January 2008 Weight Watchers

[srahndennis]

Happy New Year, everyone!!! Hope your holidays were joyous. I'm getting ready to get back into the usual rountine. I go back to work tomorrow so this is it! I think I did fairly well over the break. I didn't track much but did take advantage of days off to exercise more. I don't weigh in until Tuesday, the 8th. I do at work meetings and the last two have been cancelled because they were on Christmas and New Year's Day. It's been kind of hard not to have that accountability during the holidays!

I'm not a big one for New Year's resolutions but I did decide that for 2008, my mantra will be "Be Strong". It has many meanings for me: financially, physically, mentally, emotionally. So, here's to a strong 2008!

[suebear37]

Hi Stacy,

Looks like I'm going to be a regular on this thread... I'm joining up tonight. I've been a couple of times before & been fairly successful but I always seem to fall off the wagon & not get back on!

This time I'm going with 3 of my friends... there's strength in numbers! I think it'll help to have a couple of buddies that I can count on to go to the meetings with.

[srahndennis]

That's great, suebear37!! I've been at it a few times myself :D but honestly I get better every time!! I really hope this will be the last, though...the older I get, the harder it is to take off and I know the up/down saga isn't good for me. I agree with the power in numbers, too. There are a group of us at work who do an at-work meeting....a group that's getting bigger all the time. It's great to cheer one another on and offer support. I think we'll end up having a pretty big group here, too. There were a lot of us posting during Decmeber when it's hardest to be on program. Looking forward to it!

[buffygirl]

Count me in the "strength in numbers" group as well. I have 2 friends I'm going with and another few potentials that are on the fence.

I'm excited because I think I am approaching my weight loss differently. I'm normally such a perfectionist that when I would "cheat" I would look at it as completely blowing it. Then I would go completely off plan. This time I am looking at it as a lifestyle which has not been something I've been able to grasp in the past.

I'm looking forward to my meeting and weigh in on Friday.

Kim

[smokeandashes]

Hi all -

I saw your thread and thought I would chime in :)

I made it through the Holidays without gaining anything. It helped that I walked with my dogs at least once a day during the holiday. I have lost 19 pounds since Sept. on WW and am starting to get compliments. Which makes me happy. My goal is to continue to lose about a pound a week until my goal.

[Terri_A]

Hi guys! Since my meetings are normally on Tuesdays - I haven't been in 2 weeks!!! I went to a diff't meeting last night - I was craving it believe it or not - and I was down 1.5 pounds! Not bad for the two weeks covering Christmas and New Year's! I've been trying lots of new WW recipes lately. I had purchased the WW Turnaround Program cookbook at my meeting about a month ago and just before Christmas I bought the Mix and Match one. I've made the Potato Soup and the Sausage and Spinach wraps from the Mix and Match and they were both GREAT and low point. I think for 2008 I'd like to try to cook 2 or 3 WW recipes each week. I think that will help a lot.

I was hoping to be able to start exercising again, but I tried on Wednesday and my foot is just not completely healed yet and I ended up taking a pain pill before bed. I'll just have to keep it up on the food end for now.

Kim - Congrats on getting started. I think you'll find with some planning that it's soooo doable. I, too, have a history of giving in when I felt I wasn't perfect. This time even if I do the Big Mac and Fries, I remind myself that the next meal is always the BEST time to make a good choice and get back on track. In fact, what's been really great is how bad I feel if I do eat crap now. It's the best reminder of how far I've really come (well, the clothes that are too big are kind of nice too!). Good luck!!!

[jazzyjas]

I hope everyone had a wonderful new year's and here is to a great 2008! I haven't made any resolutions/goals for this year yet but I am still on vacation so have a few more days to come up with those.

Welcome, Sue and Kim. It will help that you have some friends along with you on this and it is all about attitude.

