Weight Watchers Wednesday

Y'all- I am back for a WWW post with BIG NEWS to share.

I am officially a Weight Watchers employee!!!!!!

I have not officially started my training yet but hopefully soon.  I will be a receptionist one morning a week in a neighboring community.  I am excited to see where this takes me!

I haven't really done a weight loss post in a while but the last time I weighed in, I was up 2 pounds (but I contribute that to Dear Aunt Flo) and this week, I was down 3.  I haven't done a single thing differently when I was up then down so it had to be that unwelcome monthly visitor.

#sorryforTMI

#rollercoaster

I stepped on my scale at home this week and saw the lowest number I ever have.  For once, I am finally happy with the number on the scale.  I have a way to go as far as my body shape, but I am happy in my skin.  I want to get better about weight lifting- I have always struggled with that.

One major struggle I faced since my last WW post was with clothes.  Since shorts season is pretty much here (and hopefully, to stay), I had to go through my shorts and try each pair on.  In the end, I could only wear two pair of my shorts in my closet.

#nonscalevictory

I went to Target (because most of my clothes come from Target) and bought a size 6 shorts.  I waited until I got home to try them on and they were too tight on me.  I was crushed.  This was about a week before my "visitor" but I didn't realize how much she has an affect on my body.  I reluctantly took them back and bought a size 8.  Since I knew (or thought I knew) the 8 would fit, I took the tags off without trying them on.  After my visitor went back to the hole she crawls out of, I put the size 8 shorts back on and they almost fell off of me.

Say what???

I knew I had to keep the shorts because I had already taken the tags off- although, truthfully, my Target loves me and I probably could have returned them for the second time.  Oh well, I can wear a belt with them and I think everything will look ok.  I might get a second pair of khaki shorts because I wear them so much in the summer.  And I'll be getting a size 6.

Lesson learned- don't try on clothes during your time of the month!

Ok- back to Weight Watchers....
We talked this week about Power Foods.  This was basically a refresher on what power foods are and to share ideas on how we fix power foods.  Power foods, like chicken, fruits, and vegetables, were the keys to my weight loss.  I forced myself to eat more fruit daily and what I found was that I wasn't as hungry in my weak times!

I am going to close this post with something I've never done.  I took a selfie at the gym yesterday.  Maybe it is the tank top that was a little big on me but I was happy with my look yesterday!  Heck, I even had second day dirty hair!!!

 

Weight Watchers Wednesday

Is today seriously only Wednesday???  This week has crept by.  I have spent the last two days at two different Jeep dealers- I need to just bite the bullet and do a blog post about everything going on.  It is B-A-D.

I did make it to Weight Watchers yesterday morning and weighed in.  I lost

-3 pounds!!!!

Technically, I am under the line of my four pound window.  They didn't make me pay though.  If I continue to be on the lower end of my range, there is a possibility that I might lower my goal weight. I need to talk to my leader about that though.  I think it would be a good idea to lower my weight anyway with summer coming on.  I would love to maintain what I weigh now so that I can feel comfortable in my summer clothes (read: bathing suits).  I am going to think about it and track my weight for a  couple more weeks to see what happens.

This week in our meeting, we talked about chain reactions. I was suffering from a chain reaction when I went to the meeting.  Because of all the drama surrounding our jeep, I missed my weekly grocery shopping trip and meal planning time.  I normally do all of that on Monday and Tuesday but it didn't get done this week.  On top of the jeep issues, Chad is traveling, we have LONG baseball practices (forty five minute commute to and from the field on top of that), Caylee has to make up missed dance classes due to snow, and we have the regular demands of homework and housework.  An excuse?  Maybe, but it is the truth right now.  I let all of the stress of my stupid car lead me to wrong decisions as far as my eating and what my kids have eaten.  Let's put it this way, Pal Barger and Panera have fed us twice already this week!  (For those of you not local to my area, Pal Barger owns the best fast food restaurant anywhere!)  Here's a pic:

Yes, that is a big ol' hot dog sitting on the building!

Luckily, there are some things on the menu that, when altered a little, is weight watchers acceptable.  I was upset at the fact that I have allowed this incident with the jeep affect my eating plan.  My jeep needed to go back to the shop today but I told Chad this morning on the phone that I am purposefully not going back today because there are many things I need to do at home in addition to the grocery store and meal planning that never got done.

