Week 18 - Preview - Focusing On The Positives

Members who believe that they can lose weight, will lose weight because our actions are a direct result of our thoughts.

Since we are not always aware of our negative thinking, this week we are going to help members acknowledge their negative thoughts and translate them into self supportive ones!

Think about what happens to your motivation when you engage in negative thinking. Think about how this thinking effects your weight loss effort.

We will be talking about managing those thoughts and strategies for your success!

How are you doing with the Walk It Challenge? Have you signed up online for a 5k? Are you taking advantage of the free training? Have you checked on local resources?

Our Monday Night member Chantal has a web page for Weight Watchers that want to get together and walk. Please check out the Links to the right of the page for BellinghamWWWalkers. To get into the site you must use the following password - walkforaps.

Week 17 - Roundup - Truths and Myths About Carbs

I hope we were able to help you learn about the good choices, when it comes to carbohydrates.

Yes, carbohydrates are a part of the Weight Watcher Program; a very important part.

How did understanding the difference between simple and complex carbohydrates help you make healthier choices this past week?

Check out the Filling Food List on the Link's section of this blog. Print it out and put it on the fridge. You will have a great resource for the best carbohydrate choices that will help you lose weight.

Food Finds - WW Chocolate Chip Soft Cookies

Call me Cookie Monster. I love cookies. This last week I found a good one at Target that is 1 point!

Weight Watcher's Chocolate Chip Soft Cookies - they include 4 grams of fiber.

C is for COooookkkieeeeessssssssssss!

Remember to share YOUR food finds with me and your fellow members. Knowledge is power and it also tastes great too.

SFC Week 4 - Trivia Question

Below is a scan of Why Walk? ( you may click on the image to enlarge it)

The third statement listed is YOUR question for this week. The answer will be posted on the board at your meeting. Good Luck! :)

Week 17 - Preview - Truths And Myths About Carbs

Much is misunderstood about carbohydrates.

We often think about bread and pasta, instead of also including: fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Many of us think about carbohydrates as "Red Light" foods: cakes, cookies, chips. These all are highly-processed carbohydrates.

Complex carbohydrates are whole grains and filling foods that help us maintain control and stay satisfied longer.

How are doing with the Walk It Challenge that Weight Watchers is offering. Let me know about any questions you have including issues with signing up online. There have been updates created on the site to make it easier.

Don't forget the other options of exercise. We have local outlets like trails and parks, also gyms that include human beings ready to take your questions and give you guidance along the way. Please ask me about those options. I know of some great deals being offered to Weight Watcher Members. You can check my previous posts - free trail maps, links at the side of the blog and the WW punch card at Butterfly for women.

Week 16 - Round Up - Self Monitoring

Last week's question:

What are your tips or trips for tracking?

You came up with wonderful answers, like:

Tips -

List point values of breakfast and lunch in the morning

Do it (it works). Plan your day with portions and points values

Reward yourself when you reach tracking goals. Plan ahead. Keep journal of your likes and point values

Carry my tracker with me in my purse

Keep tracking book on counter in kitchen

Look back at previous weeks

Plan out your entire day's points

Plan ahead and know your favorite points

Use tool that calculates points for a recipe

Make cheat sheet of points values of foods I eat all the time (So I don't have to look them up)

Eating half a portion when it's something you really want

Don't eat anything until last food is written down

Be specific when writing

Keep up with tracking

Mark food packages with points per serving, so you don't have to calculate the points everytime you reach for that box of cereal.

Trips -

Time (Not enough. Takes too long)

Self Sabotaging. "Oh, a bite won't hurt."

Thinking I will write it down later

Remembering to write down the bites

Forgetting your tracker at home

Underestimating the points when you are lazy

Guessing instead of figuring out a food that is missing from the book

A challenge when not home

Sticking with it

Overestimating points values

By the end of the day, lose track and discipline to stick to dinner plans

- - This is a sampling of all the tips and trips we discussed last week. Knowing how much you are eating and how much you are exercising is ESSENTIAL to your success on the program. FINDING YOUR WAY OF TRACKING is equally as important.

Food Finds - Weight Watchers Giant Latte Ice Cream Bar

To cool off with a low point treat, try the Weight Watcher GIANT Latte Bar.

This is really delicious and only 1 point!!!

I found these at Fred Meyer along with other Weight Watcher Ice Cream Novelties.

SFC Week 3 - Trivia Question 3

What is the name of the orange, furry mascot, with the big googlie eyes?

1) Mr. Momentum
2) H.Pang
3) Mr. Hungry
4) Mellow Fellow

Week 16 Preview - Self Monitoring Successfully

"Research has shown that tracking works. Self Monitor on a regular basis and you will increase the likelihood that you will see success on the scale."
-Hollis from The American Journal Of Preventative Medicine.

Successful members develop the "Monitor Yourself Habit" and know their efforts are helped when they make themselves accountable.

Self Monitoring means being aware of what and how much you are eating and how much you are exercising. It also means noticing the difference these things make to your progress.

Week 15 Roundup - One Step At A Time

Did you fill out your Storyboard Forms? Bring them to the meeting this week!!!! :)

Have you thought about participating in a 5k?

Did you check out the "Team" site on the Weight Watcher Website?

Do not forget to look at the right side bar links. They include local trail info, local walking and running clubs and events, plus the 5k challenge info, etc...

You can still take advantage of the FREE 8 week online walk/run training program.

Remember to treat yourself to some beneficial rewards. Here are a couple ideas:

A Weight Watcher Pedometer. This will challenge your to do more steps/miles and Activity Points.

The Walking Kit that we sell in the meeting room has 10 minute and up to 40 minute walking routines that can be done indoors, as well as out doors.

See you this week!