The thing I have found about Weight Watchers is that there is no "falling off" -- yes it is better to eat high fiber and low fat foods but all foods have point values and you just have to try to stay in your allotment for the week. (not that I have had a week yet where I didn't go over 4-12 points but I am still trying to work on that -- I did start the week before Thanksgiving) :D

This week hasn't gone so well -- we were travelling for two days and eating out a lot and I think I may be a tad up (it is that time of the month) and since I do weight watchers at work (which is off until next week) I am not going out of my way to the center to weigh in only to get disappointed. I have never closely monitored my weight before and never noticed bloating but have noticed the since starting Ww that I will make some negative comment about feeling fat in this week before my period and I don't normally do that. So I am taking the day off of the weigh in

Terri is there another type of exercise you can do with your injury?

Well, I better get this place picked up -- I have been cleaning out closets and it is a pig sty.

[Terri_A]

) Terri is there another type of exercise you can do with your injury?

I'm sure that swimming would work, but the YMCA I belong to doesn't have an indoor pool. I will say that I tried walking outside - that's what set it off - and it's been cold here ( I think the high that day was under 50 ), so it could be that factoring in as well. I may go to the Y this weekend and see if the Elliptical Machine gives me any trouble. I've heard it's easier on the joints anyway...we'll see!;)

[Molli526]

I am back to the program too. I lost about 20 pounds last year and then maintained that Oct- December. I am now ready to lose the last 14 - 19. I started counting points and writing down on the 26th to get myself back in the habit, and started full force on the 2nd.

My mindset has improved over last year, which was pretty good then. These are lifestyle choices, and I have to make choices that all balance out. It's not like when I was 25 and would eat 10 points all day long (including TONS of 0pt broccoli) and then go and drink my points! That won't cut it. I need to set and example for my boys, and I need to have energy.

I got a new WW cookbook from the Good Cook - Weight Watcher favorites, so I will report any good finds from there.

[smokeandashes]

I got a new WW cookbook from the Good Cook - Weight Watcher favorites, so I will report any good finds from there.

Hi Molli - Which cookbook did you get? I got my Order today but haven't opened the box so I don't remember which book I ordered. I also got a WW 5 ingredient 15 minute meal magazine and found quite a few recipes to try.

[buffygirl]

I WI today and was up .2 pounds.:( I ate 2 meals out yesterday and tried to be good, but I think the sodium did me in. I drank tons of water all day long, but woke up parched. Oh well, new week.:)

I'm trying Bikram (hot) Yoga tomorrow for the first time. Wish me luck! I'm nervous about the class, but the physical as well as spiritual/emotional benefits of the class are very intriguing to me. I have joint issues that are really bothering me right now and I think this type of yoga mat be beneficial. Also, one of the statements on the studio's website is "Here is a powerful opportunity to banish self-judgment, self-loathing and self-criticism." I soooo need this, so I'm looking forward to the class.

I wanted to share again the hungrygirl.com website. I'm finding good recipe and food tips. I've subscribed to their daily email.

Kim

[Alleycat]

Happy New Year, ladies!!

I didn't fall off per se during the second half of December, but I didn't have as much discipline as I know I should. Thankfully, I only showed a .5 gain, but with a week's journaling under my belt, I'm down 1.5.

Terry, I just received as a gift the Mix and Match cookbook -- the sausage and spinach wraps jumped out at me immediately -- how are they?

Have any of you guys seen the new Clean Eating magazine by Oxygen? The first issue is out now; it's a quarterly publication. I haven't finished looking through it yet, but bought it for some inspiration :)

I've got two books on the way from amazon, too -- Super Nutrition for Women by Ann Louise Gittleman, and Sugar Shock by Connie Bennett. Again, I need some inspiration. I also need to start eating less sugar (getting all the Christmas cookies out of the house helped ;)), because I've been on a serious baking binge!

Sue, love your Paula Deen quote :p

Kim, two meals out would hit me with sodium too. Isn't it amazing how sensitive the body is to things? But isn't it wonderful to start realizing how things affect us? Since doing WW, I am extremely sensitive to sodium. Don't know if I always was, but a can of soup puffs me up enough that my rings don't come off without serious effort! I'll check out hungrygirl.com. Thanks for the tip.

