Frustrated and Definitely Not Losing

The reality is that I haven't been able to get "back on the wagon".<br /><br />It's annoying, irritating, depressing and frustrating. <br /><br />Since giving birth, I've rejoined Weight Watchers, made a feeble attempt at Visalus Shakes, and almost started Plexus Slim (until I <a href="http://www.tga.gov.au/safety/alerts-medicine-plexus-slim-accelerator-capsules-130716.htm" target="_blank">read</a> about the dangers of certain ingredients that they use). <br /><br />The reality is that I'm still struggling with the same things I was before I got pregnant last year.  At first, it was the same old story - no planning/poor planning meant going over my daily points target every day.  But why am I doing this in the first place?  I simply hated planning my meals everyday.  I felt like I didn't have time because when I would plan the meals in advance (meaning not just the actual planning, but also pre-tracking), it would take me hours to do that.  I thought I had such few time then - ha!  Motherhood definitely nixed any free ounce of time I had!<br /><br />Then I thought if I had 2 less meals to plan each day, it'd be a lot easier (hence the Visalus approach).  And while those shakes are good, I was STARVING.<br /><br />I'm up.  I'm up in weight big time.  I'm still wearing some maternity pants.  It's depressing.<br /><br />But my motivation - it's no where to be found.  Why can't I get it together?  I don't like feeling like this - overweight.  So why can't I just face the music?<br /><br />I just don't know what to do anymore.  I'm so sick of the "tomorrow is a new day" or "I'll start tomorrow" - that whole concept - because it just doesn't happen.  I wake up expecting to feel energized, and I'm simply burned out on weight loss.<br /><br />I want to be healthy not only for myself, but for my daughter and husband.  I don't want the effects of obesity to kill me. <br /><br />I just don't know what to do or where to go from here.  I love the idea of Weight Watchers, but I'm almost burned out on it anymore. <br /><br />Gah!!!

Lacking Motivation Weight Loss Weight Loss Challenges Weight Watchers Frustrated and Definitely Not Losing

The reality is that I haven't been able to get "back on the wagon". It's annoying, irritating, depressing and frustrating....

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Back on Weight Watchers

I have been anxious to get back to Weight Watchers, especially during those last few weeks of pregnancy, so I went back on Monday night, exactly 2 weeks postpartum. <br /><br />Our meeting center moved locations, and was upgraded to the fresher, more modern WW look that I had seen in other meeting centers (the green chairs, more private weigh-in stations, etc).  It was great to be back at the meeting, but I will be honest - I was so distracted the entire time I was there.  That was the first time I had left Avonlea and all I wanted to do was race back home to be with her.  It didn't help that I chose a meeting with a leader that isn't my fave.  You know how that can be - slightly off-putting.... demotivating, etc.  I will go to a different meeting next week for sure!<br /><br />Still, I was excited to get myself all set up online, and was anxious to get back into the Weekly's and see what new materials were available.  For example, I like this "My Routines" tool.  Something I was awful at in the past was eating my fruits/veggies.  Being such a picky eater, and obviously someone who would rather eat chocolate than an apple, it's a tough habit to get into with eating fruits/veggies.  I thought the "Eat vegetables or fruit with every meal or snack" was a good routine to select. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmx4Wt-n9fHpdyxBnm8Jsl6zmJ31pwcVKL7j9XqPI2R13W2J4hmrKRM-GsfmucQOc_jbQ0LT9zFqH5ZUtwtrPzGsYb8yqEUIlgWEUB1Zke5b3aYvuQ704u94Q-j6bQ4O8v3iy_P4hbzmM/s1600/routines.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmx4Wt-n9fHpdyxBnm8Jsl6zmJ31pwcVKL7j9XqPI2R13W2J4hmrKRM-GsfmucQOc_jbQ0LT9zFqH5ZUtwtrPzGsYb8yqEUIlgWEUB1Zke5b3aYvuQ704u94Q-j6bQ4O8v3iy_P4hbzmM/s400/routines.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />My last weigh in while pregnant was recorded the Friday before giving birth.  I was at 280 lbs.  For Monday's weigh in I was 252.4!  Can you believe I've lost nearly 30 lbs in just 2 weeks?!  Why can't it work like that <i>all </i>the time!! :)<br /><br />I'm now 2 days into the WW journey and I've already encountered my familiar challenges.  I forgot how well I do if I plan my meals in advance.  Tuesday was a clear reminder of what happens when I just eat and record the food as I go.  I'm out of Points before I know it!  Today (Wednesday) has gone so much better as I pre-tracked all of the main meals this morning. <br /><br />Something I also forgot about with doing WW is the desire to eat just because I have Points to eat.  Not that this is the healthiest thing ever, but during those 2 weeks postpartum, I was eating, on average, 1-2 meals per day.  That's all I needed.  I wasn't walking around thinking about what thing I could eat next.  I ate when I was hungry, until I was satisfied, and that was that.  I wish I could have that mentality all of the time, because then I wouldn't have to rely on WW!  Still, I was reminded on day 1 of being back on this journey that I don't need to eat my Points just because I have them.  I know that's a big WW faux pas, because they want you eating all of your Points, but I think, at least right now, it's more important for me to listen to my hunger cues than to eat just for the sake of ticking away at those Points.<br /><br /><b><span style="color: #674ea7;">Do you share in the same sentiment with your PointsPlus values - eating them just because you have them?</span></b><br /><br />

Weight Watchers Back on Weight Watchers

I have been anxious to get back to Weight Watchers, especially during those last few weeks of pregnancy, so I went back on Monday night, exa...

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WW Helpful Habit: Mange Your Thoughts

If you follow WW, then you know they have some "mental" strategies for getting the weight off - referred to as Helpful Habits and Tools for Living.<br /><br />This week I decided to <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2012/03/helpful-habits-manage-your-thoughts.html" target="_blank">re-focus</a> on the Helpful Habit "Manage Your Thoughts" and the Tool for Living "Empowering Beliefs".<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKzcn91xkSNSnCgxyd3H8n7AfZ4tFtP7PUIEcbHkn5bvRP7r7BRhYBgS0hGDB3Qg2E2KKOWRCNMz0UiFMoesXAK2GvzqokrnGNuhhzVAKd9_o78ZMh33Ju7nnf_QcbA2dplVw_HnzC7M/s1600/empowering+thoughts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKzcn91xkSNSnCgxyd3H8n7AfZ4tFtP7PUIEcbHkn5bvRP7r7BRhYBgS0hGDB3Qg2E2KKOWRCNMz0UiFMoesXAK2GvzqokrnGNuhhzVAKd9_o78ZMh33Ju7nnf_QcbA2dplVw_HnzC7M/s320/empowering+thoughts.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKPQ9VJytomrVAjbZyduOXGpi1L_cG0qDZa92bNr3eFuSQFZmnR2p5jFz0beETIh-6E2m5mrJoe1WrF2fmBeg_og2ocvyz4OZVTf8cdvkRYfadTebRXXWhYEsbPBczmJGX43UgyjA2lA/s1600/empowering+thoughts+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKPQ9VJytomrVAjbZyduOXGpi1L_cG0qDZa92bNr3eFuSQFZmnR2p5jFz0beETIh-6E2m5mrJoe1WrF2fmBeg_og2ocvyz4OZVTf8cdvkRYfadTebRXXWhYEsbPBczmJGX43UgyjA2lA/s320/empowering+thoughts+2.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><br /><br />The concepts are all about positive thinking and being kind to yourself.  I'm sure you've been asked this question before, but would you give your best friend the same kind of response you give yourself when you've had an "off plan" day?  You know - the harsh self-deprecation?  I highly doubt it.  In fact, I find much enjoyment out of encouraging others.  But encouraging myself feels....selfish.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq8AhjUtUSuq4Q-GjJiiJ42hmjVUJQDwF45gE__U7aPm-Xk6b7MgtPkBzmjjPrJIMgPhwSOX7Jcs1BbpxzIs2MaqSFwhAwA50YRSFKcjlcV7o2KI66jFCdBAZvTMztOESAlJbfXWJilIU/s1600/manage+thoughts+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq8AhjUtUSuq4Q-GjJiiJ42hmjVUJQDwF45gE__U7aPm-Xk6b7MgtPkBzmjjPrJIMgPhwSOX7Jcs1BbpxzIs2MaqSFwhAwA50YRSFKcjlcV7o2KI66jFCdBAZvTMztOESAlJbfXWJilIU/s320/manage+thoughts+1.jpg" width="211" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6LCAOW9bYAL9P-AgMOk-VP_EAgVey_yKwRG76-ccIvBP_D-E6CX28pacFSCcFP6rsyFd8azlQbRp0auUbJjrFJp7r7vV8VUMH0Rw0i0aS09iV71LYbpTdSAk-pHm5knZt0JqOFAV9_M/s1600/manage+thoughts+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The bottom line is this: telling myself that I suck is not getting me anywhere.  It's not motivating me to do better, otherwise I wouldn't be in this boat.  I should be my own cheerleader!  <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6LCAOW9bYAL9P-AgMOk-VP_EAgVey_yKwRG76-ccIvBP_D-E6CX28pacFSCcFP6rsyFd8azlQbRp0auUbJjrFJp7r7vV8VUMH0Rw0i0aS09iV71LYbpTdSAk-pHm5knZt0JqOFAV9_M/s1600/manage+thoughts+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6LCAOW9bYAL9P-AgMOk-VP_EAgVey_yKwRG76-ccIvBP_D-E6CX28pacFSCcFP6rsyFd8azlQbRp0auUbJjrFJp7r7vV8VUMH0Rw0i0aS09iV71LYbpTdSAk-pHm5knZt0JqOFAV9_M/s320/manage+thoughts+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manage Your Thoughts</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I <i>know </i>positive self-talk works.  Not only have I had success with it in college when I lost 50 lbs, but I've had success with it in other areas of my life as well.  Remember those<a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/search/label/5K" target="_blank"> two 5K's</a> I ran two days in a row in early summer?  What do you think got me through that?  I certainly wasn't telling myself "Hilary, you're never gonna finish.  You might as well just start walking.  You're too fat to run the entire 3.1 miles."  No, I said none of those things.  I kept encouraging myself the entire time, little by little.  Not focusing on the big picture, but instead concentrating on each step I took.    <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RG0YGaNOlsij4P6CrVGo5Bky8B0PayiBssIfKjtF2533fcuSPhO4-ZcJ-jfUENHnU2eis1aTK5kF3rGc5YSd9GUKaaUax8fEQPTD1hCXiBa0kpuzY6O1irysYHSRhxYHth-GCP83Y00/s1600/manage+thoughts+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RG0YGaNOlsij4P6CrVGo5Bky8B0PayiBssIfKjtF2533fcuSPhO4-ZcJ-jfUENHnU2eis1aTK5kF3rGc5YSd9GUKaaUax8fEQPTD1hCXiBa0kpuzY6O1irysYHSRhxYHth-GCP83Y00/s320/manage+thoughts+3.jpg" width="211" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manage Your Thoughts</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I can meet my goal of approximately 165 pounds.  I am capable of eating right and making better choices all the way around.  I'm not meant to live this way, carrying around The Big Weight on my shoulders.<br /><br />I was meant to live happily and that's just what I'm gonna do.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrR3hmX3IEQs9t5FFOb7EXvNP8-3s6Ry10fIQWV3CQYz385uDAhvyHB2pJ_HwXIM1MKpb1uspxyk6xUFYJyh9KNinWdQ0yHYfoiJdNnzSjsgInHYuKgUFDJXEthwXy1NzcJ0Q_1IEESk/s1600/erma+bombeck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrR3hmX3IEQs9t5FFOb7EXvNP8-3s6Ry10fIQWV3CQYz385uDAhvyHB2pJ_HwXIM1MKpb1uspxyk6xUFYJyh9KNinWdQ0yHYfoiJdNnzSjsgInHYuKgUFDJXEthwXy1NzcJ0Q_1IEESk/s400/erma+bombeck.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="color: #666666;">*you can pick up your own copy of the brochures at your local WW meeting center!</span>

Weight Watcher Pamphlets Weight Watchers WW Helpful Habit: Mange Your Thoughts

If you follow WW, then you know they have some "mental" strategies for getting the weight off - referred to as Helpful Habits and ...

