Preview Week 49 - What Gear Do You Need To Move More

We are going to talk about some of the things that we need in order to get the type of exercise we enjoy accomplished.

One of the things that I have loved doing for years now is walking. So, for me, essentials are: a good pair of walking shoes and a pedometer.

I have the pedometer that Weight Watchers put out this year. It is very easy to use and it gives you the number of activity points you earn each day to turn into food points, if you like.

I think it's important to know how much you improve with your particular exercise. If we stay the same all the time and don't stretch ourselves to go farther or with more intensity, the weight loss will stagnate.

The pedometer keeps me on track. I can observe if I am not walking far enough or if I need to start working harder and walk more.

We have the pedometer for sale in the meeting room for $24.00. A nice gift for yourself. Plus for those of you that have the previous models....this new one calculates your stride automatically.

I want to spend most of this week's meeting, though, on the progress you made over the Thanksgiving Holiday and any questions or concerns you have about the end of the year.

I really want to open up this meeting to discuss concerns and issues with your weight loss progress, program questions, and also reflecting on your successes and look forward to even more rewards with the new program that will be launched next week.

Reminder: If you have friends who have not come for a while, encourage them to come back and hear about the new program. Remember they can come free and stay for the meeting and getting started. If they wanted to re-join that's when they would need to pay the registration and weekly fee.

Another reminder..... Jingle Bell Walk/Run for the Arthritis Foundation. This will be on Saturday December 13th. Please see previous posts for more information www.bellinghamjbr.kintera.org

I'm getting myself prepared for the event, which includes getting my buddies Oliver and Meg dressed up and ready to go, whether they like it or not.

Here are the results:








Watch for us on December 13th!!!

Also, I thought it would be kind of cute this year to have one of those holiday photo cards. So, I got Heather to take pictures of me with Meg and Oliver. It was quite the task. I was hot and sweaty by the end of it. Now I know what Claudia Schiffer feels like.


Here's the first couple tries (Actually this is the 50th and 51st)



It's not bad, but Jackie has to butt in..


Here we go...



Jackie was desperate to get in the photo, but when the time came for his close up he clammed up!

I'm a celebrity get me out of here!

Wrap Up Week 48- Why Would You....

Food Saboteurs!

Did you recognize when you were being sabotaged?

What did you end up doing?

Did you ask for help?

I'm going to spend most of week 49 talking about our experience over the Thanksgiving holiday and how you dealt with the special foods of the season.

Here's what I was up to this last week:

This year I used a recipe for a marinade and I also purchased an injector kit from Big Lot's. It was only a couple bucks and I was able to make an excellent bird this year. The marinade consisted of orange, rosemary, garlic, and chiles. Very flavorful, and low points.

I always start my gravy in the bottom of the roasting pan to get all the flavors. This had a lot of the marinade taste, plus a lot of the turkey flavors. I took out the turkey to rest and then placed the inexpensive roasting pan on the burners to heat the gravy. As you know the trick to a smooth gravy is to keep stirring! I use a whisk to stir mine.

Here are a couple classics. We had sweet potatoes, and garlic mashed potatoes (for my daughter) as well, but pictured are the green bean casserole and a special cornbread dressing, that complimented the marinade flavors. It had cornbread(duh), green chiles, red roasted bell peppers, hominy, and garlic. It was great.

We pulled out all the stops, we even used the good china for these turkeys!

I even decided to do some decorating this year. This is just the beginning. I was pretty exhausted after a full day of cooking. Apparently, Meg was too.

Preview - Week 48 - Why Would You Offer Me That?

Dear Members,

Does it some times seem like food pushers are everywhere?

This week we are going to develop strategies, to recognize unsupportive behavior and enlist weight loss saboteurs-support or navigate around them.

Who are your saboteurs?

Why do they sabotage?

How do you get their help, instead?

These are good strategies, not only for Thanksgiving, but for the other holidays that are just around the corner.

Don't forget what your winning outcome is for this time of year.

"Tell everyone what you want to do and someone will help you do it!" - W. Clement Stone

A good way to burn off some of the Thanksgiving extras is to sign up for the Jingle Bell Walk/Run. This event is on December 13th. The run is 5 miles and the walk is 2 miles. Monies donated, go to the Arthritis Foundation. You may sign up online. Please follow this link for more information. Dogs are welcome for you walkers! You will see me there with Meg and Oliver with their bells on!

http://bellinghamjbr.kintera.org

Wrap Up - Week 47

Dear Members,

Two weeks until the new program!!!!

Did you physically rehearse your Thanksgiving meal?

