Adding to the Sample Plans

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The sample menu plans that I have give you are designed for a daily PointsPlus Target of 26. If yours is higher, double the lean protein, whole grain, and/or dairy serving in the meal, and/or add to the meal with additional foods that have PointsPlus values. There are some starter add-on ideas below.

Add a protein portion, such as:
Breakfast meats
Bacon, cooked crisp, 3 slices (4 PointsPlus)
Canadian bacon, 1 oz (1 PointsPlus)

Lunch/deli meats
Ham, lean, reduced sodium, 2 oz (2 PointsPlus)*
Hot dog, beef or pork, fat free, cooked, 1 3/4 oz (1 PointsPlus)
Hot dog, beef or pork, light, cooked, 1 3/4 oz (2 PointsPlus)
Luncheon meat, fat free, 2 oz (1 PointsPlus)*
Tuna, canned in water, drained, 1/2 cup (3 PointsPlus)*

Entree meats
Beef, filet mignon, lean and trimmed, cooked, 4 oz (5 PointsPlus)*
Beef, ground, 93% lean, cooked, 3 oz (3 PointsPlus)*
Beef, steak, NY, KC strip, tenderloin, round, or flank, lean and trimmed, cooked, 3 oz (4 PointsPlus)*
Chicken breast, skinless, boneless, cooked, 3 oz (3 PointsPlus)*
Pork, center loin, lean and trimmed, cooked, 3 oz (4 PointsPlus)*
Pork, tenderloin or top loin, cooked, 3 oz (3 PointsPlus)*
Turkey breast, ground, 99% fat free, cooked, 1 oz (1 PointsPlus)*
Turkey breast, skinless and boneless, cooked, 2 oz (2 PointsPlus)*
Shrimp, cooked, 1/2 cup (2 PointsPlus)*

Meat substitutes
Tofu, light, firm, 3 oz (1 PointsPlus)*
Vegetarian burger, fat free frozen, 1 [2 3/4 oz] (2 PointsPlus)*

Beans
Black or cannellini, cooked, 1/2 cup (2 PointsPlus)*
Kidney, garbanzo, pinto, or white, cooked, 1/2 cup (3 PointsPlus)*

Eggs
Egg, 1 (2 PointsPlus)*
Egg whites, 3 (1 PointsPlus)*

Add bread or cereal, such as:
Bread
Bread, reduced calorie whole wheat, 2 slices (3 PointsPlus)*
English muffin, light, 1 (3 PointsPlus)*
Pita, whole wheat, 1 small (2 PointsPlus)
Tortilla, whole wheat, 1 medium (2 PointsPlus)
Roll, hamburger or hot dog, light, 1 [1 1/2 oz] (2 PointsPlus)*

Cooked or ready-to-eat cereal
Bran flakes, 3/4 cup (3 PointsPlus)
Grits, 1 cup (5 PointsPlus)*
Oatmeal, 1 cup (4 PointsPlus)*

Add a classic side, such as:
Bulgur, cooked, 1 cup (4 PointsPlus)*
Pasta, whole wheat, cooked, 1 cup (4 PointsPlus)*
Potato, sweet, cooked, 1 large (4 PointsPlus)*
Potato, white or red, cooked, 1 large (7 PointsPlus)*
Quinoa, cooked, 1 cup (5 PointsPlus)*
Rice, brown, cooked, 1 cup (5 PointsPlus)*

Add some dairy, such as:
Milk
Milk, fat free, 1 cup (2 PointsPlus)*
Milk, low fat [1%], 1 cup (3 PointsPlus)

Yogurt
Yogurt, fat free plain or light, 1 cup (3 PointsPlus)*

Cheese
Cheese, fat free, hard or semisoft, 1 slice [3/4 oz] (1 PointsPlus)*
Cheese, low fat, 1 slice [3/4 oz] (2 PointsPlus)
Feta, reduced fat, 1/4 cup (2 PointsPlus)
Cottage cheese, fat free, 1 cup (3 PointsPlus)*
Ricottal fat free, 1 cup (5 PointsPlus)*

Add flavor, texture, or fat - for example:
Toss in some oil
Canola, olive, flaxseed, safflower, or sunflower, 1 tsp (1 PointsPlus)

Top with a spread
Butter, light, 2 tsp (1 PointsPlus)
Jelly or jam, 1 Tbsp (1 PointsPlus)
Hummus, 2 Tbsp (2 PointsPlus)

Add...
Almonds or walnuts, slices or chopped, 1 Tbsp (1 PointsPlus)
Avocado, 1/4 medium (2 PointsPlus)
Olives, 10 small/6 large (1 PointsPlus)

Add snacks, such as:
Almonds, 12 nuts (2 PointsPlus)
Biscotti, plain, 2 small (3 PointsPlus)
Cereal bar, fat free, 1 bar (3 PointsPlus)
Crackers, fat free, 7 (2 PointsPlus)
Dried apricots, 6 halves (1 PointsPlus)
Popcorn, 94% fat free microwave popped, 3 cups (2 PointsPlus)*
Pretzel rods, 2 (2 PointsPlus)
Rice cake, plain or multigrain, 2 regular (2 PointsPlus)
Tropical trail mix, 1 oz (3 PointsPlus)

Fruits & Veggies
If you'd like to add satisfaction, but not PointsPlus values, you can always add fruits and veggies, most of which have a PointsPlus value of 0.

*Weight Watchers Power Food

. . . . . . . . . . 

For sample menu plans, click the links below.

Sample Menu Plans - Week One

Sample Menu Plans - Week Two
Sample Menu Plans - Week Three

Sample Menu Plans - Week Three

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The last two weeks I have posted sample menu plans for you. There are a total of three weeks worth of menus that I would like to post for you. As a result, this is the last week! Have any of you started using these menu plans yet? I hope that they help you stay on plan.

As I explained last week, at each one of the PowerStart sessions, Weight Watchers gives you a weekly tracker with sample meal plans inside. I am sharing these sample meal plans from Weight Watchers to help give you some good ideas!! Just for you information, these sample plans are based on a Daily PointsPlus target of 26.

. . . . . . . . . .

{Day One} 

Morning - Bagel shop breakfast
2 mini whole wheat bagels, topped with (4 PointsPlus)

  2 Tbsp whipped cream cheese (2 PointsPlus)

1 grande [16 fl oz] fat free unsweetened cappuccino (2 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 8

Midday - Chinese for lunch

4 chicken lettuce wraps [each 5" long by 3" wide] (8 PointsPlus)

1 steamed vegetarian dumpling (1 PointsPlus)

1 cup steamed broccoli (0 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 9

Evening - Salmon & feta salad

3 1/2 oz grilled wild salmon, tossed with (4 PointsPlus) *

  2 cups mixed greens (0 PointsPlus)*

  1/2 cup roasted red peppers (0 PointsPlus)*

  1/2 cup sliced jicama (0 PointsPlus)*

  1/3 cup reduced-fat feta cheese (2 PointsPlus)*

  2 tsp olive oil (2 PointsPlus)

  1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar (0 PointsPlus)

1 cup Garden Vegetable Soup (0 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 8

Anytime

1 mango, diced and mixed with (0 PointsPlus)*

  3 Tbsp fat free ricotta cheese (1 PointsPlus)*

15 baby carrots, with (0 PointsPlus)*

  1/2 cup fat free salsa (0 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 1

Daily PointsPlus Total: 26

. . . . . . . . . .

