Hey, everyone!
Every once in awhile, I get stuck in a rut-with what I prepare for meals, what I snack on, etc..and this often leads to weight gain for me. I was hoping we could share with eachother secrets that have really worked for weight loss..just small changes that you have made that have helped you.

I'll go first-if I am craving something sweet, I'll slice an apple into pieces, and sprinkle it with some splenda and cinnamon-a delicious 1 point treat!

How about you??!

if your craving mexican food. buy one of the santa fe and rice smart ones put it over top shredded lettuce 2tbsp of salsa and 2 tbsp of fat free ranch dressing for a grand total of 7pts taste so yummy and takes care of the craving they have changed the flavor of that one and let me tell you even without the lettuce and salsa and dressing its great just find it more filling with the lettuce.. yummy

You're SO right about the Santa Fe rice and beans - it's FILLING and SO GOOD!
What a great idea with the lettuce and and salsa!

I would be lost without the Thomas Lite English Muffins. I eat English muffin pizza almost every day!

See I think the Sante Fe Beans and Rice is the worst thing and it is NOT in anyway shape or form Mexican but to each their opinions is all that matters.

Here is my best tip:

use TPs for your 8 Great Health Guidelines and nutritional requirements

use APs for additional protein and dairy first but sometimes using for treats is ok

use FPs for treats and supplementing your day

I put frozen berries in my oatmeal in the morning, and frozen chopped spinach in nearly everything else to add bulk and fruit/veggie servings for 1 or 0 points.

what are tp's? is that daily allowance?

TPs = target points
APs = activity points
FPs = weekly points allowance aka flex points

One big tip for me is to always keep a large coffee mug of water by the kitchen sink. As it seems, I'm always at the sink, washing up, cooking a meal.....I always have something to drink.

Another tip.....if you're wanting something sweet......1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce heated up in a microwave with a sprinkle of cinnamon. You don't need the extra sugar nor do you miss it.

also....1/2 cup fatfree cottage cheese mixed with a bit of diced tomatoes (drained) and a smidge of garlic......makes a nice lettuce topping for a different kind of salad.

I started eating more protein when I have my snack in the afternoon (I usually get hungry between lunch and dinner). Instead of grabbing a couple of cookies, I now have a small bowl of plain yogurt or cottage cheese (1/2 cup) with about a half teaspoon of sugar mixed in, topped with some defrosted frozen mixed berries (about 1/2 cup).

I nuke the whole package of berries plus about a tbsp. of sugar and keep the rest in the fridge for a couple of days' worth of snacks for my DH and me. This snack has much less sugar than yogurt you buy with the fruit already in it and it tastes much better, imo. I sometimes have this for breakfast.

Another way I'm saving calories is by switching to eggbeaters instead of regular eggs. This makes a great quick omelet and you can put in some cooked mushrooms, asparagus, lowfat cheese, etc. It also saves a bit of time in the morning as the eggbeaters comes in premeasured cups and you don't have to mess about cracking and beating the eggs.

When I get really hungry, I drink a cup or two of water before I eat anything. I try in the first place to snack all day instead of eating big meals so I'm never really hungry. Two fast things I've found for the sweet tooth is fat free peanut butter (1 tsp.) spread on a piece of reduced calorie wheat bread toasted ( 1 pt. total) If I have real need of something in my mouth, I go for the sunflower seeds in a shell. These take longer to eat, but give some protein.

Susan

My best secret is a good supply of spices. Penzey's makes great blends and rubs which makes grilling more interesting and enables me to eat chicken often and not feel as though I keep eating the same thing.

I've been making a 3 bean salad lately for snacking. Open cans of green beans, wax beans, kidney beans and throw in a a little red onion and some FF italian dressing. Yummy, filling, and almost free!

I'm a salt/crunch craver, so SmartPop popcorn is a life saver. Two points for the whole bag!

on core that salad is free....

I love orange flavored green tea. it is 0 points and i put a sweetner in it b/c i have a sweet tooth. it is like a little dessert in the afternoon.

i also love all 2 point WW ice cream snacks and any other low fat ice cream snack i can find. it is good for a little sweet after dinner.

I've found reading helps me. This combined with the fact that as a rule I don't eat while reading or on the computer.
And that bag of popcorn for only 2.5 points doesn't hurt either.