MY STORY… BEYOND THE SCALE & REAL LIFE TOO

Love my body?  Do people actually do that?

I stand in front of you each week so y’all know that I have gained some weight this year.  I hate it.  I get embarrassed and feel like a hypocrite sometimes.  I am still a Weight Watcher but with some of the “Life” stuff going on it can be hard to stay focused.  It’s hard for me to even type and admit this to you now - but I can - because YOU all are MY support system too!

I went to the doctor this month & was told “I’m just getting older” is that something that is true or is this just another excuse that society gives us to accept our bodies?  I don’t know if I want to weigh what I did when I first reached my WW goal (maybe a little of me does but that was also 3 kids ago) See another reason/excuse.  She also told me that once you hit a certain age, woman need to watch their sugars and move more.  It’s not just about diet anymore at this age.  How old does she think I am?!  But she is right.  When I first hit my goal in 2006 I didn’t have to exercise to keep my weight off.  I moved for fun, had cheat weekends and could still show up at my Thursday meeting safely in my lifetime range.  Almost 10 years later I can’t do that anymore.  When I do – it shows.  Its showing. 

Then this week’s topic of Body Gratitude; when I have a love/hate relationship with mine.  I literally fell through one of my pool chairs this week!  Embarrassing!  Until, I spent some time thinking about all the things I appreciate about my body…I realized that I actually respect it!  Still hard to say I love it, but I am amazed by it! This body has climbed mountains, hiked ruins, para sailed, learned to run!, given birth, seen sights I didn’t know existed, heard roaring from oceans, listened to symphonies, smelled, tasted and touched so many things!  It has been a temple that I have taken for granted.  I don’t always respect it – I put crap in it and expect it to do miracles.  I look in the mirror and criticize it for its wrinkles, roles, veins and bumps.   But when I am grateful for this body I have I start to treat it in a whole new way.  I make better choices for it.  I stop talking bad to it.

She's a T

A few months ago my friend Jen (she’s mentioned again below in the recipe section) wrote a post about being that overweight chubby kid in grade school horrified on track day of having to compete with her fellow students.  Wishing she could go back to that little girl and show her what kind of woman she is now!  Jen just competed in a Tri-Athlon gosh darn it! She is a serious butt kicker that’s lost 216# on W.W.!  Wowza! 

Thinking of that post this week reminded me that when I am frustrated and say/think negative thoughts about this body of mine; what if I had to say them out loud to the grade school version of myself?  Better yet, what if I said those thoughts to my daughters and sons? “You’re so ugly.  Your legs are like tree trunks!  Look at all that cellulite!  You have cankles!  Look at that double chin, flabby arms, tummy roll…do I need to keep going?  Probably not.  I don’t think any of us would say those hurtful words to others so we need to stop saying them to ourselves!

So this week when I am frustrated with some part of my body I will not turn to food!  This is the time to do something great for my body!  I will thank it by accepting compliments, I will go for a walk, eat less processed foods, try that yoga class I have wanted to try and begin to accept that this woman, of that particular age, can learn to love the body I’m in.  Flaws and all. 

I will always have gratitude for my body
I will have a healthy body image
I will always love my body no matter what
I am beginning to accept myself more and more
I am beginning to feel content with the way I look
I am becoming happier with my body
Each day I look and feel better
My self-acceptance is beginning to change the way other people see me
I am overcoming negativity and building a positive attitude towards myself
I am finding it easier to feel confident in the way I look

~Shared by Tom, a fellow W.W. Leader

Check out Jen’s Blog: www.suchafunnyfat.blogspot.com

Or this inspiring article on woman looking in the mirror at a local mall.  http://www.upworthy.com/these-ladies-arent-happy-with-their-reflection-but-then-the-mirror-tells-the-truth

JULY Theme:  FIND YOUR FOCUS!

July was centered on the idea that finding our focus will empower us.  All month long we’ve worked on making actionable, positive choices that lead us to getting happy.  How have you directed your focus to a specific change and how has it impacted you?  What choices have you made this month that has helped you Get Happy? #FindYourFocus 

 

Last Week:     ”OUTSMART YOUR TIME BANDITS”

How often do you wish for more hours in a day?  Ever said if only I had 25 hours…..”  While more time can’t be created, we can be mindful about how we spend our time and ensure that we’re getting what we really want out of our days.  What is stealing your time?  Is there a strategy to help you find your focus and get that time back?  Be sure to share in our meeting this week what worked and what didn’t – you never know whom you’re going to inspire!

This Week:  “BODY GRATITUDE”

Image shared from MollysFund.org

When it comes to physical appearance, most people are quick to find the negative aspects but when asked to find positive with regard to their body…uhm…!  Negative self-talk could very well be holding us back in achieving what we really want.  The good news is that if the negative self-talk can have that big of an effect, so can positive talk!  How we think and talk about our bodies has a profound impact on how we feel about ourselves - so this week we will unlock positive, supportive, beliefs in order to pave the way towards success and LOVING your body! 

What’s Happening This Week!

GET HAPPY CHALLENGE:

You’re almost there!  The charms are in and waiting to be placed on your charm holders for attending meetings this summer during your busy schedules!  You put yourself first in order to earn that bling – don’t stop now!   

ON SALE THIS WEEK: 

ALL ACTIVITY TOOLS!  DVD’s, weights, pedometers, yoga mats, active links and Fit Bits oh my!  If it helps us move it’s probably on sale! 

 

STRUGGLING MEMBER WORKSHOPS:

Are you sabotaging yourself with Negative Thoughts?  Do you feel unmotivated?  Struggling with staying on plan? You're not alone!  This month we focus on how our thoughts get in our way!

·         Aug 5,  9-10am ~ Geneva Store

TASTY TUESDAY:

GRILLED FENNEL & TOMATO

My great friend and fellow leader Jen (w/ one N – so lazy, right? Just write that extra N! J) allowed my family to share her vegetable farm box this week, while she was on vacation!  Wow!  What a neat idea, you share the harvest of a local organic farm a specific amount of weeks with other families, (thus splitting the cost)  We arrived at the host home where a garage full of boxes were waiting.  I grabbed the box and went home to see what was inside! 

Most of you know that this is a little out of my comfort zone.  Veggies are often drunk in smoothies or chopped finely into sauces – it’s awful I know.  Someday I will be struck by lightning from the WW gods saying that!  However, it was fun washing, chopping and searching recipes for the items we brought home.  And, I confess; I did have to text a picture of one or two things to Jen because I simply had no idea what it was!  Hence your recipe this week.  Fennel!  Have you ever seen Fennel!  Of course you have because you’re all perfect Weight Watchers that try new veggies every week!  Right?! Wink Wink!

Fennel is a unique vegetable that looks like a cross between a celery and an onion.  But it doesn’t taste like either.  It smelled like black licorice which was hard for me to get past – so I grilled it instead of eating it raw like Jen suggested.  By grilling it it took on a sweeter, more herbal flavor.  Btw I used my grill pan on the stove because the mosquitoes were so bad Sunday night!

           

Points Plus Values:  2

Servings: 1

Ingredients:

·        1 Fennel (I had one but if your cooking for more than yourself you will want more)

·        2 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Here’s where the points come from)

·        Chopped Garlic

·        1 Lemon

·        Tomato (again cooking for myself I used 1)

·        Sea Salt & Pepper per your taste

Instructions:

1.      Cut off the bottom of your fennel bulb and trim off the stems. (There are things you can do with the stems but I just fed them to my bunny)

2.    Cut the bulb in half lengthwise.  Then into wedges.  My fennel did this naturally for me, like an onion.

3.     Slice your tomato into wedges also.

4.    In a bowl I made a marinade of olive oil, squeezed the juice from the lemon, and chopped garlic.

5.     Heat up your grill pan & spray with nonstick cooking spray.  

6.     I dropped my veggies into the marinade bowl until they were coated.  Then placed them on the grill pan.  You could put the lemon on there too if you like!

7.     Turn the heat to medium and let cook until tender, almost translucent.  This was about 10 minutes for me.  I flipped them occasionally.

8.     Salt and pepper while grilling or use any other season you may like!

9.     Once done I just ate them!  It was so good.  I had used a Roma Tomato so I started to imagine it served over pasta and tossing it in the marinade like a cold salad… Maybe next time!  Bon Appetit!

Let’s Clap the Big Hands!

Celebrate the Scale & those Non Scale Victories too!

BIG SHOUT OUT TO the N. AURORA WALKING GROUP! 

These ladies are walking on Wednesday nights at 7pm.  They have started going short distances and times but are hoping to be walking a 5k by September!  If you are interested in starting one after your meetings just say the word.  It would be great to wear your walking shoes to your meeting and then take off after we are done.  These ladies are having a great time getting to know each other and are looking for more group members.  If this sounds like a group you want to be a part of just show up on Wednesdays at the N. Aurora Center.  They’d love to have you!

You Ladies Rock!

(if you’d like to share your success, post under comments or let me know you’d like to be added in the blog)

Quote of the Week:

by Dr. Maxwell Maltz

This newsletter is and the views shared are not affiliated with weight watchers international, inc.  It is meant to be a motivational tool.

MY STORY… BEYOND THE SCALE & REAL LIFE TOO

PORTION CONTROL IS ABOUT EATING JUST ENOUGH TO STAY FUELED & FULL - cnn

This week I don’t have a personal anecdote.  It was hard to find humor in the fact that our culture is making food decisions based on anything but our health.  Sometimes we are eating for emotion or in the moment but go past that & you’ll find we are eating more then we calorically need due to advertising, marketing and a portion distortion mindset.  I studied the topic for this week’s Perfect Portions meeting & realized that this topic was more than reading nutrition labels or pulling out our food scales. Here’s a little of the psychology behind our decision making.

Do you remember when there was only one size drink at fast food restaurants?  No?  Me either.  But apparently it’s true!  The child size kid’s meal drink was THE drink.  There was no Super-size, Big Joe, Super Big Gulps, King Sized or the term FREE Refills.  Why? Because, food was meant to fuel our bodies and to keep us full between meals.  Nowadays everything from the size of bagels & pizza have grown in size – and our waistlines followed suit.  We weight watchers know that, in our heads, but the reality is we also want a good deal.  And just like any sale, we see the size of our meal as a bargain and we want one!  Especially if we go out to dinner.  When we are paying away from home for a meal then darn it we want that plate big and full!   We have so many choices now that it is easy to convince ourselves that the heaping plate of pasta is a healthy serving.  Or that since that movie popcorn bucket has a free refill it would be silly if we didn’t refill it!  The University of Illinois even ran a study of this on random movie goers one afternoon.  Everyone that attended a particular movie were given FREE popcorn.  Big and Bigger buckets were distributed without explaining why.  Both groups of people ate what was given to them.  Both buckets were well above what a Portion of Popcorn should be, but those with the bigger bucket ate more than those with the big bucket.  Why does bigger portion size equate to more consumption?  This is what the U of I study showed; “Because if you have it, you’ll eat it.”   Sounds about right, doesn’t it?

Government guidelines show that a muffin should weigh 2 ounces and be 200 calories.  What is being sold in stores are muffins weighing 7 ounces and about 700 calories!  That’s like eating 7 slices of bread at one sitting!  So it’s not our fault!  Right?  We have been tricked into a portion distortion mindset.  Before you get off the hook let me tell you that the marketers will put the blame back on us.  They say they know they are “over serving” but that they are just giving us what we want. 

