The ME I WANT to BE - WLS Week of February 14 *smooch*

[greysangel]

Hey there everyone!

First off, welcome Dolores!!! Glad you found us :) We need all the help we can get to keep everyone with their noses to the grindstone here!

This week I was up 1.4 lbs. &$^@*&@#)(*#)(*(*&!!!!! ...now I feel better :D I'm completely fine today though I was angry last night. It's funny..I get angry more than depressed because it was definitely undeserved. I didn't go off program, I was at the gym 4 days this week, tried the new boxercise and had fruit and veggies every day. But hey...it will come around. It's alien invasion. Maybe water retention..either from food I ate or from my new boxercise which I'm still sore from today :D How upset can I be when I know I'm staying the course? So what if I don't lose 10 lbs a month like the good old days? The fact is I look a lot better than the good old days and I have a lot less to lose! So even your fearless leader here has weeks of gain!

I read the threads and once in awhile I see people talk about having something that was unplanned etc.. and being upset about it. I cannot reiterate enough the following: 1) WEIGHT LOSS IS HARD WORK!!! You are not going to undo x number of years of negative imput in one or two weeks!!! 2) Mathematically speaking it is close to IMPOSSIBLE for one bump in the road to make you gain a lb of fat. Let's really break this down here. 1 lb I believe is 1,500 calories...roughly 30pts. The high end of my range is 29 pts. To maintain (and this is not counting exercise) I add 4 pts so that is 33pts. In order to gain a lb of fat, I would have to consume an extra 30 pts. That is a 63 pt day! I'm not saying it is impossible to have a 60 pt day...but one extra oreo people does not put you over the edge! It is what you do the day after and the day after that, that counts. Consistency. Dont look to motivation to help you say no. Look to what is in you that wants to get this weight off and deal with your food issues.

So to hell with my 1.4...it is not indicative of the hard work I put in. I met my goals this week and for that I am proud.

This week's topic was assertion vs. aggression. It's about getting what we need from the people we need it from. If you have a coworker who pushes food on you...the best way to deal with it is to ask for that person's help instead of banning them to the evil people list in your mind! This works for some situations and for others it doesn't. It is true that you don't know if you will get help unless you ask. And you have to communicate your needs with people who really mean something to you. However, not all people are equipped to give you what you need. Then the trick is to look elsewhere. Aggression and anger towards other people or ourselves gets us nowhere. Beating ourselves up for having an unplanned cookie is such an incredible waste of energy. Eat it. Or don't. That's it. No one on this board is going to judge you by the size you wear or want to wear, the amount you lose or don't lose, or whether you have a bump in the road. We ALL have bumps in the road. It's life. How we deal with them is what makes us succeed in this.

Be kind to yourselves. It's so easy to always think of others. It's easy to express our love to others. Today and everyday...express a little love for yourself.

JeAnne

Goals:
Don't take things personally
Fruit everyday
Gym 4x
Calcium..gotta start getting that in.

[Molli526]

JeAnne-

You had a freak incident with the scale. Next week, you will keep on plan, do the right thing, an lose that 1.4, and probably a little more. There was a little blurb in SELF magazine this month that said why you can gain weight suddenly, and one of the reasons was the weather! I love your mindset and you are right, it isn't eating the one extra oreo, it is practicing the habit every day.

I take things personally. I need to stop doing that. It ruined my night with DH last night. He wanted to make a dessert for us for Valentine's Day. He asked me if I had enough points for these brownies that weren't light. Right there I jumped on his case- are you calling me fat? Like he said, he was dam*ed if he did, dam*ed if don't. If he hadn't asked, I may not have wanted to eat them, if he did, well, he got that reaction. He was really just trying to be supportive of my counting points on WW. I felt like a schmuk. Luckily, he forgave me :o

My goal this week, don't take things personally!
Back to business!

[Molli526]

My supper club is in the newspaper today, incase you didn't see it on the Great Food Board ;)


That's me, Molli, in the middle

http://detnews.com/2002/food/0202/14/e08-415677.htm

[ajkerkhoff]

JeAnne, you are just so faithful to us ... thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Your wise words each week have helped me so much!

What you mentioned above about years of habits not changing in a week or two is so true - but to see the behaviors starting to change is really energizing for me. Last night I did a new class at my gym called Trekking (some of you may have this at your gyms, too, I've just never seen it before). It's an instructor led class on the treadmill, and you run/jog/walk at various speeds intervals for 45 minutes. I have NEVER before been able to force myself to stay on a treadmill for that long! The structure of WW helped me stay motivated for the whole class, because I have full confidence that it will work.

I had another "first" yesterday - I was close to the bottom of my point range. I'm not going to aim for that everyday, but it was empowering to know that I now how the tools to do so. So -Thanks, everyone, for all your words of help and encouragement!

Happy Valentine's Day :)

Amy

[greysangel]

YAY MOLLI IN THE MIDDLE :D

Yay Amy!

JeAnne

[ajkerkhoff]

That is so cool!!! How did y'all get in the paper? I just read through the whole article, and your meals sound amazing - and how great that you all clicked so quickly.

We're having our CL Supper Club this Saturday, with a Caribbean theme. Can't wait.

Amy


P.S. You look great! A little more WW motivation for me :D

[SandyM]

Morning everyone,

DH and I just got back from a 6 day vacation in Canada. My weigh-in isn't until Friday, but I wanted to get a heads up on things and found out how I did. We got home late Tuesday night; that night I dreamed I weighed the exact same as what I weighed when I left. Of course, when I hopped on the scale Wednesday morning and it showed a 2 lb. weight gain, I freaked. Then Jim put it into perspective for me (and so did JeAnne in her initial post) - we were on vacation, not following WW but not going out whole hog either - I should be happy it wasn't 5 lbs!! Of course, he only gained 1.5 lbs - what's up with that??? ;) It's minor minor minor in the big scheme.

Anyway, back OP today, and feeling pretty good. No big plans for Valentines Day, just a quiet dinner.

Have a fabulous Valentines Day, everyone, and keep strong!

And congrats Molli - great picture!

[BeckyM]

Well, I feel like I'm going to confession now, but I just have to admit that I "feel off the wagon" for a couple days. I know I said I wanted to still use WW but be in the maintenance mode during the beginning of my pregnancy, but I don't think I was fully committed to that, so I started making stupid choices. I figured since I had been only eating 18 - 23 points per day, I wouldn't have to think about it as much if I were eating 26 - 30 or so. So I have just been snacking and snacking, figuring it didn't really matter. On Tuesday we had an ice cream social at work (sorta a pre-Valentine's Day thing, but we had it on Fat Tuesday before people start giving up things for Lent), and I WAS going to only have 1/2 a cup of low-fat ice cream and half a banana, but all the more exotic flavors & toppings called my name, and I indulged. That wouldn't have been so bad, because I didn't have all that much, but then I had a brownie too, and I had a couple Reese's miniature cups too. Then yesterday I told myself I would get back on plan, but I just veered off again with Hershey's kisses, going out for lunch, and eating more than I should have at our CL Supper Club last night.

I know all those things by themselves won't kill me, but if I keep that pattern up, I won't be eating healthy for me OR my baby! So now I am re-committing myself to following the WW plan in a maintenance mode and not letting myself get careless about choices just because I get more points now. I am going to try to make sure almost everything I put in my mouth has nutritional value and will help my baby develop well.

Thanks to all of you for still being here for me! Thanks too for being so accepting and non-judgemental! You all are an inspiration and a huge help to me.

And molli -- great article in the paper! I'm thinking our supper club should contact the Cincinnati paper to do an article on us!

Becky :)

[SusanT]

Molli - Congrats on the article in the paper!

I've been weighing in every day (I know I shouldn't) and today it looks like I'm down about a pound. More importantly, I'm wearing a pair of pants today that a couple of months ago were a little snug in the thighs. They're practically falling off me! I can get two fists in between the waistband and my stomach.

I can't believe I'm finally feeling some progress. For some reason I had myself convinced that I couldn't lose weight.

[Molli526]

Thanks! I am just so excited about it :p

The writer actually hopped onto our initial thread and asked if she could do a story about us when we got things going.


Becky-

DH and I want the whole pregnancy thing sometime next year and even now I am planning how I will approach the eating thing. I also know that if I gain the right amount of weight, there will be a lot less sweat and tears after the baby is born. I worked too hard to throw it out the door. You have too. I have a friend who is preganant right now and she is always so afraid when she goes to the dr. They *yelled* at her early on she was gaining too much weight! It is kind of funny when you think about it, b/c I know growing up everyone said "eating for two" and pushed a second helping of everything to any woman who was pregnant. Oh how things change.

[Jessica]

JeAnne,

I am pretty sure a pound actually is 3,500 calories. So, you would have to eat an extra 70 points to gain a real pound. That's a lot of food.

I have my weigh-in tonight so will report back later. Am not expecting much--I had a rough week.

Jessica

[Grace]

JeAnne!!

I hope you don't mind that I'm posting on your thread! I am a lurker here because I find that following everyone's progress gives me a lot of motivation. I lost 30 pounds 5 years ago, and it was indeed HARD. I have since gained probably 15 pounds back, and am finding it even harder to get back down. But that's not the reason for my post.

I just want to say that I would bet money that your weight gain this week is due to the fact that you've GAINED MUSCLE!!! Muscle as you know weighs more than fat, so with all that working out, you're probably gaining muscle!!! Just think, you're due for a big drop in the next few weeks with all the newly gained muscle busily burning off calories.... :D

Also, just to make you feel even BETTER, you mentioned that it's mathematically impossible for one "falter" to make you gain weight. Well that's absolutely true, and it's even harder than you made it out to be! 1 pound is actually 3500 calories, not 1500!! So, YOU GO GIRL!! I love watching you and everone progress. It's so motivating. And not just in the "weight loss" arena. You guys are setting goals and working towards them. It really makes me want to set my own life goals and work towards achieving them. Thanks for sharing so much of yourself on this board, and I admire you tremendously!

[greysangel]

Thanks Jessica and Grace!

You are right! I couldn't remember if it was 1500 or 3500 but I knew it was up there!

It IS a lot of food... not if you are splurging every day here and there because that does add up. But one day going over points is not going to upset the apple cart!

Put down the baseball bats ladies...no activity points in beating yourselves up!!!

Susan ...yay on the progress! I love it when clothes get loose. Unfortunately ...that is everything I have right now :( Anyone shrinking out of 12s or 14s? I have been lucky to be part of a clothing exchange so I haven't had to buy entire wardrobes brand new. Unfortunately I'm moving faster than my counterparts so no more clothes for me! If anyone here is interested in a clothing exchange, I can explain how it works and maybe put up a site for people to list stuff.

JeAnne

Grace...mind? mind? I absolutely love it that you are here! I figure there are lots of lurkers seeing as there are an average of 100 posts a week and an average of 1000 hits :D

[slknight]

Hi everyone!

JeAnne, I vote for "alien invasion" causing the unexplained weight gain. Doesn't it sure seem like that?

Molli, great article. It was fun to read.

And now for the good news on my end. The doctor called and told me the lump they removed is BENIGN! Yay. It was a fibroadenoma. Nothing to worry about. Of course I'm still pretty tender and taking it easy, but my recovery should be swift. Thank you all so much for your thoughts and well-wishes.

So I'm going to give myself a few more days of rest with no exercise. I am trying to stay OP eating, but I'm not going to worry this week if I don't lose. One day at a time.

Next week I'm going to try to get back into a regular exercise routine. I have definitely been slacking (even before this week), and I'm doing a 60-mile walk in 3 months. No time like the present to start training!

Have a good week everyone.

-Susan

[SusanT]

GREAT NEWS, SUSAN!

[greysangel]

YAY SUSAN!!!!

It *is* true with the muscle vs. fat issue...it's just frustrating to see!

BTW for people who are interested in workouts and weight lifting especially, please check out http://www.stumptuous.com and go to the "Smell" section. There is some GREAT information on facts, fiction, nutrition, weightlifing etc... I really like this site a lot and go back to it often. It is particularly sound information on nutrition for those that can lose weight on their own without a program.

Here's what Krista says about fat vs. muscle:

fat cannot become muscle

Fat and muscle are two different types of tissue. One cannot become the other just as your arm cannot become your nose no matter how hard you try (I know you've thought about the possibility... by the way, you can never kiss your elbow either. Try it. Was I right?). So when you get out of shape or overfat, muscle does not "become" fat, it just atrophies and hides underneath it. Our goal is to get rid of the fat through diet and cardiovascular exercise and increase the relative muscle mass through weight training.

muscle is not fat

When beginning a strength training program it's probably wise to stay away from your scale, or throw the dang thing out altogether. You see, muscle is denser than fat, meaning that if you take the same volume of fat and muscle, the muscle will weigh more. Women who train with weights often find that their weight actually increases, but that they become leaner. I know when I began lifting weights I gained ten pounds but remained the same clothing size. Thus judging fitness level by weight alone can be misleading. It's much better to judge by how you look and how your clothing fits.





JeAnne

[Molli526]

Great news Susan! Yay!

[Gracie]

I've had a weird week. Saturday WI at meeting I gained 0.2 (which is like not gaining, I know) and Saturday night DH and I had a major falling-out totally caused by me saying something insensitive. So I couldn't eat that night and all day Sunday my stomach was in knots and I couldn't eat anything (nothing - not even water. I always feel worse when something's my fault).

I weigh myself every day at home and Monday morning I had lost 4.5 pounds! Monday I went skiing all day and ate sensibly and within points. I gained 1 pound even though I skiied all day. Tuesday DH was starting to thaw out so I know that it will eventually be OK so I ate a little bit over points Tuesday out of relief but I did an hour power walk with my friend. At Wednesday morning's weigh in I had gained two pounds. We walked yesterday, too and last night I went to a parents' meeting at her house and had veggies with dip (not light) and 3 1-inch brownies. The brownies were tiny and even with them I had not eaten over my points range for Wednesday. And then this morning I had gained another pound.

I had been excited at the 4.5 loss (despite how I got it) but am honestly and truly amazed that it has come back so quickly when I really haven't overeaten that badly and have exercised every day.

