Weekly Weigh In - Weight Watchers' Points Plus

My last weigh in was Friday, February 17 and I came in at 1/2 pound down.  Yay!  Seeing that the week before I was up 2lbs, 1/2 lb down makes me happy!

The week before I had a serious attack of the munchies and I gave in.  I am never surprised when I weigh in.  I am always honest about what my week was like.  I track everything so I typically have an idea if I am going to be up or down.  However, I must admit that I was surprised that I was up 2 lbs!  YIKES! I did use all of my 49 points plus and I started using some of my activity points, as well.  I won't be doing that again!  LOL!

Anyway, at my Weight Watchers' meeting we discussed eating out.  I was surprised to see that some people eat away from home 4-7 days per week.  I personally, have found that making a lifestyle change has been essential in losing weight and maintaining over 100 lbs down.  For me that change included, eating out less.  We now only eat out 1-2x per week.  When we do eat out there are a few things I must always keep in mind.  Here are a few tips and tricks I use to make eating out healthier, fun and easy on my waist line!

• Know Before You Go!  Check restaurant web sites for menu listings.  Choose your meal and calculate points before you go.
• Choose bread or dessert but not both. Or skip them altogether.
• Choose broth or vegetable based soups.
• Get sauces/dressings on the side and avoid cream based sauces. Dip your fork in the sauce or dressing rather than pouring over your dish/salad.
• Choose grilled or roasted meat, fish or poultry.
• Ask for steamed veggies, rather than those sauteed in oil or butter.
• Eat slowly. Put down your fork between bites. This will allow your brain to register when you are full so you do not overeat. Stop eating once you are satisfied, not full!
• Ask for half the meal to be packed in a "doggie bag" immediately. What you don't see, you won't eat.
• Order fruit or sorbet for dessert. If you've just got to have a "fatty" dessert, share with your table mates and only take a couple of bites.
• Eat less during the day.  Save up your points for dinner and/or use your weekly allowance points to enjoy your meal out.

What are your tips for eating at restaurants. Share.


Next, weigh in will be this coming Saturday, February 25!

Have a happy, healthy week!

Love Yourself! Love Your Heart! Love the Game!

February is Go Red for Women's Heart Health Month!  What are you doing to take care of your heart?

Heart disease is highly PREVENTABLE!  Take steps today to live a heart healthy life.  Here are some great tips to help you get started, as well a few tips for surviving this weekend's Super Bowl Hoopla while also loving your heart!

Learn more here: http://www.goredforwomen.org/

Is it time for you to lose the extra weight?  Join me and many others who are doing it successfully with Weight Watchers'

Have FUN!  Be WELL!  Be HEALTHY! Be HAPPY! Be STRONG!

A little on the side, please....mmmmmmm!

Salad dressing that is!  What were you thinking about?  Hmmmm?  It's Friday and for me and many others that means dining out!  One of my sure fire ways to lessen my fat and calories is to ask for my dressing on the side.  I always get it on the side.  Dip your fork in the dressing instead of pouring the dressing on!  If you've just got to pour it on, be sure it is only two tablespoons or one serving of dressing.

I had this incredible salad at Stonewood Grill in Tampa, FL, with the dressing on the side, as you can see in the picture.  What a treat!  It came with a giant wonton cracker and the waitress told me to "just stab it" to break it up into bite-sized pieces.  Oh, what a delight.  If you are ever in Tampa at the Stonewood Grill, order the Asian Chicken Salad, you will not be disappointed and remember...dressing on the side!

Happy Friday!  Have a wonderful weekend.

A "healthy" cropping I will go!

Tomorrow I'll be out celebrating Classy Coordinates 7th Anniversary with a fun-filled, ALL day crop from 10am-10pm and I am so excited.  There'll be tons of prizes, games, giveaways and plenty of food and snacks.

Many think of the weekend as "free" time, a time to let go of their healthy eating habits, to indulge in treats and many end up overeating and sabotaging their weeklong weight loss efforts.  Yes, in just one weekend you can eat enough calories to reverse ALL of your efforts from the week!  So be mindful.

Don't only plan your weekdays, plan your weekends.  You can even plan the meals you will eat out so that you don't over indulge.  Check menus ahead of time and share a dessert and/or appetizer...but not both.  Chose to order one or the other only.  Remember you can make healthy eating easy by automating your meals and planning for weekend treats.

Whether it's a crop hosted by myself or someone else, the treats and eats at the crop are never a problem for me because I know the menu ahead of time and plan accordingly.

At the anniversary crop I serve lunch, dinner and snacks.  Lunch consists of sandwiches, chips, cookies and fruit.  Dinner is pasta, breadsticks and veggies.  The afternoon snack will be Sunchips, Twizzlers and chocolate.  My plan is to bring salad for both lunch and dinner.  I will eat the fruit and veggies and I will surely have a small slice of cake for dessert and yes I may indulge in a snack of Sunchips.  Keeping my goals in mind all the time and making wise choice that will NOT sabotage my efforts to stay slim and healthy!

 Let's face it, crops are filled with tons of chocolate, high sodium, high fat goodies.  Never, exactly "health" friendly.  I bring my favorite healthy, tasty snacks and will bring my own meals, as well if necessary.  I am able to enjoy my cropping time and time with friends...guilt free!

What healthy meals can I serve at my crops to make them a heart healthy crop, without breaking the bank and also while keeping attendees happy(most are not on the same healthy eating plan)?  Any ideas?  Share.

Crop, shop and DANCE til you drop

Nothing like a line dance at a crop to work off some of those eats and treats!

Classy Coordinates 6th Anniversary Crop where healthy eating, portion control and EXERCISE (and prizes) are encouraged!  We had a BLAST!   Mark your calendars, next Classy Coordinates Crop is scheduled for November 13, 2010.

Eating healthy at a crop

Today I'll be out celebrating Classy Coordinates 6th Anniversary with a fun-filled, ALL day crop from 10am-10pm and I am so excited.  There'll be tons of prizes, games, giveaways and plenty of food and snacks.

Many think of the weekend as "free" time, a time to let go of their healthy eating habits, to indulge in treats and many end up overeating and sabotaging their weeklong weight loss efforts.

Don't only plan your weekdays, plan your weekends.  You can even plan the meals you will eat out so that you don't over indulge.  Check menus ahead of time and share a dessert and/or appetizer...but not both.  Chose to order one or the other only.  Remember you can make healthy eating easy by automating your meals and planning for weekend treats.

Whether it's a crop hosted by myself or someone else, the treats and eats at the crop are never a problem for me because I know the menu ahead of time and plan accordingly.

 Let's face it, crops are filled with tons of chocolate, high sodium, high fat goodies.  Never, exactly "health" friendly.  I bring my favorite healthy, tasty snacks and will bring my own meals, as well if necessary.  I am able to enjoy my cropping time and time with friends...guilt free!

What healthy meals can I serve at my crops to make them a heart healthy crop, without breaking the bank?  Share.