Week 4 - Megan

Weight lost: 1 lb
Total weight lost: 5 lbs
Weight to go: 10-15 lbs (I might change my goal)

Confessions:
Candy is the devil! I don't think weight watchers candy counts when you eat 3 bags in one week! YIKES! I can't control my sweet tooth, so I am not buying any more candy! I will however still buy the baked goods, they satisfy me more, so I can limit myself. I am also having a hard time with hunger, I think I need to be eating veggies when I feel hungry. I did not get any exercise in this week. I have been bogged down doing stupid etsy dolls. I am doing 3 sets tonight and tomorrow and then I am pulling them off the internet for a while, they take up too much time and I have a lot of other things I need to be working on! I also didn't eat much fruits/veggies or drink water. Boo, this was a bad week!

What worked for me:
Sticking to the soups and double fiber bread. I am getting a little sick of soup though, any suggestions???

Goals for next week:
I bought a good amount of fruits and veggies today, I am going to cut them up and have them accessible in the fridge. I am going to try to remember to fill my water cup in the mornings, then hopefully just keep it with me throughout the day. I am hoping to get 1 exercise in this week, trying to be realistic! I think more than anything right now, I really want to tone up. I was down to 125 a year after I had Kate, but I still felt fat, because my body was so flabby, so basically I have changed my goal weight to 130 but I want to burn fat and build muscle. The End.

Week 3 - Megan

Ok, first off, where is everyone else???

Weight lost: 3lbs
Total weight lost: 4lbs
Weight to go: 16lbs

Confessions:
Jason and I got some fast food last week, I didn't think too much of it, then I went to the restaurants website (after eating my meal) and calculated the points...37 freakin points for one meal! I was astonished! Never again will I assume fast food isn't that bad for you! Also Mother's Day was not my best. Jason got me an ice cream cake and it was gone by Tuesday! OOPS! Darn that inner child! Don't worry, she's on restriction for bad behavior!

What worked for me:
The soups are still working like a charm! Also the WW desserts are a must for me, I am such a sweets hound, and would be in big trouble if it weren't for those! Jason and I also took the kids for a walk one afternoon, I pushed the stroller and we walked 1 2/3 miles. It wasn't the best exercise, but it was better than none!

Goals for this week:
I really need to be eating more fruits and veggies, so I'm going to try and incorporate those into my meals or have them for snacks this week, also I need to start drinking water and I am hoping to exercise twice this week.

Week 2 - Megan

Weight lost: 1lb
Weight to go: 19lbs

Confessions:
Ok, so I did just fine if I stayed at home all day and didn't have any company over. I fooled myself thinking, "oh, weight watchers is easy." Of course it is if you have NO temptation, but the second there is a cupcake in front of your face or a plate of warm cookies (or tub of frozen ones for that matter) forget about it! I just have to tell myself, one day at a time, even one meal at a time... if I screw up, just start over. No point in wasting all the good days I had for one crap day. I did not work out, but really hope to get a few work outs in this week!

What worked for me:
PLANNING, PLANNING, PLANNING. If I know ahead of time what I am going to be eating and when, it is much easier. I am a huge fan of the soups, they are convenient and yummy! I need to be drinking more water though.

Week 1 - Megan

Ok, I'm ready to start!!! I actually started on Monday, so I'll report back next Monday, not Wednesday.

Weight lost - 0
Weight to loose - 20lbs

The Plan: 31pts a day
Breakfast: Slimfast (16oz of milk and one scoop of powder, makes it go further)(5pts)
Lunch: Progresso 0-1pt. or Campbells light soups and a piece of toast (4pts)
Dinner: WW frozen meal or whatever I make for Jason (switch every other night)
My extras to choose from:
Coke 3pts
WW cookie or zinger 1pt
WW ice cream sundaes 3 pts
WW yogurt 1pt
Apple or Orange 1pt
and of course veggies.