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I'm Gonna Do This

It has been 5 days since I have counted a single Point.  <i>This </i>is a <b>terrible </b>idea!<br /><br />So, I'm clear on at least one thing in my journey: I need structure.  "Mindful eating" is not cutting it for me.   I need more guidelines.  I need more <i>rules</i>.  <br /><br />Truth be told - I miss Weight Watchers. <br /><br />But -<br /><br />I <i>need </i>to find a way to make it work for me. For the next week....<br /><br /><ul><li>I will review the materials, documenting my notes here.  <br /></li><li>I will come up with 5 go-to <u>simple</u> meals with ingredients that I will keep on hand at all times.<br /></li><li>I will build out a week long meal plan in it's entirety to get me back on track.  I have NEVER failed when I have a meal plan in place.<br /></li><li>I will challenge myself to eliminate eating out for next week - minus the already planned dinner with our friends.</li></ul><ul><li>I will practice saying 'No' to "food opportunities" (ex: being asked to go out to eat, being offered someone else's food to try, etc)</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiII-PZDSLsiaxOuMYQiBaloG4VZO-Q6wb0X6ofc5t0t06fD17PkoahE3cMPXHAFctHY29sHfirxzL35GgyZ51M5isg2aP3rZuN603owtLdjZB_Wy_ANNMBjEusLlklUYoWbvPM9sRKyBk/s1600/tips+to+reduce+weight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiII-PZDSLsiaxOuMYQiBaloG4VZO-Q6wb0X6ofc5t0t06fD17PkoahE3cMPXHAFctHY29sHfirxzL35GgyZ51M5isg2aP3rZuN603owtLdjZB_Wy_ANNMBjEusLlklUYoWbvPM9sRKyBk/s320/tips+to+reduce+weight.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />There is still a tiny bit of motivation in me to not give up, and I'm going to capitalize on that as much as I possibly can. <br /><br />I will not be fat for the rest of my life.  

Inspiration Lacking Motivation Random Weight Loss Thoughts Weight Loss Weight Loss Challenges Weight Watchers I'm Gonna Do This

It has been 5 days since I have counted a single Point.  This is a terrible idea! So, I'm clear on at least one thing in my journey: I n...

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Let Me Elaborate

Thank you to those who left great suggestions and words of encouragement on last week's <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2012/08/burned-out.html" target="_blank">post</a>!<br /><br />I do want to elaborate a little further after one reader said:<br /> <i> </i><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><i>"Reading your post, I wasn't sure if you're tired of the food planning itself, or the actual sticking to the plan part."</i></blockquote><br />That's a great observation, and it got me thinking. <br /><br />Right now, today, in this moment, I am burnt out of most everything related to healthy living.  I know this will pass, but I just need a short break from it all. <br /><br />It has all become rather overwhelming - the constant grind of trying to plan my meals each day/week, feeble attempts at living the Plan day in and day out (<i>not to mention the constant guilt each time I mess up</i>), getting in the exercise and <i>then </i>trying to blog about it all <i>(and more guilt when I fail at this too</i>).  I'm surprised (<i>and proud!</i>) to admit that the only thing that has remained consistent throughout the last year and a half is the rate at which I exercise.  I've maintained my average of 2-3 days per week for a year and a half.  Exercise is not something I'm giving up on because I don't want to.<br /><br />I'm also weary of having plans for every single scenario:  plans on how to eat when we travel out of town, or hang out with friends, or when I don't feel like cooking when I get home from work, or daily generic meal plans to get me through a "normal" week.  I'm tired of all the planning, especially when it just fails me in the end anyhow! (<i>Yes, Joel - even </i>I<i> hate planning after awhile :)</i>!). <br /><br />Life as a Weight Watcher (<i>or anyone trying to watch their weight</i>) is <i>filled </i>with spontaneity.  Some people thrive at the challenge of staying On Plan when dining out or being on vacation or visiting friends/family or whatever scenario you can think of.  You could argue that if I planned accordingly for each of these scenarios, I could set myself up for success.  I would argue back that I always have a plan, but apparently my plans suck or the execution of them is extremely poor! <br /><br />I despise spontaneity.  I don't like when life throws unexpected situations into my weight watching day.  I'm talking about little things, like when a coworker asks me if I want to join him/her at Chick Fil A for lunch, and I'm already starving/dreading what I brought and so I cave and go along for the fried food.  I have a real problem saying 'no' to stuff like that.<br /><br />But getting back to the reader's observation:  I am tired of food planning for sure.  It's also more that I'm tired/annoyed/frustrated with TRYING to stay On Plan - not so much of being on the Plan itself (<i>since, if I was following it perfectly, I wouldn't even be sitting here writing this - I'd probably be celebrating loss after loss instead!</i>).  While I don't like spontaneity, I do enjoy eating different foods week to week.  I cannot always eat oatmeal for breakfast and turkey sandwiches for lunch and salads for dinner.  I enjoy cooking and variety with my meals - and that's both a benefit and huge downfall of mine.  Years ago when I was most successful on WW, having lost 50 lbs, meal planning was no issue for me!  That's because I ate the same few things day in and day out for about a year - easy peezy.  Today, I cannot stand the sight of a Lean Cuisine/Healthy Choice frozen entree/Smart Ones meal.  But because I tout my love for meal variety, it also comes with a few consequences: time and planning.  <br /><br />I enjoy preparing my own food, but that takes time (<i>as a sidenote, if I can barely handle my own life plus Joel's, I would never be able to be a parent - I have no idea how they/you do it ALL!</i>).  I try to do as much as I can on the weekends, but again - I'm tired of spending my entire Sunday cooking for the upcoming week.  I want to have the luxury/joy of just having a weekend where I don't have a plan in place related to Weight Watchers!     <br /><br />As Ryan so assuredly stated: <i> </i><br /><i> </i><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><i>"No need to give up, just learn, shift, grow, and you can get what you want!"</i></blockquote>And that's exactly what I'm doing.<i><br /></i><br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br />

Lacking Motivation Weight Loss Weight Watchers Let Me Elaborate

Thank you to those who left great suggestions and words of encouragement on last week's post ! I do want to elaborate a little further a...

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Burned Out

It is true: I am officially burned out from this weight loss thing.<br /><br />I am now going on 7 months where I cannot get it together.  My problem is eating.  I suck at it.  I suck at planning.  I suck at sticking to my Daily PointsPlus Target. I suck at sticking to my Weekly PointsPlus Target.<br /><br />My motivation is rapidly depleting.  <i>I'm sick of "start-over-Friday"!!!!!  </i><br /><br />Why is it, that despite the fact that I <i>hate </i>being overweight, that that is <i>still </i><b>not enough</b> motivation to keep me on track?  Why?  Why is food more important?  Why does the focus always need to remain on <i>what </i>I'll eat at the next meal, or <i>when </i>I'll eat the next meal?   Why can't I just listen to the hunger signals my body gives out, instead of just eating to eat?<br /><br />Sometimes I think that I might be better off if I took a little break from WW.  Maybe the time away would allow me to erase all of the bad WW habits I've acquired, so that I can start up again soon with a fresh, clean slate. <br /><br />Sometimes I wonder if I tried just eating intuitively, how that would bode?  Perhaps that would take the pressure off of daily meal planning, where if I was just eating until I was satisfied, then I wouldn't have to worry so much about all the details. <br /><br />Yet, when I think about taking a break from WW, it scares me quite frankly.  I've counted Points in some fashion practically since I've been 17 years old (now 28).  It's all I've known.  And it has worked for me in the past.  I'm afraid if I take a week off and just try intuitive eating (i.e. not counting Points), then I might set myself back yet another week of not losing. <i> I'm tired of failure weeks!</i><br /><br />Right now, I just feel very overwhelmed.  And when I think about "start-over-Friday" tomorrow, it disgusts me.  Because I know I'm gonna fail yet again.  Because I know the immense amount of time and effort that goes into daily meal planning, and I cannot bring myself to find the motivation to do it.  Yet I don't know what other way to be successful.  Some planning needs to be involved, right? <br /><br />And when I fail at meal planning, then it all becomes a downward spiral.  Sort of like - work before play.  If I cannot meal plan and have On Plan (or even <i>near </i>On Plan) days, then I don't deserve to do the things I enjoy (i.e. blogging, photography, reading, etc). <br /><br />I don't even know a question to pose to you, but feel free to leave your advice and feedback. <br /><br /><i style="color: #999999;">Since I've been absent from my own blog, I've also been absent from reading yours!  This weekend I plan to blow through my Google Reader to get caught back up - oh, how I've missed you all so :). </i><br /><br /><br />

Lacking Motivation Weight Loss Weight Watchers Burned Out

It is true: I am officially burned out from this weight loss thing. I am now going on 7 months where I cannot get it together.  My problem i...

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Review: PointsPlus Fitness Series

