Weight Watchers Magazine!

I have been subscribing to the Weight Watchers magazine for over a year now and love it!  If you head over to Freebies2Deals they will tell you how to get a great deal on a one year subscription for the low price of $4.50.

Don't Give Up

I get a lot of questions in my email inbox asking me how not to give up.  It is such a hard question to answer because so many times I have felt like giving up.  Even now at my goal weight, I want to give up at times.  It still gets frustrating and hard.  I found this little song and yes it is child-like, but it has a great message.  Think of all the hard things you have done in your life.  From learning to walk, riding a bike, or even the harder things that being an adult brings like a divorce, death, or unemployment.  Try to really dig deep and know that if you can make it through other hard things in your life, you can surely make it through your weight loss journey.

I hope you enjoy this little song and video.  And Yes, Bruno's hair is fab!
Don't Give Up!

Chicken with Apples and Stuffing

My Momma told me about a recipe for apple porkchops click here for recipe, and it sounded so yummy... But I'm not a fan of pork chops ever since the grown gal told me that pork chops taste like human meat, according to others in her circle.  Every time I eat one, I just can't get that out of my mind.  So I made the recipe with Chicken.

The recipe calls for apple pie filling, but I substituted and used sugar free apple pie filling and it turned out great.  Another tip from my Momma.  Don't add butter to your stuffing, you can't even tell.   It is hard to believe that I am cooking this way.  I never, ever thought I would be like this, but maintaining my weight while eating a varity of foods is really important to me.

Just when the hubby was about to eat the last of the chicken, I remembered that I forgot to take a photo.  So here is the almost gone dish.  My modified version only ended up being 7 Weight Watchers PointsPlus per serving.  Delish!

Body Scans of a 250 Pound Woman

I was goofing around online and came across vonsfitnesstips.com.  While surfing around this site, I found this Body Scan of a 250 Pound Woman.   If you have been thinking about losing weight, perhaps this will open your eye a bit and give you some motivation to start your weight loss journey.  It compares a 250lb woman to a 120lb woman and gives you some information about the health differences.   Can you imagine how much better my body feels?  It not only looks good on the outside, but on the inside too.  Amazing!

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines Day!  I love Valentines Day.  I love getting awesome amazing prizes from my hubby.  I also love spoiling my hubby and kids with valentine gifts and candy.  They get so excited... And unlike Christmas, there is no pressure... Just a fun relaxing and romantic holiday.  

I keep a little heart dish on my coffee table full of chocolate and valentines candy and for some reason the little conversation hearts are really killing me.  I just can't seem to keep my hands out of them.  I guess I keep thinking I'll have just one little heart, it couldn't even be 1 point.  Then I move to 3, 6, 10.  Arghhh!!!

  

After eating a box all on my own, it was time to figure out the Weight Watchers PointsPlus.  This little 1 oz box is 3 Points.  Phew!  Not to shabby.  I will be having some more for sure.

As you can see the entire 1 oz box is just a handful.  Just enough to satisfy my sugar craving.

Chex Mix

Have you had Chex Mix Muddie Buddies before?  Oh my, oh my!  It is absolutely delicious.  I even make it from scratch.  Well actually, this stuff has made it to my purge list because it is 4 Weight Watcher's PointsPlus (130 calories) for only 1/3 cup.  1/3 cup??  I am not even getting started after 1/3 cup.  This is what I will be eating instead...

This stuff is so yummy.  The chocolate Chex cereal is only 4 Weight Watcher's Pointsplus (130 calories) for 3/4 cups.  3/4 cups is more like it.  Trust me... You won't need milk on this, just eat it as a treat.  MMMMmmm!

Another program to follow...

As you all know I am a huge fan of the Weight Watcher's program.  I love the flexability and the support.  I also know some people that say "Weight Watcher's is not for me".   I am personally planning on sticking to Weight Watchers for the rest of my life, but a great alternative I have found is this totally amazing website called Spark People.  I find the website very helpful.  It is free and has some amazing tools on it.  You even have an online food journal, dining out suggestions, personal journal, scheduler, support groups and much more.

So if you are wanting to follow a diet plan and don't have the money to do Weight Watcher's try Sparkpeople.com and let me know how it works for you.  I have been playing around with it and find it really helpful.

Sick of the same old lettuce...

I was in charge of bringing the salad to a party last week.  I had all the ingredients to a fattening (don't like to force my dieting on others) salad all written down on my shopping list when I stumbled on this:  

This looked super yummy and hey lets face it, super easy to just open a bag and toss.  So I bought 4.  Guess what?  This is so low in calories and so, so, so, so, so good.  I was even asked to make it again.  Not one drop was left.  

