Watching my Points

Plateau

2008-04-09T16:00:00.001-07:00

It seems like I am just floating by for some reason, and it's frustrating. I am not gaining or losing, and I think I need to find a way to shake up my routine.
Each week, I go to my WW meeting and all around me, people are losing 2, 3 or 4 pounds ... and I'm losing .4 or .6, which needless to say is a little less than motivating.
I don't know ... I suppose more vegetables are in order! And maybe a swift kick in the bum for a jolt.

Exercise

2008-02-29T08:23:00.000-08:00

OK, exercise really does work. I know that they tell you this time and time again, but I re-discovered it this week at weigh-in.
Let me explain. I went to visit my parents this past weekend and of course, lost my mind and pigged out. Saturday night was spent at a ridiculously delicious Italian eatery and Sunday, I am ashamed to type, led to a ham and cheese omlette with homestyle potatoes in the morning and corn dogs with macaroni and cheese that night. I know! Something about being back with the parents makes me want to eat like a child.
So, of course when I get home, I panic at my gluttony and briefly wonder if it's possible to get lipo before Wednesday (just kidding). My only real option is to get back on the wagon and sweat to the oldies ... or my pilates tape, whatever the case may be. I also power-walked repeatedly around the mall, craning my neck to peek in the stores but stoically marching on.
At weigh-in, I hold my breath - have my efforts been enough to mask the pizza and soda binge? The seconds tick by as the woman behind the Weight Watchers counter eyes the scale's result. She smiles and I exhale. I only lost 1/2 a pound, but frankly, that's enough.
Good thing my parents live 4 hours away, or good ol' home cooking might be my downfall.

Off the plateau!

2008-02-13T09:57:00.000-08:00

Finally, after weeks of frustration and cursing, I lost more than a fraction of a pound. Hallelujah!
I'm down 10 pounds now, according to my scale, and I am psyched. Others are noticing the change and so are my pants, which keep having to be hitched up.
I haven't been exercising as much as I should, but I did discover the most excellent mini-workout! There is a tape called the 10 minute workout, and it's Pilates in short spans that can target a different part of your body. You can string them together, but if you're like me, you have about 2 minutes to yourself, so 10 minutes is better than nothing. Plus, if you're out of shape, those ten minutes are all it takes to be super sore the next day.
The 100 calorie pack snacks have also been a lifesaver, because I have a habit of sticking food in my mouth while working and not thinking about what it is. The most delicious ones are the Hostess muffins and cupcakes. I can still get the sweet chocolatey taste of a cupcake without the guilt.
That's really about all ... I weigh in today, so hopefully the minor slip this weekend of blueberry pancakes won't show up!

Ups and Downs

2008-01-11T16:16:00.000-08:00

I have a series of ups and downs lately, and I am a little frustrated.

Up - I can fit into smaller pants

Down - I keep losing tiny amounts of weight, for some reason ... I know it's suppose to be progress, but it's very frustrating when you avoid things you love, like french fries and chocolate cake, and still only lose 1 or 2 pounds.

Up - My husband, friends and co-workers have said they can tell I'm losing weight.

Down - I haven't quite had the time to exercise, and I know if I could carve out some time, I could lose weight more quickly.

Up - I have discovered Crystal Light On-The-Go packs, so my water isn't as blah. Water is supposed to make you less hungry, but frankly, all it has done for me is make me use the bathroom more frequently. At least I'm hydrated!

My next weigh-in is Monday. This past weigh-in was a little disappointing; I only lost 1 pound. I'm drinking water until my eyes pop this time, so hopefully that will help, since everyone keeps telling me that's the trick. Wish me luck!

Getting back

2008-01-01T17:53:00.000-08:00

As expected, I got a little off track for the holidays. It's very hard to stick to 26 points when people are shoving cookies, cakes and pies in your face every 5 seconds. I did only gain 2 pounds, however, and have already worked them off. I'm not going to give myself too hard of a time about it, because I know that I could've done much worse.
My next meeting is Thursday, so I'll update then.

Proud of myself

2007-12-14T13:41:00.000-08:00

I went to my meeting last night and I more than made up for that pound that snuck its way back onto my body last week by losing 4, so I was super excited. Drinking water really has made a huge improvement.

I feel myself tightening my belt and standing taller, even though I've only lost 6 pounds total. I think I've lost inches, not pounds thus far, which is still OK since I can see a difference regardless.

I am getting slightly sick of salads, so I'm looking for new recipes. The Weight Watchers booklet that was handed out at our meeting had some good ones, and they came out with a new cookbook that's on my Christmas list as well.

It really is becoming a lifestyle and I'm proud of my endurance and commitment.

