Showing posts with label weight watchers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weight watchers. Show all posts

My Favorite Things Part 1.

Happy Saturday, everyone - I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend :-)

Just thought I would do a quick post about things I am loving right now!

The new Weight Watchers Theme Song here in the UK - it really gets me excited about WW again!!!





Banana Republic  - I just wish we had BR here in Scotland, but luckily I can still shop online :-)   I love these jeans.


McIntosh Apples........


DIY Manicures - I love these false nails - they look so natural, don't you think?

Sausage fingers!

Blue Bloods......



Supernatural....... I love Jensen Ackles!!!  Jared Padalecki and Misha Collins aren't too shabby either ;-)



Breathe Carolina - Blackout.  I am loving this song - it's a great workout tune!


I hope to do Part 2 of Top Tips to Get You to Goal, sometime in the next few days!!  I am happy to report that I'm down a total of 7.2lbs - My 3rd Weigh in will be this Wednesday - I hope to get 5% achievement then! =)

Top Tips to Get you to GOAL! Part 1!

If you are looking for some inspiration, motivation or a bit of no nonsense advice on losing weight and getting to goal - then look no further!!  These tips were in a recent edition of Weight Watchers Your Week magazine.  I hope you enjoy them and find some tips you can use yourself.

1.  Stick to your Daily Points allowance.
 Every day that you stay within your daily PP budget brings you one day closer to reaching your goal because you're creating the calorie deficit your body needs to lose weight.

2.  Use Your Weekly Allowance for Greater Flexibility.
When you want to eat more than your daily PP allowance or enjoy a treat, dip into your weekly allowance.

3.  Track EVERYTHING you eat!
Studies show that keeping track of your food intake can boost weight loss success.  That's because, without tracking, it's easy to think you've eaten less than you actually have!

4. Stay to Your Meeting Talk.
Research shows that people who attend the greatest number of meetings have the greatest weight loss.  So weigh in, then stay around to be inspired!

5.  Move More than you did Before.
Getting active is the ONLY way you can get  your body to burn more calories every day.  Why not break down your moves into 10 minute bursts, so it's no sweat?!


****************************************


I hope these simple tips can help you if you are struggling or are in need of a simple reminder that it's easier than you think.  They certainly helped me get back on track!

I went back to my WW meeting tonight and weighed in at 202.5lbs.  My weight in the morning though was 201lbs - so I may just take my weight in the morning, nekkid! lol  Although I think just being up 1.5lbs at night with my work clothes on sounds not too bad!

I hope everyone is having a great week =)  I'll be having an even better week if I can book tickets tomorrow to see Madonna here in Scotland in July!!  I will let you know how it goes :-) Wish me luck!

I will be back with more tips later in the week!  


I'm Baaack, baby!

For a while there, I considered not blogging again, but then I started missing it - and having a little bit of accountability with my weight loss journey.  I feel that I have gone round in circles the last couple of years.  Losing a bit, gaining it back with a little bit extra each time and feeling very down, defeated and that I will never lose this weight again.

I rejoined WW back in the middle of October!  I love my meetings, counting my PP's and feeling better about myself for staying on track for most of the time!

I had lost a total of 9.5lbs but this week I gained a pound :-(  This time, I am NOT giving up.  I have nine months until my wedding!!  I need to look fantastic!!

I will make this a short and sweet post but wanted to mention a few great things that happened over the last few weeks!!


  • I met Toby Keith!  He is so tall and gorgeous!  We took the train through to Edinburgh and had a quick bite to eat at Hard Rock Cafe!  I had a bit of a headache so I barely ate anything :-(  I think I was too nervous about meeting Toby! Ha!




  • A Whole Foods Market opened up right here in GLASGOW and the only one in the whole of SCOTLAND!!!


















Isn't it awesome!!!  My life will truly be complete when Krispy Kreme opens up here in Scotland......