I've been trying some new recipes. For the first time, I finally made the Italian Sausage Soup from CL, July 2004. It's delicious! I used extra broth and veggies, but kept the sausage to 8 oz. I'm a volume eater, what can I say? :D

I started the week with strep throat, so this week's diet has been sort of weird -- only 11 points on Tuesday, 13 points on Wednesday, 20 points on Thursday (yay for antibiotics!), and my first regular day today. Looking forward to working out, too, now that I feel human again.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week! Let's all be losers :D :D :D

[CookinginMO/KS]

Good morning all. I'm a WW virgin and just started the program on Wed so I need all the support you can give. I've been very dedicated and have stayed within my DP, earned 9 AP over the past 3 days and have used 5 WP. Doesn't seem too bad to me but much to my dismay the scale lured me on it this morning and I'm up 2 lbs. :eek: What gives? Weigh in is Wed so I hope to see the needle head the opposite direction by then.

[Terri_A]

Terry, I just received as a gift the Mix and Match cookbook -- the sausage and spinach wraps jumped out at me immediately -- how are they?

I really liked them and they's super simple to make! I think the next time I will add a bit of garlic and maybe some diced tomatoes, just to see, but they're great the way they are.

[srahndennis]

Hi, all! I'm back on track -- journaling since the 3rd. It's going quite well -- I thought I would be starving the first couple of days but I wasn't. Tells me that I did better over the holidays than I really gave myself credit for! I'm doing really well with the exercise, too. I hope I see the results on Tuesday but even if I don't -- I feel great and I know it will eventually happen.

buffygirl -- Thanks for the hungrgirl website. It's a great resource, especially for new products. Enjoy your yoga class! It sounds wonderful. And don't sweat the .2 lbs -- it's just a number. Focus on the lifestyle changes you're making and it will happen.

terri & molli -- I think I got the same cookbook! Is is WW All-Time Favorites? It will be nice to have the points already calculated for a change!

CookinginMO/KS -- Glad you're joining us. Don't fret over the 2 pounds. If I understand your message correctly, you're weighing before your next scheduled weigh-in. You body weight can fluctuate quite dramatically from day to day. It's a personal choice, but I only weigh at my meetings. That way, I'm consistent with day, time & scale. If I weighed at home, I know it would be different and I would freak out. Continue to do what you're doing and make sure you drink your water. It makes a huge difference.

Alleycat -- Congrats on your 1.5 lbs! Glad to hear your feeling better. Hope your new books provide the inspiration you're looking for!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

[JackieO]

Hi, all.

About six months ago, someone posted a link to an article, "Why the Scale Lies." It's probably time for a review! :D http://www.primusweb.com/fitnesspartner/library/weight/scale.htm

My WI was Thursday -- no change from last week. Since I'm bumping up against my goal weight, I'd like to get back down a couple pounds for some cushion, but it's darn hard at this time of year. We are supposed to be getting a January thaw this weekend, however, so that might ease my cravings for comfort food.

As for WW cookbooks, I bought one about 10 years ago called "Simply the Best" and I'm not fond of it. (In fact, it's in the donate pile as we speak.) I bought "Take Out Tonight" a while back, and while I haven't made too many dishes from it, the ones I have made have been really good. It is nice to have the nutrition info and points values provided.

Here's to a good week!

[vbostick]

I am reading the thread and seeing how important it is to watch sodium. How much sodium should soup have or any food for that matter and how do you control it when you cook?

[buffygirl]

I just wanted to report back on my hot yoga class - wow, that class kicked my butt. According to the etools I burned about 13 activity points!:eek: It was a 90 minute class with immense sweating and high heart rate the entire time, at least for me.:p I signed up for a month of lessons, it really energized me!

Kim

[Terri_A]

I just wanted to report back on my hot yoga class - wow, that class kicked my butt. According to the etools I burned about 13 activity points!:eek: It was a 90 minute class with immense sweating and high heart rate the entire time, at least for me.:p I signed up for a month of lessons, it really energized me!

