MIDWEEK MINUTES August 2, 2014candyh


Midweek Minutes
August 2, 2014
Hello, Winners!
It’s August. It’s like my second NEW YEAR’S celebration because it all begins fresh, not to mention a fresh, new location for our Hastings Weight Watchers meetings! It was fun and a bit different this morning.  It’s a change, and it’s a good time of year to think about change.

It’s one week until I have to officially report for school.  It’s been two months that I have been working on achieving my personal goal weight.  I have lost almost 7 pounds in 8 weeks!  I am 5 pounds away from my personal goal, and halfway to my lowest weight from 1998, and I may just keep going until I get there.  I want to thank all my members and friends who have been so encouraging to me as I shared my latest journey.  I’m not focusing on the scale.  I’m focusing on healthy eating and moderate activity.  No, I don’t care how long it takes.  Yes, I am tracking every single bite.

Thoughts on my journey up to this point.  I am thrilled!  Back in the day I would most likely have been disappointed that the weight was not coming off faster.  I would have “celebrated” by having a day off from tracking.  I would have “fasted” the whole day before I weighed.  I don’t do that now.  Do I have cravings?  Yes, I do, but as we all know, I may NOT have hit that point in my journey yet where, as we all know, we cheat, so I do need to plan for that time, which could happen around the holidays, you know.  So far, I have not put myself in a situation where I am overly hungry, and I must admit, I ask myself A LOT if I want to spend the Points on something I don’t really need (but desire at the moment).  I make sure that I have alternatives around that can satisfy.

Have I made some mistakes?  You know I have, but I am learning from them.  For example, during the last FULL MOON, I bought a bag of those yummy Weight Watchers sugar-free chocolates at the store.  Yes, I tracked every one of them, but I also consumed them faster than I should have.  I learned that I can’t have those in the house in large quantities, but it was what I did.  I own up to it, and I move on.
My current challenge is if I am able to get in a morning walk before school.  Something you may not know about me is that when school starts, I usually try to be at school by 7 A.M. because that’s basically my only planning time during the day.  That would require me to get up at 4:30 to get in a good walk outdoors and get ready for school.  I used to do that before last year and some health issues.  Then, that tapered off, turned into my doing some short DVDs, and finally using the excuse that I walked enough during the school day because my Active Link said so. 

Well, I know it’s all excuses (except for the health issues part.)  I just need to make a new routine.  I’m just not sure what that routine will be.

I have found that thinking about getting up at 4:30 is something I might be going to have trouble doing.  I guess age is affecting me in that way.  Not sure.

Since I have a week, instead of stewing about it, I’m going to try getting up at 5 this next week for 30 minutes of a walk or whatever, and see if I can do a “dry run” to get ready for a day of school.  I’ll keep  you posted.

All kinds of renovations and remodeling is going on at school.  We’re getting a makeover in the teachers’ lounge, and it’s beautiful.  For me, not only is this the beginning of a new school year, but because I actually used this summer break to renovate myself, I am doubly positive and excited.  I haven’t felt that way in awhile.  You know, not feeling healthy and having issues with weight, no matter how much, does depress a person. 

Those small changes we talked about in our meetings really DO add up, and so does the time gone by.  Have you been working hard this summer on your small changes?  Have you talked yourself out of coming to meetings or working the plan?  Take it from me.  You will know when you are ready, and I can’t convince you to start fresh, but what a great time of year to begin again because with Weight Watchers, you can always start fresh every day!

I hope to see you in the meeting room this week.  Get a jump on the fall season right now! –Zig 

PS. Getting up at 5 was no picnic, but it works so far.  I was ready to go out the door.
I forgot to record all the individual Hastings Member Milestones, so I have to guess a bit.  I’ll catch up next week.

Superior: –2.8 lbs.
Hastings: –12.4 lbs.

BIGGEST LOSER
Paula H. and Carol K. ( S )
Renae H. ( H )