  • I lost 9.5lbs following Weight Watchers!
  • The jeans I bought to wear when meeting Toby Keith are already waaay to big to wear again!!
  • I had an awesome bike ride today - it was cold and sunny when I set out but even colder, rainy and windy on my way back home - but it felt amazing to be out and moving my body!
  • I am thinking of running a Rock n Roll Half Marathon!  I couldn't believe it when I found out it was coming to Europe, and it's first leg is Edinburgh!!  I will let you know when I book my place. I'm talking Kenny into joining me - I don't want to run it on my own.  I've never really run before, so this would be a great event to train for and get me running!!
  • I am starting Couch to 5K - again - tomorrow.  I think I will start in week 2 or 3 though - I can comfortably run for more than 2 minutes......
I'm sure I had more to blog about but I can't think of anything else at the moment!  Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving (for those that celebrate it!) and are getting ready for the Christmas season!! 

I'm going to meet someone amazing!!!

I just couldn't stay away from Blogger!  Hi guys, did you  miss me??!! lol

So I started WW again almost 2 weeks ago.  My first WW weigh in was bad.  I weighed in at 14st 10.5lbs, which is 206.5lbs.  My first week I lost 1.5lbs.  I was pretty bummed about that, but I couldn't really complain because I had stopped tracking on Sunday and was WAAAY over my points =(  This week though, has been stellar!  I have been sticking to my PP's and getting in way more fruit and veg on a daily  basis.  My weigh in is tomorrow so I'm hoping for a good result.  I just need to ease back into exercise again and get my butt to the gym!  Last night I had the weirdest dream I ran a half marathon in those toning flip flops!  I did great in the dream - I ran in it in 1 hour and 20 minutes! lol  Then I said to someone now I know why all these people on the blogs enter races and stuff - it's just so exciting!  Maybe that's my subconscious telling me something?!

Anyway, I have fabulous news also!!  We are going to see Toby Keith this Sunday in Edinburgh and I actually won a Meet and Greet!!

I'M GOING TO MEET TOBY KEITH!!!  

I may die on the spot!  And then he'll have to resuscitate me - how cool would that be?!  Yeah I know I'm totally crazy!!
 

I will be back tomorrow or Thursday with a Weigh in Result!!

Catch ya later dudes!

Wednesday Weigh In Results, recipes and dessert.

Starting Weight:   199lbs
Last Week's Weight: 195lbs
This Week's Weight: 194.5lbs
Total Loss: 4.5lbs

So this week's weigh in was entirely expected.  I had way to many Pro points yesterday - I stopped tracking at 42 pro points but I still had some activity points left over from my long walk on Sunday!  But it's really not the best idea to eat almost 50 pro points the day before weigh in.......... I'm just glad I lost.  

I thought I would also include a couple of "recipes" and tips for some who are looking for healthier alternatives to their favorite foods!

First of all is PIZZA!  I love pizza.  A few years ago, I was totally addicted to Pizza Hut and for almost 2 months I was having Pizza Hut pizza 4 times a week.  Now I can't stand it - it tastes phoney, yucky cheese and not like pizza AT ALL!  This was my dinner tonight - it's only 7 points, but you can add or subtract from it what you like.  My pizza consisted of: (I weigh EVERYTHING!!):
Pizza and Salad - the healthy way!

1 Warburton Square Wrap (or any wrap you like!)  - 4 pro points
20g Caramelised Onion Chutney - 1 pro point
40g Weight Watchers Reduced Fat Grated Cheddar Cheese - 2 pro points
1 Large Sliced tomato - 0 pro points

Just slather the chutney over the wrap, evenly distribute the cheese, add tomato and anything else you like and just bake on a pizza tray or baking tray for about 15-20 at about 150 degrees.

Doesn't it look delicious? It really is a blank canvas - add more veggies like roasted peppers, mushrooms, a bit of pineapple and ham, the only limit is your imagination.  Unfortunately, I didn't have anything else in the house I could use on my pizza.  I served it with a simple side salad, baby corn and 10g of onion chutney.  

