MIDWEEK MINUTES MArch 4, 2017
Midweek
Minutes
March 4,
2017
Hello, Winners!
Yes, March Madness is here! What do I mean?
Fat Tuesday? No. Well, I have some objections to that name because we didn’t
celebrate it, right?
Although March came in like a lamb, watch out
for the lion part. Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday ???
We get spoiled by these few really nice days,
don't we? At school, the prom decorations came, and we're getting invitations
delivered...we even have this Friday and next Friday off for "Spring Break."
Spring IS COMING! Will YOU be ready? (I’m NOT ready for the Daylight
Savings time change, though...yuck!)
I'm sick of winter, and I bet you are too, but
we have to plan for it. It's not good to let a snowstorm catch us by surprise,
but above all, let's just remember that bad weather is NOT an excuse to raid the
fridge!!! Here's a great article for some midweek motivation so you can play
your strategy NOW if the weather turns bad...and stick to your
plan!
STAY FAT TUESDAY: Be Vague. Create Wiggle Room. Be Wishy-Washy, by Janice Taylor
So how do you learn to feel better about your body? The same way you make friends with anyone else: Take the time to get acquainted; be supportive and non-judgmental. The activity in the Weekly can help you become more attuned, familiar with, and best of all, appreciative of your physical self. And the ideas below can help you treasure the rest of you!
1. Make a list of your positive qualities—and read it often. It could include anything from being a good guitar player to being a loving dad. List every attribute that makes you a worthwhile, likable individual.
2. Pay yourself a compliment every day. Focus on a different characteristic—quick hands, good fashion sense, killer poker skills—and say out loud: "I love my ___." It may sound silly at first, but it can be a useful counter to self-doubt.
3. Do things you know will help you feel better about yourself. This could be anything from getting a new hairstyle to rearranging your fridge for healthy eating. Tackle the easiest first, to build confidence for future efforts.
4. Give yourself regular non-food treats. Buy yourself a cool new app, take a spontaneous day trip, pick up a magazine. You'd do things like this to please loved ones, so why not yourself?
5. Spend time with people who care about you. If there aren't as many supportive people in your social circle as you'd like, consider ways of expanding it to increase your chances of positive feedback. Ask yourself: "Who will help me feel good about myself?" (Like, say, your fellow members on Connect online and on the mobile app.
6. Steer clear of situations that promote self-doubt. Even long-term relationships might call for a clear-eyed reappraisal, if they leave you feeling bad. Perhaps there's a critical relative or colleague who always seems to undermine you. Are you forever seeking someone's approval but never getting it? Rather than simply taking the criticism, you could:
- Retreat from the relationship a bit.
- Stop hoping for approval.
- Respond more assertively to harsh remarks.
It’s time for SPRING and a new
challenge! Enjoy the season! Come to meetings! Earn an
award!
Isn't it funny that the moment you
decide to exercise, something always gets in the way? Mom stops by. That report
is suddenly urgent. The dog ate your running shoes. These everyday distractions
can get in the way of moving more. Try these easy ways to make fitness an
excuse-proof part of your day.
Find fitness that fits
your life. If you work irregular
hours, don't sign up for classes that start at the same time each week. Instead,
choose activities that can be easily slotted into your day: Walk the kids to
school or run errands on foot during your lunch hour.
Draw up a weekly
timetable. To help you organize
your time properly, create a weekly calendar of planned exercise and activities.
This will also help you see how much activity you're getting. Try to do
something for at least 20 or 30 minutes each day, even if it's just yard work or
going on a brisk walk around the neighborhood.
Attach exercise to a
treat. Give yourself a non-food
reward for scheduling in fitness. Buy flowers once a week for completing all of
the workouts you scheduled. You can also attach exercise to an enjoyable event,
such as playing with your kids in the park or catching up with a friend on a
walk.
