MIDWEEK MINUTES May 3, 2014
Midweek
Minutes
May 3,
2014
Hello,
Winners!
Sorry my newsletter is a
little bit tardy. I have also attached the May calendar. I was OUTSIDE!!!! I
cleaned out my garage and mowed the lawn. Although it’s just the tip of the
iceberg of spring cleaning and sprucing up, it feels GOOD! I took the time to
do it. Now, I have to trim back bushes and prepare my garden space, but I got a
great start in the BEAUTIFUL weather! Was it worth it? Oh YEAH! On to the
message...
Our lives are just BUSY!
Right now, they are also full of special occasions and holidays, aren’t they?
Cinco de Mayo and Mother’s Day and Graduations! Oh my!
Let me re-visit my prom one
more time. Can’t believe it has already been a week ago. It was a crazy 4
days! Was it worth it? Prom turned out great! I got lots of activity PPVs.
I ate sensibly even with the erratic schedule. Yes, it was worth it! As with
Weight Watchers, is it worth it? This was our Weight Watchers’ monthly routine
for April. I guess I take my prom and my Weight Watchers’ plan seriously.
Actually, if I am going to do anything that is taking my time and energy, I will
do it to the best of my ability. (That includes yard work, which is not the most
fun thing for me, but I am very BLESSED to be able to do the work myself. I
know you all feel that same way about your projects and
commitments.
Right now, I am having a
small bit of down time. I took a personal day on Thursday. It worked out
because most of the kids I have in classes were gone on field trips...so NO
LESSON PLANS! YAY! I have a yearbook to put to bed within a month, and that
will take some energy and hard work. I will not submit any pages to the
publisher until I know they are the best we can do with what we have.
One of the things I always
have to keep in mind is NOT to let my obligations interfere with my food and
activity plans. Easier said than done? Sure. The point is, that WEEKLY, we
have the CHANCE to review our week and decide if what we did worked or not.
Then, we get to look at the upcoming week and tweak it if needed. That’s
cool!
What’s the trade-off?
Well, we could go back to old routines and just neglect ourselves the way we did
before WW. We could make excuses that we are too tired, too busy, or it’s a
lousy time of year for food occasions, so we just let ourselves go with
abandon. Well, what time of year isn’t lousy for food occasions? We could also
take pills, get our food in a box on our front porches from UPS, or just diet
with cottage cheese and cabbage soup. No, thank you! None of the
above.
Therefore, if you are
relaxing your efforts in an “attitude plateau”, think. Think hard. How long do
you want this plateau to go on? What needs to happen for you to square your
shoulders, put on your determination, and ONE STEP AT A TIME, get back on
track? Come to your meeting this week! You’re worth it.
Hastings Saturday Morning
members: We really ARE going to be a Breakfast Club now! Starting May 17, our
meeting time will be 8 A.M. (weigh-ins start at 7:30). This should give you
plenty of time to drop in for your meeting and then get to wherever you need to
go for your weekend! Please give it a try and come and join us bright an
early! Next Saturday, May 10 will be the usual 9:30 start. --Zig
No Siesta for these
Member Milestones!
Superior:
–13.8 lbs.
Hastings: –23.4
lbs.
5 lb.
star
Jan J. ( H
)
BIGGEST
LOSER
Marla F. (
S )
Karren W. (
H )
MAY
ROUTINE
Spend 5 Minutes
Reflecting on How Your Day Went on Plan
How it
helps:
Whether you’ve had a perfectly on-Plan day, or things got away from you a bit, taking a moment to think about what did and didn’t work creates accountability. And that’s an awesome thing! Here’s why: Your day was great? Thinking about what worked and why will allow you to repeat your successes. Not so great? Reflecting on why will help you rebound, and stop a one-day slip from turning into a week-long free-for-all. When there are no surprises, you are likely in control of your Plan and this, in turn, creates a Plan that works for you.
Whether you’ve had a perfectly on-Plan day, or things got away from you a bit, taking a moment to think about what did and didn’t work creates accountability. And that’s an awesome thing! Here’s why: Your day was great? Thinking about what worked and why will allow you to repeat your successes. Not so great? Reflecting on why will help you rebound, and stop a one-day slip from turning into a week-long free-for-all. When there are no surprises, you are likely in control of your Plan and this, in turn, creates a Plan that works for you.
Make it a
Routine:
- Schedule time at the end of the day; treat it like an unmissable appointment.
- Start by asking the same two questions: Did my day go the way I wanted it to? And what can I learn from it?