The other "recipe" is a dessert, which is totally yummy, includes 1 of your 5 a day and is a lovely sweet treat to look forward to at night after dinner.  

1 Med/Large Banana
1 Curly Wurly (or any low calorie choc/toffee bar)

Peel the banana and cut lengthways but don't go all the way through or to the ends of the banana.
Break up your desired choccy bar and stuff into the banana
Wrap in foil, pop in the oven for about 20 mins at about 120 degrees and VOILA!

Gorgeous yummy dessert for only 3 pro points*
(based on pro points for Curly Wurly)


I wish I had a photo of this, but sadly I always end up eating it before I remember to take a photo!

That's all I got for today!

Ciao =)



Wednesday Weigh In

Last week, I rejoined another WW class, after being so disappointed by the one I had previously joined two weeks ago.  This class could not be better!  Not only is the class bright, lively and informative, but it also has one of the highest weight loss results throughout some of the other Glasgow classes since January.  Also the leader is a Diamond Award leader, which I can only take as a good thing! Ha ha ha!

So, basically, I restarted (AGAIN!!) last Wednesday.  My weight had gone up 1lb since I started the week before that but I wasn't worried.  In my head I knew I was going to restart over in this new class so I didn't track all week.

Tonight, I weighed in and was so pleased to have lost.....dun, dun, duuuun!!

FOUR POUNDS!!!

Yay!  I am so over the moon happy, I can't even begin to tell you!  I have even been "struggling" with eating all my ProPoints all week.  Until last night, when I went over by 9 :-(   Now in the past I would have let that de-rail my whole effort but no - I continued to track it all.  There is no point in lying to myself about this anymore.  It's not going to get any better if I don't track and just pretend it didn't happen.

I find that when I am following WW, I challenge myself to eat more fruit and veg and yesterday just wasn't one of those days - i just felt snacky all day.

I am going to step up my activity this week also and hopefully that will give me another great result next week!

I hope you're all having a great week too!!

See ya later, Alligator!

First Weight Watcher Weigh In, Before Pics and Measurements!

Tonight, I finally made it to a WW meeting.  I had had plans to go all week, but kept running into problems so I ended up going back to the class I used to go to!  There is a new leader taking the meeting now - she was really positive, upbeat and I instantly liked her.  The only snag is I don't really care for the meeting.  Don't get me wrong, the ladies and helpers in the class are really nice, but not very inspiring.  All everyone really seems to talk about is how "bad" they were during the week and how they had put on weight.  The leader at the end spoke to all the new members that had joined that night and basically said that this class was "hard work"!   I know that a lot of people have bad days, weeks, whatever, but to listen to that every time you go to a WW class is kind of crappy.  I want to go to a class to be inspired by other, to listen to successful losers tips and tricks and to overall feel upbeat about being there!  Anyway, I will go again next week, but I may have to find the other classes the leader runs and go there - apparently they are "very successful!".

Anyway, on to more pressing matters!  Ha ha...........this was my new start weight:


198 lbs.....


I almost fell off the scale.  Obviously this weight includes my clothes, and all the food and drink I have consumed in the day, but it's only a kick in the arse away from 200lbs!!  Not good!  It can only get better..........haven't I said that here somewhere before?!  

Today, I have stuck religiously to my Propoints, and I still have 5 daily PP's left for today and my 49 for the week.  My treat tonight, after I finish blogging, will be a Skinny Cow Caramel Shortcake Lolly for only 2pp's!!  What a lovely treat for so little propoints.  

Without further ado, here are my measurements........  I did a whole load of measurements, including neck, wrists etc, but I will just post the biggies.....lol


Weight:         198 lbs  (14stone 2 lbs)
Waist:           37 inch
Hips:            49 inch (HELL NOOOO!) moment on the lips, lifetime on the hips.....!
Chest:          42 inch
L Thigh:      27 inch (my waist used to be smaller than that 6 years ago!)
R Thigh:      27 inch
L Arm:        14 inch
R Arm:        14 inch

And here are a couple of photos I took on Monday before heading out for work.  I am embarrassed by these, but hopefully will be good to look at a few months down the line.

