Weight Watcher Wednesday: He'll Dress Up Your Salad.

Newman's Own Light Italian Dressing is my go-to fellow for salads.

It's so tasty, and 2 tablespoons is only 2 WW points.

Add it to some fresh butter lettuce (heavenly lettuce, if you've never tried it), feta cheese, and tomatoes, and you've got a filling, yummy salad.  Quick and easy!

Thanks, Newman!  You can 'dress' my salads any day of the week!

{Giggle}.

Weight Watcher Wednesday: Switching It Up.

This week, I'm kicking up the basic 'go for a walk' routine.

I've been logging in time at our local track, as well as adding bleachers...

You know, where you go up and down the bleacher stairs?

It's energizing, and always nice to switch up the same ol' thing.

That's what I've been up to this week. 

How about you?

Weight Watcher Wednesday: Simply Filling {Part 2}.

Okay, folks, I put in my week on the 'Simply Filling' technique.

It did pay off, with a loss of 1.6 pounds.

However...

I would only do it one week a month.  It just wasn't my thing.

I always incorporate filling foods into my meals, but I do enjoy the Fiber One bars, instant oatmeal, string cheese, etc.

I can have those things on 'Simply Filling', but they are taken from my weekly points allowance. 

Bottom line, I enjoy the daily counting and tracking of food points.  Strange, yes, but it's my thing.

Back to the standard plan this week!

Weight Watcher Wednesday: Simply Filling.

I've hit a plateau with dear WW these past couple of weeks.  Following the plan, tracking, walking, and still fluctuating between a 3 pound range that should have already been history.

Frustrating.

So, with some advice, I discovered the WW Simply Filling Food technique.  For a week (or more, if I choose), instead of counting my daily points, I will only choose food from the filling food list, such as fat free dairy products, lean proteins, fruits and veggies, whole grains, etc.

Basically, you don't count these foods, because they are very low in fat, and contain a lesser amount of refined sugars.  If I wanted something like a See's sucker, or Fiber One bar, it would be taken from my weekly points allowance, which doesn't change.

It's nice that WW offers a variation to the program.  I hope it will be a kickstart for my body to get moving again on the weight loss track. 

I'll let you know how the week went on this plan. 

And hopefully, I will get past the plateau.

Weight Watcher Wednesday: I {heart} Sees.

Sees Candy.

To.Die.For.

Points?

Not too hot.  Depending.

But, their classic Lollipops?

Mmmmmm.

2 points each.

I {heart} Sees.

Weight Watcher Wednesday: Missed You.

Dear Weight Watchers,

During my travels to the land of BBQ, you were always on my mind.

I don't want, nor will I pretend, to know the number of points in some of the tasty meals I indulged in.

But, I am back, old chum.  Back, for good.

And I am so glad.

Love,

Me

Weight Watcher Wednesday: BBQ sans points.

Points schmoints.

There is a good chance I'm splurging on some 'down home' BBQ

here.

Mmmmmm. 

Texans know their barbeque.

Weight Watcher Wednesday: NoBunny Knows Easter Better Than Hersheys (Or 1 = 4).

Um...4 WW points for ONE of these little tasties?

Really?

For real, people.  For real.

Live and learn.

Thankfully, I've resisted the temptation to buy them. 

Mostly because I only really think about them when this commercial pops up:

Adios, Creme Eggs.

4 points goes so much further without you.

Weight Watcher Wednesday: Here a Peep, There a Peep!

As Easter quickly approaches, I wanted to know what the WW points value was of Marshmallow Peeps, a traditional, sugary spring treat.

Guess what?

5...yes, 5 Peeps are 3 points!  Not too bad!

Hey, it could be worse, right? 

There you have it!  3 point Peeps for my peeps!

Weight Watcher Wednesday: Keeping My Eye on the Dress.

I got my lovely dress, at last.

Alas, it's a bit snug in le bosom.

I'm thinking 7 pounds and it will be perfect. 

It's great motivation!  I need the motivation!

If I was a baseball player, I would be keeping my eye on the ball. 

But, I'm choosing to keep my eye on the dress!

Weight Watcher Wednesday: Can't Live Without...

I can't live without:

Fiber One Bars.

Tasty, filling, and only 2 WW points per bar.

Great at breakfast, snack, or lunch...heck, you could enjoy one at any point in the day!

Go get a box and try for yourself!