Kim

Kim - Where was the class??? Was it at the place on 34th street by chance? I've wanted to try that for a LONG time!

[CookinginMO/KS]

Thanks, JackieO, for the article. I knew better than to step on that darn thing because I KNOW I've been good. It's just that I'm new to WW and will be so disappointed if I don't see results. I guess I just need faith and patience!

[Angelina]

Thanks, JackieO, for the article. I knew better than to step on that darn thing because I KNOW I've been good. It's just that I'm new to WW and will be so disappointed if I don't see results. I guess I just need faith and patience!

Your scale at home will always be off compared to the WW scale. I won't claim to know which one is right and which one is wrong (even though I am usually convinced it's the one with the lowest numbers! ;) ), but using just one will keep it consistent. MANY times I have weighed myself at home and showed a gain, only to go to the meeting and show a loss instead.

I went lifetime back in October, but alas, I have gained about 5 pounds over the holidays. I was really good last week but my weight did not budge. I just found out why too...that time of the month. It always affects my weight. So I am looking forward to next week's WI!!!

Angela

[JackieO]

Thanks, JackieO, for the article. I knew better than to step on that darn thing because I KNOW I've been good. It's just that I'm new to WW and will be so disappointed if I don't see results. I guess I just need faith and patience!

Yep -- you have to look at that number on the scale as INFORMATION at a particular MOMENT IN TIME. What REALLY counts is the steady downward movement over a longer period of time (if you are in losing mode) or a steady-state balance of a range of a couple of pounds (if you are in maintenance).

Our leader is fond of saying that the number on the scale is feedback -- it's not a judgment. Knowing some of the metabolic facts behind what goes into that number on the scale makes it easier to accept it as just that -- feedback or information. If you stay on the program, you'll see results. Maybe not immediately, but the weight didn't come on that fast, either. Patience and acceptance are key.

BTW, are all of you in the new and tweaked WW plan? Our group kicked off new materials about 3-4 weeks ago. The Week 3 booklet on habits is quite enlightening, even for an old, Lifetime WW! :D

[Alleycat]

I just wanted to report back on my hot yoga class - wow, that class kicked my butt. According to the etools I burned about 13 activity points!:eek: Kim

13 APs? Sign me up :D

Stacy, glad you're not starving! That's the worst, when you feel so ready to commit, but you're just soooo hungry.

vbostick, I try to limit the sodium in our diets as much as I can. I read labels, looking for lowest sodium levels. I used to be able to eat a can of soup, but that 1600-2000 mg of sodium would now have me so puffed up, I wouldn't be able to button my pants! I buy no-salt added tomatoes and canned tomato sauce, low-sodium boullion, frozen or no-salt added canned vegetables (for soups, casseroles, etc). I love popcorn, and usually eat the 100-calorie snack packs of it once every couple weeks, but once it's done, I'm buying a microwave popper (so I can add the salt).

Speaking of WW cookbooks, I've been weeding mine out too. I have a good 20 or 30 of them (including the magazine-sized cookbooks they used to sell at the centers). I've noticed a good number of the recipes are also in Cooking Light cookbooks.

I'm trying to find some non-WW/CL cookbooks, to branch out a bit :) I've been shopping on my cookbook shelves :o and have found some I forgot about. 12 Best Foods by Dana Jacobi (who is a CL contributor) seems good. Cooking Healthy Across America by the American Dietetic Association is organized by region; I've stickied it up. The WS-Mayo Clinic cookbook (2001) looks good too. Glad I blew the dust off some of these! There are many more (again, I say :o) -- low-fat Mexican, healthy Southwest cooking (this one looks excellent).

So I ask...what are some of your favorite healthy cooking books? Inspire me!!

[CookinginMO/KS]

Good luck with that WI, Angelina, and thanks to all for the reminder that this a life change NOT a diet! Wish me luck on my WI on Wed evening!