Did you use the Thanksgiving cheat sheet?

Do you know your portions?

How will you spend your 35 weekly points allowance?

Don't forget you have lower point choices of traditional foods.

You will find them at www.weightwatchers.com

Food Finds - Raw Almonds, Greek Yogurt

I found the following items at Trader Joe's.

I love this find, Trader Joe's Greek Style Non Fat Yogurt. It comes in three flavors: Pomegranate, Blueberry and Honey. Like I said, they are non-fat, but believe me they are so creamy. It tastes like dessert! Only 2 points.






Trader Joe's Handful of Almonds. 13 individual bags -5 points per bag! I know, I know it seems high, but it is portioned out for you, it's a great snack. These almonds are raw, which is way better for you than roasted nuts. High protein (7grams), so is a great source for those of you who are vegetarians, vegans and or want a high protein snack.

NEW PROGRAM!!!!!!!!!!!

We are rolling out a new program, the first in four years, the week of December 7th.

The program is entitled: MOMENTUM

It will be one program instead of two, with the best of both Flex and Core included.

Stay tuned, we have some exciting times ahead of us!

I will personally be using the new program starting today Monday, November 17th.

I will be totally fluent by the 7th!

I will share with you my results and show you how to use the program yourselves!

Preview Week 47 - Managing Special Occassions

One way for you to manage Thanksgiving....is to play a great online game using WeightWatchers.com

Follow this link to the Thanksgiving Cheat Sheet:

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=44041

Use your cursor to grab foods (see the serving sizes and description as you lay the cursor over the pictures) and drag them to the plate pictured. It calculates the points for you!

You can continue to play the game, by clearing your plate and selecting combinations of foods.

Below this great tool, is even more information about how to lighten your favorite foods, know your portions and also tools to compare.

PLUS...look to the right of the image there are other cheat sheets - PIZZA, COCKTAILS, GRILLING....ETC...

Wrap Up- Week 46

Lessons From The Gridiron...

What lessons did you use this last week?
Are you planning on coming to the huddle?
Were there any interferences?
What did you practice?
Do you know your game plan?

Here's your favorite quote by George Allen, former coach of the LA Rams, "Winning is the science of being totally prepared."

How are you planning for the end of the year with Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's ahead of us?

Stay tuned for next week...Managing Special Occasions.

Preview - Week 46 - Football and Weightloss?

TOUCHDOWN!

Did you know that Weight Watcher Members and football have a lot in common?

These are fundamentals from a coach's perspective. See if you see any similarities between being a member of Weight Watchers and being a player on a football team.

1: It's realizing that the team is bigger than the individual.

2: Realizing that a team is needed for all to succeed.

3: Everyone looks to pick their fellow teammate up when they stumble. (Everyone knows they will all need that at some point in the game or season)

4: Success and failure aren't measured by the individual plays or moments, but by the final score and how you finished.

5: Everyone fails, it's what you do with the failure that makes the difference. Learn by your mistakes and move on.

6: You will get another shot at making the play, so forget about the last play and be ready for the next play.

7: There are a few game breaking opportunities in every game, that mean the difference between winning and losing, so be ready when the break comes.

8: Don't worry about the score or if you are losing, just stick to the game plan and play your game.

9: Invariably, the team that does the fundamentals the best is the one who wins, so stick to mastering the fundamentals and success will come.

10: Football is a game of four quarters, not one.

11: Play to win(not to just show up or spectate).

Learn more this week!!!

Food Finds -Fruit and Breakfast Sandwich

Weight Watcher's Smart Ones Morning Express - Stuffed Breakfast Sandwich

(Egg whites, Cheese, Bacon and Veggies)

There are two hot sandwiches per box;5 points per sandwich.

Microwave them for aproximately 2 minutes in the sleeve provided to get a crisp crust. (Similar to Hot Pockets, but a great alternative!)

Gone are the excuses like, "I don't have time for breakfast."

You can eat it on the run or cook it at the office.

My father and I tried these this morning and really enjoyed them.

What is in your fruit bowl?

Remember save money by purchasing fruits in season!!!

Well, in my fruit bowl, I have Gala Organic Apples. They are crisp and delicious.

There are also two kinds of pears, which are inexpensive right now. (I purchased all my fruit this week from Fred Meyer's) The green ones are Bartlett, and the brown one is Bosc. Both have distinct flavors. I've discovered I really enjoy the Bosc, because not only are they sweet, but they have a hint of spice.

Also, another inexpensive fruit choice are the boxes of Satsumas.

Do you know how many Satsumas equal 1 point?!