My Love/Hate Relationship with Weight Watchers SmartPoints

As a Weight Watchers member (6+ years) I have been through a number of program changes. Points, Point Plus and now the newly (as of a few months ago) rolled out Smart Points. Initially with the undertaking of the program I was annoyed because of all the system and app glitches which left me guessing a lot of things. Once the bugs were ironed out, I decided to fully give the plan a go. Initially I liked it because I wanted to nip some sugar in the bud (even though prior to the programs roll out I was trying to get away from substitute sugars by replacing my artificial sweetener with 2 tsp of sugar in my extra large coffee in the morning).

For the first two weeks I was pretty good, avoiding sugar for the most part, weening things out of my day and eating what I wanted/enjoyed. I had snack size M&M's that I had given away because 1 little bag which used to be 2 points plus values, was now 6 points plus values (the equivalent of  a lunch).  Then at work one day, I had a tiny piece of (1/8th) of a donut and it was like the fire was lit within me. I craved, and I mean craved the sugar. That day I ate not one, but TWO whole donuts at work because I had been avoiding having sugary snack/desserts because the points for them was simply insane. I had cleared out my cabinet, giving away some of my snacks I kept on hand for when I needed a little something to be one in the crowd (fiber one bars, granola bars, individual packages of candy, cookies, etc.)

Now don't get me wrong - there are aspects of smart points that I genuinely like:
1) The fact protein is considered lower in points. It makes me more apt to have a few more ounces of chicken or deli meat allowing me to feel more satisfied.
2) I like the fact that weekly points were reestablished. I remember hearing so many people complain that if they ate their weekly points they'd gain weight. I never had such "luck" I would be able to lose eating my weeklies. But I did know that the older I got my body may not respond as it had in the past by eating this weekly points.

3) I like the general idea of smart points being the healthiest Weight Watchers program rolled out

But even with it being the healthiest program doesn't necessarily make it the best lifestyle.

My major downfall with the Smart Points program is the fact that sugar and saturated fat are taxed so heavily. I understand sugar isn't great for you, it shouldn't be consumed in large amounts .... but I think we forget that healthy fat isn't bad for you. Your body needs fats to a certain extent to function properly.

Now, don't get me wrong, with Points Plus, I would easily eliminate my olive oil because I didn't want to "waste" 1-2 sp for a tsp or 2 of EVOO. But on Smart Points even healthy oils are something you truly have to consider adding in or eliminating all together. For instance - 1 tsp of olive oil is 1 smart point, 2 tsp is 3 smart points, 1 tbsp is 4 smart points. If your someone who obsesses over points (as I've become) I think "I could have an 80 calorie Greek yogurt, a string cheese and 2 tbsp of hummus for that" - aka my snacks for the day. It's truly become something that can easily be obsessed over.

With that obsession, it doesn't allow so easily to live a lifestyle. I have to plan my day/week around an event. If I know Friday is going to be a day I need to eat out, then I need to make sure I've got the rest of my week planned to a T. Now, what happens if a monkey wrench is thrown in there and I don't really have points to play around with? This is the dilemma that I find makes smart points so much more difficult to label as a lifestyle verse calling it a diet.

A lifestyle is something that you can live with, you can go with the flow. A diet is something you obsess over. And I don't want to obsess. Since Smart Points rolled out I've been labeling things as "can't have that" which makes the stubbornness in me want to come out and say "well, screw you, I'll eat 10 of them to show you I can!" I mean I had a hissy fit because I made a quick little frozen Chinese food dinner for my fiance and myself. I didn't calculate the points at the store because I've had it before under smart points and it was doable. After putting it in the oven and heating up the rice I found 1 cup of orange chicken was 16 smart points -- yes, 16 smart points (380 calories)!! I was like are you kidding me?! I simply refused to eat dinner - refused. It singled me out and made me feel some type of way.

If I was eating alone and could completely keep all tempting foods out of my house/life, Smart Points wouldn't be all that bad. But when I'm eating with others, who aren't fans of trading out pasta for spaghetti squash, or who don't like adding vegetables into meat to bulk it up - it causes some challenges. I can make multiple side dishes, but at the end of the day it's time consuming. I do the best I can with what I can. But I find having convenience meals a few times a week, or even going out to eat (not so much with fast food places like Wendy's or pizza) I have a harder time.

I'm not a fan of the newly updated app. I find looking up restaurants to be incredibly difficult. It's certainly not as user friendly as it was with Points Plus. Basically, if an item is not on a restaurants website nutrition facts page - then it's a guessing game and the wagers vary from comparable to way off.

I enjoy the structure with Weight Watchers. I enjoy the accountability (stepping on the scale once a week). But I'm finding I'm struggling with the new plan when I have to venture away from the "safe" foods I prepare and eat normally. Sure, would I save myself a headache if I just ate anything I cooked? Yes. But it's not always an option. Life isn't something that can be planned out to the T all the time and the fact I'm obsessing over things is starting to drive me a little crazy.