{Day Two} 

Morning - Breakfast at home
1 Weight Watchers Smart Ones Smart Beginnings Canadian Style Bacon English Muffin Sandwich (6 PointsPlus)

1 grilled tomato (0 PointsPlus)*

1 cup black coffee (0 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 6

Midday - Indian for lunch

4 oz chicken tikka (5 PointsPlus)

1/2 cup cooked white rice (3 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 8

Evening - Grilled barbecue mango chicken

3 oz grilled, boneless chicken breast, with (3 PointsPlus)*

  2 Tbsp low sodium barbecue sauce (0 PointsPlus)

  1/2 cup mango slices (0 PointsPlus)*

1 small plain baked potato (2 PointsPlus)*

1 cup steamed sugar snap peas (0 PointsPlus)*

1/2 cup baby carrots (0 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 5

Anytime

1 tall [12 fl oz] fat free unsweetened latte (3 PointsPlus)*

1 cup mixed fresh fruit (0 PointsPlus)*

2 oz fat free mozzarella, layered with (2 PointsPlus)*

  1 sliced tomato (0 PointsPlus)*

  2 tsp olive oil, plus fresh basil leaves (0 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 5

Daily PointsPlus Total: 26

. . . . . . . . . .

{Day Three} 

Morning - Cinnamon oatmeal
1 cup cooked hot oatmeal, with (4 PointsPlus)*

  1 tsp cinnamon (0 PointsPlus)

  artificial sweetener to taste (0 PointsPlus)

1/2 cup fat free cottage cheese (1 PointsPlus)*

1 cup blueberries (0 PointsPlus)*

1 cup black coffee (0 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 5

Midday - Italian for lunch

2 cups Caesar salad, with (5 PointsPlus)

  3 oz grilled skinless, boneless chicken breast (3 PointsPlus)*

  2 tsp olive oil, mixed with balsamic vinegar (2 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 10

Evening - Sushi takeout for dinner

4 medium or 6 small pieces rainbow roll (3 PointsPlus)

4 large pieces California roll (4 PointsPlus)

1 cup steamed snow peas, carrots, and broccoli (0 PointsPlus)*

1 cup Garden Vegetable Soup (0 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 7

Anytime

2 slices [1 1/2 oz] fat free cheddar cheese, with (2 PointsPlus)*

  1 sliced tomato (0 PointsPlus)*

2/3 cup light yogurt, artificially sweetened (2 PointsPlus)*

1 cup strawberries (0 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 4

Daily PointsPlus Total: 26

. . . . . . . . . .

{Day Four} 

Morning - Breakfast at home
1 cup fortified whole grain cereal, with (2 PointsPlus)

  1 cup fat free milk (2 PointsPlus)*

1 sliced nectarine (0 PointsPlus)*

1 cup black coffee (0 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 4

Midday - Lunch from the deli

1 1/2 cups lentil soup (6 PointsPlus)

1 wheat roll, with (2 PointsPlus)

  2 tsp butter (2 PointsPlus)

1 banana (0 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 10

Evening - Mexican for dinner

1 fast food soft chicken taco, with (4 PointsPlus)

  1 Tbsp sour cream (1 PointsPlus)

1/2 cup black beans and rice, topped with (3 PointsPlus)

  1/2 cup pico de gallo (0 PointsPlus)*

  1/4 cup guacamole (2 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 10

Anytime

1 cup steamed asparagus, with (0 PointsPlus)*

  2 tsp olive oil (2 PointsPlus)

  1 tsp lemon juice (0 PointsPlus)

1 baked apple (0 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 2

Daily PointsPlus Total: 26

. . . . . . . . . .

{Day Five} 

Morning - Breakfast at home
2 slices reduced calorie whole wheat bread, topped with (3 PointsPlus)*

  2 tsp peanut butter or cashew butter (2 PointsPlus)

1 cup fat free milk (2 PointsPlus)*

1 cup black coffee (0 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 7

Midday - Lunch at the diner

2 slices bread, topped with (4 PointsPlus)

  3 oz roasted skinless turkey breast (3 PointsPlus)*

  2 slices lettuce (0 PointsPlus)*

  2 slices tomato (0 PointsPlus)*

  1 tsp mustard (0 PointsPlus)

1 cup melon chunks (0 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 7

Evening - Favorite steakhouse dinner

2 cups tossed salad [no cheese or croutons], with (0 PointsPlus)*

  2 tsp olive oil (2 PointsPlus)

  red wine vinegar (0 PointsPlus)

4 oz lean and trimmed grilled filet mignon (5 PointsPlus)*

1/2 cup cooked mushrooms [no fat added] (0 PointsPlus)*

1/2 cup cooked red potatoes, with (2 PointsPlus)*

  1 tsp butter (1 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 10

Anytime

1 cup celery sticks (0 PointsPlus)

2 slices [1 1/2 oz] fat free cheddar cheese (2 PointsPlus)*

1 banana (0 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 2

 Daily PointsPlus Total: 26

. . . . . . . . . .

{Day Six} 

Morning - Diner brunch
2 eggs, cooked into an omlet with (4 PointsPlus)*

  2 tsp butter (2 PointsPlus)

  1 cup spinach leaves (0 PointsPlus)*

  4 tomato slices (0 PointsPlus)*

1 cup orange sections (0 PointsPlus)*

1 espresso with 1/2 cup fat free milk (1 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 7

Midday - Vietnamese late lunch

3 steamed Vietnamese spring rolls (6 PointsPlus)

4 Tbsp spring roll dipping sauce (0 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 6

Evening - Dinner at home

1 [3 oz] grilled skinless, boneless chicken breast (3 PointsPlus)*

1/2 cup cooked quinoa, tossed with (3 PointsPlus)*

  1 cup steamed asparagus (0 PointsPlus)*

  2 tsp olive oil (2 PointsPlus)

  1 Tbsp sliced almonds (1 PointsPlus)

1 cup Garden Vegetable Soup (0 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 9

Anytime

1 cup strawberries (0 PointsPlus)*

1 grande [16 fl oz] fat free unsweetened iced latte (4 PointsPlus)*

1 cup blueberries (0 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 4

Daily PointsPlus Total: 26

. . . . . . . . . .

{Day Seven} 

Morning - Breakfast at home
1 cup fortified whole grain cereal, topped with (2 PointsPlus)

  1 cup fat free milk (2 PointsPlus)*

  1 cup raspberries (0 PointsPlus)*

1 cup black coffee (0 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 4

Midday - Italian for lunch

1 large slice thin crust one meat topping pizza (8 PointsPlus)

2 cups arugula, tossed with (0 PointsPlus)*

  2 slices red onion (0 PointsPlus)*

  with 1/2 cup sliced cucumber (0 PointsPlus)*

  2 tsp olive oil (2 PointsPlus)

  2 Tbsp red wine vinegar (0 PointsPlus)

  1 Tbsp plain croutons (0 PointsPlus)

  3 Tbsp crumbled feta cheese (2 PointsPlus)

12 fl oz diet soda (0 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 12

Evening - Dinner at home

3 oz beef eye round, steak or roast, trimmed, grilled (3 PointsPlus)*

1/2 cup boiled red or white potatoes, mashed with (2 PointsPlus)*

  1/4 cup low fat milk (1 PointsPlus)

1 cup green beans, with (0 PointsPlus)*

  1 tsp toasted sliced almonds (0 PointsPlus)

1/2 cup cooked mushrooms (0 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 6

Anytime

1/2 cup cooked edamame in pods, sprinkled with salt (1 PointsPlus)*

1 tall [12 fl oz] fat free unsweetened latte (3 PointsPlus)*

1 cup cherries (0 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 4

Daily PointsPlus Total: 26

*Weight Watchers Power Food 

. . . . . . . . . . 

