Update on the WeightWatchers Walk-!T / Run IT Challenge

This last week has been busy! I spent most of my free time planning for our Easter Egg Hunt that was supposed to be Saturday, but is now Sunday at 5 pm. We are excited that it is now Sunday, and pray that it will be a great outreach event!

I also spent the rest of my free time, running / walking. Tuesday, I joined Shapes by Jodi. and ran / walked Monday and Tuesday. I really liked Shapes by Jodi (it is open 24/7 with your card), and it is affordable because they do not have childcare (I can sneak off before dinner and run), and I can cancel membership anytime. Tuesday night, I had to go to a Preschool Committee meeting so I did not have a lot of time and somehow ran seven straight minutes! Wednesday morning, my friend and I ran 2 minutes / walked 3 minutes and it was not too bad. BUT, Friday morning we ran 3 minutes, walked 2 minutes for 3 times, and I thought I was going to die. I could not really breath at all.

The first week of running/walking was really hard on my shins. I have major feet issues. I have very flat feet and when I walk my feet go in (actually had braces on my feet when I was little). So, unfortunately, I have to spend a good bit of money on my tennis shoes and insoles. I love Brooks tennis shoes and got some last summer. But, I have not worked out since last August, so I am not ready to get new shoes just yet, but will probably be ordering some new Superfeet Insoles. They are incredible, and I would highly recommend them if you have feet problems at all. If you find out how I can order them cheaper than retail price (I get the hot pink color), please let me know soon!

Week 2: Running a 5K

Day 1: Run 3 min., Walk 3 min., Repeat 4 times, Total of 34 min.
Day 2: Rest
Day 3: Same as Day 1
Day 4: Rest
Day 5: Run 5 min., Walk 3 min., Repeat 3 times, Total of 34 min.
Day 6: Run 5 min, walk 3 min. Repeat 2 times, Total of 26 min.
Day 7: Rest

WeightWatchers Walk-!T Challenge: We Signed up for a 5K

Me and my friend went to WeightWatchers on Wednesday, and I was like, "oh great they are talking about a 5k the entire time...I am not doing that..."

Well, my leader Marti, the best leader I have ever had, gave us a pamphlet that has a $5 WeightWatchers PointsPlus Pedometer (so it makes it $18), and a 30% off coupon for a pair of Sketchers shoes. Also, it has step-by-step on how you train in 6 weeks to walk or run a 5K (y'all know I love a plan). She went on to explain that a 5K is only 3.1 miles, and that she was going to work it out so we will meet at a track May 21st Sat night at 6pm to run it, and we do not have to pay anything to run it (we get a 5k charm if we finish it).

Walking Guide Week 1:

Day 1: 10 min
Day 2: 10 min
Day 3: rest
Day 4: 12 min
Day 5: 12 min
Day 6: rest
Day 7: 15 min

Running Guide Week 1:

Day 1: 1 min Run, 1 min Walk, Repeat 10 x for total time of 30 min
Day 2: Rest
Day 3: same as Day 1
Day 4: Rest
Day 5: 2 min Run, 2 min Walk, Repeat 4 x for total time of 30 min
Day 6: 2 min Run, 2 min Walk, Repeat 3 x for total time of 25 min
Day 7: Rest

Me and my friend have now both lost 13 pounds (one week I had lost a total of 14 pounds, but this week I am back up a pound) with Weight Watchers since November of last year. I really think training for these 6 weeks will really help us lose the last 10 pounds we need to lose.

Also, this Saturday will be the last day to join up for Weight Watchers for $19.99 for the first month. When there is not a joining fee, I just pay weekly. But, when there is a joining fee you have to pay $13 a week and have to pay for the week you missed (you get 3 free misses every 6 months I think). Having a friend to go through this with me has made all the difference it the world!

I will hopefully weekly update you on how the training is going. As of now, I think my goal is to run maybe 2 miles of it and walk 1 mile. I will probably train for the running track, so it will be a challenge, but running 3.1 miles when I have not worked out since last summer is probably not a realistic goal. If you have any advice on training, I would love to hear it! Tomorrow we are going to a track with my WeightWatchers Pedometer.

Continue to pray for our house to sell - pretty sure no one ended up coming to the open house. There are around fifty houses in our new neighborhood in Columbia, and only three left for sell (ours being one of them), so we have faith that our house will sell, and He will get all the glory!