 What's inside you ask?  Iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce, carrots, red cabbage, pea pods, sesame orange dressing, sweet cherry cranberries and wonton strips.  How many calories and points you ask?  2 Weight Watchers PointsPlus (90 tiny calories) for 2 1/2 cups.  Yes 2 1/2 cups!  Now that is a lot of salad!  I found this good find at Winco.  I could use some right about NOW!

Renee's Good Find

This is my sister-in-law (one of my bestest friends) Renee.  We had our annual New Years Eve party and I put Renee in charge of the salad.  She brought a yummy salad that had a lot of veggies, spinach, mandarin oranges and this most awesome salad dressing.

Here it is and I still haven't been able to find it yet, but I am still looking.  She found it at a grocery store called Bowman's in Kaysville, Utah.  If I don't find it soon, I'll have to make a special trip.  This has a little spice to it, but not too much for whimps like myself.  It is so yummy and guess what?  Only 1 Weight Watcher's PointsPlus for 2 Tbsp.  Oh yeah!  Thanks Renee!

A little background about Renee.  Someday I will get her to write out her weight loss story for me, but in the mean time here is a sneek peak.  Through diet and exercise Renee has lost over 148lbs and is now at a normal BMI.  Don't beleve me?  Well to prove it here is a photo of her 1 year ago at my house.

Yay Renee!  I am so proud of her.  She told me that I inspired her to get started (blushing).  She has done this all on her own and is the exercising queen.  Now she is inspiring me.  Not only is she super skinny, but she is supper sweet and I love her!

Chili... It makes you fart

I love chili.  It is very low in calories and very satisfying.  When I don't have time to make homemade chili, I go for a bag of this stuff.

It is very low in calories and only 2 Weight Watchers PointsPlus for 1 cup.

Pretty tasty and all you do is add a can of tomato paste and water.  Super easy.  Try some!

Warning:  This chili gives you the worst smelling farts ever.

Holiday Herbal Tea

My friend Deanna at the big W told me all about these yummy herbal teas.  I just had to try some.  So far, these are the ones I have been drinking.  This is a nice treat to curb my cravings and they are 0 points, so even better.  I use Splenda in mine to make them sweet.

 The gingerbread spice is a strong tea and a bit too strong for me, but my pappy loves this one.

The sugar cookie is sweet, mild and very yummy.

But, my favorite is this one: Candy Cane!  Mild, minty and sweet.  Ahhh... so warm on a cold day.  I even have the hubby drinking this stuff.

Life Time Member

A couple of weeks ago I received my Weight Watchers life time award.  It was so exciting for me!

This is me receiving my award from my most awesome leader, Cyndy   Notice the little clappers in the peoples hands.  Yeah they were all clapping them for me.  To top it all off, a friend of mine showed up to support me.  It meant so much to me.  Sweet!

Here is the life time charm, a little key.

Now my key chain is complete.  Feels so good...

And yesterday I received this Lifetime membership card in the mail.  It is official! I am at my goal.  Now keeping it off may be the hardest part of all.  So far I am doing well and am 5lbs under my goal, but I am really working hard, dieting like crazy.  Will it ever end?  Nope, don't think so.  This is a lifetime adventure for me.

Awesome Recipe blog...

I attended Weight Watcher's at a different meeting time this week.  It was kind of interesting hearing a new group of people talk.  The leader was great.  They must have the cream of the crop at our center because my regular leader is amazing as well.  I ran into a couple of people I knew, so I had someone to sit by.  I am going to miss my friends, but this is a hard time of the year and my Saturday mornings are slam, packed.  Ok, ok, ok... Enough of the rambling.  This is what I learned from this week's meeting.  A new recipe blog!  Sweet!

Skinnytaste.com

This gal has it all and all of the PointsPlus figured out for you.  I was told by a very reliable source that all the food they have made has been wonderful.  Check it out.  I can't wait to start making her dishes and bring back some normal food into my life.  Tired of meat and veggies.  I am so ready to try Enchiladas for 4 points instead of my 12 point ones.  Get in my belly!

Weight Watchers Changed The Program (a little)

Ok, ok, ok... everyone seems to be freaking out about the new program changes this year for Weight Watchers.  Don't fret, I have it all figured out.  Everything stays the same except the following:

• You are going to lose some daily PointsPlus values.  So if you have 29 PointsPlus with the old program, you are now only allowed 26.  You need to have your points recalculated. 
• You can adjust your points.  Say you are allowed 32 points, but you seem to not be losing weight.  Well you can lower you points to meet your weight loss needs, but never go under 26.  26 is the lowest you can go my friends.
• They are talking a lot about the Simply Filling  program and suggesting this as an option.  They have always had this program, but they never really talk about it.  Well now they are talking.