For sample menu plans, click the links below.

Sample Menu Plans - Week One

Sample Menu Plans - Week Two
Adding to the Sample Plans

Weight Watchers 360° Teaser

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Somthing new is on the horizon for Weight Watchers!

On Sunday, December 2nd, 2012, Weight Watchers will launch their newest program changes for 2013. Click here to watch the CEO of Weight Watchers, David Kirchhoff, as he gives you a sneak peek of the newest Weight Watchers 360° program.

Here is what Weight Watchers says about this newest change to the Weight Watchers program. "Sometimes it's hard to make the best choices, even when we know what they are. Food temptations are all around us, all the time, and the latest science tells us that simply telling ourselves "no" is unlikely to work."

Attend your local Weight Watchers meeting and/or visit my blog next week to find out about the lastest innovation, Weight Watchers 360°, which will make it easier than ever to stick to the PointsPlus program. 

Weekly Weigh In - Thanksgiving Review

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I hope you all had an awesome holiday weekend!

As you can see below, I weighed in on Saturday morning and I had a frustrating gain of 2.6. I know it was Thanksgiving, so I need to be gracious with myself.

At first, I didn't want to share this disappointing news with all of you. However, I want you all to know that I have bad weeks too! Life happens and I gain weight, just like anyone else. I'm not perfect. Last week, might have been a bad week last week, but this week I am trying to get right back on plan.

 

This week in the Weight Watchers meeting room, they are asking us to think about our holiday action plan. They want you to take some time to think about the typical holiday stressors that you face each year. How have you dealt with it in the past? What do you plan to do this year?

If you want to be more successful this year than last year, you have to be intentional!

 

. . . . . . . . . . 

8 Weeks to Thanksgiving Challenge Review

Last week we finished up our 8 Weeks to Thanksgiving Challenge!! For me, the hardest part about this challenge was/is week 4 when Weight Watchers asked us to be active. I work from home all day with my baby girl and I find it hard to get in my activity each day. The easiest task for me was to power up, because I already bulk up my meals each day with power foods.

How did you do? Leave me a comment letting me know which task was the easiest for you and which was the most challenging.

Sample Menu Plans - Week Two

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I hope that the Sample Menu Plans - Week One that I posted for you last week was helpful! I want to post a total of three weeks worth of sample menu plans for all of you.

As I explained last week, at each one of the PowerStart sessions, Weight Watchers gives you a weekly tracker with sample meal plans inside. I am sharing these sample meal plans from Weight Watchers to help give you some good ideas!! Just for you information, these sample plans are based on a Daily PointsPlus target of 26.

. . . . . . . . . .

{Day One} 

Morning - Yogurt parfait
1 cup plain fat free, layered with (3 PointsPlus)*

  1 cup raspberries (0 PointsPlus)*

  1 cup fortified whole grain cereal (2 PointsPlus)

1 cup black coffee

Total PointsPlus value: 5

Midday - Turkey 'n' cheese sandwich

2 slices reduced calorie whole wheat bread, with (3 PointsPlus)*

  2 oz roasted skinless turkey breast, sliced (2 PointsPlus)*

  1 slice [3/4 oz] fat free cheese (1 PointsPlus)*

  2 each: lettuce leaves and tomato slices (0 PointsPlus)*

  2 tsp mustard (0 PointsPlus)

1 small unsweetened dill pickle (0 PointsPlus)*

1 cup Garden Vegetable Soup (0 PointsPlus)

1 cup unsweetened iced tea (0 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 6

Evening - Fish and chips

4 oz halibut, grilled or brolied with (5 PointsPlus)*

  1 tsp olive oil (1 PointsPlus)

  1 Tbsp lemon juice (0 PointsPlus)

1 cup steamed broccoli (0 PointsPlus)*

1 medium baking potato, sliced, brushed with (4 PointsPlus)*

  1 tsp olive oil, and baked (1 PointsPlus)

1 cup mixed greens, with (0 PointsPlus)*

  2 Tbsp fat free Italian dressing (1 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 11

Anytime

1/2 cup fat free milk (1 PointsPlus)*

1 chocolate sandwich cookie (1 PointsPlus)

1 pretzel rod (1 PointsPlus)

1 slice [3/4 oz] fat free Swiss Cheese (1 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 4

Daily PointsPlus Total: 26

. . . . . . . . . .

{Day Two} 

Morning - Fruit 'n' nut cereal

1 cup fortified whole grain cereal, topped with (2 PointsPlus)

  1 cup fat free milk (2 PointsPlus)*

  1 Tbsp sliced almonds (1 PointsPlus)

  1/2 cup blueberries (0 PointsPlus)*

1 cup black coffee (0 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 5

Midday - Pasta salad

3/4 cup cooked whole wheat pasta, mixed with (3 PointsPlus)*

  1/4 cup canned white beans (2 PointsPlus)*

  1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper (0 PointsPlus)*

  6 large black olives, halved (1 PointsPlus)

  2 Tbsp reduced fat feta cheese (1 PointsPlus)

  1 tsp olive oil (1 PointsPlus)

  1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar (0 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 8

Evening - Rice and beans

1 Weight Watchers Smart Ones Classic Favorites Santa Fe Style Rice and Beans (8 PointsPlus)

1 cup asparagus, drizzled with (0 PointsPlus)*

  1 tsp sunflower oil (1 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 9

Anytime

1 cup light yogurt, artificially sweetened (3 PointsPlus)*

1 cup raspberries, topped with (0 PointsPlus)*

  1/4 cup aerosol whipped cream (1 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 4

Daily PointsPlus Total: 26

. . . . . . . . . .

{Day Three} 

Morning - Oatmeal and fruit
1 cup cooked hot oatmeal, mixed with (4 PointsPlus)*

  1/2 cup fat free milk (1 PointsPlus)*

  1 Tbsp sunflower seeds (1 PointsPlus)

  1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (0 PointsPlus)*

1 cup black coffee (0 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 6

Midday - Tuna salad pita

1 small whole wheat pita, stuffed with (2 PointsPlus)

  1/2 cup tuna, canned in water, drained and mixed with (3 PointsPlus)*

    1/4 cup chopped celery (0 PointsPlus)*

    2 tsp Dijon mustard (0 PointsPlus)

    1 Tbsp fat free mayonnaise (0 PointsPlus)

  1/4 cup shredded lettuce (0 PointsPlus)*

  2 slices tomato (0 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 5

Evening - Pasta with beans & ricotta

3/4 cup cooked whole wheat pasta, with (3 PointsPlus)*

  1/4 cup heated store bought marinara sauce (1 PointsPlus)

  1/4 cup canned white beans (2 PointsPlus)*

  1/2 cup fat free ricotta cheese (2 PointsPlus)*

1 cup steamed broccoli, with (0 PointsPlus)*

  2 tsp olive oil (2 PointsPlus)

  minced garlic (0 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 10

Anytime

1 cup light yogurt, artificially sweetened (3 PointsPlus)*

1 cup frozen or fresh mixed berries (0 PointsPlus)*

1 pretzel rod (1 PointsPlus)

1 slice [3/4 oz] fat free Swiss cheese (1 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 5

Daily PointsPlus Total: 26

. . . . . . . . . .

