Today I weighed in. It’s the first week I’ve been on the program and I was very excited to see if it worked for me. Are you ready? Since last week I am officially a little over TWO POUNDS lighter! If I have the same success next week, I will see a number on the scale I haven’t seen since I was pregnant with Hudson. I really am so proud of myself, and feel so motivated from the meeting to keep going another week.
Despite what the name may imply, Weight Watchers is not all about the number we see on the scale. It’s about how our health influences the number on the scale. The number is important to me because it’s one measure of how close I am to being my healthiest, but there are other measures. Like I’ve said before, skinny does not equal healthy. The WW class leader asked us today to list details of our success. In other words, besides what I see on the scale, how do I know my new eating and exercising habits are working for me? Well, I know because I plan my meals based on their nutritional values. I know, because I take time at night to walk. I know, because I have more energy and I feel happier. I know, because I’m making my health a priority. These are all things I’ve never done before, and now they seem important to me.
A week may sound like a short amount of time now that it’s over. But let me tell you, following this system for an entire week is huge for me. I don’t feel like I’m feeling my way around in the dark anymore. I have guidelines, I have a teacher, I have people to relate with, and I have a goal. Since I started walking, I’ve lost 9lbs. I’m so motivated.
It’s a whole new week, with brand new points. Wish me luck.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Weight Watchers Wednesday
Yes, I'm on the weight loss kick, again. Today is not Wednesday, but I’m writing this as an introduction. Every Wednesday from now until the end of the year, I have a Weight Watchers (WW) meeting at work. Yes it’s a little expensive, but at my company you get your money back when you reach your goal (10% for everyone).
It’s all about points. Everything you eat has a point value (PointsPlus) that is calculated based on fat, carbohydrates, protein and fiber. Basically, these are all key components to a person’s diet but typically you want less fat and carbs while taking in more fiber and protein. It’s a careful balance. I, for example, am allowed to eat 31 points per day (no one eats less than 29 per day). I’m also allowed to have an extra 49 points per week for special occasions, weekends, nights out, etc. The WW program says if I follow the points system then I will lose weight. So if I want a Big Mac, I can have a Big Mac, so long as I count the points. But there’s a catch. Obviously, a Big Mac is not the healthiest sandwich. It’s high in protein, but also high in fat. When you figure it, a Big Mac is worth about 15 points. 15 points! That’s nearly half of my daily allowance in one sandwich. So I have to think to myself, is it worth it? Do I want spend half of my daily points all at once? Probably not. I’ve learned that a Big Mac is a treat, and if I’m going to eat it I have to be more balanced the rest of the day, and it’s best to include the Mac in my extra weekly points.
The best thing about the PointsPlus plan is that all fruits and most vegetables are worth 0 points (potatoes and corn have starch so they are worth a few points). If I use all of my points during the day but feel like I need a snack around 9pm, I can have an apple, strawberries, celery, etc. The key, as always, is to eat slow and stop when you’re full. You’re also encouraged to eat power foods like lien protein, and low fat dairy. On top of that, your daily point number increases depending on the amount of activity you do. When you burn more calories, you get to eat more points.
All in all I think this program is just a way to numerically measure your diet and nutrition. It’s nothing new. It’s nothing I haven’t been told before. But it’s helping me to use numbers in order to track what I’m eating on a day to day basis. I can write the points down or keep track of them online, or even on my phone. And I don’t have to continue the program for life if I don’t want to because I have the calculator and I know how to do it. The only motivation for staying in the program is because I am held accountable and encouraged to reach my goals by going to meetings (Oh, and I get my money back!).
I’ve been walking now a few times a week for a couple of months so I had already lost about 4 lbs before I started the program last week, but even only doing it a week, I can tell it’s working. Mostly, it’s just nice to have a formula to keep me on track, and to have meetings to look forward to. It really helps. It really, really helps. Stay tuned for tomorrow and I’ll tell you if I’m right. (Man, I hope I’m right!)
It’s all about points. Everything you eat has a point value (PointsPlus) that is calculated based on fat, carbohydrates, protein and fiber. Basically, these are all key components to a person’s diet but typically you want less fat and carbs while taking in more fiber and protein. It’s a careful balance. I, for example, am allowed to eat 31 points per day (no one eats less than 29 per day). I’m also allowed to have an extra 49 points per week for special occasions, weekends, nights out, etc. The WW program says if I follow the points system then I will lose weight. So if I want a Big Mac, I can have a Big Mac, so long as I count the points. But there’s a catch. Obviously, a Big Mac is not the healthiest sandwich. It’s high in protein, but also high in fat. When you figure it, a Big Mac is worth about 15 points. 15 points! That’s nearly half of my daily allowance in one sandwich. So I have to think to myself, is it worth it? Do I want spend half of my daily points all at once? Probably not. I’ve learned that a Big Mac is a treat, and if I’m going to eat it I have to be more balanced the rest of the day, and it’s best to include the Mac in my extra weekly points.
The best thing about the PointsPlus plan is that all fruits and most vegetables are worth 0 points (potatoes and corn have starch so they are worth a few points). If I use all of my points during the day but feel like I need a snack around 9pm, I can have an apple, strawberries, celery, etc. The key, as always, is to eat slow and stop when you’re full. You’re also encouraged to eat power foods like lien protein, and low fat dairy. On top of that, your daily point number increases depending on the amount of activity you do. When you burn more calories, you get to eat more points.
All in all I think this program is just a way to numerically measure your diet and nutrition. It’s nothing new. It’s nothing I haven’t been told before. But it’s helping me to use numbers in order to track what I’m eating on a day to day basis. I can write the points down or keep track of them online, or even on my phone. And I don’t have to continue the program for life if I don’t want to because I have the calculator and I know how to do it. The only motivation for staying in the program is because I am held accountable and encouraged to reach my goals by going to meetings (Oh, and I get my money back!).
I’ve been walking now a few times a week for a couple of months so I had already lost about 4 lbs before I started the program last week, but even only doing it a week, I can tell it’s working. Mostly, it’s just nice to have a formula to keep me on track, and to have meetings to look forward to. It really helps. It really, really helps. Stay tuned for tomorrow and I’ll tell you if I’m right. (Man, I hope I’m right!)
Monday, September 26, 2011
Painting Pinecones
After seeing a friends blog post, I got the idea to paint my own pinecones (with Briana's help, of course) and either put them in a vase or make my own fall wreath. I don't have a wreath, the stuff to make a wreath, or a clear vase (yet) but I did get some pinecones. So here they are...our painted pinecones. They are patiently waiting for a home.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)