No matter where the blame lies I want to know is it possible to live our healthiest life without keeping our portions in check? Are we out of control or can we retrain our brains to see food as fuel?  Can we savor each bite, eat with our non-dominant hand, use small plates and just not care if I can get a large for the same price as a small?  Yikes!  I’m not sure!  I want my $1.08 to be a good value.  But if a Large & Small Diet Coke are both 0 points then the deal is the same isn’t it?  Oh boy, I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on this subject!   What we can all agree on is that we are living in a super-sized world and it is resulting in supersized people.  But don’t get too discouraged; I see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.  A light that shows us Weight Watchers have each other’s backs.  And together we are on our way to smaller backsides too!  J   

JULY Theme:  FIND YOUR FOCUS!

As we find our focus this month we look at ways to take care of ourselves holistically during the weight loss journey.  This week we direct our focus to sharing tips, tricks and tools that help us leverage portioning toward success!

 

Last Week:     ”WHAT’S YOUR PLEASURE?”

Taking the time and actions to take care of ourselves is not selfish, it’s vital!  And leads us to long lasting weight loss.  In the meeting last week you were asked to focus on one self-care goal to work on.  How has that been going?  What challenges did you face?  Have you been able to unlink the words “guilty” and “pleasure”?  I’m looking forward to hearing all about your pleasure filled moments when I see you this week!

This Week:  “PERFECT PORTIONS”

For a lot of us members, portioning is a tool that gives us a greater sense of control over how much we eat.  It also helps us enjoy indulgences without feeling guilty.  When it comes to portioning it is all about being mindful – being aware of how much we eat in order to get the results we want.

While a great tool, portioning may seem hard and labor intensive or even unnecessary.  This meeting we will discover tools and tips that make it easier and actually takes the stress off of meal planning to help you stay on track to reach your goals. 

How do you incorporate portioning into your daily routine?  What is holding you back from using portioning tools?  All these will be covered in the meeting room.  See you there!

What’s Happening This Week!

GET HAPPY CHALLENGE:

You’ve made it half way!  Keep on attending your meetings during the summer challenge.  Attend 10 of 12 weeks & earn the Happy Charm!

ON SALE THIS WEEK: 

ALL MEASURING TOOLS!  Steamer, measuring spoons, scale, cups, bowls, tumbler, fruit & salad bowls & more!…If it measures it is on sale this week!  Not sure how something works? Let us show you!

Prices from  $3.95- $24.95

Mini Bars:  $4.95

Oatmeal:  $4.95

 

STRUGGLING MEMBER WORKSHOPS:

Do you feel unmotivated?  Struggling with staying on plan? You're not alone!  This month we focus on how our thoughts get in our way!  Join us as we correct the negative thoughts. 

·         Aug 5,  9-10am ~ Geneva Store

TASTY TUESDAY:

Recipe Genie

Have you ever stood in your kitchen wondering what to make for dinner with what you have on hand?  Then our Recipe Genie is just the tool you are looking for!  This week instead of giving you a recipe I thought I would walk you through a tool on the website.  (For monthly pass & Free Lifetime members only) 

Log into your WW website, select the downward arrow on the ‘FOOD & RECIPES’ tab.  On the left hand side of your screen, just under ‘RECIPES’ you will see ‘SEE ALL RECIPES’, select * on the new page that opens up you will see the ‘RECIPE GENIE’ on the right hand side.  Type in what you have on hand (up to 3 ingredients) and search away! 

Let’s Clap the Big Hands!

Celebrate the Scale & those Non Scale Victories too!

Erin E. - Non Scale Victory!

BIG  SHOUT OUT  TO Erin!  She sent me this note over the weekend & didn’t realize that in the midst of her “bad week” a behavior change occurred.  This is the definition of a BRAVO moment!  Whether she sees the effects of this behavior on the scale this week is secondary to the fact that she took care of herself – which leads to long term happiness and success!  Here’s a little of what she shared with me; 

“I was having a bad day, which was a continuation of a bad week.  I planned on working out but had to meet my boss instead.  I came home in a mood!  I got out my tablet and wrote down all the things that made me happy & all the things that made me mad.  I decided to stop making excuses & went for a 15 minute walk in the rain.  I came back feeling much better!” 

