#247 Bale of Turtles Facing the Snow with Points Plus!
 

:carrot: :welcome3: We are the Turtle Group here at www.3fatchicks.com. We welcome you to join us as we work toward good health and fitness in a persistent manner. As our inspiration, we use the race between the turtle and the hare where the turtle was the victor because he didn't give up. We believe in keepin' on by using the skills and techniques we have learned from experience to keep us on track. We believe in giving each other support. Good luck to us all!
Judy
Itryharder
(for Lin and Lauren)

Good Morning Turtles

Yesterday was the first day that I felt hungry all day - I think it must be because I am right in the middle of my tom. :shrug:

Thankfully - it was the first day of my new week - gotta love the weekly points!:T So, I went with my hunger and counted the points and tracked and enjoyed the food that I did eat:hun:

I also got quite a bit of exercise in - 30 minutes weight training, 30 minutes on the eliptical and 60 minute Zumba class. I even had someone at my class tell me they can see I am getting smaller:woohoo:

Princess - I hope that you are getting over the bug that has been keeping you down:hug:

For the turtles getting all of the snow - send it my way - sounds like Colorado is relatively dry compared to most of you!:dizzy:

Sending good thoughts to you all! :cheer3::cheer2:

Lizzie

Hi Turtles,
Wow Lizzie! You're doing great! TOM hunger is something we've all felt. Smart to use extra points to get through the day. You're :exercise: :strong: like wild. Weigh to go. I love that one of the people at exercise noticed you're getting smaller. That's a no scale compliment that really counts.

Nice and sunny here today. My WW WI was cancelled yesterday because of the snow and icy roads. My leader encouraged us all to find another meeting this week to keep OP. Good advice.

Wishing all of you a really good weekend free of cold bugs and tempting situations. Happy :exercise: :tread: and good food points plus :chef: to us all!
Judy

Hi Turtles!

This week has been pretty challenging so far. Work has been stressful (stress=eating for me usually), it's freezing cold and I think DH, puppy and I all have cabin fever and all we want to do is sleeeeeeeeeep!

I'm still doing WW points tracking, but have also started doing calorie counting at the same time. I've always been curious about the bigger picture of how I'm eating. I was also feeling like I was hitting a plateau in a couple of ways with WW (not necessarily just on the scale), so this addition to my routine has been good but has added more work in the tracking.

This week is shaping up well on the scale. After all the ups and downs through the weeks of Christmas celebrations I should finally get back to a new low weight when I WI on Saturday.

Sorry I can't do the personals this morning, but I've been reading along with everyone and thinking of you all! I hope that everyone can stay positive and keep on track during what seems to be a challenging time of year for all of us.

Yeah, I hear you Peanutt. Good for you for switching up and adding calorie count to your tracking. I think I was feeling bad about myself since I didn't want to make personal resolutions for the new year. Just not into it this year. And yet when I first started Points+, I loved it. Trying to get back into that frame of mind and I know I can do it!
Judy

Hi everyone - hope you are all keeping warm. It has been sooooo cold,
but the roads are good today so that makes me happy.

Weigh in tonight & not expecting to be down much (if anything) then bowling afterwards.

Sounds like most of us are having a tough time getting back into the swing of things. I started out good on the Monday a.m. but have fallen off track after a couple of days. I guess I just have to keep re-starting and hopefully get through a full week OP.

Good luck everyone, and any tips for getting back into the "sticking to programme" is greatly appreciated.

Morning all and happy Friday!

Feeling just a tad better today, it has been a long week - really just did what I had to do to make it thru a work day then went home to bed. Finally Wednesday afternoon I called the doctor - the pain in my sinuses was so bad that I wanted to cry or scream but could not get the energy up to do either - they called in a perscription for me and I got started on it right away. Guess the cold was setting up camp in my sinuses and caused an infection but I am on the mend now I think anyway. Food was not good, ate what I could when I could but tomorrow starts a new WW week for me and I will be back on track and counting points but just could not when I was sick... it was soup, crackers and toast for the most part... lots of sodium so I feel blown up even with all of the fluids that I drank.

I don't have time to post to each of you but I will try and get back on over the weekend to do that... take care, stay safe and warm everyone!

Hi turtles:

Princess - glad to hear you are feeling better, sounds like you had a tough time, now you start a new week - good luck.

I was down .75# last night and was happy to be down anything. New week
for me starts today so want to do better next week.

