Challenges and Opportunities

Well today is Day 4 on the new Smart Points Weight Watcher Plan. The plan makes perfect sense but I am having challenges. So eating out is a biggie for me and as I have shared in the past I like to eat what I like when I eat out. That's a challenge but also an opportunity to do better on a plan like this.

I have a lunch and dinner tomorrow so I went and picked out what I liked in advance on the menu and entered into my WW tracker. Totally blew my points even when I cut the orders in half. Bummer. So I said to myself. "Self ...what else  could you enjoy without the guilt of blowing points on your first week on this new program. Come on Oprah said JOIN HER! Surely I can forgo what I want for what my body needs." I switched for soup and salad with proteins. What I noticed this week is I will eat half of the portion but then eat the rest later. So my favorite Bonefish Bang Bang shrimp is 27 points. I get 31 for the day. Rightttt... So add some fresh bread and pesto, a drink or two I've had a day's worth in an hour. I think I have to get comfortable leaving left overs at the restaurant if I'm going to indulge like that. It seems wasteful but I think that's the only answer.

So that's my plan. It helped that I went to Trader Joe's and stocked up on lots of good stuff. I spent like $70 which is a lot in Trader Joe's here's what I got! What I did, which did take me some time was I used my Smart Points calculator and did the points for everything I picked up. Some shockers: The Feta and caramelized onion bites are 3 points each. I typically have 5 or 6 (like yesterday and that ate up my points pretty fast (3x5= 15 points I get 31 for the day!), throw in two peanut butter cookies I ate from a lovely gift basket my President Elect gave me and next thing you know points are blown!)

Shopping list from TJ
-Eggs are 2 points each
-Fruits and veggies  are still 0 points unless you make a smoothie then you have to calculate them. I made a Green smoothie in the recipe builder its about 2 points per serving.
-Raisin and rosemary crackers are only 3 points for 11 so that was good news
-Trader Joe Salads are 10 and 11 points OUCH! But that's with the dressing.
-Turkey meatball were 3 points for 2 so that's kinda high too

This plan definitely makes you tighten up on the processed foods like Paleo which I really like. I've been googling Smart Points and finding blogs by other WW members who were apart of the Beta test so they are on week 4 or so. Good insight there. For example you can swap fit points for food the way you could with activity points but that's later on.

I did some cooking: Jerk chicken, chicken soup and roasted beets and sweet potatoes

I have not done any gym workouts but I've been pretty active volunteering over the weekend and I used the WW pedometer and got 3000 steps in on Saturday and again on Sunday. My goal is to start using my treadmill at home this week. Any Netflix shows I can use to pass the time like I did with Sons of Anarchy last year?!

I'm also going to commit to walking more at work to get those steps in. I can literally sit alll day. A few minutes around the building will be good for me. I am also going to have to do " The Work" on "The Why" I was working from home yesterday and mindlessly had the news on at 6am which is when I am typically on my way to work and it was soooo depressing. I had to change the channel but I was in a funk all day because of it. I think that impacted my food choices, no I know it did. I still had weekly points but goodness that's a bad habit I need to break. I watched comedies the rest of the day and I am still not back to my regular self. I have to guard my mind because I absorb negatively too easily and I just couldn't find the bright side to alllllll that stuff in one moment. It was overwhelming.

But today is a new day I can packed with my lunch, snacks, and water! Anddd realized I left my work laptop at home LOL Talk about focused. Fortunately most of my coworkers are out so I was able to borrow someone else's! I actually brought a bag full of apples and oranges so my snacks for the week are already here. I think that's helpful consider doing that if you can!

Well that's all for now. Ohhh I did hop on the scale just to peek and I was down over 2 pounds so that was encouraging and will help me focus. Okkkkk Im out!

I was minding my business and here comes Oprah...

Well I was minding my own business the day after Christmas and here comes Oprah Winfrey and her Weight Watchers commercial telling me to get my butt back on track,. I was already mad at her for what tripling their stock of which I had far too little lol and now here she comes the day after fried chicken, seafood salad, cake, ham, macaroni and cheese and wine talking about everything she;s been through brought her to this moment with Weight Watchers. The two things I have always loved about Oprah and her weight loss journey was she always said: (1). If there was a magic pill she would have bought it... as richest woman in the world duhhhh lol (2). She didn't like/love exercise or eating "right"  she did it because she had to. I liked that because I can't say I love or like exercise or eating right either. I am just at a place where I get that some people struggle with family problems, mental illness, career uncertainty, low self esteem, etc. my challenge is my weight I can't even say my overall health I have a 98 overall cholesterol, almost low blood pressure, and blood work numbers better than people half my size.

I did a half marathon with two-three weeks of  treadmill training, and a triathlon with  maybe four weeks of training, lol most people train for 6 months! What I do have is a strong and self assured mind that tells me I can do anything I put my mind to. Weight loss is just my area off additional need and introspection. And if I can be honest I really don't care sometimes. I'd rather not "worry" about calories, carbs, fat and crap lol but alas here comes Oprah. So off to my local Weight Watchers I go. My husband and I joined before the wedding but stopped after two months and we kept paying and not going so I cancelled it but I said why wait until the new year? I know WW is the best program around and I need the support, accountability and motivation.