- Have an anchor that works for you: A notebook if you like to write things down; a hairbrush “mic” to talk into; something that adds to the sense of routine.
When
Plateaus Strike
Don't panic. Learn why the scale is at a standstill — and how
to get it started again.
It's a phenomenon familiar to most
people who've tried to shed excess pounds: You're close to your weight-loss
goal, and suddenly the numbers on the scale refuse to budge.
You've hit a weight-loss plateau, and you're wondering what's causing the stall. Is there something you're doing (possibly unwittingly) to sabotage your own efforts? Or is it an inevitable physiological part of the weight-loss process?
The answer probably lies somewhere in between.
Ain't misbehavin'? As much as we might not like to believe it, our actions are probably at the root of most weight-loss plateaus. "Probably about 90 percent of our plateaus are due to 'loosening up,' meaning the half-hour walk, seven days a week becomes a 20-minute walk, four days a week," says Weight Watchers co-chief scientist, Karen Miller-Kovach, MS, RD. "It's the little relaxing that does people in."
Before you start berating yourself, give yourself a break. Recognize that you may have gotten a little too comfortable with aspects of the program. But you can still keep moving toward your weight goal. Reaffirm your commitment to your weight-loss plan, and move forward. Try a new recipe, go back to weighing and measuring your "eyeballed" portions, or add some jogging intervals to your daily walk. By mixing up your routine, eating and exercise will be fresh and enjoyable again.
The body at work Although less-than-faithful adherence to an eating and exercise plan is usually the culprit of a plateau, there are times when something going on within the body is causing the pounds to hang on.
According to Michael Lowe, PhD, professor of clinical and health psychology at Drexel University in Philadelphia, about one-quarter of the weight you lose is actually lean tissue. Lean-tissue loss means you burn fewer calories. "This effect is relatively minor, but combined with other factors, it can contribute to a plateau," Lowe says.
Lowe also points out that because pounds shed in the first few weeks of weight loss tend to be made up of about half water, people are often fooled into thinking they are reaching a plateau when, in fact, they're really just approaching a normal (read: slower) rate of weight loss.
Four ways to tip the scaleThe good news: Whether the cause is behavioral, physiological or both, there are steps you can take to move past a plateau. First, strengthen your resolve to keep losing, then:
You've hit a weight-loss plateau, and you're wondering what's causing the stall. Is there something you're doing (possibly unwittingly) to sabotage your own efforts? Or is it an inevitable physiological part of the weight-loss process?
The answer probably lies somewhere in between.
Ain't misbehavin'? As much as we might not like to believe it, our actions are probably at the root of most weight-loss plateaus. "Probably about 90 percent of our plateaus are due to 'loosening up,' meaning the half-hour walk, seven days a week becomes a 20-minute walk, four days a week," says Weight Watchers co-chief scientist, Karen Miller-Kovach, MS, RD. "It's the little relaxing that does people in."
Before you start berating yourself, give yourself a break. Recognize that you may have gotten a little too comfortable with aspects of the program. But you can still keep moving toward your weight goal. Reaffirm your commitment to your weight-loss plan, and move forward. Try a new recipe, go back to weighing and measuring your "eyeballed" portions, or add some jogging intervals to your daily walk. By mixing up your routine, eating and exercise will be fresh and enjoyable again.
The body at work Although less-than-faithful adherence to an eating and exercise plan is usually the culprit of a plateau, there are times when something going on within the body is causing the pounds to hang on.
According to Michael Lowe, PhD, professor of clinical and health psychology at Drexel University in Philadelphia, about one-quarter of the weight you lose is actually lean tissue. Lean-tissue loss means you burn fewer calories. "This effect is relatively minor, but combined with other factors, it can contribute to a plateau," Lowe says.
Lowe also points out that because pounds shed in the first few weeks of weight loss tend to be made up of about half water, people are often fooled into thinking they are reaching a plateau when, in fact, they're really just approaching a normal (read: slower) rate of weight loss.
Four ways to tip the scaleThe good news: Whether the cause is behavioral, physiological or both, there are steps you can take to move past a plateau. First, strengthen your resolve to keep losing, then:
- Increase your
physical activity
This may be the best way to get the weight off, according to experts. Look for simple ways to get in more activity: Take the family (or the dog) for an afternoon walk. Park the car farther away, or get off the bus a stop or two away from your destination. - Eat right – and
write
Research has shown that people routinely underestimate the number of calories they consume daily. Keep track of what you eat. Enjoy seeing that you've stayed within your PointsPlus® Target. - Pick
Produce
Fruits and vegetables are loaded with a variety of vitamins and minerals and are typically low in calories. Including them at mealtime will help keep you satisfied (and contribute to your health). - Get busy
Join an after-work volleyball league, attend art openings or just chase your kids around outside. The less you're in the kitchen, the less tempted you'll be to eat.