{Day Four} 

Morning - Fruit 'n' nut cereal
1 cup fortified whole grain cereal, topped with (2 PointsPlus)

  1 cup fat free milk (2 PointsPlus)*

  1 Tbsp sliced almonds (1 PointsPlus)

  1/2 cup raspberries (0 PointsPlus)*

1 cup black coffee (0 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 5

Midday - Turkey 'n' cheese wrap

1 medium whole wheat tortilla, filled with (2 PointsPlus)

  2 oz roasted skinless turkey breast (2 PointsPlus)*

  1 slice [3/4 oz] fat free Swiss cheese

  2 tsp mustard (0 PointsPlus)

  2 lettuce leaves (0 PointsPlus)*

  2 tomato slices (0 PointsPlus)*

  2 red onion slices (0 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 5

Evening - Pork with sweet potato

4 oz lean trimmed pork center loin, grilled with (4 PointsPlus)*

  1 Tbsp reduced sodium teriyaki sauce (0 PointsPlus)

  1 tsp olive oil (1 PointsPlus)

  1/2 tsp minced garlic (0 PointsPlus)

1 large baked sweet potato, with (4 PointsPlus)*

  2 tsp light butter (1 PointsPlus)

1 cup steamed asparagus, with (0 PointsPlus)*

  1 tsp olive oil mixed with lemon juice (1 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 11

Anytime

1/2 cup fat free milk (1 PointsPlus)*

1 chocolate sandwich cookie (1 PointsPlus)

12 low fat baked tortilla chips, with (3 PointsPlus)

  1/2 cup fat free salsa (0 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 5

Daily PointsPlus Total: 26

. . . . . . . . . .

{Day Five} 

Morning - Tomato feta scramble
1 egg & 1 egg white, scrambled and topped with (2 PointsPlus)*

  1/4 cup diced tomato (0 PointsPlus)*

  2 Tbsp reduced fat feta cheese (1 PointsPlus)

1 sliced reduced calorie whole wheat bread, with (1 PointsPlus)*

  1 tsp light butter (1 PointsPlus)

1 cup black coffee (0 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 5

Midday - Soup and tuna salad

1 cup reduced sodium chicken noodle soup (3 PointsPlus)

2 cups mixed greens, topped with (0 PointsPlus)*

  1 small sliced tomato (0 PointsPlus)*

  1/2 cup tuna, canned in water, drained & mixed with (3 PointsPlus)*

    1/4 cup chopped celery (0 PointsPlus)*

    2 tsp Dijon mustard (0 PointsPlus)

    1 Tbsp fat free mayonnaise (0 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 6

Evening - Tofu stir-fry

1 cup cooked whole wheat spaghetti, stir fried with (4 PointsPlus)*

  3 oz light firm tofu (1 PointsPlus)*

  1/2 red bell pepper, sliced (0 PointsPlus)*

  1 scallion, chopped (0 PointsPlus)*

  1/2 cup snow peas (0 PointsPlus)*

  2 tsp canola oil (2 PointsPlus)

  2 Tbsp Asian stir fry sauce (1 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 8

Anytime

1 cup light yogurt, artificially sweetened (3 PointsPlus)*

1 cup blueberrie (0 PointsPlus)*

1 tall [12 fl oz] fat free unsweetened latte (3 PointsPlus)*

1 chocolate sandwich cookie (1 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 7

Daily PointsPlus Total: 26

. . . . . . . . . .

{Day Six} 

Morning - Egg white omelet
3 egg whites, cooked into an omelet with (1 PointsPlus)*

  1/4 cup chopped cooked asparagus (0 PointsPlus)*

  1 sliced [3/4 oz] fat free cheese (1 PointsPlus)*

1 cup black coffee

Total PointsPlus value: 2

Midday - Mixed-up salad

Mixed greens and sliced tomato, topped with (0 PointsPlus)*

  1/4 medium avocado (2 PointsPlus)

  1/4 cup raspberries (0 PointsPlus)*

  1/4 cup canned white beans (2 PointsPlus)*

  3 oz grilled skinless, boneless chicken breast (3 PointsPlus)*

  1 tsp olive oil (1 PointsPlus)

  lemon juice to taste (0 PointsPlus)

1 cup diet soda (0 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 8

Evening - Pasta with turkey & ricotta

1 cup cooked whole wheat pasta, with (4 PointsPlus)*

  1/2 cup heated store bought marinara sauce (2 PointsPlus)

  3 oz roasted skinless turkey breast (3 PointsPlus)*

  1/4 cup fat free ricotta cheese (1 PointsPlus)*

1 cup steamed zucchini, with (0 PointsPlus)*

  1 tsp olive oil (1 PointsPlus)

  minced garlic (0 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 11

Anytime

3 cups 94% fat free microwave popcorn (2 PointsPlus)*

1 tall [12 fl oz] fat free unsweetened latte (3 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 5

Daily PointsPlus Total: 26

. . . . . . . . . .

{Day Seven} 

Morning - Fruity-nutty yogurt
1 cup fat free plain Greek yogurt, mixed with (3 PointsPlus)*
  1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (0 PointsPlus)*
  1 Tbsp sunflower seeds (1 PointsPlus)
1 cup black coffee (0 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 4

Midday - Chicken tostada
1 medium corn tortilla, topped with (2 PointsPlus)
  2 oz grilled skinless, boneless chicken breast (2 PointsPlus)*
  1/4 cup canned black beans (1 PointsPlus)*
  1/4 cup diced tomato (0 PointsPlus)*
  1/4 cup shredded lettuce (0 PointsPlus)*
  1/4 cup shredded fat free cheese (1 PointsPlus)*
  1/4 cup fat free salsa (0 PointsPlus)*
  1 Tbsp fat free sour cream (0 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 6

Evening - Turkey & sweet potato
1 cup Garden Vegetable Soup (0 PointsPlus)
3 oz roasted skinless turkey breast (3 PointsPlus)*
1 large baked sweet potato, with (4 PointsPlus)*
  2 tsp light butter (1 PointsPlus)
1 cup steamed asparagus, with (0 PointsPlus)*
  2 tsp olive oil (2 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 10

Anytime
1 cup fat free milk (2 PointsPlus)*
1 chocolate sandwich cookie (1 PointsPlus)
12 low fat baked tortilla chips, with (3 PointsPlus)
  1/2 cup fat free salsa (0 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 6
 

Daily PointsPlus Total: 26

*Weight Watchers Power Food

. . . . . . . . . . 

For sample menu plans, click the links below.

Sample Menu Plans - Week One

Sample Menu Plans - Week Three
Adding to the Sample Plans

Weekly Weigh In - Lighten Up

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I am happy and proud to share with you that I lost another pound at my weigh in this past Saturday! 