Small Change, Big Payoff









Small-but-powerful actions can spur progress that’s far-reaching and long-lasting.
Article By: Amanda Genge
Losing weight is a process, and it’s not always easy. While there’s no magic button to get you instantly to goal (as nice as that would be), there are ways to smooth out the path along the way and make it feel less overwhelming. In your meeting this week, you’ll explore the benefits of the ripple effect — the collective positive impact of small, “I-can-totally-handle-that” changes. Take the Routine Eat vegetables or fruit with every meal and snack. Doing this simple small thing can make a big difference. Here's why.
When you make a healthy choice, you’re probably focused on that immediate moment and acknowledging your little victory. (Insert mental high-five here.) Even reading this article counts as a helpful step toward your weight-loss goals. (Go ahead, give yourself another mental high-five — we’ll wait.)
But have you ever stopped to think about how all those little victories add up? We don’t just mean on the scale, either — although it’s true that swapping in a fruit or veg (a peach instead of potato chips, green beans instead of a buttered roll) can translate to pounds lost. It's that small changes tend to kickstart other small, healthy changes that show up in other areas of your life: your energy level, your health, even your relationships. That's why the Routines tool can be such a powerful force for good: Each of these small actions couldn't be much easier, yet have so much impact.
The ripple effect in action
Think about any of the changes you’ve made since joining Weight Watchers, even the smallest ones, in your eating habits, your attitude and perspective, or your activity level. How did you start, and what was it like to make a healthier shift? Have any of the subsequent changes surprised you? Do you feel differently now — more confident, more social, more in control? Has your new lifestyle inspired anyone close to you to adjust their own habits?
One of the easiest ways to make, and celebrate, small changes is by ticking off those Healthy Checks. You might find a payoff on days you get most of those boxes checked: You're less hungry, more even-keeled, have more energy, and so on. (Oh, and you feel pretty smug, too, right?)
No change is ever so small that it won’t make a difference; even a tiny pebble will make waves if you toss it in a lake. Take a look at your Progress Reports when you doubt that little moves add up.
ON SALE THIS MONTH!

August 3 through August 23
CRUNCHY SNACKS

Regular Price - $4.95
    Sale Price - $3.95




CANDIES


Regular Price - $2.95
     Sale Price - $1.50

Hot Weather, Hot Stuff Challenge: Week 3




High temperatures can impact weight-loss goals. Make the most of the heat of the season and commit to staying on track.
Article By: Amanda Genge
The peak of summer has more to offer than just sticky weather. It’s also prime time for many delicious fruits and vegetables. Pools and beaches are open and offer that often-elusive combination of fun and fitness. And stretched-out daylight hours are still working their mood-boosting magic.
That means now’s the time to make the most of the season and commit to staying on track. During each week of the challenge, we’ll highlight a potential pitfall and share some ways you can overcome it. Pledge to follow one of our tips each week and you’ll be well on your way to making positive and healthy memories this summer.
Week 3 Obstacle: Vacation time
Challenges abound when you escape your everyday routine. If you’re not careful, your vacation could translate into an unpleasant souvenir: a gain on the scale. To avoid post-holiday regret, pledge to use one or two of these strategies while you’re away (even if you’re only heading out on a day trip).
  • Give yourself a reality check. Yes, it’s precious time off, and you want and deserve to enjoy yourself. But instead of disregarding healthy habits completely, vow to do two meals “correctly” each day and only indulge at the third each day you’re away. Practicing some restraint on vacation is better than none, and that mindfulness will likely help you stay on track even when you splurge
  • Find a way to stay active. The hotel gym is an obvious choice, but odds are there are other fun ways you can sneak in some exercise without it feeling like work. Even better, the extra fitness will help offset the times you overdo it a little at meals or snacks. Commit to being active for at least 15 minutes (and more time is better) each day of your trip. That might mean a few laps in the pool, a surfing lesson, a walk around town, or even a local dance class.
  • Don’t fall into the “all-you-can-eat” trap. Buffets can seem ubiquitous on vacation, especially if you’re on a cruise or at an all-inclusive resort. And while there may be some healthy options, the appeal of fattening favorites can be overwhelming. If you’re faced with a buffet on your trip, stick to this game plan: load your plate with at least half fruits and veggies, sit as far from the buffet as possible and only make one trip. Or better yet, order a healthy a-la-carte option from the menu to ward off temptation.
  • Be beverage savvy. Whether your vacay guilty pleasure is a daily poolside piña colada or a glass of wine with every meal (see our Cocktails, Anyone? article to see how your favorite stacks up), the relaxed atmosphere could be conducive to drinking more than you normally would. Vow to stick to a reasonable two-drink max each day, and use tactics like sipping seltzer or diet soda in between rounds to help stretch them out.
Write down or print this checklist and come back for Week 4 of the Hot Weather, Hot Stuff Challenge. Meanwhile, check out the Challenge page to talk to others who are pledging to be Hot Weather Hotties!
I’m Just Sayin . . .
Ever since I started tracking full time on my phone, I have been faithful, and it’s FUN, EASY,
and has earned me great RESULTS!  Ask me anything about your mobile app!  I’m getting to be an expert (or I can look it up!)


