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, 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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Goals, Keep Callm, My Weight Loss, Strategy, The Weight-ing Game, Weight Watchers ... The Way I See It

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

98tow

 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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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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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

I’m Stuck ! … 4 Down & Dirty Strategies to help get you through that Dreaded Plateau

Diet_Plateau_cartoon

It’s happened to the best of us.

For weeks you’ve been true to your program – eating clean, getting in your workout, staying hydrated & getting your sleep on.  Every week that you step on the scale, you see the pay-off for all of your hard work.  Then one day, without so much as a warning, the number on the scale stops moving in its customary downward direction!

‘No Problem’ –  you think to yourself, that first time – ‘… at least it’s not a gain…’

But in the weeks to follow, the pounds of fat that once seem to effortlessly fall off are clinging on like a stubborn mule.  You do a personal inventory of reasons that could be contributing to the sabotaging of your success…. again, you come up short with viable reasons for this stall…. arrrghhh!!

You knew that this day would come.  You’ve read about, you’ve even overheard locker room conversations about it.  But when it happens, there is still the questions of ‘why me?’, ‘why now?’, ‘why the hell does this happen?’, and ‘how the hell do I get past this!?’.

According to the folks at the Mayo Clinic – 

A plateau occurs because your metabolism — the process of burning calories for energy — slows as you lose muscle. You burn fewer calories than you did at your heavier weight even doing the same activities. Your weight-loss efforts result in a new equilibrium with your now slower metabolism.

At this new equilibrium, calories eaten equals calories expended. This means that to lose more weight, you need to increase activity or decrease the calories you eat. Using the same approach that worked initially may maintain your weight loss, but it won’t lead to more weight loss”

If you’re at a plateau, you may have lost all of the weight you will, given the number of calories you’re eating each day and the time you spend exercising.   At this point, you need to ask yourself if you’re satisfied with your current weight – in which case you move on to the maintenance phase of your journey  or if you want to lose more – in which case you’ll need to adjust your weight-loss program.

weight-loss-plateau (1)

If you’re committed to losing more weight, before you throw your hands up and throw in the proverbial towel, here are 5 Down & Dirty Strategies to try for getting past the plateau:

#1     Reassess your habits.

Review  your past  food and activity records.  Make sure that you haven’t loosened the rules, letting yourself get by with larger portions or less exercise.  Calorie Creep (a.k.a. – eating more calories than you think)  combined with decreased metabolism (from the weight loss) almost always results in a plateau.

#2     Re-evaluate Your Calorie Intake 

As you lose weight, not only does it become harder to lose, but your metabolism decreases.  – the good news is that your metabolism is supposed to decrease as you lose weight.  Because at your new leaner weight you have less body mass.  Less body mass =  Lower energy requirement to support your smaller frame.  A general rule of thumb, when looking at caloric intake is, for every 10-15 lb you lose (especially if you have a lot of weight to lose), you can reevaluate the amount of calories needed to continue on your weight lost journey.

#3    Rev up your workouts

If you want to maintain the results you have, changing things up in your work out is awesome!  But not if you want to maximize your results in a muscle building, or fat loss program.  Continuity in your exercise program is more important than switching things up.  Continuity allows you to track your improvements in your strength and fitness levels – making adjustments to your workouts.  Think outside the gym. Increase your general physical activity throughout the day by walking more and using your car less, or try doing more yard work or vigorous spring cleaning.

#4     Get a Good Night Sleep

The people at Fitday sums it up this way:

“Sleep is a crucial factor in losing weight. Sleep suppresses your appetite and raises your metabolism, while allowing your body to rest and recover. Sleep affects the levels of several hormones in your body. Two hormones that play an important role in stimulating and suppressing your appetite are leptin and ghrelin. Leptin is produced by your body’s fat cells and is responsible for suppressing hunger. Ghrelin is released by your stomach, and stimulates your appetite. Lack of sleep lowers the levels of leptin in your blood and heightens the levels of ghrelin, which results in an increase of appetite. The reverse is also true: getting enough sleep decreases hunger and will therefore help you lose weight.So aside from leading an active lifestyle and maintaining a balanced diet, you should also make sure that you get enough sleep to carry you through your day”. 

1-weight-loss-secret-how-to-overcome-the-dreaded-weight-loss-plateau

As you continue on your journey to reach your ideal weight, keep in mind that changing your body into a lean, mean fit machine is the destination. Find as much enjoyment in the journey, despite its setbacks.  Revel in the small successes that seem to be overlooked – the stronger and fitter you, your vanishing waistline, making healthier food choices, to name a few.  Learn to appreciate and focus on these changes, while continuing to work your healthy lifestyle changes, and your plateau will become well-earned fodder for your blog.

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

WEIGHT…! That’s The Wrong Direction…!!

126dcf5c22a84fee9b308b89cd984ea2_2

Good Morning Luv-lies,

I’ve been absent for a minute…. just a brief minute 🙂

I’m sure that this has, or will (at some point in your journey) happened to you….
you’ve been tracking, getting in enough physical activity to smile *widely* about,… just plain ol’ working ‘The Program’.

You know, successfully on your way to that pot of gold at the end of this proverbial rainbow. When….. everything, either, comes to a screeching halt! or/and the weight seems to be creeping back on….’GO FIGURE’ ! 😦

I knew that I was not going to be special enough to escape the always spirit-breaking ‘plateau’, but boy I darn sure was not ready for it this soon!!!

“I JUST CANNOT BELIEVE THAT I’VE BEEN SPINNING IN CIRCLES FOR THE LAST FOUR MONTHS! … YES!!!! FOUR WHOLE MONTHS!!!
….please accept my apologies for yelling….* demure smile*

Our friend, Alzabees over at “My Little Pumpkin Muffie blogged about it, not once but twice…. and I still was not ready for the deflation that must be part and parcel of this whole ‘plateau-ing’ thing….

Now, I have not spent the last two months brooding ~ only the last two weeks….
After about three days of attempting to figure out the possible reasons that I’m in stall mode, I decided to focus on some things about the last two months that have been, well, quite fruitful.

So here is ‘The Fruit’ among ‘The Stall’:

* My arms, thighs, calves and abs have become much more toned

* The tuning of the above muscles have resulted in a total lost of almost 10 inches

* I am down two more dress sizes…. *yippee!!*

* I am a half shoe size down (that equals one whole size since starting the program
…..does that mean I get a new pair of ‘Choos?’)

* My family’s, friends’ and co-workers’ compliments are almost followed by..
“…. girl you’ve gotten small enough…” (…. and I’m literally at the halfway
point in my journey!!! YEY! ME)

* …. and overall, I must say that I ‘I feel MAH-VA-LOUS’

So I guess the lesson to self is to find the sunshine in every plateau… because standing still has its perks….

Have you reached that plateau? How did/would you handle it?
Do tell…..

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