#Yumlicious!, Farmer's Market, Food, The Weight-ing Game, They Way {Weigh) I See It, Weight Watchers, Weight Watchers ... The Way I See It

My Weight Watchers. My Way … I Know it’s Not Summer

 Good afternoon My Phat Friends

This morning I’ve done something that most of us save for the weekend…. slept in …. very late *blushing*.  Usually I’m up at the crack of dawn.  Waaaay before the dawn.  I blame a super duper looong work day yesterday.  Didn’t turn in until well past midnight … now that I’m thinking about it, it was almost dawn!

After being awakened by the warmth from a ray of sun that had found its way through the closed blinds (the idea of traipsing around in the heat of the day was soon erased by the reality of the recent snowpocalypse that loomed on the other side of those same blinds!) I decided that today would be a good… No.  A “GREAT ” day to do absolutely nothing but veg-out on my favorite foodie shows.   It was while I was watching Ina, The Barefoot Contessa, that I stumbled upon what would eventually become my meal for the afternoon.  You see, during her show, she showcased a chef friend of hers from New York- I don’t remember his name – who grew these wonderful tomatoes and made even more wonderfuller  *is that a word?… hunching my shoulders* tomatoe salads.  They made this beautiful tomato salad

BX0401H_heirloom-tomatoes-with-tarragon_s4x3

That gave me an idea.  I remembered that I had just bought a few kumatoes from the market.  At the time that I bought them, I was not really sure how I wanted to use them.  Today seemed just as good as any day.

My salad was going to  be just a little bit different than Ina and her friend’s.  I started out with arugula {can’t get enough of the smooth and subtle spicy flavor} that I seasoned lightly with fresh ground pepper and kosher salt

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Added a just a littttttle bit of shredded Asiago Cheese {I’m starting to get used to my new vegetable cutter  *smile*

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Sliced up some cherry and kumato tomatoes that I seasoned with Tarragon – instead of the usual Basil {this little tidbit I learned today from Ina and her friend}.  According to Ina, Tarragon has the flavor that is a hint of anise.

This is where my salad is a little different than Ina’s … I added carrots, chicken and this mix that I pre-make and add to most of my salads {it’s made up of chia seeds, walnuts, dried unsalted pepitas and dried cranberries}

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This is what happened when everything is all thrown together…

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… add a good read and the mandatory Cup of Jo’

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Oh yes… I didn’t use any salad dressing.  The juice and sweetness from the kumatoes and the cranberries gave it a nice taste.  And, just as Ina and her friend said, the Tarragon was definitely the star of the show!

What do you do on your ‘lazy days’?

… do tell ….

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Goals, My Weight Loss, The Weight-ing Game, They Way {Weigh) I See It, Weight Watchers ... The Way I See It, Wellness Wednesday

My Weight Watchers. My Way … a new plan… Beyond The Scale!

Just when I thought that I had the whole Points Plus Value {aka PPV} down to a science, Weight Watchers has gone and changed things! Now,  I must admit, the new program changes would not have come as so much as a surprise, had I been working the program like I should.

But I wasn’t.

And.

Voile’!!

… A Program Change!!!

change1

 

Over the last couple of weeks, I have noticed- couched between the glitzy, happy holiday commercials– were a few well placed ‘teaser’ commercials previewing the New Program…

… Beyond The Scale

weight-watchers-beyond-the-scale-smart-points

The new concept takes the Points Plus Value to new heights by focusing on the mind, body and spirit.  Not just calories.

The past Points Plus taught me HOW to eat.  Beyond the Scale promises to teach me WHAT to eat!!!

I’ve re-committed to working the Weight Watchers program, because I know that it works!  Points Plus.  Beyond The Scale.  It works!!!

Over the upcoming months, I’ll keep you posted on my thoughts, successes, challenges and ‘Ah Hah’ moments as I navigate this new and exciting road!

Stay tuned!!!!

What’s new in your world?

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Challenges, Food, Goals, Inspiration, Keep Callm, Mindful Eating, My Weight Loss, Nutrition, Strategy, The Weight-ing Game, Weight Watchers ... The Way I See It

‘ You Gotta Eat. Right?’

 

I absolutely LOVE! LOVE! LOVEWeight Watchers’  new Big Game Commercial.
It’s fast. It’s visual. It’s provocative. It’s confrontational.
It’s All of the reasons that,  ‘those who love us’,  use to convince us to abandon what we know works.

If you’ve missed it or saw it but it blew by too quickly, here it is- The Uncut version:

I’m glad that they posted it on their Youtube Page.