Way to go Erin!  I’m thrilled that you were able to look past the situation and take care of YOU!  WOO – HOOO! 

(if you’d like to share your success, post under comments or let me know you’d like to be added in the blog)

Quote of the Week:

by Lucille Ball

This newsletter is and the views shared are not affiliated with weight watchers international, inc.  It is meant to be a motivational tool.

 TASTY TUESDAY: 

I know, it’s a day late, but tasty Wednesday doesn't sound as good! L

SKINNY BANG BANG SHRIMP           

from Pinterest @ Recipe Diaries

My husband and I went to Houlihan’s for our Anniversary last week and ordered their Fire Cracker Shrimp.  It was sooo good we ordered a second serving!  Now I know I can make it for less points myself!

Servings: 4

Points Plus Values:  3

Ingredients:

·        1 lb. shrimp (about 50) cooked or uncooked.  Shelled or deveined.

·        10 skewer sticks (optional)

·        3 T Chobani plain Greek Yogurt

·        3 T chopped green onion, plus more for garnish

·        11/2 T Sweet Chili Sauce

·        ½ - ¾ T Sriracha Suace

Instructions:

1.      If you are grilling on a grill be sure to soak the wooden skewers in water to avoid burning.

2.    Combine yogurt, onion, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha in a bowl and stir well.  Set aside.  If you want it thicker use 2 T yogurt and 1 T light mayo

3.     Place 5 shrimp on each skewer

4.    If shrimp are raw:  Grill on each side for 5-8 minutes until opaque & cooked through

5.     If shrimp are cooked:  Place on a backing sheet and bake at 350 for 5-10 minutes

6.     Brush each hot skewer liberally with the sauce on both sides

7.     Serve immediately – I like to serve mine over shredded lettuce! Like Houlihan’s & Bonefish Grill do!

NUTRITION INFORMATION:

Serving Size: ¼ of the BANG BANG

Points Plus Values:  3

Calories: 122  Fat: 5.6   Carbs:  2.7    Sodium:  435mg    Fiber:  0    Protein:  14

MY STORY… BEYOND THE SCALE & REAL LIFE TOO

Where has all the Quicksand gone?

courtesy of borysSNORC.com

Remember old cartoons, T.V shows & movies always had scenes that included quicksand?  Where the hero is running to catch the villain only to be stopped when getting stuck in a random area of quicksand.  Dynasty, Batman, Get Smart, Princess Bride, Fantasy Island, Gilligan’s Island, Adventures of Black Beauty and heck even the Simpsons had an episode involving this plot.  As huge of a plot this was in the 60’s-90’s it seems to have disappeared from modern cinema.  Maybe audiences got smart & realized quicksand couldn’t be smack dab in the middle of Gotham City …. Oh well. It doesn’t really matter because I’m afraid it is still very much alive in the world of Weight Watchers.

Quicksand Cinema

We are like the Hero running toward our goals, in the “zone” so to speak and all of a sudden we realize we stepped in quicksand!  The Quicksand of Instant Gratification!  Picture this, we are driving down Randall Rd and begin to crave one of the many delicious choices we see.  We don’t realize were in up to our ankles.  The struggle of yes or no – good or bad bounces around our heads until we are in up to our waists!   We need FRIES right away!  We pull through the nearest fast food drive thru & meet that craving.  The fries taste great but Gee Wiz now I feel like such a failure.  Since my mindset is so in the dumps of course the next time I “NEED” anything I just give in; since I had the fries and already “blew” it.  I THINK there is no longer hope for today ~ And swoosh - we sink! 

Why do we fall for this head game?  In, Find Your Fingerprint the author, Elizabeth Josefsberg, suggests it’s because when we work hard we don’t instantly see the benefits.  “You make that difficult decision now (you say no to the donuts) and perhaps a few days or weeks down the line you see the benefit of that choice (your pants are less tight).  That is long after you have forgotten about that good choice.” 