All - keep warm & have a great weekend.

Hi everyone! I just want to introduce myself. Kathleen here from Delaware. Living with lupus (usually manifesting as pericarditis during a flare), fibro, both kinds of arthritis, long-term back injuries, an implanted orthotic, and just plain cranky-ness. Just seeing the results from one of those Christmas-season weight gains (arguably not as much as my poor DH though, who got the weight-loss surgery lecture from the Dr. this week). Anyways, getting ready to go to Weight Watchers and try the new PP plan. (Me officially, hubby unofficially.) Knowing that while I'm fairly active for a loopy -- I'm a nursing home chaplain and youth pastor, both professions known for being on your feet a lot -- the progress is probably gonna be glacially slow thanks to menopause and health issues and medication side effects. Well, you know how it is, cuz I'm preaching to the choir here.

I'll be back shortly with starting weight and all the good stuff. In the meanwhile, it is very heartening to read this thread. Frankly, I'll be happy if all that I do is learn to be self-disciplined so that I don't come down with weird deficiencies whenever I get bloodwork. (My first bloodwork for 2011 is pending, and will be peculiar as always, I guess.)

Here's the thing: I love my weird life. For all of its challenges, it is also full of joy and meaning. I want to keep moving forward day by day. Right now, I have to deal with my weight and eating habits to continue in a positive direction. Wish I'd done it sooner (perhaps while Auntie Flo was still visiting), but 'tis what it is.

Looking forward to getting to know all of you.

Good Afternoon Turtles - hope everyone is having a great day! :D

Welcome Aunt Loopy :hug: I've only had the pleasure of knowing this great group of ladies for a short while - but they are awesome! Lots of support and suggestions for keeping on track and working towards our individual goals.

Princess -glad you went to the Doc and got some medicine:flow2:

Bandit - good job on the loss - slow & steady wins the race:dance:

I'm just catching up on Dr OZ episodes - he had Liz (one of the leaders in the P+ getting started book) on with a guest who has been doing the program for 3 months. She lost 21 pounds and it was great to see Dr OZ showcasing WW. Thought it was pretty interesting!:goodvibes

I'm heading to visit my Mom on Monday. I've already scoped out a WW meeting on Thursday and also found Zumba classes to attend. I'll have spotty internet access - so may not be in touch daily. I'll check in when I can.

Have a great weekend Turtles! :cp:

Lizzie

Welcome Aunt Loopy my aunt has lupus and I know during her flare ups take alot out of her.


Hope everyone had a good day. My day has been okay so far. I woke up late, so breakfast wasnt alot I made a thin bagel sandwhich with some turkey and cheese. So by the time I got off of work I was starving, which is where the cheddar mini pretzels came in. But other than that it was okay. The pretzels had fewer points than I thought but I really didn't need all that salt. Still haven't made it to the gym yet. Th This is probably going to be one of those days where I do not go through all my daily points.

Off to eat dinner before I fall out. Everyone have a good evening.

ETA: So I have learned some things are just not meant to be low fat :(. I was playing with a no bake chocolate oatmeal cookie recipe. Plugged it into the recipe builder and even with the lighter items it was still the same number of points as the regular items. So yeah I will just keep the full fat version they taste better anyway.

Good morning everyone and happy Saturday to you all! Super cold and snowy today, not a lot of snow just the kind that bascially hangs around all day but does not amount to much.

I did not get up in time this morning to go to W/I and a meeting but I did do an unoffical step on the scale and it has me down .6 - totally unofficial and if I can manage it I will get to a meeting this week, worst case I will just go next Saturday.

Today starts a new week for me and I will be tracking closely and getting in exercise where I can. Don't feel well enough to go to the gym this weekend but will be walking the halls at work during the day even if it is just for the quick mile and will get to the gym when I can.... just not going to push it and will let mysefl fully recover before I jump back in with both feet. I really don't want to relapse for a third round with this... ugh.

Ok, so, enough of that, how is everyone doing? It looks like most of the country is super cold with the exception of Florida and I don't think we have anyone from there... LOL - Wish we did, I would have to go visit them and do my introduction in person :D

Luppy: A huge welcome to you!!! We are so glad to have you with us and look forward to getting to know you better. My SIL has Lupus, she has had it for most of her life and really struggles from the effects of it. You sound like a very active and productive person that stays busy and like the rest of us struggle to put ourselves somewhere at the top of our own to-do lists... you will fit in really well with the rest of us!