Last week, I was able to stay on plan everyday and record everything that I ate in my tracker. I think that these small changes made a huge impact on my weight loss results. I have been able to get back on track and I am excited to see how I continue to lose weight in these coming weeks.


I am a little nervous about Thanksgiving, because I do not want to go off plan. I am trying to prepare myself by earning some extra Activity PointsPlus before Thursday.

What are you doing to stay on plan this week?

. . . . . . . . . . 

Week 8 - Lighten Up

This is the 8th and final week of our 8 Weeks to Thanksgiving Challenge!! Our challenge this week is to use the Recipe Builder on eTools to assign PointsPlus values to Thanksgiving classics or lighten them up. What are some of your favorite family recipes? How have you lightened them up?


P.S. My baby girl has been so fussy the last two days. Please pray that I have wisdom to know how to take care of her!

Weight Watchers New Activity Monitor

My ActiveLink

Preface: This is my own personal opinion about this product. I do not get anything from Weight Watchers for sharing this with you. I want you to know about it because I truly believe it will have a positive impact on your weight loss.

For months, I have been keeping a secret and I am so thankful that this week the secret is out! This week at my Weight Watchers meetings, I had the priviledge of introducing ActiveLink to my Weight Watchers members.

As a Weight Watchers leader, I was sent an ActiveLink over the summer, so that I could begin using it. When I received my ActiveLink, I was pregnant and I did not even know if I wanted to try it until after Olivia was born. After my coworkers began talking about how great ActiveLink was/is, I decided to give in and start using mine.

I am so glad that I began using my ActiveLink when I did!

After setting up ActiveLink on my computer, it began a seven day evaluation of my daily activity. I was supposed to wear my ActiveLink all day, every day. I used the clip and wore it on my bra. Each night, I plugged my ActiveLink into my computer to download the information that had been stored in my ActiveLink throughout the day. At the end of the seventh day, the ActiveLink website set up a daily personal activity goal for me that wass based on my average daily activity.

Each day, I wear my ActiveLink and try to reach my personal activity goal. ActiveLink gives me feedback throughout the day to help me see how much or how little I have moved. If I have not reached 100% or my goal, I know that I need to get up and go walking before calling it a night.

At the end of each day, I plug in my ActiveLink to my computer and it downloads my activity information. The ActiveLink website shows me whether or not I reached my daily personal activity goal and provides a summary of the activity that I did that day. Each week, I am emailed a summary of my weekly activity!

The ActiveLink Activity Monitor costs $39.95, plus a monthly fee of $5 for the subscription. Access to the Internet and an active eTools subscription are required. This activity monitor is completely waterproof and can be used in the shower or while swimming.

This little tool has already helped to motivate me to move more and I truly believe that this is a good investment!

Sample Menu Plans - Week One

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I have received lots of emails, messages, and comments requesting that I post sample meal plans on my blog. I am a busy woman and have not had time to make sample meal plans of my own. However, I want to try and give you what you need.

At each one of their PowerStart sessions, Weight Watchers gives you a weekly tracker with sample meal plans inside. I hope that these sample meals plans from Weight Watchers help give you some good ideas!! Just for you information, these sample plans are based on a Daily PointsPlus target of 26.

. . . . . . . . . .

{Day One}

Morning - Walnut oatmeal & yogurt
1 cup cooked hot oatmeal, topped with (4 PointsPlus)*
1 Tbsp chopped walnuts (1 PointsPlus)
4 Tbsp fat-free plain Greek yogurt, topped with (1 PointsPlus)*
1/2 cup blueberries (0 PointsPlus)*
1 cup black coffee (0 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 6

Midday - Pesto turkey sandwich
2 slices reduced-calorie whole-wheat bread, with (3 PointsPlus)*
  6 slices tomato (0 PointsPlus)*
  4 slices cucumber (0 PointsPlus)*
  1 oz cooked skinless turkey breast (1 PointsPlus)*
  1 Tbsp reduced-fat pesto sauce (1 PointsPlus)
  2 oz fat free mozzarella cheese, sliced (2 PointsPlus)*
1 cup Garden Vegetable Soup (0 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value:7

Evening - Salmon with brown rice and spinach
5 oz wild salmon fillet, baked with (6 PointsPlus)*
  2 medium tomatoes (0 PointsPlus)*
  2 tsp olive oil (2 PointsPlus)
1 cup steamed spinach (0 PointsPlus)*
1/2 cup brown rice (3 PointsPlus)*
1 1/2 cups mixed greens with (0 PointsPlus)*
  sliced cucumber and shredded carrot (0 PointsPlus)*
  2 tsp fat free Italian dressing (0 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 11

Anytime
1/2 cup sugar free gelatin (0 PointsPlus)*
1 shot espresso, with (0 PointsPlus)
  1 cup heated fat free milk (2 PointsPlus)*
1 cup mixed fresh fruit*

Total PointsPlus value: 2

Daily PointsPlus Total: 26

. . . . . . . . . .

{Day Two} 

Morning - Greek yogurt with berries
1 cup fat free Greek yogurt, mixed with (3 PointsPlus)*
  1 cup frozen or fresh mixed berries (0 PointsPlus)*
  2 Tbsp sliced almonds (2 PointsPlus)
1 cup black coffee (0 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 5

Midday - Pasta with salmon & peachy salad
1 cup cooked whole-wheat penne pasta, with (4 PointsPlus)*
  1/2 cup reduced-fat pasta sauce (1 PointsPlus)
  3 oz pink salmon, canned in water, drained (3 PointsPlus)*
2 cups mixed greens salad, with (0 PointsPlus)*
  2 tsp olive oil (2 PointsPlus)
  2 Tbsp lemon juice (0 PointsPlus)
  1 large peach, sliced (0 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 10

Evening - Veggie burger & corn on the cob
1 grilled frozen fat free vegetarian burger, on (2 PointsPlus)*
  1 light whole-wheat hamburger roll, topped with (2 PointsPlus)*
  1 Tbsp ketchup (0 PointsPlus)
  1/4 medium avocado (2 PointsPlus)
  2 large slices tomato (0 PointsPlus)*
1 medium ear of corn (2 PointsPlus)*
1 cup grilled zucchini (0 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 8

Anytime
1 cup carrots (0 PointsPlus)*
  1/4 cup fat free salsa (0 PointsPlus)*
3 oz fat free cheddar cheese cubes (3 PointsPlus)*
1 apple, sliced (0 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 3

Daily PointsPlus Total: 26

. . . . . . . . . .

{Day Three} 

Morning - Egg 'n' English muffin
1 poached egg (2 PointsPlus)*
1 light whole-grain English muffin (3 PointsPlus)*
1 cup grapes (0 PointsPlus)*
1 cup black coffee (0 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 5

Midday - Couscous lentil salad
1/2 cup cooked lentils, mixed with (2 PointsPlus)*
  1/2 cup cooked whole-wheat couscous (3 PointsPlus)*
  1/4 cup cooked bell pepper (0 PointsPlus)*
  1/4 cup celery (0 PointsPlus)*
  1/2 cup lightly steamed sugar snap peas (0 PointsPlus)*
  2 Tbsp lemon juice (0 PointsPlus)
  1/4 cup fat free chicken broth (0 PointsPlus)*
1 tall [12 fl oz} fat free unsweetened latte (3 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 8

Evening - Turkey stir-fry with quinoa
2 cups vegetables, stir-fry with (0 PointsPlus)*
  1 tsp sunflower oil (1 PointsPlus)
4 oz cooked skinless turkey breast, served over (4 PointsPlus)*
  1/2 cup cooked quinoa, mixed with (3 PointsPlus)*
    2 Tbsp reduced sodium soy sauce (0 PointsPlus)
    1 tsp sunflower oil (1 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 9

Anytime
1 cup sliced mango, mixed with (0 PointsPlus)*
  1/2 cup fat free cottage cheese (1 PointsPlus)*
1 cup light yogurt, artificially sweetened (3 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 4

Daily PointsPlus Total: 26

. . . . . . . . . .