Wednesday's Weight Watchers: I Have Lost 13.6 Pounds Now

It has been slow going (I joined WeightWatchers in October of last year), but having a friend go with me every week has made all the difference in the world. I have lost five percent of my body weight and three pounds away from 10 percent of my body weight. I have never done Weight Watchers during November and December (Thanksgiving and Christmas), but I am so glad I did this year because I did not gain weight during those holidays.

It would be losing weight quicker if I was going to work out classes that I love, but I have not been doing that. A friend recently told me about Shapes by Jodi in Kings Mountain that I will hopefully check out soon. In Columbia, I had one of the best workout teachers ever Lisa and I loved taking Body Step and Body Combat with her.

The key for me with Weight Watchers is planning out what I will eat the day before I eat it. Additionally writing everything down is key and I got a new cute cover for my 3 month journal.

I do need to increase my veggie intake, but I am really enjoying eating all the fresh fruit I like for 0 points.

Yesterday I ate:

Fiber One Bar 4 points

Banana 0 points

Weight Watchers Smart One Meal 7 points
Weight Watchers Brownie will lite cool whip 4 points

Grapes 0 points
Fiber One Yogurt 1 point

Dry Cereal 4 points

Weight Watchers Cheeseburger 5 points
Cookies 4 points

(usually I try to eat veggies at night for supper).

Total points-29 points not going over my points and most people's point value for a day which is 29 points and you get 49 extra points for a week to use (you also can earn points by working out).

Praying I can figure out a good goal weight for me so I can FINALLY become a lifetime member of Weight Watchers.

What type of exercising to you do and enjoy?

WeightWatchers Points Plus: They Changed Things for the First Time in 13 years!

I was pretty shocked that WeightWatchers changed when I went to the meeting last Monday night. There was so many people there that I was there 30 more minutes than I usually am.

This week is probably the busiest week I have had in a long time. This week so far we have put up the Christmas tree, got Christmas cards done, got presents for everyone on Cyber Monday (I got seven presents at Kodak Galleries for $50 and saved $38!), my mom had nasal surgery Monday, I got Abigail present for her birthday that is this Sunday, and finally got some stuff ready to go to the SEC Championship Game that is this Saturday (it will be the first time I have left both babies). Wow...

So I am only going to give you a few bullet points on what has changed with WeightWatchers (more to come for sure).

• The main thing is that now you HAVE to get a points calculator because they have totally changed how calculate points values for every food that you eat (they are only $5.95 each right now through the end of Jan.) They do not even take into consideration calories, but you figure out how many points a food is by entering in how many Proteins it has, Carbs, Total Fat, and Fiber.
• I have found that most of the foods I like to eat have gone up in points value. Fiber One yogurt that was 0 points, is now 1 point because of the carbs, and my 2 point WeightWatchers brownie is now 3 points instead of 2. Basically all WeightWatchers food have gone up 1 point.
• But, now even the smallest person has to eat 29 points a day (in the old program I was trying to only eat 23 a day), and now everyone gets 49 extra points for the week! If you are more than 20 pounds overweight you can calculate how many points you get using your points calculator. They say they have been doing scientific research for the last 13 years to make WeightWatchers as scientifically proven as possible.
  
• Last, but not least, they say all fresh fruits (not canned) are 0 points! Fresh veggies are 0 points as well. A banana that once was 2 points is now 0 points. WeightWatchers has all new books for this new Points Plus system, and good deals on them as well.
  

Let me know if you have any questions. Jan 1st would be a great time to join WeightWatchers ($13 a week here). I have now lost 9.4 pounds in 7 weeks! Yay!

Weight Watchers Weigh In: Week 3

Well...

I lost 2.4 pounds this week! Yay!

If you have been keeping up so far I have not lost any weight doing WeightWatchers until this week.

What was the change?

Patience, and having a friend at the church go with me. In the middle of last week, I was ready to give up. I was already going over my points daily by 5 or 10 per day, and had a Halloween weekend coming up. I facebooked my friend and she said she was doing good, so that gave me encouragement to keep going. Doing it with someone is really a bigger deal than I had originally thought. Did I eat candy? Yes. Did I eat lots of candy? No, and I am sending a big zip lock bag of candy to work with Charlie (it is hard because Jackson does not like candy...but my sweet baby girl loves candy).