There's so
much Weight Watchers has to offer!
Come
to the meeting and bring a friend because we have FREE REGISTRATION again. We also have the SALE to end all sales!
Celebrate with our
NEW key-ring 4-week award when YOU come to your meeting for your first 4 weeks
(out of 5)!
Cool, huh? Be sure to remind us to
give you your card so that you can keep track of the meetings you
attend.
Countdown to Summer Challenge: Week
1
Ready... set... swimsuit! Take part in our four-week challenge
and face summer in confidence and style.
Maybe
you’re doing great on Plan and are looking forward to showing off a trimmed-down
figure. Or maybe your motivation has been waning lately, and the thought of
baring it all on the beach makes you want to take a 3-month vacation to
Antarctica. Either way, the Countdown to Summer Challenge is for you.
A month
isn’t necessarily enough time to work miracles on the scale, but you can still
make the most of the next few weeks to hone healthier habits and refresh your
weight-loss mindset.
Each week we’ll share a few simple tricks that can
help you get back on track or stay motivated. Focus on just one or two at a
time, and declare your commitment on the Countdown to Summer Community
Challenge. By
the time summer rolls around, you’ll be embracing healthy changes with renewed
energy — and a sunnier outlook.
Week 1: Get outside and get movingKick off the challenge by taking that first step in the right direction — literally. Try some fun outdoor activities that will get you moving more than you already do.
- There’s still time to commit to the Weight Watchers Live Life Active Challenge. You can get customized workouts and activity recommendations based on your fitness personality.
- Check your local recreation department’s directory and sign up for a group event or class, which are usually pretty affordable. Tennis, basketball, and swimming are some common offerings. Some towns offer more “exotic” options like rowing and golf.
- Discover new places to explore outdoors. Local trails and parks are one option, but gardens and arboretums may also have extensive walking paths and gorgeous scenery to boot. Instead of meeting friends for lunch or dinner this week, get together somewhere that’s beautiful and gets you moving.
- For kids, summer is all about having fun playing outside. Revisit your youth with activities like jump rope and hopscotch, or join in your own children’s games for active family fun.
Product Sales
Oatmeal and Heat & Eat
Cups–formerly $5.95, now $4.95 thru 5/24
Discounted
Products
Strawberry Delight Oatmeal (SKU
50033) – formerly $5.95, now $4.95
Kettle Corn Popcorn Crisps (SKU
11466) – formerly $4.95, now $3.50
Hazelnut Latte Smoothie (SKU
21035)– formerly $7.50, now $4.95
Lemon Chicken & Couscous (SKU
50034)– formerly $5.95, now $3.95
Cheesy Scrambled Eggs (SKU 50037)–
formerly $5.95, now $3.95
Easy Twenty-five Smoothie Recipes Using WW
Smoothie Packets!
Do you want to relax and treat yourself to
a delicious low cal. drink? Here are twenty-five WW smoothie recipes using
vanilla or a chocolate smoothie packet mixed in a blender with a few ingredients
and wah- la....a great treat! Here they are:
Mix the following recipes with one WW vanilla smoothie packet:
Mix the following recipes with one WW vanilla smoothie packet:
Dreamsicle: 8 oz. diet orange soda, ice=1pt.
Rootbeer Float: 8 oz. diet rootbeer, ice=1pt.
Cafe Latte: 1 tsp. instant coffee, 8 oz. water, ice=1 pt.
Fruity Smoothie: 1 cup frozen fruit, 8 oz. water, ice=2pts.
Fruit Smoothie: 6 oz. fat free yogurt, 8 oz. water, ice=3pts.
Pina Colada Smoothie: 1/2 cup crushed pineapple in its juice, 1/4 tsp. coconut
extract, 8 oz. water, ice=3pts.
Pumpkin Pie Smoothie: 3 tsp. canned pumpkin, 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice, 8 oz. water, ice=2 pts.
Strawberry Milkshake: 1 cup frozen strawberries, 1 cup of skim milk, ice, 2-3 packets of Splenda=4pts.
Pineapple Smoothie: 1/4 cup crushed pineapple in its juices, 1/2 cup diet lemon-lime
soda, ice=2pts.