{Day Four} 

Morning - Cottage cheese & tomato
2 slices reduced calorie whole wheat bread (3 PointsPlus)*
1 cup fat free cottage cheese (3 PointsPlus)*
1 small tomato, sliced (0 PointsPlus)*
1 medium orange (0 PointsPlus)*
1 cup black coffee (0 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 6

Midday - Tuna & bulgur salad
1 cup spinach leaves topped with (0 PointsPlus)*
1 cup cooked bulgur, mixed with (4 PointsPlus)*
  1/2 cup tuna, canned in water, drained (3 PointsPlus)*
  1/2 red bell pepper, diced (0 PointsPlus)*
  1/2 cup diced cucumber (0 PointsPlus)*
  1 scallion, chopped (0 PointsPlus)*
  2 Tbsp fat free balsamic vinaigrette (0 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 7

Evening - Grilled chicken & baked potato
1 small plain baked potato, topped with (2 PointsPlus)*
  2 Tbsp fat free sour cream (0 PointsPlus)*
3 oz grilled skinless, boneless chicken breast (3 PointsPlus)*
2 cups mixed greens, tossed with (0 PointsPlus)*
  1/4 cup halved cherry tomatoes (0 PointsPlus)*
  1/4 cup halved grapes (0 PointsPlus)*
  1/4 cup diced jicama (0 PointsPlus)*
  2 tsp olive oil (2 PointsPlus)*
  2 Tbsp red wine vinegar (0 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 7

Anytime
1 grande [16 fl oz] fat free unsweetened latte (4 PointsPlus)*
1 banana (0 PointsPlus)*
1 cup sugar free lemonade (0 PointsPlus)
3 cups plain air popped popcorn (2 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 6

Daily PointsPlus Total: 26

. . . . . . . . . .

{Day Five} 

Morning - Breakfast muffin crostini
1 light whole grain English muffin, topped with (3 PointsPlus)*
  1/2 cup fat free ricotta cheese (2 PointsPlus)*
  1 sliced banana (0 PointsPlus)*
  1 Tbsp chopped walnuts (1 PointsPlus)
1 cup black coffee (0 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 6

Midday - Tuna pasta salad
1 cup chopped red cabbage, mixed witth (0 PointsPlus)*
  1/2 cup steamed sugar snap peas (0 PointsPlus)*
  6 oz tuna, canned in water, drained (4 PointsPlus)*
  1/2 cup cooked whole wheat pasta, cooled (2 PointsPlus)*
  3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar (0 PointsPlus)*
  2 tsp canola oil (2 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 8

Evening - Steak, sweet potato & veggies
1 large cooked sweet potato (4 PointsPlus)*
2 cups steamed broccoli and cauliflower (0 PointsPlus)*
3 oz grilled lean, trimmed beef round steak, with (4 PointsPlus)*
  1 Tbsp steak sauce (0 PointsPlus)
1 cup Garden Vegetable soup (0 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 8

Anytime
1 cup light yogurt, artificially sweetened (3 PointsPlus)*
1 cup halved strawberries (0 PointsPlus)*
6 large olives (1 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 4

Daily PointsPlus Total: 26

. . . . . . . . . .

{Day Six} 

Morning - Cereal with blueberries

1 cup fortified whole grain cereal, with (2 PointsPlus)
  1 cup fat free milk (2 PointsPlus)*
  1 cup blueberries (0 PointsPlus) *
1 cup black coffee (0 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 4

Midday - Turkey and avocado roll
1 light roll, topped with (2 PointsPlus)*
  1/2 cup roasted peppers (0 PointsPlus)*
  1/4 medium avocado (2 PointsPlus)
  2 oz fat free mozzarella cheese, sliced (2 PointsPlus)*
  2 oz cooked skinless turkey breast (2 PointsPlus)*
1 cup celery and carrot sticks (0 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 8

Evening - Chicken and beet salad
2 cups raw spinach, mixed with (0 PointsPlus)*
  1/2 cup sliced beets (0 PointsPlus)*
  1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper (0 PointsPlus)*
  4 oz cooked skinless, boneless chicken breast (4 PointsPlus)*
  2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar (0 PointsPlus)
  2 tsp olive oil (2 PointsPlus)
1 cup fat free cottage cheese, topped with (3 PointsPlus)*
  1 Tbsp roasted pine nuts (1 PointsPlus)
Total PointsPlus value: 10

Anytime
3 small fresh apricots (0 PointsPlus)*
1 Weight Watchers Smart Ones Delights (4 PointsPlus)
  Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Sundae

Total PointsPlus value: 4

Daily PointsPlus Total: 26

. . . . . . . . . .

{Day Seven} 

Morning - Eggs with 'shrooms & bacon

2 large eggs, scrambled with (4 PointsPlus)*
  1 cup mushrooms cooked in nonstick spray (0 PointsPlus)*
2 slices cooked turkey bacon (1 PointsPlus)
1 slice toasted reduced calorie whole wheat bread (1 PointsPlus)*
1 cup back coffee (0 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 6

Midday - Broccoli cheese baked potato
1 medium baked potato, with (4 PointsPlus)*
  1 cup steamed broccoli florets (0 PointsPlus)*
  2 oz fat free mozzarella cheese, sliced (2 PointsPlus)*
1 cup Vegetable Soup (0 PointsPlus)*
1 large plum (0 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 6

Evening - Pork with pasta & green beans
1 cup cooked whole wheat penne pasta, with (4 PointsPlus)*
  1/2 cup canned reduced sodium tomato sauce (0 PointsPlus)*
  1/4 cup fresh basil (0 PointsPlus)*
5 1/2 oz lean trimmed pork center loin, (5 PointsPlus)*
  fried in nonstick spray (0 PointsPlus)
1 cup steamed green beans, with (0 PointsPlus)*
  2 tsp olive oil (2 PointsPlus)

Total PointsPlus value: 11

Anytime
1 pear (0 PointsPlus)*
2 stalks celery (0 PointsPlus)*
1 tall [12 fl oz} fat free unsweetened latte (3 PointsPlus)*
1 cup grapes (0 PointsPlus)*

Total PointsPlus value: 3

Daily PointsPlus Total: 26

*Weight Watchers Power Food

. . . . . . . . . . 

For sample menu plans, click the links below.

Sample Menu Plans - Week Two
Sample Menu Plans - Week Three
Adding to the Sample Plans

Weekly Weigh In - Make a Losing List

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I just want to start by saying, thank you for all of your words of encouragement that you sent my way after I posted my Weekly Weigh In - Losing My Baby Weight blog post last week!! You did not judge me for how much I did or did not weigh, but accepted me for who I am!!