That way I can watch it again and again and again, so that I can become immune to all of the reasons to sabotage this good thing….

… You Are in Control. Right?

Do Tell…

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Challenges, Goals, Inspiration, My Weight Loss, The Weight-ing Game, Weight Watchers ... The Way I See It

Not a Bad Start…

Hey Luv-lies!

First Meeting g of the #NewYear!!!
Down .6 pounds …’Yeah Me! !!!’   *throwing confetti in the air *


I {heart}  ‘The Thoughts for the Week’

How’s Your Week Going?

Do Tell….

 

 

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My Weight Watchers. My Weigh….. Thank Goodness for ‘Do Overs’

Good Day Luv-lies,

Hope that your weekend was everything that you planned it to be.  Mine.  Relaxing. Music- filled. Memorable.

Then this morning happened.  This is the day of the week that, for the last eighteen months I’ve been doing what I affectionately refer to as – ‘My Weight Watcher’s Thang’.  First the weigh in- mostly welcome – but not lately.  Then  thirty minutes (too short) sharing session of the Weekly Topic – this I always look forward to despite what happens on the scale.

I usually know what the topic for the week is.  Not today.  Not sure why I didn’t, but let’s just say that I’m glad I believe in karma.

Over the last few months – all summer to be more exact- I have not had much success staying on program.  With every new weigh in, I would tell myself  “You’ve got to get back on program.  And today is the day to start…”.   Like I said, that went on for the entire summer!  Resulting in, as of today, a twelve pound weight gain!!!!

This is where karma comes in.

As I stepped off of the scale and took a seat at the nearest available green chair (again telling myself that  ‘[I] have to get back on program!  Enough fooling around with this!…’),  I glanced at this week’s Weight Watchers Weekly.   This week’s topic –

A Simple (Re)Start

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 The byline reads  “How going back to the basics… can fuel success

How did they know that I need this!  And right now!  How did they know!!!  Just yesterday, I vowed that no matter what the number was on the scale today, I was recommitting to making this lifestyle change work.  And today was the Re-starting day for me.  Yesterday I vowed that starting today, I was going back to all of the basic strategies that had made this journey so successful (until this summer).   Because I know the ‘how-to’ of successful weight loss/management,  I was not concerned about the ‘why’ of falling off the wagon.  Today is the day that I would take back control!!

 Today’s weekly topic was right on time!!!

restart

These are a few of my  take-aways to  ‘A Simple (Re)Start’:

~~  First and foremost, forgive yourself for the lapse.  

‘Nuf said….

      ~~  Remind yourself of the reason that you started the program –

‘… healthier lifestyle, to be around to for the grandkids, upcoming social gathering….’

~~   Take action! 

 start tracking… again.  Make a meal that indicates that you are back on program.  Plan! Plan! Plan!

~~  Re-commit to those elements of the Plan that work for you 

E-tools, Recipe Builders, Simple Start Plan, Reading the ‘Success Stories’

~~  Move Your Body!!!

break out your ActiveLink activity monitor, lace up your shoes, throw on your workouts and move your body

…. One more thing….

courage

Thank Goodness for Do Overs!!!

 I participated much more in today’s meeting than I have over the last several months.  I believe that the reason (as I shared in the meeting) is that  “… restarting allows you to forgive yourself and to move on…”

And with that, I’m out of here!  I’m going running!

I do luv a good do over!  Don’t you?

Do Tell….

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Challenges, Goals, Mindful Eating, My Weight Loss, Nutrition, Strategy, The Weight-ing Game

My Weight Watchers. My Weigh….. I’m On Vacation! : How Do I Stay on Track?

Hello Luv-lies,

It’s vacation season and with all of the things that you have to do before you take that much needed ‘fun in the sun’ hiatus, the last thing on your mind is planning meals that won’t make you feel guilty when your vacay is over.  One thing for sure is healthy food choices don’t have to go by the wayside.

So how DO you stay on plan and still eat well while you’re on  vacation?  Here’s a couple of travel tips for healthy and mindful eating while you’re spending your time poolside.

~ 1 ~

  Ask for Options.

*Because you always have options*

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Many hotels and restaurants, aside from their standard menus,   often have a  ‘heart healthy’ menu. And these days,  heart healthy doesn’t have to mean lettuce and carrots!   Feel free to ask that your meals be prepared salt-free.

