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***mrsnicole&brian***
Hey Nicole!
How are you? Just wanted to let you know that I started WW! The online version for now. So far I really like it and it is keeping me in line. Well at least weekdays... this weekend I tried to eat conservatively when I was out, but when I totalled up all the points at the end of the day, I was at 55 points on Sunday! (My allotment is 23 points). And like 45 points on Saturday. So even with my activity points, I am down to -4.5 points allowance for the week, which means I'll have to exercise at least that many points to get even.
I COULD NOT believe that I ate 55 points in one day!! No wonder I wasn't losing any weight while training for the triathlon. That day I even ate a small salad for lunch! But I had these amazing pancakes.... I looked it up, and they were 20 points. 20. All by themselves. Can you believe it? With no butter and sugar-free syrup. 20.
Well, just wanted to let you know that I really love their system, and thanks again for encouraging me to do it! Now I'm just really impatient for a couple of months to go by so I can see some results.
How's it going for you? It occurred to me after what you said about working out and sweating giving you a rash - what about swimming? And also weight training - you don't really have to sweat that much with that one. It's also recommended for adults 35 and over because it fights bone density loss, i.e, osteoporosis. I had been putting off weight training and then I realized, yes, I am 35. Yuck. They say you lose bone density every year really starting from 35.
Anyways, I'm rambling. Just wanted to share and see how things were going for you too!
Re: ***mrsnicole&brian***
Hey Jen! Huge CONGRATS for taking such a big step! Finally admitting to myself that I needed external help and that I simply could not do it on my own was a big decision for me.
The points are crazy, right?! My biggest problem is portion control...well, that and emotional eating. But the portion control thing has had the biggest impact. Even thought I exceeded my 35 weekly allowance by 10+ points, I still managed to lose almost 3 pounds the first week I was on WW.
I had tried to count calories, protein and fat on my own through SparkPeople, but those numbers alone really meant nothing to me. They were numbers without meaning. The Points really do give you a good overall "index" that does the balancing (of calories/fat/fiber) act for you.
Weekends are always my downfall. You are definitely not alone. Weekdays are definitely easier because you're at work or commuting most of the time and it's easy to control those environments. It's difficult when you're at home, have some down time, and the refrigerator is right there. Plus, weekends are when all the family GTGs are. In fact, we just celebrated my MIL's birthday on Sunday. I tried...I really did. BUT, I caved in and had a lot of things I really didn't need to eat, including a guava chiffon cake and brownies. But you don't want to be a party pooper, right?
Don't be discouraged. You accept these little setbacks, learn from them (for me, DON'T sit next to the plate of ham & provolone cheese puff pastry thingies!) and then move on. I try to look at every day as a new opportunity to do good. It doesn't always work, but it keeps me from beating myself up, falling into despair and saying, "Screw it. I already messed up this week. How about a few more brownies?" Remember, it's okay to have a holi-day...it's not okay to have a holi-week/holi-month/holi-year.
It's been tough getting back on the wagon after returning from Las Vegas. I had a couple of weeks of weight gain and then no change. Last week, I made a commitment to myself to start dilligently tracking again this week. We'll see how I do at my weigh-in tomorrow.
I'm hoping to be one more pound down for a total of 15 pounds total (I startd on June 18th)! I thought I'd be anxious to see the results. It's been slow and steady for me...about a pound per week. To be honest, it's gone by quickly. I'm trying to chronicle the journey in my blog (link in my siggy).
I really need to get with the exercise. So far, the 15 pounds have come off just through portion control and being a bit more active throughout my daily routine. My skin is pretty sensitive. It doesn't react well to chlorinated water. I think salt water would be okay, but then I'd have to worry about the sun. It's ridiculous. I'm just making excuses, though. I'm sure I'll come to terms with it once I reach that plateau where counting points alone is no longer enough.
Anyway, sorry for rambling! I'm just so excited that you joined and encourage you to stick with it!
Thanks for the encouragement! Yeah, you are totally right, saying, screw it, I already had a brownie, how about a few more - I TOTALLY used to think like that, but now that I'm thinking about how many points I'm accruing for the week; I realize every point counts, and everything I put in my mouth counts.
Good luck with the exercise thing. I LOVE ocean swimming, and if you have any calm water near you, I'm sure that could be majorly fun. I wear a wetsuit - I was able to get a good one on sale for $150.
And I mostly make sure I have good sunblock on my face - a physical sunblock (like something with Titanium Dioxide in it) is good, because physical sunblocks don't come off until you wash them off. Chemical sunscreens (that are in most moisturizers) - their effect wears off in a couple of hours. I also make sure to cover the back of my hands, because you know how age spots can eventually end up there.
Do you burn easily? If not, just get one of those mist types for the rest of your body, and cover more strongly the areas that usually burn; shoulders, etc.
What do you think about the weight training idea btw? You know, the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn at your resting rate and also while doing anything. And its basically impossible for girls to bulk up because we don't have enough testosterone.
Well, good luck on getting back on the wagon after Vegas! You're right, you do have to indulge a little sometime. 15 pounds is awesome!! You go girl!
Oh, btw, do you recommend/what are your favorite 0-3 point snacks/desserts?
Hey Jen! I feel funny doing this in light of one of the pp's about bloggers referring people to their blogs, but I want to refer you to my latest blog post regarding the snacks/desserts.
I just posted about some of my favorite staples/desserts and also included links to them. Please don't hate me. 
I swear I'm not just trying to get you to visit my blog.
Some other desserts that I just thought of are the Skinny Cow brand. I also hear the Klondike Slim-a-Bear is yummy, though I've never tried it myself. I also just picked up a tub of Breyers Vanilla No Sugar Added Double Churn ice cream. I swear it doesn't taste "healthy"! You can get 1 whole cup of it for just 3 points. Add 1/2 cup blueberries to it and you've got yourself and yummy dessert! I think I'm going to check out the Fat Free version (versus Sugar Free) next time I'm at the store. I'm curious as to how the taste differs. If I think of anything else, I'll let you know! Gotta run for now....
no problem! I actually have looked at your blog before, I need to catch up anyway!
Btw, I love your cards!! You are so talented.