God knew that I needed to be honest with you. I was nervous about posting my current weight on my blog. However, I think it was the best thing for me to do. I truly believe that freedom comes when we are honest and share the truth, no matter how ugly that it is. Since posting that blog post, I have felt free to follow Weight Watchers and get back on plan. I am no longer ashamed of my baby weight, because I know that God loves me and is helping me reach my goals! 

My Weight Watchers Weight Record

The picture above is my official Weight Watchers Weight Record. I am a currently Weight Watchers employee, which means that technically I do not have to keep a record of my weight like this. However, this weight record helps me to be more successful on plan. I like seeing my weight loss and/or gains, week after week like this.

On Saturday, when I weighed in, I was excited to see that I had lost 4.2 pounds! I was not expecting to lose that much weght, but I will take what I can get. I have been trying to take things one day at a time. Last week, I stayed within my daily PointsPlus target on Wednesday. After doing that I knew I could do it again on Thursday and Friday!

In addition to taking things one day at a time, I have been learning to say no again. Jon was gone working Friday night and I really wanted to go to eat at Panda Express. However, I knew that my weigh in day was the next morning! I said to to eating out and decided that Jon and I could go on a date sometime this week. For me, that is a much better use of my daily PointsPlus and weekly PointsPlus target.

I am focusing on making smal changes. It's a baby steps! This week my baby step goal is to make a losing list, read more about this below.

Pleaase continue to pray for me while I am losing my baby weight!

. . . . . . . . . .

Week 7 - Make a Losing List

This is week seven of our 8 Weeks to Thanksgiving Challenge!! We are almost there, so each day this week jot down one reason you want to slim down. It is important to write down these reasons, so that you can go back and read them during times when you get off plan!

I would love to hear your reasons and have you share them with each other, so please share your reasons on my blog, Facebook, and/or Twitter.

Olivia's Birth Story

First and foremost, I am writing this story so that others will see God’s faithfulness throughout my labor and delivery. God has been so faithful to Jon and I throughout this entire process and we want Him to receive all the honor and glory that He is due! Next, I want to make sure that I tell Olivia’s story in the most complete and accurate way that I can. This is Olivia’s birth story and it is important to me that I write out all the details, so that we can remember them for many more years to come.

Almost 40 weeks pregnant

Tuesday, August 28th, 2012 was a very important day in my pregnancy, because it was my due date. After nine long months of waiting my due date had finally arrived! I had been looking forward to this day since I first found out that I was pregnant. I spent the entire day wondering if I would go into labor. It was so hard to focus on my work, but I did my best while I worked from home.

After I finished working, I thought it would be fun to bake Labor Inducing Ginger Cookies. My friend, Meagan, had told me about these cookies weeks ago, but I had not made them yet. I knew that they would not really send me into labor, but I thought it would be fun to make them anyway. I ate three of these cookies before going to bed. During the middle of the night, I started having cramps that felt very similar to my monthly menstrual cramps.

At 12:15 am, the morning of August 29, 2012, I got up to go to the bathroom like I had been doing for weeks, only this time, I experienced my “Bloody Show”. I got back in bed and told Jon what had happened. He assured me that everything was fine and I needed to try and sleep. We called Jon’s Mom, Lisa, our doula to let her know what had happened. Lisa also encouraged me to get as much sleep as possible and explained that it still could be another week before I went into labor.

Needless to say, after my bloody show, sleep proved to be next to impossible! It was a very sleepless night for both Jon and me. Not only was I still experiencing cramps in my back and lower abdomen, but I was also anxious to know when my labor would actually begin!

Around 5:00 am I finally decided to get up, because I was not sleeping. I took my Bible and journal into the living room, so that I could spend time with the Lord before my day began. Looking back, it was so sweet to be able to spend time with the Lord this way, because this was the last time I would have set apart like this before Olivia’s arrival.

I went off to work like it was any other day. I had an early meeting to attend and projects at work that I needed to finish before going into labor. I just had this feeling that I was going to go into labor with Olivia before the end of the weekend. I was exhausted from my lack of sleep the night before, so I asked if I could leave work early to go home and rest.

That evening Jon’s family came over to hangout. We ate dinner, played games, and just enjoyed one another’s company. Jon, Josh, Hannah, and I even played the push up game, except I didn’t do push ups, I did pelvic rocks instead, and played Settlers of Catan! It was a great way to distract me from the menstrual like cramps that I had been having all day and night.

Jon and Hannah enjoying Settlers of Catan

Jon’s family left that night sometime around between 10:00 and 11:00 pm. Again, Jon’s Mom encouraged us to try to get as much sleep as possible and to call her if anything changed. Jon and I both needed some down time before going to bed, so we decided to watch an episode of CSI.

As Jon and I watched our episode of CSI, my menstrual like cramps become more and more intense. Jon asked if I wanted to go lie down in bed and try to get some sleep. I declined Jon’s offer to go to bed, because I wasn’t sure that I would be able to sleep. I told Jon that he should go to bed and I would stay up for a while. Jon refused to go to bed and said that he would stay up with me.

Thursday, August 30th, 2012
 My contractions became more and more regular. Sometime around 1:00 am, I decided to start tracking my contractions. I had an app on my iPhone that allowed me to track my contractions. By this time, Jon had fallen asleep on the couch next time me. I knew that Jon needed his rest, so I wasn’t going to wake him up unless I really thought I was in labor.

After an hour of tracking my contractions, they were coming every 5 minutes and were lasting for 30-45 seconds. Everything that I learned in my childbirth class had told me that I was in early labor. Not only that, but my contractions were becoming more intense. Reluctantly, I woke up Jon to let him know what was happening. We called Lisa to let her know that we thought I was in labor. Lisa told us to try to sleep and call her back when we wanted her to come over to our apartment.

The last thing I felt like doing was curling up in bed to sleep. Jon and I tried watching another episode of CSI, but I was too restless. I decided to take a shower, because if I really was in labor, I did not want to have greasy hair all day long. After my shower we decided to go for a walk. My cramps were really starting to hurt and it was even hard to walk.

Jon was exhausted from the lack of sleep the night before. As a result, I agreed to lie down in bed and try to sleep. However, my contractions seemed to be coming more frequently and with every passing contraction they got more intense. Jon was supposed to be helping me through these contractions, but he was so tired that he could not stay awake.

It was at this point that I seriously considered throwing our Birth Plan out the window. I was in pain and Jon was too tired to help me. I tried to explain to Jon that I could not do this on my own. I needed his help and if he couldn’t stay awake then it was time to call in reinforcements. Around 6:00 am we finally called Lisa to ask her to come to our apartment and help us. It took her about an hour before she arrived.

After Lisa arrived Jon had gotten his second wind. However, I am so thankful that we called Lisa when we did! Lisa was such an answer to my prayers. She came with her midwife bag that was full of wonderful tools to help me through labor. She also came with apple juice and other snacks to help me keep up my energy. She was also an outside voice that could observe what was going on and encourage us on how we could do it better.

In Lisa’s professional opinion I was still in the early stage of labor. I couldn’t believe it! These contractions were really hurting and both Jon and I had been convinced that I was already in active labor. I decided that it was important for me to accurately communicate when my contractions started and stopped. My contraction would begin and I would tell Jon to start the timer. We would breathe through the contraction and I would tell them when I was done.

