Weight Watcher/Weight Loss Thread October 2012

[EmptyNestMom]

This is a support thread for those working to shed a few pounds (or more)! Some of us are on the Weight Watchers Points Plus plan; others are working different programs or focusing on personal goals. Anyone is welcome to join in!

Well I had a very nice weekend, and I am afraid to step on the scales (or go to weigh in tomorrow!). Of course I am watching what I eat again today...and will step on the scales probably tomorrow morning and unless work gets hectic will go weigh in tomorrow at lunch. Seems I have a good week, then a not so good week, then back to good...but the total outcome is a positive loss so guess it is not too bad.

I am traveling next weekend back to Michigan to visit my mom...will watch what I eat but she already has plans to go to a fish fry on Friday night (she and a friend go to this place every first Friday night of the month).

Well here's wishing that October is a good month for all...a well balanced month...good health, good eating, weight loss or maintenance and fun...lots of fun. I'll be checking back in the next couple of days!!

[Cafe Latte]

Pam, thanks for starting this thread. I can't believe it's October already. I hate this time of year because it makes me sad to know that the summer warmth is gone for another 7 months or so. The grill is seldom used and food changes a bit. I wish I could be a bear and just hibernate until it warms up again. Oh well, that won't be happening soon so I just have to deal with it and dress warmly.

I'm not sure what this week will show on the scale since we went out and ate a couple of times. I tried to eat well, but you can only really guess how well you are eating when the restaurants don't have nutritional info. I hope that I have overestimated the pts, rather than underestimated them, but it is what it is. Actually, I hate the sodium more than the calories since I am not a salter by nature.

Pam, good luck on your weigh in tomorrow. You never know what surprise is in store for you on that dam* scale. I know it can be disappointing to see the scale yo-yo at times, but I like to look at how I did over a month rather than on a weekly basis. I think it's a better picture of how I am are doing.

Hope everyone had a nice weekend and looking forward to hearing from the others. I think Val comes back soon too. Hope she had a great time, where ever she ended up going.

[Jpresley777]

Candy candy candy...October..you are a cruel cruel month.. But I shall defeat you this year

[dcollier]

Yes Pam, thanks for starting this thread. I feel the same as you -- we had company last Friday night, then spent Saturday and Sunday with our good friends out of town, and food was the focus. Not my best three days. But like Cafe Latte, it is what it is.

Cafe Latte, I LOVE this time of year and got a chuckle out of your post. You must live in a very cold place. We have four distinct seasons, and I honestly love them all. Our trees are just starting to turn, and we're now having highs in the low to mid 70s, which is just fantastic to me. We've had the air off for weeks now. We have cold and snowy winters, but not bad at all. Usually no more than a dozen or so snows, and the amounts are rarely over 4 to 6 inches. And we have very few days when it drops to the single digits. But I love crockpot cooking, and soups and stews, and wood fires every night, and winter clothes! And my DH's life slows down, which I love, because he's not dealing with the yard, the garden, the pool, etc. And I LOVE Thanksgiving and Christmas! I could go on and on! I'm at my happiest right now in anticipation of the months to come.

Denise

[Cafe Latte]

Cafe Latte, I LOVE this time of year and got a chuckle out of your post. You must live in a very cold place.

I'm in IL (not the coldest place for sure), but I am just more sensitive to cold than heat and always have been.

[EmptyNestMom]

well I bit the bullet and went and weighed in and was up 1 pound...ok, I am dealing with it. It is really funny how my outlook has changed...I see the scale is down from what it was a few weeks ago and I am still happy! I know I can lose it...!! I used to stress over weighing in and would do whatever I could to shed a portion of a pound, I even found out that giving blood would take off a pound ...of course I only noted that one time when donating blood and weigh in were on the same day...honest, I didn't make a practice of it.

Well my next challenge is visiting my mom this weekend. She already has the trip to the fish fry planned at the prime dining time of 4PM on Friday. It will be a challenge but I am going to have a terrific time being with my mom and sisters.

I'll be checking back in have a wonderful week. Talk to you soon. (And I wouldn't mind having the pizza recipe either).