Judy: How are you doing? Are you working on a crochet blanket right now? I am going to try and make it to knitting class today since I have come as far as I can on my own on the socks that I am knitting and need help with the next step... I am really enjoying knitting them!

Bandit: congrats on the loss! I know that most any loss when you are struggling or just not feeling it is a wonderful thing so like you I will take my little .6 and try and build on it with what ever I can right now. I have not read the book that you mentioned but will look into it, I am almost totally out of reading material, I really plowed thru it while I was not feeling well.

Lizzie: Have a great time visiting your mom, when I spend time up north with my mom I do the same thing, find a meeting and attend when I can and also walk around her neighborhood when the weather allows. I still need to try the Latin Heat class at my gym, it is on my to do list and if I feel up to it I may try it Tuesday evening but like I said, I don't want to push too hard yet.

Life: You sound super busy! Take care of yourself so you don't end up too run down. I found it funny that one somethings that I have pointed out under the new plan are the same rather you pick low fat or full fat! English Muffins are one of those items... the light, which I have always bought are the same as the regluar now... 3 pts each... seems strange but I am still trying to figure it out... LOL.

Peanut: How are you doing? Have you guys been able to get outside at all to relieve some of the cabin fever? We are pretty much the same way here, especially the dogs! They are just so ready to get outside for a good romp session, I may try and get them to the park for a short walk this weekend but the cold air really is rough on my sinus infection so it may just have to wait.

Cherry: How are you doing? has everyone been able to get over their colds?


Well I need to be my butt in gear and get in the shower... I need to get to the grocery store today, we have some friends coming in tomorrow from out of town and will be coming to the house for brunch so I need to figure that out.

Have a great day everyone!

Hi All
 

I just joined weight wathchers this week, trying to get used to the new program. The points calculater is handy. I also have a YMCA membership
so have been 3 times this week. Trying to push myself. Looking forward to feeling better, more energy and being lighter! My friend also joined so we can support eachother.

Terri

Hi Turtles

Welcome Loopy & Terri - always nice to have new members. This is a great group of ladies and I am sure you will receive/give invaluable information.
Good luck on your weight loss journey.

Princess - glad to see you up & about and congrats on your weight loss.
As we all know, any loss is a good loss so keep it up and take care of yourself and just do what you can until you are completely better.

Lizzie - Have fun visiting with your mom. How do you like the Zumba?
I keep wanting to try it but so far haven't been able to find classes nearby.

Life - I agree that somethings are just not meant to be low fat. Just enjoy
occasionally in small doses the real thing.

Judy - you keeping warm?

All - have a great Saturday. Anyone cooking anything interesting this weekend? You know me, always on the lookout for something new to try.

Anyway, looks like I will be shovelling this afternoon. We got quite abit of snow overnight. I managed to get in a 3 mile walk last night, so off to good start for my new week of tracking.

Bye for now.

Welcome Terri glad you are going to the gym. So I just did the walk at home walk away your waistline DVD. It was better than I thought.

Princess-Thanks for the concern this is the least busy i have been in like a year and a half. Since I am no longer enrolled in school. Now it's just working.

Bandit2-Yay, I didn't make the cookies because I know I would probably eat too many. I madet he cream cheese swirl brownies from weight watchers instead. they are very chocolately, but good.

Everyone have a goodday. Off to get ready for work.

Aunt Loopy and Terri: Welcome!! It's good ot have you with us!

Lizzie: enjoy the visit with your mom. Great planning to find a meeting and zumba class while you're there!!

Bandit: great job on the loss!

Princess: glad to hear that you're feeling a bit better. Good plan to take things slowly and listen to your body to let yourself fully kick this illness. Hope you're back to 100% quickly!

Life: I totally agree that there are some things that just aren't worth trying to make low-fat or low point. I'd much rather have the full version of something like a cookie and just eat one fully satisfying cookie rather than blah tasting ones that make me want to eat more!

Judy, Cherry, and everyone else: I hope you're doing well and staying on track!

As for me, I lost 1.4lbs this week which bumps my total loss up over 45lbs! *happy dance* I suspect that my losses will be a bit slower with the calorie counting than WW. I know that some days I ate within my calorie target but ate more points than I have been in recent weeks.

