Monday, September 16, 2013

Week 2: 1.2 lbs lost, 93.6 to go

...or in terms of my 5% weight-loss goal, 9.8 lbs until I get that little star.

Which I am really looking forward to, actually. I will still be above 200 lbs, but at least it will be progress.

Last week's meeting was good; I'm slowly figuring out what the agenda is in these meetings. Basically, it's all discussion among the attendees, with a few questions to focus the meeting. I don't believe a copy of those questions is posted anywhere; I will start taking notes next week so that I remember them.

There is also a weightwatchers weekly handout at every meeting, and I missed last week's, so this post will include my thoughts on both.

September 1-7, 2013
This month's Routine: Know What You're Having for Lunch

Sounds easy enough, doesn't it? And yet, I really didn't actually pay that much attention to it. To be fair, I got sick on Tuesday, and so basically lived off of chicken noodle soup and toast for most of the week.

However, I am going to try out the whole new routine thing in the online tool, and make that my routine, see if I can actually make that into a habit. (Today, I'll be having half of a chicken bacon ranch wrap, with veggies for the afternoon)

The hand-out had some good lunch tips in it, over all:

  • What makes a good lunch - lean protein, complex carbs, healthy fat, fibre
    • To prevent boredom, add colour, texture and flavour
  • How to survive a business lunch - preview the menu, don't drink alcohol, be very specific with your order
  • Eating lunch at home - Stir-fry over whole-wheat noodles or brown rice, Omelet with a side salad and whole-wheat toast, or a grain bowl (quinoa, barley, brown rice, mixed with cooked veggies and some lean protein)
  • Eating lunch at work - brown bag it (whole-wheat pasta with extra tomato sauce so it doesn't dry out in the microwave, veggies and lean protein, days of the week salad - greens with different toppings each day of the week, rice and beans from a can, rinsed, and topped with salsa, shredded cheese and broccoli or peppers
  • Eating lunch on the go - Use the Food Court Cheat Sheet (who knew???) at the mall, or brown bag it using a freezer pack in a tote: Hard boiled eggs, crackers, peppers, fruit, or Hummus pizza in a wrap for easy carrying, greek yoghurt with granola and berries, carrots on the side

There was also a recipe for what look to be interesting pancakes, along with some tips on freezing them for easy reheating, and some very interesting tips on eating properly before and after exercising:
  • Eat a meal 4 hours before you workout
  • Eat a small snack 1 hour before you workout
Both of these should be relatively high in healthy carbs and low in fat, with moderate protein.
  • Eat a post-workout snack or meal with half an hour or so - e.g. nonfat chocolate milk

September 8-14, 2013
Believe It Will Work

After a little bit of self-examination, actually harder than it sounds. I have been "trying" to lose weight for almost 20 years now, and really, if I were to base my belief on previous experience, not a chance in the world for this to actually happen.

So, I guess I have to believe in the program, right? And in my own ability to follow it until I reach my goal weight. Which would be the reason that I have decided to go to the meetings - it wasn't working for me to do this on my own.

3 tips to help you believe in yourself (from the brochure)
  1. Envision your goals. (weekly)
  2. Use the tools.
  3. Celebrate your success (Ideally, not with food)
The power of a word
Pick a word (or words) that empower you. In the brochure, the words Capable, Active, Worthy were highlighted by successful members. These words should help to: change your mindset, make healthier choices, achieve your weight-loss goal. 

So... these words are supposed to be personal, and should resonate with me as an individual..

I like the word capable, that strikes a chord...

So.

I am CAPABLE

Of making healthy choices.

That seems like a good start for now.

And, I did at lunch. I got the lunch special (as planned - see above), sans pasta salad, with the wrap cut in half and a side of veggies and dip to tide me over until supper tonight.


No comments: