Thursday, May 31, 2012

Recipe Review: Cool Whip Cookies

This is a recipe the I posted on my blog a long time ago. I've wanted to do a recipe review for a while on it, but just kept forgetting about it. Thankfully, Jon's birthday party was this past weekend. I ended up needing another dessert for his party and I remembered this recipe! These cookies were delicious!

I just wanted to let you know that I had trouble with the cookie dough being very sticky. I wrote about this below, but I just thought I would let you know up front that I couldn't make it exactly like the directions said I should.

I hope that you enjoy this recipe review!

The Ingredients

Pour dry cake mix into a mixing bowl.

Combine egg, Cool Whip Free, and dry yellow cake mix together.

Mix ingredients together until well blended.

My cookie dough came out VERY sticky. I put it in the fridge and even after several hours it was too sticky to roll into balls.

Instead of rolling into balls, I used my cookie scooper to make the dough into rough shapes.

I didn't roll the dough into powdered sugar. I just sprinkled some sugar on top of the dough before baking.

After 10 minutes in the oven the cookies were done!

I let them cool a little before eating them!

They were delicious!!

These cookies are so soft and chewy, which is my favorite!!

 . . . . . . . . . .
Cool Whip Cookies
Source: sewzy1

Ingredients
1 egg
8 ounces Cool Whip Free
1 box yellow cake mix
1/2 powdered sugar

Instructions
Mix egg, Cool Whip Free, and dry yellow cake mix together.

Roll teaspoon size balls into powdered sugar and bake on cookie sheet at 375° for 10 minutes.

Serves: 36; 2 PointsPlus per serving/cookie

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Wordless Wednesday: Unwritten Symphonies


Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Spice Up Your Life

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Today, I want to give you the meeting summary from my Weight Watchers meeting on Saturday, May 26, 2012.

Spice It Up 
Simple ways to pump up the flavor in your food.
Article By: Liz Yeh

Stuck in a "blah" food rut? A few simple herbs, spices and aromatics can kick up the flavor of your meals, not to mention your satisfaction, for few or no extra PointsPlus® values!

Adding ginger, onions and garlic to a recipe is an easy way to cut fat and boost flavor. And using acids like mustards, lemon/lime juice, and wine will also wake up your taste buds and expand your flavor base.

Stuck with boring and bland?
Need a few quick, easy and versatile seasoning ideas? Some of these tasty suggestions can be marinades, dips or sauces. Others are great as spice rubs. All are a cinch to make.

Tuscan Tang 
Mix together 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard and minced garlic. This garlicky, tangy sauce makes a delicious marinade for chicken and red meat. Add a dollop to meats or steamed vegetables for extra flavor.

Double Pepper Purée
1 roasted red pepper, a quarter of an onion and 1/4 teaspoon each red pepper flakes and salt. This mellow, spicy sauce is wonderful with fish and chicken.

Moroccan Spice Mix 
1 tablespoon each cumin and cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a pinch of cayenne. Rub on chicken, fish or meat before grilling.

Shortcut Savory Mix 
1 crushed bouillon cube with 2 teaspoons lemon juice; rub on fish or chicken before grilling.

Aromatic Herb
Mince equal parts of herbs (such as dill, basil, cilantro, oregano, tarragon, sage, thyme or rosemary) with aromatics (chives, leeks, shallots, onions). A squeeze of lemon or lime juice will brighten up the flavor. Or, add a dash of hot pepper sauce for extra spiciness. Sprinkle on meats or mix into vegetables.

My oh mayo! 
There are tons of fat-free or low-fat condiments and dressings shelved in your supermarket or available when you're dining out. Some of our favorites include fat-free Caesar and Italian dressings, which tend to be lower in fat and calories. But if the sauce selection doesn't grab you, make your own. It's easy and all-natural — no preservatives or gummy aftertaste.

Spice up some low-fat mayo or plain yogurt with whatever is in your pantry. Spread it on sandwiches, grilled meats, fish, chicken or vegetables. Thin it out with water and — voila! — it becomes a tasty dressing. Try adding these to low-fat mayo or yogurt:
• Soy sauce and scallions
• Wasabi (Japanese horseradish)
• Saffron and garlic
• Roasted red pepper and parsley
• Cajun spice mix and lemon juice
• Capers and horseradish
• Mustard and Worcestershire sauce
• Basil and garlic
• Dill and tarragon (great with chicken!)
• Parmesan, extra-sharp cheddar, blue or feta cheese. (These cheeses are very pungent so you need very little to spice up your food — about 1 teaspoon per 2 tablespoons of mayo or yogurt). 

Friday, May 25, 2012

Gestational Dia...What!?

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For the last few weeks, I have been struggling to make healthy food choices. Things in my personal life have been challenging and I have been turning toward food to comfort me. This week I decided that I want to get back on track and begin to make better food choices throughout the remainder of my pregnancy.

Even though this is something I decided, it is still hard to put it into action! Making healthy food choices is not easy, especially when you lack the motivation to do it.

Two days ago, I received the motivational kick in the pants that I needed. On Wednesday, May 23rd, I had my glucose test. The results came back showing that I did not pass. What!? How could I not pass? My score was supposed to be 130 or under and I was 133.

Initially, this news was very upsetting to me, because I wanted to pass my test and not have to worry about this anymore. However, if I had passed my test, I would have missed out on this opportunity to renew my motivation and determination to make healthy food choices throughout my pregnancy.

Thankfully, my doctor is not going to make me take the 3 hour glucose test! I just barely missed the mark and he does not think I have gestational diabetes. However, just to be sure I need to track my blood sugar levels three times over the next three weeks. In three weeks I will go back to see my doctor. At that time he will review the levels I've recorded and see where we should go from here.

I'm not going to wait three weeks to get this issue under control. I've been looking up "gestational diabetes" on What to Expect When You're Expecting and Baby Center. These websites have great articles that explained gestational diabetes to me and how I can prevent it. My plan is to just live like I do have gestational diabetes until I am told otherwise.

In order to prevent or control gestational diabetes, you need to watch what you eat and exercise. These are both things that I can do! I am going to do my best to avoid sweets as much as I can and focus on making healthier food choices. This isn't going to be easy, but I want to have a healthy baby!

A healthy lifestyle isn't just about the physical side of things. I've spent some time praying and asking God to forgive me for my emotional eating. I know that in order to make these healthy choices I need a strength that is far greater than my own. I am praying that God will give me His strength to do this for the next 14 weeks and beyond!

If you are struggling to find motivation I would just encourage to spend time with the Lord and talk to Him about your situation. It was my plan to pass my test, but God had other things in mind. I am so thankful that even though I failed, God is using this situation for good!!

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."  - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV)

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Recipe Review: Weight Watchers Smoothie Pancakes

I first learned about this recipe from my fellow Weight Watchers leader Christine. When Christine shared this recipe with us, I thought it was too good to be true! Could our smoothie packets really be made into pancakes, by just adding egg whites!? I tried this recipe myself and was pleasantly surprised to discover that it worked just like Christine had said it would!

This is a quick and easy recipe that is perfect for a day when you do not need a lot for dinner or on a day where you just need something different to snack on. These recipe is also very healthy for you, because it counts as 1 Dairy (the smoothie mix is made from nonfat milk powder plus natural flavors), 2 Proteins (egg whites, smoothie mix, both contain considerable protein), and 2 Power Foods (both ingredients are Power Foods)!!

I hope that you will buy Weight Watchers Smoothie Mixes the next time you attend a meeting, so that you can try these delicious pancakes!

The Ingredients - 3 egg whites and 1 packet of your favorite Weight Watchers Smoothie

I used Egg Beaters Egg Whites instead of real egg whites. I used 3/4 cup of egg beaters, which was too much. I recommend you use 1/3 cup of egg beaters instead.

Next, I added 1 packet of my favorite Weight Watchers smoothie mix.

Next, take a whisk and stir the egg whites and smoothie mix together.

Make sure that the ingredients are well blended before going any farther.

I put my skillet on medium heat and let it warm up before I poured my pancake batter in the pan.

The first time, I made one large pancake.

I am not very good at flipping pancakes, which is why this one looks a little silly.

Next, I tried making some smaller pancakes. These cook very quickly, so be sure that you watch them carefully.