I am so proud to report that I have been consistently working out for almost a year and a half now... quickly approaching 2 years in November.  I have not consistently stuck to working out this long ever in my life.  Sure, I might be a 230ish pound female, but I work out every week!  Clearly, I have that part of my healthiness journey down.  Consistency with eating well is lacking, but I'm <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/search/label/No%20Sugar%20Challenge" target="_blank">working on improving it</a>.<br /><br />Over the last several weeks, Weight Watchers has been sponsoring a get-active event called LiveLifeActive.  Beginning in June, if you record your activity within eTools, somehow you're eligible to win prizes.  They've also offered discounts on all of their fitness products, for which I took full advantage. <i> (Sidenote: Last year WW hosted a 5K walk called the Weight Watchers Walk-it Day Challenge - I thought this was soooo much better!)</i><br /><br />While I'm not a huge yogi - I'm not opposed to it - I do enjoy my <a href="http://www.gaiam.com/product/am-pm+yoga+conditioning+for+weight+loss+dvd.do" target="_blank">Gaiam Yoga for Weight Loss</a> DVD.  I've never had a yoga mat before so I picked up the WW version, which boasts a bit larger size than your average yoga mat.  I also purchased the WW activity DVD that offers 5 DVDs with 5 different styles of workouts. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBtn4XYGZK1N_Ilg49G_Ma9ud4sbwig-TmGysn6i_2w69QHiQcSMGYr-vid_mfPcbvu5pdzM52y6ZwLJHqZq5O_Jnzpyv7mYRcsTJKoCHBNFjNoHjkUNoJxo-FBQ2WWtc6lMhLsf5-GU/s1600/jennifer+cohen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBtn4XYGZK1N_Ilg49G_Ma9ud4sbwig-TmGysn6i_2w69QHiQcSMGYr-vid_mfPcbvu5pdzM52y6ZwLJHqZq5O_Jnzpyv7mYRcsTJKoCHBNFjNoHjkUNoJxo-FBQ2WWtc6lMhLsf5-GU/s320/jennifer+cohen.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.examiner.com/article/weight-watchers-points-plus-fitness-series-dvd-set-geared-for-all-fitness-levels" target="_blank">Source</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />I mistakenly thought that because these were WW workout DVDs, the intensity of them would probably be on the low side.  Well, I'm sure they're no comparison to Jillian's Shred, but these DVDs are tough!  So far I've done them all at least once, but have done the Core Cardio DVD twice.  Every single time I have walked away sore.  The length of the workouts range from 30 min to just under 40 minutes.  Each of them offer an express workout option as well. <br /><br />The 5 workouts are:<br /><br /><ol><li>Total Body Cardio Stretch: yoga-like</li><li>Upper Body Boot Camp: lots of weight moves</li><li>Lower Body Interval Training</li><li>Core Cardio</li><li>Cardio Basic </li></ol>This is the basic layout of every DVD.  Imagine a little timer bar in the lower right corner of the screen.  The girl on our right is always doing the lower intensity modifications.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz590_cblf0AssjabDC8pFghfBEg3XAMEDv4lU7oB-PNhcte2j5ckpT7d2vKV-rvg9A5oAGI2pQZCO0R4uTvfASIXjkoFCyJjUDgL3oCoihWuh_spCDRQRJgD6iMrSNd8JwMSAHbR3Ss0/s1600/DVD+Jen+Cohen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz590_cblf0AssjabDC8pFghfBEg3XAMEDv4lU7oB-PNhcte2j5ckpT7d2vKV-rvg9A5oAGI2pQZCO0R4uTvfASIXjkoFCyJjUDgL3oCoihWuh_spCDRQRJgD6iMrSNd8JwMSAHbR3Ss0/s320/DVD+Jen+Cohen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The things I enjoy about these workouts are:<br /><ul><li>Cool little timer bar that runs across the bottom, showing you how long you have left.</li><li>The modifications of the workouts that tailor to someone who is more advanced to someone just beginning.</li><li>The length of the total workout.</li><li>The soreness afterward!</li><li>The moves are not difficult to grasp.  So, if you don't feel very coordinated, like myself, the moves are not complex and are easy to follow along with.</li></ul>The things I <i>don't</i> enjoy about these workouts:<br /><ul><li>The moves are too repetitive.  For example, you might be lunging for 2-3 solid minutes on the same leg before you switch.  I find that's a long time to remain with the same exercise, especially if you're trying to keep up with them - I get really tired.  Not only that, but it gets boring.  Now, since results are what we're going for, the challenge is appreciated.  However, it does make me dread the workouts a bit because I know I'll be doing lunges (or whatever exercise) for what seems an endless amount of time.  Other exercise DVDs are really great about keeping things moving (The Wave, for example).</li><li>One particular move in some of the DVD's is sort of like a plank, but you walk yourself into a plank position.  These are extremely tough!  I also get very lightheaded when doing them, so I only do one and try to do a different move while the trainers proceed with those moves.  </li></ul><b style="color: #351c75;">What's your favorite workout DVD and why? </b>

Exercise Fitness DVDs Weight Watchers Review: PointsPlus Fitness Series

I am so proud to report that I have been consistently working out for almost a year and a half now... quickly approaching 2 years in Novembe...

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My Awesome WW Leader

I have been a WW member unofficially since I was 17 years old.   I have also had 5 WW leaders since I've started this journey.<br /><br />My unofficial membership began when my aunts and uncle proposed a little family weight loss competition.  Aunt Patty photocopied her Points slider and made one for me out of a manila envelope (back when Points were based on calories, fat and fiber, and eTools didn't even exist!).  She taught me the system, and so our competition began.  I think I managed to lose around 20-25 pounds during my first run on WW.  Not bad!  (I might even still have that homemade slider back at my parents house - mental note to look for that the next time I go home!)  <br /><br />Once I went away to college and actually had money to afford my own official WW membership, I started attending meetings at the local center at Penn State.  I cannot even remember if my leader was male or female at this center!  Shows how much of an impact they had on me.  Though I must say, it was during this time that I was most successful on WW, having removed nearly 50 lbs from my 5'8" frame!  Oh the glory!  I remember the amazing compliments that my college friends would offer me - definitely a highlight of my life!<br /><br />Then I moved to Virginia in 2006, slowly regaining those 50 lbs, and started attending meetings in Fairfax, VA.  My WW leader there was Wayne.   HILARIOUS guy and was so incredibly popular among the NoVA WW's that I eventually quit attending the meetings because I couldn't stand the crowd.  He was like a WW celebrity - women falling at his heels for attention with their own weight loss quips.  He had great information, but I was never able to form a connection with him, most likely due to the shear number of people attending his meetings.  However, I knew I needed to form some connection with my leader in order to hold me accountable.  So, eventually I quit attending Wayne's meetings in Fairfax.<br /><br />At one point in 2007, I actually cancelled my WW membership.  I decided that there was no sense in paying for it if I couldn't keep myself committed.  But then, once I returned home from a 3 month hiatus for work in Kansas City, Joel and I decided we would do WW together.  I started attending meetings again for a short duration, this time at a church in Arlington, VA.  The leader there was nice enough, but before long I quit attending (I don't think I ever knew her name!).  The people attending this meeting just wasn't doing it for me and the leader was just so-so.  I think around this time Joel and I both lost approximately 30 lbs but started slacking off thereafter.  <br /><br />Then I moved from Arlington to Alexandria in 2008 and decided to start attending meetings at another location once more.  This time I attended meetings at a center in Springfield.....with Wayne (again)!  By now I felt that Joel would be enough to hold me accountable, so I no longer felt the need to connect with my leader.  Wayne sure was hilarious just as he was in 2006, but again, his meetings were packed!  So, instead of attending his meetings, I started attending Mary's meetings on another night.  Another nice lady, but she wasn't cutting it either.  I wanted Wayne's enthusiasm and knowledge combined with Mary's attendance level.  This time I hung in there for a solid year, but once I moved to Waldorf, MD in 2009, I all together gave up on attending meetings.  I never felt like they were providing that much of a benefit for me and so I became strictly an eTools member.  <br /><br />I stayed as an eTools member for about 2 years.  Then, Joel and I moved back to Alexandria from Maryland in 2011.  <br /><br />Has all this moving annoyed you yet?  It sure did for me!<br /><br />A few weeks after moving back to the Old Dominion, I decided to start <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/07/living-life-making-friends.html" target="_blank">attending meetings again</a>.  I made this decision for a number of reasons, but mainly so that I could try to make some friends.  I was also at my heaviest weight ever (in the 260s), and I needed a boost.  I wanted to start fresh with WW, get the crash course in PointsPlus (which had just turned over from the previous Points system), and reinvigorate my weight loss journey.  A woman of persistence, I was willing to give meetings another go despite my experience, because I was determined to find a leader I could connect with and learn from.  He/she just had to be out there!<br /><br /><br />Enter Sharon.<br /><br />Sharon, with the shining smile and bright eyes, greeted me warmly as I weighed in at the Alexandria center for the first time in July 2011.  I was pleasantly surprised to learn that she was this location's leader.  From Day 1, Sharon was exactly what I was looking for in a leader.  Not only was she enthusiastic about WW,  but she had a ton of knowledge and experience to share.  She was always very willing to talk with you one on one and it was clear that she had personal connections with her members.  Sharon had immediately introduced me to another member who was around my age, sharing this member's success story with me.  Sharon's positive energy and warm demeanor always kept me coming back, despite the snail's pace at which the weight is coming off this time around.  Sharon, hands down, was the leader I had been looking for all along.<br /><br />Last week, during my Wednesday meeting, with about 5 minutes remaining, she told us she had an announcement to make.  Being the morbid person that I am, my mind shot to "she has cancer!".  Thankfully I was wrong, but the news still wasn't good.  Sharon informed us that June 27 would be her last meeting with us as our leader.  As she had tears in her eyes, she shared with us that her and her husband were going through a divorce and that she had to take time off to focus on her, her daughter and the sale of her much-loved home.  By this point, many of the members had tears running down their faces, me included.  Sharon went on to say that she had gained back a considerable amount of weight due to the emotional stress she was experiencing. She said she no longer felt good about projecting the WW principles to us, whenever she wasn't even capable of following them.  I'm pretty sure none of us were judging her on this!  Still, many of us expressed our support and concern to her at the end of the meeting.  I left the center with an extremely heavy heart.<br /><br />The irony in this story is that Sharon had weighed me in for this meeting, and I had told her that I didn't want to know my weight because I had just returned from our honeymoon.  She flashed her trademark smile and expressed genuine happiness for me as I shared our quick story with her.  Then, 30 minutes later, she shares her news.  But, that is the kind of person she is.  Despite the crap she has going on in her life, you would have never known.  Sharon was always smiling, always encouraging, always positive.  <br /><br />Last night was our last meeting with her until hopefully this fall.  She promises to come back to our meeting site at some point this summer to attend as a member, not a leader.  Her only request for us last night was that we pray for her.  She specifically said: "Don't feel bad for me.  Be glad for me.  I am going to have time to change my life and my daughter's life for the better.  All I ask is that you pray for me."<br /><br />I wanted to share this story with you so that you can pray for Sharon as well.<br /><br /><b style="color: #351c75;">How do you feel about your WW leader/Jenny Craig consultant/other well-being consultant? </b>

Weight Watchers My Awesome WW Leader

I have been a WW member unofficially since I was 17 years old.   I have also had 5 WW leaders since I've started this journey. My unoffi...

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Changing Things Up: Drinking More Water + Food Finds

