January Pictures

Well, it's that time of month where I share before and after pictures. So here goes...

I don't know why but I have been overweight for so long that I just don't see myself in the right way. It is so hard to see myself as thinner. I don;t know why but I still see myself as the same fat person I always was until I look in the mirror and realize, Hey I've lost a lot of weight! So, maybe I have some image problems. But, so far I have been really happy with my weight loss and I do notice differences in what I can do now and my clothes fitting better etc. It's just picturing myself as smaller that I have problems with.

My Breakfast

My menu had to change a lot this week as I have had to feed the kids. (They usually eat breakfast at school.) There has been no school for about 2 1/2 weeks. They have only gone 1 1/2 days in that time period. So, I am not as creative for breakfast. This morning I whipped up an old favorite of mine, Cinnamon French Toast. I have shared this before on this blog, but thought I'd share it again since I have a lot of new people visiting my blog.

Cinnamon French Toast

1 cup Egg Beaters

1/3 cup fat free milk

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla extract

non-stick spray

10 slices of bread ( I used the Sarah Lee 35 calorie bread)

Whisk together Egg Beaters, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla is shallow medium bowl; set aside. Spray non-stick skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium. Dip bread in egg beaters mixture, coat both sides. Put in skillet and cook on both sides until golden brown.

Serving size is 2 slices
I served mine with Smuckers sugar free syrup and a banana

Calories 191 Fat 2 Fiber 6

RR:Pork Chops with Apples and Stuffing

I changed my menu around a little this week because I wanted to try this recipe I found and I had all the ingredients on hand. This was so easy to make and so yummy! I served it with green beans and mashed potatoes. I made the Betty Crocket packet kind of mashed potatoes that you add water to and microwave and they are 80 calories. I had the cheddar ones and they were yummy!

Pork Chops with Apples and Stuffing

6 ounces Stove Top Stuffing Mix For Chicken

21 ounces apple pie filling (I used sugar free)

1 1/2 pounds boneless pork top loin chops

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare stuffing as directed on package. Spread the pie filling on the bottom of a 13x9" baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray; top with chops then stuffing. Cover with foil. Bake 30 minutes; uncover and bake and additional 10 minutes or until chops are cooked through (160 degrees).

Serves 6

390 calories/11 fat/2 fiber

Quote for the day- HALT!

Are you eating because you are

H-Hungry
A- Angry
L- Lonely
T-Tired

Take a moment to assess what is really going on before you eat.

Dentist, No FUN!

I hate going to the dentist, even though I have a great dentist. Mostly, it's because it cost so dang much and I don't have any money for the things I need to get done. Last time I went was three years ago and now I HAVE to go. I have a tooth that must come out. It is in the back and I had a root canal on it when I was 16 and my parents never had the money to pay for a crown, so now after all this time, I must get it removed. It is really swollen, even on the outside of my mouth. It does not really hurt, it kind of feels like a sore in my mouth. I guess it would be hurting more if I had not had the root canal. They are going to x-ray it and I hope take it out. I just hate how I feel after going. The numbing last way too long and I just can't stand the wearing off feeling. I'm a baby, I guess. So, I am just not looking forward to going, but looking forward to being able to eat on that side again!

Quote For the Day

Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.
Dale Carnegie

My Weight Watchers Meeting

Well, for some reason, we did the same lesson as last weeks. The one that I went to another meeting. It was about hunger again. I got my new book on tracking, so after I read it which will be today, hopefully, I will write up my goals for the week. I lost 2 pounds!

The Hungry Song

The Hungry Song (to the tune if Fiere Jacques)
Am I hungry?
Am I hungry?
Yes I am.
Yes I am.
No, I need to eat some
No, I need to eat some
Filling foods.
Filling Foods.

Am I Hungry?
Am I hungry?
I'm not sure.
I'm not sure.
Wait a quarter hour.
Wait a quarter hour.
Check again.
Check again.