I think my goal for the rest of my week (til Saturday's WI) will be to "normalize" my eating into 3 meals a day and stick to the points and hope I don't end up with a gain.

Our bodies do the strangest things.

Loren

[greysangel]

I can't force you all to not weigh yourselves everyday..but I sure wish I could :eek:

If you are using it for information only, that's fine. But I am afraid some of you are trying to modify your habits on a daily basis based on a scale reading...this is dangerous behavior! Think of a scale as a camera...it is "shooting" or freezing one moment in time. Our bodies will weigh a range of weight in the course of hours never mind days! The only thing a scale does is give you a moment in time. If you weigh yourself once a week the same time a day you will get a consistent pattern OVER TIME..that's it. Weighing yourself everyday is not really accurately measuring what you are doing or not.

JeAnne

[SandyM]

Originally posted by greysangel
Weighing yourself everyday is not really accurately measuring what you are doing or not.

How true, JeAnne. This is exactly why I moved the scale out of my bathroom and into DH's. I used to weigh myself every morning. Now I know it sounds silly, that I could simply walk 20 steps and into his bathroom to keep doing that, but it's sort of the "out of sight, out of mind" theory - and for me, it works. I weighed myself on Wednesday, just to get a "vacation count", so to speak, but otherwise, the only time I think about it is Friday morning at weigh-in.

[gertdog]

Susan, I am so glad the lump was not cancerous. You must be so relieved.

I do not weigh in til Saturday (anticipating no change or slight loss... it is TOM so who knows...), but I'm setting my new goals today.

Goals for the coming week:

*Increase # of gym visits per week by 1
*Make choices I feel good about at Sat. nite. dinner party
* Be careful with the truffles my mother sent me for Valentine's Day (she doesn't know I'm doing WW, so it isn't deliberate sabotage). They are 3 points each, so I might be able to have one or two per week as a treat.

[greysangel]

I only speak from a good place ...I want you all to know that :)

It's my own experiences and frustrations with gains/losses etc...it's hard enough seeing it once a week! When I started WW I couldn't weigh myself every day because my scale didn't read over 300 lbs. Once it could, I did for awhile. I would get so upset if it went up...then I would get upset if at home I was down and the meeting I was up. Then I started working out and the scale at the gym was weighing me 4 lbs heavier!! I was driving myself insane obsessing about a number. I still get upset with undeserved gains sure...but it's over within 1/2 hour tops. If I still weighed myself everyday, it would be an obsession to compete with my already food obsession :)

JeAnne

[Gracie]

JeAnne - I know you're right - I shouldn't weigh myself every day.

After having been at goal and being a Lifetime Member 5 years ago, it was really hard for me to step on any scale and "face the music" of the weight I'd gained back. It was finally getting the courage to step on the scale in the bathroom that gave me the motivation to do it again.

Last July I started with that first step on the scale and kind of did WW on my own for the first month. I lost 8 pounds and what kept me "on track" was my daily morning weigh-in.

When I decided that I was back on the wagon, I started going to meetings again. Fortunately I didn't have to pay the sign up fee since I'm an LM. I still weighed myself every day out of habit and to see how accurate my home scale was/is.

it's really a habit more than anything even now. But I also think that recently I've lost the feeling that "I'm a Weight Watcher". I don't have the Saturday morning meeting on my mind as a goal to help me throughout the week. I also haven't stayed for meeting for awhile, which I'm sure is not helping.

I'm going to re-think my goals for next week and try to get back on track, not on the eating part, but on the "Weight Watcher" part, if that makes any sense. If I can journal, stay for meeting and count points all in a consistent way, I can get back to thinking of myself as being a WW member. Maybe then I can get off of the crutch of weighing myself every day.

Thank you for the encouragement!

Loren

[HRJ]

Susan -- wonderful news! Happy to hear it.

JeAnne -- good advice about the scale -- to avoid the "scale temptation," I moved my scale into the laundry room, in the basement, so I don't see it as often as if it were in the upstairs bathroom, and it becomes more of a "journey" to go down there. We also keep the heat at 60 degrees down there (to save $$), so I'm less likely to want to strip down and weigh myself when I go in to do laundry, because it's so chilly.

Thanks again to Rebecca, who helped me figure out how to count my poached salmon yesterday. I was pretty happy -- I managed to fit in enough points for an indulgent dessert at my book group meeting, and still not end up in the red. Not that it would have been a catastrophe if that had happened, but I wanted to know that I could plan for social occasions like that every so often.

I've gotten lazy, though, and have not worked out yet this week -- I'd been doing three workouts a week till now. Thought about trying a spinning class, but didn't. :(

My fitness goals:

This week: Use Nordic Track at home AT LEAST once before end of week; get to gym AT LEAST once over weekend.
Next week: Try spinning class at gym
Week after: Try yoga class at gym


Food goals: continue with lots of veggies.
Be points-savvy when serving Valentine's dinner -- watch portion sizes. (I'm making salad of baby Romaine lettuce with low-fat dressing; roasted Cornish hens; "Yummy Brussels Sprouts" roasted potatoes for DH, poached pears. All of this shouldn't be a problem, as long as I watch the portion size -- think I will just skip the potatoes, so I can spend more points on the fruit dessert.)

Have a good week, everyone

Helene

[jphilg]

Yay Susan...I am so relieved. Now tell us more about your 60 mile walk!

I have to admit that I jumped on the scale in the gym this morning, for the first time since starting WW. It happened to read significantly lower than at meetings, but hey, I was naked, and also dehydrated from running. I kicked myself at the time, and I am kicking myself again. No more mid week weigh-ins....JeAnne is so right when she says that it is a relative measure of change over time. Once a week is plenty. Heck, my doctor told me to weigh myself just once a month!

Last night I prepped everything for my Valentine dinner, my full fat extravaganva for DH. And then I actually added up the points. Oy. I made a chocolate layer cake: it is one square layer, sliced in two,and stacked, so I have a small rectangular layer cake (not a chance that a whole cake would be safe in my house). So for half a recipe of chocolate cake, and about 2/3 of a recipe of fudge frosting, I calculated 128 points! I had planned to have one-sixth, but it is not worth 21 points to have chocolate cake for me. I will have 1/12 instead. The seafood fetticini will actually only be 13 points per generous serving....not how we've been eating, but certainly do-able for Valentines Day.

On one hand I wanted to celebrate without food, but on the other hand, when I thought about what DH would like most in the world, I new he wanted his favorite foods, completely unmodified. So be it...I'll eat a lot of salad.

Happy V-day everyone!

Jen

[SandyM]

Whew - great news Susan - thanks for letting us know!

[Laura B]

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

Susan, what a relief! I am so glad that your lump was benign!

Molli, that article was wonderful! Your supper club sounds great - scrumptious menus and good friends.

JeAnne, thanks for the reality check. Sorry you had a gain, but it seems like you have a great perspective on it already. You are our WW goddess. :D

For the last three weeks, I have been in a little bit of a slump. I think I was getting a little tired of couting points and I was letting myself cave in to tempation after temptation. Yesterday, I got my resolve back! I had a great on-point day and had a good workout, and today will be on-point again with some 2 point aerobics tonight. I am really looking forward to my Valentine's dinner (17 points): Arugula and Baby Greens salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette, Filet Mignon w/ Port Wine Mushroom Sauce, Pommes Anna, and for dessert strawberries and chocolate meringue cookies. Had leftover North Woods Bean Soup today for lunch. Yum!

My goals for this week:
1.Stay on point EVERY day to make up for my evil ways these past three weeks. ;)
2.Get in at least FOUR work outs.
3.Concentrate on reaching for veggies and fruit for snacks instead of less nutritious, but low point, things

[sassafras]

Great news, Susan! What a relief!!

I weighed in yesterday and had no loss or gain:rolleyes:

Good news is that I am running 4 times a week now. When I started WW, I wasn't doing any sort of activity so I will contribute my stagnant scale to the muscle I am gaining from running.

I tried skinny cows and FF Swiss Miss this week, also. The smilies say it all:D :D :D :D :D :D YUMMY!

Molli - I loved the article in the Detroit news!

Have a great Valentines Day, everyone!! (DH bought me a CD player for my car:eek: I gave him a card:rolleyes: It's the thought that counts, right?)

Sarah

[navandoren]

just checking in...

tuesday was the completion of my third week. i lost 7# in week one (ahh the first week gift!), 3# in week two and a mere 1# this week. i am proud of how well i have been sticking to my plan (not a ww plan, but one worked out with my nutrionist). however, i am not at all proud of how i have been avoiding the whole exercise issue. i have a recumbant bike at home, and my goal was to get on every other day and then do some sort of toning on the off days. so far i am upto about 20 minutes - in which i go 4 miles on the bike, but i have not stuck to the every other day rule at all. on the toning days i tried a beginners yoga tape i bought, but i am clearly not cut out for yoga - i just dont bend like that.

i definately need a kick in the butt in the exercise department. how did everyone else get in to an exercise routine when you were just starting out?

on a positive note, i am more than a third of the way to my first goal of 27# - yay me! and congrats to everyone else on their losses this week. and i second the fact that muscle definately weighs more than fat - so a small jump like that will surely disappear by next week!

[SusanT]

I already had a well-established exercise routine when I started WW - I just increased the intensity of the workout. Start with activities that you enjoy. Power walking with a friend is one of my favorite activities. I added some Spinning classes to get a more intense workout.

Don't give up on yoga! The people on the tape have been doing yoga for YEARS. Focus on achieving the poses to the extent that you can. I promise that even the people on the tape weren't perfect at it when they first started.

Congratulations on your progress! You're doing great.

[ajkerkhoff]

I've just been re-energized and motivated to start planning meals better (yesterday I planned the rest of my meals through Sunday) ... and then today rolls around and EVERYONE, and I do mean everyone, in my office has brought in tasty treats. I said "no" to the cake, and was very proud of myself, as that's been a big temptation for me. I came back upstairs to my office and vowed not to think about it, and even took a look at my weight loss goals to get some perspective.

Then, along comes the chocolate. Said no to that, too. And the next round of chocolate. But then - the sugar cookies. I love sugar cookies! The thing is, I could have just had one - but I didn't, I had four. Now, I completely understand that this doesn't throw all the hard work I've put in over the past month out the window. Since DH and I are celebrating Valentine's with a spinning class, I will probably just be 1 or 2 pts. over for the day, and I banked 7 yesterday, so that's not the issue.

The thing is - I made a plan. Since I was making breakfast in bed for DH this morning (Apricot Stuffed French Toast and Fruit Salad - so yummy, and worth the 10 pts. I budgeted), I knew I had to go light for the rest of the day. My soup for lunch and veggie burger for dinner fit right in the plan. The 4 cookies did not. Well, now I'm back on the plan! No sense in going any further from the goal ...

Ahh ... why does every holiday in our country center around FOOD?!?

[SusanT]

Why do people tend to lose a lot the first week of WW? Is it water weight? How much did you guys lose the first week?

[ajkerkhoff]

I think people lose a lot their first week on WW because for most of us, the new eating habits are radically different than our previous habits. Our bodies respond accordingly. I lost about 3 lbs. the first week, 1.5 the next two, and 1 lb. this past week. So . . . it definitely slowed down for me.

I also have another question about activity points - yesterday in my Trekking class, the treadmill said that I had burned 380 calories. However, the WW online journal only counted my activity for 3 points. Is that accurate?

Amy

[SusanT]

Spinning, which is super-intense, gives 5 points for 45 minutes. Yoga for an hour gives 2 so if Trekking falls somwhere in between in intensity, that sounds about right.

[JanetJ]

Susan - I definitely think the big loss in the first week or two is water weight. That and you are probably shocking your system with the new lower intake of food - especially if you were eating the way I was before starting WW. I lost 4.5 pounds my first week and then another 4 the week after. It has since leveled off.

Janet

[greysangel]

Amy;

It's probably somewhere in between. The machine readings are not always accurate because they are giving you an average based on how much you weigh sometimes as well as level on the machine. It doesn't take into account what your form is on the machine etc... WW only goes by how much effort you are exerting plus how much you weigh and time but it is an average. The safe bet is to go by what WW says though it's probably a little bit more.

Susan the big drop the first week is mostly water weight...and it also depends on what your habits were before you started WW, as well as how much you have to lose. For people who only have a bit to lose...they are not going to lose a whoppin amount their first week. Same applies for those who need to tweak already fairly good habits. I think I lost 6 lbs my first week :D

JeAnne

[mandarin2j]

Originally posted by ajkerkhoff
I've just been re-energized and motivated to start planning meals better (yesterday I planned the rest of my meals through Sunday) ... and then today rolls around and EVERYONE, and I do mean everyone, in my office has brought in tasty treats. I said "no" to the cake, and was very proud of myself, as that's been a big temptation for me. I came back upstairs to my office and vowed not to think about it, and even took a look at my weight loss goals to get some perspective.

I'm right there with ya! When I arrived this morning, there was shortbread on my desk and cupcakes on the common table. I've been offered Almond Roca and asked why I haven't had a cupcake yet by people who know I'm on WW. I appreciate the thought of people commemorating the day, but I find it difficult enough to ignore these foods--not that I particularly like any of the above, but just that they're there and they're treats, for goodness' sake! I keep telling myself that if I want to use a lot of points in one shot, ginger ice cream after sushi tonight would be a far more satisfying way to do so. I just wish I didn't have to face the temptation in the first place!

Haven't weighed in yet, but had a learning experience on the way home from the gym last night. We were heading home and it was getting late (about 9 p.m.). DH said he didn't really feel like cooking, and neither did I, so I suggested we go to Baja Fresh and pick something up. I made the mistake of equating fresh with healthy. I asked for the nutrition information before ordering, but they only have it available online, so I took my chances with something that seemed innocuous--a side salad w/ house dressing on the side & a bean & cheese burrito w/ chicken. I dipped my fork in the dressing and kept it under two tbs., but that's 4 points right there. I ate the chips that went with the burrito--not the healthiest choice, but I learned later that it was better than filling up on the burrito itself, which weighs in at a whopping 23.5 points! (1052 calories and 35 grams of fat--eek!) Thank goodness, I stopped eating before I had finished it even halfway--partly because I hate eating "blind" and partly because I listened to my body and knew I was satisfied. My workout that evening meant I didn't go over points, and I'm proud of myself for not doing the clean plate thing. What a learning experience, though--no more eating "blind" for me!