May sound kind of boring, but It's easiest for me to have something planned (and easy) to eat every day, simplicity is key for me! The soups are all delicious and so that gives me some variety to choose from, so I don't get bored. The sweets really help me out, that is my biggest temptation, so if I allow myself little treats, I don't end up binging!

I plan on exercising at least 3 times a week and drink 2 big (hospital) cups of water a day. Off I go!

Week 7 & 8 - Mom

Weight lost past two weeks: 4.2 lbs.
Total weight lost: 20 lbs. !!!

What worked for me:

I was afraid that being on vacation would hinder my weight loss. I guess playing mom to Vanessa and Nicole helped keep me active. No wonder Lisa is so skinny! It also helped that we walked a ton in Santa Fe. I was able to stay pretty much on track in Provo. I was also able to make mostly good choices in Santa Fe.

Temptations:

Del Taco is always a favorite of mine, but I only went there once in Provo. There was a really good Ice Cream/Bakery in Santa Fe that we went to a couple of times, but I only ate one scoop of ice cream each time, and stayed away from the pastries. The breakfast at our hotel had a wonderful spread each morning. Lots of good pastries, fruit, yogurt, cereal, toast, frittatas and other things. I ate fruit, yogurt and toast every morning, and had just a bite of Dad's other yummy things!

Goals for next week:

I want Dad to move my treadmill into Mark's bedroom, and get a small TV so I can keep up my walking. It seemed to really help, so I want to keep up the momentum!
I have found some interesting recipes that I will be trying and let you know how they are.

Hope everyone has a good week!

Week 6 - Mom

Weight lost this week: 2.2
Total weight lost: 16

What worked for me:
I did about the same as last week, lots of veggies, fruit, water & soup. I discovered that Thomas' has an multi grain english muffin with 100 cal and 8 gr. fiber. They are pretty good, especially for 1 pt. I also found Progresso Turkey Noodle Soup (3pts. a can) at Albertson's. I really like that variety. They had them, along with other types on sale for 2/$3.00. When you purchase 10 cans, they give you a $10.00 coupon for your next purchase at Albertson's. That is only 50 cents a can! Pretty good deal!

Temptations:
It was a kind of stressful weekend, and I had a migraine on Sunday. I always want to eat more when I have a headache, so I overdid it a little on Sunday. Valentine's day wasn't a distraction, because Dad gave me some beautiful red roses, and I gave him "TV Ears", which work great for him! Not that romantic, but he knows I love him!

Goals for the next two weeks:
Try to stay on program while I am on vacation. It will be pretty easy when we are at Matt & Lisa's with the girls. The week in Santa Fe is what I am worried about, lots of good food and all eating out! I have done it before, so I know I can do it if I really decide to. Wish me luck, and good luck to everyone else!

Double Benefit

So, I was eating my Cherrios this morning, and realized I never read the box. Usually it's just the basic bright yellow I always see, but right now there is a charity opportunity called the Pound-for-pound Challenge. You pledge your weight loss goal, and they match every pound you lose with a donation of a pound of food to local food banks. Check it out!

Week 5 - Mom

Weight lost this week: - 2.4
Total weight lost: - 13.8

What worked for me:

I had a good week, it was pretty easy and I am getting into a routine. I always have hot chocolate for breakfast. It is cold here and I like something hot in the morning. I'm not that hungry in the morning, so this keeps me satisfied until lunch. Then I almost always have a can of soup with some of the veggies I cook. This is very filling and I'n not hungry until about 4:00. I have some small 2 pt. snack around then. Dinners have been more creative, as I am trying some new recipes. Last Sunday I made "Mexican Meatloaf" from my WW info. I also made some spanish rice from a mix. I didn't use any butter, so it was low in points. Then I sauteed some zucchini in Olive Oil Pam to go along with it. It was a total WW meal and Dad loved it! There were lots of leftovers so I have been able to morf it into other meals. I added a small portion of the meatloaf to my Southwestern Vegetable soup along with some beans and corn and had a great soup. It has been fun trying new things and I think that keeps me motivated!