[Casey1230]

I'm not weighing this week as I just got back today from 5 days at my best friend's at Smith Mountain Lake.... the huge wine festival! and unless wine is now considered a fruit, I'm toast! I didn't eat badly, but certainly drank badly.... soooooo,,,, I'll get back on track with WW and trainer (so tomorrow at 7am is going to be a new experience in pain I'm sure) and weigh next Monday. Life is just too short to not enjoy certain moments and I had an absolute BLAST!!! and worth every ounce that I'm sure I gained Hope that others are doing well!

[Valerie226]

I'm back from vacation too...Pam, thanks for starting this month's thread.

I'm not going anywhere near a scale for a few days. we were very active but I don't feel thinner. a couple days of just driving does not help with weight control unless you eat only carrot sticks and water.
I'm with Casey.... I relaxed a little on my alcohol restrictions. I don't find that it removes my self control on food choices, but it does have its own little pile of calories. yesterday we did a mt bike to a trail, then a 4 mile hike to a high viewpoint, then back down to the bikes for the ride out. took 7.5 hours total. and so I partied with one beer and 12 cheese curls on the way home.

we had a good trip with the glaring exception that smoke and haze was much worse and more extensive than we'd thought it would be. Fires lots of places throwing out an extensive smoke plume that just sat in place.
we did a bunch of hikes, several mountain bike excursions, some road biking too. we were around the east side of yellowstone park and the Beartooth Hwy for a week. some times the air was fairly clear but not always. saw lots of critters in Yellowstone. bison, pronghorns, bears, wolves, moose, and all being quite active and interesting. no elk, still too early I guess. saw one outside the park.

I don't really gever get off exercise so need to re-focus on food again, which is easier at home than when camping.

[LakeMartinGal]

'Pizza Hut' Style Dough Mix (4 servings)

You may have to add a little flour. I scaled this down from the large amount that I make and keep on-hand.

1.5 cups unbleached bread flour
3/4 cup unbleached all purpose flour
1 5/8 Tbs stone ground cornmeal
1 1/4 tsp sugar
7/8 tsp garlic salt
7/8 tsp baking powder
2 Tbs olive oil
2/3 cup hot water (120° to 130°F)
2 1/4 tsp yeast

1. I use a bread machine to process the dough, but you can mix it, let it rise in a warm place, and spread on a 14"-ish pizza pan. Bake at 425 for 15 minutes, with toppings already on. I use a pizza stone with parchment between the stone and the dough. I've tried cold rise, too, and it made a chewier crust, which we liked, as well.

Servings: 4

Nutrition Facts
Nutrition (per serving): 101 calories, 62 calories from fat, 7g total fat, 0mg cholesterol, 574.3mg sodium, 58.8mg potassium, 8.4g carbohydrates, 1g fiber, 1.3g sugar, 1.6g protein, 2.9 points.

Spicy Pizza Sauce (4 servings = 1 pizza)

Serving size = 1/4 pizza

2/3 tsp Penzey's Italian sausage seasoning (a little more)
1 3/4 Tbs dehydrated minced onion
2/3 tsp minced garlic (I use the jarred kind)
2 2/3 Tbs white wine
1/4 oz cans tomato paste
1/3 tsp Penzey's Pizza Seasoning
1/8 tsp salt
2/3 tsp dried oregano
1/16 tsp black pepper
7 oz crushed tomatoes canned
3 1/2 oz Italian seasoned diced tomatoes, liquified with immersion blender
1/8 tsp ground red pepper
1/3 tsp balsamic vinegar

(Sorry about the weird measurements for the tomatoes and sauce -- I scaled the recipe from the one I use to can the sauce -- I make a way larger quantity at a time.)

1. In a sauce pan coated with cooking spray, place the onion, garlic and wine. Add the rest of the ingredients, except the balsamic vinegar. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until desired thickness. Add the balsamic vinegar and stir.

(2. If canning, boil clean jars, lids and rings in the canning kettle while sauce is simmering. Fill jars to within 1" of top, wipe the rims of the jars, place the lids on and the rings, and put back into the still-boiling kettle. Boil for 35 to 40 minutes, then remove jars to counter and wait for them to snap.)

If you like a minimal amount of sauce on your pizza, this may make more than one pizzas worth of sauce.