Can you relate to that?  You track every bite that enters your mouth and workout 4 times a week yet the scale only drops a few tenths of a pound.  Or in reverse too.  If I give in to that instant gratification temptation a few times in a week I MAY not see that on the scale for a week or so either.  Thus reinforcing it is more FUN to be BAD!  What would happen if when I ate the donut it INSTANTLY showed up on my right butt cheek for the whole world to see?  Hehe! Let’s just say I may be out of a job. J  But, since it doesn’t, we need to use other tools to avoid caving in the middle of an instant gratification moment!  Saying no isn’t easy in a world that hands us food at every turn.  I agree, but it can be done!  We just need to remember that it doesn’t make sense for quicksand to be in the middle of Randall Road, then get the heck out of my journey too!  I’ve got goals for goodness sake!

What tips have helped you in these moments of temptation?  Please share these non scale victories here, on FB or in your meetings.  The power of the group and the knowledge we share together is what keeps us going!  I may not think quick enough in the moment of sinking to come up with a way out but if you have had success in the past with that same situation it may just be the random vine dangling over my pit that I can use to pull myself back out before sinking any deeper! 

Find Your Fingerprint Page 129

Here's a few tips listed in the Fingerprint Book; let's look at these deeper at the Struggling Member Workshop in August but for now try a few of her suggested tips:

1.     Make a Promise – You can have this food later.  Just not this second.

2.     Put it on Delay – If later just won’t do it for you then what if you allow yourself that treat in 10 minutes.  If you still want it then – have it.

3.     Distract Yourself - what are ways to do that?

4.     Pick up the phone- It’s always with us now days anyway.  Call your friend and catch up.  Bet you will forget about that ice cream!

JULY Theme:  FIND YOUR FOCUS!

We are well on our way to happy!  This month’s theme is designed to help us take control of our journeys to healthier, happier living with practical solutions.  By the end of the month we will feel empowered though our actions and positive choices! 

 

Last Week:     ”GRATITUDE ADJUSTMENT”

Expressing gratitude is not only polite, it has health benefits too!  We talked in our meetings about what we are grateful for.  Taking a short amount of time to get into that gratitude groove will help you see the little things that make your life sweeter, easier and more joyful!  Which by the way helps us Get Happy!

This Week:  “WHAT”S YOUR PLEASURE?”

We all came to W.W. because we wanted to lose weight, but our weight doesn’t define us.  This week we uncover how taking care of ourselves holistically – including doing things just because we enjoy them – can in fact be key to lasting success.  What are nonfood pleasures for you? How do you fit in “me” time? What is it you do during that time that leaves you rejuvenated?  Join us this week and get ideas for yourself or come share and be another members inspiration! 

What’s Happening This Week!

ON SALE THIS WEEK: 

Water Enhancers:       $3.95

Smoothies:   $4.95

Mini Bars:  $4.95

Oatmeal:  $4.95

 

STRUGGLING MEMBER WORKSHOPS:

Do you feel unmotivated?  Struggling with staying on plan? You're not alone!  This month we focus on how our thoughts get in our way!  Join us as we correct the negative thoughts. 

·         Aug 5,  9-10am ~ Geneva Store

Let’s Clap the Big Hands!

Celebrate the Scale & those Non Scale Victories too!

This week I wish I had a picture of all the Saturday members that went to meetings on Friday!  I was in Geneva where one meeting only had 4 Friday members!  The rest were all from Saturday!  And Aurora’s Friday meeting had 90 people in attendance with Laura!  WOO – HOOO!  You guys Rock!  Not giving in to the temptation of your meeting being closed and taking a week off is a huge success!  The hands are being clapped!  Can you hear them

(if you’d like to share your success, post under comments or let me know you’d like to be added in the blog)

Quote of the Week:

by Liz Josefsberg

“Fun and amazing moments in life do not get any better with food.  Beware of thinking that more food means more fun”

This newsletter is and the views shared are not affiliated with weight watchers international, inc.  It is meant to be a motivational tool.