I labored all day long.

Me in labor

There were several things that were important for me to do while I labored. First, I needed to stay hydrated. I drank water, Gatorade, and apple juice to accomplish this goal. Next, I needed energy, so I tried to eat but I was not hungry. It was also important that my bladder was empty, so I went to the bathroom every hour. Finally, I changed laboring position every half hour.

Gradually, my attitude changed and I began focus and concentrate more than I had all day. It helped to have counter pressure, so Lisa used a rolling pin to rub my back during each contraction. I was exhausted from my lack of sleep, so in between contractions I tried to sleep.

At lunchtime, Lisa left to go to Chick-fil-a to get something for all of us to eat. Jon tried to get me to eat chicken strips, but again I wasn’t hungry.

I had been cold all morning, so I was wearing Jon’s sweatshirt. I would get warm and then cold, so the sweatshirt was on and off all throughout the day. It also became so hard to go to the bathroom so Lisa put peppermint oil in the toilet to help me pee and empty my bladder.

Lisa explained that we would labor at home until my water broke. After, my water broke we would pack everything up and head to the hospital. That seemed reasonable, because with most people, their water breaks during active labor…at least, that is what I thought.

As time went by my contractions became more intense and were lasting for a longer amount of time. We continued to cycle through our same pattern: contraction, breathe, finish, change positions, drink water, go to the bathroom, and repeat. If it weren’t for the clock on the wall, I would have completely lost track of time, because I was so focused on controlling my pain.

That afternoon, Lisa decided that Jon needed to go take a nap. She said that she would labor with me while Jon rested. I know it sounds strange, but my two favorite labor positions were on the couch and on the toilet. However, while I labored with Lisa she encouraged me to continue to change positions to help Olivia move down the birth canal.

 Around 4:30 or 5:00 pm, during one of my contractions on the toilet my legs started shaking. Lisa asked if I was cold, but I told her, “No.” As soon as my contraction was over Lisa woke Jon up and told him that it was time for us to start getting ready to go to the hospital.

I didn’t know it, but Lisa also went outside to call her midwife friend. Lisa explained to her friend that she wasn’t sure about what stage of labor I was in, because I had been doing such a good job controlling my pain. Lisa’s friend told said that I was probably pretty close to a 10, so we should go to the hospital now.

Lisa came back and told me that we were going to go to the hospital. She told me that we would go and have them check me to see how far along I was in labor. She warned me that I might only be at a 6 or 7, but that it was okay. Lisa encouraged me that we had gotten this far and would finish this together. That was not what I wanted to hear! I was in so much pain and my contractions were so close together, how could I only be a 6 or 7? I prayed that God would give me the strength I needed to finish this labor and delivery process strong.

 Jon got everything ready to take to the hospital while Lisa helped me through my contractions and left our apartment around 6:00 pm. My contractions were coming every two minutes and I was not sure how I was going to make it to the car. I had a contraction upstairs in our apartment and I told Lisa that it felt like I needed to push. Lisa told me not to push and that we needed to make sure I was a 10 before I started pushing.

As soon as my contraction was over we walked out the door and down the stairs. I had just made it to the bottom of the stairs when I had another contraction. We stopped and breathed through my contraction, before getting in the car.

Our apartment is less than ten minutes away from the hospital. However, we had to stop at every red light between our home and the hospital. I was trying my best to continue to breathe through each contraction. Thankfully, Lisa was sitting behind me and helped me breathe through those contractions while we made our way to the hospital.

Jon parked the car and we began the long walk to the ER entrance. We had to stop at least once maybe twice before we made it to the desk in the ER where laboring Moms are supposed to check in. We arrived at the desk and no one was there!

Up until this point, I had done a great job controlling my pain and emotions. However, our experience at this desk sent me over the edge.

A woman finally came back to her desk and asked if we needed anything. Jon explained that I was in labor and that we needed to go up to labor and delivery. The woman behind the desk told us that I needed to stay there and sign forms, before I could go up. As she was saying this I had another contraction and I told Lisa that I needed to push. I could feel Olivia’s head right there ready to come out! Lisa told me not to push and helped me breathe. The woman behind the desk said that Jon could sign the forms and that she would call to have someone bring me to labor and delivery.

A few minutes later, a man came with a wheelchair to take me to labor and delivery. Lisa came with me while Jon stayed to sign the forms. On our way to labor and delivery I focused on my breathing, “he, he, he…” and I also tried panting to keep myself from pushing Olivia out.

Upon our arrival, we were taken into a small labor and delivery room. It was a room that they keep you in to get your information and check your medical history before taking you into an actual labor and delivery room. The nurses began their normal procedures and told me that they needed me to give them a urine sample. However, with every contraction I told anyone who would listen that I needed to push.

After a minute or two of trying to pee in the cup without success, the nurse let me get on the hospital bed where she began to strap me up to the fetal monitor.

“Is anyone listening to me?” I thought. “How many times would I have to tell them that I needed to push?”

Jon arrived in my room while I was screaming through a contraction, trying my best not to push our daughter out. At this point, I lost control, because no one was listening to me. Both Jon and Lisa begged the nurses to just check me to see whether or not I was complete and ready to push. The nurse finally checked me and explained that I was complete and my bag of waters was bulging. With my next contraction, my water broke!

The nurses told us that they did not have any labor and delivery room available and that I couldn’t give birth to Olivia in this tiny room, because it wasn’t sterile. Their solution was to take me into the operating room, so that I could give birth to Olivia. The nurses started to wheel me in, but they did not want Lisa and Jon to join me. After a while the doctor on call that was going to deliver Olivia agreed that they could come back into the O.R. to be with me.

I was so happy to see Jon and Lisa come into my room! I knew that I could not do this by myself! After what seemed like a very long time the doctor came in and I was finally able to push, which is what I had been my desire for over an hour.

Three contractions and six pushes later, Olivia was born at 7:22 pm!!

Olivia Jane 7 lbs 0 oz and 19 1/2 inches long

All of that hard work was worth it the moment I laid eyes on my baby girl. I could not take my eyes off of Olivia as the nurse cleaned her up and checked to make sure she was okay. I tore a little, so while the doctor stitched me back up I kept my eyes focused on my sweet baby girl. A rush of emotions swept through my body as I watched Olivia; peace, joy, happiness, thankfulness, and more!

I had been given the honor of carrying Olivia for the last nine months and it was important to me that Jon got to hold Olivia first. When it was my turn, I did not get to hold Olivia for very long, but those first moments with her felt like time had slowed down to let me drink in and savor this moment forever.

Jon and Olivia

Me and Olivia

In the hours and days ahead, we had Jon’s family and other friends come to see Olivia! It was such a joyful time! I am so thankful that God answered our prayers and brought Olivia into this world safely. Even now, I cannot help but look at her and praise God for His amazing faithfulness in our lives!!

Our family

.....

MY OTHER BIRTH STORIES

When I was a kid, my Mom would always share our birth stories with us!! As a result, I really love birth stories. 

Please click the links below to check out my other birth stories.

Olivia’s Birth Story 

Sophie’s Birth Story

Matilda’s Home Birth Story 

Evelyn and Zoey’s Home Birth Story