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?!