[fudi2000]

So I'm thinking about going to back to WW since that was an awesome experience and I lost a lot of weight with them. But looking at the website I'm confused about the meetings. Are all meetings now "express" meetings and if so how long do they last? I was hoping that the meetings would be like what I remember 1/2 hour to 45 minutes. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks
T:D

[Angelina]

So I'm thinking about going to back to WW since that was an awesome experience and I lost a lot of weight with them. But looking at the website I'm confused about the meetings. Are all meetings now "express" meetings and if so how long do they last? I was hoping that the meetings would be like what I remember 1/2 hour to 45 minutes. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks
T:D

The meeting I go to is always about 45 minutes. Are the only meetings in your area shorter meetings? That's odd!

[Terri_A]

Just an FYI...I wanted to use Weight Watchers on the go, since it comes with my Monthly Pass, but you had use a PALM device to get it and my phone is Pocket PC based. Anyway, I found directions on how to get it on a Pocket PC - it's not supported by WW, but it totally works. So if anyone needs the info let me know and I'll pass along the link!

[Alleycat]

Are all meetings now "express" meetings and if so how long do they last? I was hoping that the meetings would be like what I remember 1/2 hour to 45 minutes. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks
T:D

Express meetings in the Philly area are about 1/2 hour.

--------------

You don't realize how much you're affected by eating changes until you stray. :eek:

I didn't make all the best food choices in December, but my main indulgence was baked sweets. That's always my main indulgence ;)

Tonight I had dinner with a couple colleagues at Applebee's. They wanted the appetizer sampler, and I ate 3 of the boneless buffalo chicken pieces and a mozzarella stick. By the time my dinner came (shrimp and spinach salad, no bacon, no bacon dressing -- bleu cheese on the side for fork dipping), I felt so bloated. Blech. So, I have lunch in the fridge for tomorrow. And no more fried food for me!

(I need that 13 AP yoga class to burn off the cals LOL)

[scout1222]

Meetings out here have always been a half hour, not including the half hour weigh-in period. So an hour total if you add the two together. We don't have express meetings out here - is the weigh-in still 30 minutes?

[buffygirl]

Terri, sorry, I just now saw your question about the yoga. I'm going to the place on Fountainview, beside Fountainview pharmacy. My friend used to go to the one on 34th, but they changed instructors (I think) and she liked it less... I chose my place because they are supposedly the only certified instructors in Houston and the times of the classes work fairly well with my schedule. You should try it some time!!! I absolutely love it!

I am down a total of 4 lbs in 4 weeks and am (surprisingly) happy about it. My approach is different this time, it is like many of you have said, it is all about being a lifestyle change. I think I finally get that!

Kim

[JackieO]

So I ask...what are some of your favorite healthy cooking books? Inspire me!!

Disclaimer: I tend to try more recipes from magazines than my cookbook collection.

That being said, three of my favorite low-cal/healthful cookbooks are Cooking Thin with Chef Kathleen (Daelemans), Canyon Ranch Cooking: Bringing the Spa Home by Jeanne Jones and Fresh Start by Julee Rosso.

All three books have substantial advice and information about nutrition and healthful eating. Rosso's book has a lot of tips and references. Daelemans's book is very practical, but it's the only one of the three that doesn't include nutrition stats for the recipes. Her vinaigrette recipe is one of the best from-scratch dressings I've ever made. Jones's book has a chapter on how you can plan a spa weekend in your own home! (A little out there for me, but I probably know a few people who would attempt to do just that!)

Thanks for sending me back to the bookcase. I'll have to find something to inspire me in the kitchen this week.

[Couperine]

I'm on hiatus from WW while pg - I've been cooking for DH's points since New Year's since he started gaining again when I went off the wagon. Been doing fairly well, but he's on flex plan, and I need some information about core.

My understanding is that core is very similar to Atkins in approach - low-carb, and my brother-in-law's trainer prodded him to try Atkins yet again when he truly adores breads, pastas, etc. Though I think WW flex would be a better choice for a lifestyle for him, I need some help modifying entrees for him to support his decision since he eats at our house once or twice weekly.