My pancakes don't look perfect, but they tasted good! In total I got, 3 large pancakes and about 6 small pancakes, just from 3 egg white and 1 packet of Weight Watchers Smoothie mix.

These pancakes are sweet enough that you could eat them on their own without any toppings. This time, I used 1/4 cup of sugar-free syrup for just 1 PointsPlus to dip my pancakes into.

. . . . . . . . . .
Weight Watchers Smoothie Pancakes
Source: Christine T.

Ingredients
3 egg whites or 1/3 cup of egg subsitute
1 packet of Weight Watchers Smoothie mix

Instructions
Just take three eggs whites in a small mixing bowl, blend till frothy, 15 seconds. Whisk in one packet of your favorite Weight Watchers smoothie mix. Then blend for another 15 seconds.

Now, the batter is ready to pour on your medium warm griddle/skillet. You can make three medium sized pancakes or several small mini pancakes. If you make this recipe, watch the first side of the pancake so it doesn't burn. They don't get all those bubbles on top to tell you when to flip them.

No oil. No water. Just frothed egg whites and the smoothie powder. It's incredible.

Serves 1; 3 PointsPlus per serving

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Wordless Wednesday: Fruit is Fast Food


Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Supermarket Sweep

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Today, I want to give you the meeting summary from my Weight Watchers meeting on Saturday, May 19, 2012.

Outsmart the Supermarket 
Here's how to navigate to the best-for-you choices. Article By: Janis Jibrin, R.D.

You're driving home from work, your stomach is rumbling, and you still have to make a stop at the supermarket. As you walk down each aisle, foods you had no intention of buying — from snacks to full-fat potato salad to frozen lasagna — are suddenly irresistible. Sound familiar?

Arm yourself with strategies that will help you avoid temptations and get in and out of the supermarket faster, with the right stuff in your grocery bags.

Plan ahead
Take five minutes to plan menus for the upcoming week. Create seven lunch and dinner menus (fewer than that if you eat some meals out). Keep in mind the week's events: Working late on Thursday? Make it a take-out night. If the dishes you plan don't include vegetables, estimate how many salads or cooked vegetables you want to accompany the meals. Also, plan on a few snacks and get enough cereal or breakfast foods.

Create a list
This isn't the list you hurriedly make as you rummage through your fridge and see that you need more milk or you're out of eggs. Nope, this fool-proof list comes right out of the seven-day menu plan strategy.

Make your list market-friendly 
To make shopping easier and faster, organize your list according to the sections of the store. Shop at specialty markets? Then organize by market. Here are some basic categories:
• Fruits and vegetables
• Refrigerator cases (dairy, juice, eggs, etc.)
• Meat, poultry and fish cases
• Canned foods, condiments and oils
 • Grains and cereals
• Breads
• Frozen foods

Grab a snack beforehand
You've heard this a zillion times before, and it's still true: Shop hungry and you're more likely to succumb to high-calorie foods. If you don't have time for a whole meal, munch on a quick, healthy snack such as a handful of nuts or a small bag of baked chips before you grab your cart and go.

Hit the supermarket once a week
If possible, shop on the same day each week and spare yourself some aggravation by avoiding the busy times: weekday evenings or weekends (by Sunday, the produce is usually not so hot anyway). If you work during the day, go after 9 p.m.; if you have a more flexible schedule, go during the day.

Make a produce pit-stop
Shopping once a week may be too little for fresh produce, so dart into the market mid-week to replenish your supply of fruits and vegetables. In the summer months, save time by stopping off at a roadside stand.

These lists will take the guesswork out of supermarket shopping. And with the right foods on hand, you'll have a leg up on preparing Weight Watchers recipes and minimizing food temptations.