Temptations:

We have been deluged with goodies from the ward! The Laurels brought over yummy heart shaped cookies last week. I just had one little corner of one cookie! Sister Clark felt well enough to make her wonderful "cherry bread" and brought that over on Tuesday, and then the same night the McClellans brought over some more heart shaped cookies!!! I haven't partaken of either of those, I am leaving them for Dad!

Goals for next week:

Try to avoid all the chocolate and goodies for Valentines Day! Keep trying new foods and recipes and stay on track!

Hope everyone has a good week and watch out for the Valentines chocolate!

Week 4 - Mom

Weight Lost This Week: 5.2
Total Weight Lost: 11.4

What worked for me:
I cut back my points to 24, which is still a lot. I am having trouble eating all my points. I think I am paranoid, so I save lots of points for the evening, and then have trouble eating them all. Fruit has been on sale, grapes, apples, grapefruit, strawberries, and I have stocked up on them. I am finding that they are delicious, satisfying and filling! The online points tracker has been great and motivating. It keeps track of points, water, milk, fruit and veggies, vitamin and excercise. It is fun to fill in all the squares, and get a little smiling face! Sounds crazy, but it works!

Confessions:
I can't think of much, except that I didn't excercise much. I have been busy in the kitchen, taking dinner to the Clark's twice this week. That's been good for me, I'm up and busy and not dwelling on Laurie's conditon. Dad has benefitted too, because I have cooked extra for him!

Goals for next week:
Keep on track, drink my water, and find new recipes or foods to keep from getting bored!

Have a good week!

Week 3

Starting Weight: 210
Current Weight: 203.6
Target Weight: 185

I think the only reason I lost weight this week was because I didn't have time to each anything all day until I got home. I didn't do that bad once I got home, but I don't want to fall into this habit again. This week should go better as far as eating regularly. I read a study done here at BYU about how you need to cut back on calories as you get older because you are doing less. I don't think that is the case right now, but one of their findings suggested that keeping track of what you eat significantly increases your ability to eat smaller portions. I know most of you are already doing that with Weight Watchers, so now you have some science to back you up. I think I am going to start doing the same thing this week. It helps keep me accountable.

On a side note, I have noticed that whatever I eat or drink is what my girls want to eat and drink. When I was drinking Coke all the time, I frequently had conversations like this:

Vanessa: Daddy, can I have a sip of your Coke.

Daddy: No, sweetie. Coke isn't good for your body.

Vanessa: Daddy, is Coke good for your body?

What the crap do you say to that?

However, since I have been eating a lot more fruit, they have both gone crazy over oranges, apples, celery, and all sorts of healthier stuff. After reading some stuff on dwarfism and how much diet can affect things, I have a new resolve to get rid of my crappy habits.

Good luck everyone!

Week 3

Weight gained this week! 0.2
Total weight lost: 6.2

What worked for me:
I guess nothing worked! I kept track of everything, but I think that 28 pts. is too many for me. I am cutting back to 24, because that is what I ate last time I lost weight.

Goals next week:
Stay on track and try to exercise.

Good luck to all next week!

Day 8

Breakfast
P-Nutty Banana Oatmeal - 7 pts.

Lunch
WW Smart Ones Spicy Szechuan Noodles - 4 pts.
15 ff Pringles - 1 pt.

Snack
1&1/2 c. Cinnamon Chex - 4 pts.
1 c. milk - 2 pts.

Dinner
Beany Cheesy Roll-ups
2 small Mission Low Carb Whole Wheat Tortillas - 2 pts.
1/4 c. ff Green Chile & Lime refried beans - 0.5 pts.
2 slices Kraft 2% Pepper Jack cheese - 2 pts.

Heat up beans. Lay cheese slices on tortillas - heat in micro for 30 seconds. Spread beans on top & roll 'em up. Yummy & spicy!

