Going Private

I started this blog in hopes that others would share their great ideas and recipes that helped them along their WW journey. However, the idea hasn't seemed to catch on. I don't know that it is really helping others as much as it serves as a personal reference for me. As it seems the way of many bloggers, I too am going private. Good luck and best wishes with your WW program!

Dealing with Boredom in Your Diet

This is what I am going through right now. I'm afraid if I get on a more strict regimen, strict enough to help me achieve my goal weight, I'll be eliminating the food that adds variety and fun to my life. Ex. handfuls of chips here and there, a cookie here and there, whatever I feel like here and there and not writing them into my daily points. No wonder I'm a maintenance queen. Now if I can just maintain the RIGHT weight!

Dealing with Boredom in Your Diet
Everything Needs a Little Shake-Up
-- By Liz Noelcke, Staff Writer

Keep it Fresh
One of the biggest things that can be seen as contributing to diet boredom is a regimen that is so specific; it eliminates certain things from your diet, such as a low carbohydrate diet. These diets are not inherently bad, but it limits the variety of food options. So do your best to keep it fresh.

When struggles of tediousness come, counterattack! Change the types of food you eat. Don’t have the same dinners every week. Try new things out. It might take a little extra effort in the kitchen, but creativity in the kitchen can be fun. One way to do this is to splurge on a new healthy cookbook. Try out a new recipe once a week. Also, get your family involved in healthy cooking. Perhaps each family member can have a night of the week, not only to help cook, but to help pick out a recipe. You can also do a healthy recipe exchange with friends.

Above all else, a diet is nothing without combining other aspects of healthy living. Drink plenty of water, as always. This will keep you from munching throughout the day. Also, eat around 5-6 times a day, but in smaller portions. Finally, concentrate on fitness aspects as well. You won’t lose weight effectively if you do nothing to train your body. So, with your diet, you’ll be able to build some great healthy habits, but this can lead to plateaus. Add some spice to your diet and you’ll continue seeing success.

From a SparkPeople Blog: Forgive and Move on!

Because I've seen it before. So don't disappear for awhile and then resurface around January with a few (or dozens of) extra pounds. We'll miss you and you can lose weight or at least maintain it during these holidays. I PROMISE.

So, recite after me...

I, [your name], promise that when the goblins approach in October, the turkey bingefest looms in November, and the Yuletide indulgences creep around every corner in December, I will:

1. Allow myself treats every now and then to keep myself sane.
2. Not beat myself up when I slip-up or go off-track.
3. Keep Sparking, tracking (or food journaling), and challenging myself with new goals.

I know that the holidays can't break me. No candy or pie or cookie is going to change who I am as a person or is going to break my resolve or destroy any physical or emotional progress I have made.

Signed,
[Your name]

Measure Progress Without the Scale

An Arsenal of Tools for Your Motivation
-- By Liz Noelcke, SparkPeople Staff Writer

Frustrated. Disappointed. Hopeless. Skeptical.

Whichever you choose, these emotions are enemies of people trying to lose weight—especially when you feel like you have done everything right. For many trying to shed pounds, the elation from that initial weight loss is brought to a screeching halt when the scale stops moving. But instead of viewing this as a setback, look for other ways to measure your progress besides the scale. After all, good health isn’t always measured in pounds.

Losing weight usually involves a relatively simple calorie equation: burn off more calories with daily activity than you consume through food. So what happens when these numbers indicate progress, but the scale doesn’t? Before the aggravation sets in, consider why this might be the case. If you’ve been hitting the gym on a regular basis, participating in both cardiovascular and strengthening exercises, then chances are good that you have shed some fat. But the scale might not indicate this because you have also been building lean muscle. Since muscle is dense (a small volume of muscle weighs more than the same volume of fat), the scale might not reflect your hard work.

4 Non-Scale Signs of Progress

1. See results by taking a trip to your very own closet. Take out a pair of pants that fit snugly before you began your new, healthy habits. Are you able to ease into them, when before you had to sit (or lie) down and yank them up your legs? This is a sure sign of progress toward a leaner you! What about an old shirt? Is it now a little loose around your waist or arms? Also look for improved muscle definition when you check out your body in the mirror. There are many everyday indicators that you are firming up your body, from how your clothes fit to sitting more comfortably in a booth or small chair.

2. Aside from weight, use other numerical signs of progress. When you first start your program, take measurements of your waist, arms, neck and hips. Even if you are not losing pounds, you very well may be losing inches all over your body as your figure slims down and tones up with muscles. Measuring your body is more reliable than the scale alone. Other numerical indicators include a reduction of blood pressure or cholesterol, heart rate, and body fat percentage.

