Showing posts with label weight watchers. Show all posts

Fitness Should Be Fun


"As a kid, you could easily average seven hours a week playing tag or riding bikes- sans fitness trackers or weight loss apps. You didn't roll your eyes when teachers called for recess. And you certainly weren't motivated by flatter abs or a firmer butt when you played in the backyard until dark with your friends. What you were motivated by: the sheer fun of it all."

- Women's Health, March 2014

Growing up, everyday was an adventure. I grew up in a neighborhood that was perfect for kickball games, capture the flag and daily walks. The neighborhood gang were partners in crime.

I didn't have an athletic bone in my body. I was not on school teams and played recreational softball and to give you a hint to my skill level, the only award I received was "most spirited." But on the streets of Orion Path, I was active. I would walk to school which was about 3/4 of a mile. But on top of that, the neighborhood crew was inseparable and active until the sun went down! 

Rollerblading, riding bikes or just running from one house to the other did not feel like exercise or a chore. It was what I lived for. If I just lived one day in the life of the childhood me, I would be exhausted. So I have decided that fitness should be fun, it does not need to be a chore. There are so many different fitness classes or just activities to get my sweat on. Right now I am striving for a good calorie burn and fun! This is the only way to be able to maintain this as a lifestyle. I look forward to trying new things and achieving my goals.



On My Way

Lately I have been feeling a bit down on myself. I has been 4 years since I started my weight loss journey and I think I forget to realize that part of the struggle for me is being able to maintain. So I decided to give myself a little reality check today.


At my heaviest weight, I was 220 pounds. I was incredibly unhealthy and binge ate for every emotion; happy, sad, stressed, etc. I also spent a lot of time on the couch and had no idea what activity was other than getting out of breath walking up the 3 flights of stairs to my apartment. After my wedding, I decided to turn my life around. I discovered a love of fitness and began eating well. One of the biggest changes for me was realizing what portion control was. Unfortunately, I lost the wait pretty rapidly and was so strict that it was just not maintainable as a lifestyle. I was at 139 before I started to lose control. Once I allowed myself to have my first cheat in 8 months, I slowly fell back into my binge eating ways.

In about a year I got my weight to skyrocket to 195. I am not happy to be at that weight but have decided to stop putting myself down and still acknowledge where I came from (see photo below). Being a woman with PCOS, it is so hard to not only lose weight but maintain. In six months I had struggle to really recommit, but I have been able to keep my weight the same. I have been conscious of my food choices and I have a LOVE for exercise. April 24, 2014 I decided it is time to get serious and really do it this time! So I am on my way to getting where I want to be but I am proud to say, I am not where I started!

Motivational Monday

This motivational Monday is going to be a bit of me bragging because I am SO excited.

First of all, I weighed in yesterday and lost 2.6 pounds. That brings my total weight loss to 35 pounds and I started right after Thanksgiving! I am so excited. I am legitimately seeing the changes in my body this time around. I also am not really craving the bad food or having the desire to cheat like I used to.

After reaching the big milestone at Weight Watchers, I decided that I wanted to go and try and reach one of my other big goals. In high school and college I bought all of my jeans at American Eagle. They fit more like Juniors clothes so with some weight gain towards the end of college I was unable to even fit in the largest size 18 of American Eagle jeans. I went to the store yesterday and felt uncomfortable that I was going to walk out as a failure!!!

Check the photo to the left for my happy moment!! The pants are not a size 18 or 16 but a 14!! I haven't been in a size that small in quite some time. I also didn't even need an Extra Large shirt, the large fit. I certainly need to continue to lose and work on my body but this was one big step in the right direction.

The smaller I get, the more fun shopping will be!

Weight Watchers Wednesday

Weight Watchers Wednesday: Punch! Workout

I bought this workout when I was heading to my parents house for the weekend. I wanted to have a workout that I could do there since I didn't have a gym and you can never count on the weather in Syracuse, NY!

I bought this expecting to be disappointed... but yet I was quite pleased.

The set came with the DVD that has 3 complete workouts, weighted gloves and a WW 10 Week Exercise Tracker.