Servings: 4

Nutrition Facts
Nutrition (per serving): 39 calories, 2 calories from fat, <1g total fat, 0mg cholesterol, 193.3mg sodium, 250.8mg potassium, 7.6g carbohydrates, 1.6g fiber, 2.1g sugar, 1.3g protein, 1.1 points.

I top this with 1 4 oz can of mushrooms, turkey pepperoni -- "wall to wall" and 2 cups part skim shredded mozzarella cheese.

I hope you enjoy it, and that it works for you!!

[dcollier]

Thanks Kay. I'm taking this home to my DH. He's the bread/pizza dough maker in our house. Can't wait to try it.

Denise

[Cafe Latte]

Kay, looks good. Thanks for posting.

[LakeMartinGal]

Thanks Kay. I'm taking this home to my DH. He's the bread/pizza dough maker in our house. Can't wait to try it.

Denise

Kay, looks good. Thanks for posting.

You are both totally welcome! I hope you can use/tweak it to fit your needs. I was very surprised with the points count... the sausage seasoning really amps up the sauce, and the turkey pepperoni is very acceptable! Going to try pear and gorgonzola sometime when I'm here alone -- I know DH won't go for it!

[Cafe Latte]

For those of you who avoid weighing yourself this week, I don't know you have can do that. Or is it that you secretly do weigh yourself just don't want the #s to count? Just curious as I weighed this morning and am up 1 lb. I haven't gained a lb since May! I know it's not from eating that many extra calories. Except for the weekend, I didn't indulge, and even then, I was way below my WP. I think it may be sodium (had some soups this week) and soon to be TOM for me. Oh well, I'll be hoping for a better week next week. Even though I'm not looking for losses, I for sure am not looking for any gains. As I have said before, it is what it is, and time to move on to the next week.

Hope everyone else has a great week ahead!

[Casey1230]

Nope, not getting on the scale.... I did look at it this morning, but still didn't get on. Two days of fitness trainer since returning and eating good again probably has helped, but I'm always afraid that if I see a gain, that I'll just figure "what the heck" and eat more.... Next Monday shall tell the tale ....

[dcollier]

The only day of the week I weigh myself is the morning of my meeting day, which is at 5:30 p.m. that afternoon. I flucuate anywhere from 1 to 4 pounds from what I weigh at home that morning and what I weigh at WW that afternoon. In my three month tracker there's a quote that says "Red flag: The week you consider skipping your weigh-in is likely the week you need it the most." And that really spoke to me. I've been going to meetings for over a year, and I rarely miss, and that quote is partially responsible for getting me there even when I'm not really wanting to go, especially after a not-so-good week. Having said that, I missed my meeting last night. I went home early with a very bad stomach and was up much of the night. I made myself come in this morning because of a very important meeting I didn't think I could miss, but as soon as it's over, I'm heading home. I did weigh this morning and seemed down about a pound, but after my night that's to be expected.

My DH and I are going to Hot Springs tomorrow for Sam's shopping, liquor store shopping, Hobby Lobby, and a good meal out somewhere -- a real treat for us. The high is supposed to be 54 degrees, which is unreal for us this time of year. And we're supposed to have lows in the high 30s to low 40s later this week! Winter is coming early in the Ouachitas! I talked my DH into watering all my plants this morning, and when I get home we're moving them in until next spring. A big job, and they're big plants, but I love them and they're beautiful. Hopefully, I'll feel up to all this because we've got to do it regardless.

I hope everyone has a great weekend! I'll check in again on Monday.

Denise

[Valerie226]

I weighed this morning and am down 0.8 lbs. slow, but the right direction.
My weight fluctuates related to activity level.... sitting and driving, more salt than usual can combine to make a disturbing and disappointing number. I'm prone to constipation from inactivity and less fiber than usual, also happens with vacation, though I minimize that by eating decently as much as possible. Still, I allow a few days after vacation to "normalize". I can get pretty distressed by a bad number and I don't want to give myself an excuse to over eat because of it. ...like Casey said!

