Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Progress...

Today's weigh in= -3.6
Total amount lost- 26.2

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Day-49 Portion Control

Todays weigh-in : -7.6
Total amount lost: 19.9

Portion control is tricky business. We all have problems with our portions, and the packaging of our favorite foods can make us think we are eating the correct amount but in reality we are eating double or triple the serving size. One thing I love about weight watchers is that I don't have to give up all my favorite foods, I get to keep eating the things I enjoy I just have to keep an eye on the portion.

There are a few tricks for measuring food when you don't have any measuring utensils handy.
Using your hand is the best way to show your brain what a portion should look like when your away from home.
Fist = 1 cup
Thumb (Tip to base) = 1 oz meat of cheese
Thumb tip (Tip to first joint) = 1 Tbsp.
Fingertip (Tip to first joint) = 1 tsp.
Cupped hand = 1-2 oz. of nuts or pretzels
Palm (minus fingers) = 3 oz. meat fish or poultry

If you have ever been on any kind of diet it gets quite repetitive and annoying to always be measuring, sometimes you just want to eat! I find using the palm trick for my protein comes in handy so I don't have to pull out the scale for every meal.

What do you use to measure your portions?

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Day 39- Valentines Plans

Jay and I really aren't doing anything this year for Valentines day besides enjoying each others company because he was deployed last year. I really didn't want any candy or chocloate this year or any dinner plans because I don't want to sabotage myself. I have found that now when I try to eat something I think I crave (popcorn) it's making me feel sick. My brain is starting to catalog and register those things and I'm not wanting any of it at all anymore. Minimal cravings are making this journey go alot more smoothly than about 30 days ago. I guess the fact that I'm going to be in Florida having to get into a bathing suit in less than a month is also motivation to keep strictly on my plan so when I see my mom, grandparents and besties they will be saying "WOW"!
It has been brought to my attention (Jen :) ) that it may be confusing on my weigh-in days of how much total weight I have lost. I will start adding that along with my weekly weigh in to be more clear!

Our computer has picked up a virus and the Internet has been on the fritz so I am going to have to find another solution to be able to write on here until it's fixed.

Do you have any plans to work off that chocolate from your hips and butt?! What are everyones Valentines day plans?

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Day 35-Weigh in Wednesday!

Weigh in Wednesday... -3.4

I am so happy about that number. When I stepped on the scale I didn't think I'd have that big of a loss because I have been sick and very unmotivated being head clogged and all. It just goes to show that when you stick to the plan you can get results(even during Super bowl week)!
The topic we discussed this week is one that we all suffer from; Eating when you aren't hungry, and how do we stop it?! I know when I get bored or when I'm watching movies I ALWAYS want popcorn. I could be stuffed and still want popcorn.
We were given ideas to "help" when you are suffering from the top four reasons we emotionally eat; bored, sadness, stress, and angry.

Boredom- When you are bored and want to reach for your "go to" favorites try making a list of fun things you can do around your house so when you go to reach for the fridge, or pantry you can remind yourself to do otherwise. For me, my "To do" list works the best. Also, you can do a crossword puzzle or read; something that will engage your brain.

Sadness- Go for a powerwalk or jump-rope, something that will boost your endorphins. Or call someone who will make you laugh.

Stress- Try heading outside for a quick walk to clear your head to build up calorie free energy.

Anger- Write down in a journal or a piece of paper whats making you so angry. The best thing for me is to go for a drive and to scream or imaginary talk back to who/what ever made me angry.

This week we are supposed to really focus on our feelings and try to gauge how hungry we REALLY feel.
Which type of emotional eating do you suffer from most and have you found a cure?!

