MIDWEEK MINUTES February 25, 2017

 
 
Midweek Minutes
February 25, 2017
 
Hello, Winners!
 
So, we had our LION AND lamb weather this week, didn’t week...will March come in like a lion?  We’ll see.  We know that in Nebraska we can have BOTH in one week.  I always joke that Nebraska doesn’t have seasons; we just have HOT, COLD, WET, and WINDY...sometimes, all in one week!  Another teacher friend and I meet for coffee early on Fridays...and we were already at school when we got the message that school was closed!  That was funny!  Staff gets texts on our phones before the public does, and the custodian and head cook were also at school, so we told them school was closed.  We had our coffee together and then went home!
 
What did I do on my snow day?  Mostly not much, I regret to say.  I was going to clean the house, but that seemed like too much work!  Been running around today, though, and got lots done. 
 
This week marks the end of Mardi Gras with Fat Tuesday and then comes Lent. 
 
 
It’s also time for the OSCARS.
 
I haven’t seen any of the movies, and I probably won’t watch the event (I am a Walking Dead super-fan, you know, which is on at the same time), but I love to make a Weight Watchers scenario using the names of the nominated movies/  I already used LION...so here goes.
 
Upon your first ARRIVAL into the meeting room, you said to yourself one of two things...either “ I will lose weight this time come HELL OR HIGH WATER”, or “I’m not sure I can get over all these FENCES that have stopped me from losing that weight and keeping it off.” Whether you come from HACKSAW RIDGE or MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, you can work this program because it’s not a diet.  You can eat real food not that expensive food from a box delivered to your door by UPS. That’s just living in LA LA LAND, never learning anything and never setting goals for your life.  It’s those HIDDEN FIGURES in your life that have to be uncovered.  It all starts in our minds.  At Weight Watchers, we learn to Shift our Mindsets and go Beyond the Scale even when the going gets rough.  So, if you want success, come join us each week.  Hey, when you get to your goal weight,  you can even MOONLIGHT as a Weight Watchers employee as I have for the past 19 years!
 
That wasn’t bad for a quick write, even if I do say so myself.
 
At any rate.  Do yourself a favor.  Come to your meeting this week.  We are all in this together.  We are here for each other.  --Zig
 
P.S. It’s Potluck Monday...I love it!  Members bring healthy snacks and food...no FAT TUESDAY for us!!! 
 
 
 
Member Milestones
 
Total Loss: –5.2 lbs.
 
5 lb. star
Roxanne P.
 
10 lb. star
Amy R.
 
 


Getting motivated to lose weight and live healthier is one thing; staying motivated—that's quite another. But a powerful, personal "why" can be the wind at your back, keeping you going even when things get tough. Your "why" isn't necessarily the same as your goal; you might have a specific "weight-I'd-like-to-be" (goal) but your reasons for wanting to be at a certain weight are your "why," the motor that gets you to your destination. Your Weekly  can get you started on framing your "why." It uses some of the elements of the SMART approach, originally devised as a way to set business goals. While it's a great way to set your own personal goals for weight and life, it's also a good template for pinpointing your most personal, effective motivation:
Specific.

Maybe you want to get back into a certain clothing size or be able to participate in a certain activity that you're not quite able to tackle right now. Name it. And state it positively (“I want to be able to ride a rollercoaster,” rather than “I don’t want to have to sit out the rides at the amusement park”) to give your "why" more power.

Measurable.
You want to be able to tell you're making progress: You can walk farther without stopping, or your blood pressure is down, or you can fit into a size-smaller jeans.

Achievable.
Focus on what you can do—refusing seconds at dinner or cooking more often rather than going out—rather than what you want other people to do, like wishing your spouse would stop bringing home ice cream.

Realistic.
Make your "why" a good fit with your lifestyle. Running a 10K next month when you've just started walking regularly? Hmm. Maybe not the right motivation at this point. But revving up your walking routine? Yeah, that might be more like it.

Time-bound.
Keeping in mind that slow and steady wins the race, set a timeframe for when you hope to have dropped a size, or no longer need a seatbelt extender. Having a date in mind helps you get and stay fired up.
And remember, your "why" might change over time, as you reach goals and/or your priorities change. Want some inspiration? See what has motivated other members.
 
 
NEW PRODUCTS FOR MARCH!!!!!
YOU GOTTA SEE THE COOL, NEW STUFF!!!
 
Apple Chai Breakfast Squares
It’s made with real apples, sunflower seeds, & rolled oats and best of all-- this bar does not contain nuts! 
 
 
 
 
My Little Black Journal
 
Personalize it!!!
 
 
 
Our very ownVegetable Spiralizer
It’s  the perfect way to turn a 0-SmartPoints value vegetable into a delicious pasta alternative.
 