I hate my arms here...and double chin and everything


I thought I would post a couple of photos that were taken almost 6 years ago in the Happiest Place on Earth - I look at the photos now and think, "WOW!"  My arms were amazing!  I used to love working my upper body back then.  When I was doing Body for Life workouts, upper body days were my favorite!  I loved my back, shoulders and arms.  I hated working my lower body, because that is my obviously me weak area........ that being said, I now love full body workouts using kettlebells and medicine balls.  I'm hoping to get my ass back in the gym soon.  I really  need to sort out my sleep schedule and stop sleeping in and getting to work at 11am!  Because I can do flexi-hours, I find that I sleep later, and later, which means I end up having to work til 6pm, with no lunch break.  I really struggle with getting up in the morning when I know I don't have to.  I feel like I'm sleeping my life away!!  Anyway, enough of my rambling -


Florida 2005!  I got into trouble for just wearing my bikini top to WDW, so I had to throw this black racer  back top on!

Florida 2005!! And wearing pink shorts!!  You can't really see them here though....


Thanks again to you all for the warm welcome back comments in my last post.  You are all fantastico!

A step in the right direction

After a few weeks of being off the wagon and basically eating everything and anything that I wanted, I am now back in that place where I feel ready to start a healthy diet plan, exercise and generally taking care of myself.  I want to thank everyone of you that left me a comment on my last post.  It really meant the world to me that you understand what I'm going through and that you continue to support me through the good times and bad!  I feel that the last few weeks have been all bad, which is when I stop blogging.  But I need to realise that blogging through the bad times will be good for me - even if some people hate blogs with people that moan all the time!  I like to read about positivity and success also, but it also helps me to read some of your blogs where you are having a hard time too.  We are all in this together!!

On that note, I have decided to go back to Weight Watchers.  I have poured over all different diets, jumping from The Dukan Diet one minute, to Slimming World and every other diet out there!!  The problem with most of the other diets out there is that it restricts one food group or another and that just sets me up for failure.  I can go a few weeks on a diet, eating low-carb, and the BAM, I feel like I deserve a treat and before you know it, I've been on a month long binge with no end in sight!!

So, tomorrow, I'm joining a class not far from home.  This time, I am going to a few classes and see what one I feel most comfortable in.  I think that a good leader is key for Weight Watchers!  You want someone who you want to make proud each week and someone that will motivate you to do better when you fall down.


Over the last few days, I have been getting in some activity - at long last!  I went for a 9 mile cycle on Friday after work - it was a really nice afternoon, which has been very rare in Scotland this summer!  I've also been walking about 5 miles every day with Molly, and just enjoying being out in the fresh air, whether it's raining or not!  In fact, I quite like walking in the rain - it's generally quiet outside and I like that feeling of solitude sometimes!  Here are a couple of photos from the past few days!



Glasgow Harbour with Govan Shipbuilders on the right

Looking over towards Govan, Southside of Glasgow

Can you spot Scooby???
This is an old classic car advertising a scrap yard for cars!

Not a place you would want to sunbathe!

A nice secluded road - no traffic - I was worried I could get murdered here and no-one would find me!! lol

Some pretty weeds!!

And last but not least....wee Molly!!  Do you like her pink collar?? 

I have also been taking better care of myself the last week or so.  I have treated myself to a month of spray tans and I went for my second one tonight.  It's the VersaSpa, and so easy and much less embarrassing than getting someone to do it for you!  Yikes!  

Tomorrow, I will post my official WW weigh in - and just use those weigh ins each week!  Oh, and hopefully I will be able to post some "before" photos and measurements.

I am starting over, and feeling great about it!!!

Thank you all once again for your support - you are all awesome!!!!