Joel calls me a camel.  I almost always have a drink of some sort in my hand, but usually it's water.  Back in college I had a faux Nalgene that I bought at Target.  Not only did it last a long time, it subtly encouraged me to drink the full 8 glasses of water a day.  It was so easy, I only had to fill it up twice.  Eventually the faux Nalgene broke and I just recently got around to replacing it with the real deal.<br /><br />Enter the new, purple Nalgene (purchased on eBay for $11.99 - free shipping from <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/robbysalloutdoorandmore" target="_blank">Robby's All Outdoor and More</a>): <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9XC_CSqMe65IIAKPJ5XVvAbNqj9a3iQO3FVPjskA4AP8hZvWc__511eT15ZbvIgURmCzW5JjW1MhXyxLWidrxFloWmrWevBz1xlON8ppqhhAZhDqdWeGP5FczXqiy0EVUttE3y_tkXQ/s1600/nalgene+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9XC_CSqMe65IIAKPJ5XVvAbNqj9a3iQO3FVPjskA4AP8hZvWc__511eT15ZbvIgURmCzW5JjW1MhXyxLWidrxFloWmrWevBz1xlON8ppqhhAZhDqdWeGP5FczXqiy0EVUttE3y_tkXQ/s400/nalgene+2.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I especially love that they are made in the USA!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I only have to fill up this puppy twice each day and I've achieved the daily recommended 8 glasses.<br /><br />Additionally, if you're not familiar with these bottles, they have a wide mouth opening that makes it very easy to drop in ice cubes.  With the faux Nalgene, it was a little more difficult to exercise and simultaneously take a drink from it because of this wide mouth - the water would go everywhere.  However, Nalgene makes a handy little "splash guard" insert that prevents this from happening.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2qN3qFzbq7uOdTGKJnjTGzZcSdWaTBGdKGpYy-wuJ_ZntxVEmnGvpGqzs6XmcfUE9eb95IpyJ7IGHAG4HiNxKTYGhSTv2SG-smWg1tQ-OUjxfmEV8nwwVB3PkFhT2ZpJE7VTJ-LNHYk/s1600/nalgene+lid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2qN3qFzbq7uOdTGKJnjTGzZcSdWaTBGdKGpYy-wuJ_ZntxVEmnGvpGqzs6XmcfUE9eb95IpyJ7IGHAG4HiNxKTYGhSTv2SG-smWg1tQ-OUjxfmEV8nwwVB3PkFhT2ZpJE7VTJ-LNHYk/s320/nalgene+lid.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is true color of the bottle btw</td></tr></tbody></table>I <3 you Nalgene!<br /><br />Moving on....<br /><br />I'm changing Greek yogurt brands.  I've tried them all, and I used to be exclusively linked to Chobani.  I thought their yogurt was as good as the Greek stuff could get.  Though I still admit that I thought their 0% variety still offered quite a bit of a sour flavor for which I'm not very fond.  But alas, I tried the Dannon Oikos variety and I've since divorced Chobani.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXfHskKI9UpyH16WOu6dxwHc5TK3oCk3ViRNXILm9n1y3RAi5k7wgf0wvMTRhk92mx3PZntIrMsa1ryO7wS-6-MNKQuuRXhiUjG9EoE1UHQFMjmxeDuAyZnX0Nfx4tJ5mvP95NTQmHiM/s1600/dannon+oikos+blueberry+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXfHskKI9UpyH16WOu6dxwHc5TK3oCk3ViRNXILm9n1y3RAi5k7wgf0wvMTRhk92mx3PZntIrMsa1ryO7wS-6-MNKQuuRXhiUjG9EoE1UHQFMjmxeDuAyZnX0Nfx4tJ5mvP95NTQmHiM/s320/dannon+oikos+blueberry+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I've had both the blueberry and the strawberry fruit on the bottom flavors.  They taste great and the sour taste doesn't even exist (for me).  They are 3 PointsPlus (same as the 0% flavors of Chobani).  According to their website, they also come in black cherry and peach flavors (for fruit on the bottom), but they also offer other flavors in their "traditional style" (aka "with fat") Greek yogurt.  The other 0% flavors include honey, plain and vanilla.<br /><br />I've been enjoying a Dannon Oikos with a homemade blueberry scone (7 PointsPlus - from the WW Power Foods Cookbook) each morning for breakfast.  It's actually very filling together.  The scone is made with whole wheat pastry flour.<br /><br />They are VERY good!  Joel even eats them!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMc_R3wucghRlBUcsc1NuPMj4JJl6LMICALMP0zKluR9Rm06o9rEGlGQxZTo9N3vph3GosseVQ3ED8CH71bLpxjOwQ5wDAAAXjz66EGFL1kje_kFXo8HhAuZE1VYLf_RvQhCqAW-szYX8/s1600/blueberry+scone+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMc_R3wucghRlBUcsc1NuPMj4JJl6LMICALMP0zKluR9Rm06o9rEGlGQxZTo9N3vph3GosseVQ3ED8CH71bLpxjOwQ5wDAAAXjz66EGFL1kje_kFXo8HhAuZE1VYLf_RvQhCqAW-szYX8/s400/blueberry+scone+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="goog_1206734517"></span><span id="goog_1206734518"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxsH9qwr6RufAuxnLaBDUeIq_vva3VNUNLV54mvRbiMizBEAdIBzPptV1nq_ERII19kvSHugoPqCP01BB7Riy3m503Fh2wMVD1uW2YUOpXyD0eG7xNYWohV4SplXmdliOCRGAx8lhJXY/s1600/blueberry+scone+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxsH9qwr6RufAuxnLaBDUeIq_vva3VNUNLV54mvRbiMizBEAdIBzPptV1nq_ERII19kvSHugoPqCP01BB7Riy3m503Fh2wMVD1uW2YUOpXyD0eG7xNYWohV4SplXmdliOCRGAx8lhJXY/s400/blueberry+scone+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoijxS-id0w9eK6LcxYzCIuP47xP4Ef50r-1Rsjdhl2er06jhYrgvKls37GGbIiv0H6CZahpym6GZ8L_LdauHuGBF7OevEedv2PceIDLQdNDtRB6QqL7GDt6eKWcJWqvfTevuSvM7DekE/s1600/blueberry+scone+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoijxS-id0w9eK6LcxYzCIuP47xP4Ef50r-1Rsjdhl2er06jhYrgvKls37GGbIiv0H6CZahpym6GZ8L_LdauHuGBF7OevEedv2PceIDLQdNDtRB6QqL7GDt6eKWcJWqvfTevuSvM7DekE/s400/blueberry+scone+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bird watching > homemade blueberry scones</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I also recently tried the Chobani Passion Fruit flavor and thought it was gross and slightly bitter.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eLAIa7h5JBdmkFL7tgbP3lRZOPexqcOa-vQ_OAvdC93rPMYI-LPaaa4tz6-MauZ-4eQC4QcnoBda0a38czmBay9AAC5uTcOZzfVL20BAm90NL9PSwhJlwOvKEvtRCKYgDExt_AonlW8/s1600/chobani+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eLAIa7h5JBdmkFL7tgbP3lRZOPexqcOa-vQ_OAvdC93rPMYI-LPaaa4tz6-MauZ-4eQC4QcnoBda0a38czmBay9AAC5uTcOZzfVL20BAm90NL9PSwhJlwOvKEvtRCKYgDExt_AonlW8/s400/chobani+collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>  <br /><br /><b style="color: #351c75;">Do you have a favorite water bottle and yogurt brand?</b><br /><br />

Food Finds Nalgene Weight Watchers Changing Things Up: Drinking More Water + Food Finds

Joel calls me a camel.  I almost always have a drink of some sort in my hand, but usually it's water.  Back in college I had a faux Nalg...

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Changing Things Up: Maintaining Focus

Wednesday night I had the evening to myself.  Such a rare occurrence in my life, especially through the work week.  When Joel and I first started dating, I hated nights like that.  I loved trying to "maximize" the time between us.  However, lately I have an all new appreciation for this precious alone time.  For me, it means getting to focus on myself and what I want to do and when.  I don't have anyone else to cater to or think about - I just do what I want and when I want to do it.  This is when it dawned on me the importance of how maintaining focus will aid in my weight loss. <br /><br />Take last night for example.  I had a clear plan of attack and I executed it beautifully.  As soon as I got home from work, I hurried off to my WW meeting.  After the meeting, I came home and immediately got to work on prepping dinner.  Dinner was a really quick chili cheese dog (turkey hot dog, turkey chili, and reduced fat mozzarella) and a side of spicy vegetables.  Immediately after eating, I quickly cleaned up the kitchen, packed my lunch for the next day, and I was free to enjoy the rest of the evening to do whatever I pleased.  Normally, my evening does not operate this smoothly and efficiently.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEnpiWV6s4WOFxfednClMtrPvq6D0EONcP7A-9CWottb4chNz_3A4D78IPUuifWH2NYREnXH0BpNvx0ns6PC-l1xWNDUoXThCt4zjAtFA143_ceOUqOTResOy45cMne1_mw5LlbEdvt4/s1600/stop+giving+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEnpiWV6s4WOFxfednClMtrPvq6D0EONcP7A-9CWottb4chNz_3A4D78IPUuifWH2NYREnXH0BpNvx0ns6PC-l1xWNDUoXThCt4zjAtFA143_ceOUqOTResOy45cMne1_mw5LlbEdvt4/s320/stop+giving+up.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The key for me in last night's dinner escapade is that I was able to maintain focus on one thing.  I wasn't trying to cook dinner, while simultaneously worrying/doing 12 other things.  I'm not wishing I was a single person at all, but how much easier can life be without distractions (I'm sure the mom's can especially relate to this!)?  I am capable of multi-tasking, but I don't prefer it.  I prefer focusing on one task at a time and doing it well.<br /><br />Often times, especially when Joel is home, I don't feel like going to the trouble of making dinner because I feel pulled in so many directions.  I want to spend time with him, and so I'd rather just take a quick route and order out.  I also want to be able to have time to do other things (like catching up on other blogs, writing my own, reading, etc), and the more time I spend cooking, the more time that is taken away from doing those other extracurriculars.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKglBZSxU7oyaTmLmUdh34xlCwUZi9zfuV2Tz2PWCgntcmZst2wCJdWJgVAutDwQMBi4-tmUUcpJ_EbOmGutXTLhQyxMJyYWanjBLzAxd-fEikSU4ygD2Behop9UYobxHA5wMtfpbtD9Q/s1600/couch+lapping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKglBZSxU7oyaTmLmUdh34xlCwUZi9zfuV2Tz2PWCgntcmZst2wCJdWJgVAutDwQMBi4-tmUUcpJ_EbOmGutXTLhQyxMJyYWanjBLzAxd-fEikSU4ygD2Behop9UYobxHA5wMtfpbtD9Q/s1600/couch+lapping.jpg" /></a></div><br />Still, how amazing it felt last night after I was done with dinner in a flash and was easily able to prep my lunch for the next day.  This night reminded me that my health is extremely important to me right now.  Losing weight is extremely important to me right now.  I cannot continue to let life's other distractions keep me from getting to where I want to be.  I cannot constantly be consumed with focusing on others needs (or what I perceive to be their needs) and ignore what Hilary really needs.  I want to be able to have a night like last night every night.  I come home, tackle dinner, prep my meals for the next day (setting myself up for success!) and proceed with life.  I got more accomplished last night in the time I spent alone than I ever do on a typical weeknight.  It was astounding actually.  I truly believe this happened because I had all night to focus on me and what I wanted to do - not what I thought Joel wanted me to do or thinks I should be doing (even if he doesn't).<br /><br /><b style="color: #351c75;">Do you have a hard time staying focused on your weight loss journey?  What things do you let get in the way of your success? </b>

Success Weight Loss Weight Watchers Changing Things Up: Maintaining Focus

Wednesday night I had the evening to myself.  Such a rare occurrence in my life, especially through the work week.  When Joel and I first st...