I have the ingredients to make beef stew - butternut squash always has the taste and texture of potatoes to me in stewed foods, so I am thinking the stew should be ok since it's beef, broth, butternut squash in place of potatoes, carrots, and peas. I usually add some wine, but I'm not sure if that would stretch the carbs too far. Are carrots and peas bad since they are higher calorie veggies? I'd like to make food that really appeals to him so that he doesn't feel as deprived as he usually does when he's on Atkins.

On another tangent, I bought the WW cookbook - Simply Delicious a while back, and I'm having a rotten time finding dishes to try that inspire me to cook from it. Any favorites from this one?

Any advice is appreciated - I've got less than 4 months to go before I get to rejoin this thread, and I'm looking forward to it!

[jazzyjas]

Couperine -- In comparing diets, the core plan is probably closer to South Beach -- rather than restricting all carbs (which includes most fruits and many veggies) it focuses on high fiber carbs. I imagine that you aren't using too much wine so it is probably fine to throw that in as well. You are allowed 35 flex points like on the flex plan -- one serving with wine likely isn't more than a point. Carrots and peas are fine as is winter squash or pumpkin. The tricky thing is you are only allowed 2 tsp of oil per day or you have to count the points. You can even have potatoes however, whole wheat pasta, brown rice or potatoes (white, red or sweet) are limited to one meal per day. And all dairy is fat free. Hope that helps.

I was a mere .2 pounds down on Friday and am trying to be so good this week because I have dinner reservations for restaurant week on Thursday and Friday (although at least friday is after weigh in) and a meeting on Wednesday that lasts until 8 where food will be provided.

jasmine

[Couperine]

Thanks for the info, Jasmine! I really wish he'd try something else since he's quit his unofficial Atkins diet 6 times now - Core sounds so much better than what he's doing, but he's an adult, so it's his business. Maybe I can show him the Core and flex WW options online when I get to join again.

[HARRYET]

Couperine,

Right now WW has a joining special, that is to pay the weekly fee and registration is waived. Maybe you could convice your BIL to go to a meeting (perhaps go with him for support) get the WW information and sit in on the getting started session, where the leader goes over both flex and core. Then he can choose which program to try and either go it alone or continue attending meetings. If he didn't want to do meetings after the initial one the perhaps he could try the on-line program. Just a thought. Good luck with your BIL and your pregnancy.

Ann

[srahndennis]

I'm a little late updating but I maintained over the holidays (yeah!) and was down .5 lbs this week. I didn't really feel like I had lost at all so that was a bit of a bonus. It's been tough getting workouts in and I had more restaurant meals than usual. I'm going to focus on exercise and tracking a little more religiously this week!

Couperine -- I agree with your -- core or even SBD would be so much healthier for your DBIL.

I don't have Simply Delicious but just bought the new All-Time Favorites. I'm having the same problem -- nothing looks interesting. :rolleyes:

[Alleycat]

My favorite recipe from Simply Delicious is the spicy Italian broccoli. I haven't pulled this book off the shelf in a long time. The crappy index is very annoying.

I've decided to do the Breast Cancer 3-Day walk. I started training on Sunday, with a 7 mile walk. I did the walk last year, too -- it was an amazing experience, but with all that walking, I didn't lose much weight! I'm thinking (:rolleyes:) if I do WW in conjunction with all my training, I'll have more success at the weight loss component :)

Want to know how to lose 5.5 pounds in 2 weeks? Get strep throat, and then get the 24-hour flu. Blech. I know it's not "real" weight loss, but it sure was nice to see the scale in the 140s again!

[Couperine]

Ann and Stacy, thank you for your input. My BIL is stubborn - the more you tell him what you think would work better for him, the more likely it is that he will never do it. He restarted Atkins on the advice of his chiropractor; I'm glad that his trainer wasn't the one pushing it. Core, South Beach - anything that encourages him to eat the foods he likes occasionally makes so much more sense.

