Sorry for the delay in posting! My husband and I lost our internet and cable service for a few days, and I was unable to blog. But we're back up and running, and it's time to get back to it.
I didn't have a good day at all yesterday. I was doing pretty well at the start of the week, and knowing that I had lost 5.8 pounds at my weigh-in on Monday kept me going through the first half of the week. But yesterday, I just shut down. I didn't want to count Points, and I just needed a day off. So what did I do? Eat incredibly unhealthy food (I'm talking McDonalds and Dunkin Donuts). I know this is bad. And even while I was eating it, I knew I shouldn't be doing it. I suppose I had been denying my sweet and savory cravings more than I thought, because I just completely let loose yesterday. I was so depressed afterward and knew that I let myself down. But today is a new day, and I'm back on track. Fortunately, my binge eating didn't deter me too much. I've gained some weight back since my weigh in on Monday, but it has been less than 2 pounds.
My experience with food yesterday taught me that I can't keep denying myself what my body craves just in a desire to be skinny, but that I also need to accept those cravings in moderation. A big factor in yesterday's eating was that my husband and I both had the day off, and I decided to fill the empty time with food and movies instead of useful things, like chores, reading, or exercising.
The best thing about Weight Watchers (and I believe this is one of their slogans): It's a new day. I can forget about everything from yesterday and just get back on track today. My husband put it best last night when he said the following: If you eat healthy 29 days out of the month and have 1 bad day, it's not going to affect you, just like someone who eats poorly 29 days out of the month and has 1 healthy day won't reap the benefits of healthier eating. The way I see it, I'm still down over 4 pounds since starting Weight Watchers, and I can't beat myself up for giving into temptation yesterday. Plus there are happy things among the horizon: my husband and I are getting a puppy, and we get to meet her on Sunday!
Friday, April 29, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Surviving Temptation 101
Today I was faced with my biggest temptation so far: brownies. Let me begin by saying that I absolutely love brownies, but only when my mother makes them. It must be the extra love she puts in, but I've tried to recreate her decadent treats only to be sorely disappointed that I could not meet her awesomeness. I could literally eat a half of pan of those things and only have spent 5 minutes putting it away.
Thanks to my mother, though, she carefully calculated the Points, and 1/16th of a pan was worth 3 Points. At the start of it, I thought there was no way I could contain myself to that small of a serving, when in the past I would just cut away a large chunk or two and gobble it down. But forcing myself to eat just that small portion (which really didn't turn out to be all that tiny) and really enjoying each bite left me satisfied...and more importantly, I didn't feel the urge to run back to the brownie pan and eat until they vanished. All in all, my Easter lunch was very successful. I carefully measured my portions along with my father and managed to eat just 12 Points total, including the Brownie. I had a Slim-Fast shake for breakfast today, leaving me with 12 Points for a small dinner/snack tonight.
I have to admit, I'm really enjoying my time with Weight Watchers so far. I treat it like a game: figuring out how I can get the most Points for my treat, and mentally rewarding myself for beating the game (or eating less Points than I was allowed). I'm eating more fruits and veggies and smaller portions of my favorite foods. And the results are already starting to show. By adding more produce into my diet, and by not drinking my Points (aside from the Slim-Fast), I've already lost 5.3 pounds. I'm going to do my official weigh-in either tomorrow or Tuesday, so hopefully I can keep that weight-loss going!
Thanks to my mother, though, she carefully calculated the Points, and 1/16th of a pan was worth 3 Points. At the start of it, I thought there was no way I could contain myself to that small of a serving, when in the past I would just cut away a large chunk or two and gobble it down. But forcing myself to eat just that small portion (which really didn't turn out to be all that tiny) and really enjoying each bite left me satisfied...and more importantly, I didn't feel the urge to run back to the brownie pan and eat until they vanished. All in all, my Easter lunch was very successful. I carefully measured my portions along with my father and managed to eat just 12 Points total, including the Brownie. I had a Slim-Fast shake for breakfast today, leaving me with 12 Points for a small dinner/snack tonight.
I have to admit, I'm really enjoying my time with Weight Watchers so far. I treat it like a game: figuring out how I can get the most Points for my treat, and mentally rewarding myself for beating the game (or eating less Points than I was allowed). I'm eating more fruits and veggies and smaller portions of my favorite foods. And the results are already starting to show. By adding more produce into my diet, and by not drinking my Points (aside from the Slim-Fast), I've already lost 5.3 pounds. I'm going to do my official weigh-in either tomorrow or Tuesday, so hopefully I can keep that weight-loss going!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Excess Points...Yet Again
I'm getting ready to call it a night here, and I still have 5 Points remaining for today. In the last two days, I've left behind a total of 15 Points, and I don't feel like I've deprived myself of anything. Here's hoping tomorrow is successful, too. I'm worried about staying under my 29 allowable Points, but it's good to know that if I want that extra crescent roll or want to have a brownie that I can.