-Amanda

[Jessica]

I lost 3.7 pounds the first week, but most weeks I lose about half a pound. I started at 147.7, have lost 8 pounds and want to lose a total of about 30, although I have not set a goal yet.

I already cooked and ate light foods, exercised 4-5 times a week and drank a lot of water. My main problem was portion control, coupled with the occasional Haagen Dazs binge. So, once I lost the initial water weight, I figured the losses would be slow.

This does not bother me. I think I have set a reasonable goal, and I already have lost more weight than I ever did on my own. I also think I will keep the weight off more easily if I lose it slowly.

My favorite thing about WW is that the program encourages lifestyle changes, not quick fixes. I already can tell, after three months, that my habits and food choices are healthier. Even if my loss takes a year, I will have accomplished a goal I could not manage by myself, though I tried for eight years.

[SusanT]

How many 0 point items do you guys work in per day? I've been feeling pretty hungry and I think perhaps I need to add more servings of vegetables and other 0 point items to help me feel fuller.

As a southern girl, I'm very excited to see that blackeye peas are 1 point per serving and collards and turnip greens are 0! Yeah!

[mandarin2j]

Had my weigh-in, lost .75#. However, along that losing fat, gaining muscle theme, I've noticed a "bicep bubble" developing. :D

Susan-

I typically eat about 5 servings a day in veggies (zero point ones) and another 2-3/day in fruits. However, I tend to concentrate my veggies into one meal--usually a huge salad--and I don't have them as an extra snack. I'd like to change that. I do the salad to get 'em out of the way, but it doesn't hurt to eat more, right? ;)

-Amanda

212.5/203.25/130

[Laura B]

I also lost more in the first two weeks than what I regularly lose. I lost three pounds each week. I have a total of 65-70 pounds to lose and have lost 8 so far and am in my 6th week. I did have to make a big change in the way I was eating - mainly in portion control and also eating more veggies and less nutritional "junk" food. I have been losing 0-1 pound per week lafter those first two weeks. I don't have a scale that gives me the fractions of a pound, though, so on some of those no loss weeks I may have actually lost a teeny bit and then it just carried over to the 1 pound I would lose the next week. Geez, I really am a slow loser. But that's OK. Slow and steady wins the race!

We just finished our Valentine's dinner. It was lovely! I ate two servings of Pommes Anna because they were SO good, and DH and I agreed that they would probably not do well as leftovers (I made a small pan of them that I divided into four portions). I am still on point, though, because I did not eat one of my one-point snacks today and I am going to do aerobics tonight. I'll break even for the day. YAY FOR ME! :D

I hope everyone else is having a nice evening!

Oh, I got a haircut today which made me feel very nice. I was actually liking what I saw in the mirror as I sat in the chair. I'm usually disgusted by how fat my face looks and I hate to see me there with wet hair all stuck to my head - but I can see some improvement (probably just as much emotional improvement as physical because I still have some flabby chin action going on, but somehow I was pleased today despite that). I left the salon in a very good mood!

Laura

[Laura B]

Originally posted by mandarin2j
However, along that losing fat, gaining muscle theme, I've noticed a "bicep bubble" developing. :D



Oooo! Me, too! Isn't it fantastic? :D

Good job on your loss!

[SusanT]

Amanda - This explains a lot! No wonder I'm so hungry. I've only been having 1 or 2 0 point items a day.

Thanks for the info!

P.S. This group is so much more helpful than the WW boards. I don't think I could do this without you guys! :D

[Laura B]

About the zero point snacks, I have been having 1 or 2. I carry some baby cut carrots in a baggy with me everyday and sometimes carry a baggy of grape or cherry tomatoes. I get my other veggies in my lunch and dinner. My other snacks are usually 2 point snacks of a granola bar or a slim fast snack bar. I also like popcorn cakes (like rice cakes but taste like buttered popcorn - two cakes for 1 point). I need to work on getting a fruit everyday.

[Cassiope]

Hi Gals! Just checking in....

Susan, it's wonderful that it was benign. You are a very brave person.

Mollie, you look wonderful in your photos from the paper. How cool is that?

Congrats to those who lost weight and stick with it to the others.

Helene, Please do try the yoga this week. It is wonderful! It's just about the only exercise I would do if I suddenly no longer needed to work out (well except for dancing....)

Navandoren... the tapes are good, but they're better after a class or two. Most yoga classes will let you walk in and just take a single class for $10 or $12 bucks. Try a class - the instructor will walk you through the right "flow" of postures and she/he will help keep you out of the "I'm not doing this good enough" thinking.... if the instructor is worth her tofu!

Have a great week folks and keep up the journaling!
:cool:

[krhm]

You are all so cool! I just love reading all of these posts; they are so inspirational and motivating. I don't post often, but I am partly accountable for some of those 1,000 hits!

I've been doing well lately and am proud of myself, but I have one major mountain yet to climb. My body image has improved drastically, and I am at a realistic and healthy goal weight, but my thighs are still the same size they were when I was thirty pounds heavier! It runs in the family; look at any woman in my family and you see the same shape: thin upper body, relatively flat stomach and small wasit, and huge thighs.

The problem is, they are all around 5'6" or taller, while I'm 5'4". They seem to "carry" it better then I do. I have extreme difficulty finding clothes that fit; I don't even bother trying on pants. Every other part of my body is a 10, except my thighs which are 14s. This is incredibly frustrating.

So I have two questions: 1) did any of you find that your "trouble" spots were helped by losing more weight? and 2) how much difference can weight training or yoga make? I've always avoided doing too much weight training of my legs to avoid making them bigger. Instead I focused on my upper body to achieve a more balanced look.

I'm looking forward to your words of wisdom. It is no fun to be at goal and still not able to go buy yourself a fantastic new outfit!

[Robyncz]

Okay. I'm desperate. I haven't done this in ages, but I simply can't stop eating. My father took me and my girls to lunch at our neighborhood burger joint, and the owner gave us each a sundae because it was Valentine's Day. I didn't HAVE to eat it, but I did--cause there it was, you know? The sundae plus my lunch only left me like 7 points for dinner. No problem, right? I made black bean tacos that came out exactly 7 points. But they didn't satisfy me, so I've been snacking. A little mac and cheese off DD's plate. A chocolate-covered strawberry (thanks, dad!). A cold left-over chocolate chip pancake that I didn't even enjoy. So what the hell happened to my self control? And I weigh in TOMORROW. AGGGHHHHHHHH.

I'm safe as long as I'm posting, because I can't reach anything from my computer. . .

[jphilg]

Yay Laura! I am so glad to hear you upbeat and positive. It sounds like your re0doubled efforts are paying off. I am completely familiar with the enhanced-chin-flab-because-wet-hair-sticks-to-head phenonenon, and I am glad to hear the you were able feel fabulous through the process.

Robyn...Sweetie, I know how it feels. But just stop. Get a huge glass, fill it with water, and drink that instead of eating. It is so hard, sometimes, but jsut think about your long term goals, and how fabulous you will look in your two-piece this summer!

KRHM (what is your name, dahlin'?) ...I have found that my strength training had been the *only* thing that has helped my thighs. Most women just do not bulk up when they lift weights. I build muscle mass quickly (daughter of a football player....I'd have a great bod if I was a man!) but it doesn't "stick out" any more than fat would. I have always had thigh-butt-hip issues, and I have found that weight training really really helps my "problem spots." I do yoga as well....and frankly, I think that it will take years to see the kind of improvements from yoga that a few months will give you with weights. Yoga is great for flexibility, though, which you will lose if you start lifting seriously. My recommendation is to do them both if you have time, and strength train if you have time for only one.

Also, get a few sessions with a trainer, or even jsut a gym attendant, if you have never trained before. It is *all* about form. Moves from a magazine spread can help you mix up your routine once you get the basics down, but I see so many women in the gym flailing around with too-light weights, not isolating their movements. Jsut get some guidence, and the results will likely be dramatic.

Susan...I usually try to get 5-6 zero or one point snacks a day. I shop at funky produce markets to get fruits I am excited about...I mean, how many Red Delicious apples can a girl eat? Try picking up Gala or Fuji apple, sekle pears, kiwi, snow peas, grape tomatoes, japanese cucumbers for eating raw, and experiments with different greens. My new favorite salad is a bunch of watercress dressed with the juice of half a lemon, one teaspoon olive oil, and salt. I am starting to crave this salad! You too can crave veggies, and feel stuffed! Jsut branch out a bit. GOod luck!

Yeah Amanda! Bicep bubbles jsut make you want to go sleeveless! Just wait until you get the tricep cut. Ooooh. So sassy!

I just finished my Vday dinner (DH has gone to play soccer....oh well. We have deemed the weekend Love Weekend because it is our 6 mo wedding anniversary, too) and man was it good. I haven't eaten fattening foods like that in so long. I controlled my portions, though, and even though I am way over points, I felt in control of my eating, and really savored the experience of splurging. And as of now, I am back OP. All is well with the world.

Can I just share a little mushpile with you? DH and I are having some major financial woes right now, and we decided not to do anything even remotely expensive for V-day. Even so, when I came home tonight, I was a little sad, knowing that I wouldn't have any flowers or gifts. I didn't really want flowers or gifts...that is not my thing...but all day flowers had been delivered around me, and, well, you know..... I was telling myself, walking up to our door "Don't be disappointed...you have everything you want in a husband, and the flowers come year round when the money is there" But when I opened the door, DH had negotiated for a modest vase of flowers, had written me a tears-to-my-eyes card, and had cleaned the house from top to bottom. I mean, he mopped the kitchen floor! I was stunned, and overjoyed. House cleaning is the source of most of our fights, and I was so touched that he not only thought to do that for me, but actually followed throught with it! Sigh. I hope you all have perfect people in your lives, too.

Night night.....

Jen

[SusanL]

This thread keeps me going! So glad to hear the GREAT news, Susan!! Molli's supper club article was wonderful!! Since I weigh in on a Wednesday, I am between last week's thread and this week's thread. JeAnne's words are very inspirational and are truly appreciated to keep us all going! Thank you everyone for your tips and weekly goals.
Mine are:
1. Bring more water, Gunga Din!
2. Walk at least 5 nights this week.
3. Eat a piece of fruit with lunch EVERY day.
4. Drink less coffee, it is decaf, though.
5. Forget about those d**n bbq potato chips that I over indulged in yesterday, but of all the things to binge on, I could have eaten something better!! Don't you hate that??
6. Carefully plan my foods this weekend, DH is taking me away for a get-a-way weekend Wah Hoo!! Enjoy yours, too!!

[Jessica]

Yay. I lost another .8, which means I have only 1.1 pound to lose before I reach my 10-pound mini-goal. I would like to lose it this week but I usually lose .5 to .8 so it might take two more weeks.

We did a little picnic for Valentine's Day and I was proud of myself. I considered each thing before I ate it and did not graze mindlessly; once I was full I pulled away from the coffee table and I cleared the food as soon as DH was done.

Hope everyone is having a good week.

Jessica

147.7/138.8/??

[SandyM]

I weighed in this morning, down .5 lb. from the last weigh in 2 weeks ago. Not too bad, considering I gained 2 lbs on vacation! That's a total of 13 lbs., and I can really feel it in my clothes.

I'm very excited because a new yoga joint (studio? whatever they're called) opened up in town. I started yoga lukewarmly using videotapes, but I wasn't very diligent about it. I'm going to check it out this weekend - I think this is what I've been looking for!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone.

[greysangel]

HOORAY EVERYONE!

Robyn-You did the right thing which was to step away from the food! It is incredibly hard when that overwhelming urge comes over us. I remember when I was in New Orleans with my DH....food capital of the world. I was having a plan...journaling, eating light during the day so I could have a decent dinner...I had even found a WW meeting to attend while I was there! So where is the problem you ask? The place we were staying had roofers over to do some work and they had showed up early a couple mornings. As a way of apologizing (we didn't have a problem but oh well!), they knocked off a little on the cost (yay!) and produced this giant chocolate chip cookie cake. Have you seen these things? It's like a 12" round chocolate chip cookie with frosting piping. So I sat there, had a bit and proceded to work my way around the diameter of the cookie until I probably had the equivalent of 10 cookies. I just couldn't stop! It was horrible feeling like that. Finally DH said "honey we'll be going to dinner soon. why dont you come cuddle with me and then if you want some later, it will be there." he rocks. I managed to stop, have a cry fit over the irony of falling apart over a friggin cookie in a city of glorious food, and after dinner, I tossed the rest of the cookie out.

I don't know what causes that to happen to be honest. It's certainly not quality we're looking for when it *does* happen.

Knowing you are not alone helps :)

Valentine's was nice. I was over by 4pts but I can easily make them up this week. I cooked a lovely meal and what put me over was the banana caramel bread pudding :D I made an individual one for DH but he was being all romantic and feeding some to me...how could I say no? :D

JeAnne

[JanetJ]

Valentine's Day was nice here. This may sound funny, but my BF took me to one of the local casinos (Emerald Queen, for those of you who are local). We had decided not to do anything fancy or overly expensive, but he wanted something different and he knows I love Vegas...hence a riverboat casino in the middle of Washington State. Anyway....we get there and there is an hour and a half wait for the restaurant. By the time we sat down I was absolutely starving and everything on the menu was was the devil disguised in oil, cheese, breading and a lovely crispy deep fried exterior. I ended up with a shrimp cocktail, salad, pasta prima vera and one piece of garlic bread. I did great - even stayed within points which I had pretty much planned to not do by a few points. The meal was actually not very good, but I remembered I wasn't there for the food and that's not what made the night special, it was the person sitting across from me. I think this is the first holiday or special day that hasn't centered around food for me and that is indeed a big deal.

And now I have today off and a great weekend ahead of me, so life is good.