On SALE
August 3  through August 9
(we have these in Hastings, so any Superior members let me know if you want one)


Weight Watchers Exercise Mat

If you’re over 50 and trying to shed a few pounds, it’s not exactly inspiring to be constantly reminded that it’s harder to lose weight as you get older
How to Lose Weight Like a 20-Year-Old










The older you get, the harder it can be to lose weight. These strategies and tips will help you be healthy and fit, no matter what your age.
Article By: Sarah Elizabeth Richards
 .MD, author of AARP New American Diet: Lose Weight, Live Longer. “In our 20s and 30s, we have about 30 percent muscle and 20 percent fat. But by our 60s, we’re 15 percent muscle and 40 percent fat. As our lean body mass decreases, our bones shrink in density and size. We lose strength and flexibility, and it becomes harder to exercise.” Add a “perfect storm” of other aging realities – including a menopause muffin top and a metabolism that burns a quarter fewer calories at 60 than it did at 25 – and even the most committed Boomer is tempted to ask, “Why bother?”
Don’t get discouraged, Whyte urges. Get smarter by combating the natural processes of aging. For example, focus on building muscle, which burns more calories than fat, through strength-training exercises. Cultivate a daily habit of walking, yoga or swimming that keeps you limber and feeling good. It doesn’t have to be an extreme workout, either. A new study of how different levels of exercise affect women between 40 and 60 found that those who exercised at moderate intensity – defined as being able to talk in short sentences while working out – felt better and were more likely to exercise in the future than those who completed a vigorous routine. The takeaway: If moderate intensity is just your speed, don’t feel pressure to push any harder.
In fact, long-term health may be the biggest motivation to losing weight at this age. Research shows that carrying extra pounds is associated with increased mortality – in the form of diabetes, heart disease, blood clots and pulmonary embolisms. That’s not to mention the higher risk of hip fractures from falling. “Your reasons for achieving a healthy weight are more urgent,” says Whyte. “It’s not just about looking good in clothes. It’s about living longer.”
Here are some tips to help you stick with your program and maximize results:
Work with your aches and pains. You know exercise is an important of any weight-loss program, but it’s hard to get to the gym when it hurts to touch your toes. “One of the challenges for women who are approaching menopause is that they feel too old or out of shape to do certain exercises like squats because their knees hurt. They say ‘I can’t do that!’” explains Becky Williamson, MS, exercise physiologist from San Jose, Calif., who specializes in fitness for the over-50 set. “So I ask ‘Well, what can you do?’ Figure out what you can do today, and you’ll be able to do a lot more in a month.” She encourages Boomers to find the root cause of their ailments, which could be weak muscles, muscle tightness or arthritis. “Don’t shy away from exercise. Work on those issues, and exercise will get easier. If you move more and get fluid circulating through your joints, you won’t hurt as much.”
Be mindful of menopause. It’s common for women undergoing “the change” to gain an extra five to 10 pounds. Common, yes, but not inevitable, or even permanent. “You’re not destined to keep those extra pounds,” says Whyte. “You just have to work a little harder.”
Find your comfort level. Who isn’t intimidated working out at a gym among the young, toned and beautiful, no matter your age? Find a group of people with whom you can grunt and groan, suggests Sheldon Zinberg, MD, founder of the national gym chain Nifty After Fifty. You can join a fitness center that caters to your demographic or participate in a group class, such as Pilates or aqua aerobics, which draw a wide age range and where you’ll see the same people week after week and feel a sense of camaraderie. “The social support and lack of pressure make people feel more comfortable. And when you feel more comfortable in an exercise program, you’re more likely to stick with it,” he says.
NEXT WEEK’S MEETING
WHAT’S YOUR NEXT MOVE?
What brought you to Weight Watchers in the first place?

Now might be the perfect time to go back to basics and 

recharge.

See you in the meeting room!

Member Recipes

Zig’s Mom’s Lightened Up Potato Salad
1/2 Cup = 3 PP
4 potatoes, boiled, skinned, and chopped
4 eggs, chopped
4 Kosher dill spears, chopped
1/ 2 onion, chopped (I like a lot of onion)
approx. 1-1/1/2 Cups FF mayonnaise
1 TBSP vinegar
1 TBSP SPLENDA
salt and pepper to taste
Mix together and refrigerate.  Because I know everyone has different tastes, you can go as heavy or as light on the ingredients as you like. I would start here and add more of the condiments if you need too.