 
 
 
0 SmartPoints per serving--a true game-changer to make a recipe like this!
 
 
 
 

Success starts in the mind

It’s hard to believe that a simple thought can keep you from making progress toward your goals. This technique will help shift your focus to where you want it to be.
The EVENT: You stayed on plan all week but the scale didn’t budge.
You might THINK: Why am I doing all this hard work if I’m not losing?”
You might FEEL: discouraged and hopeless.
And that might lead you to ACT: by not tracking and skipping a meeting.
Time for a reality check! Remind yourself that the scale doesn’t change every single week, and that it’s not the only measure of success.
Let’s try that again:
The EVENT: You stayed on plan all week but the scale didn’t budge.
Now you THINK “I wish the scale had gone done. But I feel good in my clothes, my energy is up, so I know if I keep it up. I will lose.”
You FEEL good about yourself and eager to keep going.
You ACT by tracking and making sure to go to your next meeting.
See what you mean? The next time you’re dealing with some “mind trash,” take a moment for a reality check. It might take a little getting used to, but with practice it will become second nature.
 
 
Has it been awhile since you’ve been to a meeting?
 
Never bought a Monthly Pass because you didn’t want to give out credit card information?
 
Well...here’s some $$$$$ incentive !!!!
 

Ready to get started?

  1. Join Weight Watchers between 2/14/17 and 3/1/17
  2. Purchase an eligible subscription plan: a 6-month OnlinePlus plan, or a 1 or 3-Month Meetings, Personal Coaching, or Total Access plan in a participating area by March 1, 2017.
  3. Set a personal weight loss goal and lose a minimum of 10 lbs
    Choose something that feels motivating but reachable in the next 3 months. You don't have to declare this or put it on a form. This is your own personal goal. A reasonable 3-month goal is in the range of 10-26 lbs (a safe rate of weight loss is up to 2 lbs a week). Lose a minimum of 10 lbs or shoot for the moon. Either way we’ll be cheering you on!
  4. Download and complete the "It Pays to Lose Weight with Weight Watchers" form
    The downloadable form can be found here. 
  5. Send in the signed form between 5/15/17 and 6/15/17 along with proof of your weight loss
    Mail to the address provided on the refund form. Hate stamps? Email it to getpaidtoloseweight@weightwatchers.com. See below for proof of weight loss requirements.

50 + WEIGHT WATCHERS SMARTPOINTS SNACKS

www.youbrewmytea.com
Since I picked back up the Weight Watchers program last month, I am finding myself looking for Weight Watchers SmartPoints snacks options as well as meals. I am managing great and losing weight, plus never feeling like I am unsatisfied.  Huge bonus for me is that I am dropping weight slowly but surely.  Mostly, I feel good again. That said, some things just leave me needing fuel between meals.  So, I am sharing what I have decided are my top choices in snacks.
 
This post contains affiliate links.
I admit that since my weight is so high, I get a lot more points than some.  That said, I still watch closely, and mostly I am focusing on eating more fresh vegetables, and limiting my sweets to the fresh fruit the bulk of the time.

FRUIT AND VEGGIE SMARTPOINTS SNACKS:

This is my favorite section since these are free to eat.  While you could eat as many as you wanted, I try to limit my fruit intake to around 1 cup per day.  Vegetables, I like to have a decent serving with lunch and dinner, then instead of having seconds on a starch or entree, add another portion of vegetables if possible.  1-2 cups of vegetables a day is a must, but often more.
  • Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Canary Melon
  • Pears or Apples
  • Peaches, Plums, or Nectarines
  • Oranges, Tangerines, or Grapefruit
  • Pineapples, Blueberries, Strawberries, Blackberries, or Raspberries
  • Carrot sticks or Celery Sticks
  • Cherry Tomatoes or Cucumber Slices
  • Broccoli or Cauliflower Florets
  • Green Peas, Bell Peppers, or Sugar Snap Peas

DAIRY SMARTPOINTS SNACKS:

I could go on and on about how much I love cheese, but I realize that it just isn’t the best choice for me when it comes to snacking because I tend to go overboard.  If I want to have cheese as a snack, I measure it in advance so I don’t give in to a large portion or grabbing a chunk without measuring.  SmartPoints are listed beside each with the portion amount.
  • 1 Laughing Cow Cheese Wedge: 1 SmartPoints
  • 2 Tablespoons Light Cool Whip: 1 SmartPoints
  • 1 ounce Low-Fat Swiss Cheese: 1 SmartPoints
  • Mini Babybel Light:  1 SmartPoints
  • Light Mozzarella Cheese Stick (various brands): 2 SmartPoints
  • Dannon Light & Fit Greek Yogurt (8 ounces): 2 SmartPoints
  • 1 ounce 2% Sharp Cheddar Cheese: 2 SmartPoints
  • Breakstone Live Active 2% Cottage Cheese (individual containers): 2 SmartPoints

SALTY SMARTPOINTS SNACKS:

Salty snacks aren’t a huge issue for me unless I am craving cheese dip – then it’s a problem.  However, I have found some alternatives that work great for me.  Like adding an ounce of pepper jack cheese with some pretzels.  That’s a great choice that satisfies me and kills the craving.  That said, I am listing a few of my favorite snacks that are easy to have on hand, and include SmartPoints calculated for convenience.