Substitute extra virgin olive oil or sesame seed oil for butter or margarine.  Have your salad dressing on the side (you already know that trick).  If all else fails, create your own meals by ordering from the ala carte menu (this may be a little more costly than the ‘bundle pack’ meals from the main menu. But …The portion size keep me on track. No-brainer. Right? )

~ 2 ~

Snack Smart.

*Snacking is good. Look at snacks as mini meals that hold you over until the next feast.

 http://www.HealthyVending.com

In an ideal world ( and when we’re not on vacay) we would travel with pre-planned,  snacks that help us stay on plan. But on vacation?   I think not!   So.  When scavenging for nutritious snacks that won’t interfere with the fit of that swimsuit that cost you one whole paycheck, try to avoid high- caloric snacks (like candy and cookies).

My strategy.

I pick snacks that tend to be either fruits, veggies and/or a combo of one of those … with … some type of dairy ( I’m loving Yoplait brand right now.. 2 Points Plus Value for one serving). Throw in raspberries, blueberries and strawberries. I’m good! Need more sustenance?  Add a protein (walnuts are one of my favs).  Snack attack under control! Check!

Now this next tip I struggle with everyday. Not just on vacay. Right now, adding fruit keeps it enticing.

~ 3 ~ 

Drink!

Water! … Loads!

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I’ll drink plain ol’ tap water. Sure. Given a choice; however…. I opt for it, either,  bottled or  filtered.  But not sparkling.  Not much of a fan of sparkling water. Can’t get used to the bubbles. But, if that’s your thing- go for it! Get your aqua in the way that works for you.

I’ve made it a habit to keep a bottle or glass on hand at all times. And to motivate me to get it in? There’s an App for that! And I do Luv a great App!

Keeping yourself ‘watered down’ all day had its bennies. It wards off overeating, flushes out excess salt in your system (and you know, the salt always show up on the scale), and can I tell you that your skin is going to loooove you!!!

Okay. Recap.

Ask for options. You always have them. Being on vacay doesn’t mean making lazy snack choices. There are tons of good stuff out there. Eat it! Drink up! Water. That is. Here’s a game that might help get the aqua in – ‘Two For’ it! For every non-water drink that you down, drink twice as much water.  !BAM!

That brings me to the last tip

~ 4 ~

 Keep It Simple

* K.I.S.  {… you decide what the last ‘S’ stands for}

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Simply put….

If your meal arrives in today’s super-size portions, don’t panic. *Don’t eat it all, either! * Half the portion – put it in a ‘to-go’ bag (that’s a meal for later on.  And … money saved on meals equals more money for shopping!  Now, that I like!).

Don’t want to be bothered with keeping up with a to-go bag, after dinner? Ask your server for the lunch portion of your entrée selection. Lunch portions are almost always less than dinner size.

How’s that for simple?

So Luv-lies, you don’t have to throw your healthy eating habits out the window just because you’re on vacation. You’ve planned your vacay, now plan to stay on track.
What’s your plan?
… Do tell …

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An Unexpected Surprise & a Good Read

Good Afternoon Luv-lies,

Had a fun-filled weekend (read – ate a little off program :/ ).   Stayed mostly on, but I must admit that I strayed a little…. *just a little*  🙂  Didn’t make to my usual Weight Watchers meeting place to weigh in (that’s usually done on Sunday) because the festivities started waaaaay before the meeting time!  Needed Monday to recoup * come on!  You know how that is…. right?*

Went in today for this  weeks weigh in…. couldn’t find a reallllly good excuse reason to hold out any longer … to this VERY welcomed surprise!

 

 DOWN!!!   1.6 WHOLE POUNDS!!

Didn’t really expect that!  Although I ate a ‘little’ off program, most of my hedonistic indulges were either fat laden and/or salt ridden.  With that in mind, I approached the weigh-in with the mindset that “… I know that I gained something! …. I just hope that that ‘something’ is just a little bit…”

This kinda surprise … I like !!   This kinda surprise … I can do !!

And to think that I was seriously trying not to be accountable this week by skipping the weigh-in  *there’s something to be said about your conscious getting the better of you!*

Just think I would have missed on the ‘Scale’ Celebration, getting my first #BRAVO sticker for #WeightWatchers’  ‘ACE Your Summer Challenge’, getting the ‘#WeightWatchers’ Weekly’

Non Scale Victories!!!

Non Scale Victories!!!

….. and picking up this gem of a magazine that is always chock-filled with loads of great articles and even greater *delish* recipes!!