One tip I shared this week with the group:  I do much better about eating my fruits and vegetables if I cut them up and put them in clear containers.  If I spend a little bit of time prepping the food (cutting, slicing, storing, etc), I am more likely to eat them.  Just last week, I threw out some carrots because I didn't take the time to cut them up.  Not only did I not get my vegetables in, but I wasted money on them.  

Another tip shared by my leader (which I used to do but need to get back on the wagon of doing, especially with baseball season) is packing a bag of snacks for the car.  If you are out and about and feel hunger coming on, it is easier to reach in the bag and grab a snack as opposed to going through a drive thru!

Thank you all for allowing me to share my weight loss story.  If you are contemplating losing weight, I hope you would consider weight watchers.  It takes time but it WORKS!

Weight Watchers Wednesday

Greetings!!!!

First up, I have some somewhat disappointing news....

They didn't record my weight last week so I will have to weigh in before the end of March.

WOMP. WOMP. WOMP.

I didn't have a great week last week. {Hello, Steak N Shake and two birthday parties}.  The greatest thing about Weight Watchers is that it is forgiving.  You didn't have a great week- there is always tomorrow; or the next meal; the next hour.  Get refocused and get back on track.

I didn't weigh in yesterday because I was scared.  I was scared that I would have been my two pounds over and would have to pay.  Truthfully, when I came home and weighed, I was a pound under what I should be.  My scales at home and the scales at the WW center are about a pound to a pound and a half off.  I  must weigh in next Tuesday because I will not be able to attend the next two meetings.

In our class this week, we talked about mindful eating.  In a nutshell, paying attention to what you are eating- eat slowly (I have a hard time with this), get rid of distractions (TV, devices, etc), and pay attention to servings.

I did something this week that was the polar opposite of what I should have done.  We had two birthday parties this weekend- I only made an appearance at one because Carson had baseball practice (but I did get some yummy trail mix for the road).  We celebrated my dad's birthday and mom got a yellow cake with caramel icing.  I had a very small piece at the party. This isn't where it gets bad- she sent cake home with us.  After dinner last night, I finished it off and was SICK to my stomach afterward.  Why did I do that????  I regretted it. I did it because I didn't want it to go to waste.  What I should have done was cut a small slice and made Chad finish it off.

I did experience a victory this week.  I needed one more pair of bluejeans- because let's face it- my laundry isn't doing itself during baseball season!  I bought a pair of Levis in a SIZE 6.  I am going to go out on a limb and say that I am officially a SIZE 6.

A SIX.

I have purchased three different brands of pants in size 6.  I know that different brands run differently but I feel like I am victorious.  The last pair of Levis I bought were 12s.

Happy Wednesday!

Weight Watchers Wednesday: HELLO LIFETIME!

Even with four new inches of snow on the ground, I ventured out last night to weigh in.  Our morning meeting wasn't officially cancelled but I called my leader and he said no on had shown up.  We chatted a few minutes and he urged me to try to weigh in this week (if I could get out) even if it wasn't at my regular meeting.

They had a meeting later yesterday afternoon, so I stopped by to weigh in and get the WW Weekly but didn't stay for the meeting (I had Caylee with me).  I got on the scales and saw....

-3 LBS.

This means that I made lifetime and that I lost weight even with being snowed in last week and wanting to eat everything in sight!  WILLPOWER!!!!!!

I got home and emailed my leader because I was so excited.  He told me to go celebrate with a quarter of a Dunkin Donuts blueberry donut (he knows that is my favorite and that I divide it into fourths so that I can enjoy it for four days and not consume the points in one day! ).

So what now?

• Gary told me that I needed to adjust my points per day so that I don't keep losing weight.  CHECK.
• Continue to track food daily.  I didn't track my breakfast....  oops...
• Wait for a phone call from WW to set up a face to face interview for employment.  I am looking forward to this!
• Get to the gym to build muscle.  
• Shop for a new swimsuit.
• Shop for summer clothes.

It feels so awesomely amazing to reach this goal.  I DID IT!!!!!!

I'll close with more snow pictures.  The kids went to school Monday but haven't been since.  We are expecting MORE SNOW tonight.  UGH.  I am done with it!