That is it.  Nothing to stress over.  They do have a new calculator which I purchased only because I feel the old one is a piece of poo.  It is the same process for figuring out points so you really don't need it.  It is a much nicer calculator and if you buy it before January, it is $5.00.  It will go up to $10.00 after January.

I am excited about the new system because I have been one of those people that can't eat 29 points and still lose weight and it has always frustrated me.  I am glad to be a part of a program that is willing to change to meet the needs of their members.

Good luck with the new program and the new year.

I did it!

I reached my Weight Watchers goal and my personal goal.  I did it!  You can too!

Talking Turkey...

Okay my fellow dieters, how are you going to handle Thanksgiving dinner?  Are you taking the day "off" and just enjoying the holiday?  I surely was until I attended my Weight Watchers meeting this week.  Cyndy got me all pumped up to do good.  Plus Saturday after Thanksgiving I will receive my lifetime award for reaching my Weight Watcher's goal.  I have been maintaining my goal weight for six weeks and would hate to lose it over one dinner, even a turkey dinner.    Plus it is only one day and it is just food.  IT IS JUST FOOD!  That is what I keep telling myself over and over.

I am going with a plan.  Yes I will eat a bit extra, but I will not "Gobble 'til I Wobble".  I have already pictured my plate in my head.  I have already decided what is worth most to me.  Do you have a plan?  Before you "gobble 'til you Wobble".  Keep these PointPlus Values in mind.

Stuffing 1/2 cup = 5
Gravy 1/4 cup cream = 4
1 cup canned turkey gravy = 1
2 oz Turkey 1 slice cooed breast or thigh = 3
Mashed Potatoes 1/2 = 3
Candied Sweet Potatoes 1/2 cup = 5
Green bean casserole 1 cup = 6
Pumpkin or apple pie = 11
Pecan pie = 14
Cranberry sauce 1/4 cup = 3
Roll = 5

My Weight Watchers leader also told me about the three-bite rule.  If you take three bites of something and it isn't just wonderful, don't finish it.

So I'll ask you what Cyndy asked us in our class.  Do you REALLY want to "Gobble 'til you Wobble"?

May your stuffing be tasty

May your turkey plump

May your potatoes and gravy

Have never a lump

May your yams be delicious

and your pies take the prize

and may your thanksgiving dinner

stay off your thighs

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Chili

 The other day I was grocery shopping and noticed Bear Creek soup mixes on sale.  So I started looking at the packages, trying to find the lowest calorie one and this is what I found.

Chili!  I still prefer my Aunt Janet's recipe that I make all the time, but for a quick lunch this is some pretty darn, good stuff!

1 cup of this is only 2 Weight Watchers PointsPlus and 80 calories.  A cup fills up a bowl pretty well.  Chili is just awesome on a cold day.  Go and try some today!  MMMMM!

More bread

I am seriously loving Sunflower Market!  Look at the 1 Weight Watchers PointsPlus bread I found on my last trip...

 Yes, it is White bread!  I know I know I know, white bread is bad for you... wheat is a power food... blah, blah, blah.  But this girl needs some White bread.  It is my all time favorite.  This stuff is so yummy and chewy and has made me one happy dieter!

I 

I also tried some of the Apple Cinnamon Streusel.  It is also 52 calories and only 1 Weight Watchers PointsPlus.  Hot diggity dang!  So good, it is like having a dessert.

They have all kinds of low-calorie breads to choose from.  Some I haven't tried yet.  Go get you some baby!

Fun Mail!

After I reached my life time goal weight I received this nice note in the mail.  I seriously adore my Weight Watcher's leader.  She totally motivates me.  One week after a 2lb weight gain I tried to give up and she talked me into at least staying for the meeting.  I swear she changed the content of the meeting to be directed to motivate just me.  That is the reason I didn't give up.  Thanks Cyndy!

Do you have someone or something that motivates you?  Do you ever feel like giving up?  I know I do.

Clam Chowder

Progresso has a Light New England Clam Chowder that is only 2 Weight Watchers PointsPlus per serving.  The can has 2 servings so for 4 PointsPlus you can have the entire can.

Is it as good as my hubby's homemade (12 point per cup, very high in calories and fat) chowder?  Oh heck no, but for 4 points it is pretty tasty.  Reminds me of most chowders that you would get at restaurants like Skippers or Sizzler.