#WeightWatchers Summer Read

 

 

I rushed home because I knew that I had to share it with you on MY TWITTER FEED

 

and my FACEBOOK Post

My #Facebook Post

Such a nice way to begin a beautiful, sunny afternoon.
I’ll say.
What unexpected happened in your day?
… Do Tell…

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Inspiration, The Weight-ing Game

Whew! What a January….

Hey Luv-lies,

Whew! I’m sooooo glad that February is here!  Now I’m not one who usually wishes for my days to go by rapidly, but January was a real bear!  Not just for the crazy weather. But for some reason, last month, the scale has for some reason stopped being my BFF.  I successfully got through the holiday unscathed!  Not a pound to be gained!  As a matter of fact, I reached goal someway between the latter part of December  and the New Year.  (Yes!  Smack dab between the Christmas and New Year holiday.  I lost AND reached goal)!  Talking about being on a high.  Ahh. Yeah.  So of course, going into January my thoughts were, ‘Humph! I successfully got through the  endless barrage of  holiday delights & treats, six weeks of maintenance shouldn’t be thaaaat hard’!  Now don’t get me wrong, in no way did I then, or do I now, think that at any time, this lifestyle change is ever a piece of cake {pun intended}.  But I was fairly confident that I’d get through the six weeks of maintenance at best, uneventfully.  And what with the unveiling of The Simple Start Program rolling out at the start of The New Year, I thought – ‘No Brainer.  Two weeks of  Power Foods.  No tracking.  I can do that. Right?’   NOT! 

So what the hell happened!?

burt

I followed the two weeks of The Simple Start Program.  Continued to run five days a week – averaging twenty-five miles a week.  Even made a ‘2014 New Years Inspiration to complete one half-marathons this year. *aside – I’m pretty much on track {woo. another pun.  Not intended this time :/} with this*.  And then there were the Zumba Classes that I live for – to the tune {uh-oh. another pun.} of at least five to six times a week!  With all of this compliance, I wasn’t too concerned when the first two weigh-ins of the month – of the year!, for that fact – were the same.  No loss.  No gain.  Perfect.  That was a welcomed ‘plateau’ because,  I was into maintenance, after all.  Fast forward (or should that be ‘fast forward backwards?’) to the last two weeks of January.  Not. So. Good.  Why?  Yep! You guessed it.  Although there was no change in how I was ‘working the program’ – I stayed on The Simple Start  for the last two weeks of the month (why not?… I didn’t gain….  Until week three…) only, I added a (light. very light) weight training regime to the mix.   Those last two week weigh ins ….

wham bam pow

Gain!!!!  Yesssssss!!! Gain!!!! {forgive me for yelling so loudly.  I am fuming!}  To the tune of a total 3.6 lbs!!  First things first.  with this much gain, I’ve totally blown the criteria for continuing on my maintenance journey *heavy sigh*.  That’s a bummer.  Needless to say, I HAD to share my not-so-good-news with my fellow members in this week’s meeting.   And true to form, the support that I received from my fellow members was uplifting and reassuring.  They reminded me of the non-scale successes that I have achieved and reminded me that, with the addition of a weight training regime (even a very light one) I’ll be sleek, toned & trimmed just in time for bathing suite season.  And that continued adherence to this lifestyle journey is, in and of itself, commendable.  I thank my fellow group members for their understanding and honesty….we’ve come to be to do that for each other.

My take away on the whole matter …  its’ about perspective.  Focusing on the successes.  Celebrating the achievements.  And remaining steadfast in one’s goal despite difficulties and/or delays in achieving success.  If I had to put it in a word….. Persistence

What’s your take on this?

Do Tell?

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Sunday Weigh-in & Some Fun

Happy Sunday Luv-lies,

Just a short post today.  Couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share some fun news with you.

comfort zone

A little over a year ago I started this trek down the path of a healthier lifestyle.  On December 31st 2012 {on a whim.  You know.  Now that I think about it, some of my best successes have resulted from a whim…} I decided that I had had enough of making excuses for not living a healthier lifestyle.  I was tired of referring to the excess weight that I had been hauling around as, ‘Baby fat’.  Who the hell was I lying to {I know. I had been lying to myself and for a loooooong time!}?  After all, ‘my baby’ was twenty-nine years old!  I was tired of not being able to fit into the beautiful clothing that I had purchased {all year!} with the promise that ‘One day I’m going to be able to fit these’.  You’ve made that promise to yourself – haven’t you?  Tired of huffing and puffing after walking short distances.  Tired of eating too much, too late.  Waking up the next  morning feeling like a stuffed pig.  I could go on but I won’t.  This is suppose to be a ‘short’ post.

