Eight Pounds Down

I'm glad to report that this week's weigh-in showed a three pound loss. I have now lost a total of eight pounds since beginning Weight Watchers.

My weight loss is slow and steady, which is good, but also a little frustrating. I really want to see results quickly. When I think, "Oh, I've only lost eight pounds!" I remind myself how heavy a five pound bag of sugar is.

I'm eating a lot of fruit and salad which I actually enjoy. My favorite fruit of the moment is pineapple chunks and banana slices for zero points. I make a salad with a few croutons and a packet of tuna fish and I use light Hidden Valley Ranch dressing for four points. Another favorite snack is Dannon Light & Fit Greek yogurt for only two points. My favorite flavors are Strawberry Cheesecake and Blueberry. For my chocolate fix I've been indulging in Hershey Kisses for only one point each. For the most part I can say that I'm staying satisfied.

I really need to step up the exercise. I've been doing a little bit, but not enough. I really want to be able to do yoga but every time I've tried I feel like I'm going to die. I'm going to try and work up to it. Do what I can and try to get stronger. I feel very weak, especially in my legs.

For now, I'm feeling better and more optimistic than I have in a while. What I like most about Weight Watchers is that I can have what I want, I just have to count it. Yesterday I had McDonald's for breakfast and that was okay. Yes, I had a salad for dinner, but it was worth it to me. You have to figure out a way that you can live with it. I'm trying to learn to make a life change and get my mind set off of being on a diet.

Hopefully these little updates are helpful to someone. I want to encourage others that it can be done and no matter how many times you fall down, just keep getting back up. Feel free to comment any tips or encouragement you may have.

I give all the glory to God who is my strength. Hang in there everyone and until next time, God bless! :)

Progress Update

Week one on Weight Watchers Freestyle was a success. I managed to stay on track and I lost four pounds. I'm still a little overwhelmed by how much I need to lose, but I'm trying not to focus on that. I'm trying to keep my eyes on one day at a time.

I really like the new Freestyle program. There are a lot of free foods and it really does encourage healthy eating. I've eaten a lot of fruit, eggs, tuna, salad and chicken. There's certainly no reason to go hungry on this program. One of my favorite treats right now is pineapple and banana cut up together.

Tonight for dinner we had Mexican Skillet Chicken. It is almost a zero point meal. The only thing I had to count was the cheese. This is a super simple and quick meal. My family really likes it too.

Ingredients:

• 1 bag of cauliflower rice
• 2 small bags of chicken breast fajita strips
• 1 can of petite diced tomatoes
• 2 envelopes of taco seasoning
• 1/2 cup of chicken broth
• about a cup of shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

• Steam cauliflower rice in microwave (following directions on the bag). 
• In a large skillet add cauliflower rice, chicken, diced tomatoes, taco seasoning and chicken broth.
• Stir well to combine and bring to a boil.
• Turn down to a simmer and allow to cook for 15 minutes.
• Sprinkle with cheese and let melt

I hope this week's weigh-in goes as well as last week. I'm anxious to see results. I'm afraid if I don't lose I will lose my motivation and I seriously can't afford to fail this time. It's not just about losing weight, it's about getting healthy and feeling better. I want to be able to breath again.

I will be checking back in soon, hopefully with good news. Till then, God bless! :)

Rock Bottom

Yesterday I joined the Weight Watchers Freestyle program. I feel encouraged that this is a step in the right direction. I have been struggling for a while now and to be honest I've hit rock bottom. My weight has been steadily climbing and I am miserable. 

I haven't shared an update in a while because I didn't want to admit how bad things have gotten. I kept thinking that I would pull out of this slump and get control, but the fact of the matter is I haven't been able to get ahead of it. The higher my weight creeps, the more I want to eat. This past weekend I had to purchase some new clothes because all of mine are tight and uncomfortable. I can't stand looking in the mirror and I just want to hibernate so no one will see me.

I'm an emotional eater and lately I have been out of control. I haven't been sleeping and I spend my nights grazing because I'm frustrated and bored. I've allowed myself to get to a place I never thought I would see.

So, once again, I am starting over. It seems harder this time than ever before. Maybe it's because I feel like I have such a long way to go to get where I need to be. I made it through my first day successfully. The one thing I have to concentrate on is taking one day at a time. When I think to far ahead I get frustrated and overwhelmed. 

Priority number one has got to be placing this whole thing in God's hands. I cannot do this on my own. My biggest mistake is trying to maintain control instead of allowing God to have it. I know that I am capable of success if I will depend on Him. 