I'll figure it out eventually, I have to.

Goodbye 2013 … Welcome 2014!

With a new year among us there are many resolutions flowing and being shared amongst those of us who are on social media outlets.  Whatever your resolution/wish/goal is for 2014 I wish you happiness, success and a beautiful & cherished 2014.

What is my resolution? Well … I don’t make resolutions because in my mind a resolution is a rule and rules are made to be broken.  So I make promises to myself. I also make goals for myself to aim at conquering.

2013 had me at a very long standstill for a while (having surgery, ending up in physical therapy and on doctor ordered restrictions from doing really anything). That 6-month roller coaster aside, I ended 2013 on a high note – I’ve been back at the gym, going to my beloved zumba class at least 2 times a week, usually 3.  I eased into it slowly, doing what I could. I’ve been working out with some weight machines and last week I did my first total body workout class before zumba. I was so sore and could barely move for a few days, but I’m feeling better and can’t wait to smash another total body class on Saturday morning.

 

One high-note that I ended 2013 on was I went shopping at Kohl’s because I had some Kohl’s Cash to spend. I found a pair of jeans and decided to try them on. I find shopping for jeans can be a pain because my waist is one size, but my behind is another. I’ve been wearing 12’s for over 4-months now, so I pulled on a pair of size 10 jeans and THEY FIT! I was elated! They FIT PERFECTLY!  I’ve been doing a tango with the scale for weeks – for a while my weight was continuing to go up and up and up due to a medication I was taking. This just showed that regardless of whatever the scale says, hard work will pay off and show in other ways. Obviously, I’m losing inches thanks to my work at the gym … so I’ll take a non-scale victory any day! Speaking of losing inches ... I should start measuring myself.

Now as for 2014 …I want to make 2014 the healthiest year for me!

I am aiming at hitting my goal weight this year. It’s been a long time coming, I deserve it and I’m going to give it my all to get there.  Now that I can use the gym as a tool to help me get there, I’m going to use that to my best advantage. There isn’t a secret to losing weight – it’s just a lot of hard work and dedication. I also realize that sometimes the scale will not be my “friend” so I’m going to focus more on how I feel (physically), how I felt my week went and if everything I did/ate was accounted for. If I’ve been dotting my I’s and crossing my T’s, I’m going to hope for the best but I’m also going to realize that sometimes the scale doesn’t reflect a good week and I will not let that get me sidetracked or down.  I also need to realize that I'm technically paying to look like this (meaning my monthly Weight Watchers membership, my ActiveLink and my gym membership) so eliminating one of those monthly payments in itself can help be a driving force to hit my goal weight.

Another goal of mine is to try to watch and perhaps even limit my snacking. I love snacks, always have, but I want to have only 1 or 2 healthier/low point snacks on hand at a time. Over the past 2 months I’ve slowly been depleting the snack stock by putting stuff out with company comes over, offering it out, giving it away, etc. I realize I live with others who eat what they want, but since I do primarily most of the grocery shopping I want to only purchase what’s requested not any “oh I think he’d like these” type of items. Truthfully I’d like to make my snacks healthier alternatives – onion & chive cottage cheese with crackers/pita chips, hummus with vegetables or pita chips, greek yogurt with fruit, deli ham rolled up with pieces of pickle, and I think it’s time to reintroduce sugar free jello back into my life.

I’m also looking into giving Weight Watchers Simple Start (Simply Filling) program a shot. To hold myself accountable, I think I’m going to follow the program BUT I’m going to track/weigh/measure everything out.  There was 1 week in 2013 where I was house sitting and followed a relatively simply filling sort of lifestyle. I didn’t have snacks on deck; I only had fruits, vegetables, lean meats and grains on hand. I was satisfied and lost a good amount of weight that week. The program would also kick my adoration for sugar and carbs.

As always I'm focused on maintaining positivity this year. Trying new things and pushing myself to branch out of my comfort zone more and more.

Here’s to making 2014 one of the best years of our lives!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Shannon's experience: Weight Watchers - One Amazing Day

 

I had the immense pleasure of sharing my weight loss journey with a group of individuals at a Weight Watchers One Amazing Day event yesterday.  When I was asked to participate I admit I was scared to death and part of me wanted to back out.  I’m not the most comfortable with public speaking and being heavier practically my entire life I’ve always slid into the room (as unnoticed as possible), mingled in the back and quickly exited.  So the thought of being the center of attention panicked me just a little bit.  But the new me stepped into place and said “You’re passionate about this and a lot of people tell you you’re an inspiration to them.  Do this.  Do it for them.  Do it for yourself.  YOU deserve this!”  So I did it – I signed up and took the 1 o’clock spot.