Monday, February 7, 2011

Day 33- Super Bowl Commercials

Because we know nothing about football in our house we decided to chose Green Bay as our team at the beginning of the game because everyones always talking about the Steelers. We decided to go with the team we knew nothing about, we gave them a chance! I guess we chose right because they came out winning!
Enough about the game.. And on to more important stuff- the commercials. I was disappointed this year. I will start off with the negatives - uninteresting car ads. This year a 30 second slot was 2.5 million and 2.8 million, which is down from 3 million last year. I was wondering how the car companies, who have been begging for bailouts could have so many spots? Well, whatever the reason I was bored of it. There were a few creative that I enjoyed but the rest were snoozers. Now on to my favorites! There were three ads that stuck in my mind and of course Bud Light and Doritos came through for me this year.
I really enjoyed Doritos, Are you done yet? and Grandpa back from the grave. I thought that they were very creative and both made me laugh. My bud light choice wasn't as great, I really didn't even like the ad as a whole but I loved the message. The commercial when they were on set and they have a 'product placement'. I enjoyed how they "overdid" and mocked how product placement can sometimes cloud out the actual story line or content of a film/show.

Which were your favorite? Which one do you never want to see again?

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Day 31- What are your Super Bowl plans?

Sorry about the lack of writing. A nasty bug has been going around at Jays work and of course I had to catch it.
I've been so excited about the Super Bowl coming up, but not for the game because if you know us personally we are not sports fans. We watch for the commercials and the halftime show, yes we are those "people"! I also enjoy it for the socializing, food and beer. I've been struggling all week on how I should handle the big Sunday. For Jay, I'm making up a batch of short ribs and for myself I've found a few interesting recipes on the Weight Watchers website. Who doesn't love potatos? I thought this recipe looked scrumptious. It makes up 8 servings at 5 Points a piece.

Crispy Chipotle Potato Skins

Ingredients
4 large uncooked potato(es), baking-variety, cooked, cooled and quartered lengthwise
1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp chili powder, or chipotle chili powder
1/4 tsp hot pepper sauce
6 slice(s) cooked canadian-style bacon, finely chopped
3/4 cup(s) low-fat shredded cheddar cheese
2 medium tomato(es), diced
3 medium scallion(s), finely chopped
1/2 cup(s) reduced-fat sour cream

Instructions
*Preheat oven to 425°F. Scoop out flesh of potatoes, leaving a thin layer of potato flesh in potato. (Reserve remaining potato flesh for another use such as mashed potatoes.)
*In a small bowl, combine oil, chili powder and hot pepper sauce. Using a pastry brush, brush insides of potato wedges with oil mixture. Place potato wedges in a single layer on a large nonstick baking sheet; sprinkle with bacon and cheese.
*Bake until cheese melts and potatoes are heated through, about 15 minutes. Sprinkle with tomatoes and scallions; serve with sour cream on the side. Yields 2 potato skins and about 2 tablespoons sour cream per serving.


Our plans are to just lay around and enjoy the Super Bowl at home this year. With me being sick and all, I really don't want to spread this bug any further! What are your plans for this Sunday? Are you having a party and making any great recipes to share?

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Day 28- I am a beginner

Todays weigh in was good :)

Down 5 lbs! Now that's what I am talking about!

Thinking back to January I spent alot of time weighing, measuring and calculating everything I ate. Now that it's the beginning of February I am feeling very comfortable and confident about the program. I don't start freaking out when I don't have a meal planned, I just go with the flow. Obviously, with this weeks fat loss number it seems like I'm doing OK! Some weeks I am more positive than others, this week being one of them. Who wouldn't be confident with a good number on the scale?! I've noticed that when I have a good week, for some reason I won't pull as good of a number when I weigh in the next time. It must just be my natural body chemistry. Cross your fingers for me.
Since the first day of my weight loss journey I haven't struggled one bit making my meals for breakfast and lunch. When it comes dinner time I tend to have a hard time trying to be a bit more creative. Especially because I have my husband to also think about when I am cooking. Lately I have just been using the Weight Watchers smart ones freezer dinners with a salad on the side. I am slowly trying to add in dinners that both he and I can eat and enjoy! When I say slowly, I'm talking snails pace. It's happening though and that's all that matters. I am a beginner and I'm learning. Actually a beginner at alot of things, a few being weight watchers, wife, and cook. All of these effect my journey so better slow than sorry.
For those of you who try to eat healthier, what do you do when cooking dinner for you and your significant others, children and/or visitors?! How do you overcome the "pickiness" of the ones you cook for?