3. Monitor how a healthy diet and regular exercise affects your energy levels. Not only will you be able to work out for longer intervals of time, but everyday chores will also become easier. Whether cutting the grass or simply walking up the stairs, these behaviors will come effortlessly. Think of all the daily activities you could use more energy for—grocery shopping, house cleaning, playing with your kids, and more. Pretty soon you’ll be training for your first 5K!

4. Lastly, be conscious of how you feel emotionally. You’ve been working hard to reach your goals. Hopefully, the hard work will come with a boost in self-esteem, confidence, and happiness. Are you beginning to feel more comfortable in your own body? Work to build a positive vocabulary to stay motivated.

Just because the scale has stopped moving doesn’t mean that you’ve hit a plateau in reaching your goals. Don’t give up out of frustration—all healthy behaviors are well worth the effort. Whether it’s better sleep at night or more energy throughout the day, start listening to the signs your body gives you that all of your hard work is paying off!

Awesome 2pt snack ideas from Hungry Girl!

For HG's original e-mail with pictures, click HERE.

Guilt-free, portion-controlled snacks ROCK... but they can be pricey. Save cash -- DO IT YOURSELF! Here's the 411 on exactly how many/how much of some of our favorite treats are equal to 100 calories, plus a few fantastic 100-cal combos!

14 almonds
PER SERVING (about 14 whole unsalted nuts): 100 calories, 9g fat, 0mg sodium, 3g carbs, 2g fiber, 0.5g sugars, 3.5g protein -- POINTS® value 2*

25 pistachios
PER SERVING (about 25 dry-roasted unsalted nuts): 100 calories, 8g fat, 0mg sodium, 5g carbs, 1.75g fiber, 1g sugars, 3.5g protein -- POINTS® value 2*

16 Popchips
PER SERVING (about 16 chips, average of all flavors): 100 calories, 3.25g fat, 235mg sodium, 16g carbs, 1g fiber, 1g sugars, 1g protein -- POINTS® value 2*

15 Guiltless Gourmet Tortilla Chips
PER SERVING (about 15 chips, average of all flavors): 100 calories, 2g fat, 156mg sodium, 17.5g carbs, 1.5g fiber, 0g sugars, 1.5g protein -- POINTS® value 2*

12 hard pretzel sticks (not rods)
PER SERVING (about 12 small plain sticks, average): 100 calories, 0g fat, 460mg sodium, 23g carbs, 1g fiber, 1g sugars, 2g protein -- POINTS® value 2*

19 hard pretzel twists
PER SERVING (about 19 mini twists, average): 100 calories, <0.5g fat, 400mg sodium, 20.5g carbs, <1g fiber, <0.5g sugars, 1.5g protein -- POINTS® value 2*

5 cups 94% fat-free microwave popcorn
PER SERVING (about 5 cups popped corn, average): 100 calories, 0.5g fat, 204mg sodium, 22g carbs, 4g fiber, 0g sugars, 2.5g protein -- POINTS® value 1*

13 Quaker Quakes Rice Snacks
PER SERVING (about 13 mini cakes, average of all flavors): 100 calories, 2g fat, 223mg sodium, 19.5g carbs, 0g fiber, 3.5g sugars, 1.5g protein -- POINTS® value 2*

4 Hershey's Milk Chocolate Kisses
PER SERVING (about 4 pieces): 100 calories, 5.5g fat, 15mg sodium, 10.5g carbs, <0.5g fiber, 9g sugars, 1g protein -- POINTS® value 2*


4 teaspoons mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
PER SERVING (about 4 tsp., average): 100 calories, 5.25g fat, 5mg sodium, 12g carbs, 0.5g fiber, 10.5g sugars, 1g protein -- POINTS® value 2*

27 Reese's Pieces
PER SERVING (about 27 pieces): 100 calories, 4.75g fat, 38mg sodium, 12g carbs, 0.5g fiber, 10g sugars, 2g protein -- POINTS® value 2*

45 mini marshmallows
PER SERVING (about 45 mini marshmallows, average): 100 calories, 0g fat, 25mg sodium, 25.5g carbs, 0g fiber, 18g sugars, 0.5g protein -- POINTS® value 2*

1/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries
PER SERVING (about 1/4 cup, average): 100 calories, <0.5g fat, 1mg sodium, 26.5g carbs, 2.5g fiber, 21.5g sugars, 0g protein -- POINTS® value 2*


25 jelly beans (like Jelly Belly)
PER SERVING (about 25 small jelly beans, average): 100 calories, 0g fat, 14mg sodium, 25g carbs, 0g fiber, 20g sugars, 0g protein -- POINTS® value 2*



HG's Super 100-Cal Snack Mixes!