Oops

2007-12-07T09:27:00.000-08:00

I had a little slip this past week and gained a pound and a half at my last weigh-in. I think it's probably due to the french fries I had too much of at Ruby Tuesday's and that I've been drinking too much diet soda (that sodium will get you every time!)
So it's a brand-new week and I'm now drinking a lot more water. I've already lost the amount that I've gained back, thank goodness, and I'm going for more.
I've also become one of those weird mall walkers. I used to make fun of those elderly women clad in sneakers that would zoom past me while I browsed the racks of Banana Republic. Now I have aged 50 years and zip around those young whipper-snappers like they're standing still. The Concord Mills mall is a mile long and makes for great exercise. You just have to walk briskly and not stop at the window displays that are trying to lure you in (which was rough the first time I did this. Now I just breeze on by. Nice try, Ralph Lauren, but I saw that striped sweater on the last lap!)
Thanks for reading, and wave at me as I power-walk past you during your Christmas shopping!

Making progress

2007-11-29T17:56:00.000-08:00

Despite the holiday, I have still lost weight!
Last week, I was off to a good start with 2.4 pounds shed. This week, even after the gluttony of Thanksgiving, I am down 1.2 lbs.
It might seem slow, but I am still proud. I feel much better than I did when I started, and I know I did not put on this weight in a week, so it won't peel off of me that quickly, either.
Today I went to a meeting that discussed how to survive the upcoming holiday parties. I didn't even think about the impending doom a simple get-together could cause, but most appetizers can be packed full of hidden calories.
Some tips I found helpful were:
1) Fill up on the veggies that are offered first and go back for desserts (when you will eat just a sample),
2) Drink plenty of water before the party to fill up,
3) Eat a low point-value meal beforehand so you're not starving, and lastly,
4) Stand across the room from the food table, so you're not subconsciously popping potato chips in your mouth.
Hope these tips help you, too! I will keep plugging away, and write more soon.

2007-11-20T13:49:00.000-08:00

My first week of Weight Watchers is complete and I feel good about my progress. Switching my meals to healthier options has not been as hard as I anticipated; there’s some really delicious Lean Cuisines out there. I love their new Panini sandwiches, especially the Chicken Ranch. They also have personal pizzas that are surprisingly big and are only 7 points. I usually pair either the sandwich or the pizza with a salad and a diet soda. If I put Italian dressing on the salad, it makes a delicious nine point meal.
I’ve also discovered that many grocery stores pre-marinade grilled chicken for you, which is great for my busy lifestyle. I can have a piece of lemon pepper chicken, a salad with ranch dressing and a baked potato with I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter for 10 points. If you switch the dressing, it’s even less points.
For breakfast, Kashi cereal with strawberries is great. A cup of that with a cup of 2% milk is 5 points. I never used to eat breakfast, but since I’ve started, I find that I am less hungry throughout the day. I’m sure this is not a revelation for some of you, but I thought that by cutting out a meal, I would lose the weight faster. It actually just made me pig out for the other 2 meals because I was starving.
I’m starting off slow, so I will start incorporating exercise this week. I dusted off my poor Denise Austin Pilates tape that I bought the last time I had a vague notion of losing weight. Let me tell you, I felt the burn. I worked muscles I didn’t even know I had yesterday. There are two different versions of the work-out, and I am using the easy version this week. I was about to die halfway through, so I don’t think I can upgrade just yet.
I will go to my weekly meeting and get weighed on Wednesday this week, because I was out of town for my mother’s birthday during my regular one. I’ll post how many pounds I’ve lost tomorrow.

The first meeting

2007-11-13T10:45:00.000-08:00

Hello, everyone. My name is Megan Sprague and I am a writer for the Lake Norman Navigator.

I've never been one of those Hollywood stick figures, but lately I have been feeling unhealthy and out of shape. I decided, after months of feeling chubby and panting up the stairs to my third-floor apartment, that I would pick my bum up off the couch and do something about it.

I am now a proud member of Weight Watchers. My first meeting was Monday night, and it was inspiring. I was worried about starting right before the dreaded holiday season, but learning the rules and portions helped a lot. I can still eat everything I want, but just in smaller sizes, and I'm cool with that. If eating less and counting points allows me to fit into my favorite jeans again, I'm in.

This will be a big change for me ... I've never owned a scale and my version of exercise is getting up to change the TV channel manually. I'm hoping to lose 30 pounds in my journey and I am eager to start Pilates, which seems a little less threatening than going to the gym and staring blankly at weight machines that I have no idea how to use.

Added to this new way of life is a brainchild of my editor. A fellow employee, Jess, is doing a weight-loss boot camp and now we are pitted head-to-head (or stomach-to-stomach, if you prefer) to see who loses the most weight. I am a ridiculous cut-throat competitor that often makes children cry at board games, so I fully intend to kick butt and drop some pounds.

I can't believe I'm about to post this, but my starting weight is 177 pounds. I am allotted 26 points a day, with 35 weekly points for splurges (so I really can have my cake and eat it, too!)
In Weight Watchers' infinite wisdom, they also give you several helpful guides for eating out (which is good for a busy reporter!) and tasty-looking recipes (so your significant other isn't tortured as you shed a few pounds).

Well, really, that's about it! I hope you continue to read about my journey into the wonderful world of dieting and lend a sympathetic ear when I want that Double-Doozie and walk away with a Diet Coke.

*Editor's note* The author does not really make children cry at board games. Sometimes their eyes well up, but she quickly hand them a tissue and pretends to let them win.*