Fridge staples
Cheese:
• reduced-fat or fat-free hard cheese, such as parmesan
• grated cheese
• cream cheese
• cottage cheese

Condiments:
• mustard
• ketchup
• light or nonfat butter
• light or nonfat margarine
• low-fat salad dressing
• low-fat sour cream
• light mayonnaise

Cooking essentials:
• bottled minced garlic
• fresh lemons and limes to squeeze for juice

Diet beverages:
• flavored waters and seltzers
• soda
• light juice cocktails
• sugar-free lemonade mixes

Dips:
• hummus
• black bean dip
• fat-free or low-fat sour cream-based dips

Eggs/liquid egg substitute

Fresh Fruit:
• whole items such as apples and plums
• cut up melons and mixed fresh fruit salad

Fresh vegetables:
• whole items for slicing and dicing
• bagged salad mixes
• Cut-up vegetables for dips

Hot dogs and bacon:
• Canadian-style bacon
• light turkey or pastrami bacon
• reduced-fat or fat-free hot dogs

Luncheon meats:
• deli-sliced turkey breast
• lean ham
• roast beef

Meat, fish and poultry:
• lean beef
• skinless fish
• lean ground chicken
• turkey breast

Meat alternatives:
• soy dogs
• tofu
• tempeh
• seitan

Milk:
• skim
• 1%
• buttermilk

Starches:
• tortillas
• wonton wrappers
• fresh pastas

Yogurts/smoothies (low-fat or fat-free varieties)

Freezer staples 
Breakfast items:
• whole-grain waffles • pre-made pancakes

Frozen desserts:
• light and fat-free ice creams, muffins and cakes Frozen Entrees (light breakfasts, lunches, dinners and side dishes)

Frozen Fruit (for baking and making smoothies)

Frozen Starches (low-fat/low-calorie potatoes and squashes)

Frozen Vegetables (whole, cut-up and sliced for soups, stir-fries and other entrees)

Meal kits (Asian stir-fries that include already cut veggies and light sauces)

Meat substitutes:
• veggie burgers
• soy products

Meat, fish and poultry:
• lean beef
• skinless fish
• lean ground chicken
• lean ground turkey breast

Soup (bean-based, broths for cooking)

Pantry staples
Baking mixes/needs:
• angel food cake
• spice cake
• reduced-calorie pancake and brownie mix
• light or fat-free, sugar-free pudding and gelatin mixes
• sugar and/or sugar substitutes

Beans and lentils (canned and dried; kidney, pinto, black, chickpeas, etc.)

Bread/starches:
• light whole-wheat or whole-grain breads
• reduced-calorie hamburger and hot dog buns
• pre-made thin pizza crust
• reduced-fat crackers

Canned fish (tuna and salmon packed in water)

Canned vegetables and soups:
• pureed pumpkin for baking
• chopped chilies
• canned artichoke hearts
• fat-free broth
• reduced-fat tomato-based soups

Canned fruit (packed in water or their own juice)

Cereal:
• high-fiber varieties
• dry oats and farina
• instant flavored oatmeal

Dried fruit/vegetables:
• cranberries
• raisins
• apricots
• sun-dried tomatoes
• dehydrated vegetable snack mixes

Jam/jelly

Oil, vinegar, cooking spray and other bottled sauces/dressings
• teriyaki
• reduced-sodium soy
• reduced-calorie syrup
• olive-oil flavored cooking spray, etc.

Pasta, rice and other dry grains: • whole-wheat pasta • brown and wild rice • bulgur • couscous

Peanut butter or other nut butters/nuts

Savory snacks:
 • light popcorn
• baked chips
 • portion-controlled cracker packs

Seasonings:
• dried herbs and spices
• prepackaged seasoning packets

Shelf-stable vegetables:
• whole onions
• heads of garlic
• potatoes

Sweet snacks (reduced-fat and fat-free candy, cookies and chocolates)

Tomato sauce and paste:
• bottled and canned
• plain and seasoned

Popular getting-started must-haves 
• Canned, fat-free refried beans (for burritos, quesadillas and vegetable dips)
• Flavored mustards (such as tarragon, dill and honey mustards for sandwiches, potato and poultry toppings)
• Flavored salsas/canned seasoned tomato products (for potato toppings, vegetable dips, poultry and fish, Mexican-based dishes)
• Frozen veggie burgers (black bean, Southwestern- and Indian-flavored and soy burgers)
• Grapes (wash and freeze for a frozen treat)
• Gum
• High-fiber crunchy cereal (to snack on or mix into yogurt)
• High-quality dark chocolate
• Highly flavored vinegars (high-quality balsamic vinegar and herb-infused vinegars)
• Highly flavored cheeses (Parmigiano Reggiano, crumbled feta, blue cheese)
• Highly flavored oils (toasted sesame, walnut, extra-virgin olive oil)
• Light crackers/cookies (look for pre-portioned snack packs)
• Light or fat-free whipped topping (for dessert toppings or as a dip/topping for fresh fruit)
• Light or nonfat sour cream and plain yogurt (for making dips and sauces; plain, fat-free Greek yogurt is nice and thick — perfect as a chili/stew topping and thicker creamy sauces)
• Low-fat microwave popcorn
• Mini packs of low-fat cottage cheese
• Pistachios in shells/tamari roasted almonds
 • Whole-wheat pitas/tortillas/wraps (use for sandwiches or slice, season and toast for homemade chips)
• Soy chips/baked chips/flavored rice cakes
• Spaghetti squash (bake and remove flesh with a fork as a pasta alternative)
• String cheese
• Sugar-free, fat-free pudding and gelatin
• Sugar-free, fat-free fudge pops, ices and ice cream bars
• Sweet potatoes (for homemade oven-baked fries)
• Whole-wheat pasta and whole-wheat couscous

Monday, May 21, 2012

Weekend Food Finds

Happy Monday!! How was your weekend!? My weekend was great! On Saturday, Jon and I had fun going on an evening walk. Last night, I went to bed around 6:00pm and ended up sleeping for 12 hours! I guess Olivia and I really needed some extra rest. I am so excited that at this time next week, I will be at home enjoying a day off.


Throughout the weekend I have been trying to post pictures of some of the new low pointplus foods that I found at the store while I was grocery shopping. I have posted these pictures on my Facebook page, Living a Changed Life. However, I wanted to blog about them just in case there are people out there who do not have Facebook. I hope you enjoy these snacks as much as I have!


{Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps - Garlic Parmesan}
Serving Size: 10 crackers
  3 pointsplus+
This first snack I found a few weeks ago, but forgot to tell you all about it. Snack Factory makes these delicious pretzel crisps. They come in about 7 different flavors. They only one that I have tried are the garlic parmesan flavored crisps. These are just 3 pointsplus per serving. If you are going to try other flavors make sure that you calculate the pointsplus value before purchasing it, because it might be more than 3. I enjoy eating these as a snack with hummus or Laughing Cow cheese!

{Sensible Portions Zesty Ranch Garden Veggie Chips or Veggies Straws}
Serving Size: 38 chips/straws
  3 pointsplus+
I love Veggie Straws! They are my default chip to have with a sandwich or just to snack on throughout the day. I was so excited to find a new flavor, Zesty Ranch. The Garden Veggie Chips and Veggies Straws both come in this new flavor! It has a great ranch taste that is not too overwhelming.

{Kellogg's Krave Chocolate Cereal}
Serving Size: 3/4 cup
  3 pointsplus+
 Finally, I saw this cereal in my Hungry Girl newsletter that I get each day. I have seen this cereal around the store, but did not try them until this weekend. I enjoy eating my cereal dry, because I just like to snack on them. This cereal was a great snack! It's got chocolate flavor, but it's not too sweet. It was good enough that I could probably have some of that for dessert and be just fine for the rest of the evening. Kellogg's also makes a double chocolate version that I am excited to try the next time I go to the store! The double chocolate version is also just 3 pointsplus per serving.

Friday, May 18, 2012

How I Stay Motivated

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All week we have been talking about MOTIVATION. I hope that you have been able to find the spark that you were looking for this week. I want to end our week on motivation by offering you some encouragement!

While I was on my weight loss journey one of the biggest sources of motivation for me were success stories. Every week I looked forward to the new Weight Watchers success stories that would be posted online. I would tell myself that if these people could do it, so can I!

That is why I take time to blog about my own weight loss success, because I pray that it will be a source of motivation for many of you who are struggling. I have also shared other people's weight loss success stories on my blog, because they have meant so much to me! Below are a few links to different success stories that I have blogged about in the past.

Ellen's Story
Melanie's Story
Rebecca's Story
Weight Watchers Success Event
Local Success Stories

Here are some other ideas from Weight Watchers E-Tools Community users about how to stay motivated and focused to achieve their goals.

"I don't want the quality of the years I have left compromised by obesity-related disease," — MURPLE. 

"I did not go through eight months of chemotherapy to then die of the complications of being overweight. I have a lot to accomplish in life; I can easily and effectively accomplish change when I'm full of energy and not short of breath." — RHONNI 

"I don't want people to ever say, 'See, I told you he would gain it back.'" — SAM.COLE 

"I want to turn heads when I walk down the street." — SHAHIDA 

"I want to really begin living life, [and] stop avoiding experiences because of my weight." — SCULLY75 

"I have a family history of weight problems and I don't want to accept [obesity] — I want to break the mold." — ZIG1954 

"Now that I have lost all the weight, gotten married and am going to have a baby, my motivation is all about being the best me... My baby needs me for at least 50 more years!" — 200SHOES 

"I look at my grandkids and know I want to be around for the great moments in their lives." — #1GRAN 

"The thing that keeps me motivated is that it makes absolutely no sense not to keep going. Once you're able to flip your thinking upside down and realize that this is a totally doable program, then it no longer makes any sense not to do the program..." — CATHIEARMS 

"I'm teaching my children that life doesn't revolve around McDonald's." — MH1222 

"I realized I was getting lazy, and taking the dog for shorter and shorter walks." — THEWENCH 

"I want to be able to jump up on my horse this spring like I used to before the extra weight made it more difficult. The horse is looking forward to my successes almost as much as I am." — BCOBB98

"I am a 2nd-degree black belt, and almost 55. My goal is to get to Master's (5th degree) by 60. If I don't make it because of my knees, that's one thing. If I don't make it because of my weight, that would be a drag." — KOJIANDKIRA

What are some other ways that you stay motivated?

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Recipe Review: Chocolate Pudding Cake

I almost did not even want to use this recipe for a recipe review, because it is chocolate cake. I do not want to tempt you to eat things that will cause you to fall off track. However, after discovering that this chocolate cake was only 6 PointsPlus per serving, I had to share it with you. This easy recipe tastes great and might help to curb some of those chocolate cravings that you have been having.

Remember to eat everything in moderation! To avoid having an entire cake sitting in your house tempting you try keeping a few pieces for yourself and taking the rest to work. That's what I did!

This is my kind of recipe, because it only have four ingredients!

Make the chocolate pudding according to the Cook & Serve package instructions.

After stirring for a very long time over medium heat, the pudding will start to get thick.

At that time, pour the dry cake mix into the pot.

Stir everything until it has been mixed well.

Pour the cake batter into a 9x13 pan that you have previously sprayed with cooking spray.

Bake the cake according to the instructions on the cake box.

Take cake out 5 minutes early, top cake with 1 bag of chocolate chips and put back in the oven for remaining 5 minutes.

Finally, remove from oven, let cool, and enjoy!

I could only eat one piece of cake, because it was so rich in chocolate flavor! It helped give me the chocolate fix I needed.

. . . . . . . . . .
Chocolate Pudding Cake
Source: Kristi R.

Ingredients
1 box of dry Supermoist Chocolate Cake mix, it must be the Supermoist kind
1 bag of chocolate chips
1 large box of cool and serve chocolate pudding (6 oz)
3 cups of milk

Instructions
1. Make the chocolate pudding according to the Cook and Serve package instructions.
2. After stirring for a very long time over medium heat, the pudding will start to get thick. At that time, pour the dry cake mix into the pot and stir until everything has been mixed well.
3. Pour the cake batter into a 9x13 pan.
4. Bake cake according to the instructions on the cake box.
5. Take cake out 5 minutes early, top cake with 1 bag of chocolate chips and put back in the oven for remaining 5 minutes.
6. Remove from oven and enjoy!

Serves 24; 6 PointsPlus per serving

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Wordless Wednesday: Work Hard


Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Tools for Living - Motivating Strategy

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Like I said yesterday, this week we are going to be talking about MOTIVATION. It might take several days for you to rediscover your motivation and that's okay. Give yourself time throughout this week to process the information that I am sharing with you. Take time to reflect on your weight loss journey so far and remember what motivated you in the first place.

Today, I want to share an awesome tool with you!