1st Week Weigh In!

So tonight was my first weigh in after re-joining WW last week and starting the new Pro-Points plan.

I lost 3.5 lbs!  I am so happy with that because I had a bit of a mini binge on Tuesday (where I stopped tracking completely!)  So to have that loss with all the food I've eaten this week, and having a Chinese Takeaway on Sunday night, I am delighted!

I have been eating more fruit too, since it's FREE!!

Ok, I gotta go make dinner - I am starvin' like Marvin!  (Whoever, he is!)  I think I will have Spicy Pumpkin Soup to start, and see what I fancy after that!

Hope you are all having a great week! =)

Maple Syrup Pancakes, Walking and Pro Points explained.

I am so rubbish at coming up with a good title for my posts!

Anywhoo, back to Weight Watchers.  The new Pro Points!  As I said in my last post - I totally love it!  I weighed in on Thursday at 192 lbs =(  That is my highest weight ever.  And a little too close to 200lbs for comfort!  I am so glad I feel this confident about the new plan, otherwise I'm sure I would be full of despair about my weight.

I won't post a "before"photo yet.  I feel that's all I ever do!  I really need to get moving on making the "after" photo.  I have loads of Florida photos that will make for a good "before" picture anyway!  I will only be brave enough to show them when I see a significant difference in how I look.

How the Pro Points system works:

The new PP system works completely differently from the old Points system.  PP are now worked out by how much protein, carbs, fat and fibre a food has.  Before it was by calories and saturated fat.

Each person will be allocated a personal Pro Points allowance for each day, and everyone gets a Pro Points weekly allowance of 49.  (That is my favorite thing about this new plan!)

You cannot save any Pro Points for another day - so if you don't use 'em, you lose 'em!  And if you go over your daily allowance, fret not!  You just dip into your weekly allowance!   You could have more points each day, or save your allowance for a night out, drinks or just a fabulous meal!

You can still earn Activity Pro Points too.  You can choose to "eat" them, or just use them to help you get to your goal faster =)

Oh and I almost forgot!  Fruit also has a Pro Points value of 0!  Yes, ZERO, ZILCH, NADA!  This also makes me want to reach for fruit a lot of the time also!

But even though you can eat as much fruit as you like, WW advise that you use your common sense and don't eat past the point of fullness.  Just eat until you feel comfortably full, and then STOP.


My allowance for each day is 29.   Tonight, I had a Chinese Takeaway.  Now normally if I have something like that, I would go for fried rice and eat the whole thing!  But I weighed out my BOILED rice (no point in wasting Pro Points now is there?!) and I had half of the Beef and Mushroom dish I had ordered.  And I had a lot more mushrooms than beef!  It was yummy!  And all still within my weekly allowance.

And this was for my lunch yesterday!  Dieting has never been so much fun!
Carrot and Ginger Soup with a Ham, Tomato and Basil Toasted Sandwich with side salad.

For brunch today I made a recipe from my WW Pack we all received when the new system came out.

I added a sprinkle of cinnamon - yummy!

Maple Syrup Pancakes & Pears   - 7 Pro Points per serving (3 pancakes per serving) Serves 4.


125g Self Raising Flour
2 Medium Eggs - beaten
175ml Skimmed Milk
6 Tblsp Maple Syrup
1tsp low fat spread (suitable for cooking)   - I would just miss this out if you have a non-stick pan!
2 x 400g tins of pear halves in natural juice, drained




Place the flour into a large bowl.  Make a well in the centre, add the eggs, milk, and 2 tablespoons of maple syrup.  Whisk together until completely smooth.


Warm a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat.  When hot, add the spread and leave to melt.  Add the batter in large spoonfuls to make little pancakes about 8cm across.  Cook for about 1 minute until bubbles start bursting on the surface, then flip over and cook for a further 30 seconds until both sides are golden.  Continue with the remaining mixture until all 12 pancakes are cooked.  Set aside in a warm place.


