Roundup, week of April 3rd

What Happened Last Week?

We discussed the importance of weight loss buddies and how to find the right kind of support. I'm glad to see so many of you already have those networks in place!

Celebrations this week included: Fil, Lavon, Vicki and Mary (First Five Pounds), Teresita and Nellie (Fifteen Pounds), Maria, Gina and David (Twenty Pounds), Karla (Twenty-Five Pounds), Helen (Five Percent) and Mark (Ten Percent).

If you want to join these losers but feel like you're struggling, be sure to talk to me or one of the receptionists in our meeting rooms. We can help, we can give you pointers...but not if we don't know you need them!

So What's Coming Up?

It's back! Weight Watchers is once again holding a Walk-It Day! The challenge kicks off Sunday, April 3rd. When the website goes live that day, I'll be posting the link so you can get more information and start thinking about moving! I'll have a handout for all of you this week with complete information.

Tying into the Walk-It Challenge, we'll discuss goal setting as it relates to getting you into an activity program you can stick to. For some of you it may seem like a struggle - we'll help break down the barriers so you can see how easy it really is.

Thought for the Week

You cannot change anything in your life with intention alone, which can become a watered-down, occasional hope that you'll get to tomorrow. Intention without action is useless. ~ Caroline Myss

Weekly Recipe: Strawberry Cucumber Salad

I stumbled onto a link for this salad posted by the Almond Board of California (because, you know, I surf that site ALL the time). The picture alone sells it for me. What a great spring recipe!

Strawberry Cucumber Salad

Roundup, week of March 27th

What Happened Last Week?

I encouraged you to think back to your lapses. Not so that you can feel guilty about them, but so you can take a moment and think about what happened and why. Don't you think it's more productive to learn from your experiences than to ignore them and repeat your mistakes?

There were a lot of successes in the meeting rooms this week. I'll take a deep breath and start rattling them off:

Sherry, Rahad and Stephanie lost their first five pounds, Linda, Erin, Lorie and Debbie all reached 10 pounds lost. We gave 15 pound stars to Tammy and Althea. Robert and Chris got 20 pound stars, and we gave out 5% awards to Tammy, Erin, Nellie and Lorie. Susie got back to her goal weight this morning, and on Sunday Rick became our newest Lifetime Member!

So What's Coming Up?

Having a buddy can make weight loss easier, lead to increased accountability and decreased boredom, give you inspiration and enjoyment, and give you a healthy dose of competition. Support can come from anywhere, so we'll talk about what kind you need, and where to get it.

Thought for the Week

If it is to be, it is up to me. - Author Unknown

Weekly Recipe: Crustless Green Quiche

My friend Jen is an excellent cook, and when she mentioned she'd made a crustless quiche that was healthy, I begged her to share the recipe with me. Thankfully she did, and you can find it here:

Crustless Green Quiche

I used meatless bacon (which, don't get me started, I should have probably just used something not even related like roasted red peppers or sun-dried tomatoes) but Jen's version called for the real thing. If you eat meat, I'd recommend you do that. Bacon is too tasty to fake it.

Roundup, week of March 20th

What Happened Last Week?

Deprivation is the straw that breaks the camel's back when it comes to weight loss progress. If you've struggled with the feelings of "I can't" and "I shouldn't" it's important to take a look at your choices and see if you can improve your physical and mental satisfaction when it comes to eating. Remember, many of us impose rules on ourselves that we really don't need to. It's OK to live a little!

Since I did not lead Sunday's meeting, I don't have celebrations from that group. But I was able to participate in celebrating Penny's five pound star, Gina's 20 pound star, Nancy's 16 week Stay and Succeed award, and best of all, seeing Maria reach her GOAL WEIGHT! Yahoo!

So What's Coming Up?

Reflecting on past weight-loss experiences - both slip ups and successes - can give you valuable feedback. Learning what works and what doesn't work can help you move forward to future success.

Thought for the Week

A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book. - Irish Proverb

Weekly Recipe: Baked Pears Three Ways

This week you get Three! Three! Three recipes in one. These all come from Pat who mucked around in the kitchen and came up with three different ways to have a 3 PointsPlus value dessert of baked pears.

Baked Pears with Raisins

Baked Pears with Dates

Baked Pears with Mincemeat

Roundup, week of March 13th

What Happened Last Week?

Last week was all about YOU. What you've accomplished, what skills you've gained. I know it might seem weird, but focusing on how great things are going for you can help keep you motivated to finish the journey.

Accomplishments for this week include five pound stars for Kathy and Melissa, 15 pound stars for Teresa, David and Jody. Barbara reached 20 pounds lost and Mark celebrated 25 pounds lost. We gave 5% awards to Teresa and David, and gave a 10% keychain to Denise.

So What's Coming Up?

Are you worried you won't be able to eat the foods you love? Deprivation is a dangerous game that can ruin your progress. This week we'll talk about how to avoid deprivation and be satisfied with our food choices on a physical AND mental level.

Thought for the Week

We either make ourselves happy or miserable. The amount of work is the same. ~ Carlos Castaneda

Weekly Recipe: Polenta Lasagna

This is a leftover recipe from last week's recipe swap, courtesy of Pamela. I will definitely have to make this one myself!

Polenta Lasagna

I also have a few recipes I got from Pat on Sunday, but I need to get those run through the nutrition information mill before I post them. Probably next week....

Roundup, week of March 6th

What Happened Last Week?

We talked about how boredom can throw a monkey wrench into your eating and activity plans. I hope you're keeping an eye on things and finding ways to keep it interesting. You don't have to change EVERYTHING CONSTANTLY, but a little variety can go a long way.

Veronica and Larry both got their first five pound stars this week. Andrea, Teresa, Helen, Jennifer and Melissa all reached 10 pounds lost. Those who celebrated a fifteen pound milestone include Juanita, Joanne and Chris. Karla and Denise have now lost twenty pounds. We also celebrated 5% targets with Jody and Teresita, and Maria reached her 10% target. I love seeing everyone's success!

So What's Coming Up?

Now that we've gotten through two full months of the year, it's time to start looking back and acknowledging how far we've come. By celebrating your successes you'll gain confidence to move forward. Show up ready to share what you've achieved and applaud the efforts of others!

This week we will be offering samples of our new lemon mousse pie mini bar, and if you like them, you'll be able to purchase them (and all our other mini bars, oatmeal and smoothies) for just $4.95!

Thought for the Week

Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. ~ John Wooden

Weekly Recipe: Wednesday Recipe Swap

So Wednesday morning we did a little recipe swap that tied in nicely with the week's topic of shaking things up a bit. Here I present the results:

Coke Zero Cupcakes

Three Bean and Pork Slow Cooker Chili

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Baked Macaroni and Cheese**

** A note on this one: the blog I'm linking to altered the original recipe slightly. When published in the magazine the recipe called for whole wheat penne and she used a different pasta shape - that's irrelevant to the nutrition information, so just use whatever whole wheat pasta you like. The cheddar cheese called for is a total of two and a half cups - her recipe says 2 plus "more for sprinkling" - your eyeball will probably want to add more than that half cup!