Weight Watchers Wednesday

It's time for WWW!!!

I wish I could report that I had another week of weight loss; actually I don't wish that because I would have gone too far under my goal and would have had to start again.  I am not happy to report that I gained....

1.5 pounds....

WOMP WOMP.....

What makes me so mad at myself is that I know what does it every time- the days I don't track; the days I am not accountable for what I eat.  Granted, I don't eat terrible things but there were days I didn't track everything in my mouth.  I still stayed on plan on what to eat (for the most part) but this is further justification that tracking is one major key to success.   I know a  pound and a half is not much but I really want to see the two pounds below of my goal weight again.  I was there before and I want to see that number again.  

Since I substituted last week, I spent a large portion of the day sitting.  Our building is pretty small and I would get up to deliver a message instead of calling the classroom and I would make it a point to get up about every thirty minutes.  I also packed my lunch one of the days and made sure I carried snacks and fruit in my awesome new Thirty One lunch tote. 

In our  meeting this week, we talked about how to stay on plan when eating out.  For me, this was right up my alley.  We are in the stage of life where we simply eat out at least two nights per week.  This week, a few key points hit home with me (one of which I already do and I offered this tip to the group):

•  Know what you are ordering before you get there.  We have our routine places we eat at and I basically know what I can order at those establishments.  If we go someone different and it is a chain restaurant, I look on my WW app to see what is appropriate.  If it isn't a chain, I search for similar foods and try to do the best I can.  We don't eat at non chain restaurants often so it really isn't an issue for me.
• Ask for a box when the meal is brought to your table.  Before you begin to eat, go ahead and divide up half of the meal and put it in the box.  Just don't leave the box sitting on the table!  That way, there is no way to overindulge!
• Plan for dining out.   There is one of my favorite words again- PLAN.  If you know you are eating out for dinner and you know that your meal will be 10 PP Values, you may want to opt for a lower point lunch and load up on 0 PPV fruits and veggies beforehand.  I don't know what Weight Watchers thinks about "banking" points but I think if you know ahead of time what you will be eating, you can plan on eating your activity points, your bonus points, or simply adjusting your points target per meal.
• Step outside of the box.  I really like this one- suggested by the only male in our group, John.  He said if you go to a restaurant and you always order a pasta dish, try a different, healthier  option.  Since most restaurants have  a light menu now or note the calories in the dish, it is easier to make decisions on what to eat.  

For us, our go to restaurants are Barbaritos, Chick Fila, Panera Bread, and Which Wich.  Granted, some of those are higher point places but I have been able to eat out and still lose weight.  I think one key is to not be afraid to go out- it can be done.  I love going out to dinner, even if it is CFA!  Besides, if you fall off track, the next meal is always a new meal and is a time to regroup!

Next week is MY WEEK.  If I maintain this week, I will become a Lifetime Member!!!!!!!  I sent in my application to work for Weight Watchers yesterday.  Fingers crossed that God will open a door!

Happy Wednesday!

Weight Watchers Wednesday

If you are visiting me from Jenna's blog, welcome! Thanks for stopping by! 

Every Wednesday, I try to document my weight loss journey.  I say "try" because sometimes it doesn't get done until later in the week. Besides, I am filling in at my old job this week. I forgot how tough it is to be a working mom. I have the deepest respect for those of you who work outside the home! 

I have two more weeks of maintenance. I see a light at the end of the tunnel! This week, I lost........

3 pounds!!! 

Last week, I was towing the line of being two pounds above my goal and having to restart maintenance; this week I am towing the line for being two pounds under my goal. Had I gained another half pound last week (or lost another half pound this week), we would have to restart. WHEW! 

Every Tuesday, I feel like I let out a big sigh. I feel motivated and relaxed and ready to tackle the next week after our meeting. It is refreshing to listen to our leader and to simply be in the presence of people going through the same experience as I am.  

This week, we talked about finding an activity that we love and make a plan to stick to it. The second piece is what is hard for me, especially with me working this week. I love to run or workout at the gym but fitting time in this week has been hard. Since my schedule is crazy this week, I have tried to make sure I am getting my steps in by tracking with my FitBit. I am looking forward to Spring and warm weather. Besides, I can earn activity points while playing in the yard with the kiddos! 