Congrats to all of you with losses and to all of us who are committed to having a healthy life. One day at a time. :)

[emilyn]

Lots of good stuff happening lately. I weighed in today, down 2.5. I did pretty well last weekend during the days but at night I went over but by the end of the week I'd gotten rid of that negative bank balance, I actually ate in the low to middle of my point range for 3 days, I hardly ever do that, usually I'm at the top.

Last night I really didn't feel like going to the gym but I did and I got on the treadmill, I usually just walk with an incline or do walk jog intervals of about 2 minutes each but last night I decided to see how long I could jog without stopping to walk. I jogged for 10 straight minutes, I've never done that before so I was pretty pleased. Then I finished my session with just walking fast. It may not sound like much but it was big to me and something different from my usual routine.

Also last night, with all the talk of valentine menus and what not I felt like a special dessert so I made raspberry no pudge brownies with blueberry yogurt (all I had, it was that or peach) and put some white chocolate chips on top which melted in nicely. I made 2 single servings (microwave method) so it was 8 points (with the white chips) but I had the points to spare and I thought it was really good. The one other time I'd made no pudge brownies I wasn't too impressed but I liked it this time, maybe I just liked the raspberry better.

so this week I'm really going to try to do some abs work, I've been putting that as a goal in my exercise log for some time and I never seem to do it.
have a good weekend everyone
Emily

[krhm]

Hi everyone!

Thanks, Jen, for the advice. I knew strength training would help, but I was advised to wait until I had lost some of the weight so the muscle wouldn't make me look even bigger. Since I have lost the weight I wanted to, and my thighs look the same, it doesn't seem to make a difference. I like the idea about finding a trainer. I don't belong to a gym, since I have a treadmill at home and limited babysitters, but I might try to find one on my own. Any tips for me?

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Kari (somehow it never occurred to me to sign my name before!)

[RebeccaT]

Yowza. I had a busy day atwork yesterday and didn't poat here, and you guys have already filled up two pages!

Let's see, where to start...

Molli - what a great article! And you look fantastic - such a pretty girl! That is so cool. I want a CL supper club! I am in a supper club right now, but it's not CL, and these women LOVE to make fattening foods. I always contribute the light portion of the meal. I hate to bail, b/c getting together with this group of friends was my idea... I am jealous!

Susan I am so glad for you! Hooray! What a relief!

krhm I have the exact same problem. I had avoided weight training for so long, but now that I have been doing it for the past three months I can REALLY see a difference in my thighs! You will never be able to spot-reduce, you probably know that, but if you can reduce your overall fat percentage, and tone the problem areas, you will see a difference, and your clothes will fit better! I second what Jen suggested, and I would also encourage you, on your own, to do some squats and lunges (lunges are REALLY good!) with some 5-8 lb. weights in your hands. These exercizes are great for toning that region below the waist, above the knees.

Great job this week everyone! I have had a pretty decent week so far, OP with some banked points, but I always worry that I am counting points correctly for foods that I don't have nutritional values on. DH and I have had to do take out every day since Tuesday since we are moving Saturday (1st house! We close this afternoon! :D :D :D ) and I had to pack my kitchen. I have had coconut chicken tenders (only 3 - MIL brought them over and doesn't know I am on WW), salads w/ FF dressing (ever tried La Madeline FF Caesar w/ Chicken? YUM!), and last night had 3 steamed dumplings and about 2/3 cup shrimp w/ garlic sauce from a Chinese takeout place. I have been very frugal with points for bfast and lunch since I am unable to control dinner as much as usual, so I hope to see that my efforts have worked when I WI on Tuesday.

We move tomorrow into a new townhouse - 3 stories!!! I am DEFINITELY going to get a workout in with all those stairs!!! :eek:

happy Friday, everyone!

[greysangel]

Happy Friday Rebecca and best of luck with the move!!!

I'm getting used to two stories never mind three!

JeAnne

[KValley]

I've been following these threads since they began in January- I feel so caught up in your enthusiasm, your conviction, your triumphs. Thank you all for being an incredible inspiration- just reading these threads has helped me renew my commitment to take better care of me and to begin to let go of those voices that tell me I'm just not good enough. I love you guys! I hope no one minds if I chime in. :o

SusanT This might be really silly, but I've happened upon one solution to get in my veggies in an incredibly filling fashion with very little point impact and super-easy prep: frozen! At lunch, I eat half a package of frozen mixed veggies, with a little low-sodium soy sauce. That's about 2 cups of broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, peas, brussel sprouts (or whatever the mix is). That and a high-fiber, low carb whole wheat tortilla and a slice of soy cheese or a TBL of peanut butter and an apple and I feel stuffed- about a 6 point lunch. I always have mixed veggie spinach or romaine salad at dinner, along with another side veggie so I'm certain that I am getting at least my 5 minimum of veggies! But having those frozen vegetables at lunch has made huge difference in my desire to nosh in the afternoons- they are so filling.

krhm I could have written what Jen (jphilg) already has about strength training. I'm hippy as well and I feared that lifting weights would bulk up those thighs/butt/hips even more. AU CONTRAIRE. Those squats, leg presses, dead lifts are lifting my rear end and adding definition. I have absolutely noticed a decrease in cellulite as hard muscle replaces soft fat. I am not built to be trim and svelte on my bottom half, but lifting has really helped me to appreciate my strong build and curvy proportions. Grace talked about this last week- weight-lifting increases metabolism, causing your body to burn calories more efficiently and for a longer period of time. I think women are afraid to see the scale go up as the muscle mass increases, but as Grace already said -it will go up, then begin to fall as your body reacts to the change, challenge, and becomes more efficient. I love yoga as well- but I agree with Jen- if I could do only one thing, it would be strength-training. Bulking up is a myth- our bodies just aren't built the same as a man's and you would have to train several hours a day to build really big, scary muscles. And just think about the incredible things you are doing for your bones as well as your muscles- your 75 yr old self will be so grateful someday.

I really encourage you to meet with a trainer- even just once- to get a repertoire of exercise that will focus in on the areas that you want to tone/build. And do your strength training FIRST- you need the energy that cardio takes away in order to really challenge your muscles.

Anyway, thanks for indulging me. I am learning so much from you all and was feeling guilty for not acknowledging how much I appreciate this community.

Besos, Julie

[greysangel]

yay Julie!

Welcome aboard :D

[Gracie]

JeAnne - I want you to know that, this morning, in honor of you, our fearless leader, for the first time since July 21, 2001 (not counting vacations ;) I did NOT weigh myself on the bathroom scale! I will wait until tomorrow morning at meeting for the official number!!

Amanda - I hear you about "eating blind" when you go out. I think that it's enough to know that now we are conscientiously trying to make good choices when we go out to eat and that we shouldn't get all hung up on exactly how many points something might be. The pitfalls, of course, are what may seem innocuous as you said, and are not. But all we can do is our best. I know that I try to make very conscious choices in restaurants now and that's a step in the right direction!

Loren

[RebeccaT]

Glad you're here, Julie! I for one welcome your comments - thanks for speaking up! :D :D

[Jessica]

Restaurants are a real problem. The more I learn, the more concerned I get. We don't like to eat at chain places and small restaurants usually don't have nutritional info for their food. Also, I know most chefs use butter, butter, oil and more butter. Their goal is to get the food to taste good so people will buy it.

I wish Cooking Light would spin out a series of low-fat restaurants.

Sushi is a good option for WW but it is pricey.

[Jessica]

A question about workouts. I usually do my cardio and then weights, because I thought my muscles should be warm for the strength training. Am I doing them in the wrong order?

[SusanT]

Jessica - most small restaurants are more accommodating when it comes to customizing your order, so go ahead and ask about having your food prepared to your liking.

[KValley]

Originally posted by Jessica
A question about workouts. I usually do my cardio and then weights, because I thought my muscles should be warm for the strength training. Am I doing them in the wrong order?

Jessica- I used to do cardio then weights for the same reason. Two different trainers in the past year have explained to me why it should be the other way around and reading little blurbs recently in SELF, Women's Muscle and Fitness have confirmed this for me. I have noticed a great difference by doing weights first- I can lift more, more cleanly, better form, better concentration. Mentally, I am more charged up to do my strength training- when I did cardio first I was tired, sweaty and just wanted to slog through weights to get it over with. Conversely, I never seem to lack for energy doing weights first, then cardio. I feel, quite literally, pumped up, energized. It's almost a reward to put on those headphones and lose myself sweating away on the elliptical or going for a run, knowing that a shower awaits and I can relax! A brief warm-up and stretching should be enough. I also start out my routine with body-weight -bearing exercises (lunges, pushups etc) before moving on to weights, to warm up even further.

THat's just MHO (with back-up ;))

[Jessica]

KValley,

Thanks. I am going to try reversing the order this weekend and see how I like it.

Jessica

[Robyncz]

Hello commrades!

Thanks for letting me vent in my time of desperation last night. Luckily, my WW week starts on Friday, so I was able to put it all behind me. Had another successful weigh-in (down 1.2) despite my binge last night. Hooray! I was hoping to be down a total 10 pounds today since it's my 10th weigh-in, but I'll have to wait for next week to get a star on my bookmark. My total for now is 9.8.

I've still got to sit down and work out my goals for the week. I just wanted to share my success!

Robyn
188.6/178.8/130?

[aggie94]

Originally posted by KValley
Jessica- I used to do cardio then weights for the same reason. Two different trainers in the past year have explained to me why it should be the other way around and reading little blurbs recently in SELF, Women's Muscle and Fitness have confirmed this for me. I have noticed a great difference by doing weights first- I can lift more, more cleanly, better form, better concentration. Mentally, I am more charged up to do my strength training- when I did cardio first I was tired, sweaty and just wanted to slog through weights to get it over with. Conversely, I never seem to lack for energy doing weights first, then cardio. I feel, quite literally, pumped up, energized. It's almost a reward to put on those headphones and lose myself sweating away on the elliptical or going for a run, knowing that a shower awaits and I can relax! A brief warm-up and stretching should be enough. I also start out my routine with body-weight -bearing exercises (lunges, pushups etc) before moving on to weights, to warm up even further.

THat's just MHO (with back-up ;))

Just for a different perspective, my trainer recommended that I do cardio first. He suggests that for losing weight, I will get more benefits from the 45-60 minutes of cardio I do than the 25 minutes of circuit weight training that follows. Consequently, if I go into the weights a little tired, I can adjust how much I'm lifting. If I'm still lifting to failure, I'm still challenging my muscles, even though failure today might be different than it was yesterday lifting fresh (hope that makes sense!). On the other hand, I can't go into my cardio workout tired, adjust it to a slower pace, and expect to see the same benefits.

Also, I find that if I do weights first, my muscles are cold and haven't had a good chance to limber up yet. I'm more loosened up if I do cardio first and that makes a difference for me when I lift.

That said, I don't do weights after I've had a pretty intense cardio workout, like running or hard intervals. And if it's a weights day for me, I won't push myself quite as hard in my cardio workout as I would otherwise. I never go into my weights exhausted, but I also come out of my cardio workouts feeling like I've had a good workout.

There are lots of schools of thought out there, and this is just another opinion. I think it will be different for everyone, depending on what your workouts are like and what your goals are.

[greysangel]

YAY LOREN!!!!!

I'm so proud :D

My recent trainer also says weights before cardio though she always wants me to warm up with like a 3 - 5 minute burst of cardio after stretching. I guess it's a way to get your juices flowing before weights? I dunno..I just do it :D

Although I have to say I did another boxercise class and it KICKS MY BUTT!!! It's cardio and resistance all in one!

JeAnne

p/s I just wanted to add...dont be afraid to order what you want in a restaurant...have it your way! Also try doing a small portion of something indulgent! I have tried it lots of ways. My recent favorite thing to do is to split something with DH...I feel less deprived than when I order something that's healthy that I don't *really* want.

[Jessica]

Thanks for all the feedback--I guess I will try a bunch of things to see what works for me.

I love all the perspective I get from this board.

[Cassiope]

Ahh ... why does every holiday in our country center around FOOD?!?

Who asked this one? Not only every holiday but every gathering....and let's not even think about the "Food Tables" at work. Boy - I have to say, at least when you're trying not to drink, they don't bring a beer to your desk!

It's definately a trial.

Hello Folks, I have my father, brother and stepmom coming for the weekend. House guests get me stresses, even though I want to just enjoy their company and bask in the love and good spirits of my family, the whole hostess thing has me teetering on the edge of my diet. And I've been SO GOOD this week. I even banked points for a dinner out and made it through on track. But tonight, the night before company, I ate bread I didn't plan on, had 2 little mini hersey bars, and gave myself an xtra 1/2 cup of rice at dinner.... Chocolate and Carbs... Hmmm... no stress here. I'm in the study and I'll lock myself here with water and my journal for the night. I just hope I can hold onto my control while they're here.... I have to get through Saturday and Sunday with no banked points and we're sure to eat out once.... Good luck to me! ;)



Jen - Your Valentine's day story was too cool. That is the direction that I think all gifts should go, thoughtful and not so darn pre-packaged and commercial Good for your DH!

Jessica - You know, it's nice to hear so many of you talking about lower weekly weight loss. I'm a slow loser too and it can get discouraging. But it DOES make a difference and in the long run the extra few weeks it takes won't matter a bit ( A year after you're at goal, you won't be sorry it took a little longer and neither will I! :) )

Sandy M - Let us know how you like your yoga class. I hope you like yoga as much as I do!

JeAnne - That chocolate chip cookie story is too real. Why is that? For 10 years I didn't have a chocolate malted (my over the top favorite way to spend 1200 calories...) but still I gained 40 pounds. Probably on Funny Bones which I don't even like...

Emilyn - Way to go! 10 minutes jogging is GREAT! Could you do it again? Maybe I'll try to run on the treadmill just a "little bit" to see if I like it....

RebeccaT - Happy New Home!

Robyn - Way to get back on the horse and pull off a great week!