DH and I are off to the gym today. The weather still hasn't let up here. We're sitting at -25C with a -32C windchill (-13F and -27F) and we're getting more and more snow. This has been going on for over a week now and I'm DONE with cold and snow!! Luckily tomorrow is dog training class, so the dog will get a chance to run and play and tire himself out with the other dogs indoors after class.

I have tried some new recipes lately that have been wonderful! I'll be sure the share them with you ladies soon!

Well today was weigh in day today i lost 0.5#. I thought I had lost a little more. My weight has been bouncing back and forth between three pounds either way. I think I may have eaten too much salt this week. Not really sure though. I guess I have to shock my body again and start hitting up the gym. Hope everyone had a good weekend.

Good morning everyone and happy Monday to you all... I should be home sleeping right now as the company that I work at is closed today but I came into the office anyway - here I sit in my very dark cube in a very creepy and quiet office building... LOL. Even though the company is closed today for the MLK holiday I don't get paid for it since I am not an actual employee of the company and my paycheck took enough of a hit last week since I was out sick for a day and a half. Plus there is a chance that D-Grandbaby may make his appearance this week. D-DIL goes tomorrow for some tests and her BP and Sugar has been high the last few times they have checked so if is it high tomorrow than they are going to induce on Friday so I thought I may as well be proactive and get some time logged today!

Eating over the weekend was not so great... way to many high point foods so really need to shake myself and get back on the wagon!

Looks like everyone is just trying to stay warm and get through the winter. You Turtles in Canada sure get more than your fair share of the cold weather and my heart goes out to you all... ugh, you have to be some pretty hardy folks to function in temps that are so far below zero it boggles the mind. We are cold here but not like up there in the Great North... Stay warm!

I will check back later on!
Princess

Hi Turtles,
I'm back from a mini vacation out at Montauk Point on LI NY. It was great. Nothing like the ocean at winter. Read my book, listened to the waves through the sliding glass doors. Really nice. Food was awful. But I am determined to take care of that.

Very quickly :welcome3: to Loopy and Terri. Wow! You are very energetic. So glad to have you on board.

I'll reply to personals later. I just walked in the door and need to unpack, etc. Good luck to all of us. Keep on keepin' on! We can do this.
Judy

Morning Turtles!
Went to the Y last night did the aquafit class. 2 friends went with me, we have some new instructors at the Y so great workout. It is hard to believe you can sweat in the water! Finding the points plus pretty easy, I already find myself calculating and then thinking "I'm not eating that too many points". Chocolate at work had 1 piece counted it and moved on, normally I would eat countless pieces. Hope to keep up the momentum, I hope my WW friend is in for the long haul, my other 2 YMCA buddies will come and go thats ok. I really want this to stick for me! Can't worry about them but it helps to have others for support. WE can do this!!!!!!!

Hi Turtles,
Yes, we can do this! I had gotten into a slump following doing great when WW introduced Points Plus. I lost 6 pounds in December which is monumental for me. Then I gained those pounds back plus. I have started well today with an egg and bread. I'll go to my writing workshop today which is always uplifting. After reading all our posts I think a lot of us are having trouble dealing with a new look at WW's and all the snow.

:goodscale: to all the Turtles who lost weight this week. You're awesome! :cheer: :cheers: :balloons: :bravo: :dancer: :carrot:

We can all do this. It's time for me to look back, be grateful for what I accomplished and put the past in the past. Today is a wonderful new day. I'm tracking points and taking hostages!!!!! LOL

My short term goal is to lose 1# by next (not tomorrow's) WI. I know I can do it. What are your best tips?

Judy
234.6/?????/170's and thinner Lose 1# this week. I've been too hard on myself,then when I mess up I think I can't make progress. Nonsense! I've done fine, had a small series of behaviors that I'd like a do-over for. Dealing with those mistakes can be helped by exercising and tracking my food. Love you all! Judy

Morning, turtles:

Judy - you have done great & I know you can accomplish whatever you set out to do. Mini goals are a good place to start, good luck this week.
For me, things that work are planning out next days menu & having point friendly foods pre-cooked that can be heated up quickly. Fruits/veggies
ready to go.

All - keep warm & stay on track. Lets all get our butts back into gear and lose these unwanted lbs!

Judy, I agree with bandit's plan to plan out food for the next day. This has really helped me. The other thing would be to watch that sodium! Eating too much sodium is part of what set me back around and immediately after Christmas. It wasn't until I started tracking my food away from WW that I noticed how much sodium I was consuming. Good luck...I know you can do it!

feedback, an entry point for learning. Wow! Peanutt, I really like that. :love:

Bandit, thanks for the tips. I've got chicken and beef in my freezer. I think I'll thaw out something and crockpot it tomorrow. sounds like a plan.