Tropical Smoothie: 1/8 tsp. rum extract, 1 kiwi, 8 oz. water, ice=2pts.
Oreo Smoothie: 8 oz. skim milk, 1 reduced fat Oreo cookie, ice=4 pts.
Green Tea Smoothie: 1 tsp. green tea powder, 8 oz. water, ice=1 pt.
Very Vanilla Smoothie: 1 vanilla bean, 8 oz. water, ice=1 pt.
Chocolate Smoothies using a WW chocolate packet
Peanut Butter Cup: 1 tbsp. lowfat peanut butter, 8 oz. water, ice=3 pts.
Grasshopper Smoothie: 1/8 tsp. mint extract, 2 tbsp. Cool Whip Free, 8 oz. water,
ice=1pt.
Chunky Monkey Smoothie: 1/2 banana, 8 oz. water, ice=2pts.
Mounds Bar Smoothie: 1/8 tsp. coconut extract, 8 oz. water, ice=1pt.
Almond Joy Smoothie: 1/8 tsp. almond extract, 1/8 tsp. coconut extract, 8 oz.
water, ice=1pt.
Choco-Mint Smoothie: 1 WW Mint Cookie Crisp Bar, 8 oz. water, ice=2pts.
PB Bliss
Smoothie: 1 WW Peanut Butter Bliss Bar, 8 oz. water, ice=2pts.
Chocolate Smoothie Fizz: 1/2 cup diet soda, 1/4 cup skim milk, 1/4 cup Cool Whip
ice=3pts.
Mocha Coffee Smoothie: 1/2 cup coffee, 1/2 cup skim milk, ice=2pts.
Coffee Caramel Macchiato: 1 tsp. instant coffee, 1 tsp. vanilla extract, 1 tbsp.
caramel extract, 8 oz. water, ice=2pts.
Choco-Fruity Smoothie: 1 cup frozen fruit, 8 oz. water, ice=2pts.
Mocha: 1 tsp. instant coffee, 8 oz. water, ice=1 pt.
One cup of skim milk can replace the 8 oz. water in any of these smoothies, but remember to add points for the milk!
Renee
25
Little Tips for Big Weight Loss
Don't give
up dips and other easy weight-loss hints to get you back on
track.
Feel like
you need a boost? Perhaps you've hit a plateau? Now is the perfect time to take
stock of your life and to make some long-overdue changes. But adjusting eating
and exercise habits can seem so daunting, it's no wonder that some of us never
make it beyond the first day! So what's the best way to get started?
The
surest way to succeed is making small changes. Think in terms of manageable baby
steps, like swapping the half-and-half in your morning coffee for fat-free or
low-fat milk. There are lots of little changes you can make — in your food plan
and daily routine — that will add up to a lot of weight loss over the long
haul.
Take a
look at our 25 tips below for eating healthfully, fitting exercise into your
busy day and revamping your daily routine. Start by picking five changes that
you're sure you can tackle and practice them this week. Then try another five
next week (click the 'print' link above to print this out for easy
reference).
Not every
idea is right for everyone, so experiment and see what works for you. Lots of
little changes can yield big weight-loss results — and a healthier new
you!
1. Good things come in small
packages
Here's a trick for staying satisfied without consuming large portions: Chop high-calorie foods like cheese and chocolate into smaller pieces. It will seem like you're getting more than you actually are.
Here's a trick for staying satisfied without consuming large portions: Chop high-calorie foods like cheese and chocolate into smaller pieces. It will seem like you're getting more than you actually are.
2. Get "water-wise"
Make a habit of reaching for a glass of water instead of a high-fat snack. It will help your overall health as well as your waistline. So drink up! Add some zest to your six to eight glasses a day with a twist of lemon or lime.
Make a habit of reaching for a glass of water instead of a high-fat snack. It will help your overall health as well as your waistline. So drink up! Add some zest to your six to eight glasses a day with a twist of lemon or lime.
3. Herb it up
Stock up your spice rack, and start growing a small herb garden in your kitchen window. Spices and herbs add fantastic flavor to foods without adding fat or calories.
Stock up your spice rack, and start growing a small herb garden in your kitchen window. Spices and herbs add fantastic flavor to foods without adding fat or calories.
4. Slim down your soup
Make a big batch of soup and refrigerate it before you eat it. As it cools, the fat will rise to the top and can be skimmed off the surface.
