Weight Loss Weeks 3 & 4 - Show me the fruits!

15 – 28 JAN 2012

It's been a productive two weeks with more weight loss. What's encouraging? My husband's doing the program with me and his energy, along with his enthusiasm is rubbing off on me. Mind you, he's lost 8 pounds to my 3, but I know it's because males and females lose differently.

What am I enjoying?
Eating more fruits. My frig is stocked with blueberries, grapes, cantaloupe, and watermelon. I'm eating more lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers for my salad. Baked potatoes are yummy, but are points so I have to count wisely.

Exercise –
It really helps if I can get moving – with my schedule as demanding as it is, I manage to get a 45 minute walk in approximately 5 days a week. Weight Watchers recommends a minimum of 14 exercise points a week. As soon as I can find some balance, I hope to go back to the gym on a regular basis and incorporate some weight training.

Struggles
I think the most challenging times have been at work and breakfast. At work, I'm up and alert and sitting at a console. The urge to munch due to boredom is one I struggle with.

For me to get off to a good start, I need to keep my breakfast 5 points or less, but there's so many items to choose from – yogurt, fruit, English muffins, bacon. It's easy to cut deeper into my daily points.

Carbs are my enemy. Well, too many are, at least. And I love a good carb. I've cut down on them, but the urge to eat them is there.

Weight Watcher Meetings
The topics are always interesting. Last week we discovered "power" foods/simply filling foods. These are mostly fruits and vegetables, but include chicken, baked potatoes, and even some grains. You don't necessarily need to "count" them because they're zero points, (most of them) but they should be used according to their portion size. What helps me is looking for the green triangle which is a visual clue the item is a power food. There's always something to learn at the meetings. I'm looking forward to next week's topic.

What works for you? Hate carbs? Any tips?
Smiles
Steph

Weight Loss Week #2 - 8-14 JAN

I had my weigh-in on Tuesday and the boys were in school. My weight loss was 1.6 pounds so I can't complain. It's a nice start. At the meeting, we talked about planning and how planning can lead to success.

I have to admit, planning can be a challenge for me. I usually go day-by-day, but the group leader wanted us to think a week out. While I think that's ideal, it's not practical with all I have going on.

I do manage a good day-by-day plan. This week I've treated myself to beef fajitas, chicken marsala, and baked ziti with chicken sausage. I've also taken a couple of 45 minutes walks around the neighborhood. My husband, who is counting points with me lost 6 points. I'm proud of him.

Oh, did I tell you I joined the weight loss challenge at work. We "weigh" out 22-24 March. 1st place is $975. 2nd place is $400 something and 3rd place is $275.

Now, if I can through the weekend… I'm doing homemade pizza.
How was your week?

Smiles
Steph

Weight Loss Week #1 - 2-7 JAN 2012

Ah, weight loss! I think it's one of the most popular new year's resolutions. It's so popular, it's practically cliché, but this year, I'm dedicating "me" time for weight loss.

To that end, I went back to Weight Watchers on 2 Jan – and I brought my boys, Andrew, 9, and Joe, 5, to the meeting. Yes, I didn't really have a choice. I don't have a dedicated babysitter so they had to go. Besides, I shuffle them to dance class, appointments, etc., it's about time they let me have some "me" time.

Quite honestly, here's why I think my previous attempts at weight loss come up short: I'm always doing for others. (i.e., my boys and various other commitments) and not allowing myself enough time for what I want.

So, this year, to "fix" that, I built in the opportunity for "me" time. Mind you, I didn't ask for a lot – just enough to get about 40 minutes of exercise in and enough time to plan my meals.

My boys did good at the meeting. They sat quietly, but toward the end, Joe wiggled a lot. It was a good refresher. My daily goals: eat fruits and veggies, drink water, eat fiber & protein, take a vitamin, drink some milk and exercise. I'm a big walker so I hope to get a couple of 5K's in this year.

To accomplish my goals I need to pre-plan meals with my points in mind. I get 26 daily points. Do-able. I need to lay off the carbs and carbonation.

Now I know there are multiple ways to lose weight, but I chose to use Weight Watchers. If you've got a tip you'd like to share or you want to offer some encouragement, I'd love to hear it. The weight loss journey isn't easy and will take patience, but friends make it bearable.