I am a big fan of the weighted gloves and could see myself incorporating those with other at home work outs that I do. The PUNCH! kit has 3 workouts. The beginner workout is shorter and incredibly basic. I started with that but knew early on that I would get bored and switched to Intermediate. I got a really good sweat doing this workout. The moves are repetitive so it easy to pick it up. They also give modifications for those who do not want to do full on jumping jacks, etc.

I mainly do the advanced version because the intensity is more on my level. I definitely get my heart rate up and the women demonstrating are tolerable. I have done many workouts where I can't stand the coach.

I would recommend this workout for sure. I think if I did it on a regular basis I would get bored. But sometimes you don't have time to get to the gym so have this workout handy.

Suggestion Sunday: Bolthouse Yogurt Dressing

Ever since I started Weight Watchers I have been trying to find good alternatives to put on vegetables. I had an olive oil phase, then I switched Oil and Vinegar. They were okay but eating salad still felt more like a chore. After that I tried the Walden Farms Calorie Free dressings, these did not do it for me at all. The flavor was just off.

My sister stumbled across the Bolthouse Yogurt Dressings in Salsa Ranch and I was beyond excited to try it. Our mom used to mix ranch with salsa and it was always delicious. This exceeded all expectations. The dressing does not taste low in calorie, at all. It is creamy and rich. I also had the Cesar Parmigiana dressing and that one is also amazing!! I totally recommend it!!

2 tbsp for 1 Points Plus.

Calories: 45, Fat: 3g, Carb: 3g, Fiber: 0g, Protein: 1g

Foodie Friday: Stuffed Peppers

I can take no credit for cooking this recipe but all the credit for devouring it!! My sister's friend had my sister, husband an I all over for dinner. I said I would go if he could make a Weight Watchers recipe. I saved most of my points to have a glass of his delicious home brow. He made this Italian-Style Stuffed Peppers recipe from Weight Watchers and it was delicious.

The peppers had great flavor and the Italian sausage gave it a nice kick. I was pretty satisfied with this meal when it was paired with broccoli.

Ingredients

- 1/3 cup(s) uncooked white rice, seasoned with tomato and herb 1 1/2 cup(s) canned tomato juice, or vegetable juice
- 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 tsp table salt 1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 6 small sweet red pepper(s)

- 7 serving(s) SHADY BROOK LEAN Italian Turkey Sausage (SWEET) (per 1-link serving) (COOKED)

Instructions

Use 1 full package of Turkey Sausage (Can use 1/2 Sweet/ 1/2 Hot, if preferred.) Remove sausage from casings. Spray a large non-stick skillet with cooking spray. Heat over Med. -High heat. Break up the turkey sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned. Remove to a bowl to cool. Cook the rice according to the package directions, omitting the butter or the vegetable oil. Let cool about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, with a sharp knife, slice off the top inch of each bell pepper and remove and discard the seeds; set the peppers aside. Combine the cooked rice, cooked turkey sausage, 1⁄4 cup of the vegetable juice, the Parmesan, salt, and ground pepper in a medium bowl. Spoon the rice mixture evenly into the peppers. Place the peppers in a 3-quart saucepan; pour the remaining 1 1⁄/4 cups vegetable juice around the peppers and set the pan over medium-high heat. Bring the juice to a boil; reduce the heat, cover, and simmer until the peppers are tender and the sausage is cooked through, abut 30 minutes. Serve the peppers with the sauce. Yields one pepper per serving.

One stuffed pepper is 7 points!!

Calories: 250, Fat: 8, Carbs, 35, Fiber 3, Protein 8

Weight Watchers Wednesday


At the Weight Watchers meeting spots, there are many products available. I'm going to be honest and admit that these items are pricey but suck me in week after week. I like to stock up on WW products because they are the easiest and tastiest snacks to just grab and go.

The Toasted Coconut Dream is my latest obsession!!! It is delicious and full of flavor. I feel like I am eating a candy bar that I bought at the checkout line of the grocery store. It tastes like a Mounds bar! It is certainly a small bar but it is so tasty and absolutely satisfies my sweet tooth!!

Points- 2

Calories: 70, Fat 2, Carbs 15, Protein 1, Fiber 4

Suggestion Sunday: Vitasandwich


Sorry for the lack of blogs this week! I was traveling for work and it was certainly a struggle. Eating in hotels, fast food joints and such I had a tough time staying within my points BUT I did it!