If you have a FitBit, I would love for you to "friend me"! I am tinatnvol@gmail.com. What do you love to do as far as exercise? If you don't exercise, I would encourage you to try something new, even if it is simply going for a walk! 

Happy Wednesday! 

Weight Watchers Wednesday

I'm back for another Weight Watchers Wednesday: Triple W!

I am happy to report that I am down....

-0.5 LBS

I was a little bummed because I tracked everything I put in my mouth for the week.  I am a pound and a half above my goal weight.  I am still within my range for my maintenance plan so I am ok with that.  Looking back at my tracker, I realized that I ate into my weekly bonus points (no pun intended) and I went to the gym and lifted weights, which is probably the reason I only lost a half a pound.

I did have a major victory this week though:

Caylee and I went to Old Navy this weekend.  My intent was to get a couple of things for Caylee and look at jeans for me.  I tried on a size 8 in the Diva skinny jeans and they were a little loose.  On a whim, I decided to try on a size 6.

THEY FIT.  I CRIED.  

Caylee asked me why I was upset.  God love her. I haven't seen a size 6 since before I was pregnant with Carson.  I know that I will not be a size 6 in all brands of clothes, but this is a start and I will take this over a half pound weight loss ANY DAY.

In our meeting this week, we talked about big goals and bigger goals and how we can reach them.  He asked us to share our big and our bigger goals.  Obviously, my biggest goal is to reach lifetime (and not have to pay!) but my bigger goal is to continue wearing those size 6 jeans.  My big goal- my how am I going to get there- is trying not to eat into those weekly bonus points.  I think that is what hurt me this week.  Even with maintenance, I can slowly add points back into my lifestyle but honestly, I don't want to (even though I did last week).  On the flip side, I am learning that my body is trying to revert back to before my weight loss.  For example, I find myself hungry even after eating the same things I ate when I was losing weight.  I know it is a process and I need to understand that maintenance is trial and error.  This week, I am going to focus on continuing to track everything I put in my mouth (even that munchkin from Dunkin Donuts yesterday- I just had one).

I am entering week three of maintenance.  If I can get through this week, I am halfway to lifetime membership!  WOOP WOOP!

Weight Watchers Wednesday (on Friday)

Ok, so the last time I blinked, it was Monday and now it is Friday.  Where in the world did this week go?  This week turned into be a busy week.  I kept asking myself how I could hold down a job with the craziness of this week.  More on the nutso week in my Five on Friday post....

So, let's talk about this week in Weight Watchers.

I. gained. two. pounds.

WOMP WOMP WWWWWWOOOOOOMMMMMMPPPPPPP....

One word to describe it: hypocrite.

Let me back up.....

Last week, I received an email from my leader asking me to come speak to another one of his groups at a Weight Watchers at Work.  This group meets for twelve weeks then they do an Open House in hopes of recruiting more members to keep the group going.  Part of the Open House is a current member coming to share their story.  Guess who was the current member???  ME!

Knowing I had to speak to a group, I tried to watch what I ate but I didn't track everyday either.  I got on the scales at my meeting earlier that morning and was up 2 pounds.  Luckily, my toes didn't cross the "I have to start maintenance again" line so I was "safe".  Not happy about it, but safe.

Our meeting this week was about how to enjoy parties without going overboard.  It was a Super Bowl theme.  Even though we probably will not be participating in any parties, I did get a few ideas of what to serve for my little family.

After our meeting, my leader and I went to the At Work meeting location.  I helped him get everything set up and he hit me with a question that flattered me- would I be interested in becoming a WW Leader?

Let me think about that a minute:   YES!

Basically once you reach lifetime, you can train to become a leader/receptionist.  I think you have to be a receptionist and learn the paperwork side first then you can lead meetings.  Once I reach lifetime, the only requirement is that I continue to weigh in once per month.  If I am a leader/receptionist, I will have to weigh in once per month. If nothing else, this is extra motivation to keep the weight off.

Back to the meeting- I felt like such a hypocrite telling my weight loss story after gaining two pounds.  He asked me about my successes, tips for new members, etc.  But the beauty of weight watchers is that it is a forgiving group.  I knew exactly why I'd put on the two and I know how to get it off.  I have tracked every bite that has gone into my mouth since Tuesday.  I am down one pound according to my FitBit scale.  My FitBit scale has been all over the place lately in comparison to the scales at WW.  Some weeks, there is a pound difference; others, there is a three pound difference.  So frustrating but as long  as I am losing, it is good.

