MIDWEEK MINUTES October 28, 2017

October 28, 2017

MIDWEEK MINUTES October 28, 2017

Midweek Minutes

October 28, 2017

Hello, Winners!

It's here! It's Halloween weekend! Are you ready? It's now official...this is the scariest time of year for those of us who abuse food! Seriously, that's what we do. We abuse food, and we abuse ourselves with mindless eating, especially at this time of year. We need each other even more this time of year, and attendance in the meeting rooms proves it. We're really having great turnouts! Yet, it's a busy time of year, and we're missing some of you.

It's getting colder. Oh, heck, might as well wait until after the holidays to go back to Weight Watchers. Nuh-uh! The time for action is right now!

I know that people who are overweight have feelings which range from denial to desperation. I know that change is very scary. I know that no matter what I say to encourage someone, if he/she isn't ready to embrace a new lifestyle, nothing will change. Think of those sweets that feel so good going down but look so bad on the thighs. Think of how unhappy you are when the holiday parties come up and you feel like the biggest one in the room. Is it worth that extra chocolate you "inhaled", that holiday dip you didn't track, those second helpings you had because "it's only once a year"? If you think Tracking is tiresome, think how tiresome it is to waste your money paying for a program you aren't working! (Oh, I agree...if you aren't working the program, you are wasting your money). If you think it's too much trouble to weigh, measure, and look up POINTS for what you eat, think how you will feel in January from now if you DON'T work the program and learn to manage food now? As the holiday season progresses, will you wish that you had made time for exercise? Will you be thinner and healthier by wishing? Isn't it time to start living a new future now?

No need to stress about Halloween or this holiday season because we are all together in this, and we can do it! Come to your meetings, and we can blast our way through New Year's! Your meeting is the place where you can not only talk about food and exercise, but also, we talk about what makes us eat out of control and turn to food for comfort. We work on ourselves from the inside out. No, we don't have quick fixes, magic potions, or stupid diets at Weight Watchers. What we have is a smart program which is liveable. What we have is support. What we have is success! Don't you want to be a part of that? Sure you do!

Some other Weight Watchers' leaders wrote some cute poems I thought I would share one with you. I hope it makes you smile! Bring that smile to your meeting next week! Happy Halloween! --Zig

(P.S. Our monthly healthy potluck is this week...please feel free to bring something to share!)

Today we'll stir a weight watchers brew

One that will last all the way through.

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's too.

But first, my pretties, we will see

What tricks we can brew

This Halloween.

Member Milestones

Total Loss: --8.6 lbs.

"Eating doesn’t solve anything except hunger." You’ve probably heard a variation on that truth along the way on your weight-loss journey. Of course, the natural response might be: "Then why do people do it?" Because food, especially food that’s high in fat and/or sugar, can deliver an instant counterpunch to the emotions that have you by the throat. It triggers the reward centers in our brains, flooding it with the feeling of pleasure.

It’s called external hunger, and unlike internal, physical, hunger, it’s not satisfied when we take in a sufficient number of calories or amount of food. No surprise that emotional eating can wreak havoc on your weight-loss efforts.

(Dis)comfort food

Between 35 and 60 percent of people who struggle with their weight say that they frequently turn to food when emotions run high. And the choices we make when our feelings drive us to the fridge or pantry tend to rack up SmartPoints® values and aren’t so hot nutritionally. (Too bad we don’t seem to crave apples or broccoli in those situations!) And that just makes things worse, because after the short-lived relief of eating “comfort food,” we feel bad. It becomes a vicious circle. How can you break free and find true comfort without food?

“Feel, don’t feed.”

There are a few strategies to address emotions more productively, so you’re not squashing the feeling only to have it resurface in the urge to eat. One way is the "Distract and Engage" technique in your Weekly. Another tactic is to acknowledge what you’re feeling, then visualize it passing by. And a third tactic, called “reframing,” is another way to recognize your emotion instead of trying to ignore it. With reframing, you then address the emotion in a positive, non-food way.

What do you really want?

Reframing helps you figure out just what you’re looking for when food isn’t the answer. Let’s say you find yourself mindlessly munching your way through prime-time television. You had dinner an hour ago, so you’re probably not hungry. Maybe what you're really feeling is loneliness. What can you do to address those feelings without food? You could call a friend or relative, invite your neighbor over for tea, or hop onto Connect and get encouragement and solutions from other members.

Try a non-food fix.

For starters, identify just what kind of hunger you’re feeling—internal or external. Then, along with the ideas in your Weekly, choose a healthy way to redirect the urge to eat when you’re not hungry.