Vegetarian 7 Layer Dip
30 oz. can fat free refried beans
1/4 cup Homemade Taco Seasoning
1 1/2 cup salsa, divided
2 oz. reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese
3 tomatoes, seeded and diced
1/2 cup green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
1 cup black olives, sliced
In a large bowl, mix together the refried beans with the taco seasoning and 1/2 cup salsa. Spread evenly over a
2 quart casserole dish.
Pile on the layers starting with the remaining 1 cup salsa, cheese, tomatoes, green onions, cilantro and
finishing with the olives.
Serve on top of chopped lettuce with any of your favorite toppers, like jalapenos, sweet peppers, avocado, etc. or
scoop it up with your favorite baked chips
Simply Filling + 1 WPA
or
1/2 Cup = 3 PP

Skinny Chicago-Style Hot Dog
1 Hebrew National 97% fat-free all-beef hot dog, see shopping tips
1 Trader Joe’s honey wheat hot dog bun or your favorite whole wheat or multi-grain hot dog bun, see shopping tips
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
1 tablespoon chopped onion
2-4 tomato slices
½ dill pickle cut into 2 spears
2 pepperoncini slices or banana pepper slices

Instructions
1. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Reduce heat to low, place hot dog in water, and cook 5 minutes or until done.
2. Place hot dog in bun. Pile on the toppings in this order: yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, onion, tomato wedges, pickle spear,
pepperoncini slices or banana pepper slices. The tomatoes should be nestled between hot dog and top of bun.
Place pickles between hot dog and bottom of bun.
Makes 1 skinny Chicago hot dog @ 6 PP

Summer Pasta
3 tbsps red wine vinegar
8 ozs angel hair spaghetti, cooked and drained
2 tbsps olive oil
6 ozs fresh tomatoes, seeded and chopped
3 tsps garlic, minced
4 ozs mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 tsp salt
2 tsps basil
1/8 tsp black pepper

To prepare vinaigrette, combine vinegar, oil, garlic, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Mix well. Chill until ready to serve.
When ready to serve, combine cooked spaghetti, tomatoes, cheese, basil, and parsley. Pour vinaigrette over pasta mixture until well coated.

Makes 8 Equal Servings (About 3/4 Cup Per Serving)
PointsPlus® Value per serving: 4


Doritos Taco Salad


yield: 14 CUPS
  • 1 lb 95% lean ground beef
  • 1 (1.25 oz) packet reduced sodium taco seasoning
  • 1 medium-large head of iceberg lettuce, chopped into bite sized pieces (if you’ve never chopped up a head of iceberg before you can follow these directions)
  • 1 medium-large tomato, diced
  • 4 oz 50% less fat or 2% sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (such as Cabot)
  • 4 oz nacho cheese Doritos, broken up a bit into bite sized pieces
  • 1 cup light Catalina or French dressing (I used Kraft Lite Catalina)

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it up into pieces with a wooden spoon. Add the packet of taco seasoning and stir until well coated. Set aside.
  2. In a large serving bowl, combine the lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and ground beef. When ready to serve, add the Doritos and dressing and toss to c
www.emilybites.com
Weight Watchers Points Plus:4 per (1 cup) side dish serving* (P+ calculated using the recipe builder on weightwatchers.com)


Pimento Cheese


yield: 12 (1/4 CUP) SERVINGS
  • 8 oz 1/3 less fat cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup low fat mayonnaise (I used Hellmann’s Low Fat)
  • 4 oz extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (I used Cabot Seriously Sharp)
  • 4 oz 50% reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (I used Cabot brand)
  • 4 oz jar diced pimentos, drained
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce *omit if making vegetarian*
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon dried chopped onions
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (start here and add more to taste if you like a kick)
  • Salt, to taste
  1. Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix on medium speed until ingredients are well combined.
NOTE from www.emilybites.com: For those like me who weren’t previously acquainted with pimento cheese, it’s basically shredded sharp cheddar cheese, mayonnaise and pimentos (those red peppers that you usually see stuffed into green olives) with other ingredients mixed in according to taste. Sometimes people (like me) use cream cheese in addition to mayo, which I prefer for texture. While it may not sound complicated or exciting, it’s delicious with a kick and there are a thousand things you can do with it. It’s most often used as a spread on veggies or crackers, but you can also melt it on chicken, use it for a grilled cheese sandwich, broil it on bread, bake it up as a hot dip…the possibilities are endless!
WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTS PLUS: 3 per (1/4 cup) serving (P+ calculated using the recipe builder on weightwatchers.com)

Grilled Steak Salad
1/4 cup Light Ranch salad dressing
1/4 cup mayo with olive oil reduced fat mayonnaise
2 tsp horseradish
3/4 lb beef sirloin steak, 3/4 inch thick
2 tbsp A 1 Steak Sauce
8 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1 tomato, cut into wedges
1 small red onion, cut into thin wedges
1/2 cup 2% shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

1. Preheat grill to medium heat.
2. Mix first 3 ingredients together.
3. Place steaks on grill and cook 5 minutes on each side or until medium doneness (160º F.), brushing occasionally with steak sauce.
Remove steak from grill; cover. Let stand 5 minutes and cut steak across the grain into thin slices.
4. Cover platter with lettuce; top with tomatoes, onions and meat. Drizzle with dressing mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Serve immediately.
Yield: 6 Servings
Serving Size = 2 CupsPointsPlus® Value per serving: 5

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