Dessert
2 packs Hostess 100 Calorie Chocolate Cupcakes - 3 pts.

Water - 4 glasses

Points used - 25.5
Activity points - 0
Total points - 25.5
Target points - 25
Flex points used so far this week - 0.5

Week 1 - Slow & Steady Wins the Race

my inspiration board in my bathroom!

Starting Weight - 202

Current Weight - 197.5

Target Weight - 150

Pounds lost this week: 3.0

Total pounds lost: 4.5

Pounds to go: 47.5

Confessions

I really don't have any this week, other than the fact that I did not do a lick of exercise! I'm not going to lie - I was a bit disappointed to only see that I am only three pounds down after the first week. I just have to remind myself that it took a while to pile all of this weight on, and that this is a lifestyle change, so I just need to take my time with it. I read on someone else's success story to not give yourself a time table for losing weight - that it's only going to set you up for failure. I thought that was wise.

What Worked for Me

I found lots of foods that are fun & tasty, that I look forward to. That really has helped a lot. And writing down what I have eaten is motivating - it really does help you when you have to put it all down somewhere!

Goals for This Week

I really need to start my exercise plan. My goal for this week is to get on the treadmill three times for at least 20 minutes. It helps so much in curbing my appetite and helping me feel energized the whole day. Hopefully that will help jump start the weight loss, also. I am also going to try and keep better track of my water intake!

Good luck, everyone!!

Day 7

Breakfast
P-Nutty Banana Oatmeal - 7 pts.


Lunch
1 small bagel - 1 pt.
1 T. lite cream cheese - 1 pt.
6 slices deli ham - 1 pt.


Yoplait light Orange Dream yogurt - 2 pts.
2 T. ff Reddi Whip - 0 pt.


Snack
15 ff Pringles - 1 pt.


Dinner
4 meatballs w/sweet & sour sauce - 7 pts.
1/2 c. white instant rice - 3 pts.

Dessert
1 Jello Cheesecake Snack - 3 pts.
2 T. ff Reddi Whip

Water - 4

Activity - 0

Points used - 26
Activity points - 0
Total points - 26
Target points - 26
Flex points used so far this week - 1.5

Day 6

Breakfast
P'nutty Banana Oatmeal
1 T. peanut butter - 2 pts.
1/2 c. old fashioned oatmeal - 2 pts.
1 c. milk - 2 pts.
1/2 banana, sliced - 1 pt.

Cook oatmeal according to package directions (in milk). Stir peanut butter into hot oatmeal, then stir in banana. Yummmmm.

Lunch
1 slice homemade whole wheat bread - 2 pts.
1 slice cheddar cheese - 3 pts.
carrot & celery sticks - 0 pt.
1 c. chocolate frozen yogurt - 4 pts.

Snack
1 small bagel - 1 pt.
1 T. lite cream cheese - 1 pt.

Dinner
Super Skinny Nachos
1 oz. Guiltless Gourmet Chile Lime Tortilla Chips - 2 pts.
1/2 c. ff refried beans - 1 pt.
2 slices 2% Sharp Cheddar cheese slices - 2 pts.
2 T. ff sour cream - 0 pt.
2 T. salsa - 0 pt.
2 T. chopped tomatoes - 0 pt.

Dessert
2 packs Hostess 100 calorie Chocolate Cupcakes - 2 pts.
1/2 c. ff Breyer's Slow Churned Vanilla Ice Cream - 1 pt.

Water - probably 4

Activity - 0

Points Used - 24
Activity Points - 0
Total Points - 24
Target Points - 26
Flex points used so far this week - 1.5

Day 5

Breakfast
1&1/2 c. Kashi Honey Sunshine Cereal - 3 pts.
3/4 c. milk - 1 pt.
1/2 sliced banana - 1 pt.

Lunch
"Good & Healthy Veggie Soup" - 5 pts.