Turtles, I did step on my scale and it wasn't quite so bad as I thought it would be. I know I'm up and I'll show up # on the scale at WI tomorrow, but that's okay because it is what it is and I'll move on from here.

:bravo: :idea: :cheer: Good turtles keep the support coming for all of us!
Judy

Today's the day! Weigh in, my first full week on WW new program. Feeling pretty good. I like to think I'm lighter I feel lighter. I know I ate well, and within my points. So hopefully the scale will reflect my effort.

Good Things I did this week!
1. Stayed within my points.
2. Excercise!!!! Earned lots of these points but didn't use any.
3 .Planned ahead-made sure lots of fruit & veggies in the house.
4. Took the stairs at work. No elevator.
5. and finally this is a big one for me. I used the tracker, I never could seem to do this before, but I have tracked everything and I think it really helped.

So wish me luck at the scales tonight! I will let you know Thurs. am. how I did.

Terri

Good morning everyone! Just a quick fly-by here to give some information.

D-DIL's blood pressure is still high so she will be admitted into the hospital tonight and given some meds to help bring it down, they will start to induce labor tomorrow morning since she is almost full term. Sooo I will be a grammy really soon...

I will also be signing off from here for a few days but wish everyone the best of luck at their W/I's this week... which I will most likely miss both of mine but it is taking second place to the grandbaby right now... Food has been terrible and exercise is not happening... so after things calm down here I will get to W/I and get back on track!

Take care all and I will be back when I can!

Terri: WTG! You're off to a great start! Just keep doing what you're doing and I know you'll be successful!

Judy: How was WI? I'm hoping for a great week for you this week!

Princess: How exciting! I'm hoping for the best for your family, a healthy and safe birth for your DIL and lots of baby snuggles for you!! Congratulations and enjoy your time with your growing family. :hug:

Hi Turtles,
Princess, :goodvibes: and :love: to you and your entire family. What a thrill to have a new grandbaby. All the best to you. We'll miss you, but come back as soon as you can.

Terri,
good luck with your first WI. Weigh to go with all your accomplishments this week. Also-----how cool that you found a reason to track and that you did that. The gals in my WW group that track seem to do better. Here's to a very :goodscale:! :bravo:

Peanutt, thanks for the shout out! All goes well here. I think venting here about how miserable I was allowed the "venom" to leave me and clear my head to do the things I know work for me. I'm already down 1 1/2# at home and feel I'm on the right track after having an OP day yesterday.

Bandit, so glad you lost at your last WI. :bravo: :balloons: weigh to go!

All, I gained 2# since my last WI, but after all the big ups and downs of December, I am 1# down from Thanksgiving and I'll simply go from there. In my head I was ready to give this all up. No rewards, too hard, don't want to do this anymore, embarassed to be taking so long, etc, etc. etc. Sound familiar? So when I checked the facts out, I've done okay for all the snow and the gala-nis of December. So, moving onward and downward, I'll repeat my challenge for myself this week: Lose one pound by my next WI next Wednesday.

Loopy, how are you doing?

Life4evr, always good to hear from you.

My regards to everyone. Let's keep moving in the right direction.
Oh, I have something interesting to say. My dh asked our grandson what he thought grandpa had to lose. The grandson said, 10-20#----which is extremely accurate. Then I asked him about me and he said, 30-40# which is also extremely accurate. Then I thought---- you know that's not the end of the world to lose that amount. Lots of people have lost much more. After all, with all my ups and downs I'm still down almost 42# and about 1/2way to goal. So, I've got my frustrations tamped down for now and I'm ready to tackle the second half of my journey. Good luck to us all!
:grouphug:

Judy
234.6/192.4/170's and thinner

Hi all! FINALLY back online, and not a moment too soon! We've been having lots of the white sticky weather, and spent a couple of days elsewhere due to a power failure. Made it to work and to my first Weight Watchers meeting today. I need to work on my profile, but my starting weight is 244.6. I discovered that one of the Bible study ladies in our Independent Living apartments at the retirement community where I work is -- believe it or not! -- a PhD in nutrition from Cornell who participated in the first professionally designed Weight Watchers food plan. So she is just tickled to hear that I'm attending. And she'll be a great resource because she knows that my lupus meds will slow things down. It's like having a 100-year-old nutritionist on call (yes, she is 100 years old, and sharp as a tack).