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Changing Things Up: Weigh In Day

To get myself back on track, I've been trying to change things up in the food/eating portion of this weight loss journey.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEher_R5Q-0FFExwX2YzdX3LDkjg1dT2Q5eD4ACBs5Rq5EwYRja9fIQerKSa8B4mhQXIUxVovSYzylU2w4R0VRCwOUw5EH6JNJPng_xTumC9R-iLaGNO-uwJTHDhXG9cilOTx7LoNup_DWU/s1600/change+quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEher_R5Q-0FFExwX2YzdX3LDkjg1dT2Q5eD4ACBs5Rq5EwYRja9fIQerKSa8B4mhQXIUxVovSYzylU2w4R0VRCwOUw5EH6JNJPng_xTumC9R-iLaGNO-uwJTHDhXG9cilOTx7LoNup_DWU/s400/change+quote.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/226939268692495647/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I've started with changing my weigh in day from a Friday to a Wednesday.  I did this for a number of reasons.<br /><br /><ol><li>I found that I was blowing through my entire Weekly Points Plus balance by Sunday (weighing in on Friday's).  Then I had nothing left from Mon-Thurs as a back up.  This caused self-sabotage, and I would just eat what I wanted to anyhow.  My logic is that if I weigh in through the week, the likelihood of me using/blowing through the WPA is slim to none because I'll want to try to ration them better pre-weekend.  My work week provides some much needed structure around my eating.  I typically have an easier time staying On Plan M-F than I do on the weekends.  Depending on how this goes, I may even opt to move the weigh in day to Monday's!<br /><br /></li><li>Change is good.  I've been using Friday as my weigh in day for YEARS (more than 4 at this point), so picking another day is just a good way to shake things up.<br /><br /></li><li>Knowing that my new "week" will start in the middle of the work week kind of relieves some stress.  It provides a mid-week "start over" that helps sustain me through the rest of the work week (I'm on my second week now for Wednesday's).</li></ol><br />I picked Friday's to weigh in initially because it gave me the WPA to indulge over the weekend, but with plenty of time to regroup for Mon-Thurs.  The problem was, the regrouping wasn't happening.  I would get so upset with myself for blowing through the WPA during the weekend that I would just let the downward spiral continue through to Thursday.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGZpTXGcI0MM8L2qq8RpPt59FK8CBpKqZesvu7pBdYIyYzKVS2AXUdAWDR4uBZbcQPDCv4RgdEFUDbp0T7Q6k7bWcleuV4OWkFlweNGhoQQIcEssfgavCaPN-_7hWAI_IBM1jrNfZ7uc/s1600/change+quote+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGZpTXGcI0MM8L2qq8RpPt59FK8CBpKqZesvu7pBdYIyYzKVS2AXUdAWDR4uBZbcQPDCv4RgdEFUDbp0T7Q6k7bWcleuV4OWkFlweNGhoQQIcEssfgavCaPN-_7hWAI_IBM1jrNfZ7uc/s400/change+quote+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/186899453255386809/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I read a <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=1961&sc=3009" target="_blank">great article</a> on Weight Watchers that talked about how the day you choose to weigh in can serve as a key strategy in our weight loss journey.  For example, many people use Monday's as an anchor to get them through the weekend (to encourage them not to over indulge).  I like this idea and will consider it after a few months at Wednesday's!<br /><div style="color: #351c75;"><b><br /></b></div><b style="color: #351c75;">Why do you select the weigh in day you do?  Is it just because that is when your meeting site is open, or do you have a special reason why you choose the day you do?</b><br /><br /><br />

Inspiration weigh in weight loss anchors Weight Watchers Changing Things Up: Weigh In Day

To get myself back on track, I've been trying to change things up in the food/eating portion of this weight loss journey. Via Pinterest ...

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Oh Hey, I'm Back

I've been absent from The Big Weight.  I'm also pretty good at stating the obvious.<br /><br />I haven't had a lot to say these days, as I've gained/lost the same +/- 5 lbs.  As I had been stating for several weeks now, I've had an incredibly hard time getting my mind back in the healthy eating game since about February. I eat out of boredom, and that's the bottom line.  BUT, I'm not giving up no matter how many failures I have.  I'm going to lose this weight no matter how many "re-starts" it takes.  <br /><br />I had a brief email exchange with fellow blogger <a href="http://www.nothankstocake.com/" target="_blank">Kelly @ No Thanks to Cake</a>, and she reminded me that she blogs for her, not for others (thank you SO MUCH for your encouragement Kel!).  As much as I agree with this, clearly I was in the mindset of thinking about what my readers would want to see.   Does anyone really want to keep seeing someone fail who had been on quite a roll previously?  That doesn't sound very inspiring.  But The Big Weight, at the end of the day, is for me.  The more I document my journey here, the more beneficial for  me whenever I do have these stumbling blocks along the way.  I can go back and see what worked before and try to apply those methodologies again.  But if I'm not here writing it down, then I don't have a point of reference.  So hey, here I am again... stumbling around aimlessly or not!<br /><br />Rarely am I able to do both things well on my weight loss journey - I can either eat perfectly (which is rare), staying within my PointsPlus every week, OR I can get in my allotted goal for exercise.  As is typically the case, I've been tearing it up at exercise!  During the weekend of April 28, I <i>ran</i>, not walked, <i>RAN</i>, two 5K's!! <br /><br />On Saturday, I attended the Civista Health & Wellness 5K, which caters to both runners and walkers.  I typically try to run some of the 5K, but I've never been able to do the entire thing.  As the race began, I found this lady who was running at a good pace and I thought, "I can do this.  I'm just going to follow her as long as I can."  And so that's what I did.  I just paced myself according to her and I ran the <b>entire </b>time!  I gave myself positive self talk throughout, reminding myself to breathe, relax my shoulders, and to pace myself.  I did <i>so well</i> and I was incredibly proud of myself!  I also let that lady know what an inspiration she was to me at the end - and she was just as grateful for my kind words to her as I was to her pace-setting. <br /><br />Needless to say I was rather sore after that 5K, but I tried to stay active the rest of the day (by going shopping :) ).  I got this suit for a work function.  I am a very anti-black suit person.  That's all women seem to own and I like to go against the grain.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nIusXljs1fBifeEGfbTVht3DPpvtIYxvc3Y9qj_bHvomFv2AlQcfkier5r3TQnZ8jun0KOmsji_1_uP2GxAaYJB0T5ErNQtLOsYBE5cbtQG-DHPS3sO15KOnDp5vThB5l8pxx7Eqb80/s1600/white+work+suit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nIusXljs1fBifeEGfbTVht3DPpvtIYxvc3Y9qj_bHvomFv2AlQcfkier5r3TQnZ8jun0KOmsji_1_uP2GxAaYJB0T5ErNQtLOsYBE5cbtQG-DHPS3sO15KOnDp5vThB5l8pxx7Eqb80/s400/white+work+suit.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just call me Dr. Pritt</td></tr></tbody></table>Anyhow, the very next day I had the March of Dimes - March for Babies.  This was a 5K that is geared toward walking (and I raised $225 for it).  As much as I wanted to say "I ran my first two 5Ks every back to back in one weekend!" I knew I had to be reasonable about it.  I was very sore when I woke up Sunday morning, but as we lined up for the walk and the adrenaline started pumping, I knew I wanted to give this run a shot.  So I did, and I went about the same method: set a nice, reasonable pace and kept encouraging myself that I could do it.  I wasn't out for speed, but for simply finishing without stopping.  I'm not gonna lie though, it was tough - I was sore and also the entire last mile of the race was uphill!  BUT, I did it!!!! I ran the entire thing and I had tears in my eyes <strike>walking </strike>running (I just remembered!) back to my car. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5JOCKlZnAEntyePrMq3oy-uCqxGL3hE_PVv8XLTcPrgWqn_TpC3iQBBnvT6sh5HPkLJzdKqdI3z_ZRhDfcJgl1S2z27t9iS-_JtNrU58UrXBp9ljEb7GGKL-BKVSg-zBEr6jKsOjk4A/s1600/march+of+dimes+race.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5JOCKlZnAEntyePrMq3oy-uCqxGL3hE_PVv8XLTcPrgWqn_TpC3iQBBnvT6sh5HPkLJzdKqdI3z_ZRhDfcJgl1S2z27t9iS-_JtNrU58UrXBp9ljEb7GGKL-BKVSg-zBEr6jKsOjk4A/s400/march+of+dimes+race.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">after the March for Babies</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"> <b style="color: #674ea7;">I ran two 5K's the entire way through in 1 weekend!!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I <i>do </i>have a LOT to be proud of on this weight loss journey!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="200" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6533663.591;sz=200x200;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000026530730;pid=48363;usg=AFHzDLswlymL68hwQrdIDtArGhJ6C4BHKQ;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.abt.com%252Fproduct%252F48363%252FNikon-25472-.html;pubid=541254;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fcontent.abt.com%2Fmedia%2Fimages%2Fproducts%2FBDP_Images%2Fbig_d3100.jpg;width=200;height=158" vspace="0" width="200"></iframe></div>

5K Civista Health and Wellness Exercise March for Babies March of Dimes Success Weight Watchers Oh Hey, I'm Back

I've been absent from The Big Weight.  I'm also pretty good at stating the obvious. I haven't had a lot to say these days, as I...

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Refocusing - Winning Outcomes

Sometimes I just don't have anything to say, and last week was one of those times.  Part of this is because I've been in a weight loss slump.  When I'm not losing, then it's hard to find the inspiration to write something substantial.  I know what needs to change, I just need to <i>do it</i> and stop saying I'm going to do it.<br /><br />Back in January, I <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2012/01/winning-outcomes.html" target="_blank">wrote about Weight Watchers' Winning Outcomes helpful habit</a>.  Here are some things I've stuck to:<br /><ul><li><b>Meal planning two weeks at a time:</b> for me this simply means carving out meal options for two full weeks - not actually tracking them and such.  That part I still need to work on.  However, I did plan out my day today and that feels like a huge relief!  I know I could have easily "blown it" today if I had not pre-tracked my day, overestimating how much I would have left for dinner. In fact I would have had next to nothing had I brought my usual snacks.  Must. Continue. Pre-tracking.</li><li><b>Two days of weekly activity</b>.  I've stuck to this with no problem - it was easily doable for me.  Now I've added in one extra day per week.  More about that later!</li><li><b>Eating out only one meal per week.  No Starbucks Mon-Fri.</b>  This was going well for me right off the bat.  I know applying this rule (along with the others mentioned above) had significant impacts on my weight loss... and the success I was having just a few weeks ago.  Then the Terrible Awful happened.  Then things quickly went downhill.  This rule is going back into effect...effective immediately!  While I have eaten 2 meals out this weekend - ok, fine, what's done is done - the rest of the week will be meals prepared by myself or Joel AT HOME.     </li></ul><br />Now that I've gotten that all off of my chest.... <br /><br />One way to combat my failed attempts at eating healthy lately has been to step up my exercise each week.  I'm trying to keep it varied, so as not to get bored.  While I'll still be utilizing the gym, I also found a new activity that I've been enjoying so far.  It's called <a href="http://www.firmdirect.com/firm/ecs/main/firm-wave.html" target="_blank">The Wave</a>.  You might have heard of this from an infomercial.  I actually read about it in <a href="http://www.allyou.com/" target="_blank">All You's</a> recent issue of their health magazine.  They touted The Wave and The Bender Ball as being some of the most effective at-home workouts available.  I've used The Wave three times so far, and all three times I've been very sore afterward, which means it must be working!<br /><br />I will be doing a full review of The Wave in an upcoming post.  In case you're curious though, I purchased mine from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Firm-05-54004-Wave-Kit/dp/B001VLFEDU/ref=sr_1_1?s=exercise-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1332767982&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a>.  The Wave is an arched platform that you use in conjunction with several workout DVD's. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulSF4do_S7HVX1pHvz0h_Y5Dw9IWYMc67w2ytgVqb-cde_LrT5Gj7J3q2n7joecBEn9p0QeK8I1NL3RX-tkUdcF5hW7UFRlGXsmtI5IjZzae9G8qx1keLQrf0_v_oZ-Z0CjT6Oaxpo8Q/s1600/the+wave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulSF4do_S7HVX1pHvz0h_Y5Dw9IWYMc67w2ytgVqb-cde_LrT5Gj7J3q2n7joecBEn9p0QeK8I1NL3RX-tkUdcF5hW7UFRlGXsmtI5IjZzae9G8qx1keLQrf0_v_oZ-Z0CjT6Oaxpo8Q/s320/the+wave.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>If it gives me variety and isn't overly complicated, then I'll do it.  So far so good!<br /><br /><b style="color: #351c75;">Have you heard of The Wave?  Have you tried it?  What at-home workout do you like the best?</b>

Exercise Helpful Habits The Firm The Wave Weight Watchers Winning Outcomes Refocusing - Winning Outcomes

Sometimes I just don't have anything to say, and last week was one of those times.  Part of this is because I've been in a weight lo...