I had good luck with recipes from WW Take-Out Tonight - there are quite a few threads with recipe reviews from the Great Food section, but in general, everyone likes the Chinese section, and there are some individual favorites people review as well. That was my first WW cookbook - I've been disappointed in the others I've gotten.

[suebear37]

Stacy, congrats on dropping a half this week!! That's 2 sticks of butter!!! :)

I lost 2 this week, so combined with my first week's loss of 4 that makes 6 total. My buddies each lost 2 lbs. as well! I just signed up for eTools so that I can get the points info on line instead of having to buy the book that probably has to be updated every year or so as new items are added. I also like the Recipe Builder so that I can figure out how many points are in some of the non-WW recipes that I already make... hopefully I can tweak them to make them healthier.

Time to get a glass of water!!! ;)

Everybody have a great week!!!

[Alleycat]

I had good luck with recipes from WW Take-Out Tonight - there are quite a few threads with recipe reviews from the Great Food section, but in general, everyone likes the Chinese section, and there are some individual favorites people review as well. That was my first WW cookbook - I've been disappointed in the others I've gotten.

TOT is a fabulous cookbook, isn't it? If that's where you started, I can see why you would be disappointed in others they've put out. Make It In Minutes is pretty good (the newer one) too.

[Couperine]

Alleycat - thanks for the recommendation on the Broccoli recipe and Make It In Minutes. I made some pasta dish with italian sausage, sage, and cannellini beans from Simply Delicious, and while I liked it, DH thought it was just awful. The serving size was depressingly small for 8 points as well.

Congrats to all on your weight loss successes - less than 4 full months of lurking to go til I get to post progress on weight going down, not up. :)

[JackieO]

TOT is a fabulous cookbook, isn't it? If that's where you started, I can see why you would be disappointed in others they've put out. Make It In Minutes is pretty good (the newer one) too.

Just chiming in to note that I made the Lobster Diavolo from TOT last night, except I subbed shrimp because there was no fresh lobster to be had in Green Bay! (Ya think? :rolleyes: ) I used Muir Glen fire-roasted tomatoes and cut the recipe in half, since it was just DH and me. DH loved it -- I thought it was pretty good, too. And e-a-s-y.

WI was today -- a perfect maintain for the week. And given that I ate football-junk food over the weekend, I'll take a no gain/no loss week. Our mtg today was pretty fun; the leader had us try to remember, as a group, the eight healthy guidelines. I came up with six, but blanked on the multi-vitamin and "limit alcohol and bad fats." :eek: Not surprising, given my wine habit and my addiction to cheese! :D

[Alleycat]

I made some pasta dish with italian sausage, sage, and cannellini beans from Simply Delicious, and while I liked it, DH thought it was just awful. The serving size was depressingly small for 8 points as well.

I hate those super small servings for outrageous point!!

Congrats on your maintaining, JackieO. I hear you on the love of cheese and wine :D

[buffygirl]

Just wanted to report in this week. I lost 2 more pounds for a total of 6 lbs in 5 weeks. I am really liking the program this time around. It is so doable.

And I'm still doing the hot yoga and loving it.

Kim

[oceanjasper]

I hope it is okay if I join you! Along with some friends, I joined Weight Watchers last week. My goal is to lose around 15 pounds. I haven't had a second weigh-in yet, so I am not sure how things are going. I do know that I am eating way less food, especially in relation to portions. Yesterday, I was up cross-country skiing and I had no energy at all. At our WW meeting, the leader told us that she didn't want us to add points for exercising until week 3, but I honestly don't think that I am eating enough food without them. Did anyone else feel this way? In any case, I am struggling a bit with what to eat that will keep me under my daily points (it's tough!). I am hoping to find some tips and recipes (especially for dinner) that will help me out. Looking forward to sharing success with everyone!