Weight loss is kind of like college football (which is on at our house right now a lot). Sometimes you are down by two touchdowns, but is the game over yet? No. Sometimes in weight loss you have actually gained a pound, but is it Monday and weigh in day? No. Never giving up is huge because once you give up all hope, you have lost the game or the battle. There is power in thinking positively, but there is even more power in knowing that you have the Holy Spirit working supernaturally in you not to sin. We might lose battles here on earth, but praise the Lord King Jesus will win the war and sin will be defeated once and for all. I am really looking forward to that day right now! Praying daily that the Holy Spirit will empower me to love myself less and not indulged myself and depend completely on Him. All the glory to Him!

Weight Watchers Weigh In: Week 2

I did not lose or gain any weight again on week two.

But the good news is:

1. I have a friend now going with me and I know that is going to get me even more motivated.
   
2. Think about all the weight I would be gaining right now...
3. Feel so much better, I am getting healthy, and working out three times a week doing Jillian Micheals workouts. I am trying my best through His help to glorify God with my eating.

Some things that have been helpful this week:

1. Charlie loves Hersey Bars and is not overweight at all. He is being helpful by hiding his candy stash in his room.
2. I love the meetings in Shelby. I have gone to Weight Watchers meetings in Columbia, Spartanburg, and Sumter, and my teacher here is so enjoyable, and does not go on and on about things we do not really need to hear. Studies have shown going to meetings people lose twice as much as those who do not stay for the meetings.
3. I have always done 8 minutes abs, but I found 7 minutes abs on YouTube and it is really working.
4. Weight Watchers Chicken Alfredo (my favorite meal) every other day (in the freezer section / 6 points).
   

For Halloween allow yourself 1-3 pieces of candy, but then I would try hiding the rest (one small piece of candy is usually 2 points). Another trick my leader told me and that when she bakes cookies she allows herself to have one as she is walking out the door so then she is physically not able to eat anymore. Please pray that I can lose some weight this week. I am not going to lie, I am getting a little frustrated.

Caramel Apple Salad:

2 golden delicious apples (cubed)

1 Box sugar-free butterscotch pudding

1 cup mini marshmallows

1 small container fat free Cool Whip

1 20 oz. can pineapple tidbits in its own juice

Mix all together
Store in refrigerator

1 cup=1 point

"God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him." 1 John 4:9

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

First Weekly Weigh in at Weight Watchers

I did not lose any weight this week with my first week back from WeightWatchers (after losing my 10 percent back in April).

It is important for me to become a lifetime member at WeightWatchers so I can lose the weight and keep it off (by weighing monthly). I hope to accomplish this by next summer.

The week before this week, I ate everything in sight so I am probably still paying for that and that is the reason I believe I did not lose any weight this week. I did not overeat this week or go over my points.

Victories this Week:

1. Worked out three times at home this week for the first time in a long time doing Jillian Micheals 30 day shred, and Last Chance workout by her (free on exercise on demand with Time Warner).
2. Went to Harris Teeter in Shelby to get Jolly Time popcorn that is the snack size which is only 1 point for the entire bag. I had a mommy friend tell me that this popcorn is what got her through at first (she is 4 weeks away from being a lifetime member!).
   
3. I felt better all week, and was down at all.
4. Ate WeightWatchers brownie (2 points) and heated it up in the microwave for 10 seconds and put light whip cream on top, and that helped my craving for chocolate. I also REALLY enjoy the WeightWatchers Chicken Alfredo (in the freezer section) meal. The new cheeseburger meal is excellent as well.
   

The hardest time I had was when my children do not finish their plates. I have a VERY hard time throwing away their food and "wasting" it. I actually had to pray through not eating their leftovers and there is power in prayer, the Holy Spirit, and in Jesus' precious name. I prayed to the Holy Spirit that he would give me supernatural strengthen. Please keep me in your prayers that I can lose this weight, and not be overweight and unhealthy. Let me know what helps you stay healthy and not overeat!

Tuesday's Tip: Weight Loss

Our doctor came and spoke one Wednesday night and did a great job talking about overall health and weight loss.

