Happy Fourth!
On the scale: Well, I gained again this week, 1.4 pounds to be precise. Every time I gain I declare my commitment to get back on plan. Sometimes I succeed, and sometimes I don’t. Seems I’ve been on a treadmill for about four months now. I still keep going to Weight Watchers. Otherwise, I suspect, I would just regain the weight I’ve lost. But I have to admit I am feeling a little frustrated these days.
I made four Zumba classes this week – still loving it.
We have a great on-program meal planned for our cookout tomorrow. Classic Beef Shish Kebabs, grilled corn and asparagus, and Roman Farro Salad.
Hope everyone has a safe and Happy Fourth of July – Happy Birthday America!!
5 comments July 3, 2009
Never Say Diet
On the scale: I spent most of my points last weekend on less-than-nutritious options leaving me short of my five daily servings of fruits and vegetables. So I didn’t do myself any favors, but I still managed to lose 4/10’s of a pound.
At the last class our Weight Watchers leader asked my Mom if she felt like she was on a diet. Mom, of course, said “Yes.” Oops, wrong answer. Weight Watcher’s likes to deny that their plan is a diet, but let’s get real. The relevant questions, I think, are… Is it doable for the long term? Is it worth it? And the answer to both is “Absolutely!”
Zumba is still on the schedule – I made 5 classes this week.
If you’re just getting started on your diet… When I first started this weight loss journey, I didn’t bother to take my measurements because I simply couldn’t stand the thought of seeing the (huge) numbers. But if I had to do it over again, I definitely would. After I had lost over forty pounds I measured my waist for the first time – it’s decreased 7″ since that day. If only I had written down that starting number…
Looking for a new and different (and delicious) way to eat your vegetables? Check out the Recipes page for the newly added Tunisian Carrot Salad and Turkish Zucchini Pancakes. I have to admit that I’m not a big fan of carrots, and this recipe doesn’t seem that exciting at first glance, but there is something about this combination of flavors that makes it great! The Turkish Zucchini Pancakes are a bit more complicated and higher in calories than the plain Zucchini Pancakes that were already on the Recipes page, but the added ingredients make for a more impressive, and tastier, dish. Both of these new recipes go great with grilled chicken.
I’m going to do my best to keep up my losing streak this week. Hope everybody has a great one!!
2 comments June 25, 2009
Back to Good
On the scale: This week the Weight Watchers scale showed a loss of 3.6 pounds. Keep in mind that I was too chicken to weigh in last week so this reflects last week’s certain gain plus this week’s presumed loss. I was flawless this week. I stuck to plan, used 14 of my 35 flex points, and went to Zumba six times. Yes, I hauled my butt out of bed and went and exercised on a Saturday morning.
Sunday’s Indian feast (I love, love, love Indian food!) was quite tasty. The best part? I discovered that pappadums - a crisp Indian flat bread – can be cooked in the microwave and still taste great. (No, seriously, they actually get crispy in the microwave.) To think I fried them all those years. Of course, I fried a whole lot of things all those years.
My favorite side salad these days is 2 cups of spring mix, 2 grape tomatoes quartered, 1/2 tablespoon of craisins, 2 pecans chopped, 1/2 ounce of goat cheese crumbled, and a sprinkle of fresh thyme topped with 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of balsamic vinegar. Sweet, tart, savory – it’s got it all.
So my self-imposed challenge for the rest of the month is to lose weight three weeks in a row. It has been far too long since that’s happened.
My anniversary is this week. I have been blogging for a full year now. I try to post every week although I occasionally miss one. I started off posting three times a week – my favorite bloggers made it look so easy – but quickly figured out that it’s hard work. Incidentally, I have been doing Weight Watchers for 18 months now.
Thought for the day…
“The tragedy in life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach.” ~Benjamin Mays
4 comments June 18, 2009
Cluck Like a Chicken
On the scale: Scale? What scale? My eating was so out of control last week that it would have been impossible for me not to have gained weight. And so even though I went to my Thursday morning Weight Watchers meeting, I skipped the scale. I couldn’t stand the thought of seeing that number so I just plain ol’ chickened out. I know, of course, that it’s silly to let it affect me like that, but hey, so be it.
The good news in all of this is that I have been going to Zumba four times a week without fail. I have never liked exercise. Never. Last summer I joined the gym when they were doing a ‘6 weeks for $20′ special. Ugh! It simply reinforced my opinion that working out is mind-numbingly boring.
My WW leader kept saying, “keep trying different types of exercise until you find something you love.” Yeah right. Except I did. Who knew?
On the menu: The Indian feast we have planned for tomorrow consists of a yogurt marinated grilled chicken tikka, cucumber salad, papadums, and Cauliflower and Potato Sabzi with Spices. I’ll let you know how it turns out.
In the meantime, have a great week!!
Add comment June 13, 2009
Not So Hot (but never say die…)
On the scale: Icky! My binging this week showed up as a huge gain on the scale even with four Zumba classes worked in.