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Weigh In Results & What Worked This Week

There are a number of things that I believe contributed to my <b><span style="color: #351c75;">amazing </span></b>loss this week.<br /><div style="color: #351c75;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><b><u style="color: #674ea7;">What Worked This Week</u>:</b></div>1. <b>Decreasing my DPT from 39 to 38.</b>  I've been at a 39 Daily PointsPlus Target for several weeks now.  I wanted to switch things up to see what decreasing it by 1 PointsPlus would do.  Turns out it did a lot!  Though I know this wasn't the only contributing factor, and I'll explain more.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIYrfSrAY9P2uKQnFsAtXziOsqJf_zfJ8NAPmGlJZIrT6jlBNnjCR6NT1-Pbg6WjUCqCMIunBHCvZevTfBRkkiC1vc7pXpd3IA-VXv2LuyMVEuz_IELsxYIboA04lIQOoEGHgiThyphenhyphenDZE/s1600/DPT.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIYrfSrAY9P2uKQnFsAtXziOsqJf_zfJ8NAPmGlJZIrT6jlBNnjCR6NT1-Pbg6WjUCqCMIunBHCvZevTfBRkkiC1vc7pXpd3IA-VXv2LuyMVEuz_IELsxYIboA04lIQOoEGHgiThyphenhyphenDZE/s1600/DPT.JPG" /></a></div><br />2. <b>Plenty of fruit.</b>  The bulk of my snacks this week were of the fruit kind: strawberries and blueberries.  I've heard some meeting members in the past say that if they eat too much fruit, they either don't lose or they gain. For someone whose sweet tooth is the size of my head, eating fruit in place of chocolate or some other snack that is on the sugary side was a much better alternative.  Not to mention the fact that it was filling AND 0 PointsPlus!  And, let's be honest, I did not get to 263.8 lbs by overeating fruit! <br /><br />3. <b>Filling Breakfasts</b>.  This week I had another oatmeal breakfast. If I give myself a delicious and filling breakfast, it really sets the tone for the rest of my day {<i>most </i>of the time}.  I find I am less ravenous throughout the day.  Oatmeal in and of itself is filling, but add some dried apricots, dried blueberries, and a little splash of milk and it's right on par.  I tried this oatmeal from my Weight Watchers cookbook called Baked Fruit Cinnamon Oatmeal {7 PointsPlus}.  So good!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJXlCNP6Pn0ZRzRcJ7nYu1P3q_FEP2LGstnjCozUxY_czjKAbMObMjB5qfCpDrDNgfvQeQbJ0sBIEOmoX19mc03vqyXx2McB1b4VkzfPgPGfUagGoSfcmNlDMckeTXG-O4pM1UZJI16E/s1600/ww+new+complete+cookbook.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJXlCNP6Pn0ZRzRcJ7nYu1P3q_FEP2LGstnjCozUxY_czjKAbMObMjB5qfCpDrDNgfvQeQbJ0sBIEOmoX19mc03vqyXx2McB1b4VkzfPgPGfUagGoSfcmNlDMckeTXG-O4pM1UZJI16E/s320/ww+new+complete+cookbook.JPG" width="284" /></a></div><br /><br />4. <b>Meeting Weekly Activity Goal.</b>  Again, this week I got in both days of activity.  That definitely helped me drop the weight!<br /><br />5. <b>Not Eating All of My DPT.</b>  There were 3 days this week that I didn't eat all of my 38 PointsPlus.  I didn't do this on purpose, it was just because I was busy and food was not on my mind.  What does that tell you? I typically eat because I'm bored and it gives me something to do.  This week I was busy with school, among other things, and thinking about food wasn't at the forefront.<br /><br />6. <b>Allowing One "Indulgent Meal" Per Week.</b>  I've been living by this rule since the start of the new year.  I allow myself one meal each week where I can eat whatever I want.  Yes, I still count it {even if it puts me in the red for the Weekly PointsPlus}, but I enjoy it without guilt.  I don't feel deprived and when I find myself craving an indulgent meal {which for me, this just means going out to eat and consuming whatever I want}, I remind myself that I can have it next week for my "indulgent meal".<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJwMSM62rTLGTwrCM_sDst4PfoYGXAjNkFd0213i6EynsmS-djh40jGRUts-JdlkIytU8EO3UNZEK8axsrn-0H7YtA5kQqSSX7OsFHR6Y1u1je4uu2nNoyT9uWGJGh9KVnMpN-lVyDCE/s1600/cieling+fan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJwMSM62rTLGTwrCM_sDst4PfoYGXAjNkFd0213i6EynsmS-djh40jGRUts-JdlkIytU8EO3UNZEK8axsrn-0H7YtA5kQqSSX7OsFHR6Y1u1je4uu2nNoyT9uWGJGh9KVnMpN-lVyDCE/s400/cieling+fan.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the ceiling fan at a pizza shop where last week's indulgent meal was consumed!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="color: #674ea7;"><b><u>Upcoming Challenges This Week</u>:</b></div><ul><li><b>Super Bowl Sunday.</b>  We are going to a party on Sunday afternoon.  I'm making some food for it, but it's not really PointsPlus friendly food {I don't intend on eating it either, it's just what I was asked to bring}. So, having said that, I do plan to make at least one more dish that is WW friendly, which will most likely be <a href="http://www.hungry-girl.com/newsletters/raw/745" target="_blank">these</a>.</li></ul><div style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></div><span style="color: #674ea7;"> </span><b style="color: #674ea7;"><u>Weigh In Results</u>:</b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uWX9Jh57QroTc3oQaj-bWilwmRw-PI86r7hsAlnAOoOoiZ1ORgCPEdHXGyQBHW3so0_o7oH4HqnrWz9WZonG8vEP_ORRQtLfrF746xMAuCwR8D-zx5NWbNnIQTtrL8gzEktyzgS9iRU/s1600/scale.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uWX9Jh57QroTc3oQaj-bWilwmRw-PI86r7hsAlnAOoOoiZ1ORgCPEdHXGyQBHW3so0_o7oH4HqnrWz9WZonG8vEP_ORRQtLfrF746xMAuCwR8D-zx5NWbNnIQTtrL8gzEktyzgS9iRU/s1600/scale.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">   <b>Hilary (5'8")</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Starting Weight: <span style="color: black;">263.8</span></div><div style="color: #351c75; text-align: center;"><b>Current Weight: 235.9</b></div><div style="color: #351c75; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #351c75; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">This week I lost 5.1 lbs!  AND I met <i><b>two </b></i><a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/p/goals.html" target="_blank">goals</a>!!!!!!!  I reached another 5 lbs goal AND I reached my first 10% goal as well. This means I get two charms and one other reward.  This is what I'm getting:</span><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="color: black;">1. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/82637669/jewelry-display-holder-cabinet-grade?ref=sr_906ba8f6168e1dde064c918da815dfb5410d78f651f00462338779b1722c3565_1320777427_14107390_necklace_holder" target="_blank">The Jewelry Organizer</a>.  I have an endless supply of necklaces and earrings that are a constant tangled mess.  Not to mention that Charles likes to use my earrings as his toys!  This gem is coming from the Etsy store <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/JewelryHoldersForYou?ref=seller_info" target="_blank">Jewelry Holders for You</a>.</span></blockquote><span style="color: black;"> </span></div><div style="color: #351c75; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFZT3WOeZ4qKy0ua5JrPgtWP5ySJk8sR68A1AMpZMUEs00X_I6no5uRWACgTvSPewf8gtVwLmvadImcAj90OqAdh6wYvDJu9vBoXrT0Rb7ZJNTGTirfFZ2W_R516-eBvJB69tTBiut0s/s1600/jewelery+hanger+reward.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFZT3WOeZ4qKy0ua5JrPgtWP5ySJk8sR68A1AMpZMUEs00X_I6no5uRWACgTvSPewf8gtVwLmvadImcAj90OqAdh6wYvDJu9vBoXrT0Rb7ZJNTGTirfFZ2W_R516-eBvJB69tTBiut0s/s400/jewelery+hanger+reward.jpg" width="326" /></a></div><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="color: black;">2. Charms.  I've already chosen the one charm I am getting for sure, and it's in honor of my beloved alma mater:</div></blockquote><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3Nu63X-6V-wSOGE_Tqa3FRyeG9B23mJDshSiBo0MD3-RfTAffGfzFjdaPXwshfRUx_b3pBqfBYZiPrFSzUQOf5irGPm1qhd2Iaq3wWTf3oZycyDrJysXmXwKnpMx8zfn61zxYIejlxY/s1600/psu+charm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3Nu63X-6V-wSOGE_Tqa3FRyeG9B23mJDshSiBo0MD3-RfTAffGfzFjdaPXwshfRUx_b3pBqfBYZiPrFSzUQOf5irGPm1qhd2Iaq3wWTf3oZycyDrJysXmXwKnpMx8zfn61zxYIejlxY/s200/psu+charm.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sold on Ebay by <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/BeadazzlingBeadsdotCom?_trksid=p4340.l2563" target="_blank">Bedazzling Beads</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="color: #351c75; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><insert charm="" penn="" pic="" state=""></insert></span></div><div style="color: #351c75; text-align: left;"><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="color: black;">I'm going this evening to pick out my other charm.  Sorry Pandora, but I am not going with you this time on the charm selection.  These beauties are on my <a href="http://chamilia.com/" target="_blank">Chamilia</a> wishlist {I'm only getting one}:</div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlk5CbqYurfLP-vqdzbMjcfTXqqRgZ-MdRfvKmComrf0729vGbRMGcsrrbeP88fuYKiWpzfDMZBzR-Y3z5iOAQcRFzHYTVs02GqCl2R0DjUPB-OR-_C2Ohy3Pg0pzsxgqiT8ngFOuYh_k/s1600/chamilia+beads.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlk5CbqYurfLP-vqdzbMjcfTXqqRgZ-MdRfvKmComrf0729vGbRMGcsrrbeP88fuYKiWpzfDMZBzR-Y3z5iOAQcRFzHYTVs02GqCl2R0DjUPB-OR-_C2Ohy3Pg0pzsxgqiT8ngFOuYh_k/s400/chamilia+beads.JPG" width="165" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: black;">I've also updated my <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/p/progress-pictures.html" target="_blank">progress pics</a>, which, I honestly cannot say that I see much of a difference in those pictures just yet.  The most I can see is with my face.  The first set of pictures were taken at an odd angle, and I'm trying to be consistent with the angle now so it more accurately shows the losses.  </span><span style="color: black;">But that's okay, I can FEEL the difference that 27.9 lbs removed makes.... and it's a lot!</span><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>What is working for you this week?</b> <span style="color: black;"> </span></div><div style="color: #351c75; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><insert jewelery="" organizer="" pic=""></insert></span></div><div style="color: #351c75; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><insert chamilia="" charms=""> </insert></span><b></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

goals Inspiration Loss Success Weight Loss Weight Watchers Weigh In Results & What Worked This Week

There are a number of things that I believe contributed to my amazing loss this week. What Worked This Week : 1. Decreasing my DPT from 39 t...