I had more alcohol and more chips than usual (like I said already) but nothing ridiculous.
I baked chocolate chip cookies for vacation and over the 2 weeks we ate the whole batch. DH had way more than I did so I had about 6 total. we gave some to mountain bike guys from North Dakota. we asked to swap parking spots because we needed a flat spot, and they already were parked in the only one. they were sweet and switched spots with us so I paid them off with a handful of cookies.... lost count around then!

So all in all a good trip ...staying pretty much on target. Denise, hope you're feeling better. I can lose several pounds with a day like that, just getting dehydrated, but it pops back on as soon as I eat and drink normally.

[Cafe Latte]

Nope, not getting on the scale.... I did look at it this morning, but still didn't get on.

You have more willpower than me.

In my three month tracker there's a quote that says "Red flag: The week you consider skipping your weigh-in is likely the week you need it the most."

I agree with that. I believe the only way to know what is working and not working is to get on that scale. Good or bad numbers, we have to accept what they are and learn from them.

I weighed this morning and am down 0.8 lbs. slow, but the right direction.

A loss is a loss - congrats!

Have a great weekend everyone!

[Casey1230]

I weighed this morning after two weeks.... and I have lost another 2.8 pounds!!!! Apparently, wine is a fruit!!! I'm so thrilled that I don't know what to do. On my scales at home, I now weigh less than I have in decades! The fitness center scale is my official one and I'm down 13 pounds in 11 weeks! This weekend the jeans that I wore were almost TOO BIG... so, I'm happy at this weight, but would still like to tone up arms, tummy, thighs and find the butt that I have lost somewhere along the line. I'll just add a few more calories in while I'm working out like a fiend with my trainer. I'm still using WW online and will for another few weeks and then go on my own. I now know what to do to keep it off in the future and will follow WW guidelines for a more balanced diet... which I can live with now with no problem. Thanks to all for the encouragement when I was being whiny in the beginning.... patience is a virtue which alludes me at time

[Cafe Latte]

Nice loss Casey. It really helps when you find something that works for you - and it does take patience.

[LakeMartinGal]

Way to go, Casey!!!

[Valerie226]

that's great Casey! wow, I wish working out did that for me. I'm so accustomed to workouts that it doesn't help anymore, it's "normal" for me. maybe if I say to myself "wine is a fruit" enough times it will metabolize differently.....

I'm still plugging away. we went on a 2 day trip. did an 11 mile hike sunday, took us 8 hours. lots of elevation gain but lovely weather. some people were mt biking the trail, and we may try it next time for part of it, probably not all of it since it's likely to snow uop high soon. It's way over due already.
this morning we did a short hike, after camping over night. we have a nice camper it's not "roughing it". about 5 hours and maybe 6 miles. not starving but definitely NOT over indulging. a wrap and half an apple for lunch and a small amt of trail mix. yoga tomorrow morning.

[AvrilH]

I gained a pound this week. I wish I could blame Thanksgiving, but I also snacked at a party on Friday night and ended up at a burger joint on Saturday night with my hubby and middle son. Argh.

I am frustrated with myself! I maintained my weight for 9 years after gaining and losing through three pregnancies. Over time I have let myself become more indulgent and it is hard to get back to the habits that I used to have.

My biggest downfall is when I am tempted by another person. Hubby is the number one culprit - he suggests something rich and it sounds so good that I can't say no. He and I have both gained weight since we met three years ago - I wish I could get him on track, too. It would help my efforts so much.

But I am back on track today and won't let last week distract me from my goals.

[Cafe Latte]

AvrilH, it's only a lb in the end, so don't beat yourself up over it. It's over and done, and look towards this next week. I gained last week too, but am not letting it dictate how I feel about myself. It might be due to more sodium, not drinking enough water, or a something else rather than an extra 3500 calories in food. I know I sure didn't eat that many extra calories to account for the gain. I always know when sodium affects me as it always ends in ankle pain.

Welcome David222 - can't help you with reducing hit fat since I never carry extra weight there. The best way to rid of overall fat is cardio - which you seem to be doing with biking. Good luck.