Make a big batch of soup and refrigerate it before you eat it. As it cools, the fat will rise to the top and can be skimmed off the surface.
5. Doggie-bag that dinner
At restaurants that you know serve large portions, ask the waiter to put half of your main course in a take-home box before bringing it to your table. Putting the food away before you start your meal will help you practice portion control.
At restaurants that you know serve large portions, ask the waiter to put half of your main course in a take-home box before bringing it to your table. Putting the food away before you start your meal will help you practice portion control.
6. Listen to your cravings
If you're craving something sweet, eat something sweet — just opt for a healthier nosh (like fruit) instead of a high-calorie one like ice cream. The same goes for crunchy cravings — for example, try air-popped popcorn instead of high-fat chips. It's just smart substitution!
If you're craving something sweet, eat something sweet — just opt for a healthier nosh (like fruit) instead of a high-calorie one like ice cream. The same goes for crunchy cravings — for example, try air-popped popcorn instead of high-fat chips. It's just smart substitution!
7. Ease your way into produce
If you're new to eating lots of fruits and vegetables, start slowly. Just add them to the foods you already enjoy. Pile salad veggies into your sandwiches, or add fruit to your cereal.
If you're new to eating lots of fruits and vegetables, start slowly. Just add them to the foods you already enjoy. Pile salad veggies into your sandwiches, or add fruit to your cereal.
8. Look for high-fat hints
Want an easy way to identify high-calorie meals? Keep an eye out for these words: au gratin, parmigiana, tempura, alfredo, creamy and carbonara, and enjoy them in moderation.
Want an easy way to identify high-calorie meals? Keep an eye out for these words: au gratin, parmigiana, tempura, alfredo, creamy and carbonara, and enjoy them in moderation.
9. Don't multi-task while you eat
If you're working, reading or watching TV while you eat, you won't be paying attention to what's going into your mouth — and you won't be enjoying every bite. Today, every time you have a meal, sit down. Chew slowly and pay attention to flavors and textures. You'll enjoy your food more and eat less.
If you're working, reading or watching TV while you eat, you won't be paying attention to what's going into your mouth — and you won't be enjoying every bite. Today, every time you have a meal, sit down. Chew slowly and pay attention to flavors and textures. You'll enjoy your food more and eat less.
10. Taste something new
Broaden your food repertoire — you may find you like more healthy foods than you knew. Try a new fruit or vegetable (ever had plantain, bak choy, starfruit or papaya?).
Broaden your food repertoire — you may find you like more healthy foods than you knew. Try a new fruit or vegetable (ever had plantain, bak choy, starfruit or papaya?).
11. Leave something on your plate at every
meal
One bite of bagel, half your sandwich, the bun from your burger. See if you still feel satisfied eating just a bit less.
One bite of bagel, half your sandwich, the bun from your burger. See if you still feel satisfied eating just a bit less.
12. Get to know your portion sizes
It's easy to underestimate how much you're eating. Today, don't just estimate things — make sure. Ask how much is in a serving, read the fine print on labels, measure your food. And learn portion equivalents: One serving of pasta, for instance, should be around the size of a tennis ball.
It's easy to underestimate how much you're eating. Today, don't just estimate things — make sure. Ask how much is in a serving, read the fine print on labels, measure your food. And learn portion equivalents: One serving of pasta, for instance, should be around the size of a tennis ball.
13. Don't give up dips
If you love creamy dips and sauces, don't cut them out of your food plan completely. Just use low-fat soft cheese and mayo instead of the full fat stuff.
If you love creamy dips and sauces, don't cut them out of your food plan completely. Just use low-fat soft cheese and mayo instead of the full fat stuff.
14. Make a healthy substitution
Learn to swap healthier foods for their less-healthy counterparts. Today, find a substitution that works for you: Use skim or low-fat milk instead of whole milk; try whole-wheat bread instead of white.
Learn to swap healthier foods for their less-healthy counterparts. Today, find a substitution that works for you: Use skim or low-fat milk instead of whole milk; try whole-wheat bread instead of white.
15. Bring lunch to work tomorrow
Packing lunch will help you control your portion sizes. It also provides a good alternative to restaurants and takeaways, where making healthy choices every day can be challenging (not to mention expensive).
Packing lunch will help you control your portion sizes. It also provides a good alternative to restaurants and takeaways, where making healthy choices every day can be challenging (not to mention expensive).
16. Have some dessert
You don't have to deny yourself all the time. Have a treat that brings you pleasure, but this time enjoy it guilt-free be — sure you're practicing portion control, and compensate for your indulgence by exercising a little more or by skipping your afternoon snack.