Have a Wonderful Weekend. At least President's Day doesn't have a special dessert that you "have to have" !
:rolleyes:

[Molli526]

Jessica

I was another slow loser. Each week I fought for that 1/2 a pound it took me forever to get to my goal. BUT I have been here for almost 5 months and my lifestyle changed. We're with you. Like the saying goes, slow and steady wins the race. You will get there!

[SusanT]

I weighed in this morning and am down .7 which I'm pretty pleased with since I ended the week -13 points because of the weekend we spent out of town with friends (too much wine :rolleyes: )

Now if I could just break 135....

P.S. Woe is me - the Krogers in my town don't carry Skinny Cows!

[Jessica]

SusanT--I would ask the grocery store to stock Skinny Cows. The website even has a form you can give your grocer :)

[Grace]

OK JeAnne! I did it! I joined WW online. I'm really happy about it, too. I've procrastinated for the longest time (not sure why?), but now that it's done, I'm glad. I journaled my food for today so far to get me started, and lo and behold, I am already at 23.5 points for the day! :eek: :eek: (My range is at the low end - 18 to 23 pts per day, so I'm OVER!!). Look like it's an hour of excercise for me if I want to have any dinner! :D :D But this is exactly why the program is going to be good for me. It won't let me be a bum, and won't let me "mindlessly eat" anymore. Hooray. So it looks as though I'll be hanging around here a little bit!

Thanks again to you and everyone else for being such a great inspiration. In a few months I know I'm going to feel really great.

[SusanT]

Jessica - thanks I'll give the form a try!

I must say I'm pretty proud of myself today. I did one hour of yoga practice and then went to my world dance for fitness class. We ran over our time today - did some salsa, some bellydance, some Ethiopian dance. What a blast! I've had a 9 point activity day!

[Laura B]

Yay, Grace!! Welcome to the group!

[SusanT]

Grace - I just finshed my first week on WW online. I've found the site very easy to use. I'm also in the 18-23 range.

Welcome!

[Grace]

Thanks Laura B and Susan T for the welcome!!

Well, the news got worse....:rolleyes: I had forgotten about some 4 point waldorf salad I ate....:rolleyes: So I was really 4.5 points over. Oh well. I hadn't really planned on starting today when I got up this morning, it was kind of an impluse decision I made this afternoon, AFTER I had already eaten all that stuff. So I'm not going to worry about today. But I did get my butt out and jogged for almost 40 minutes - I went 2.5 miles (my sweet DH got in the car and measured the distance for me! :D ), so I figured that as 4 points for exercise, which puts me at even for the day. So then I ran a search on 0 or 1 pt soup recipes (cuz I'm a little hungry now!), and there is a lovely recipe for a bell pepper/tomato soup that I'm off to the kitchen to make right now! That should tide me over until tomorrow when I can really get started! I'm already liking the whole points thing - it's taking the real thinking and worrying (about whether I will get results or not) out of the equation. I just add up the points, and then I know (I don't have to wonder) the program will work. Pretty cool. I'll let you all know if the soup is any good.

[Molli526]

Welcome Grace!:D

[Robyncz]

Grace, Herzliche Willkomen!

[Laura B]

I am feeling really good about myself this morning. :) For the past four days I have been on point and have worked out every day. I did go over points last night, but I had banked points and three activity points I earned that day to cover it. I broke even for the day. This is the way I was in my first couple of weeks. I am thrilled that I have been able to get it together and JUST DO IT again. I feel so much better when I am on plan. Hopefully the rewards will show themselves when I weigh in. I snuck a peak on Friday and I had lost two pounds. I know I am not supposed to sneak peaks :o but I cannot resist. I don't weigh everyday, I promise!

This coming weekend is going to be VERY challenging for me. I am in a seminar at school on Judicial Sentencing. We will be having three intensive weekends were we meet with judges, DAs and PDs from around the state and discuss how we would sentence people in some sample cases we will be given. This weekend is our first intensive meeting. The problem is: we will be well fed! We have dinner at a restaurant on Thursday night. Catered lunch on Friday and dinner out on Friday night. And then a catered lunch on Saturday. All of this is free for us. (The Institute of Government got a grant to have this course, so we don't have to pay for anything, not even our books, etc. Love that!) I know that I will just have to think this through and picture the kinds of things I will order. However, I have not eaten at the two places we are going out to and who knows what the catered lunch will be. That makes it harder to visualize my choices. I plan to bank as much as I can on Wed and Thurs during the day and then try to get in a workout on Thurs and Fri and Sat to counter all of the food. But I am still stressed out a little about it. This is a situation where, in the past, I would have ordered whatever I wanted and really enjoyed the free food. That is not to say that I cannot enjoy what I order, no matter what it is, but I will still have the feeling of reigning myself in the whole time.

Hope everyone else had a great weekend!!

[SusanT]

Laura - I've planned several meetings as part of my job and speaking for myself, I always provide choices for people who eat a healthy diet. Vegetarians, vegans and omnivores who eat a heart healthy diet are very common these days and most kitchens are well equipped to provide alternatives. Chances are the meeting planner will have already planned for heathy alternatives. If you're not sure, I would contact the planner and ask for some low-fat options be made available.

I once attended a luncheon and asked for the vegetarian entree which was a lovely lentil and rice dish with pattypan squash. The people at my table were all envious!

Good luck with the meeting!

[greysangel]

LauraB

another option is if you know what restaurants you are going to, call them and have a menu faxed to you ahead of time so you can plan before you get there. Most places have no problem doing so for you. I do it occasionally especially when I am eating out more than once a week and it's a place I dont know.

Congrats on handling this weekend!

JeAnne

[Laura B]

JeAnne and Susan, thanks for the suggestions. I certainly hope that the catered lunches have enough healthy options. I will do my best! JeAnne, after reading your post, I ran an online search and was able to find the menu for one of the restaurants. Here it is. http://www.aurorarestaurant.com/menu.html Help me decide what the best WW choices are on this huge menu!! The other dinner is at the campus Alumni Center, so I have no idea what to expect. I think they bascially cater their functions. They do no operate as a regular restaurant. It is a swanky place, though. They have all of the functions for the high-paying alums (read: people who donate to sports) and important alums. I'm sure the food will be delicious. I just don't think I can know ahead of time what it will be. At least I feel a little more in control now that I have Aurora's menu.

[jphilg]

Yum....I want to go to dinner at Aurora!

Laura, I'd go for either the Capelli de Angelo, or the Tono. I think that 1/2 portions of either of those, along with a big insalata verde would be ok. Dressing on the side!

Sounds like a great weekend, though.

I have been having a really tough time. I got through Valentines day feeling pretty good about all of my choices, but I have sort of been "off the wagon" ever since. Not horribly so, but I have been trying really hard to focus on staying in my point range for a single day, and have failed consistently since Wednesday. TOmorrow is my weigh-in, and I am ready for the worst, but I feel like crap. I had such great momentum going, and I feel like I might have lost my steam.

Tonight we are eating at the house of some friends who are uber healthy, so I know we will not have anything points-unfriendly (might not be any good, but I am sure it will be healthy). I am trying to chalk it up to one day out of thousands of days that I am going to have to count points, but frankly, by the third day of absolving myself, I feel pretty yucky.

Anyone have hints for getting re-inspired? I am feeling like I jsut like food more than I might like being a size ten.

Jen

[Laura B]

Jen, I'm sorry. :( I think you have a touch of what I had. As far as inspiration goes, I am not sure what to tell you. I don't really know what brought me out of my slump, but I do know that now that I am on the other side of it, I feel like I will be better able to resist falling into one again. I think about all of the silly choices I made for three weeks that did NOT make me considerably happy. If I had not made those silly choices, I may have lost a few more pounds than I did in that time frame. I am keeping in mind how I felt on those days when I went over points (of course, not counting when I had really planned to go over, like when we ate out at Magnolia Grill). If I feel tempted to eat something that I did not plan on and I am not truly starving or it is more than a couple of points, I force myself to think about how I felt those three weeks when I was unfocused. If, after all of that thinking :rolleyes: I still want to eat the item in question, then perhaps it is just one of those times when I need to go over points. After all, if you do not indulge yourself every once in a while, you are doing yourself a disservice in the long run. Indulge in something small now to prevent yourself from indulging in an entire cheesecake later. :p

You're just going through a small period of indulgence. ;) Just give yourself a pep talk and move on. You have been doing absolutley GREAT so far. And I bet you've been going to the gym, yes? You're STILL doing great!

P.S. Is bordelaise bad? I am looking at this: Agnello, marinated Spring Lamb wood-fire grilled and served with garlic flavored lamb bordelaise. I was eyeing the Capelli d'Angelo, too, but I don't want to slurp pasta at this kind of dinner. I am NOT a graceful pasta eater (not long pastas anyway). :)

[Molli526]

Laura-

I think bordelaise is VERY silimiar to a hollandaise which is not very light. The pork tenderloin looks good too.

I have had a couple of catered type things for work. They are always vegetarian friendly. That doesn't mean that the vegetarian is necessarily lighter :rolleyes: There is usually a salad, and one of the days in make your own sandwich, which is nice. You can at least easily eat low points to give yourself more options for dinner. Just beware they may be like my company, and pull out a snack about 2:30, which is so dangerous!

[Laura B]

Thanks, Molli. I guess I could always ask for the sauce on the side, right? And then I could just have a little bit.

Oh, and I just noticed this one: Petti di Pollo, boneless breast of free-range chicken with porcini mushrooms and pancetta flavored with garlic, white wine and shallots. That doesn't look too evil. I could pull the skin off the chicken if it comes with it.

Decisions, decisions!

[SusanT]

Beware - the chicken may not sound evil but I'd bet there's lots of butter in the sauce. The lamb or the pork would be safer choices IMO.

[HRJ]

OK, I'm posting this tonight, before my weigh-in tomorrow morning. I'm feeling somewhat discouraged about what my results will be, and I'm afraid that if I don't "talk it out" tonight, I'll overreact tomorrow.

I was within points -- although at the top of the range -- all week, except for today (more about that ... ). But, I only worked out once -- I had been doing three times a week. No one's fault but my own -- I should have been at the gym, or using my Nordic Track, and I just didn't. Now I regret it. And it feels so good after I work out -- WHY can't I get motivated?

Today was a tricky one -- have no idea where I stand, points-wise. Back in December, I signed up for a bunch of Sunday classes at a local cooking school. They're a lot of fun; the instructors are pretty good. But the cooking is NOT light -- all the reicpes they assign us are swimming in butter, cream, eggs, etc.

Today's lesson was "soups and stocks." (After a brief "lecture," all the students prepare different recipes, and then we taste and critique the results). Most of these soups had a ton of fat! (Couldn't believe how many cartons of heavy cream, creme fraiche and half-and-half we churned through). I was sipping and tasting all these other concoctions all afternoon.

So, how do I count that? A spoonful of this, a half cup of that ... my inclination is just to eat a very low-point dinner, and call it a day. But I'm not happy. :(


Helene

[Laura B]

Originally posted by HRJ
So, how do I count that? A spoonful of this, a half cup of that ... my inclination is just to eat a very low-point dinner, and call it a day. But I'm not happy. :(


Helene, I think that is all you can do. Hopefully, you had a great time at your class which made the extra points worth it! You can try to eat low-point tomorrow, too. Maybe get in another workout.

Jen and Helene, here is a quotation I just saw on WW online that may help you guys feel better. “Persistence is far more important than perfection!” You may not have been perfect today or the last few days, but you are being persistent in your WW efforts!

Susan, I bet you're right about the chicken. I think the lamb or pork are my two top choices! Thanks for the help, everyone.

[Jessica]

Helene,

I can address the issue of workouts. I am one of those people who exercises because it is good for me. I was never an active or athletic person and I really struggle with exercise.

One thing that helps me is to say to myself, "I will go to the gym and work out for 10 minutes. If I don't feel better, I can leave and go home."

This takes the pressure off. More than 95 percent of the time, after 10 minutes of exercise I feel so energized that I complete my workout. On those days when I just cannot handle it (I am recovering from an illness that damaged some of my muscles), I get off the treadmill and leave the gym.

Another trick I use is to get a magazine I really like and tell myself I can only read it while I am on an exercise machine :)

I now get in 3-4 cardio workouts a week, plus two sessions of yoga and a couple strength sessions.

Good luck--it is not easy.

Jessica

[Molli526]

Helene-

I do the same as Jessica. I tell myself I just have to do something for 10 minutes, then I can go. Today was one of those days. I ended up running for 30 minutes. You can do it! Just 10 minutes to get you started!

[Robyncz]

Originally posted by jphilg
I have been having a really tough time. I got through Valentines day feeling pretty good about all of my choices, but I have sort of been "off the wagon" ever since. Not horribly so, but I have been trying really hard to focus on staying in my point range for a single day, and have failed consistently since Wednesday. TOmorrow is my weigh-in, and I am ready for the worst, but I feel like crap. I had such great momentum going, and I feel like I might have lost my steam.

Jen,
Me too! For the first time since I started in early December, I've just had two days where I was afraid to total up my points. Last night DH and I took my dad, who has just moved to our city, to the locally famous all-you-can-eat barbecue joint. Figured it was a "one time event" so what the hell. Then today our 2-year-old talked us into lunch at a pizza buffet. So, that makes two all-you-can-eat outings in a row.

On the positive side, neither one of us ate nearly as much as we would have 3 months ago. And the pizza episode followed a LOVELY hour-long walk through the woods with the kids in the jogging stroller. So, I guess that's a good thing.

Well, tomorrow's another day. If this weather holds up (it is GORGEOUS in Central Texas right now!) we plan to take the girls on a nice long walk each day when DH gets home from work. If I can actually stick to that plan AND stay OP the rest of the week, I am hopeful I can recover from my weekend of indulgence. I just wish I could order up a dose of the motivation I had when I started!! Jen, if you find the secret, let me in on it!!

Robyn

[greysangel]

Hang in there everyone! Remember you can be off program at 10:30 and be back on at 10:31. It's what you do next. Try not to be so discouraged..we are not perfect and therefore changing a lifestyle is over time.