Weight Watchers has developed a variety of "Tools for Living" that are meant to help you throughout your weight loss journey. The Tool for Living that we are going to look at today is called, Motivating Strategy. This Tool for Living is meant to be used when: your weight has come to a standstill, you feel like quitting, and/or it feels like it's going to take forever.

Are you feeling any of these things? If so, look below and follow the Motivating Strategy steps to help get you back on track.

These are the Motivating Strategy steps.
1. Imagine yourself having already achieved your goals, and enjoying them.
Visualize the way your Winning Outcome will be experienced, when you achieve it. Use your senses so that you feel how it will feel. Add sounds, smells, movement.

Andy imagined himself at 185 pounds (75 pounds thinner than what he was), passing the 15-mile mark in the Boston Marathon. He saw his wife and young daughter and son watching from the sidelines and heard them shout: "Go for it, Dad! You're the best! You can do it!" He felt excited by their support and from doing something he had always dreamed about, but never before thought possible.

2. Get in touch with the other good feelings that come from having achieved your goals.
Andy thought about being more energetic, and riding his bike, skating and hiking with his family. He thought about his interest in nonfood hobbies.

3. Remain in touch with these feelings as you get back to doing the things you need to do to reach your goal.

Have these Motivating Strategy steps helped you? How?

Monday, May 14, 2012

Keep Your Motivation Going Strong

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This week we are going to focus on talking about motivation!! This was the topic was featured during last week's Weight Watchers meetings and I think it is important enough for us to talk about throughout the rest of this week.

Many of us start our weight loss journeys with good intentions. In the beginning, it is our desire to finish strong and reach our goal weight! However, when the going gets tough we tend to forget why were are even on this journey in the first place. I have received many emails from woman who have lost their motivation and are looking for ways to reignite that fire in their hearts that they once felt.

Are you struggling to find motivation to continue on in your weight loss journey? If so, I hope and pray that you will be able to find your motivation this week!

Today, I want to share an article with you from the Weight Watchers website that talks about ways to keep you motivation going strong.

Keep Your Motivation Going Strong
Strategies to help you rev up your weight-loss resolve.
Article By: Robin Westen

When starting a new project, most of us vow to attack it full throttle, with the goal of seeing our project through to the end. Indeed, desire and motivation are a dynamite duo. The former gets us going, the latter keeps us on track.

Yet after the initial excitement, motivation can wane. This is especially true when challenging situations throw you off track.

Motivational speaker Jeff Keller agrees that maintaining staying power can be tough. "No matter what the task, there's usually some obstacle or temptation to keep us from our goal," says Keller. "That's why it's so important to stay positive." Here's how to keep your mind focused on your goals.

Celebrate the here and now
As long as you're committed to your plan today, you're succeeding because you're taking charge of your life. Focusing on goals that are far in the future can sap motivation.

Change your language 
Keller suggests scratching negative phrases from your vocabulary. Instead of saying "No," "I can't" or "I'll try," substitute the positive. Say: "Yes," "I can" and "I will" For example, instead of saying "I won't overeat" or "I mustn't have chocolate," say "I will track my food and stay within my budget."

Create visual inspiration
Find a photo of yourself before you started your weight-loss plan. Tack it on the refrigerator, a bedroom or bathroom mirror or inside the food cupboard. As you reach new goals, take new pictures, visually marking your progress.

Weigh in
Although the number on the scale isn't the only way to measure success, weighing in every week at your meeting, will help to keep you accountable. Get different perspectives on how far you've come by reviewing your Progress Reports.

Partner up 
Exercising with friends is always more enjoyable. Schedule days to meet with your workout buddy, and if one of you tries to bow out, act as the other's conscience. Participating in a Community fitness Challenge is another way to stay connected and get inspired.

Steer clear of sabotage 
Avoid food pushers and people who put you down for adopting a healthier lifestyle. Often these folks feel threatened by your weight-loss success.

Set mini goals
Start with aiming to lose 5 percent of your body weight."By setting realistic goals, you're more likely to reach them, feel successful and move on from there," says Keller.

Reward yourself 
When you've reached a goal (and remember to keep them small), treat yourself for your commitment and hard work. You deserve it. Buy new clothes, a book or CD, get a massage —just do something that makes you feel good about you.

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