We shall see what tomorrow brings. Have a very happy Easter, everyone!
We shall see what tomorrow brings. Have a very happy Easter, everyone!
Excess Points
I had an early meeting at work yesterday, which meant sticking to my normal Slim-Fast shake that I could drink on the run. By the time I was able to eat lunch (3:30PM, or exactly 8 hours since my body last had any nourishment) I was so famished that I couldn't comprehend the thought of eating. It didn't help that I was also trying something new (Smart Ones Chicken Teriyaki and Vegetables, 6 Points total), so I ended up only eating half of that and two cups of Musselman's Lite Applesauce (0 Points) with my Coke Zero (0 Points). By dinnertime, I had only used 8 Points all day and had an exciting 21 Points for the remainder of the day.
My husband and I had to run some errands last night, and we had already planned on grabbing dinner on the go. As he is also on a diet (though not on Weight Watchers), we've struggled with being able to eat meals together and finally had the chance to dine together. We both did thorough research of the Panera menu, and I was able to find that my normal choice of a 1/2 Caesar Salad (including crutons and cheese) was 4 Points, and my 1/2 Chicken Noodle Soup was only 3 Points. And even on a day when I could afford to splurge on bread and a full-calorie soda, I opted for an apple as my side and a diet soda.
Including my dessert for the evening, I only used 19 total Points. I was proud that even when I could splurge on those high-carb and high-calorie extras, I chose the healthier options. Even though I'm just a few days into Weight Watchers, I can already see a lifestyle change for me. I ordered water instead of a soda at the restaurant the other night, opted for an apple instead of bread last night, and still manage not to leave myself feeling deprived of my junk food.
Tomorrow will be my greatest challenge, though. I'm headed to my parents house for our traditional Easter activities, which include my most favorite food: Crescent Rolls. I can easily eat 6 of those in one sitting, but at 3 Points each, I'll have to limit myself to 2 at most. We'll just have to see how tomorrow goes, but wish me luck! I'll certainly need it warding off the temptation of the Crescents.
My husband and I had to run some errands last night, and we had already planned on grabbing dinner on the go. As he is also on a diet (though not on Weight Watchers), we've struggled with being able to eat meals together and finally had the chance to dine together. We both did thorough research of the Panera menu, and I was able to find that my normal choice of a 1/2 Caesar Salad (including crutons and cheese) was 4 Points, and my 1/2 Chicken Noodle Soup was only 3 Points. And even on a day when I could afford to splurge on bread and a full-calorie soda, I opted for an apple as my side and a diet soda.
Including my dessert for the evening, I only used 19 total Points. I was proud that even when I could splurge on those high-carb and high-calorie extras, I chose the healthier options. Even though I'm just a few days into Weight Watchers, I can already see a lifestyle change for me. I ordered water instead of a soda at the restaurant the other night, opted for an apple instead of bread last night, and still manage not to leave myself feeling deprived of my junk food.
Tomorrow will be my greatest challenge, though. I'm headed to my parents house for our traditional Easter activities, which include my most favorite food: Crescent Rolls. I can easily eat 6 of those in one sitting, but at 3 Points each, I'll have to limit myself to 2 at most. We'll just have to see how tomorrow goes, but wish me luck! I'll certainly need it warding off the temptation of the Crescents.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Eating Out Never Tasted So Good!
I had a much more successful second day on Weight Watchers, but I knew that my after-work plans could either set the pace for this new lifestyle or quell it.
Instead of starting out the day with my usual Slim-Fast (a whopping 5 Points), I had a bowl of oatmeal with 1/2 cup 1% milk (4 Points). For lunch, I had some rice and veggie leftovers (6 Points), a 1 oz. serving of pretzel sticks (3 Points), some Musselman's Lite apple sauce (0 Points), and my Cherry Coke Zero (0 Points).
I meticulously clawed my way through the Applebees online menu earlier today to figure out what I could and couldn't eat. I just knew if I went in unprepared, I would fall back on my usual chicken strips and fries or a cheeseburger (couple that with a regular soda and a refill and my Points would be gone for the rest of the week). Their menu is famous for having Weight Watchers approved items, but none of them sounded up my alley. And then I spotted their new 550 calories and under section and was pleased to find an Asiago Peppercorn Steak with vegetables and new potatoes. Not only was it less than 550 calories, it was only 10 Points! It was one of the first times in a while that I've cleaned my plate while eating out (vegetables included, and it was even broccoli!). I actually picked off the cheese and peppercorns as well, so I'm sure I saved myself an extra point or so. Top that delicious steak off with water instead of soda, and I was left with 6 Points for dessert!