Here our some of his tips for losing weight:

1. Eat breakfast
2. Do not skip meals
3. Eat more often but smaller portions
4. Avoid night time feedings
5. No fast food
6. Drink more water
7. No sodas
   
8. Chew gum (sugar-free)
9. More fiber
10. Exercise, exercise, exercise

With the not skipping meals, he said that when your stomach growls and growls then studies have shown that your metabolism slows down making it hard to loss weight (because your body thinks that you are starving).

Digestion starts with chewing, so chewing gum can send signals to your brain that you actually getting full.

Today I weighed more than I have ever weighed, not being pregnant, so I joined back WeightWatchers tonight.

I think I will post weekly updates on my "weigh in" day (just telling you how much a lost each week), as further accountability on Tuesdays. My goal is to lose anywhere from 16- 25 pounds by next summer. I think 16 pounds is WeightWatchers goal for me, but I would like to lose more like 25 pounds. WeightWatchers is such a great program and I would love to be a lifetime member finally. Pray that I can reach this goal through the Holy Spirit's power (not by my own strength).

Baked Chicken Recipe

In my Weight Watchers 3 month journal:

1 spray cooking spray

4 oz uncooked boneless skinless chicken breat

1/2 tsp. table salk

1.4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 tsp. olive oil

2 tsp. fresh lemon juice, or more to taste

2 tsp chopped fresh rosemarry

1/4 cup canned chicken broth

Preheat oven to 400. Coat a small, shallow roasting pan with cooking spray. Season both side of chicken with salt and pepper. Transfer chicken to prepare pan and drizzle with oil, sprinkle with lemon juice, and rosemarry. Pour broth around chicken to coat bottom of pan. Bake until chicken is cooked through, about 30-35 minutes.

Makes 4 servings

3 points per serving

What is your favorite chicken recipe?

Tuesday's Tip: Order WeightWatchers Magazine

Even if you do not "do" WeightWatchers, the magazine they put out every two months is very helpful. It has usually 50 great receipes and articles like, "Are you Really Hungry?" In this article, the author states you are often hungry just because it is "time" to eat, or you smell something that triggers the feeling of hungry, or you tend to eat in response to moods.

Click here to order the magazine for one free trial. Since I am a previous Weight Watchers member, I just got a code to get one year's worth for $9.75.

How have I been doing with overeating?

Bad! I have gained 5 pounds since I quit the gym (classes I want to go to are not offered at times I can go anymore). That is one reason I am eating, another might be because I turned 30 this month. But, the main reason is because I am a sinner. I see, I look, I take, just like Eve (that hit me hard this morning at Community Bible Study).

I was planning on joining WeightWatchers back at the beginning of the year for sure to try to become a lifetime member before next summer, but now I feel like I might need to join back now for some accountability.

I have been doing Jillian work outs, "Last Chance," and "Shred," on exercise tv on demand FREE with Time Warner Cable (so thankful for my facebook friends telling me about this!). I do them 2 or 3 times a week, but think I might need to be something more like every day to get me back on track. Love to hear what works for you!

Overall, I need to ask for wisdom from Jesus on how to overcome this sin of mine, like Charlie preached on Sunday. I also need to pray for the Holy Spirit to empower me, and finally for God to give me the precious gift of faith. Faith, that He can help me overcome this for His glory and my good.

Tuesday's Tip: Working out at Home

I wrote on Facebook:

"Emily Wallace has just canceled our gym membership and will not be going to Body Step for the first time in three years because the classes are not offered when we can go now that Jackson is going to Pre-School and playing soccer again. What work out videos do you recommend at home (we have a great room out back for working out) besides P90X? Zumba? Insanity?"

Got back in response:

"Jillian Michael's Shred....20 minute workouts, but very good."

"Anything Jillian is GREAT! Do you have TimeWarner Digital cable - they have Exercise TV on Demand - It's free and the workouts change all the time!"

Very thankful for help people give on Facebook. I think I am going to try one of Jillian's workouts and Exercise TV on Demand.

I am planning to try to work out Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

We finally have gotten ourselves into a good schedule here but now things are going to change with Preschool and soccer starting. Throughout the summer we would go to the gym Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturday (mornings). Mondays we would stay in the house and I would wash-clothes all day and "recover" from Sunday. Wednesday morning we would go to Wal-Mart. I think our Monday/Wednesday schedule will stay the same, but, I am now going to try to work out while they take a nap on Mondays and Wednesdays. It is hard, though, without accountability!