You don't have to deny yourself all the time. Have a treat that brings you pleasure, but this time enjoy it guilt-free be — sure you're practicing portion control, and compensate for your indulgence by exercising a little more or by skipping your afternoon snack.
17. Ask for what you need
Tell your mother-in-law you don't want seconds. Ask your other half to stop bringing you chocolates. Speak up for the place with great salads when your co-workers are picking a restaurant for lunch. Whatever you need to do to succeed at weight loss, ask for it — make yourself a priority and assert yourself.
Tell your mother-in-law you don't want seconds. Ask your other half to stop bringing you chocolates. Speak up for the place with great salads when your co-workers are picking a restaurant for lunch. Whatever you need to do to succeed at weight loss, ask for it — make yourself a priority and assert yourself.
18. Improve your treadmill
technique
When walking on a treadmill, don't grip the rails. It's fine to touch them for balance, but you shouldn't have to hold on. If you do, that might be a signal you should lower the intensity level.
When walking on a treadmill, don't grip the rails. It's fine to touch them for balance, but you shouldn't have to hold on. If you do, that might be a signal you should lower the intensity level.
19. Simon says... get fit
Here's an easy way to fit in exercise with your kids: Buy a set of 1 lb weights and play a round of Simon Says — you do it with the weights, they do it without. They'll love it!
Here's an easy way to fit in exercise with your kids: Buy a set of 1 lb weights and play a round of Simon Says — you do it with the weights, they do it without. They'll love it!
20. Make the most of your walks
If your walking routine has become too easy, increase your effort by finding hills. Just be sure to tackle them at the beginning of your walk, when you have energy to spare.
If your walking routine has become too easy, increase your effort by finding hills. Just be sure to tackle them at the beginning of your walk, when you have energy to spare.
21. Shop 'til you drop...pounds!
Add a workout to your shopping sessions by walking around the mall before your start spending. And try walking up the escalator — getting to your destination faster will be an added bonus.
Add a workout to your shopping sessions by walking around the mall before your start spending. And try walking up the escalator — getting to your destination faster will be an added bonus.
22. Walk an extra 100 steps at
work
Adding even a little extra exercise to your daily routine can boost your weight loss. Today, take the stairs instead of the elevator, or stroll down the hall to talk to a co-worker instead of sending an email or calling.
Adding even a little extra exercise to your daily routine can boost your weight loss. Today, take the stairs instead of the elevator, or stroll down the hall to talk to a co-worker instead of sending an email or calling.
23. Brush your teeth after every meal and snack
This will be a signal to your mouth — and your mind — that it's time to stop eating. Brushing will also give your mouth a nice fresh taste that you'll be disinclined to ruin with a random chip. At work, keep a toothbrush with a cover and toothpaste in your desk drawer.
This will be a signal to your mouth — and your mind — that it's time to stop eating. Brushing will also give your mouth a nice fresh taste that you'll be disinclined to ruin with a random chip. At work, keep a toothbrush with a cover and toothpaste in your desk drawer.
24. Clean your closet
First, it's great exercise. Second, it's an important step in changing your attitude. Get rid of all the clothes that make you look or feel bad. Throw out anything that's too big — don't give yourself the option of ever fitting into those clothes again. Move the smaller clothes up to the front to help motivate you. Soon, you'll be fitting into those too-tight jeans you couldn't bear to part with.
First, it's great exercise. Second, it's an important step in changing your attitude. Get rid of all the clothes that make you look or feel bad. Throw out anything that's too big — don't give yourself the option of ever fitting into those clothes again. Move the smaller clothes up to the front to help motivate you. Soon, you'll be fitting into those too-tight jeans you couldn't bear to part with.
25. Take your measurements
You might not like your stats now, but you'll be glad you wrote them down when you see how many inches you've lost. It's also another way to measure your success, instead of just looking at the scale. Sometimes even when the numbers on the scale aren't going down, the measurements on your body are.
You might not like your stats now, but you'll be glad you wrote them down when you see how many inches you've lost. It's also another way to measure your success, instead of just looking at the scale. Sometimes even when the numbers on the scale aren't going down, the measurements on your body are.
Authentic
Mexican food can be healthier and tastier than your typical chain-restaurant
fare.
Click on the
blue title above to enjoy the articles.
