Weight Watchers Challenge: The Weigh In

I've reached my first plateau. I've been stuck on the same weight for about 3 weeks now. And it sucks! I need to break out of this minor "rut". I think I know how I'm slightly sabotaging my weight loss:

• Every Friday, my weight-in day, I would not count points and essentially treat myself for the day. However, the past couple Fridays I have gone a little overboard with extra glasses of wine or extra carb loading and my counting-free day turns into a counting free Saturday as well. Solution #1: Continue counting points on my weigh-in day and through the weekend.
  
  
• Lately, I haven't really exercised as much as I could. Some nights I'm too tired to hit the gym and I just do an Exercise TV workout, but even then I'm too tired to do a good one. I also have not been walking outside as much with Maddy. Solution #2: Start working out during the day like taking walk/runs with Maddy; take Maddy to the gym with me and put her in the 'babysitting room'; get my butt in gear and just go to the gym at night-even if I feel too tired. Usually when I get to the gym, I feel re-energized.
  
  
• Some days, I don't make my points by a little bit. I usually eat small-point lunches which makes it difficult to fill the points at the end of the day. Solution #3: My daily points is 22; maybe I should try and have 6 point meals and 2 points each snacks. I'll see how that works out!

I'll report back next Friday with my results. I welcome anyone to share their experience/success as well!

Weight Watchers Challenge: The Weigh In

I've done it! I've broken the 10 lbs mark! Since August 15th, I have lost 10.1 lbs. I'm feeling really good and have regained most of my pre-baby endurance at the gym (when you can't let your heart rate go above 140 during pregnant, you kind of get used to the pace).

Speaking of the gym, one of the benefits of Weight Watchers is that you don't have to kill yourself at the gym. Since you're eating based on your lifestyle (since I'm a stay-at-home mom now I don't move around that much and that is factored into your daily points), you get a daily calorie amount that is neither too little nor too high. I used to bust my butt-trying to get 2 workouts in a day, but then I wouldn't compensate with the right calorie amount. Now, if I don't feel like working out, I won't. Or, If I'm not int he mood to hit the gym I'll do a 20 minute cardio video on Exercise TV through On Demand. There are a lot of fun dance workouts that are about 15 minutes, but definitely break a sweat. I've also been trying to do yoga as my strength training. I did a video of Yoga Fusion Fitness and the next day, I was so sore. My obliques felt really tight and they NEVER do!

I suppose I would lose more weight each week if I ramped up my activity, but I'm happier to not feel the pressure. They do say 1 lb a week is about average anyway!

Here are some of the videos I've been enjoying lately:

• Carmen Electra Hip Hop
• Kathy Smith: Peel Off the Pounds
• Lelslie Sansone's One Mile Booster
• Shape: Long, Lean and Strong
• Shape: Bikini Body All Year Round Cardio
  

Weight Watchers Challenge: The Weigh In

Another 3 lbs down today! That's 8 lbs in 2 weeks!

Personal Tip: My weigh-in is on the same day when Maddy, Rob and I get ice cream next door to his office (Gil & Bert's in Cranbury). I weigh myself in the morning and treat myself in the afternoon. It's a small treat, but worth the wait/weight! (Of course, I eat the LF or FF/SF option and get the kiddie size which is generally a serving size)

Weight Watchers Challenge: The Weigh In

I did it! 4.9 lbs in 1 week! The ball is officially rolling. Here is a sample menu of what I've been eating this week:

Breakfast:

• 1 Dannon Light & Fit yogurt (2 pt)
• Reduced Sugar Instant Oatmeal (2 pts)
• 1 Omega-3 Egg (2 pts)

Lunch:

• Arnold Sandwich Thins (1)
• 2 oz of Turkey with lettuce (2) or 1 can of Bumble Bee FF Tuna Salad (1)
  
• piece of fruit or Skinny Cow Skinny Dippers (1)

Dinner:

• Tyson Chicken (2-3)
• Peas or Squash (0-1)

Snacks:

• Fruit (1)
• Pretzels (2)
• Pudding Cup (1)
• String Cheese (2)
• Cucumbers with Hummus (2)

Beverages:

• Propel
• Homemade Fruit Water (just frozen fruit in a pitcher with bottled water)
• Diet Lipton White Tea with Peach
• Plain Water
• Vanilla Coke Zero
  

My Weight Loss Challenge

For 2 weeks now, I've been cutting calories and upping the strength and workout training. I probably should have weighed myself before starting because yesterday I did and it says I only lost 2 pounds in 2 months. Not good. Granted, I've been doing more strength training so maybe my muscle has developed faster than the fat has dropped, but it is still discouraging.

With that said, I decided to try Weight Watchers online, again. I have a pretty hefty goal to lose 33 lbs ( I lost almost 30 before my wedding mostly due to happy stress). The last time I tried WW, I was never able to eat my points. On a daily basis, I barely hit 20 points and I had to eat about 25. I could easily build my points by eating nuts, but unfortunately I have a slight allergy to them. I have to eat 23 points a day. So far, I have eaten 4.

My biggest obstacle right now is my positive willpower and attitude. I'd love to hear from anyone who had success with WW or WW online. Share your daily menu, snack ideas, etc.

Wish me luck!