We’ve all dipped into our kids’ Halloween bags after bedtime—including that supply set aside to “donate.” And bought five too many bags of clearance candy the day after. Whether you have one treat or many, many, (many!) treats this Halloween, knowledge is your best ally. It can help you make smart candy decisions before eating a full-size candy bar only to learn it used up more than a third of your daily SmartPoints values. When the kids dump out 10 pounds of post-trick-or-treat candy on your kitchen table—plus three different sizes of Snickers—we’ve got your back when it comes to making smart decisions that won’t derail you.

CHOCOLATE CLASSICS

If you’re looking for just a taste, a 3 Musketeers or a single Hershey’s Kiss are your best bets at just 1 SmartPoints value each. Can’t decide between Fun Size and mini? Smaller is usually better, but you might as well go for a Nestlé’s Crunch Fun Size—since, like a mini, it has 3 SmartPoints values. When you know you won’t be satisfied with anything less than full size, tear open a York Peppermint Pattie, at 8 SmartPoints values.

Snickers Full Size: 12 SmartPoints value, Fun Size: 4 SmartPoints value, Mini: 2 SmartPoints value

Milky Way Full Size: 13 SmartPoints value, Fun Size: 4 SmartPoints value, Mini: 2 SmartPoints value

3 Musketeers Full Size: 13 SmartPoints value, Fun Size: 3 SmartPoints value, Mini: 1 SmartPoints value

Butterfinger Full Size: 12 SmartPoints value, Fun Size: 4 SmartPoints value, Mini: 2 SmartPoints value

M&M’s Milk Chocolate Full Size: 12 SmartPoints value, Fun Size: 4 SmartPoints value

M&M’s Peanut Full Size: 11 SmartPoints value, Fun Size: 4 SmartPoints value

Twix Full Size: 12 SmartPoints value, Fun Size: 5 SmartPoints value, Mini: 2 SmartPoints value

Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolate 1 SmartPoints value

Nestle Crunch Full Size: 11 SmartPoints value, Fun Size: 3 SmartPoints value, Miniature: 3 SmartPoints value

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Full Size: 10 SmartPoints value, Snack Size: 5 SmartPoints value, Miniature: 2 SmartPoints value

York Peppermint Pattie Full Size: 8 SmartPoints value, Snack Size: 3 SmartPoints value

KitKat Full Size: 11 SmartPoints value, Snack Size: 4 SmartPoints value, Miniature: 2 SmartPoints value

THE SWEET & STICKY STUFF

Because many of these treats are fat-free, they clock in at fewer SmartPoints values. But don’t let that fool you: They won’t keep you full until mealtime—unless you opt for a Payday, with a full-size bar offering 7 grams of satiating protein. Although very sugary, it’s a decent snack pick in a pinch. If all you want is a sweet end to your day, you’ll find the most value in two Mini Midgee Tootsie Rolls, or one Twizzlers Snack Size, Dum Dum, Jolly Ranchers, or Tootsie Pops Miniature for 1 SmartPoints value each.

Tootsie Roll 2.5-oz bar: 12 SmartPoints value, Snack Bar: 3 SmartPoints value, Junior: 2 SmartPoints value, Midgee: 1 SmartPoints value, Mini Midgee: 2 for 1 SmartPoints value

Tootsie Pops Full Size: 3 SmartPoints value, Miniature: 1 SmartPoints value

Dum Dums 1 SmartPoints value

Jolly Rancher Original 1 SmartPoints value

Sour Patch Kids Full Size: 11 SmartPoints value, Treat Size: 3 SmartPoints value

Payday Full Size: 10 SmartPoints value, Snack Size: 4 SmartPoints value

Twizzlers Twist: 2 SmartPoints value, Snack Size: 1 SmartPoints value

Skittles Original Full Size: 13 SmartPoints value, Fun Size: 2 SmartPoints value

Airheads Full size: 3 SmartPoints value, Mini: 2 SmartPoints value

In the November/December Issue of WWM:

34 Festive Recipes to Help You Celebrate the Season and Stay on Plan
The Gift Guide that Gives Back
Meet Member Charlotte Sensing and hear her story

PlPlus...

Weight-Loss Tips From Around the World.
Stay-Satisfied Foods That Help You Feel Full. (They're Already in Your Fridge!)
The Enduring Power of Friendship.

FLATOUT Taranchiladas

www.hungrygirl.com

1/2 of flatbread: 116 calories, 4.5g total fat (1.5g sat fat), 424mg sodium, 13.5g carbs, 5g fiber, <0.5g sugars, 8g protein

SmartPoints® value 3*

Ready for a frighteningly delicious spin on tostadas? You got it!

Prep: 5 minutes

Cook: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

1 Flatout Hungry Girl Exclusive 100% Whole Wheat with Flax Foldit Flatbread

1/4 cup refried beans

3 tbsp. shredded reduced-fat Mexican-blend cheese

3 large pitted black olives

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray.

Bake flatbread until hot and lightly browned, 8 - 10 minutes.

