Day 4 - 2/20/08

This one is going to be a quick post. I am actually tired and it's not even 11:00 p.m. yet! I am fighting off a cold though so as much rest as I can get, the better. I always joke that when I start eating healthier and losing weight, my immune system doesn't know how to act! When I did Weight Watchers before, I had colds constantly during that time. I guess this just means I need to double up on my vitamins.

I was really craving sweets today. I thought about having some ice cream but one of my faves is 7.0 points for a 1/2 cup. And, that's without the necessary caramel syrup topping. I know I can have it on Saturday if I still really want it by then.

With breakfast this morning, I used the colby jack cheese bar and melted it between the 100 calorie English muffin. What a great breakfast at 3 points!

Below is a breakdown of my food intake :

• Thomas English muffin (100 calorie) - 1.0 pt
• 1 Tillamook colby jack cheese bar (3/4 oz) - 2.0 pts
• 1 Lean Cusine Grilled Chicken Caesar bowl - 5.0 pts
• 22 1/2 pretzel sticks - 1.0 pt
• Chicken Fried Rice - 5.0 pts
• 1/2 c. corn kernels - 1.0 pt
• 1 Tbsp. margarine - 3.0 pts
• 2 Tbsp. sugar - 2.0 pts
• 2 1/2 c. hull-less cheese corn - 4.0 pts
• 1/4 c. cool whip - 1.0 pt
• 1 Weight Watchers lemon cake - 1.0 pt
  

Total points used : 26.0 pts
Total points saved : 5.0 pts

It was a good day overall. I tried a new Special K2O water - Tropical Blend. It was pretty good. It's zero points. I fulfilled all of my water, milk, and fruits and veggies for the day. I only walked once today due to our rainy weather today.

I have banked 20.0 points so far! Saturday is going to be a blast!

TTFN!

Day 3 - 2/19/08

Day 3 has almost come to an end! It was a true test with me being back at work. There were a few temptations placed before me. The first was one of my favorite things in the world! An employee brought by homemade banana pudding. I was able to resist it. The second came in the form of donut holes and blueberry muffins from Dunkin Donuts. I love both! 5 glazed donut holes was 4.5 points and that decadent blueberry muffin was 10.5 points. Can you say "I don't think so?" lol I knew it wasn't worth it this early into the game. Afterall, I did want to eat dinner. The third temptation came from french fries in the cafeteria. I love french fries too! I just know that while I am able to have them, I really need to watch portion size and points value or else I will blow it. As you will soon see, I fulfilled that craving tonight with my dinner!

I went to Walgreens to buy myself a food scale. I am so glad I did because even though 4 oz. = 1/2 cup, solids like french fries were not meant to be measured in a measuring cup. I got much more (not a ton more) but enough for me to enjoy tonight. Another thing, I really like the Thomas brand 100 calorie English muffins. I just had the plain but they also make them in multigrain. The plain are soft, moist and all for just 1 point!

I also got all of my fruits/vegetables, milk and water servings consumed. I even fit in a little bit of activity too. The weather was so beautiful that I walked during my lunch and then again on an afternoon break.

Below is my daily food consumption :

• 1 peach fruit cup - 1.0 pt
• 1 Lean Cuisine Herbed Chicken meal - 3.0 pts (in the words of Rachael Ray, Yummo!)
• 1 Motts peach mango applesauce cup - 2.0 pts
• 22 1/2 pretzel sticks - 1.0 pt
• 1 Tillamook colby jack cheese bar (3/4 oz) - 2.0 pts
• 1 fried chicken thigh (3 oz.) - 7.0 pts
• 4 oz. french fries - 4.0 pts
• 1 Musselmans cinnamon applesauce cup - 1.0 pt
• 1 Tbsp. sugar - 1.0 pt.
• 1 tsp. cinnamon/1 tsp. vanilla extract - 0.0 pts/0.0 pts
• 1 Thomas English Muffin (100 calorie) - 1.0 pt
• 1/4 c. cool whip - 1.0 pt
• 1 mandarin orange fruit cup - 2.0 pts

Total points used : 26.0 pts

Total points saved : 5.0 pts

It was interesting for me to note the points difference in the the applesauce and the fruit cups. I just have to expand on the the Lean Cuisine meal. It was a chicken breast served in an herbed cream sauce with roasted potatoes and vegetables (broccoli and red peppers). This one will definitely be on my faves list to get again.

I am so excited to have already banked 15.0 points to use on Saturday. I am trying to think of something/somewhere extra special to use them on!

TTFN!

Recipe - Chile Caribbean Shrimp Skewers

Chile Caribbean Shrimp Skewers

POINTS® Value: 1

Servings: 12

Preparation Time: 15 min

Cooking Time: 16 min

Level of Difficulty: Easy

Crushed red pepper gives this citrus shrimp basting mixture a zesty twist. Add a little extra if you like more heat.