SWEET SMARTPOINTS SNACKS:

Sweet is an issue.  I usually combat this with using fresh fruit, but when I am really struggling, I will grab one of these snacks as an alternative that includes the SmartPoints calculations. I recommend going with fruit and avoiding sugars as much as possible, though, as they tend to make you crave even more than before.
Also, my friend Sadie from Slap Dash Mom gathered up some great Weight Watchers Frozen Desserts to share the other day.  This list includes SmartPoints on the bulk of items, so if my suggestions don’t satisfy your craving, jump over and check out what she included.
The idea behind the new Weight Watchers Smart Points system is to calculate points for healthier choices.  So, lean meats, vegetables, and fruits have fewer points while things like baked cookies, snack items, and those high-fat choices that are processed have more points.  In a way, it’s a new method to hold you accountable for making better choices in your diet, while still not depriving yourself.
I hope this list of great Weight Watchers SmartPoints snacks helps you stay on track like it has for me.  It comes in handy when I am meal planning, as well as when we are on the road.  I always know what I can grab and have that fits easily into my remaining points for the day!
 
 
Member Recipes
 
Healthy Veggie Dip Recipe
Serves: 8 @ 2 SP

Ingredients
8 oz. Fat-Free Cream Cheese
½ cup Low Fat Sour Cream
4 Tablespoon Knorr Vegetable Soup Mix
¼ Cup 2% Milk Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Instructions
1.    In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. If your cream cheese is too stiff, allow to sit out for a few minutes to soften.
2.    Mix in soup mix and cheddar cheese until well incorporated.
3.    Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to combine www.youbrewmytea.com



Simple BLT Salad Recipe
Prep time:  5 mins
Cook time:  10 mins
Total time:  15 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients
1 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
⅛ teaspoon salt
½ cup light mayonnaise
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 green onion, sliced
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
8 strips center-cut bacon, cooked
8 cups mixed greens
Instructions
1.    Add the tomatoes and salt to a large bowl. Toss to combine and let sit for five minutes.
2.    Add the mayonnaise, green onion, red wine vinegar, black pepper, and stir to combine.
3.    Roughly chop the cooked bacon, and add it to the bowl. I like to reserve a few pieces to sprinkle on top of the finished salad.
4.    All that remains is to toss the dressing with the lettuce. I suggest waiting to do that until just before you're ready to serve, so the lettuce doesn't get wilted.
Once you've added the lettuce, taste and adjust the salt, pepper, and vinegar to your liking.   www.youbrewmytea.com



BBQ Apricot Chicken Recipe
Prep time:  5 mins
Cook time:  30 mins
Total time:  35 mins
Serves: 6 @ 3 SP

Ingredients
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
½ cup sugar-free apricot jam
½ cup G Hughes Sugar Free BBQ Sauce
2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
1.    In a medium bowl, whisk together the jam, bbq sauce, soy sauce, and seasonings.
2.    Line baking sheet with foil and place chicken breasts in even layer
3.    Pour barbecue sauce over chicken making sure well covered.
4.    Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Remove from oven, and serve with favorite sides. www.youbrewmytea.com




Healthy Beef Stew Weight Watchers Friendly
Prep time:  15 mins
Cook time:  45 mins
Total time:  1 hour
Serves: 8 @ 5 SP

Ingredients
1 pound lean trimmed sirloin roast, cut into cubes
2 cups red potatoes, cubed
2 cups carrots, diced
3 stalks celery, diced
1 small onion, diced
1 8oz can tomato paste
1 cup Merlot or Red Cooking Wine
6 cups Fat-Free Beef Broth
2 Cloves Garlic, minced
2 teaspoons Onion Powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1.    Prepare vegetables by washing and dicing into bite sized pieces. I prefer to cut my potatoes and carrots a bit chunkier than the celery and onion. This is a personal preference. 1" chunks are average. Set these aside.
2.    Trim any excess fat from meat. Cut into 1" chunks. Lightly season beef chunks with salt, pepper, and onion powder.
3.    In a large stockpot lightly sear seasoned beef on all sides. I use a non-stick pot and ½ cup beef broth in lieu of oil to keep the points value down. You can substitute in a bit of olive oil, just remember to add that to your points total if you do so.
4.    Once the meat has seared and is mostly cooked through (7-8 minutes cook time), add in cooking wine and beef broth. Cook on high for additional 5 minutes.
5.    Add all other ingredients to stockpot and stir well. If you want a thinner broth, you may want to add 1-2 cups of water to the mixture at this time.
6.    Simmer mixture on medium heat for 35 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent vegetables and meat from sticking and to help flavors meld well.  www.youbrewmytea.com
 
 
This newsletter is in no way affiliated with Weight Watchers, Inc. It is simply a motivational tool that I offer to members who attend my Weight Watchers meetings and wish to receive it.
 
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