A more detailed blog to come. Real quick I wanted to review a product that I was super impressed by. I am a big fan of the Vitatops and so when I was on the prowl for the VitaCakes (which I learned haven't been sold online yet) I stumbled across the VitaSandwich.


Sometimes I need a quick breakfast I can grab and bring to work. This was super easy, popped it in the microwave and it still tasted relatively fresh and delicious. The egg and cheese VitaSandwich absolutely kept me full until lunch time. Although the Vita products can be a bit pricey, I like to switch up my usual breakfast routine once in a while. I believe they have one with veggies in the egg as well.

PointsPlus- 3

Calories: 150, Fat: 2, Carbs: 23, Fiber 7, Proten: 14

Foodie Friday!! Fresh Tomato Pizza


Anyone who has ever been on a diet before admits that you need variety. Any other time I have done a diet, I eat the same meals over and over until I get sick of it and binge. Since I am new to cooking, any other time I was "watching what I eat" I was microwaving Lean Cuisines and Smart Ones. Not only did I get sick of them, they never filled me up. Not to mention that those meals are always packed with sodium and preservatives.
I am trying to cook recipes that not only I enjoy but that my husband and sister like as well. Every once in a while you just need some yummy pizza. This was a delicious and healthy alternative to curb the craving.
This was SO easy to make!! A serving size isn't huge so I paired it with just a nice salad with a little olive oil.
Fresh Tomato Pizza with Blue Cheese*

Ingredients:

1) A 10 ounce thin-crust Italian pizza crust (such as Boboli)

2) 4 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced

3) 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced (I left this out)

4) 1/2 cup crumbled blue (next time I will do it with Gorgonzola instead)

5) 1/4 cup chopped oregano

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

2. Place pizza crust on an ungreased baking sheet or pizza pan; coat crust with cooking spray. Top with tomato and remaining ingredients. Bake at 425 for 8 minutes. Cut into wedges and serve immediately. Yield: 4 servings.

Nutrition Information

Points: 7

Calories: 279, Fat 10, Fiber 2, Protein 12, Carbohydrates 36

* This recipe came from an old Weight Watchers cookbook. I had to adapt the points to reflect current PointsPlus calculations. It is from the Weight Watchers 5 Ingredient, 15 Minute Cookbook.

What's to Come?

As my blog gets rolling, there will be several pieces you can expect each week from me.

Motivational Monday: I will share what keeps me motivated or success stories that inspire me. Everyone needs a motivational quote once in a while.

Weight Watchers Wednesday: Knowing that not everyone who follows my blog will be doing the Weight Watchers plan, I will only discuss particular WW specific reccomendations to this one day. Some of their products are only bought at the meeting spaces and these may come up.

Foodie Friday: Each Friday I will post a yummy recipe. I am still learning my way around the kitchen so there are certainly some mishaps. I will also keep recipes I love underneath the archived tab up top!

Suggestion Sunday: This is when I will suggest a food item or exercise that I cannot live without! I have certain staples that have made this process easy for me so far!

I cannot wait to start following other blogs and getting motivation and inspiration as well

Why read my blog?

Why should someone turn to my blog for motivation, recipies and support?

  1. I am not a personal trainer.
  2. I am not a nutritionist.
  3. I am your average 20-something woman.

Reasons 1 & 2 may not seem entirely convincing but those are the two reasons why you should care what I have to say. I've never been small (despite my short stature) and have had a lifelong battle with weight. I do not have 3 hours a day to dedicate to exercise. I do not know everything there is to know about food. I am going to reach my goals and if I can, so can you.

I am just like almost everyone else reading this blog. I cannot afford a personal trainer or nutritionist. I have to squeeze in workouts in the midst of my full-time job and part-time job. I am a newlywed attempting to cook healthy meals that my beer drinking, Dorito eating at midnight husband enjoys.

I subscribed to 4 healthy magazine (Health, Women's Health, Cooking Light and Fitness) to constantly reinforce the new lifestyle I am creating. This time, the weight loss is permanent. I need to not let one bad day turn into 5 bad days and weight gain.

I have lost 22 pounds since a little before Christmas. I am doing it the good old-fashioned way; eating well and exercise. I am doing Weight Watchers and I work out at least 3 days a week. I am trying new exercises, new recipies and I want to share what works with me, with all of you.

So stay tuned!!!
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