So, if you're a praying person, say a prayer for me. I need all the help I can get. If you have any experience with the Weight Watchers Freestyle program feel free to share any advice or tips you may have. I'll be checking back in soon. Till next time, God bless! :)

One Pound Down

Today was weigh-in day. After weeks of the scales standing still, I lost one pound. I know it's not much, but I will take it. A loss is a loss and I am just happy for any kind of progress on this journey.

I have to give a shout out to Weight Watchers Connect. I have found much needed encouragement and support through the app.

I have been on such a roller coaster with my weight in the past year and a half. I don't know what went wrong. I was losing really well at one point and then somewhere things just started to go downhill.

I gained back all the weight I had lost plus more. I reached my highest weight ever and now need to lose over 100 pounds.

I know this road is not easy. I've been down it what seems like 1,000 times. This time will hopefully be my last beginning. This isn't a diet, this is a way of life from here on out.

Just a Quick Update

Since beginning this journey in October of last year, I have lost a total of 35 pounds.  I admit, I get frustrated with how slow the progress seems at times. But when I break it down, it comes out to 3.888888... pounds a month; that's pretty good for someone with an extremely sluggish thyroid.
 
I'm still walking.  I found a peppier version of the one mile "Walk Away the Pounds" on YouTube.  It is much faster paced and incorporates a lot more side steps, kicks, kick backs, knee lifts and arm movements.  I do believe it is a better workout than the original DVD I was using which would allow you to walk one, two or three miles.  The first mile was kinda slow, working you up to the two and three mile walk.  The version I'm doing now seems to give me a better, more aggressive workout and I intend to use it until I am comfortable with moving on to a longer walk.  I have also started incorporating some upper body toning; trying to get rid of my bat wings! Overall, I feel like I'm making steady progress.

Up until this past week I have been doing Weight Watchers Online.  I decided this week to switch to Fitness Pal, just because I don't want to pay the monthly fee for Weight Watchers.  I feel both of these tools work well.

Tracking is the most crucial step for my success.  I do not feel in control if I'm not tracking what I eat.

Current Snacking Favorites:

• Sargentos Sharp Cheddar Jack Cheese Stick - 80 Calories
• Yoplait Greek Whips Key Lime Pie Yogurt - 100 Calories
• Sabra Supremely Spicy Hummus - 70 Calories per 2 Tablespoons
• Frozen Red Grapes

Week Two Weigh-In Success

My second weigh-in since beginning my Weight Watchers Online journey went just as well as my first.  I lost another three pounds and I cannot express the joy I feel with each little success.

Here's one of the things I find amazing; I haven't been able to exercise since I started.  I have been sick for going on three weeks now.  I have had head/chest congestion, headache, no sleep and a terrible cough and I have been completely exhausted.  I look forward to seeing what kind of progress I can achieve once I can get to moving.

This week I plan to make the Weight Watchers 0 point Cabbage Soup.  Once I have made it and taste tested it, I will post the recipe on my cooking blog: www.whatscookingwithmandigirl.blogspot.com along with a review.  I have tried this soup before, but it has been a long time and I will be using a new recipe.

I look forward to seeing how this week's weigh-in goes.  Hopefully, it will show continued success.  I will also try to start posting some of my favorite snack and recipes as I go along.

I welcome your feedback.  If you have any tips, recipes or snack ideas, please share them in the comments.

Until next time, God bless!!

First Week on Weight Watchers

My first week on Weight Watchers Online went really well.  I lost 4 1/2 pounds.

I don't know why it works so well, but I'm so happy that it does.  I haven't found it difficult to stay within my points and I have not felt hungry all the time either.  I even ate out a few times and was able to stay on track.  I am making healthy choices and that feels good.  Each time I make the healthier choice I feel stronger.

One of my favorite snacks at the moment is a package of Honey Butter Pringles Stix along with a wedge of Laughing Cow cheese.  This combination is so yummy and only has 3 points.

This week I had to go to the doctor for a check up and as usual I was told I need to lose weight.  It was really nice to be able to tell the doctor that I had joined Weight Watchers a week ago and that was working on it.  The best part of that is that I wasn't fibbing when I said it...lol :).

My blood pressure was a little high and I'm very aware that I can't play at this weight lose thing anymore.  I need to do this for my health.

I'm looking forward to my next weigh-in.

Weight Watchers

Well the holidays are over and I am happy to report I only gained three pounds.  I hate that I gained, but it could have been so much worse.

Today I signed up for Weight Watchers online.  I'm eager to get back on track and I've had success with Weight Watchers in the past.  I don't know why, but it always seemed easier to count points instead of calories.  I also love the tools Weight Watchers provides.

I'm optimistic about the new year.  I look forward to continuing this journey to a healthier life.  I hope I can be an encouragement to others who are traveling this same road.  I'm not perfect and I have continual ups and downs, but I keep getting back up.

Happy New Year everyone!  Here's to a healthy year!!