Member
Recipes
Tiny Taco Salads
(2 salads for 3
PPV)
Ingredients:
12 small square wonton wrappers (stocked with the tofu in the refrigerated section of the market)
1 cup frozen ground-beef-style soy crumbles (like the kinds by Boca and MorningStar Farms)
1/2 cup fat-free refried beans
1 tsp. taco seasoning
1 1/2 cups shredded lettuce
1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat Mexican-blend cheese
1 tbsp. sliced black olives, chopped
6 tbsp. chunky salsa or pico de gallo
2 tbsp. fat-free sour cream
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray a 12-cup muffin pan with nonstick spray. Place each wonton wrapper into a cup of the muffin pan, and press it into the bottom and sides.
12 small square wonton wrappers (stocked with the tofu in the refrigerated section of the market)
1 cup frozen ground-beef-style soy crumbles (like the kinds by Boca and MorningStar Farms)
1/2 cup fat-free refried beans
1 tsp. taco seasoning
1 1/2 cups shredded lettuce
1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat Mexican-blend cheese
1 tbsp. sliced black olives, chopped
6 tbsp. chunky salsa or pico de gallo
2 tbsp. fat-free sour cream
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray a 12-cup muffin pan with nonstick spray. Place each wonton wrapper into a cup of the muffin pan, and press it into the bottom and sides.
Lightly spray wrappers with nonstick
spray.
Bake in the oven for about 8 minutes, until the bottoms of the wrappers begin to brown. Set aside to cool.
Once completely cool, place baked wonton shells on a plate or tray and set aside.
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine soy crumbles, refried beans, and taco seasoning.
Bake in the oven for about 8 minutes, until the bottoms of the wrappers begin to brown. Set aside to cool.
Once completely cool, place baked wonton shells on a plate or tray and set aside.
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine soy crumbles, refried beans, and taco seasoning.
Microwave for 1 1/2 minutes, or until
hot. Stir well and set aside.
Evenly distribute shredded lettuce among wonton shells, 2 tbsp. each. Top lettuce with soy-crumble mixture, about 1 tbsp. per shell.
Evenly distribute shredded lettuce among wonton shells, 2 tbsp. each. Top lettuce with soy-crumble mixture, about 1 tbsp. per shell.
Evenly distribute cheese and chopped
olives among the shells.
Finish off each mini taco salad with 1/2 tbsp. salsa and 1/2 tsp. sour cream.
Serve and enjoy!
MAKES 6 SERVINGS@ 3 PPV www.hungrygirl.com
Finish off each mini taco salad with 1/2 tbsp. salsa and 1/2 tsp. sour cream.
Serve and enjoy!
MAKES 6 SERVINGS@ 3 PPV www.hungrygirl.com
Frozen
Virgin Margarita
4 tsp Low-Calorie Granulated Sugar*
½ lime, cut into 4 wedges
1 package Crystal Light® Lemonade Mix
2 tbsp lime juice
½ cup light orange juice
½ cup water
3½ cups crushed ice
Place the *Low-Calorie
Granulated Sugar in a shallow dish. Rub the rim of each of 4 margarita
glasses with a lime wedge and dip the rims into the sugar; set the lime wedges
aside.
In a blender, blend the lime juice, orange juice,
lemonade mix, water and ice on high
speed for 1 to 2 minutes, or until well-blended.
Enjoy!!!
Points Plus: 1 for 1 Cup
Variation: For our light margarita with a kick,
add a shot of tequila. For each jigger (1.5 oz) add 97 calories and 20g
carbs.
Skinny
Guacamole
Servings: 6Serving Size: 1/4 cup
Weight Watchers® PointsPlus®: 1 *
-
1 avocado
-
1 cup cooked green peas
-
2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
-
1 tbsp chopped red onion
-
2 tsp fresh lime juice
-
1 tbsp chopped jalapeno
-
1 teaspoon salt salt
-
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
-
Optional: 1/4 cup chopped fresh tomato
Instructions
1. Mash the avocado and peas together in a medium bowl. Fold in the rest
of the ingredients. Enjoy.
2. Blend all of the ingredients together using an immersion blender or
low setting on a food processor.
Skinny Delightful
Nachos
1 pound lean ground beef, I used
96%
1 cup onions, chopped
1 tablespoons garlic,
minced
1 (1 oz) package taco seasonings mix, I like
Lawry’s
⅔ cup water
7 ounces reduced-fat tortilla chips, (about 100
chips), see shopping tip
1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and
drained
1 (4 oz) can Ortega fire roasted diced green
chiles, see shopping tip
1¼ cups salsa, I like Pace Chunky Salsa, medium
hot
1½ cups (6 ounces) reduced-fat cheddar cheese,
shredded
6 tablespoons The BEST Skinny
Ranch Dressing (3 ingredients)
or fat-free sour cream orGreek nonfat yogurt
(plain)
Tabasco Sauce, optional
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350
degrees.