My ‘whim’ took me first to my local fitness center, where I eagerly signed on the dotted line.  ‘There!’ I thought.  Proudly, I was on my way to escaping this delusion that I had been living – for years!  I returned home, knowing that I was only halfway vested in this journey.  I knew then, like I know now, that I needed a weight loss program that offered me several things.   I needed a program that {amongst other things}:

~  held me accountable for walking the talkBecause, the mouth will say anything.  Enough said.

~ addressed the ‘Why?’ of my eating behavior.  You see, getting to the gym has never been the problem.  controlling the eating behavior has.

~  didn’t promise a short-term, quick fix-it solutionDidn’t get this size fast.  Not going to lose it, and, more importantly, get to goal quickly. Got to put in the work!

~ offered a forum where I could have some face-time with others – in real timeFace-time has a way of not allowing you to hide from the truth.

~ had a long-standing history & tried and true scientific basis for it’s successLongevity has its place.

~ allowed me to eat ‘real’ foodMy food mantra is that, ‘… there’s too much good *read- natural* food out there, not to be able to eat it!

~ that worked, seamlessly, with my present lifestyleYou want to guarantee failure? Implement too many unrealistic changes too fast in a schedule with little to no room for change.

~ taught me that the path to a healthy lifestyle can be measured in many different waysThe scale can not & should not be the only measure of ‘winning’

I’ll stop here.  {I could really go on 🙂

So without much thought *it was a no brainer for me* – I returned home and, because the physical center was closed –  I joined my local Weight Watchers group – via the website. 

green chairs

A year, and some change later {pardon the pun}, the program has and continues to live up to everything that I wanted and needed.  The group that I attend is slowly growing. Over the last year, we have transitioned from individuals gathered in a common space for individual reasons, to a cohesive, supportive, fun, trusting, understanding ‘family’ who at the core of it all, has each others best interest at heart.  I ask you.  What more can you ask?

so here’s the fun part  {it’s all fun. but. you know what I mean}

This morning I arrived to the meeting a lot later than I usually do.  My late is about three to five minutes.  Not today. I was about fifteen minutes late *yikes*.  Not good when the meeting is only thirty minutes long to begin with *crinch*.  It was nice to see all of the new attendees.  My hope for them is that they come back enough to realize that the program really does work – when you work the program.

Since the beginning of the year – yes.  just nineteen days ago – The group has been increasingly interested in increasing the our presence on #Facebook.

*aside* I think that it’s a great idea!  Especially since I spend a lot of time promoting a healthier lifestyle on my Facebook page

See, we have an official Weight Watchers Facebook page; however, it has its limits {at least for right now}.  We can’t wait to share recipes, successes & fitness info.  So our  fearless Leader, Nancy,  suggested that we start another page where we can post pictures and other incentives.  Looooove it!!!

But first, we have to come up with a name for our page!

This is the fun part!  We have until our next meeting to come up with some suggestions.  My mind is going a million miles a minute trying to think of something 🙂

Now, I am really looking forward to this upcoming meeting-  more than ever –  because I can’t wait to hear all of the suggestions! 

Did I say that we are a pretty witty bunch?

#WW Name Our Group Challenge

 So Luv-lies, I’ll be sure to let you know how this turned out.  One thing that I’m almost certain of.  I wouldn’t be late for next Sunday’s meeting 🙂

Do you have any suggestions?

Do tell …..

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Food, Goals, Infographic, Mindful Eating, My Weight Loss, Strategy, The Weight-ing Game, Weight Watchers ... The Way I See It

8 Tips for Healthy Eating

Infographic: 8 tips for healthy eating

Hello Luv-lies,

Ran across this infographic  while trolling the ‘net.  Trying to make some sense of my eating plan (… even though I make certain that I keep up with my ‘healthy checks’ on WW Tracker, I periodically need other sources to make certain that I’m getting all of the nutrition that I need (… this growing girl needs all the info she can get to help with to get that girlish figure  *wink wink*).

I found this wealth of information all bundled in one nice little infographic.  *Not real sure why the ‘Yeast Infection Organization is sponsoring this…. but….*

Although I like the information shared, there are few things that would change/amend if I designed this.

Like the following:

I prefer brown rice and bread over the white

don’t particularly like referring to Carbohydrates as starches (the word ‘starch’ just has a bad wrap)

Those two are it…. What do you think?

Do Tell …..

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