Using your newfound knowledge, make your own mixes! Or try out ours...
Jelly Bean 'Stach Snack
PER SERVING (10 small jelly beans + 15 pistachios): 100 calories, 4.75g fat, 7mg sodium, 13g carbs, 1g fiber, 8.5g sugars, 2g protein -- POINTS® value 2*


Candy 'Mallow Popcorn
PER SERVING (9 Reese's Pieces + 8 mini marshmallows + 2 1/2 cups 94% fat-free microwave popped corn): 100 calories, 1.5g fat, 120mg sodium, 19.5g carbs, 2g fiber, 6.5g sugars, 2g protein -- POINTS® value 2*


Chocolatey Caramel Crunch Mix
PER SERVING (2 tsp. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips + 6 Quaker Caramel Corn Quakes): 100 calories, 2.5g fat, 130mg sodium, 17g carbs, <0.5g fiber, 8.5g sugars, 1g protein -- POINTS® value 2*



Berry Nutty Twist Mix
PER SERVING (1 1/2 tbsp. sweetened dried cranberries + 5 almonds + 5 mini pretzel twists): 100 calories, 3g fat, 105mg sodium, 16g carbs, 1.5g fiber, 8g sugars, 1.5g protein -- POINTS® value 2*

Crock Pot Salsa Chicken

I found this recipe on a food blog when I was looking for a picture to go with my salsa chicken casserole. Mmmmm. I can't wait to try it!

Make Life Delicious blog says: I’ve seen many varieties of this recipe, but this one works for me. You can serve this up any way you like…over rice, with tortillas to make soft tacos, you name it. It couldn’t be easier to make. You dump it all in your crock pot and you’re done! The meat is so tender when it’s cooked you can just shred it with a fork with little effort. It’s wonderful!

Crock Pot Salsa Chicken

Printable Version: Crock Pot Salsa Chicken

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts, frozen or thawed (you can use less or more depending on how many you will be serving)
• 1 can of corn
• 1 can of black beans, drained
• 1 jar salsa

Directions

Put all ingredients in a crock pot and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Shred chicken with a fork and serve over rice or with tortillas and the fixin’s to make soft tacos.

That’s it! Enjoy!

Salsa Chicken and Rice Casserole

Yet another quick, easy, WW friendly recipe! I got this recipe from a Betty Crocker e-mail. I made a few of my own adjustments to it and listed my recipe below.
Note: without the cheese it would be only 7 ww points per serving! (I like the cheese!)

Course: main meals

POINTS® Value: 10
Servings: 5

Ingredients

	10 oz Old El Paso® Sauces Hot Enchilada Sauce, (MILD)
	1 cup(s) Minute Instant, enriched, long grain white rice
	1 cup(s) Ortega Original salsa, mild
	1 can(s) canned condensed cream of celery soup
	15 oz cooked black beans, (can)
	20 oz Chicken breast, skinless, boneless, raw, 5 sm breast
	2 cup(s) Weight Watchers Reduced Fat Shredded Mexican-Style Cheese

Cranberry-Nut Turkey Roll Ups

Course: light meals POINTS® Value: 6 Servings: 1 I got this recipe from ww's website. Their recipe from "10 no cook dinners" says you should get rollups worth. I had to cut mine in half to get 2! :) Points value was 6 for one, not 4 for 2. I paired it with fresh grapes and a couple halved strawberries for a great light lunch. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 item(s) Mission® 96% Fat-Free Whole Wheat Tortilla(s)

1 Tbsp Ocean Spray Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce

1 Tbsp Hellmann's Light Mayonnaise

3 oz turkey breast lunch meat (3 1/2-inch square)

1 cup(s) romaine lettuce, (leaf)

1 tsp chopped pecans

Instructions

Spread whole-wheat tortilla with 1 tablespoon whole berry cranberry sauce and 1 tbsp. light mayo. Top each with 3 oz (thickly) sliced turkey breast, 1 leaf romaine lettuce, and 1 teaspoon chopped pecans. Roll up and serve.

Find your own beauty!

“Finding your beauty isn't about looking exactly like everyone else. It's about accepting yourself—the parts you love and the parts you don't—and then working with all of it.”

— Scott Barnes
Definitely words of wisdom we should all remember.

Teriyaki Chicken Fillets

I bought these at costco for about $15. I dice all of the chicken up and serve it with rice and a veggie. These are pretty tasty and and great easy meal. Just bake for 18-20 minutes. The best part? They are only 3 points per breast even covered in gooey teriyaki!