Weight Watchers tip for the week: If you want something to eat really bad and are not hungry, wait 15 minutes, and if you still want it 15 minutes later then eat it. I have also been thinking is eating "goldfish" (or any snack food that my babies are eating) really worth not being able to reach my goal? Is this food worth my stomach still being large? The answer is usually "no!"

What workout would you recommend at home?

Tuesday's Tip: Printable Coupons

I just printed off many printable coupons from

coupons.com

Cereal, yogurt, meals, roles, etc.

Also, Hungry Girl is a great website to check out for recipes, and weight watchers ideas.

Thursday's Tip: Overcoming Feeling Defeated

"He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything . . . . No name and no power [are] exempt from his rule (Eph. 1:21-22)."

Last Sunday, Charlie challenged us to pray 10 minutes a day for one week (it has taken some getting used to with my husband being my pastor too...he is an unbelievable teacher and pastor).

As I was praying, I just cried out to God in my prayer that I just have felt so defeated in two areas of my life: finances and overeating.

So, after praying, God and His Spirit showed me some ways to overcome feeling defeated. Have a plan!

With finances there have been many expenses that have occurred that are out of our control - keeping up with two houses, Charlie having his gallbladder out and then those bills pouring in. But one thing I can control is how much we spend on groceries and out to eat and I really do not feel like we have been good stewards in this area at all. It takes some time to figure out how much it is going to cost to live in a new town as well as adjusting to a different type of pay schedule.

So here has been our challenge this last week and only by God's power and His provision have we been able to only spend $200 on groceries and out to eat.

1. We got $200 in cash out for last week. Spent $50 at Ingels, $50 at Walmart, $20 at CVS, $15 church meal and had the rest left over. We went out to eat one time at Ham's where the kids ate for .99 (Monday night).
2. No matter what, we eat at the table and try our best to cook on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday nights. Charlie enjoys cooking and I do not mind cleaning it up! I am planning out our meals one week in advance.
   
3. During my Walmart trip I could not believe how I got 30 items for $50. I totally felt not defeated, I was a conqueror. Going out to eat is not a desire but for one time a week when I could get so many groceries for $20.
4. I love having cash in my wallet and I have hardly had to use my debit card.
   

With overeating:

• I write down everything I eat in my 3 month Weight Watchers journal.
• I weigh in every Monday with Charlie for accountability. (trying to lose 2 pounds a week).
• My goal is to have this 15-20 pounds (I am that much more heavier since my wedding day Jan 2004) off by next summer. I am going to join back Weight Watchers when I get 10 pounds away from my target weight and hopefully become a lifetime member of Weight Watchers.
• There is nothing I can get at Zaxby's under 20 WW points, so I just do not get anything!
  
• Just always trying to lose weight is frustrating, but giving myself a big goal and specific time limits has really helped my attitude!

What about you? Do you feel defeated with your fiances or overeating? What has helped you?

I am ordering This Steamer Soon from QVC!

Natalie writes (this picture is from what she cooked):

"Last night I used my Technique 3 tier steamer and made tilapia filets and asparagus. On the side I made minute rice. It was a delicious 6 point meal. Did you know that for 4 ounces of tilapia, it's only 2.5 points? The pic below is what it looked like when finished."

I love asparagus and with all the fresh veggies we are getting from people at the church, this steamer will be a great way to cook veggies.

http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.K26182.desc.Technique-85qt-3-Tier-Food-Steamer

She also says,

"HOT NEW FIND!! This thing is awesome! I steamed boneless skinless chicken breast in the bottom tray, cauliflower in the middle and fresh yellow squash and zuchinni in the top tray. Most tender chicken I have EVER eaten and all the fat dripped away. I coated everything in extra virgin olive oil (just a little), sea salt..."

She is on facebook and is so close to reaching her goal. I think she has lost 80 pounds through Weight Watchers and she posts every week on her group on facebook, "Knotts So Much of Me," you can join.

I am having a really good week this week, eating healthy and feeling great. Weighing in every Monday morning at the house.

What is your weight lose tip this week (or eating more healthy tip)?