One thing I am being more conscious of this week is making sure I am getting my fruit.  Since I have been away from home a lot this week, I have packed my Thirty One lunch tote with snacks, water, and fruit to grab as I am out and about.

I keep telling myself that I am spending this winter getting myself ready for summer.  I had some great workouts at the gym this week.  I don't know that I will purchase a two piece bathing suit for this body but you never know!

Weight Watchers Wednesday

I am starting a new series of posts devoted to Weight Watchers (WW).  I have chosen to do this on Wednesdays because Wednesday, Weight, and Watchers all start with a W!  ;)  Plus, I go to my meeting and weigh in on Tuesday so I thought this would be a great way to post my thoughts on the previous week as well as something I learned at the meeting.

Let me give you a little backstory on how I got here.  I did WW after I had Caylee and was successful.  I lost thirty five (35!!!) pounds.  Less than half of those thirty five pounds crept back onto my body for the next four years.  I was somewhat active and tried using My Fitness Pal but wasn't successful.  I like food too much.

Fast forward to September 2014.  Training for the St. Jude Half was starting and we learned that Caylee would dance a role in the Nutcracker that allowed us to be in it with her.  When we got that news, I decided I needed to drop ten pounds.  I knew the only way I could do it was with Weight Watchers.  The other pieces to this puzzle was that I wanted to fit into a different dress for stage.  Plus, I always gain weight during my training- my foolish mindset of if I run a lot then I can eat whatever I want- which we all know isn't true!

I joined WW in October (the week of my anniversary and birthday to be exact).  I love going to the meeting and I really like our leader.  He is a runner too.  I am the youngest person in our group and my situation is much different to theirs and sometimes I have a hard time relating but it is ok because we share a common goal- to lose weight and be healthy.

In yesterday's meeting, we talked about hunger triggers and how we can control hunger.  For me, certain times of the day are triggers for me- late morning and the witching hours of 3-6PM.  One way I (try) to control my hunger is drinking water.  This is one of my secrets to my success.

DRINK WATER.

I find that if I drink my water throughout the day, I don't feel hungry because water gives you the sensation of feeling full (and I am not talking bladder though I do pee a lot!  Sorry for TMI).

How do I make sure I get my water in?

1.    I found an idea on Pinterest that I snagged to help me with my water intake.  I took a pitcher and marked 64ounces on it.  I fill it up in the morning and I try to have it drank by the time I pick up the kids.  Granted, mine is just a Dollar Store jug but I fill it up in the morning and sip all day long.

via 

2.  I bought me a couple of super cute water bottles to  make my water intake more fun.  I also squeeze some kind of flavoring in my water to make it more tolerable.  While I can drink regular old water, I like to add Crystal light or vitamin water zero squirts.  Can I take a moment to share what I am currently drinking out of?  We all know that I have a major crush on Luke Bryan.  When I saw him at Farm Tour, I bought this cup because I figure this is as close as my lips will ever get to his.  This motivates me to drink my water!  

Eat your heart out, Andrea  ;) ;) 

When I am on the go (which is a lot), I turn to my good ole Tervis Tumbler or my Bubba cup because they both have lids and can fit in my cupholders.  True story- when we bought the Wrangler,  I took my Bubba cup so that I could make sure it fit.  Could have been a deal breaker!  

via

3.  My final tip comes from my friend Andrea.  She and I were talking one day and she mentioned not drinking anything else during the day until her water is gone.  While I don't do this everyday, it is a great idea.  It is nice to have that Diet Coke or Unsweet tea or Starbies to look forward to once you drink all of your water.  

There you have it!  A couple of my secrets to my success.  I am not done with WW yet.  I am in my maintenance phase for six weeks then I will reach LIFETIME!  WOOP WOOP!

I will leave you with a couple of pics from last night's CrossFit workout.  Chad is out of town which means I wore my SuperMom cape.  We had dance and a workout in the next town over which means that Caylee went too.  She decided to do part of the workout as well as "coach" Carson.  

Push ups, I think.

Sit Ups

Caylee doing sit ups.  I think she did five and she was DONE!