Favorite Meals: Over on the Recipes page check out the recently added (and delicious!) Turkey Enchilada Pie, an adaptation of a Weight Watchers website recipe. I have to admit, these days it’s really tough for me to make a recipe “as is.” I’m forever reducing the amount of oil, adding vegetables to boost portion size without adding very many calories, and tossing in some fresh herbs to boost flavor. And that’s the way – ah-huh, ah-huh – I like it!
Another great meal we made this week was Spanakopita from the Weight Watchers Take-Out Tonight! cookbook. There are a lot of great recipes in that one.
Product review: I like granola bars, and I love chocolate, so I recently purchased a box of Chex Mix Turtle Bars. With Chex cereal, chocolate, peanuts, and pretzels in them, how bad could they be? Well, unfortunately, I didn’t think they were very good at all. They had an “off” taste to them that I just couldn’t get past. I ended up giving the rest of the box away to someone who loved them, so this is, apparently, one of those love-it-or-hate-it food products.
Thought for the day…
“There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative.” ~W. Clement Stone
2 comments June 4, 2009
Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!
On the scale: I didn’t stick to the program nearly as well this week. I ate out twice on both Friday and Sunday and made poor choices the entire holiday weekend. This overindulgence showed up as a .6 pound gain.
So I’m still loving Zumba and managed to make it to four classes this week including one on Memorial Day if you can believe it. I bought a pair of dance sneakers last week. (Nike Musique III’s clearance priced at Sports Authority for $29!) The right shoes are really making the turning moves easier. I highly recommend them.
As I mentioned, last week at Whole Foods Market I purchased a bag of Montebello Organic Farro Perlato. I had never had it before but it looked interesting. The package describes it as “an ancient heirloom wheat that sustained the Roman Legions centuries ago. Used in soups, salads and stews, this light brown grain with a nutty taste and toothsome texture is an intriguing alternative to pasta and rice.” They had a recipe for Roman Farro Salad on the package which looked like a good choice to give this grain a try. I lightened the recipe (goes with out saying, right?) to be Weight Watcher friendly. With olives, capers, tomatoes, and fresh basil mixed in with the farro and served at room temperature, this would be a perfect picnic or pot-luck dish. I was surprised, actually, at just how delicious it was. Be sure and check it out over on the Recipes page.
I recently checked out Joy’s LIFE Diet: Four Steps to Thin Forever from the library. I’m familiar with Joy Bauer from her position as the nutrition and health expert on the Today show. She’s always struck me as having a sensible approach to weight loss and exercise and I wanted to see what the book was all about. Although I won’t be following the plan she recommends because I’m happy with my current Weight Watchers approach, her suggestions made good common sense and her plan is very compatible with the Weight Watchers program. She had quite a few recipes in the book that looked worthy of a try, including several for low fat salad dressings. If you can find it at the library, it is definitely worth the time to give it a read.
I discovered early on in this weight loss journey that I need to consume an adequate amount of protein with my meals in order to keep from getting hungry. Weight Watchers likes to push what they call “filling foods”, foods with little or no fat that are low in calories including fruit, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and fat-free dairy. My personal favorite – which doesn’t make the WW list – is peanut butter. For my favorite ways to start the day with protein, check out the Breakfast Ideas page.
Have a great week – you deserve it!!
Add comment May 28, 2009
A Good Week
On the scale: Another nice showing at Weight Watchers this week with a 2.2 pound loss, bringing my total weight loss to more than 90 pounds. I did Zumba three times this week – it really makes a difference. I ate ( or should I say drank?) all of my 35 extra points this week, but I think the activity helps to balance it out.
I tried the Vitalicious Cran-Bran Muffins. They were good, but they were really screaming out for some pecans in them! I know, what baked good doesn’t?
I made it to Whole Foods Market this week. It is an hour from my house so I only make it there once or twice a year. I must have spent an hour there picking up products and reading the ingredient lists. I bought a lot of whole grains to try – quinoa, millet and farro; also goat cheese and Peanut Butter Puffins. I also bought some incredibly tasty Justin’s Natural Maple Almond Butter. I ate this on a honey wheat English muffin, and wow was it good! It is equivalent in fat and calories to regular peanut butter and I will definitely be buying it again.
Have a good week everyone!!
2 comments May 21, 2009
And We’re Back!
On the scale: Well, I am happy to report that I am back on track and the Weight Watcher’s scale showed a 4 pound loss this morning. I must say it is a lot more exciting to post about a loss instead of a gain for a change! In addition to staying on the plan this week, I went to Zumba four times, walked once, and spent several hours working in the yard.
Vitamuffins: In addition to the Deep Chocolate Vitamuffins (practically a cupcake!) that I love so well, I also got a chance to try two others this past week. They were the Apple-BerryBran, and the Blue-Bran Vitamuffins. I really liked the Apple-BerryBran. It had some sweet bits of apple in it along with a few berries (cran and blue) and made an excellent breakfast along with some scrambled eggs. I wasn’t as fond of the Blue-Bran muffin. The blueberries by themselves didn’t seem as sweet and the bran just didn’t seem to go with it. I also have a package of Cran-Bran Vitamuffins in the freezer to try later this week.