Get everyone else on
board. Make sure your family and
friends know when and where you plan to exercise. This way you shouldn't get any
unwelcome interruptions. If you need someone to watch the kids while you
exercise, make sure you arrange this well in advance; don't rely on last-minute
favors.
Anticipate motivational
dips. Everyone struggles with
motivation from time to time, preparing for these feelings can go a long way to
combating them. For instance, if you sometimes struggle to go to your aerobics
class, get a friend to call you to make sure you're not still sitting on the
sofa.
Avoid danger
zones. Many things can distract
even the most hardened of exercisers: your favorite TV show, the lure of a night
on the town with friends, or a neighbor popping in for an impromptu chat. Learn
to recognize your particular "danger zones" and take steps to negotiate your way
around them.
Buy workout clothing
you're excited to wear. Shop for
well-designed, flattering, and supportive gym clothes; you'll be more motivated
to work out.
Have a specially
designated drawer for fitness gear. When you're in hurry, the last thing you want is to
be hunting around for your yoga pants. Keep all your exercise clothes in a
special drawer so you can find them quickly.
Leave your gym bag by the
door. Leaving your gym bag by
the door serves two purposes: you always know where it is; and it serves as a
gentle reminder that an exercise session might be due.
Put your gym clothes
straight into the wash. As soon
as you get back from the gym or pool, wash your dirty clothes. Nothing is
guaranteed to put you off exercising more than having to rummage around in the
laundry basket for the least-funky pair of gym
socks!
Caryn, Meetings, Lost 12.6*
*People following the Weight Watchers plan can expect to lose 1-2 pounds per week.“It is empowering to know that even though I am no longer in my twenties, I can create positive change for myself and take control of my life.”
In Caryn’s words:
I have struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember and have always been self-conscious about it. The first time I joined Weight Watchers, I was 20 years old and had just returned from a semester studying in London, where I ate my way through each country I visited! Heading into my senior year of college, I was determined to lose the weight I had gained since high school. I was able to do so, but as I was driving to work one day, I was in a bad car accident that caused what would become chronic back pain. After college, I became very focused on health and fitness, watching what I ate and working out six days a week. I was in great shape and even felt some relief from my back pain. The manager at my gym asked if I would consider becoming a personal trainer, and I got certified. It felt great to not only take care of myself, but to help others achieve their goals as well.Taking back control
While I have managed to keep most of the weight off since my twenties, it has been a real struggle finding the motivation to exercise. Married for more than 15 years, with two young children and a demanding full time job, I find there is always someone or something else taking my time and focus away from caring for myself. As the years marched on, the realization set in that my 40-something body does not respond the same way that my 20-something body once did. In addition, my chronic back pain was getting worse, making it harder for me to kick start an exercise routine. All of my clothes were tight and I had become thick around the middle, having developed a true “muffin top.” I was feeling less and less like myself and knew I needed to find my way back. I had a choice: continue to overeat, feel sorry for myself and allow my health to deteriorate, or jump into action and do something about it. Nearly 25 years after that car accident, I returned to Weight Watchers in August 2015 and took control of my life once again.
Making “me” a priority
At my first Meeting, my Leader said the words I needed to hear: “You are the Reason.” As the weight fell off each week, my confidence soared. There will always be an excuse. There will always be something else — anything else! — that I could do instead of taking care of myself, but if I don’t make me a priority, then I’m no use to anyone else. Since losing the weight and reaching my goal, I said goodbye to the rolls around my middle and now happily wear my “skinny” clothes. Most importantly, losing the weight has taken a lot of pressure off of my back and I am able to move better each day.Keeping it going
When I eat well and exercise regularly, I feel good. When I don’t, the pounds return — along with the back pain. Walking on a treadmill, taking a weekly yoga class with my daughter, incorporating training with light weights, and following a routine to strengthen my core have really helped me maintain my weight loss and achieve my long-term goal of a healthy lifestyle.Inspiring others
My family is very proud of what I have accomplished. It feels great to be a positive role model for my children so they grow up understanding how to make healthy choices. Friends and colleagues have taken notice, too. I am thrilled to be the motivation for a few of them to re-join Weight Watchers; it has been rewarding to hear their weekly success stories. I hope to continue to inspire other busy moms to do the same!Choosing to be healthy
I am so proud of myself for once again reaching my goal, and in my mid-forties, the success feels that much better. I may always struggle with my weight to some degree, but realizing that “I am the Reason” is reason enough, and I choose to be healthy. Anything is possible if you believe it is!Have you found success on Weight Watchers? Has a family or a friend inspired you to join the Program? If so, we want to hear from you! E-mail your story, location, and photos to wwmsuccess@weightwatchers.com.
