Weight Watchers

Diet is a word we hear often but really they never work. As I learned in Weight Watchers, you really need to change your life, change the way you eat and add exercise into your routine. There are many days I wish this wasn't true and I could just take a pill and lose 2 or 3 pounds in one day! But I know this would not be healthy and it would not last.

I joined weight watchers after we had our first born. It was an eye opening experience and a very good one. It has forever changed the way that I think and look at food. If you are not familiar with Weight Watchers - each food has a point value and based on criteria, you are alloted a certain amount of points each day. If you exercise you can earn points and eat more - YAY! I loved that part. I think it is one of the best "diets" out there, although I don't believe it should be put into that category. It basically teaches you that you can eat whatever you want BUT if you want to eat that burger and fries for lunch you should have a light salad for dinner and that is it. Portion control and eating smaller portions of the "bad" things and larger portions of the "good" things is the key.  It really makes you think about what you want to eat and what you should eat. I have been loosely following the program for the last 8 1/2 years and I still believe it in. I was and still am one to exercise more just so I can eat more. The good thing about this program, is that it is ok to do that. If you are eating more it should still be fairly healthy, but the deal you make with yourself is that if you want to work extra hard you should be able to reward youself too!

I have pledged to myself that I am going to TRY really hard to follow the program again. I have a few pounds that I have been wanting to lose for a few years now and I really need to kick it in gear and just put in the hard work!  My sister and I are going to do weekly weigh ins and keep on each other so that we both reach our goal!

Along my weight watchers journey I have found some great companion sites that have helped me with point values, recipes, etc.

Daily Plate
If you are looking for a free way to track your food and exercise, again the Daily Plate on Modern Mom is a great way to do that!

Weight Watchers Site
http://www.weightwatchers.com/Index.aspx - Main Weight Watchers site

Dotti's Weight Loss Zone
http://www.dwlz.com/  - This website is a little hard on the eyes but it has great information.  Under the restaurants section you will see hundreds listed out and when you click on them it lists out all the food and the point values for each item.
http://www.dwlz.com/WWinfo/0point.html - 0 point foods
http://www.dwlz.com/WWinfo/1point.html - 1 point foods

Weight Watchers recipes and information
http://www.angelfire.com/journal/wwrecipes/
http://www.thatsmyhome.com/healthy/weight-watchers/index.htm
http://www.skinnytaste.com/
http://www.laaloosh.com/

Misc
http://www.dietfacts.com/fastfood.asp - another site similar to Dotti's Weight Loss Zone

http://www.sparkpeople.com/ - another site where you can input food, exercise, get weekly emails, etc.

Here are a few of my favorite low point foods:

• Apple/Bananna - 1 point
• 1/2 cup of cottage cheese - 2 points
• Fiber one Strawberry yougurt - 0 points
• Market Pantry Fiber bars (Target) - 3 points
• Arnolds Sandwich thins - 1 point (use these instead of buns)
• Most vegetables are 0 points! (eat with a little dip and it can still be under 2 points)
• Low Fat popcorn - usually 2 to 3 points for the whole bag
• Salad with low fat dressing - usually 2 or 3 points total
• Yoplait light yogurt - 2 points
• 1 cup of honey nut cheerios - 2 points
• 1 chicken breast - 3 points
• Strawberry/banana whey protein shakes  - 3 points
• Smart Ones frozen meals  - have tried many and they are all really good!  Lean cuisine is also good.
• Snack size 100 grand - only 2 points!!
• Jello with whip cream - 1 to 2 points
• Pretzels, Fiber/Wheat Thins, Triscuits - serving is 2 to 3 points
• Low fat string cheese - 1 to 2 points
• Toast - 1 to 3 points
• Mini bagels - 2 points

And lastly WATER is very important to your success.  I try to drink between 70 to 100 ounces of water a day.