Over on the Recipes page I added a White-Cheddar Corn Chowder which is delicious and a great way to use some of the fresh corn that is in the farmer’s markets right now.
Since last week’s positive affirmation worked so well, I’m going to stick with it. “I know I can do this and today I will stay on plan.”
Have a great week everybody!
1 comment May 14, 2009
Week One
On the scale: Well, I am embarrassed to have to share that I gained once again. I have now gained 6.6 pounds since I hit the 90 pounds lost mark three weeks ago. At first this week I was going to skip my Weight Watchers meeting. Then I decided I would go (’cuz Lord knows I needed it) but not weigh in. Then I decided I would go, weigh in, face the music and start a great big DO OVER!! So, this is officially WEEK ONE. I’m really glad I went to WW this week because the subject was positive thinking – very appropriate. I came home and printed out my original graph and posted it on the fridge. And I took my 75 pound medal and tied it to a silk cord and intend to wear it to all happenings where there will be food and drink as a reminder to stay on plan.
My daily affirmation is, “I know I can do this and today I will stick to plan!”
Cereal Reviews: I keep seeing rave reviews on the web for two cereals that I thought I needed to try. They are Barbara’s Bakery Peanut Butter Puffins, and Zoe’s Granola Cranberries Currants.
First the Puffins. Delicious! This is a slightly sweet, crunchy puffed corn cereal with a hint of peanut butter. The ingredients and nutritional statistics are good. A 3/4 cup serving is 110 calories, 2g fat, and 2g fiber. I will continue to stock my pantry with these.
I found the word “granola” in the name of the Zoe’s cereal to be a bit misleading. Although it had some granola-like ingredients, the puffed ingredients made it a straight up cereal by my taste buds. In their defense, of course, how else would they have gotten the calorie count down to an acceptable level? A 3/4 cup serving has 190 calories, 4.5g fat, and 7g fiber. I liked the cinnamon in this but it was quite light on the dried fruit. I shared the box with my Mom who liked it alot. Me? I don’t plan on buying it again. Taste-wise, I prefer the Post Selects Cranberry Almond Crunch, with a 3/4 cup serving coming in at 200 calories, 3.5g fat, and 3g fiber.
I had an absolutely delicious meal the other night made from the Cooking Light special publication that’s currently on the newsstand. I’ll try to get the recipe posted soon.
Have a great week!!
1 comment May 9, 2009
Sabotage!
What were you thinking?! So I finally hit the 90 pound mark and turn right around and go on a two week binge that causes me to gain four pounds. (No doubt the reason for my reluctance to post the last two weeks, huh? Although I did attend my Weight Watcher meetings.) I don’t know why I insist on sabotaging myself like that. The good news is that I have been back on plan since Monday and even turned down two very tempting invitations to events this weekend that involved huge amounts of fattening food and alcohol. (This is where skinny people will pipe up and say “go and enjoy the company and just have a bite or two.” Nuh-uh. Can’t be done. Been there, tried that, failed.)
Weight Watchers Ice Cream. So a couple weeks ago I purchased some new products to try, including Turtle Sundae Cups (3 POINTS®), Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cups (2 POINTS®), and Mint Ice Cream Sandwiches (2 POINTS®). I thought the Turtle Sundae Cup was overly sweet and there are a lot of better snacks for the calories. The Cookie Dough Cup was terrible. The ice cream had an odd taste and I saw not a single piece of cookie dough. I actually threw this one out rather than waste my POINTS® on it. (Most unhappy about that!) The Mint Ice Cream Sandwich was actually pretty good. The ice cream was tasty and the cookie was a little crunchy and chocolaty. I would probably buy these again, especially if they were on sale. I have also purchased the Chocolate Fudge Brownie Cups (2 POINTS®) before, which I didn’t care for either. The ice cream had a somewhat chalky mouth-feel in my opinion. I also purchase and very much like the Mint Chocolate Chip Cups (2 POINTS®). (I’m partial to mint, obviously.) So having said all this, my hands-down favorite still remains the Weight Watchers GIANT Chocolate Fudge Ice Cream Bars.
Last night I had an awesome taco salad for dinner. I started with a Taco Bell Tostada Dinner Kit, made the filling from this Weight Watchers Healthy Beef and Bean Taco recipe, and then piled my plate high with lettuce, chopped tomato, sliced black olives, jalapenos, a little fresh cilantro and 1 tablespoon of shredded Cabot’s 50% Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese. For dressing I used 2 tablespoons of reduced fat sour cream mixed with 2 tablespoons of salsa. This giant plate of food came in at 8 POINTS® versus 18 for a Taco Bell Fiesta Taco Salad from the restaurant.
I hope everyone has a great week! I’m going to be doing my best to get some of these pounds back off!
2 comments May 1, 2009