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!
25 Ways to Shake
Up Your Routine
|
Article By: Stephanie
Osfield
|
Today is as good a day as any for finding your enthusiasm within. Why
put your inner excitement on hold any longer? Use our tips to help get
started.
Today could be the best
day of your life. Really. You don't have to win the lottery or get a promotion,
all you need to do is give your attitude a spring-clean — even if spring is
still a couple of months away.
"Attitude is
everything," says Tina Tessina, a Long Beach, CA psychotherapist and author of
The Ten Smartest Decisions a Woman Can Make After Forty (Renaissance,
2001). "That's why it's so important to fill your life with goals and activities
that you enjoy, as they will help lift your spirit."
Here are some ways to
tap into your enthusiastic alter-ego.
Freshen up your
routine"The biggest problem with sticking to a routine is that
you risk getting caught in a rut — this causes boredom to take over your entire
life," says Tessina. Instead, blow off some of your daily habits and bring a
sense of freshness to each day. Try these suggestions:
Wear bright red
today
Eat breakfast in your
backyard (weather permitting)
Try cooking a new
cuisine, such as Vietnamese, Spanish or Cajun
Call your partner just
to say "I love you."
Splurge on flowers for
the office or dining room
Pose for a portrait by a
professional photographer
Go window shopping with
a friend
House swap with friends
for a change of scene
Wear a bold new lipstick
color
Dance in the moonlight
on a balcony or in your garden
Push two armchairs
together and give your partner a foot massage while he or she
reciprocates
Think young and playful"I
always suggest going back to childhood, and remembering what you liked then,"
suggests Tessina. "Sports? Hiking? Bicycling or roller skating? Swinging on the
swings? Dancing around to music? There are adult versions of all these
activities. When you're doing them, notice the sights, sounds and the way your
body feels, so you enjoy the moment." Try these ideas:
Choose three simple activities you liked
as a child (such as watching the clouds, riding a roller coaster or making mud
pies). Indulge in them all in one weekend
Buy rain boots and jump in puddles after
it rains
Leave funny notes for your partner in
his/her underwear drawer or briefcase
Organize a weekly Pictionary or Trivial
Pursuit tournament at work
Invite friends over for takeout and a
night of charades
Relive old memories by looking through
photo albums
Take on new
challengesDon't let fear of change, the security of habit or
sheer laziness hold you back from living your life to the fullest. Here are some
new opportunities:
Take up a hobby with a feel-good factor,
such as sailing or drama classe
Volunteer to do charity work
Learn a skill you find appealing but a
little daunting, such as upholstering or making jewelry
Make peace with your parents
Start your own walking club
Write that novel or
screenplay
Go to a travel agent and organize the trek
across the Himalayas or trip to Paris you've always wanted to take
Look for a job you don't dread going to
every
morning
|
Check out ALL of the specials
this week in the meeting room!
Member Recipes from our
potluck
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.
Remove from
list? If you no longer wish to receive weekly newsletters from me, please reply
to this message indicating "Remove from list" in either the subject header or
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I also try to post the newsletter on our private FB page "Zig's
Winners" and the Google Blog called Midweek Minutes http://midweekminutes.blogspot.com/.
Find us on FB and ask to join our own private support
group!
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