Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Roundup, week of May 30th

What Happened Last Week?

You know that goals are important, and activity is definitely a part of that. Deciding on what activity to do and how much of it you need depends on what you're trying to achieve. Weight loss? Weight maintenance? Toning? No matter what the end result, getting consistent exercise is never a bad thing.

So What's Coming Up?

Monday, as I'm sure you know, is Memorial Day, so we'll be closed that day. You folks are welcome to visit a meeting on another day if you can, but if not, make sure you're back with me the week after. It's been so long since I've seen you!

For the rest of you, this next week we'll discuss the secret of weight loss: calorie deficit. Yep, it's a numbers game. We'll talk about how to find the best way for you to minimize calories in and maximize calories out.

Thought for the Week

Remember, success is not measured by heights attained but by obstacles overcome. We're going to pass through many obstacles in our lives: good days, bad days. But the successful person will overcome those obstacles and constantly move forward. - Bruce Jenner

Weekly Recipe: Udon Noodles with Sesame and Tofu

You shouldn't be surprised that as a result of my vacation I'm exploring some Japanese recipes. Not like I haven't cooked Asian before, but there were some specific dishes that I had which I really enjoyed. And now I have to find a recipe to make them myself!

Enter this week's recipe, from one of my favorite sources, Cooking Light magazine.

Udon Noodles with Sesame and Tofu

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

I'm Home!

By now you know that I wasn't at meetings last week (and last night). My husband and I went on vacation and spent a week in Tokyo. I got home yesterday afternoon and spent a jet-lagged afternoon and evening trying to stay up until bedtime, meaning that I was up for something like 30 hours. It's been a long time since I have had to do that, and I don't care if I'm only 36, I'm TOO OLD FOR THAT BUSINESS. I'm definitely an 8-hour a night kind of gal.

So anyway, I'm back, and it's time to get back to Weight Watchering. While on vacation I didn't track my food or count Points. I didn't specifically exercise, but we certainly did get in a lot of walking. Sadly I realized I'd forgotten my pedometer once we got to the airport and I saw someone else wearing one. Regardless, I do feel pretty good about things post-vacation.

Tokyo is a very different city from San Diego. Compact and vertical instead of flat and spread out. The city has a multitude of train and subway options, and we took advantage of that. Using public transportation is way different than living with a car (as I'm sure some of you know from experience) because instead of driving from door to door, inevitably there's someplace you need to go that's not right at the mouth of a train station. And so you walk.

Tokyo is also different culturally...well duh. But taking a look around, I noticed very few native people carrying extra weight. And I have to say that there's something at the heart of the culture that leads to that result.

My husband is a coffee fanatic, so a few times we popped into a cafe (and yes, sometimes it was a Starbucks, SHUT UP!) and the thing is, their small is SMALL. I've heard you can ask for a short coffee at Starbucks in the states, and the thing is, that's the small in Japan. Then you can get your tall and grande as well. That's it. Everything's smaller there. What holds true for coffee holds true for food as well. I never ate until I was full. Even when we got what seemed like a good quantity of food, because of what it was, we never left feeling sluggish or heavy.

Here are some photos of our most extravagant meal while we were there:





I'm sure the grinding of the sesame seeds with the mortar and pestle was good for an Activity Point, right? Anyway, look at that food. On my plate, despite all the noodles and rice, there are like 3 little pieces of chicken. Meat as a condiment, practically. My husband's plate is the one with all the sashimi. If you've looked up the Points for sushi you know that doesn't add up quickly.

So. Lighter, healthy foods, smaller portions. Lots of walking in the city. Hmm.... I may not live in Tokyo, but perhaps I can train my brain to think like I do.

MONDAY GROUP: I just realized that because of the holiday I'm not going to see you until JUNE! Crazy talk. Y'all better be at that meeting, okay?

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Unstructured Walk-It May 23rd @ 4pm

I've mentioned this in a couple of meetings, but there still is going to be an unofficial get together next Sunday down at Mission Bay. This event is "organized" by two Weight Watcher leaders I love, Helen and Cherie. While I will not be able to attend, you're more than welcome to join them in an afternoon of walking.

Helen just sent out the details:

Here is the latest about the unstructured 5K Walk/picnic next Sunday May 23 at 4PM.

My BF/fellow wwleader Cherie and I just got back from the area we plan to meet. There is a Play Area just north of Sea World Drive (south of the Hilton) and we will either get a table or just gather on the grassy knoll.