[dcollier]

Hi everyone! I missed my meeting last Thursday, and I'm afraid I'm not going to have a good result this Thursday. But I'm going anyway! I was sick last week and kind of pamperd myself (I ate my "sick food" -- enough said), and I've been terribly frustrated and angry and unhappy at work for the last week. Long story short, we're into our fourth year without a raise, and now my work load is increasing by 40% and still no raise. Plus our insurance has gone up, so we're actually taking home less . . . in this horrible economy and in a very poor and depressed area. So guess how I handled this wonderful news? Right! With food! I am SUCH an emotional eater. I, like you, AvrilH, am back on track, and like Casey said, I'm letting myself up. It happens. And it could be worse. I didn't come close to eating what I would have a year ago under these circumstances.

And wow Casey! Woo hoo for you! You've become a big success story!

Valerie, I'm exercising five days a week now, and I still don't understand people who LOVE exercise. I really make myself do it, but I always feel better afterwards, and it's definitely getting easier. I'm taking an exercise class here at the college and I'm not gasping for breath when it's over anymore. So I'm calling that progress.

I'll check back in after I weigh tomorrow night. Hope everyone is having a great week.

Denise

[Cafe Latte]

Denise, I hope you are feeling better this week. When sick, I am a believer of concentrating on getting healthy, so eating what we need to get better is more important than following a plan. Added stress does not help, so take what the scale says in stride, learn from it, and move on to the next week.

I weighed this morning and I lost the 1 lb I gained last week, plus another 1 lb, so I am really happy. I haven't been avoiding food, just watching sodium. It's hard to know how much salt is in something I didn't prepare myself, so I have tried to increase my water on the days I think I have consumed more. I already drink 64oz a day, so its hard to add more, but even an extra 8oz is better that nothing. I realized that I drink club soda when dining out, and it can be high is sodium. I buy one that has no sodium, so I have to be careful when I can't see the label. It's not like I drink it all the time, but just a glass here adds up. I'm having lunch with a friend today, and no club soda for me - just water.

Hope everyone is doing well.

[Valerie226]

another big hike.. it's nearing the end of the easy hiking season. this one was quite tough, 8 miles RT, 4000 feet gain. actually coming down is harder than going up for me, but 1000 feet per mile is a lot no matter how you cut it. for lunch at the top I had a wrap with two slices of tofu, about a tsp of peanut sauce, lettuce and sliced red pepper, half an apple. on the way down I had about 1/8 cup of trail mix.... 4-5 peanuts, 1 almond m&m, dried cherry and a couple raisins. water or Nuun. nuun is a tablet disolved in water gives a small amount of flavor. 5 calories. I had a beer afterward and a light dinner. I KNOW a hike like that (7 hours) burns a lot of calories so maybe I can weigh again this friday since we've done 4 hikes in a week, plus 2 yoga classes and 1 weight lifting session, another today. plus

caffe latte... I buy flavored seltzer. it's about $1 for a half gallon. I like the orange flavor but minimal flavor. I'm pretty sure it's sodium free. I know it's calorie free. Talking Rain is one brand but I like the store "house" brand best. I love carbonation.

[dcollier]

Valerie, I am awe struck. Seriously.

[Valerie226]

Denise, it's not bad, really. it's not a hike to start the season with, but after getting used to hiking shorter, less steep ones, it's tiring but OK. this one is a bit of a grind because it switchbacks up relentlessly. Scenery was lovely, and there's no race to get to the top.... took us 3 1/2 hours. about 10 other people on the way up while we were heading down.
I'm just getting annoyed that weight loss is so difficult! I'm not pigging out on snacks or junk. even when working hard I'm eating conservatively. before we started up I had 1 piece of ww toast with PB&J.

caffe latte, I got out a bottle of the seltzer I drink.... size is 2 liters, zero calories and 10 mg of sodium in 8 oz. I much prefer seltzer to sweet soda, even if it's diet.. it's about $.99 a bottle here.

[Cafe Latte]

caffe latte, I got out a bottle of the seltzer I drink.... size is 2 liters, zero calories and 10 mg of sodium in 8 oz. I much prefer seltzer to sweet soda, even if it's diet.. it's about $.99 a bottle here.

Thanks Val. I very rarely drink anything other that water. It's usually when I go out that I drink club soda (never pop).

[dcollier]

Stayed the same, which I'm counting as a win considering my last two weeks.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Denise