2. In a large pan or skillet, cook ground beef
with onions and garlic until meat is browned. Stir often.
Pour cooked meat into a colander in the sink and
drain off all excess fat. Add meat mixture back to
pan.
3. Add taco seasoning, water and mix well. Bring
to a boil, turn heat down to simmer and cook for 5
minutes.
4. Place the tortilla chips evenly on a large
oven proof serving plate or baking sheet coated with a little cooking
spray.
5. Top the chips with ground beef mixture.
Sprinkle beans evenly over the meat. Next, spoon over beans the fire roasted
chilies and then salsa. Sprinkle the cheese all over the
top.
6. At this point, you can place in the fridge
until you’re ready to serve it.
7. When ready to serve, bake in preheated 350
degrees oven for 15 – 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and the nachos are
hot.
8. Dollop with ranch dressing or sour cream and
add a bit more salsa. If you really like food spicy, sprinkle a bit of Tabasco
sauce over the top!
Fiesta
Salad
1 (15 oz)
can black beans, rinsed and drained
1½ bags
romaine lettuce
2 ears fresh
corn, cut off the cob
1 cup
tomatoes, chopped
1 (2.25 oz)
can sliced black olives, drained
⅓ cup
reduced-fat cheddar cheese, grated
2 cups
crushed reduced-fat tortilla chips, about 3 ounces
Instructions
1. Prepare
the Thousand Island dressing – In a small bowl add all the dressing ingredients
and mix well. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
2. In a
large pan, brown the turkey and pour into a colander to drain off the fat. Add
back to pan.
3. Place the
onions on a microwave safe plate and cook in the microwave for 4-5 minutes until
the onions are soft.
4. To the
turkey, add the onions, taco seasonings, water and beans. Bring to a boil,
reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
5. In a
large serving bowl, add the romaine lettuce, corn, tomatoes, olives, cheese, and
taco meat. Pour 1 cup of Thousand Island dressing over the salad and toss. Add
more dressing, if desired.
6. Divide
among 6 plates. Sprinkle the top of each with crushed tortilla
chips.
Mexican Un-Fried Ice
Cream
4 Low Fat Cinnamon Graham Cracker Sheets
3 Cups Edy’s Fat Free No Sugar Added Vanilla Ice Cream
6 (98% Fat Free) Fajita Size Flour Tortillas
1 Cup Splenda Granular
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
3 Tablespoons Warm Honey
Butter Flavored Non-stick Cooking Spray
Measure out 6 (1/2 Cup each) mounds of ice cream and place on a cookie sheet covered in wax paper.
3 Cups Edy’s Fat Free No Sugar Added Vanilla Ice Cream
6 (98% Fat Free) Fajita Size Flour Tortillas
1 Cup Splenda Granular
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
3 Tablespoons Warm Honey
Butter Flavored Non-stick Cooking Spray
Measure out 6 (1/2 Cup each) mounds of ice cream and place on a cookie sheet covered in wax paper.
Freeze for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Crush the graham crackers into a small bowl.
With clean hands, warm each mound of ice cream
slightly, and then roll into graham cracker crumbs, covering the surface
completely.
At the same time, you want to try and make the
mounds a little more round. Work quickly so you don't melt the ice cream.
Place the ice cream back onto the wax paper
and return to the freezer for at least 2 more hours. In the meantime, preheat
the oven to 350 degrees.
In a small bowl, mix the Splenda and cinnamon
together. Lightly spray each tortilla with the nonstick cooking spray, and then
sprinkle each tortilla generously with the cinnamon mixture.
Turn the tortillas over and repeat. Place the
tortillas on a cookie sheet and bake for 8 minutes, then turn each tortilla over
and continue baking until the tortillas are crisp and lightly browned.
If you aren't serving these right away, let
them cool, and then wrap them in foil for later. You can just heat them in the
microwave for 15-20 seconds when ready to serve.
To Serve: Place 1 mound of prepared ice cream
on top of each tortilla and drizzle each with 1/2 tablespoon of warm honey.
If you don't like honey, you could substitute
1/2 tablespoon Hershey's Light Chocolate Syrup without changing the points any.
Serves: 6
P+=7
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