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Weigh In & Other News

Good Friday morning!<br /><br /><b style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Weigh In Results</span> </b><br />If a Friday is your weigh in day as well, I hope it went as well for you as it did for me!  I've known all week that the scale was moving in the direction I wanted, but I can honestly say I didn't expect to be in a new decade come today!<br /><br />I have now entered the 230s and weighed in this morning at 239.4!!!!!!!  That means that I am down 2.8 lbs from last week, and I'm just 0.6 lbs away from meeting my next <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/p/goals.html" target="_blank">goal</a>!  LOVE it!<br /><br /><b style="color: #674ea7;">How I Did It </b><br />So, as my WW leader always asks us - what worked this week?<br /><br />It is a rare week when I follow WW exactly to a tee {this wasn't one of those weeks either!}, so that is not the reason why I had a tremendous loss.<br /><br />In fact,  just last weekend I made Oreo truffles, and it was Sunday night when I went a little overboard with them {I'll share the recipe!}.  They are 2 PointsPlus each - even using reduced fat Oreos and the WW cream cheese block.  Lord!  So anyhow, that plus an unplanned night of eating out with Joel.... having a VERY delicious basil fried rice.... I thought I was doomed. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCoIgUdPaygKaCjlLPilFyjtEOQtRv0cYcAiluLmdU2Fv0wZAmdR87_OewcmuE5d5clGRvcK4Usso3wpiuHEVibX9pJJ7DASL5wSAYVHmIMBB1CU6ffdT9unSJlsOmN1ZM5Nv6YK_eOi4/s1600/basil+fried+rice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCoIgUdPaygKaCjlLPilFyjtEOQtRv0cYcAiluLmdU2Fv0wZAmdR87_OewcmuE5d5clGRvcK4Usso3wpiuHEVibX9pJJ7DASL5wSAYVHmIMBB1CU6ffdT9unSJlsOmN1ZM5Nv6YK_eOi4/s400/basil+fried+rice.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from Pho Thom - next to Univ. of Maryland</td></tr></tbody></table><br />But here's what I suspect contributed to the 2.8 lbs removal of lard:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ol><li><b>Filling breakfasts + lots of fruit daily.</b> I had that amazing <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2012/01/papa-bear-oatmeal-some-housecleaning.html" target="_blank">oatmeal</a> this week, and getting that fiber from the oatmeal plus the fruits had to have made all the difference!  Let's just say it added some much needed "regularity" to my daily routine.  TMI?  Oops.  Honestly, I'm terrible at getting in my fruits/veggies every day because those are things that I just don't crave {or want}.  BUT, this week's loss is a prime example and reason why I need to keep up these good habits.  That oatmeal kept me full from 7 AM to 12 PM every single morning this week. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrP0VkBoSiPHDhsQN9tn9peY8lHxS8-fv_WIdoBOchElf7b_zXuoKkPVLkqmornRJxbOnG9W6eQ_IE0vJqxfsV7Oo7fslzjlBKxuwNNzI0gFkA7-ZUB8NhzropjUpAs9q6-S197aKp2k/s1600/oatmeal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrP0VkBoSiPHDhsQN9tn9peY8lHxS8-fv_WIdoBOchElf7b_zXuoKkPVLkqmornRJxbOnG9W6eQ_IE0vJqxfsV7Oo7fslzjlBKxuwNNzI0gFkA7-ZUB8NhzropjUpAs9q6-S197aKp2k/s400/oatmeal.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></li><li><b>Sharing my journey with others.</b>  I spent about 4 hours on Saturday with my friend Ang and ventured over to her house for lunch.  Ang is already a very health conscious person, so I didn't for one minute think she would be serving up greasy delicacies.  Still, I wasn't prepping lunch, she was, and that means I didn't really have control over the situation.  However, we enjoyed little pizzas made on pita bread, complete with turkey pepperoni and 2% cheese.  A perfect WW lunch!  Thank you Ang! <br /><br />Additionally, as nervous as I was to ask at first, I simply said: "Hey Ang, do you mind if I take a pic of the nutrition facts on those pitas so I can figure out the PointsPlus later?"  Of course she didn't mind!  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEFKfWJ7nxgqBUBvDn8vLoakeHFdQQWI2lRxLWOw4rCf7TvMYlUy-eOdEnhNN8BYFTRAuWKjVpRgiAkbsH7Ts2RBqefb7zkOyTaSzaEjktLGOdDFhaPopThgHYZCfT3oa5kWe2DWpeAg/s1600/pita+nutrition+facts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEFKfWJ7nxgqBUBvDn8vLoakeHFdQQWI2lRxLWOw4rCf7TvMYlUy-eOdEnhNN8BYFTRAuWKjVpRgiAkbsH7Ts2RBqefb7zkOyTaSzaEjktLGOdDFhaPopThgHYZCfT3oa5kWe2DWpeAg/s320/pita+nutrition+facts.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/11/part-1-how-i-approach-ww-in-public.html" target="_blank">In the past</a> I would have never even attempted to ask this question - I would have rather kept everything a big secret.  But, asking that one simple question helped me stay on track the rest of the day - because I was able to definitively calculate the PointsPlus value of that mini pizza and not stress about "estimating" it.  <br /><br /></li><li><b>Exercise.</b>  Unfortunately, as much as I wish this wasn't the case, I've never been one of those WWs who can <i>really </i>lose without exercising.  Sticking to my 2 days/per week commitment has definitely contributed to my losses.  Not only that, but I've been inadvertently adding little lunch walks 1 day per week with my coworker, Meghan.  Meghan and I just chit chat about wedding stuff and the time FLIES by!  <br /><br /> </li><li><b>Plenty of sleep.</b>  I normally always get 7 hours of sleep every night.  Sleep is just not something I am willing sacrifice.  I know I can be fully functional on 7 hours.  This week, however, I was getting upwards of 7.5 to 8 hours of shuteye, which makes life<i> even better </i>for me!  Did this added rest allow me to burn more calories?  I hope!</li></ol><b style="color: #674ea7;">Other News</b><br />My plans this weekend include meeting with the caterer on Saturday to go over food options for the wedding.  I also plan to get started on the wedding website.  I wasn't planning on doing this but someone already asked if I had one, so I figured I'd better throw one together.  Do you ever use these when you've been invited to a wedding?  I'd also like to throw together a few posts for next week.  I have a few more recipes to share with you that I think you'll like!  Oh yeah, and then there's that <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2012/01/papa-bear-oatmeal-some-housecleaning.html" target="_blank">school</a> thing.  <br /><br /><b style="color: #674ea7;">What's on your agenda for the weekend?</b><br /><ol></ol><br /><ol></ol>

Deen Family Cookbook goals Loss Weight Loss Weight Watchers Weigh In & Other News

Good Friday morning! Weigh In Results If a Friday is your weigh in day as well, I hope it went as well for you as it did for me!  I've ...

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Winning Outcomes

I really want 2012 to be THEE year that I achieve some strong weight loss goals.  While I would love to reach my ultimate goal weight of 165, I still want to be realistic.  After all, I'm gonna have <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/p/wedding.html">a lot</a> going on this year! <br /><br />Not only am I planning our wedding, but I'm about to begin my 4th semester of pre-nursing school on Tuesday.  On one hand, this seems stressful at first glance, but when I really think about it, it's actually exciting.   By May, I'll be that much closer to pursuing my dream career, and by October, I will be a married woman!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5OFuR3gX_TJHV3b4HSBu6fnCslfQjkUyVJbGtH5Tp2cTdWXUe3Eg12mu6IesH5x_o9coViy4618nlEm-c035tDaDDarro1bS7JNuixA0D0nXeDva7GLPv_OX3rJc4Xp_h4dybCO-BOI/s1600/biology+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5OFuR3gX_TJHV3b4HSBu6fnCslfQjkUyVJbGtH5Tp2cTdWXUe3Eg12mu6IesH5x_o9coViy4618nlEm-c035tDaDDarro1bS7JNuixA0D0nXeDva7GLPv_OX3rJc4Xp_h4dybCO-BOI/s400/biology+011.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm sure these guys are going to OWN me before it's all said & done too!</td></tr></tbody></table>Mixed into that equation will continue to be my successful journey on Weight Watchers.  Though, I cannot just make that statement and magically expect to achieve my goal of 190 lbs. (Man, do I wish it were that simple!)<br /><br />A few weeks ago at a WW meeting, my leader handed out the Winning Outcomes pamphlet.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ONRv1yeUtGpDBU2fL4BqYTY4fyLfyxIxtSLPCydE9LQGShcXBWIDUwe_ukHf-50s86v259pK9ziFuH97Vf5wJthEAbAd78ecTLSGo6gJoBB4AcyBLqDnq-3AHhJKxe80dx3p3ReXx38/s1600/Winning+Outcomes+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ONRv1yeUtGpDBU2fL4BqYTY4fyLfyxIxtSLPCydE9LQGShcXBWIDUwe_ukHf-50s86v259pK9ziFuH97Vf5wJthEAbAd78ecTLSGo6gJoBB4AcyBLqDnq-3AHhJKxe80dx3p3ReXx38/s400/Winning+Outcomes+011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />This pamphlet talks about the power of goal setting (perfect for all NYR makers!) as well as <i>how </i>to make clear, obtainable goals for yourself.<br /><br />Weight Watchers wants you to plan ahead in order to achieve your goals.  They give you 3 strategies to help you do this:<b> </b><br /><br /><b>1. Use Weight Watchers Tools for Living: Winning Outcomes</b><br />"Winning Outcomes" is basically WW's fancy way of referring to a "goal".  And listen, even if you're not on WW, it doesn't matter!  There is absolutely no PointsPlus tracking involved in ironing out your goal(s), whatever they may be.  When stating your Winning Outcome, WW advises you to:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAecbEzxIhVcEAzh7mNkakQVLhWSQeBfP36uQ8NmnMXehu1vizfako2UP0zfaa0doa_S7MbLBeP9ZrhvOU-7KatvoxenrStf-REoLXpmY74_ThnlZ9A61IbxvB1Qym1oYgOojfcK2ehU/s1600/Winning+Outcomes+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAecbEzxIhVcEAzh7mNkakQVLhWSQeBfP36uQ8NmnMXehu1vizfako2UP0zfaa0doa_S7MbLBeP9ZrhvOU-7KatvoxenrStf-REoLXpmY74_ThnlZ9A61IbxvB1Qym1oYgOojfcK2ehU/s400/Winning+Outcomes+014.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li><b>Positively state it.</b> <i>I want to weigh 190 lbs by October 6, 2012.</i> <i>(as opposed to "I don't want to be overweight anymore.")</i></li><li><b>Be very specific.</b> <i>I'm going to achieve this goal by committing to exercise 2 days per week, as well as staying within my Daily PointsPlus Target 5 of the 7 days (DPT).</i></li><li><b>Have the goal be within your control.</b><i> I don't have to rely on anyone else but myself to achieve this goal.</i></li><li><b>It must be a good fit with your life.</b>  <i>Stating, for instance: "I will exercise every single day for 3 hours each day 5 days a week."  I don't have that kind of time, and I'd venture to say most of you don't as well.</i><b></b></li></ul></blockquote><b>2. Use Weight Watchers Tools for Living: Storyboarding</b> Now that you have your Winning Outcome defined, how do you plan to achieve it or what is going to help you achieve it?  Tell me your <i>story</i>:<br /><ul></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4_Rv98Eeyx0CFLQF-XxuuzoikX1_El38J_JatE9laBYZ2UFgV80UcQA1GCSmpk-Q_L1dyql95u0YIaNR3uHV9rpMD-zXr8x_dWtjoaiixp8S3tCgXgOhX5lovuV7DupwwH_amBoCoSo/s1600/Winning+Outcomes+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4_Rv98Eeyx0CFLQF-XxuuzoikX1_El38J_JatE9laBYZ2UFgV80UcQA1GCSmpk-Q_L1dyql95u0YIaNR3uHV9rpMD-zXr8x_dWtjoaiixp8S3tCgXgOhX5lovuV7DupwwH_amBoCoSo/s400/Winning+Outcomes+016.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i>I plan to reach 190 lbs by October 6, 2012 by committing to meal planning every week.  I will plan for 2 weeks at a time, utilizing the Friday I have off every other week to do this.  My exercise plan will go as follows:</i> <br /><ul><li><i>January/February: 2 days per week at the gym for at least 35 minutes</i></li><li><i>March/April: 3 days of activity per week - 2 at the gym, 1 at home (at least 35 minutes)</i></li><li><i>May/June/July/August/September: 4 days of activity per week - 2 at the gym (varying workouts), 2 at home (varying workouts) (at least 35 minutes)</i></li></ul><i>Anything beyond the stated exercise goals above will be a bonus!</i> <i>I am going to allow one day per week to eat out (NOT including Mon-Thurs), but still be mindful of what I'm eating at the restaurant.  Additionally, Starbucks is no more Mon-Fri! </i><br /><i> </i> <br /><b>3. Reward Yourself All Along the Way.</b><br />I certainly don't have a problem doing <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/p/goals.html">this</a>!  But really, I quickly gravitated away from food rewards, because it became detrimental quickly.  "Yes! I had a loss at WW tonight.  Hey Joel - let's go gorge ourselves at XYZ restaurant to celebrate!"  No more.  The non-food rewards are SO much better, not to mention long lasting.  I get to see the results of my weight loss success daily, thanks to my <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/12/weekend-recap-1-day-late.html">bracelet</a>.<br /><br />Also, feel free to use my Goals as a guideline for your own, but by no means compare what you're capable of getting yourself to what I am (not that I'm a baller, but if you have the same idea as the Pandora, for instance - that crap is expensive!  They make <a href="http://www.chamilia.com/">comparable bracelets</a> that are just as nice and MUCH more affordable).  I'm a 27 year old girl with no kids and a fulltime job.  If you're not in that boat, then reward yourself with smaller, less expensive rewards.  Any kind of makeup item would be a good start here (I <3 nailpolish!!), or a new book, slippers and/or pajamas for your shrinking bod, a new top... the inexpensive ideas are really endless.  Just do SOMETHING.  Working toward these SMALL goals (i.e. 5 pounds at a time) has made ALLLLLL the difference for me! <br /><br /><div style="color: purple;">For the fellow WW, have any of you filled out this pamphlet?  What is your story<i>(boarding)</i> on how you're going to make your big goal this year? Share, share, share - it can only help us all!</div><br />