Ingredients
2 1/2 tsp olive oil, divided
2 Tbsp minced onion
1 medium garlic clove(s), minced
1 tsp lime zest
3 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1 1/2 Tbsp cilantro, chopped
3/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp table salt
36 large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails intact (about 1 pound)
1 1/2 medium lime(s), cut into 12 wedges
1 sprays cooking spray

Instructions
Prepare grill.
Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a small skillet. Add onion and garlic; sauté 3 minutes or until onion is tender.
Combine onion mixture, remaining 11⁄2 teaspoons olive oil, lime zest and next four ingredients in a small bowl.
Thread three shrimp and one lime wedge onto 12 (6-inch) skewers. Brush with lime juice mixture. Place on grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 6 minutes on each side or until shrimp turn pink. Yield: 12 servings (serving size: 1 skewer).

Day 2- 2/18/08

Day 2 has been a pleasant one! I had today off from work so that was nice. I got to sleep in a bit and then get much needed rest. In fact, I think I spent most of the day with this blog. It's very addictive!

It may seem a little less full than yesterday because I basically slept through breakfast! The following is a breakdown of what I ate:

• 6 multigrain club crackers - 3.0 pts
• 2 Tbsp. cheese spread - 2.0 pts
• fried chicken thigh (3 oz.) - 7.0 pts
• french fries (4 oz.) - 4.0 pts
• 1/2 c. cooked corn kernels - 1.0 pt
• 1 Tbsp. margarine - 3.0 pts
• 2 Tbsp. sugar - 2.0 pts
• 1/4 c. cool whip - 1.0 pt
• 1 Dole banana - 1.0 pt
• 2 Tbsp. caramel syrup - 2.0 pts

Total points used : 26.0 pts

Total points saved : 5.0 pts

This menu included more of my favorites and allowed me again to not feel deprived of anything. I don't know what I was waiting for! I consumed all of my water and milk products but didn't do as well with the fruits and vegetables. Also, zero activity for the day!

I am not a huge veggie person but I will try to do better tomorrow. Another cool thing though is that while it's nice to eat them, as long as I stay within my range, I will still lose weight!

TTFN!

Day 1 - 2/17/08

Day one was off to a great start!

I was a little hungry I think only because I wasn't able to just snack without being conscious of what I was doing.

I ended up "looking" for things to eat to make sure I ate my minimum points. This was due to a late start to the day. I go to church from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. I didn't have time to eat before I left for church.

• 1/2 c. cool whip - 2.0 pts
• 1 peach fruit cup - 1.0 pt
• 1 Dole banana - 1.0 pt
• 2 Tbsp. caramel syrup - 2.0 pts
• 100 calorie baked Cheetos - 2.0 pts
• 100 calorie Hostess carrot cake cupcakes - 1.0 pt
• 22 1/2 pretzel sticks - 1.0 pt
• 2 1/2 c. hull-less cheese corn (sold @ Smith's) - 4.0 pts
• Chicken fried rice (Contessa brand @ Smith's - 3 servings per bag) - 5.0 pts
• 1 Minh Pork Egg Roll - 4.0 pts
• 1 Dole Strawberry Arctic Chiller - 3.0 pts
  

Total points used : 26.0 pts

Total points saved : 5.0 pts

I didn't do any extra activity unless you count chasing after the kids in primary! I ate all of my vegetable/fruit servings for the day along with my milk and water requirements.

I was able to do my favorite thing which was to incorporate all of my snacking into yesterday.

TTFN!

Weight Watchers Journey - Summary

I started my Weight Watcher's Journey yesterday! I did it previously back in 2006 soon after my mom passed away. I was successful for the 12 weeks that I did it. I was able to lose 30 lbs. I am happy to say that in the nearly 2 years since I was on it, I am only up 1 pound from my starting weight back then. It's a good thing I am going on this now!

I am doing Weight Watchers with my two friends. One of them will be attending the weekly meetings while the other one is doing it on her own like me.

My starting weight is 245 lbs. My point range is 26 - 31 points.

I will post my daily diary as well as any helpful tips and recipes that I come across.

I have a Disneyland trip coming up in April. For that week, I won't be dieting! The cool thing about Weight Watchers though, it truly is a way of life. You aren't denied anything and that is a cool thing. I love sweets so I am sure to incorporate sweets into every day. I try to bank at least 10 points per week because then on Saturday, I am able to have an extra treat that is just too "expensive" points wise during the week.

If anyone has any questions or would like to offer their advice, I am willing to help/receive help!

TTFN! (HUGE Winnie the Pooh and gang fan - Ta Ta For Now!)