I know I am not at my goal weight, but I have lost a significant amount of weight over the time I have been a member.  I openly participate at my home meeting and am not afraid to share my advice, my thoughts and any tips/tricks that I have found that work for myself.  If they work for me, they may very well work for someone else.  So my philosophy is why not share?

I joined Weight Watchers in February 2010 because I wanted change and for the first time in my life and most importantly: I wanted it for myself.  I’ve always been the heavier kid as early as my days in kindergarten all the way through college.  I was unhappy with my size and because I was an emotional eater, I would eat to pacify my feelings about my looks (while I would also eat to pacify any emotion I was feeling – happy, sad, angry, elated) – which only aided in me gaining more and more weight.  Family and friends would tell me I should consider losing weight because I had my whole life ahead of me – but I wasn’t in a mind frame where I wanted to take advice from anyone.  I was comfortably wearing blinders and those blinders did not allow me to SEE myself.  I knew the outside world could see me but if I didn’t see me, they couldn’t – right?

Months later, I had my “ah-ha moment” when I finally saw myself for the size that I had become (in a photograph).  I also found myself going shopping to buy clothes in a larger size and thought to myself “This is crazy… what am I doing?”  At that point, I was so sick and tired of being sick and tired I had decided that enough was enough – I needed to get healthy for myself and for myself only.  I knew Weight Watchers worked, I had joined with a family member when I was about 18 years old and lost a good amount of weight.  So, keeping my intended journey to myself (because I didn’t want anyone to tell me to join Weight Watchers because if they told me, I wouldn’t have joined – self sabotage at it’s greatest) I joined Weight Watchers on a Thursday afternoon, on my way home from work, and have never looked back.

To date, I have lost 175 pounds on the program.  I’m about 30 pounds away from my goal weight (BMI) and I plan on obtaining that goal weight this year.  It’s been a long, amazing and incredibly rewarding three years.  Weight Watchers has helped me change my life for the better  I’ve embraced this lifestyle change (including my tracking, measuring and weighing) with open arms and have praised the program and how fabulously it works (if you’re willing to work with it).  I’m a healthier, happier and utterly positive person today.  Such a night and day switch from the person I used to be.

So my advice to anyone who is considering joining or even considering giving up – BELIEVE.  Believe in yourself.  Believe in the program.  It works, but you just have to be willing to do the work and work with it.  It’s not something that’s going to eat up all your free time.  Once you get the hang of it and figure out the points for your frequently eaten foods, it becomes second nature.  And as you see results, you’re going to feel more in-tune and you’re going to want to try a little harder to reach that next goal.  My advice to anyone who’s frustrated: BREATHE.  You did not put on your weight in a week.  Think of how long you’ve been the weight you were/are currently.  Realize it takes time – but once you’re on the journey it’s the most fulfilling thing you’ll ever do.  My advice to anyone who’s struggling: RE-EVALUATE.  Dig into the problem area – what are you struggling with?  What are your goals at this current phase of your journey (because they do differ from when you first start).  If you’re bored – switch it up!  Switch up what you’re eating, add an extra 10 minutes of a different activity and remember continue to keep that positive frame of mind.

You will get there; just believe in yourself that you can and that you will … the rest of just a proverbial cake walk.

Oven “Fried” Mushrooms

I found this recipe on laaloosh.com (see here: http://www.laaloosh.com/2012/08/22/baked-breaded-mushrooms-recipe/) and decided to make them as a side dish to the hamburgers we were having for dinner.  Now my boyfriend doesn’t eat mushrooms so I made enough for two servings and I ate half a serving at dinner and the remaining serving as little snacks with my lunch/dinner the remaining 2 days.  I enjoy fried mushrooms (particularly with a side of marinara sauce) so I figured I’d give these a shot and I was surprised as how good they tasted!  The parmesan and garlic really help boost up the flavor category and it gives them a nice crunch, while the mushrooms get softer in texture (as it would if it were fried).   I did follow the recipe exactly as described so I can’t offer any tips on how to alter, but I will say if I were to make them again I’d be following the same directions.

QUESTION:

Do you like fried mushrooms?

Let me take a moment to introduce myself ...

I decided to make this blog because this is something that’s very near and dear to my heart. I enjoy blogging about health & beauty, but I’m VERY passionate about my path to a healthy lifestyle.  My name is Shannon, I’m a 27 year old young woman from New England who has struggled with her weight since as far back as I can remember.  Taking control of my own destiny I decided that I NEEDED to get healthy for myself.  My mind was in the game and my decision was made and I went full force towards that goal, no looking back.  It was one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself.  As I’ve become more comfortable (public speaking isn’t nearly as daunting as it used to be – but I still do get a little shy), I find I enjoy helping those around me work towards finding their courage and obtaining their goal.  I’m very open to speaking with anyone about their weight loss or how to help switch things up in their journeys.