[buffygirl]

Welcome Oceanjasper. It did take me a week or so to get used to less calories. So I think that is normal. The program actually allows you to earn points for activity in week 2, so you've only got a few days left before you can add some food points in exchange for the exercise. Be sure you experiment with adding the points. Everyone is different, some people can eat all their flex and activity points, some can eat almost none, and still lose weight. Good luck!

Are you doing flex or core?

If you can find it, the WW Take Out Tonight has lots of really good recipes. That is the only WW cookbook I really love.

2 other sources that are helpful. hungrygirl.com (http://www.hungrygirl.com) This website is great for low point recipes of all kinds of foods. She also has lots of reviews of prepared grocery store items. I also use dottie's weight loss zone (http://www.dwlz.com) for points on over 500 restaurants. It's mostly chain type places, but still pretty helpful.

Kim

[oceanjasper]

Thanks for the encouragement, buffygirl! I am doing flex. I already eat the kind of food that is listed in the core plan, but clearly needed more control over portions and random snacking. :)

I think I am going to order that cookbook tonight. It's already conveniently sitting in my shopping bag on chapters. ;) Thanks!

I actually checked out the hungrygirl website this afternoon (based on another post of yours) and bookmarked it for reading later. I am certain that I will be referring to it a lot!

[suebear37]

OK, this thread has died so I'm bumping it up to get it back on the page...

Everybody having a good week?

I've been making a big effort to get to the gym 6 days a week & my knees feel a lot better. I'm also drinking a lot of water. Gonna float away pretty soon! ;)
Only lost 1/2 lb. this week but it's better than nothing. As long as I can keep losing, I'm a happy camper.

[oceanjasper]

First of all, suebear37, congrats on getting to the gym 6 times a week. That is amazing to me. I am so not a gym person, although I know I need to be. My workouts are always outside (running, soccer, skiing). I need to try and fit in the strength training somehow.

I had my first weigh-in since starting the program last week and lost 4 pounds. All my friends lost 4 or 5 pounds, so it was quite encouraging. We even went for a run afterwards. :)

I am finally not feeling so hungry all the time (although I am actually starving while writing this - it's well past supper-time!) I am still not eating all my fruit & veggie servings or drinking enough water, but I am trying!

By the way, does anyone know what a "glass" of water is? 8oz? My glass at work is 16oz and I just realized that I have only been counting it as one glass. I admit I didn't look that hard for the answer to this, so I apologize if it is right in front of my face.

Should be getting my cookbook this week! Looking forward to it!

[suebear37]

By the way, does anyone know what a "glass" of water is? 8oz? My glass at work is 16oz and I just realized that I have only been counting it as one glass.



A glass of water is 8 oz. So all you have to do is drink 3 of your work-size glasses & you've got it covered.

Congrats on your first week's loss!

[buffygirl]

I lost .2 this week, just a bit, but still moving in the right direction. I took a break from writing things down, so am back on track with that now. I need to do better with my water, I'm having a hard time with that.

How is everyone else doing?

[jazzyjas]

In my third month on the program, I seem to have hit a plateau. In my last three weigh in I was -.2 then +.2 and then held steady. I thought it would be easier now that the holidays have passed but I continue to have a lot of social obligations this month that center around eating and drinking. At least with the time off over the holidays it was much easier to schedule in work outs.

My other problem is getting in the dairy -- I am not overly fond of yoghurt and while I am eating cottage cheese it seems you need 2 cups to count as one serving -- that is 4 actual servings or 8 points. It seems that dairy is more points than I am willing to spend -- even a cup of skim milk is 2 (and I only really enjoy that with a cookie or desert). So that is an area that I have to work on.

Good work, Kim. Slow and steady (better going down than up I always tell myself when it is just a small victory).

Oceanjasper that is great and inspiring to keep you on plan although I wouldn't expect the weight to continue to come off so fast. 1 or 2 pounds a week is realistic and maintainable.

Suebear congrats on your loss as well and I admire how you get the work outs in -- I have to figure out how to fit them in between work and meetings. I know they warn about working out too close to bed time but it seems to be the only time open in my schedule.