Spread with beans, and sprinkle with cheese. Bake until hot, about 2 minutes.

Slice one olive in half lengthwise. Place one piece in the center of each flatbread half, cut side down.

Cut each of the remaining 2 olives widthwise into 4 slices, for a total of 8 slices.

Use 2 of the end slices to form a “head” above each of the olive halves on the flatbread. Cut remaining slices into half-moon shapes, and arrange to form 12 "legs."

Cut into 2 pieces.

MAKES 2 SERVINGS

Member Recipes

Peanut Butter Banana Cups

Ingredients

3/4 cup chocolate chips
1 medium banana, peeled and sliced into 16 rounds
1/4 cup all-natural peanut butter, store bought or homemade
1 tablespoon melted coconut oil, (unrefined extra-virgin preferred)
16 (1.25-inch) baking cups

Directions

Place a sheet of wax or parchment paper on the counter top for preparation. Set the baking cups on top.
Melt chocolate in a double-boiler or in a small sauce pan over low heat. Allow to cool slightly. In the meantime, combine the melted coconut oil and peanut butter.
Add approximately 1 teaspoon melted chocolate to the bottom of each baking cup, followed by one banana slice, 1 teaspoon peanut butter mixture, and lastly drop about 1/2 teaspoon melted chocolate in the center of each cup. Carefully place cups on a freezer safe dish or casserole pan. Cover and place in the freezer until set, approximately 1 hour.
NOTE: Our perfectly portioned Peanut Butter Banana Cups thaw quickly. For best results, enjoy one at a time after allowing to set at room temperature about 2-3 minutes. To prevent the peanut butter mixture from softening too quickly, add 1 tablespoon powdered sugar to peanut butter and coconut oil mixture before adding to cups.

Weight Watchers Beet Chips recipe (1 smart point)

Author: WW-Recipes.net

Serves: 4

Ingredients

4 large beets, scrubbed clean
nonstick cooking spray
salt, to taste

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Using a mandoline, a sharp knife or the slicing blade of your food processor, slice the beets thinly (about the size of a potato chip).
Spray with a cookie sheet with nonstick spray, spread the beet chips evenly and season with salt to taste.
Roast for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, turning halfway through, until crisp. Check often to make sure that they don't burn.
Serve alone or with sour cream or your favorite dip.

Easy Taco Pie

Author: Drizzle Serves: 6 @8sp per serving

Ingredients

1 pack of Pillsbury reduced fat crescent rolls
1lb lean ground beef
⅔ cup of salsa
1 package of taco seasoning
⅔ cup light grated cheese
*Optional to top with lettuce, tomatoes and onions etc

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F
Heat up your ground beef in a frying pan on stove, once cooked drain fat. Add salsa and taco seasoning, I only use half the pack of seasoning so it is not to strong tasting. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Place your crescent rolls into a 9 inch pie dish, making sure to cover all areas. This may require breaking up some of the rolls to fill in spaces. Pre-bake crust for 5 minutes to avoid the middle not cooking through..
Place your meat mixture into the pie dish and spread evenly, sprinkle with cheese.
Bake in oven for approx. 10-12 minutes, checking often. Serves 6 at 8sp per slice.
Nutritional info .Per serving.. Calories 268... Fat 10.8g... Saturated fat 4.7g... Carbs 22.1g... Fiber 0.5g... Sugars 4.9g... Protein 21.6g

Gooey Butterfinger Cupcakes

1/12th of recipe (1 cupcake): 127 calories, 2.5g total fat (1g sat fat), 248mg sodium, 24g carbs, 1g fiber, 14g sugars, 2.5g protein

SmartPoints® value 6*

Ingredients

1 packet hot cocoa mix with 20 - 25 calories (like Swiss Miss Diet or Nestlé Fat Free)

1 3/4 cups moist-style devil's food cake mix

1/2 cup fat-free liquid egg substitute (like Egg Beaters Original)

1/4 cup Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Creme

1 tsp. light soymilk or fat-free milk

1 standard-sized Butterfinger bar (2.1 oz.) or 3 Butterfinger Fun Size bars (about 2 inches long)

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with foil baking cups, or spray it with nonstick spray. In a glass, combine cocoa mix with 1/4 cup hot water and stir to dissolve. Transfer mixture to a large bowl, and add 3/4 cup cold water. Add cake mix and egg substitute. Whisk until smooth. Evenly distribute mixture among the cups of the muffin pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 16 - 18 minutes. Let cool completely, about 10 minutes in the pan and 15 minutes out of the pan. In a small bowl, thoroughly mix marshmallow creme with soymilk or milk. Drizzle over cupcakes. Crush candy bar(s) and sprinkle evenly over cupcakes. Enjoy! MAKES 12 SERVINGS

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 the body
of the message.

I alI I 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!

Search This Blog

MIDWEEK MINUTES