Weight Watcher Wednesday: Classic Candy (You Know You Love 'Em)

As the month honoring candy Valentine's comes to a close, I thought I'd throw in one last shout out to a candy favorite:

The Tootsie Pop.

Image via web.

A classic.

An assortment of flavors.  A chocolatey center.  Something that isn't finished in one bite.

I like to keep these on hand. 

Quite often, I'll have one while I drive home after work.  They are a nice little treat that helps curb hunger until dinner.

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?

Who really knows?

Tsk, tsk, greedy owl.

I'd like to see a human knock out an entire Tootsie Pop in 3 licks + 1 bite and still retain all of their teeth.

Um...and why does that child appear to be missing clothes?

Anyways...(awkward pause while we ponder that question).

Enjoy a Tootsie Pop today!

1 Tootsie Pop = 1 WW point

Weight Watcher Wednesday: You Say Tomato, I Say Tom-at-O

I LOVE tomatoes.

It's a strange obsession, actually.

There is nothing better than a fresh, home grown tomato, with a light sprinkling of kosher salt.

What more could you ask for?

If I'm craving something salty, I'd much rather indulge in a tomato than chips.

Plus, they are packed full of fabulous nutrients, like lycopene, potassium, and vitamin C.

And, for whatever reason, they evoke the feeling of summer in me.

Image via web.

Grab a tomato, will you?

1 cup fresh tomato = 0 WW points

Tomato Fact:  The heaviest tomato, weighing 7 lbs 12 oz, was grown in 1986, in Oklahoma.

Info courtesy tomatoesweb.com

Weight Watcher Wednesday: Sweethearts, You Sure are Sweet Hearts

Oh, the classic Valentine candy.  The loved and hated candy hearts.  Call them what you will:  sweethearts, candy hearts, conversation hearts, or what not.

I prefer Brach's brand.  They are sweet, and not too crunchy, and full of sugary goodness.

And, one box (1 oz) of Brach's Hearts is only 2 WW points!  One box is the perfect sized sweet snack, and I can completely deal with the 2 points for them.  What a treat!

Weight Watcher Wednesday: A Love Letter to Strawberry Friend

In honor of the month o' love, I've decided to stick with Valentine related foods, be it a low point candy, red fruit, or other food!

Dear Strawberry Friend,

How the winter months are so lonely without you.

How could I resist you sitting there, so red and shining?

You make me think of Spring. 

And Summer.

And I've missed you so.

(Image via Web)

We meet again, Strawberry Friend.

At last.

Love Always,

Angela

{aka:  the one who eats you}

*1 1/2 cups = 1 WW point

Weight Watcher Wednesday: The Rating Scale of Honesty

If I had to rate this week (Weight Watcher wise) on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the highest (as in, super, awesome, and all that jazz),

I would have to rate it a number:

3

3.  Period. 

Is that any indication of my focus over the past several days? 

Even with the fruit I love.

Even with those tasty vitamuffins.

Even with all the water in the world.

Even with the strive to achieve. 

Today, my simple goal is to raise this rating scale number. 

Most weeks I feel great, as in 8-10. 

Occasionally, it's hit or miss.  5-7.

Sigh. 

A mere 3.

Where did I go wrong?  Oh, so many ways. 

Bottom line, I didn't write anything down, which I need to do for myself.

And now I realize the importance of that.

One day at a time.

Weight Watcher Wednesday: Fruit I'm Loving

This week, I've been loving a couple of my favorite fruits:

*Blackberries:  1 cup = 1 WW point, plus Vitamin C, magnesium, and antioxidants. 
*Pomegranates:  1 cup = 2 WW points, plus antioxidants and potassium.

So simple, so natural, so sweet. 

I especially love pomegranates.  Contrary to popular belief, you can in fact eat the arils (seeds) whole.  They don't hurt you, and if you want to get really honest, they provide the body with roughage.  I eat them in a bowl with a spoon, plain, like cereal, and usually buy the seeds which are prepackaged in the refridgerated section of the grocery store.

I wait for pomegranate season all year.  It will be sad to see them go.

Weight Watcher Wednesday: Because I'm a Chocoholic.

This week proved to be fairly successful in my weight loss endeavor.  I am, unfortunately, one of the many, who gained some Holiday weight, which needs to be pulled off in addition to what I'm already working on.  It's my own fault.