Laura...what a yummy place! As far as the campus, you will I'm sure have healthy options. They may have salads, grilled items etc..

as far as Aurora...can we just say yum? You have a lot of salad options..just beware of the cheese and get your dressing on the side. If you want another appetizer, go for the portobello mushroom...sure to be small and goat cheese is not killer on the points list.

For main meals, the best bets are: the pork loin, the tuna (hold the leeks) or the salmon (hold the beurre). The chicken doesn't look too bad. And then sorbet!!!

Pastas are never a good choice. They always have it swimming in oil and butter so the sauce spreads evenly over the pasta which is why it tastes so darn good :D Reductions usually do not contain oil or butter...it's the natural juices reduced. Tuna and salmon and excellent bang for your bucks as far as flavor with pointage...just have to watch what they are served with. Whatever you pick, enjoy it! Don't pick tuna if you don't like fish! At the same time, don't pick something super outrageous points if you are only going to kick yourself later.

JeAnne

[pammy]

Okay, this is my third attempt at posting on this thread! Having some daunting techinical difficulties here. Seems that I have no problem posting a short reply that is a few lines. But, on this thread I tend to get a bit verbose, and well...my computer or ISP doesn't like that :( .

Susan , wonderful news, so glad that you can put this experience behind you. You inspired me to make sure that I did my self-exam this month. My friend has her surgery tomorrow and I hope and pray that her results are the same as yours.

Sounds like we are all rolling along here, although I detect a note of boredom/frustration/loss of inspiration running through some posts. Yeah, there are times that I wish that I didn't have to plan or think about what I am going to eat. That on special occassions like Valentines Day that I don't have to have the thought in the back of my head that I shouldn't go too far over my points. But, I had filet mignon and stuffed mushrooms. That isn't a diet. That is real food. I had to make smart choices earlier in the day, but had I had a snack when I got home from work, I wouldn't have enjoyed that special meal so much. I don't mourn the loss of eating anything and everything. For those of you who have "fallen off the wagon" for a day or so, how gross did you feel afterwards. I have found that getting in touch with not only my emotions, but how I feel physically after I have overeaten is a huge incentive to remain on plan. I fell off the wagon a bit last night, ate a bunch of Nestle chocolate chips. Why? Cause I was craving chocolate, and I didn't think. Felt sick afterwards and the chocolate chips didn't even taste good. Back on plan today and I'm glad. I have planned my menu for the day and it is all tasty, satisfying food. Have the day off and I intend to have a nice, long workout, and posssibly a walk, too. So much more enjoyable than stuffing my face and remaining sedentary. I like my life on plan much better than off plan. Sorry to go on and on, but when I think I'm getting bored with WW, I just remind myself of all the positive ways that the plan has impacted my life.

Went to my meeting last week, and YIPPEE, I weighed exactly the same. That is two months (almost) of maintaining my weight loss. I think I'm going to try to lose another 5 lbs. before spring, though. I kinda set my goal weight high for a couple of reasons. The most obvious is economic. I didn't want to pay for meetings that I didn't have to. I know, not the best reason, but hey, we're remodeling our kitchen and living on a budget. The other reason was that the last two times I was on WW, I set my goal weight too low, got frustrated trying to reach it, and gave up in frustration. I am happy with my body right now, but I am teetering between sizes. I have a pair of jeans and a few spring things that fit, but not exactly the way I want them to fit. So I think that I am going to add one more day of strength training to my workouts for now. In March, depending on how the strength training has impacted the fit of that pair of jeans, I may or may not go back to a weight-loss level of points vs. maintenance. Smart approach? All opinions welcome.

Goals for this week:

- Cut back on coffee. Did you know that one cup of coffee blocks your body's absorption of 40 mg. of calcium? YIKES!
- 3 aerobic workout sessions, 3 strength training sessions, two yoga sessions.
- Don't let work frustration impact my snack choices, especially when I get home in the evening. Might make a batch of 0 point soup to combat this problem.

[gertdog]

Checking in to post my Saturday weigh-in results. I was down a very surprising and gratifying 2 lbs! I was so excited by that, I was actually more motivated to stay OP over the weekend while DF was here. We ate out twice, and both days I managed to stay w/in points.

The 2 lb. loss puts me past a milestone that I want to reward myself for (I've decided on small rewards as I pass the 5's on the scale, and large rewards as I pass the 10's). This week is a "large" reward... I think I'll do a manicure. Yaaaay! :)

Motivation is a difficult thing to figure out. I know that a loss of motivation was what ended my first WW venture several years ago. I'm determined to avoid that this time, but of course I'm not sure how. I'm pretty sure it isn't just an issue of willpower, or wanting it bad enough. So this time around I'm working hard to keep things fresh and exciting and just challenging enough. Figuring out how I can still make or adapt favorite recipes and foods. Finding exercise programs that I enjoy rather than resent. Setting smaller, more easily attainable goals and celebrating each little accomplishment. I really like that people on this thread post goals for the week that aren't always about food... helps me see the big picture. And they aren't always about denial either... they're positive goals ("I'll eat a piece of fruit every day." "I'll try a new gym class.") Those mini-goals also help me to feel a sense of achievement pretty often, which really seems to feed my motivation. Not sure if this helps anyone, but maybe it will!

[ajkerkhoff]

Happy Monday, all! :D

After the last 2 weekends of really struggling with staying OP, I'm happy to report that I had better results this weekend, thanks to all of your encouragement to plan, plan, plan! My plan worked (pretty well) - I made the garden veggie soup (yum!) for lunch on Sat. and that was quite helpful. I still went over points a bit on Saturday when we had our supper club, but as it was a caribbean theme, we did have lots of wonderful veggies and lots of metabolism-boosting spices. Our jerk chicken was HOT and oh so tasty!!! And then on Sunday, I was RIGHT ON with my points! Going to the gym that afternoon helped, as did having water instead of a latte on Sun. morning. Not perfect, but way better than before, and that's what this is about, right? Continual ongoing improvements towards healthier HABITS!

I had two great workouts (both on Sat. and Sun.) and on Sunday met with a personal trainer for the first of 3 sessions . . . I'm getting set up on a new strength training program as I've been on my current one for 6 weeks. Time for a change!

Anyway, as I was sharing with the trainer that I was combining both aerobics and strength training with new eating habits from WW online, he was very affirming that it takes the combo of all three to see significant changes in one's body. He talked a lot about portion sizes, and how he sees so many folks coming into work out without adjusting their eating habits - and so they don't see results. However, he didn't know that WW had an online program and after I raved about it for about 10 minutes, he said he would check it out to see if he could recommend it to other clients! Cool!

During my lunch hour today, I'm going to work on planning out my meals for the rest of the week . . .

Amy

[RebeccaT]

Hi everyone!

Well, after a series of mishaps (which seem large to us as first-time home owners but were really pretty small) we are in our new house! Let me tell you, the very first thing I did was unpack my kitchen, I didn't even wait for the movers to finish unloading! It felt so good to make my first home-cooked meal in my new kitchen, even if it was just a veggie pizza (roasted red peppers, sauteed spinach, marinated artichokes and 2% mozzerella - mmmmmm!:D) It was the first time I had been able to cook in almost a week! :eek:

I did ok as far as choices over the weekend, avoided the inclination to nosh while unpacking (there wasn't anything availible except for the cookies my SIL brought over, but I only had 1/2 of one). I even survived a post move meal at the Ragin' Cajun which is as deadly to the diet as it sounds! I had a cup of Red beans and Rice, a low point choice which offset the three little hush-puppies I was too tired to resist. :o

So now I am tired but happy, looking forward to my workout tonight (only made it twice last week, although I counted my move as housework and got 7 activity points! Do you think that was a good way to account for it???

Happy Monday, everyone! :D

[amcleod]

WOAH! I gave up surfing at work and have finally gotten to the boards and there are 4 pages! I must admit I didn't read anything but JeAnne's first post. JeAnne, it was alien invasion for sure.

I don't know if anyone pointed this out already, since I didn't read all the posts, but actually to gain a pound you must consume 3,500 extra calories. that is like 70 points!

anyways, I have been on a major eating extravaganza since Thursday. Valentines day was a bust (as far as eating goes), the next day was taken out for my b-day and then went out drinking for my b-day, Saturday was my b-day (which actually started out v low-point but then i had 2 scoops of premium ice cream in a waffle cone) so went out for dinner (jen, we went to Yanyu which was v yummy), then yesterday I made the mistake of having a bowl of Tomato Basil soup at La Madeleine...which is like 390 calories and way too much fat PER CUP! ACK! Oh well. It is all over now and I am back OP.

Confession time: food (esp ice cream) is still my emotional crutch. My b-day started out very horribly...DH and I had a big ole fight. The ice cream DID make me feel better. But I kept eating all weekend because I kept telling myself I deserved it after my day on Saturday, combined with the whole, "It is my b-day and I can eat whatever I want!!" excuse. I have to try to overcome doing that.

Anyways, I missed weigh-in on Thursday so I will be back this Thursday, working hard to make up for the very huge amount of points I consumed (i don't even know how many since i haven't been journaling - also v bad) over the past few days. I have today off and probably won't be going to the gym since we're supposed to visit our friends' new baby...so it will be even harder.

OK enough excuses!! I think I will add making excuses to my Lenten list of things I am sacrificing. Hope to log in later, otherwise, I shall check in tomorrow night.

Stay strong all!

[Cassiope]

Hi Folks,

I had company all week end and it went badly for me point wise. I started stressing Friday and went 5 points over. But I sequestered myself and was ready for Saturday. My company was 5 hours late and at that point I had made brownies. (That's the same as giving up for me...) We just ordered Pizza to feed them all and I had 2 slices which put me over the top.

They had requested an "excursion" but only had until Noon to have one, so .... another bad choice... Sunday brunch buffet.

Turns out that they stuff they had to do at noon did not have to be done until 4 - so we all went shopping - at least that was fun and we did NOT stop at Cinnabon......Thank my lucky Stars!

I made WW 0 point soup for dinner with crusty bread, salad and sliced fruit. My saving Grace. I'm sure I gained back my first week losses. I would ditch my meeting but DH has already stated that he's going with me....:) This at least is very good. I'm on points today but fighting. I sure hope the news at the scale doesn't break my heart!

[jphilg]

Hi all....

I just got back from my meeting. I had a gain of 1.6 pounds. This was not a suprise; in fact, I was considering on my drive home that it was *good* that I gained a little this week....if I had eaten like I did over the past few days and *not* gained, it would have undermined my motivation to get back on program. I also was glad to experience my first gain on a week in which I knew what I did wrong. It would have felt a lot worse if I had been trying hard and not gained, which I know will happen eventually.

I don't want to start talking about this week's topic....I'll leave that to JeAnne, our exercise maven and fearless leader, to expound later this week, but I really felt a lot of support from the group, and was very motivated to get back on track. I must say that I got more out the meeting on a bad night than I would have if I'd been successful.

Alright, back to the grind. So thankful to have all of you to post to when things are less than optimal!

Jen
224.4/211.8/170

[pattiarl]

Hi guys. Just back from my weigh in at my gym and I too had a case of alien invasion. Stayed OP all week and had 23 banked points left over - mostly excercise as I don't normally eat these. Also went to the gym five days out of seven last week and I only lost a pound. I did a mid week weighing and was up about two pounds and I was so bummed--what is the point of staying OP only to gain. But luckily JeAnne had addressed this on her first post so I thought it was a fluke. So on I go...

Going to NYC on Thursday and that means very little exercise and lots of food choices. I am very confortable with my Nutri Grain waffle, followed by a sandwich for lunch and one of several items in my rotation for dinner so I'm a bit nervous. Hopefully I'll do okay.

Glad to hear the good news, Susan.

Have a good night.

[SuzyQuzy]

Hi, everyone!

I have been pretty busy the past week and a half with work and a baby shower that I was hosting that I haven't had much time to post. I weighed in on Thursday and I was down two pounds! Yay!

This week has been rough, though. The baby shower was pretty stressful and I didn't make the best food choices. I got the "I deserve this" attitude and way overdid it. Nothing I did to prepare for that event deserved TWO pieces of cake!! I'm also not in my own environment which is always difficult for me. I took a week off from work to hang out with my friend who just had a baby (the one the shower was for) and I'm staying at my mom's house in NJ. :eek: There is so much junk food here!! I don't buy it at home so I'm not tempted by it, but when I'm here I can hear it in the kitchen calling to me (and the girl scout cookies are the loudest!!). And, my gym is at work! I've gone on some pretty good walks, but I miss the eliptical trainer!! I also don't have access to any weights to keep up with my strength training. Anyone have any ideas?? Will my bicep bubbles go away???

Ok...here are some goals:
Keep drinking my water.
Avoid mom's kitchen!!!!
Walk (briskly) everyday.
Relax and enjoy my week off!!!

Hope you are all having a great week!!

RobynQuzy

[greysangel]

Just back from my weigh in at my gym and I too had a case of alien invasion. Stayed OP all week and had 23 banked points left over - mostly excercise as I don't normally eat these. Also went to the gym five days out of seven last week and I only lost a pound.

Susan.. this is not alien invasion dear!!! You LOST A WHOLE POUND!!!! There's no "only" about it!

JeAnne

[Gracie]

I am just getting back to this thread. I weighed in Saturday morning and lost 3.4!!! After several weeks of losing 0.6 this was great! DH and I should fight more often... JUST KIDDING! :rolleyes: We're back to normal and everything's fine with our world! :cool:

I'm only 2.8 away from my WW-declared goal. I, too, have an "economic" goal -

originally posted by pammy
The most obvious is economic. I didn't want to pay for meetings that I didn't have to. I know, not the best reason, but hey, we're remodeling our kitchen and living on a budget. The other reason was that the last two times I was on WW, I set my goal weight too low, got frustrated trying to reach it, and gave up in frustration. I am happy with my body right now, but I am teetering between sizes.

pammy - I could have written that myself, except I'm not remodeling my kitchen! My personal goal is 15 pounds below my WW-declared goal for a couple of reasons (135 vs 120)- the economic thing, the frustration thing and I want to be back where I was on my honeymoon. I also set it higher because my Leader told me that my personal goal was unrealistic for my age. I'm 44 now and I was 120 (my lowest ever) 13 years ago. She doesn't think that I can reach 120 at my age without lots of frustration and not being able to maintain. I'm not sure that's a very positive way for her to react, but I have heard that the older you get, the harder it is to get to lower numbers. So my WW-declared goal is 135. So far I've lost 30.2 this time around. I was aiming for a round 50.