Tuesday's Tip: Weight Watchers and Budgeting

Weight Watchers Tips:

• I got off going to Weight Watchers meetings after we moved but I am back to using their journal and my first tip is to plan out what you will eat every day right when you wake up!
• Normal day of eating for me is: Fiber One Bar first thing: 2 points, Smart One Chicken Alfredo frozen meal: 6 points, Fiber One yogurt:0 points, Weight Watchers brownie (heated up in the microwave): 2 points with light cool whip on top, Junior Burrito at Moe's: 8 points, chips and some dip: 4 points, Red Velvet cake bar: (found only at Weight Watchers meetings) 1 point. Total used 23 points even though my goal is 22. Writing down what you eat is huge, and I love the 3 month journal that is found only at the meetings.
• Every other day I eat Special K Chocolate Protein Shake for breakfast for 3 points. I try not to have the same thing for breakfast and lunch every day. I also try to wait to I am hungry to eat!
  
• Recently, I have enjoyed the new Special K vanilla almond cereal. What are some low calorie/ low point food that you enjoy?

Budgeting:

• I am making a new personal legalism of only spending $100 a Walmart per week on groceries, medicine, diapers etc. I will not go back to Walmart for 7 days, not matter what!
• Trying to not spend more than $200 a week on groceries and out to eat food
• Check on how you are doing at least once I week...I do it on Mondays usually.
• We try to spend no more that $3 on breakfast for all of us, $5 for lunch and $10 for dinners for all of us.
  
• What are your money saving tips for this week or budgeting suggestions?
  

Thursday's Tip: Special One Day Event!

at Babies R Us (and I saw on facebook Toys R US as well)

On Saturday, March 20, receive a FREE $20 gift card with your purchase of TWO value boxes of Pampers Diapers with Dry Max (92-252 ct.).

Click here to purchase online: http://toysr.us/PampersDryMax

(This offer valid in-store and online on March 20 only! While supplies last.)

PLUS, don't miss out on live Dry Max demos and FREE giveaways at your local Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us store! Call your local store for details.

These are new diapers and there was a coupon is last Sunday's paper for them as well.

My flyer says from 12-4 pm, but I would call the store because it might be all day.


Food tip:

If you want something to eat and are not hungry wait 15 minutes. If 15 minutes pass by, and you still want it then it is usually good to go ahead and eat it then because that means you really do want to eat it.

In 7 Weeks, I have Lost ...

8.8 pounds at Weight Watchers! I have now met my first weight target of 8 pounds (5% of my weight).

Last week, I lost, 2.8 pounds, which was very exciting! My parents started trying it out on Monday so that helped out tremendously (I have not been to my work out classes at all this week either).

I highly recommend Weight Watchers (I have heard online is good as well). The 3 month journal is the most helpful tool, along with the points calculator. When I started Weight Watchers I was 8 pounds overweight (which makes a big difference for shorter people), and right now I am still 10 pound away from my ultimate weight. When I joined Weight Watchers, I was just sick of eating terribly. Weight Watchers is really the only weight loss plan I know of that you can actually go out to eat and not feel bad about your eating choices. As of now, I pay $11 a week since we are in transition, but they have good 3 months passes that are better deals for the long haul.

Just to motivate you even more, here is how you figure out how many points you can have in a day:

1. What do you weight? Enter the first two digits of your weight in pounds for example, if you weigh 175 (WW book says), enter 17.

2. Are you: female?.....2. males you get 8 points here

3. How old are you:

17-26-you get 4 points
27-37- you get 3 points
38-47 you get 2 points
48-58 you get 1 points
over 58-you get 0 points

4. How tall are you

Under 5"1..................0 points
5"1-5"10......................1 points
Over 5 "10....................2 points

5. Do you spend most of the day

Sitting down.................0 points
Occasionally sitting, but mainly standing................2 points (MOMS)

6. Nursing Moms?

solely breastfeeding.......10 points
Supplementing breastfeeding with some solid foods are formula..............5 Points

(I have also talked to a leader that said if you are pregnant you can still write your points down and act like you are solely breastfeeding as far as points go).

What I ate on Friday and had a perfect points day (going to Fuddruckers and all!)

