/11. I, like so many people, lost someone very special on that day. It became so obvious how precious life is and how important it is to live life to the fullest and one of the most important parts of "living life" is "living healthy". Well I decided then (with the encouragement of two friends) to join Weight Watchers. I will never EVER forget the terror of stepping on that scale for the first time. How bad could it be? I mean I knew I was overweight - that was the whole point of being here, but how bad could it be? Well it could be as bad as 240 lbs. (I'm 5'5") It literally knocked the wind out of me. How did this happen? I was 41 and the mother of two great girls and the wife of a wonderful man - how did I let this happen to myself? It was time to start taking care of me and so it began. I worked very hard and after 15 months, I had lost 97 lbs. It felt amazing - I felt amazing. I managed to keep the weight off or most of it for a number of years but when I turned 50 this past September, I had put nearly 50lbs. back on. sigh............. Again, I asked - what happened? Well clearly I let myself relax too much and got completely off track. I guess I actually believed that all I had to do was lose the weight - and then it would magically stay off. :) if only. Of course throw menopause into the mix and there I was with nearly 50 lbs. to lose AGAIN!!
Okay so I picked myself up, dusted myself off and began the journey again. Except this time it was completely different. Hormones are a terrible thing, aren't they? jeez - they make you act nuts, cry at the drop of a hat, and one of the worst things they do is take away your metabolism. I mean like it's completely gone. For a few years leading up to my 50th birthday, I made a half ass attempt to lose the weight, but kept giving up. It usually went something like lose 2 lbs. one week and gain 1.5 lbs. the next - over and over.
I finally decided I was worth fighting for and realized that "nothing tastes as good as thin feels" so I really REALLY began the journey again but this time I was going to succeed.
So, on my 50th birthday the gift I gave myself was good health. I joined Weight Watchers online and started. I am the type of person that when I get my mind set - get out of my way because I was going to succeed and nothing was going to stop me. Thank God I was able to get into that mindset.
So that is how it all started - as I continue to blog I will catch you all up to where I am today and share tips and recipes that help me.
Until the next time - remember to never give up
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)