Just before joining Weight Watchers I had found these little Weight Watchers desserts that promised decadence, but I assumed it would be like any other typical "diet" food. Boy, was I wrong! The Weight Watchers Coffee Cakes (3 Points) are perfectly portioned and so delicious. Dad, you'll have to try these. They may not be Drakes Cakes, but they're pretty dang close! Weight Watchers also has it's version of a Twinkie that comes in at just 2 Points.
All in all, I ended my day using 28 of my allowable 29 Points; I didn't even dip into my extra Points even though I was going out. The biggest lesson learned today: If you're planning on eating out, do your research. While I was limited to the number of items I could eat, I didn't feel deprived and actually enjoyed my meal more than when I would pick my standard restaurant fanfare. I consider today's adventure in healthy eating...successful!
Instead of starting out the day with my usual Slim-Fast (a whopping 5 Points), I had a bowl of oatmeal with 1/2 cup 1% milk (4 Points). For lunch, I had some rice and veggie leftovers (6 Points), a 1 oz. serving of pretzel sticks (3 Points), some Musselman's Lite apple sauce (0 Points), and my Cherry Coke Zero (0 Points).
I meticulously clawed my way through the Applebees online menu earlier today to figure out what I could and couldn't eat. I just knew if I went in unprepared, I would fall back on my usual chicken strips and fries or a cheeseburger (couple that with a regular soda and a refill and my Points would be gone for the rest of the week). Their menu is famous for having Weight Watchers approved items, but none of them sounded up my alley. And then I spotted their new 550 calories and under section and was pleased to find an Asiago Peppercorn Steak with vegetables and new potatoes. Not only was it less than 550 calories, it was only 10 Points! It was one of the first times in a while that I've cleaned my plate while eating out (vegetables included, and it was even broccoli!). I actually picked off the cheese and peppercorns as well, so I'm sure I saved myself an extra point or so. Top that delicious steak off with water instead of soda, and I was left with 6 Points for dessert!
Just before joining Weight Watchers I had found these little Weight Watchers desserts that promised decadence, but I assumed it would be like any other typical "diet" food. Boy, was I wrong! The Weight Watchers Coffee Cakes (3 Points) are perfectly portioned and so delicious. Dad, you'll have to try these. They may not be Drakes Cakes, but they're pretty dang close! Weight Watchers also has it's version of a Twinkie that comes in at just 2 Points.
All in all, I ended my day using 28 of my allowable 29 Points; I didn't even dip into my extra Points even though I was going out. The biggest lesson learned today: If you're planning on eating out, do your research. While I was limited to the number of items I could eat, I didn't feel deprived and actually enjoyed my meal more than when I would pick my standard restaurant fanfare. I consider today's adventure in healthy eating...successful!
Weight Watchers - Day 1
I enrolled in Weight Watchers and started the program on Wednesday, April 20th. To say that my first day was challenging is an understatement. I started the day out very well, but quickly realized that my favorite foods and normal go-to breakfast items were high in Points, typically because they were high in carbohydrates. By the end of the night, I was famished, and with my work schedule, I typically eat 4 regular meals a day. Of the 29 Points I was allowed for yesterday, I ended up using 40, eating up 11 of my "freebie" Points for the remainder of the week.
Now, I'm going to cut myself a little slack and not be too terribly disappointed in my first-go effort with Weight Watchers. All in all, I did eat fairly healthily yesterday. What really did me in was my late-night eating (didn't get home from work until after 9PM), so I'll need to start examining those habits more closely.
Tonight will be my first effort eating out with Weight Watchers. I'm headed to Applebees and have already looked up the Point values for a couple of items. It's between the Asiago Peppercorn Steak (10 Points) and the Teriyaki Chicken Pasta (12 Points). After eating lunch today I'll have anywhere from 16-19 of my regular Points left to use at dinner, so we'll see how it goes!
Now, I'm going to cut myself a little slack and not be too terribly disappointed in my first-go effort with Weight Watchers. All in all, I did eat fairly healthily yesterday. What really did me in was my late-night eating (didn't get home from work until after 9PM), so I'll need to start examining those habits more closely.
Tonight will be my first effort eating out with Weight Watchers. I'm headed to Applebees and have already looked up the Point values for a couple of items. It's between the Asiago Peppercorn Steak (10 Points) and the Teriyaki Chicken Pasta (12 Points). After eating lunch today I'll have anywhere from 16-19 of my regular Points left to use at dinner, so we'll see how it goes!
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