Increase the heat and warm the empty pan.  Add the pears and remaining maple syrup and cook for 2-3 minutes until hot through and starting to caramelise a little.  Serve a stack of 3 pancakes with the syrupy pears on the side.  





Because the pears are zero points, you can have as much as you like - just don't overeat past the point of fullness.

ENJOY!!  You can also freeze the pancakes - but don't freeze the pears!

This was delicious!!  The pancakes weren't too sweet, but with the pears they were just right!

I also went to the park with Molly today and walked 2 miles (around the park twice!)  It was a lovely brisk cold day and it felt good to get out in the fresh air!  I took some photos, but the light wasn't very good - the sun was disappearing quickly!

Molly loves just jumping around the leaves!
Molly wanted to get to those swans so bad!





















Lesley, thanks for your support too!  We can do this =)

I'm going to go have an Options Hot Chocolate with a Galaxy Bubbles bar and watch Keeping up with the Kardashians!!  

If you want to know anything else about the plan, just ask!

Here's to a great week!!!

A quick post!


Hey y'all!! Hope you are all well!

This is just a quick post because it's already late - and nearly my bed-time! I rejoined Weight Watchers last Monday, and weighed in at 182 :( That was bad! Tonight was my first weigh in and I lost........

3.5LBS!!!

Initially, I said to my leader "Awww, is that all??" But now I realise losing anymore is just unrealistic - I have been eating my treats, having pizza at the weekend and still having my chocolate at the end of the day - I so look forward to having my Cadbury's Crunchie! :-D I also tracked every day last week! I tracked online, in my tracker I get each week at the meeting, and on my WW points calculator!! Phew! I'm not sure how long all this tracking will last, but it makes me feel more in control. I have also noticed that my diet is sadly lacking in veggies, fruit and protein! Oh dear! I did managed 4 servings of fruit and veg one day last week - but I know this is not enough! I find it difficult to get all that in! I am back on the Green Monsters too!! They are so good :)

I took a load of pictures last week, and I kept meaning to do a post, but time just got away from me. I'm working a bit more just now as sadly one of my colleague and friend got some devastating news last week. Her husband has just been diagnosed with leukaemia, just a bolt out of the blue, and she is under so much stress. I can't begin to imagine how she is feeling and managing to cope with it. It's just terrible. I hope you will keep him and his family in your prayers. I pray he is going to get through this.

Sorry to be a downer on this post. I hope to finally set some proper time aside in the day to do a daily post, but before I know it, 2 weeks have passed!

I need to go prepare my lunch for tomorrow, and hopefully I will be able to hit the gym after work!

Hope everyone has had a great start to the week!!

Hugs to you all!

A New Beginning!

Today is the first day of Operation Orlando!! It's time to get serious! I have updated my side bar (to the left) with my stats and about me box.

I weighed in this morning at 175.4lbs. This is my new start weight! I need to lose just under 50lbs to get to my goal of 126. It's on baby! I am not going to Florida obese. It's just not going to happen! I know I would feel so bad about myself that I just wouldn't enjoy myself. Especially in 90 degree weather!! So.... tomorrow I am going to post my starting pictures and measurements. This time I am not playing around. This weight loss is going to happen! I have never felt so positive or sure that this time it's coming off. I have already lost over 15lbs. It had been over 20 but since I wasn't the best bunny over Christmas, I gained more than a few pounds! I have been fighting a cold since before Christmas and I know I'm not well enough to go to the gym but I can control my eating.

I'm going to join Weight Watchers again and go to a class on Wednesday after work.

Can someone tell me how Weight Watchers points work in the USA/Canada? It seems as if you guys get a whole lot more flexibility with weekly points as well as your daily points?? How does it work??

I need to remember to post my last year goals and how many of them I achieved! I fear it may not be all that good! And I need to set some new goals and dreams of what I want to achieve this year! Blogging more is one of them!!

Have a fabulous day xoxoxo