I'm now at the point where I need to really watch my points. I exercise by powerwalking with a friend and we manage to walk 3 or 4 times a week. I belong to a gym where they don't allow children at all. DH works evenings so when I get home from work, it's just DD and me. She's not old enough to stay home alone yet so I bring her over to my friend's house and she plays with her daughters while we walk. It works out great but as to strength workouts, I don't really have anywhere to go. DH told me to find a personal trainer but I don't know how to fit it all in.

I'm hoping for a reasonable week this week. I'm not expecting much after the 3.4 loss. That's really a lot for me.

Have a great rest of the week everyone!

P.S. JeAnne - I STILL haven't gone back on my bathroom scale... :D

Loren

[slknight]

I'm a little late checking in. I weighed in this week and lost another pound. That's a total of 7.6 in 5 weeks. I guess I'm on the slow-loser track. Oh well. I've lost quickly before and haven't maintained the loss, so I'm determined that it will work this time.

I'm kind of surprised that I lost this week, considering I wasn't too faithful to sticking with my points. But I'm not going to complain.

I'm beginning to feel better this week after recovering from my surgery. I'm hoping to get back to a normal exercise routine.

Pammy, I'm thinking about your friend. Sending warm wishes that way.

Oh, and welcome Grace and Julie! Glad you're joining us; the more the merrier!

-Susan

[lhall]

Originally posted by Gracie
I'm 44 now and I was 120 (my lowest ever) 13 years ago.

120!! I wish, it would be nice, but I don't see it happening for me.

More power to you Gracie!! I'm not trying to say you can't do this Gracie, I'm just wish I could join you!!!!!

Oh, I'm 5'1" with a medium frame (fingers touch not overlap around my wrist).

I was at 128 (down 1.5 in two weeks) this morning, and I'd like to get back to 125. I need to exercise and work on my tummy (butt is hopeless:D!) and thighs (I wish!).

Time to exercise!! Sorry, but there's just not any. I'm going from 5am until 10pm daily, and see nowhere to fit in a workout as I have two small children. I can't do it after the girls go to bed because then I can't sleep and I have insomnia issues anyways. AM's I am not getting up at 4:30!!!

I have tons of size 6P skirts/pants that are just a tad too snug to wear, and since I was at 125 before the holidays (read: ate too many goodies for too long) I know I can get back there and wear most of my clothes. I do have two nice dresses that I doubt my post pregnancy hips will fit into ever again.

Oh, and you ladies are AMAZING!!!!
You have inspried me to really stick with it and lose the weight (again) that I gained over christmas where I indulged in the 'I can eat what ever I want' attitude.

Novel's over - I promise!
Leigh

[HRJ]

Hi all --

Thanks for the encouragement after my frustrating experience at cooking class on Sunday. I weighed in Monday AM -- was down just about a pound (I don't have a digital scale, it looked like it was about .8 or so -- but since I'm rounding off, I'm calling it a pound!).

I think the most frustrating part about the cooking class, looking back on it, was not all the stuff I tasted -- but the fact that it was "unplanned" off-program eating (I have control issues ... ).

Also, the fact that the instructor insisted on having us make seven relatively high-fat soups, with no lighter alternatives, although people in the class did ask about how we could lighten the recipes.

This coming Sunday, I'm taking a "Knife Skills" class -- sure hope they don't have us carving up blocks of lard!'

Thanks also, Jessica and Molli, for the workout encouragement -- I just gotta take that first step, and get out the door, or onto the Nordic Track, whether I like it or not. I got in one workout yesterday, and I'm going to head out again later today -- I'm working at home today, and even have my sweats on already. (Just read an article about a study that said consistent exercise can have great long-term effects on blood sugar control for diabetics. I have to keep remembering things like that!)

I know I made "spinning class" a goal for this week, but, I honestly don't think I'm ready for an hour-long class -- I've been doing a good half hour on the cross-trainer or elliptical trainer, and that leaves me pretty dogged. Maybe I need another month or so before I'm ready to tackle a full hour of exercise.

I will, though, try to make it to yoga next week (Yoga classes are Wed. mornings at my gym, and I have to be at work extra-early this Wednedsay, so won't be able to make it).

My gym offers Kripaulu yoga -- can anyone tell me what sort of thing to expect?

Rebecca -- congrats on the move! Sounds like you're settling in nicely.

Jen Sorry to hear about your gain, but your attitude is fantastic -- re-read your post a couple of times and it's great perspective!

RobynQuzy -- if you're looking for a place to work out while at your mom's -- are there any hotels nearby with workout facilities? They might let you pay for a couple of visits. Or, how about trying a Jazzercise class -- I took those years ago, and I remember they used to let you pay per class, as walk-in. I think the phone number for info used to be 1-800-FIT-IS-IT, but as I said, that was a while back -- sure they must have a website now, come to think of it.

And thanks JeAnne, for giving so much of your time as our online "leader"!

Helene

[RebeccaT]

Originally posted by HRJ

I think the most frustrating part about the cooking class, looking back on it, was not all the stuff I tasted -- but the fact that it was "unplanned" off-program eating (I have control issues ... ).


Me too me too me too! You nailed it, Helene! That's precisely my frustration! If I can plan for it, great, but when something unexpected (personal example - in a class a couple of weeks ago, didn't eat dinner, was famished and my only option was a chicken salad sandwich on a croissant offered by the host!!! :eek: ) happens it is so hard to let it go! You are doing great, though, and congrats on your loss!

Gracie, congrats on your loss, although it sounds like the anxiety of the week wasn't fun.

Susan, you are such a loser!! :D :D You know what I mean! Slow losers rock! Way to go!

Robyn, best of luck at your mom's house! Go out and get yourself a bag of baby carrots and some Skinny Cows so that you have some options when the snack bug strikes.

Jen, you have an amazing attitude. Your posts inspire me.

I weighed in this AM, and lost a pound! I am excited because that means that, even though I ate out (or brought in) a whopping 8 times last week, I made good food choices and controlled my portions. I am sure all the stairs in my house helped things too!

oh, and one more thing. Yummy chocolate recipe alert - - I had a craving last night and made these super easy and very chocolate-y brownies. I had one, and then sent the rest to work this morning with DH. But man these were good! Here's a link:

http://cookinglight.recipes.aol.com/pls/details.jsp?searchString=junior+mint+brownies&partner=Cooking+Light&firstOffset=0

3 points a piece. Enjoy!

[eas11]

Hi Helene and others,
Trying to catch up on all the posts here and don't have time to respond to lots of stuff, but I did want to tell you about Kripalu.
It is a retreat center in Lenox, Ma. The yaga instructor at your gym probably trained (and was HOPEFULLY certified) there. They have a web page where you can read about their yoga.
Ellyn, in very windy Fl!!

[d_ferrero]

My meeting is tonight, and I honestly have NO IDEA what to expect on the scale. I'm not an "in-between-weigher"... I don't even own a scale at home to tempt me because I just know I'd drive myself nuts checking it constantly.

There are weeks when I can just tell... when I know I'll see a loss, just by how I'm feeling, or those where I know I'll see a gain. This isn't one of them. With all of the three-day training I've been doing, I'm getting a ton of exercise in, so that's not a problem. I'm DEFINITELY changing shape. But journalling wasn't a top priority this week (I'm fairly faithful to that overall...but there are weeks where it just overwhelms me, so I don't journal and try not to stress about it)... so I have nothing other than "mental notes" to gauge with. I know I made some really good choices and some not-so-good ones... so we'll just have to see. Wish me luck!

-Dolores

[Laura B]

Tuesdays are now my official weigh-in days, so... drumroll... I'm down two pounds!!! That brings my total loss to 10 pounds. Yipee! :D

Susan, I am also a slow loser, but I am looking at that as a very good thing. We will have such a good chance of actually keeping it off.

Jen, I am sorry that you had a gain. :( The bright side is exactly what you said - at least you know WHY you had the gain and you can tell yourself, "See, self, look what happens when you do X!" The next time you are feeling unfocused and wanting to eat over our points a lot, just think about this week. It is great to hear that your meeting was helpful. I sometimes wonder if I am really missing out by not doing the meetings.

Rebecca, congrats on getting moved and even losing a pound!! Yay. I moved this past summer, so I know all too well what your life is like right now. :)

Dolores, good luck tonight! ;)

Everyone, great job on your losses and your upbeat attitudes! This thread keeps me so inspired. Thank you all for coming here and sharing your struggles and emotions. Without this board, I am not sure that I would still actually be doing this. Y'all are great and I love you!! :)

215/205/145

[JanetJ]

Dolores - Good luck! I'm sure you'll have a fantastic weigh in. The way I look at it, no matter what the scale says, you are eating healthy and taking care of yourself. That is an achievement in itself.

I just got back from my meeting and I'm down 1.4!! I got my gold star for passing the 65 pound mark too. :) I usually weigh myself at home at least once during the week, but after having decided my scale is somewhat inconsistent I stayed off and was completely surprised by the outcome today. I figured I had done fairly well with points, but slacked on the exercise so I didn't know what to expect. Even though I'm been feeling a little icky the last couple days I'm happy right now! :)

Janet
227/161.6/125

[slknight]

Ack! Confession time. I just inhaled about a half pound of peanut butter M&Ms. Probably about 20 points worth. :o :o :o

I don't know what got into me. It was mindless eating while I was going through today's mail. Now my stomach hurts.:mad: :( :mad: :( :eek: :eek: :eek:

Well, it's near the beginning of the week for me, so I'm just going to move on. As the saying goes, I was off-program at 5:28, and now I'm back OP. I think the nasty PMS witch made me do it.

-Susan

[jphilg]

Does anyone have a baked good for less than 5 points a serving? I am totally Jonsing to bake, and everything I look at is 5 points.


Anyone?

Jen

[Robyncz]

Jen,
I had to use up some old bananas today and I made JeAnne's banana bread muffins. Yum! They are 2 points each.

I have also made Mom's Cranberry Bread recently, both as a bread (4 points a slice for 12 slices) and as a mini muffin (2 points per muffin). This is hands down the best quick bread recipe I've ever made. Just be sure to omit the nuts if you make it or else your point value shoots up. . .

Both recipes came from this board; you can find them using the search function. I'd post the links, except I'm on my way to rehearsal and I just stopped to check my e-mail on the way out the door.

Happy baking.

[SusanT]

Susan - I just can't keep anything like candy or cookies around me at all. DH brought home some Oreos and I made him hide them from me!

[Cassiope]

Hello,

This coming Sunday, I'm taking a "Knife Skills" class -- sure hope they don't have us carving up blocks of lard!'
Just checking in and I have to thank Helene for the laugh! I'm taking night classes right now and boy, that struck me funny!

My gym offers Kripaulu yoga -- can anyone tell me what sort of thing to expect? Helene

I'm currently taking from a teacher who focuses on Iyengar yoga, but my first yoga teacher worked in the Kripaulu style. It was a great way to begin - lots of slow, careful postures, lots of meditation - I still incorporate some of this into my private practice at home. I hope you enjoy it! For a better description I included a definition and the website I got it from.



Kripaulu
Called the yoga of consciousness, Kripalu puts great emphasis on proper breath, alignment, coordinating breath and movement, and "honoring the wisdom of the body" -- you work according to the limits of your individual flexibility and strength. Alignment follows awareness. Students learn to focus on the physical and psychological reactions caused by various postures to develop their awareness of mind, body, emotion and spirit. There are three stages in Kripalu yoga. Stage One focuses on learning the postures and exploring your bodies abilities. Stage Two involves holding the postures for an extended time, developing concentration and inner awareness. Stage Three is like a meditation in motion in which the movement from one posture to another arises unconsciously and spontaneously.

http://www.yogasite.com/yogastyles.html

[amcleod]

Jen, the cocoa fudge cookies from Jan/Feb ar 2 points each. and divine!

[d_ferrero]

... and I have a small weight gain (+1.4) to report. Every once in a while, I guess I need a week like this to remind me why journalling is necessary. Just because I don't write it down, doesn't mean it doesn't "count."

I'm pleased with the choices I made (and WROTE DOWN) today... and the meeting and the topic (can't wait to discuss that here) have me jazzed for the next week. I'll post my weekly goal when JeAnne posts the new thread. :)

G'night all!

-Dolores

[Grace]

Well, I'm officially two days into this program, and I'm pretty pleased. I have had a BIG appetite for the last year or so, so to go down drastically to 23 points a day would have been a real struggle, and I probably would have ended up quitting altogether, so I'm allowing myself to move down to that number a little more slowly. So far I have been 2 points over per day from the plan, so my bank is now -4. But I'm not unhappy with that at all. I have been eating FAR less than I had been (so that alone is an accomplishment, right?!), and I have exercised every day - good, heavy exercise - running, elliptical training - (although I ate those points! :o ). But even if I continue the rest of the week like this, and don't even lose anything, I will still be happy. I will aim to get down to 23 points (or perhaps even a point or two fewer?!) next week. It's all a process, right?

And I really enjoy reading about each and every one of you. You all have something of value and interest to read about. I enjoy hearing about the trials and tribulations and the successes too. What a great group.

[Laura]

Well I gained a pound this week. :mad: I am not surprised; I didn't journal well, was probably way over points on 3 days, and didn't get nearly the exercise in that I wanted. I had a feeling I was going to have a gain so I stocked up on lots of veggies and fruits to snack on. The best thing about this gain, is that it really demonstrates to me how the WW program does work when you stay on it. So I am newly motivated to be a good WW girl this week.

Grace, glad you are here. I too was amazed at how much I was eating before I started WW. Without being forced to keep track of it, I just never thought I was eating that much.