I've had a lot going on. I am more than half way though my Presidency for the Junior League of Baltimore. Although I knew it would be hard its way more challenging that anyone can really imagine. My coping skills have not been the best and my go to stress relief methods are not exercise, yoga and mediation lol but this is good training ground to force myself to respond in better ways. I had a few really bad days and I called my Personal Trainer and did some good old school workouts and I definitely felt the benefits! I even hit a new personal best on the leg press! Over 400 lbs!!! Yup I'm the bomb!

So yesterday Oprah got me up and I found out there is new WW program: Beyond the Scale. It really takes what was already a good program to the next level. They even stole my journal idea lol quotes and everything they know I used to bring a journal to every meeting and take notes like I was in school lol they even put a Law of Attraction quote on the front! Humph lol

The program takes a multifaceted approach to weight loss so goal setting, scale, food, and the mental aspect of weight loss. The Why... I did a post about that awhile ago. Its really all about The Why. They have changed the way  we calculate the Points Value again. The last change was good it went from just fat and calories to fat, carbs, protein and fiber.

Now your Smart Points are calculated with: Calories, fat, saturated fat, carbs, fiber, sugar, protein. The thing I like about it is it will force me to use more of my Paleo knowledge to maximize my points. I did a post awhile back  about Paleo As Promised Paleo Part 1 check it out! I'm looking forward to seeing my results with the program. If you lose 10 pounds in 3 months you get one month of your fees returned! That's incentive!

Another change is there's a daily minimum Activity Point goal. Before exercise wasn't even really emphasized, then it was lightly encouraged then encouraged more now its basically mandatory! lol good bold move because exercise is key.

There was also a weekly extra point allotment well that used to be a set number for everyone but now it is personalized just like your daily points are. Makes sense!

Overall I'm impressed. I enjoyed the meeting but I was a bit resentful to have to come back. The people were warm and friendly and chatty as usual lol but I never really appreciate how much I eat even when I think I'm being good so WW is good for me. I paid for three months up front about $130 and it includes free online coaching.

I got the starter kit for $39 and the calculator $9 so when my cell dies I have a back up lol
Inside the kit you’ll find

• Cutting Board with built-in measuring cups (dishwasher safe)
  - Features removable sides and cups to easily slide your chopped ingredients into convenient measuring cups: 1 cup, 1/2 cup, 1/3 cup, and 1/4 cup included
• Collapsible Bowl (dishwasher, microwave, and freezer safe)
  - Convenient bowl that collapses to save you space in your bag or kitchen. This unique bowl comes with a 4-oz container to hold dressing, dip, and yogurt, as well as a separate tray to store additional toppings.
• Fresh & Easy Cookbook
  - 115 SmartPoints friendly, mouthwatering recipes that are perfect for small-scale cooking.
• The Journal
  - Keep track of your SmartPoint values, activity, bright ideas, throughts, feelings, anything in this 12-week Journal.
• Weight Watchers Coupon Flyer
  - You can save $30 on Weight Watchers meeting room and retail products.


I went to Bonefish yesterday after working a few hours in the Wise Penny. To my horror the Bang Bang shrimp was 27 points. I get 31 for the DAY LOL Needless to say I went over my points  yesterday lol

But today I started off on a better note! Had my Trade Joe White Ginger tea 0 points, brown sugar 1 point, egg muffin, bacon, I'd usually have four but that was 7 points so I had 3 for 5 points, and some blueberries. 8 points total

Egg muffin was great and this is a good grab and go recipe.

 Ingredients

• 6 large eggs add 1/2 cup of water
  
  
• Be creative add what you like! For example: 
• Bacon, sausage (pre cook meat), red, green, or yellow peppers, onions,  frozen kale, spinach, zucchini, sun dried tomatoes chopped
• cheeses 
• INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, spray a muffin tin with non-sticking cooking spray or use coconut oil. 
  2. Brown the ground sausage in a medium-sized pan over medium-heat
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and then add in the sausage, peppers, kale, and pepper. Pour the batter into the muffin tins, filling ¾ of the way. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
  4. Allow the muffins to cool for 5 minutes, use a knife to loosen from the sides.
  5. I tend to make a variety so I add egg mixture filling the muffin tin only half way then add what I want in each muffin. 

Well I set an over goal of losing 51 pounds. Which would take me 10 pounds less than my lowest weight after losing 100 pounds a few years ago, which would give me a 119.5 pound weight loss overall. Of course I'll still be overweight based on my height and weight chart, but I'm okay with that.

I promise to blog at least weekly and share my journey with Smart Points!! The good, the bad and the ugly! 2016 I see a victory in this area for me. There are 52 weeks in a year so that's less than one pound a week! TOTALLY DOABLE!

I have some other goals in other areas and and I'm just really excited about 2016! 2015 HAS BEEN SOOOO GOOD TO ME! Its almost sad to say goodbye but I recall feeling like that about 2014 and 2013 and God just really blessed my socks off so I'm looking forward to what 2016 has in store!

P.S. How do you like the new look?!