So I'm feeling optimistic right now. I'm a little overwhelmed by the sheer strangeness of this Points nonsense. Definitely bought myself the food dictionaries and the calculator immediately, cuz it's way too complicated otherwise. Tonight I'll bundle up and learn what I can. Shopping tomorrow and Farmer's Market on Friday. Unlimited free bananas? I can do that. Yay for bananas!

Looking forward to getting to know all the regulars around here.

I,m a loser! lost 2.5 pounds adjusted my tracker does it not do .5 pounds? Anyway pleased with my first week on to the next. Skipped the Y last night (awful day at work/and WW meeting, and not enough hours in the day!) will go this evening.

Aunt Loopy Thats great you have your own nutritionist!
Princess1122 How is your DIL? Baby?
Itryharder -I keep thinking baby steps small changes, 1 day at a time, and yes 30-40 isnot that much!

Everybody!! Have a great day!

Terri

Terri, :goodscale: What a wonderful weight loss! Weigh to go. :bravo: :dancer: :carrot: Good for you! Keep up the good work.

Loopy, I must say I love your cheerful photo. Adorable! How wonderful to know someone we'd all call "elderly" and yet she's still as sharp as a tack. Maybe she'll give us longevity tips. Hey, :goodvibes: about the points plus framework. It'll all fall into place for you soon. One thing I realized is that I often eat the same foods. Those I memorize. After that the different foods aren't that overwhelming to have to look up. You'll be fine and I love your optimistic attitude. We can do this! :balloons:

Yesterday was an OP day for me and it felt good.

Here's to less snow for everybody and a sunny day! Keep on keepin' on.

Judy 234.6/192/170's and thinner :cool:

Loopy: When I was starting out on WW, I went around my kitchen and wrote point values right on boxes or jars in my kitchen. I also made a quick list that I posted on the side of the fridge for things like meat, fruit (when it still had points), dairy, etc. For the things that you use regularly, you'll have those points memorized in no time!

Terri: WTG!! Great first week! Keep on doing what you're doing!

I'm so thrilled - the weather has finally let up and is no longer trying to kill me!! :carrot: Tuesday was the first day this month we didn't get snow and the cold snap finally broke and the temps may even get ABOVE FREEZING in the next couple of days! From -30C to +2C in a matter of a few days. :dizzy: The end to the cabin fever is in sight!

Hi all! Peanutt, that's exactly what my 100-year-old nutritionist told me to do. In fact, I took the Sharpie to the store so that I wouldn't have to do the calculation twice. It was fairly easy to do some pre-snow shopping today, though I am a bit disappointed at the selection at my local supermarket. I always thought that it had a fairly comprehensive inventory, but it's missing whole brands of healthier stuff. (Went to the WW center this afternoon, and was pointed toward two other local stores which are more weight-loss-friendly.)

Decided to try one of the meal salads from Wendy's as a takeout. I found out that removing one item that isn't nutritious and which I don't like that much anyway, it takes the points down by 50%. Boggling! I did the math several ways to be absolutely sure, but I got a protein-filled humongous salad for only 9 points.

I also made the trip back home to "Dutch Country" for vegetables and fruit. There's no way that I'm paying retail prices for the plastic stuff that they sell at the supermarket. I really got reconnected with the fresh foods that I ate while growing up, and the best of the "exotic" fruits and vegetables -- at wholesale, and hand-selected for me by the cousins behind the counter.

So anyway, this seems so do-able now. I'm beginning to see how it all holds together. Protein to carb ratios, fat to fiber... it's beginning to click.

The WW snacks are downright nasty, IMHO. So I said fooey, I'll pay the extra point and go with Nutrigrain. It's really nice to have a set of standards by which to compare similar items.

On the other hand, smoothie mix and a banana make Lactaid milk tolerable, much to my surprise and delight.

Anyways, I'm feeling a bit luxurious, eating all this fresh fruit in the wintertime. And enjoying the feeling of accomplishment in figuring out the Points value of food in the store using the calculator, and understanding that I can make two full-size ham and cheese sandwiches for the same points as one small fast-food burger.

So all in all, I'm a happy camper today. Tired (hadn't planned on doing ALL the shopping today until I heard the latest weather report), but happy.