goals Storyboarding Tools for Living Weight Watcher Pamphlets Weight Watchers Winning Outcomes Winning Outcomes

I really want 2012 to be THEE year that I achieve some strong weight loss goals.  While I would love to reach my ultimate goal weight of 165...

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Weigh In & Weekly Goals

I just have to blurt this out because I can hardly contain the excitement I have for this week's weight in!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I lost 1.7 lbs, bringing me down to 242.7!!!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">242.7 is a record low weight since I've started this journey in March 2011.  Not only <i>that</i>, BUT I have now removed 21.1 pounds of weight.  AND, now that I've met another 10 pound goal, a giveaway is fast approaching!  AND, now that I've met another <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/p/goals.html">smaller goal</a>, I get to buy my VB bag & Pandora Charm.  Stay tuned :).  </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">These are the potential charm choices:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrIpkgjUnJVr6fPQsYiIFc9TUspJaf0Rf7aPoguYLh2osKEjpNjq1MUA26QxN1hNtsXpJ_5JbeOOBjlI_PWtFZ100-Sk9PmyoDPqGGbz1odZYoT_M-iHFWpvxASpDJrMbiBX0PTSSJApY/s1600/charm+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrIpkgjUnJVr6fPQsYiIFc9TUspJaf0Rf7aPoguYLh2osKEjpNjq1MUA26QxN1hNtsXpJ_5JbeOOBjlI_PWtFZ100-Sk9PmyoDPqGGbz1odZYoT_M-iHFWpvxASpDJrMbiBX0PTSSJApY/s1600/charm+2.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Inner Strength</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNqlcnvmBqanmTwqiHOwMLnypoN5V1V3RAO3QEyBTxgAqsb9D4xa5G4EBFMgawrF6jvBDCc_68MbX_rUxC3JmAN9EvSsc4nOOrKAz3cc5Yyw1FUhIk1gbT4HT1LW12_lfztDHNCFOnj4/s1600/bead+pink+flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNqlcnvmBqanmTwqiHOwMLnypoN5V1V3RAO3QEyBTxgAqsb9D4xa5G4EBFMgawrF6jvBDCc_68MbX_rUxC3JmAN9EvSsc4nOOrKAz3cc5Yyw1FUhIk1gbT4HT1LW12_lfztDHNCFOnj4/s1600/bead+pink+flowers.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink Flowers Bead</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNJCZOShxSL3r_pHaIelIB5aYQVTcwK0voFwkcBfQkXHcXSfdLT-Pj4zhpgWQRxzZ2qsnJhmZOR9CTxs_xY_FPCpnZ8MN25sdlA0Bs2WnZjnyuD1c9K-OXGSPoxYcYhN0tcMo3dpEM4o/s1600/bead+pink+polka+dots.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNJCZOShxSL3r_pHaIelIB5aYQVTcwK0voFwkcBfQkXHcXSfdLT-Pj4zhpgWQRxzZ2qsnJhmZOR9CTxs_xY_FPCpnZ8MN25sdlA0Bs2WnZjnyuD1c9K-OXGSPoxYcYhN0tcMo3dpEM4o/s1600/bead+pink+polka+dots.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink Polka Dots</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrEDC5CN3_uUu9I2wzKQ6olkSxecaivoe7HxbFw-SCe_epeqKytz_HCDTOuOgx_NFJ5Nlcs07SCCQFNRq9BVkGjlsBAP5t1QzCCZj7Pe4w5V9flwGsRHst4baQrruIV8jOUUvY2rQVZxU/s1600/lavender+murano.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrEDC5CN3_uUu9I2wzKQ6olkSxecaivoe7HxbFw-SCe_epeqKytz_HCDTOuOgx_NFJ5Nlcs07SCCQFNRq9BVkGjlsBAP5t1QzCCZj7Pe4w5V9flwGsRHst4baQrruIV8jOUUvY2rQVZxU/s200/lavender+murano.JPG" width="143" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lavender Candy Stripe</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">I'd like to add some color to my bracelet, so that is why I am so heavy on the glass beads.  Your thoughts?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is the bag I'm looking at:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeHVLVfqDsjvcki8eM4D2JvbtruqkAzbQeJzahaNDMfaonWq4lypfrb1cOVx-2e4bPG6iK1citWP_uT1_yQvbVgqYKYF_vMzjxtJl1iwQ5CTGsYYhxnLHl6aUaflT6H6_7NCAT628WJY/s1600/side+by+side+tote.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeHVLVfqDsjvcki8eM4D2JvbtruqkAzbQeJzahaNDMfaonWq4lypfrb1cOVx-2e4bPG6iK1citWP_uT1_yQvbVgqYKYF_vMzjxtJl1iwQ5CTGsYYhxnLHl6aUaflT6H6_7NCAT628WJY/s320/side+by+side+tote.JPG" width="248" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side by Side Tote - Rhythm & Blues</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm so incredibly proud of myself, especially after <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/12/weekend-recap.html">this week's events</a>.  After the cookie meltdown, I tried hard to stay within my 39 Points+ this week, and did really well on both Wednesday and Thursday, not evening consuming all 39.  That's okay though, because I definitely went over my Weekly Points+ again despite the <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/12/weigh-in-results.html">goals</a> I set.  </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's what happened with last week's weekly goals:</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: blue;">Goals for the week:</span></b><br />Stay within daily Points+ allowance for 5 of the 7 days. - <b><i>I achieved 2 of the 7 days.  Not superb.</i></b><br /><br /><b style="color: blue;">Potential Challenges + Solutions:</b></div><ol><li>Weekend lunch date with the ladies.  <b><i>I was proud of how I did with this, eating only half the sandwich and a few fries.</i></b></li><li>Cookie Madness.  <i><b>I definitely indulged not only that night, but one other night later this week.  </b><b>*Sigh*  Moving on...</b></i></li></ol><b style="color: blue;">Planned Activity: </b><br /><i><b>I went to the gym on Wednesday and did 37  minutes on the elliptical.  I'll take it!  I earned 4 Activity Points+ and was pleased with that effort, even if I didn't meet my goal of 2 days (though totally doable, someone is just l-a-z-y!).</b></i></blockquote><br /><br />Here are my new goals for the week.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPHHXZcGayhBxS9vC7YcoFq6_ZHzGYSWuOo-BlOdbMWpof09vHPM20Oa2UQfXqzy0bmBTUxveiaJW5X_APpzAfF_nB2GxclJGudMWazU-Mg7SUXmA6CUvvFRcVYsiloZLUl2ZEVaEQ0A/s1600/weight-watchers-diet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPHHXZcGayhBxS9vC7YcoFq6_ZHzGYSWuOo-BlOdbMWpof09vHPM20Oa2UQfXqzy0bmBTUxveiaJW5X_APpzAfF_nB2GxclJGudMWazU-Mg7SUXmA6CUvvFRcVYsiloZLUl2ZEVaEQ0A/s1600/weight-watchers-diet.jpg" /></a></div><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">Goals for the week:</span></b><br />Stay within daily Points+ allowance for 5 of the 7 days. If I have to delve in to the Weekly Points+ allowance, I want to use no more than 39 of them, leaving a balance of 10. <br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b style="color: blue;">Potential Challenges + Solutions:</b></div><ol><li><b>Office Holiday Happy Hour:</b> There will be drinking and eating.  Thankfully most of the food being served  I don't like.  To combat this I plan to eat my lunch before the HH (it starts at 12).  I will definitely want to have a drink, but will try to limit it to no more than 2-3.</li><li><b>Going over daily Points+ allowance:</b>  I struggle with this every week.  Rarely am I ever able to achieve a perfect week of staying within my daily Points+.  You know why?  Poor planning.  As they say, without a plan, plan to fail.  What I need to do to stay on track is make sure my breakfasts/lunches are packed the night before.  Also, I need to make sure I have plenty of healthful snacks, including 0 Points+ fruits/vegetables to snack on when I have cravings and 0 Points+ left for the day.   </li></ol><b style="color: blue;">Planned Activity: </b><br />I wrote up an activity schedule for the week, but realizing that I have to reacclimate myself to getting back to the gym, I'm going to aim for 2 days of the gym this week again.  If I do more, then it will be a bonus.  Also, I tried out that new feature on eTools where it gives you a weekly Activity Points+ to work toward, and mine is 14.  I'm going to try to reach that this week in whatever way I can.<br /><br />What are your weekend plans?  I still need to get some Christmas shopping done.  Joel and I are going to check out a wedding venue on Saturday, and we're going to take our Christmas card picture as well.  I'm so behind this year :(.  It's making me crazy!

Success Weekly Weight Watchers Goals Weight Loss Weight Loss Challenges Weight Watchers Weigh In & Weekly Goals

I just have to blurt this out because I can hardly contain the excitement I have for this week's weight in! I lost 1.7 lbs, bringing me ...

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