Breakfast
Fiber One Chocolate Bar....2 points

Fiber One yogurt....0 points

Red velvet cake Weight Watchers bar *you can only get at Weight Watchers meeting 1 point

Lunch:
Chicken salad sandwhich.....Light Bread 1 point, chicken salad from Garners 2 points
Bag of chips......3 points

Grapes not a half cup so....0 points

Dinner:
Fuddruckers 1/3 Cheeseburger with no mayo......9 points (looked up online and everything!)

Weight Watchers Brownie (find in the store) 2 points

Total 20 points

I also discovered this week with my parents that Ruby Tuesday Crab Cakes are only 6 points. Also, Weight Watchers chocolate chip cookies are great and they are only 1 point in the bread section (Thanks Sandi!). The key, I believe, is planning out what you are going to eat.

Have any other advice on good low point food choices, I would love to hear from you!

Tuesday's Tip: Weight Watchers / No More Whining!

I do not have any money saving tips yet this week, but I am excited to get to go to SouthernSavers workshop Thursday night at the church. Hopefully I will have some tips after this workshop.

It was my first week back in Weight Watchers in over 2 years, and I lost 3.2 pounds the first week back! I was shocked because I went over 30 points for the week. I figured out that two nights a week, I was eating 1,000 calories at dinner...wow (at Moe's Tuesday nights when kids eat free, and one other night). I had Weight Watchers meals, fruits, slimfast, and just overall tried to eat very healthy. It was hard to find foods that were filling. Again, if you have any suggestions on low calorie filling food, please let me know what you enjoy!

I enjoy eating good foods, unfortunately I tend to overeat, and my goal this year is to glorify God with my eating. It is hard because loosing weight can easily consume my though life, and I just want to establish healthy eating patterns that glorify the Lord. The new book I am reading through right now is Love to Eat Hate to Eat by Elyse Fitzpatrick.

Second tip is a good little pamphlet by Ginger Plowman entitled "No More Whinning!" I got this along with the stop watch. Jackson now that he carries on conversations can really whine a lot.

She recommends:

1. Tell your child that God wants you to use self control with your voice, and you are whining.

2. Explain that love motivates you to train him, and tell him he may now wear the No Whine Watch, and when the buzzer goes off in three minutes, he may come back and ask for the juice in the correct way.

3. When buzzer goes off, have the child come back and ask for the juice in the appropriate way. For Jackson, I show him how he should ask for the juice.

I tried the watch last night, and it worked. He was a little excited about the watch and thought I had gotten him a watch to wear, but after everything was said and done he stopped whining. Praise the Lord!

I am also trying my best in public and at the house to get down on his level and look him in the eye when correcting him (Michelle does an excellent job at this and I had it modeled wonderfully by her). Especially in public, I almost whisper in his ear that what he is doing is not loving, and tell him what he should be doing instead. Speaking in a loud voice does get his attention, but it is yelling is not helping anything (although with boys it seems the only way to get their attention is to speak loudly), and is not pleasing to the Lord.

Do you have any tips on how to correct a child who is non stop whining?

Tuesday's Tip: CVS has had great deals this month / Weight Watchers

I have been to CVS every week since the new year began.

Yesterday, I got 6 12 pack of Pepsi products for $20. I only spent $14 because I had $6 in extrabucks from last week. I also earned $10 back in extrabucks just from this purchase.

Then, I turned around and got toilet paper for $12 or $14 (I cannot remember) and used by $10 in extrabucks, so I only spent either $2-4 on toilet paper.

I also joined Weight Watchers last week since these last 15 pounds from Jackson and Abigail are just not coming off. I am going to the one on Colonial Life Blvd (Wednesdays are not good days for me), and only paid $11 for the week plus $25 for the books.

I really think Weight Watchers is the best plan out there because it makes you count the calories you are eating through their points system.

Yesterday was hard though. All I had to eat yesterday was a yogurt, Weight Watchers meal for lunch, coffee with cream, and 1 piece of pizza, and I was not a happy camper. Thursday, I am going to the store to get lots of fruits and veggies to snack on. However, I think if I only had 23 points a day every day, I would be 100 pounds and underweight so I am trying to figure out a happy balance. I did manage to only have 24 points yesterday which was a complete miracle (I chewed gum when my stomach was not growling so I would not eat...my stomach has really stretched out after having my second baby).

Do you have any advice on low calorie filling lunches or dinners that I do not have to spend hours cooking?