This week, the challenge I faced was the number of student birthdays in my classes.  Every student gets to bring in a class treat to share for their celebration.  It's so fun, and the kids go all out.  This week was full of homemade cupcakes, cake with thick frosting, ice cream cups, oh my!  I'll be the first to admit it:  on my 'off', 'not caring' days, I would gladly have a treat with the kids, write the day off as a loss, and just begin again the following morning.
This week, in the face of cupcakes, of frosting, of ice creamy goodness, I fully resisted.  Not ONE bite.  That was an accomplishment, hurray me! 

As I've mentioned before, I love chocolate.  It's a real weakness of mine.  (Hence the birthday palooza challenge over these past few days).  While I'm working through the first couple of weeks getting back on track, I'd like to thank the following product for helping me along the give me chocolate or I'll hit you 'craving' path:

Vitalicious Vitatops.  Deep Chocolate flavored. 

A mere 100 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, 6 grams of fiber, and 3 grams of protein (1 WW point).
Quite often, finding a lower calorie, reduced sugar snack can be a struggle, thanks to the flavors of various sweeteners used.  But these babies take the cake...err, muffin.

Instead of having a cupcake, and feeling like I'd lose track, I'd grab one of these instead.  And, they aren't little bite sized morsels, they are pretty substansial in portion.

To find a store near you to buy some, or order online, visit http://www.vitalicious.com/ . 

They help my chocolate addiction.  My name is Angela, and I'm a chocoholic.

Weight Watcher Wednesday: Continuing My Journey

I decided to add a new weekly segment to my little blog here.  Weight Watcher Wednesday.  That's right, that's what I said. 
I've been in Weight Watchers before, but this time I knew I needed to stick with it.  I feel like I've done fairly well.  I've been regularly attending meetings for a year, doing the after meeting grocery shopping spree to prepare for the upcoming week, the journaling, the measuring, and so forth. 
So, I thought I'd post a small tidbit every week about my journey.  Because it really is a journey.  It's not an event.  It's changing my way of thinking, and feeling, and making choices that are right for my body.  My posts will sometimes be just me, expressing my thoughts, or food items that I find helpful, or the occasional recipe.  I would like to believe that blogging about this experience will serve as another form of accountability.  By going 'public', I know people will form some expectations.  And don't want to let myself, or anyone else down.

This weeks tidbit?  The truth.  Allow me to be honest with you.  I like food.  Period.  I cannot shift the blame anywhere else but on myself for my weight.  My weakness is chocolate.  I make the wrong food choices. 

I'm human, though.  This journey is not a skip through a field of flowers, while birds sing, and butterflies flicker by.  Let's put it this way:  it has it's skip worthy moments, with puddles of mud in the way, angry bees instead of butterflies, hills to climb, and sometimes I step in a pile of bird poop.  I have weeks of success, and even weeks of lows.  I have days when I'm full throttle, charging ahead with the program, and I have days when I just don't care and feel like I have to start over. 

But it's still worth it.  At least, to me.

In one year I lost 30 pounds.  I will post a photo for every 20 pounds I lose.  Sound good?  However, I can't find one (right now) prior to the 30 pound loss, so this will have to suffice.  Taken during August in San Francisco.  When this was taken, I'd lost roughly 22-25 pounds.  I work hard at trying to position myself in photos to hide certain areas (as in, below the neck).  For whatever reason, in this one, I didn't make any effort.  Ah, well.

I want these posts to encourage any of you out there who struggle with weight and/or self image.  It's an uphill battle, but it's a learning process.

P.S.  A few disclaimers!
1. I love, love LOVE comm ts!!  However, I do have to approve each comment submitted.  If you post one, it may not appear right away.  I reserve the right not to approve a comment.  I want this to be an enjoyable reading and/or discussion experience for my readers.  If you want to snark and rant, please go elsewhere.
2.  I have chosen Weight Watchers as my weight loss plan.  I am not endorsed by them, nor will I be using any copyrighted WW material in my posts.  My blogging about this experience is solely for the purpose of encouraging others and telling my story.  If you are considering any weight loss plan, please seek the proper advice from your doctor about what is right for you.
3.  I am fully aware of the fact that I am not the only person who has chosen to share her/his weight loss story.  But, mine is mine, and theirs is theirs.
4.  I don't feel comfortable (at this point) posting my actual weight.  I will, eventually.  Promise.

A new year, a fresh start!  Here goes!!  Thanks for reading and for the encouraging words.
xoxo