Snack
1 Fatty, Delicious Brownie - 5 pts.

Dinner
1/2 of the Gourmet Chicken Garlic pizza recipe - 4.5 pts.

Dessert
1 Fatty, Delicious Brownie - 5 pts.

Midnight Snack
1 Jello Sugar Free Rice Pudding - 1 pt.
2 T. ff Reddi-Whip - 0 pt.

Water - didn't keep track

Activity - 0

Points used - 25.5
Activity points - 0
Total points - 25.5
Target points - 26
Flex points used so far this week - 1.5

Day 4

Breakfast
Cranberry Oatmeal Pancakes
2 packets Healthy for You Cranberry Oatmeal - 6 pts.
3 egg whites - 1 pt.
1 t. water - 0 pt.
Walden Farms Sugar Free, Calorie Free Pancake Syrup

Mix egg whites & water with oatmeal packets. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto hot griddle; turn when browned! Add syrup! Yum!

Lunch
None - (I woke up at 11 am)

Snack
1/2 Fatty, Delicious Brownie - 2 pts.

Dinner
WW Smart Ones lasagna - 6 pts.
2 c. green bagged salad - 0 pts.
2 T. lite Cheese Fantastico dressing - 1 pt.
1 large apple, sliced - 2 pts.
1 c. ff milk - 2 pts.

Dessert
3 small, homemade gingersnaps - 6 pts.

Water - 6 glasses

Activity - 0

Points used - 26
Activity Points - 0
Total Points - 26
Target Points - 26
Flex points used so far this week - 1.5

Day 3

Breakfast
1 c. Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal - 3 pts.
1 small peach, sliced - 0 pts.
1 WW yogurt - 1 pt.

Lunch
Wonderful Waldorf Salad - 6 pts.
15 ff Pringles - 1 pt.

Snack
1 Jell-o Fruit Sensations - 1 pt.
2 T. ff Reddi Whip - 0 pts.

Dinner
WW Copycat "Gourmet Chicken Garlic" Pizza
2 Double Fiber English muffins, split - 3 pts.
2 T. lite Ranch dressing + 1 clove garlic, minced - 2 pts.
2 oz. cooked, chopped chicken breast - 2 pts.
4 T. 2% Kraft Mozzarella Cheese, shredded - 2 pts.
4 T. roma tomatoes, chopped & seeded - 0 pts.
2 T. green onions, sliced - 0 pts.

Dessert
2 packs Hostess 100 calorie chocolate cupcakes - 3 pts.
1/2 c. Breyer's Slow Churned ff Vanilla Ice Cream - 1 pt.

Water - didn't keep track

Activity - 0

Points used - 25
Activity points - 0
Total points - 25
Target points - 26
Flex points used so far this week - 1.5

Day 2

Breakfast
1 c. Kashi Go Lean Crunch - 3 pts.
1 WW yogurt - 1 pt.

Lunch - "Good & Healthy Veggie Soup" - 4 pts.
1 can Santa Fe Chicken Progresso Soup
1/2 c. black beans
1 c. stir-fry veggies
1/2 T. lite cream cheese

Snack
1 Jell-o Cheesecake Snack - 3 pts.
2 T. ff Reddi-Whip - 0 pts.

Dinner - "Wonderful Waldorf Salad" - 6 pts.
2 c. Tender Greens bagged salad
2 oz. cooked, chopped chicken
1 c. apple, chopped
1 T. craisins
1 T. toasted, slivered almonds
2 T. CinnaMayoGurt dressing (I made this with one cup lite mayo, one cup ff vanilla yogurt, 2 t. cinnamon and 1-2 T. lemon juice)

1 bagel - 1 pt.
1 T. lite cream cheese - 1 pt.

Dessert
1&1/2 c. Kashi Honey Sunshine cereal - 2 pts.
3/4 c. ff milk - 1 pt.
1/2 banana, sliced - 1 pt.