I purchased the Weight watcherss points calcutalor and keep it handy. I"m finding I check the points and then decide, I really haven't eaten any thing other than pizza that was over 7 points. I look at it and think no way I could eat a whole bunch of things instead of whatever the higher point food was.

Peanutt your cold weather is headed our way we are in for a cold weekend, high -18 Sun. Enjoy the warmth.
Everyone have a great weekend I'm looking forward to just not having to go to work for 2 days after today!. Stressful week at work.

Terri

Hi Turtles,
Well, this is quite a winter. We've had our third snowfall in as many weeks. This one doesn't look too bad. It's freezing out and sunny. It looks like about another 6" of snow. Brrr.

This should be a good weekend for me. We're hosting another murder mystery party. The setting is a "wedding" and we've got the house decorated with lots of Dollar Store white decorations. It looks really good. The guests all know who they'll be. Someone will be "murdered" by one of the guests. We have to put together clues to decide who the murderer is, and at the end my dh will read the solution page. We've done this several times now. My dh pointed out a photo where I was so much heavier and I look a lot better now. Had another good day yesterday, but the scale isn't budging. Today will be a good day and I'll boost the protein to see if that helps.

Good luck to all of us! :goodvibes: :grouphug:

Loopy, you're sailing through this and learning everything so fast. Keep up with your tips. They're really helpful.

Terri, enjoy your weekend. I love that you're checking points before you eat them. That should work bigtime.

Okay everybody, stay as warm as possible and have a good eating weekend!
Judy
234.6/192/170's and thinner :cool:

Sorry that I have been missing in action.:o I feel like my health is deteriorating and i am only 27 years old. My DH and I did get a Recumberant bike and are trying to step up the activity. Not sure if it will help any but it must be better than nothing.

Loopy and Terri - Welcome! Nice to meet you. I am 27 and have been married for 7 years now. I have three small children. They are 5 1/2, 3 1/2, and 1 1/2. They keep me busy and tire me out and they are a big part of why i need to lose this weight.

Hello to all the other turtles!:wave:

Hi everyone

Nice to see everyone doing well with the new WW plan. I am still basically
sticking with the older version for now & doing OK when I work the programme. I was down 2.25# at my weigh in last night, so was happy with that.

Judy - I noticed you & I are exactly the same weight right now.

Starting another group of sessions for hot yoga tomorrow and 2 more of my gf are coming for first time, so looking foward to that.

We have lots of snow and more coming today. I will shovel later but basically have an indoor day & do so pre-cooking for the next few days.

All - have a great day!

Hi Cherry, glad to see you posting again. You can do this! :exercise: and good food :chef: will get you where you want to be. :grouphug:

Hey Bandit, this is so cool that we are exactly the same weight. I know you and I both want to weigh less. :bravo: and :goodscale: :balloons: you did great this week at your WI. Weigh to go! When I hear you say you're going to a hot yoga class, I just sigh. For some reason I can't kick my exercise mode into gear. Well, I promise, no matter what else I have to do, I will get on my :tread: for 20 minutes.

Let's do this! Everybody!

Life4evr, Alliez, Tessa, Princess, and anybody else out there-----let's make this a healthier, happier year.
Love,
Judy

Hi all! Sitting here at home after the snow DIDN'T come! I'm taking some time to pre-cook stuff too. Mostly for the DH, who wants no part of this Weight Watchers thing. Having said this, he'll be eating better in spite of himself, b/c I've had the calculator out all day, making small substitutions and generally making the healthier choices as I found them.

Big Handsome Dutchie DH: I want to do things MY way.

Wifey: Which is why the doctor has to get a special attachment from his top desk drawer so he can weigh you on the office scale. *sigh*

Anyways, I'm sitting here being boggled by the whole two-ham-sandwiches thing. Lunch was an insane amount of food for 13 points.

One disappointment on shopping day: I've always used Propel for my drinking water. Till now, it was very lightly sweetened with sugar (10 calories per bottle). I don't like the taste of high-fructose corn syrup, so this was a real plus for me. Now they've replaced it with Splenda, and it is way too sweet. But I'll persevere, since I need the electrolytes for the whole lupus thing.

Anyways, it's all good, and I remain very hopeful that WW will be a big factor in improving my health (and perhaps taking off a pound or two).

Oh and one more thing: I noticed just now that the warning against putting your e-mail in a post states that one might receive "unmentionables". I don't know what that means in the rest of the world, but here in Dutch Country it's ladies' underwear.