Susan, I know how you feel about the M&M's. Last Friday, I finished my son's bag of Cheetos just because he left them in the car. I don't even really like Cheetos! :rolleyes: I am just trying to remember how gross I felt afterwards (what is in those things anyway????) and use that as a motivating factor to be good.

On the upside, I am finally over my flu and feel like I can exercise without worrying about a set back. The kids and I are going skiing this weekend. Hope I can keep up.

I know this is the last day of this post, so have a great new week everyone.

Laura

[slknight]

The good news here is that I only had a few M&Ms this morning, and made my husband take the rest of them to work so they would be out of the house. Of course there really weren't too many left. :o

But I went to yoga last night, and am getting ready to go walking. It's the first I exercised since my surgery, and I feel pretty good.

I stocked up on some healthy snacks at the store last night, and I am back OP.

-Susan

[greysangel]

Hang in there everyone!! Pretty please? :D

There are lots of of baked things under 5 pts...most brownie and cookie recipes I have are under 5 pts per serving (2-4) and there's the chocolate cranberry tart I love for 4 pts per serving.

What are you in the mood for?

JeAnne

[Laura B]

Grace, by the way, I just ordered Don Mauer's Guy's Guide cookbook thanks to you!! Amazon only showed two left in stock. I think this BB has wide-reaching impact. :) I still wish the book listed fiber count, but not having that number can only make me count incorrectly in the RIGHT direction (if that makes any sense). Also, if I KNOW that there is a certain amount of fiber in one or more of the ingredients, I could just deduct a point. C'est la vie. I cannot wait for it to come. I'm sure it is going to be yummy and point-friendly!

I just got up (I know, lazy student days, soon to be over... sigh) and have not had my breakfast yet. I'm starving! Got to go fix some cereal.

Have a great day, everyone!

[ajkerkhoff]

Well, I'm going to wait to post my goals until the new thread, but I just can't wait to share my happy WI news - I'm down another 1.25 lbs (even during TOM)! I'm also a slow loser, but this slow and steady business makes a lot of sense to me and is very encouraging!

I'm working on goals for next week right now . . .

Amy

[greysangel]

Congrats Amy!!!

-1.25 is not slow! That is an average and pretty healthy loss!

JeAnne

[slknight]

Originally posted by Laura B
I still wish the book listed fiber count, but not having that number can only make me count incorrectly in the RIGHT direction (if that makes any sense). Also, if I KNOW that there is a certain amount of fiber in one or more of the ingredients, I could just deduct a point. C'est la vie. I cannot wait for it to come. I'm sure it is going to be yummy and point-friendly!


I have this cookbook too, and I love it! I also have MasterCook, so I enter the recipes that I try from the cookbook into MC, and it calculates the fiber so I can figure out the points. I know there's been some discussion about how accurate the nutritional info in MC is, but I figure it can at least give me an idea about the fiber for a recipe. So in other words, if there's a recipe in there that you want to know the points for, just let me know, and I will try to figure it out for you.

Amy, congrats on the loss. Slow and steady wins the race, IMHO.

[RebeccaT]

Way to go Amy!

Stick with it everyone! You are doing great!

Jen, check out the thread I started reviewing the Junior Mints Brownies. They are only 3 points each, and soooo good!

http://www.cookinglight.com/vbb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21050&highlight=junior+mint

[Laura B]

Originally posted by slknight


I have this cookbook too, and I love it! I also have MasterCook, so I enter the recipes that I try from the cookbook into MC, and it calculates the fiber so I can figure out the points. I know there's been some discussion about how accurate the nutritional info in MC is, but I figure it can at least give me an idea about the fiber for a recipe. So in other words, if there's a recipe in there that you want to know the points for, just let me know, and I will try to figure it out for you.

Susan, thanks for the offer. I have MasterCook, and I did not even think of that! Great idea!

[RebeccaT]

FIL wants the family to take MIL to Benihana TONIGHT for her birthday!

Need suggestions for points-friendly choices, quick! What can I eat at a Japanese steakhouse??? I already plan to avoid the fried rice....

HELP! :eek:

[aggie94]

Rebecca,

Check out www.benihana.com for their teppanyaki and sushi menus. Looks like you should be able to find plenty of healthy choices there.

[SandyM]

Hi Rebecca,

I thought Dotti's site would have Benihana listed in the restaurant section, but it doesn't.

This is what I pulled from the WW site:

cuisine of the day: japanese

Sushi definitely makes it easy to stick to your POINTS, but don't just limit yourself to sushi at Japanese restaurants.
Teriyaki and Sukiyaki make great choices, as long as you opt for poultry, fish or lean cuts of meat. And consider creating a meal out of several appetizers and side dishes, such as miso soup, cucumber or seaweed salad (ask for the dressing on the side) and steamed shrimp gyoza (dumplings).

But watch out for anything tempura! Fried food costs a lot of POINTS - even when it's just vegetables.

Wise Choices POINTS

Miso soup, 1 cup = 2
Maki sushi (fish and rice in seaweed), 4 pieces = 2
Nigiri sushi (fish on rice), 4 pieces = 2
Nori Maki sushi (fish and rice in seaweed), 4 pieces = 2
Fish teriyaki, 4 oz = 5
Sukiyaki (meat and vegetables flavored with wine and broth), 2 1/2 cups = 12

Not-So-Wise Choices POINTS

Vegetable tempura, 1 cup = 8
Shrimp tempura, 4 jumbo = 12
Tonkatsu (pork cutlet), 3/4 cup = 8


Good luck!

[greysangel]

This *is* on Dotti's which is a bit more comprehensive to give you some more options!


Sushi - Lunch Menu (assorted Sushi)
Regular, 1 serving (330 cal/3 g fat/56 g carbs) 7
Deluxe, 1 serving (430 cal/4 g fat/72 g carbs) 9
Sushi Rice, cooked, 1 tbsp (25 cal/<1 g fat/5 g carbs) .5
Sushi Rice, cooked, 1 cup, 5 1/4 oz (380 cal/3 g fat/82 g carbs) 8
Nigiri-Zushi (Fish wrapped Sushi), per 1 oz piece
Eb-zushi (Jumbo Shrimp) (20 cal/<1 g fat/3 g carbs) .5
Kani-zushi (Surimi Crab) (30 cal/<1 g fat/5 g carbs) 1
Maguro-zushi (Tuna) (25 cal/<1 g fat/4 g carbs) .5
Sake-zushi (Salmon) (35 cal/<1 g fat/4 g carbs) 1
Suzume-zushi (Baby Snapper) (30 cal/<1 g fat/4 g carbs) 1
Tai-zushi (Red Snapper) (30 cal/<1 g fat/4 g carbs) 1
Nori-Maki-Zushi, (Seaweed wrapped Sushi Rolls), per piece
Anago-maki (Conger Eel) (20 cal/1 g fat/2 g carbs) .5

California-maki (Crab, Caviar, Avocado), 1/2 roll (70 cal/1 g fat/10 g carbs) 1.5

Futo-maki (Egg Omelette, Shellfish, Vegetables), 1 piece
(70 cal/1 g fat/10 g carbs) 1.5

Kobana-maki (Egg Omelette, Cucumber) (35 cal/<1 g fat/6 g carbs) 1

Kappa-maki (Cucumber) (15 cal/0 g fat/3 g carbs) .5
Tekka-maki (Tuna) (20 cal/<1 g fat/4 g carbs) .5
Uni-maki (Sea Urchin) (20 cal/<1 g fat/4 g carbs) .5
Inari-Zushi (Bean Curd Pouches w/Sushi)
1 pouch, 3 oz (130 cal/2 g fat/23 g carbs) 3
Tamago-Yaki (Omelet wrapped Sushi)
1 piece (45 cal/1 g fat/5 g carbs) 1
Sashimi (Slice Raw Seafood/Beef)
Ika (Squid), 4 oz (105 cal/2 g fat/0 g carbs) 2.5
Hamachi (Yellowtail), 4 oz (165 cal/6 g fat/0 g carbs) 4
Naguro (Yellowfin Tuna), 4 oz (120 cal/1 g fat/0 g carbs) 2.5
Niku (Beef), 5 oz (200 cal/10 g fat/0 g carbs) 5
Saba (Mackerel), 4 oz (160 cal/7 g fat/0 g carbs) 4
Suzuki (Sea Bass), 4 oz (110 cal/<1 g fat/0 g carbs) 2.5
Tako (Octopus), 4 oz (95 cal/1 g fat/0 g carbs) 2

Dipping Sauces

Average, 2 tbsp (30 cal/0 g fat/7 g carbs)

Ginger Vinegar Dressing, 2 tbsp (20 cal/0 g fat/5 g carbs) .5

Miso Soup with tofu pieces, 1 cup (85 cal/3 g fat/11 g carbs) 2

Sukiyaki (Beef, Tofu, Vegetables), 8 oz (400 cal/24 g fat/32 g carbs) 10

Tempura (Batter-fried Shrimp & Vegetables)
3 large shrimp & vegetables (320 cal/18 g fat/25 g carbs) 8
1 shrimp only (60 cal/4 g fat/3 g carbs) 2

Teppan Yaki (Steak, Seafood & Vegetables), 10 oz serving (470 cal/30 g fat/15 g carbs) 12

Teriyaki Beef, 4 oz serving (350 cal/25 g fat/4 g carbs) 9.5

Sake Wine (16% alcohol), 3 fl oz (115 cal/0 g fat/7 g carbs) 2.5

[Jessica]

I know we are not supposed to use food as a reward, but my DH has promised me a sushi meal when I lose 15 lbs. My idea, not his. Sushi is the best low-point treat ever and we cannot afford it very often.

Only 6.1 pounds to go...

[Laura]

What is Dotti's?

[Molli526]

Dotti has a website full of WW info. She has points for a lot of chain restaurants.

Here's the link

Dotti's Weight Loss Zone (http://www.dwlz.com/)

[RebeccaT]

I love sushi, but do you think that there are any hibachi options that would be point-friendly? Or do they just use too much oil?

It has been a while since I have been to one of these places, but I seem to remember that they use a lot of oil on the grilled items.

[Jewel]

Now here's an idea...maybe someone else has already thought of it and I just don't know yet. :rolleyes:

We all have 'our own' recipes, CL recipes, or family favorites from other sites that we've either taken the time to figure the points on already, or loaded into the WW online recipe builder to figure out the points. Wouldn't it be easy to start one thread and share those recipes? I know I've put 4 recipes into the Recipe Builder just in the past week to figure the points. Why should someone else do that also? Just extra work! I think a lot of us would love to just make something spontaneous for dinner or lunch that we just saw in CL or another site, but we don't want to sit down and figure out the points...but if someone else on this BB already has? ;) Get my meaning?

My two favorite 'Jewel' soups are my Cheesy Chicken Chowder and my Cajun Red Bean and Rice Soup. Those were the first two recipes I loaded into the recipe builder. It took a while to figure, and I wouldn't want someone else to do that...so if anyone has either of those recipes and wants to know the points value, they're 5 pts per 1 cup serving. See what I mean? :D

Anybody wanna come out and play? We can start a new thread of just recipes already 'pointed' out! Just an idea...and forgive my ignorance if such a thread already exists! :o

[SandyM]

Originally posted by greysangel
This *is* on Dotti's which is a bit more comprehensive to give you some more options!


Okay, call me dense, but here's where I went:

http://www.dwlz.com/restaurants.html

And I couldn't find Benihana....what did I do wrong?? :confused:

[RebeccaT]

Jewel, I think that's a great idea.

I don't have a whole bunch of my "own" recipes, so what I tend to do is make something from CL and just enter in the calories, fat, and fiber info as printed at the bottom of the recipe in the points calculator. I would be happy, though, to get the point values for the things I have made and post them for other folks to use!

We would have to figure out a way to make a thread easily searchable. Hmmmm...

[Laura B]

I am not sure what got into me, but I just went totally off plan with my dinner. :( DH and I did not want the left over Chiles Rellenos casserole that I had planned for dinner, so we decided to order out. No problem so far. But when I did my ordering, I just decided to get something I flat out did not have the points for. Then I ate low-fat ice cream (4 points) for dessert that I also did not have the points for. I went over by 15 points!! Sigh. This blip is no tragedy for my overall plan, I know. But I am mad at myself for this specific incident because I have all of that eating out to do for my seminar starting tomorrow!! I will try really hard to stay on plan while I'm eating out this weekend. Maybe it will help me if I concentrate on the fact that it will be business and not pleasure. Perhaps I will be able to keep a more sensible mindset when it comes to ordering!

I know, JeAnne. I have put the bat down already. ;) I just wanted to share my evening of weakness.

Everyone send good vibes my way starting tomorrow night to help me make smart choices!!!

[Molli526]

Laura-

So you were off plan at dinner. You are back On Plan now! That is what matters. You are motivated and will be OP all weekend. You can do it!


Jewel-

Good idea. Like Rebecca, I usually just figure it out from the nutritional info but I am game.

[greysangel]

hey there Sandy :D

It wasn't under benihana..it was under japanese under foods or something...she's got some strange layouts, but if you do a search, you can usually find something ;)

JeAnne

[SusanL]

Sounds like a great idea to me!! I use Dottie's but would love one here!!

[Jewel]

Originally posted by RebeccaT
Jewel, I think that's a great idea.

I don't have a whole bunch of my "own" recipes, so what I tend to do is make something from CL and just enter in the calories, fat, and fiber info as printed at the bottom of the recipe in the points calculator. I would be happy, though, to get the point values for the things I have made and post them for other folks to use!

We would have to figure out a way to make a thread easily searchable. Hmmmm...

You know, I forgot that CL recipes have all of the nutritional info at the bottom...duh. :rolleyes: I guess I'm thinking more of recipes we've all just collected, whether from sites like Epicurious or our own creations. Plus, why should someone else have to go to the Recipe Finder to figure out that a CL recipe is 4 pts per serving when you've already done it? I'm not saying list the entire recipe, only the title and points.

To make it easily searchable I would just think the way we do things now...very simply! :) Recipe title in bold, serving size next to it just to keep it all in one place, then the points value per serving. Maybe the CL issue it's in just in case someone wants to be able to look up the recipe?