Water - ?? didn't keep track

Activity - 0

Points used - 23
Activity points - 0
Total points - 23
Target points - 26
Flex points used so far this week - 1.5

Week 2

Weight lost this week: 2.2
Total weight lost: 6.4
Pounds to go: ??? too many

What worked for me:

So far so good. It has been pretty easy up to now. Just eating lots of veggies and fruits, drinking water, taking my vitamin, tracking what I eat, using their online tools, attending my meeting and generally doing what Weight Watchers is all about. It's a very good program, and it works great if you do what they say! That's the tricky part, it is so easy to fudge on points! So far I have had a hard time using up all my points. As I lose weight, I get fewer points, so it will get harder.

It has been easy during the day to stay on track. Because I'm at work, I'm busy and there's not much food around, so I don't eat that much. That leaves me plenty of points for the evening, which is my hardest time to stay on track.

I have been keeping my meals simple till I get in the habit of WW again. I still have soup most every lunch. Dinner is usually a frozen meal, salad, or soup. I would like to start cooking again someday, but until then, this seems to be working for me.

Goals next week:

Keep on track, drink more water, try to walk and stay positive. If if mess up, I will not give up, but just get right back on track!

Good luck to everyone this week!

Day 1

Breakfast - none :(

Lunch - bean burrito from Taco Bell - 8 pts.

Snack - 1 Jell-o Cheesecake snack - 3 pts.
1 T. fat-free Reddi Whip - 0 pts.

Dinner - 5 meatballs - 7 pts.
3/4 c. instant rice - 3 pts.
2 T. sauce - 2 pt.
1 c. mixed frozen vegetables - 1 pt.

Dessert - 2 T. graham cracker crumbs - 1 pt.
1/2 c. fat-free Jell-o Banana Fudge pudding - 1 pt.
3 T. fat-free Reddi Whip - 0 pts.

Midnight Snack - 1 split Double Fiber English muffin - 1.5 pt.
a few sprays of "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" spray - 0 pt.

Water - ?? (didn't keep track)

Activity - big fat ZERO, unless you count dragging two boys all over Wal-mart for 90 minutes.

Points used - 27.5
Activity Points - 0
Total Points - 27.5
Target Points - 26
Flex Used So Far This Week - 1.5

Bring it on.

Skinnier Times

Starting Weight - 202 (right after Christmas)
Current Weight - 200.5
Target Weight - 150

What I'm sick and tired of: My "fat" pants getting too tight, heartburn, lack of activity, back aches, not being able to look the way I'd like to, being a FOOD ADDICT!!!

What I'm doing to change it: WW points - I'm basically Mom's protege and am trying to do everything she does. I need to add walking in there - but that would require me to get out of bed before 9:30 a.m. I'm working on it :).

I'm going to try and post on here, everyday, what foods I've eaten and my points. Hopefully that will help this time! Good luck, people!!

Yo Adriaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnn!!!!!!!!!!

Starting Weight: 210
Current Weight: 206
Target Weight: 185

Alright peeps, here is my official start. I have been at it for about 2 weeks now and things are going well. I am sick and tired of my pants not fitting right, giving in to late night binges on the recliner as I waste away to "Everybody Loves Raymond", and feeling like a turd in the morning.

I started this baby off with a nice colon cleanse (make sure you have a bano close by if you attempt this one). After that, I basically started eating a buttload of fruits and vegetables and drinking lots of water. The fruits and veggies curb my hunger throughout the day and reduce emissions (gas!!!).

Lisa and I recently purchased a jogging stroller and have been out a few times on brisk walks. I'm going to start using it more once it gets a little warmer. I guess I should just suck it up, slap on some furry boots, and go trudging through the snow like Rocky....but then I would have kidsicles.

Good luck everyone!!!

HELLOOOOOOOO?!?!?!?!

Who's gonna start??? I just polished off a bag of oreo's in less than a week! I NEED SUPPORT!