#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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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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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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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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… and to all ‘A Happy New Year’

Happy New Year 2014

Hello Luv-lies,

Happy New Year to you all!

I’m sitting here watching the ‘ball’ drop on this annual  New York City Event.  Watching the mess of confetti that is raining down on the elated  faces that have waited for hours for an opportunity to party celebrate the beginning of a New Year.

The New Year seems to bring about a renewed hope for all of those things that we didn’t and/or couldn’t conquer in the twelve months preceding it.  A New Year seems to inspire us to make good on those promises from before, and/or make a new set of goals/aspirations/dreams and promises.

Although I’ve long given up ‘resolutions’ and haves replaced them with ‘Yearly Inspirations’ and ‘Reflections on the Year gone by’, I can’t help but to get caught up the madness going on in New York’s Time Square.

champagne toast

Somewhere between the commercials and the celebration I’ve come up with my list of this year’s inspirations.

So without further ado, for the 2014 year I am inspired to do the following things …. {in no particular order of significance}

Blog at least three times a week – I enjoy meeting you here in this space (it’s like my virtual coffee shoppe) and after all, I started this blog to keep me accountable…. right?

~ Cook one amazing home made meal a month – this might not seem like a big deal, but take it from someone (that would be me) who has found true excitement in the kitchen – it’s a biiiiiig deal!

~ Reach Weight Watcher’s Lifetime Member Status -Let’s just say that ‘lifetime membership has its bennies’

~ Attend a few non-credit college ‘Learning for Leisure’ courses – right now courses in culinary arts, technology and language are on my list.

~ Races! Races! Races! – the list includes completing at least three each: 5K Races, 10K Races and one half marathon…. I’m taking all suggestions – be kind

~ Do Volunteer work – this has been on my bucket list for a while… now it’s time to put up (shutting up is not an option)

~ Attend at least one Blog Conference – depending upon the location, these can be quite pricey…. but you can’t put a price on the ‘friendships’ that you make in the blogosphere

~ Continue to workout at least five times a week – in addition to eating a helluva lot healthier, this workout routine has brought me great weight loss success and peace of mind!

~ Master this WordPress Blog Platform – full disclosure here…. right now, I am not totally satisfied with my blog… I have to devote more time in making it more user-friendly (amongst other things)….

~ Start a Garden – this is going to be interested… I don’t have much of a green thumb but I’m hell-bent on eating fresh veggies.  So my ‘me logic’ says – ‘want fresh veggies? why not grow them’?  ‘BOOM’ … makes sense to me

This is just a short list of the things that are Inspiring Me.  I’m certain that as the year rolls-out, the list will grow.  And so will the excitement of checking off my yearly inspirational accomplishments….

Brooke Hagel-Mood Board-Ideas 1

So Luv-lies,
What inspires you this year?
…. do tell

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

Everything from here is ….. downhill

I've reached a 25 pound weight loss !!!  YEY ME!!!

I’ve reached a 25 pound weight loss !!! YEY ME!!!

 

Hello Luv-lies, 

Happy Sunday…

Great News from the ‘Green Seats’ !!!!

Major celebration today…..

I’VE REACHED MY HALFWAY POINT TO LIFETIME GOAL!!!!

((((YEY ME)))) !!!! 

Five months into this re-commitment to a healthy, physically fit lifestyle, I am elated with the news that I am twenty-five pounds (that’s 50%) closer to my goal weight.

The Meeting Leader asked me to share what I attributed to my success. Now, I’m not one that is talkative during our half hour meetings- instead, I prefer to quietly benefit from the group offering; however, with what seemed to be all eyes on me, offered this small tidbit of my success….

…. to what do I owe this success….
Ownership & Commitment *period*

I’ve finally owned the fact that I am solely responsible for living a healthy, fit lifestyle. And that no matter how many fitness magazines, dvd’s, fitness programs, that I watched…. No matter how much I wished for a toned, curvy, cellulite-free body…. Until I committed to the change that I sooooo longed for, I would forever remain in my fitness ‘dream’ world!

….. and VOILE’…. 25 pounds down!

So Luv-lies, ……to what do you owe your successes?

Do tell……

 

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