The weather is not very nice today, so there were lots of parking spaces and plenty of room. If it is beautiful next Sunday, you may have to walk a little farther to find us, so put your pedometer on as soon as you get out of your car. You will see a Weight Watchers sign on that sidewalk that runs along the Bay that will let you know where we are.

Members will be coming from as far away as Poway and El Cajon, so you are going to get to meet many kindred spirits.

Walking will be casual and you can walk with whomever you find walks at your pace. When I say 'unstructured', I mean it!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Roundup, week of May 16th

What Happened Last Week?

Getting support from those around you makes building new habits so much easier. I hope you picked up a few ideas on how to ask those around you to help. Most people are willing to lend a hand when asked!

This week we celebrated a five percent award for Kim and Tisha. Five pound stars went to Kelly and Jalie for 15, Emily for 25, and Monday Tauni for 35.

So What's Coming Up?

Some people think that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. That's not necessarily 100% true, but this week we'll discuss why it might be helpful to YOU if you incorporate a healthy breakfast into your eating plan.

Thought for the Week

Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm. - Sir Winston Churchill

Weekly Recipe: Wasabi Salmon Burgers

I have Japan on the brain right now, so I went looking for some Japanese food for this week's recipe. What we have here isn't Japanese in and of itself, but it's what we might call Asian Inspired.

Wasabi Salmon Burgers

Salmon is a great way to get your protein and Omega-3 fatty acids. And the wasabi will give it a great kick of flavor!

Thursday, May 06, 2010

Roundup, week of May 9th

What Happened Last Week?

Dining out is a part of life. I hope that you found some ideas to help you manage the minefield that is a restaurant menu. Remember the critical question: what's the purpose of the meal? If it's not a celebration, there's no reason to splurge.

We had a great week of celebrations, including 10% keychains for Marc and Erika, a 16 week charm for Maggie, a 20 pound star for Sue, a 35 pound star for Shana and a 40 pound star for Mary. Congratulations to all of our free Lifetime members at goal who checked in for May this week, too. If you didn't get a star for your bookmark, be sure you get one next week!

So What's Coming Up?

If you're a faithful meeting member, you know the value of the support that comes from the meeting room. (And if you're not, and you're reading this, what are you waiting for? GET BACK TO A MEETING STAT!) We'll talk about what other sources of support there are, and how you can get it when you need it.

This Saturday is the Iron Girl 5K and 10K events. I know for sure that we've got probably 5 of us participating. Let's keep our eyes peeled for each other and cheer! If you're participating in this or another event this weekend, keep in mind that we don't have the Walk-It charms yet, so sit tight and know that you'll be the first to get them when they're drop-shipped to our meeting rooms.

Thought for the Week

An unwritten want is a wish, a dream, a never-happen. The day you put your goal in writing is the day it becomes a commitment that will change your life. Are you ready? - Tom Hopkins

Weekly Recipe: Greens and Black-Eyed Peas

Greens and Black-Eyed Peas
Serves 4

2 cups frozen black-eyed peas, thawed (I used a can of them)
1 cup vegetable broth or water
1 large onion, chopped
1 celery stalk, diced (I threw in the rest of the celery bunch - didn't want leftovers!)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
3/4 pound collard greens, stems discarded and leaves sliced 1/2 inch thick
2 cups hot cooked brown rice

Combine all ingredients except greens and rice in a crock pot. Cover and cook until vegetables are fork-tender, 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low. (I probably left it for about 7 hours on low.)

About 35 minutes before cooking time is up, stir greens into crock pot. Cover and cook on high until greens are crisp-tender, about 30 minutes. (I sort of wonder what happens to the last 5 minutes of cooking time!) Serve with rice.

Per serving: 263 calories, 2g fat, 562mg sodium, 12g fiber

Tuesday, May 04, 2010

Leaders named Stephanie are awesome

So last night I got a request to post something about the levels of change that we talked about last week. As I was driving home from the meeting, I thought about what I wanted to do. I wasn't just going to post a list of the levels of change and hit submit. Lamesauce. I wanted to write something.

And then I remembered that someone else has already done this for me. Let me tell you a little secret - there is a Weight Watchers staff website where we can share tips and ask questions and stuff. And through that process I found a fellow leader who posts her own blog. Lo and behold, she did exactly what I was thinking about doing.

From one Stephanie to another, here is a good summary of those levels of change, and a little bonus information. If I'm ever in Ohio, you know I'm gonna go to her meeting!