Am I hungry?
Am I hungry?
No, I'm not.
No, I'm not.
I'm just feeling restless.
I'm just feeling restless. (or bored or anxious, etc.)
Take a walk.
Take a walk. (or call a freind, or Read a book, or Clean the house, etc.)

Free Diet Dr. Pepper

I love Diet Dr. Pepper, it's about one of the only colas I will drink and it even comes in caffine free. Well, now you can get one for FREE. Just visit this website and you can get a coupon for either a 2 liter or a 20 oz for free.

Menu Plan Monday Jan26-February 1

I am still doing Weight Watchers....Here's my menu for this week.

Dinners:
Spaghetti Casserole, salad, toast
Cheesy Vegetable Soup and sandwiches
Creamy Potato and Ham Bake, salad
Pizza, salad
Crockpot Brown Sugar Chili(Make double batch to freeze for later), cornbread
Breakfast for dinner
Soft Tacos, salad
~
Lunch:
Ham sandwich, apple, milk
Leftover Cheesy Vegetable Soup
Refried Bean Soup
(Will eat these more than once)
~
Breakfast:
Omelet with added onions and mushrooms on light English muffin, fruit, hot herbal tea (3 days)
Low fat waffles and fruit, hot herbal tea (2 days)
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal, hot herbal tea (2 days)

Desserts/Snacks:
Wendy's No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars, Fiber One Crunchy Fudge Cookies, Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies, Makeover Dirt Pudding, 94% Fat Free Popcorn, Taste Like Apple Pie Dessert
~
Go here to see more plans.

My GREAT Day!

Today I decided to go to a Weight Watchers meeting in another county because I missed mine on Tuesday and I missed the week before because I was in the hospital with my son and I really needed the boost that a meeting gives me. My husband works in the county where I went to the meeting. I met him at work and changed cars and gave him the kids. He took the kids to Burger King play land to play and eat dinner. They were so ready to go play after being cooped up for the past 3 weeks. I really liked the meeting. We talked about hunger. The physical hunger which most of us have never felt what real physical hunger is because we have really never been without any more. Then we talked about Emotional hunger. A lot of people eat for emotional reasons. Eating for that reason just does not cure the problem and it becomes a vicious cycle. Then we talked about managing your feelings. What can we do to manage our feelings that does not involve eating. First, we should track our body signals. In Weight Watchers, we use the tracker and now the bottom has a place where before and after each meal, you can chart how hungry you were. This is a good sign to me as to when I need to plan for my points that I seem to be the most hungry. Second, notice which emotion tends to make you eat. Bordem is one that hits me a lot. Third, you need to think of nonfood responses to help you get through that emotion. I think exercising is a good response, some others that were mentioned were a hot bath, reading, etc. Then we also need to listen in meetings for more strategies. I love to hear ideas in my meetings and I think that is why I had such a good experience at this meeting. sometimes, I feel like I am the only one talking at my meetings. So, this was a good experience for me to learn some new things. Not that I want to abandon my meeting, I like it! I think that you need to plan in advance, Weight Watchers calls this Mental Rehearsing. Know in advance what you are going to do to get through an emotion. For example, if you start to feel bored, have a list of some things you can do when you get that feeling. Then when the feeling comes you will know exactly what to do and the eating temptation can be eliminated! Well, overall it was a really good meeting and when I met the kids at Burger King, I decided to wait and stop at Subway to get my dinner. Yes, my meeting pumped me up that much. After getting the kids to bed, I played with my Wii some more. I am now doing the advance step aerobics and I love it. I also tackled some hula hooping, but I need some more practice on that! I ended up exercising with my Wii for 2 hours today. I did a 30 minute morning session and a 30 minute afternoon session during nap time, and then I did an hour after the kids went to bed. So, I had a GREAT day!
This week I commit to:
1. Exercise at least 30 minutes everyday.
2. Drink all of my water for the day.
3. Stick to the program and the 9 Healthy Guidelines.
4. Use my blog for support and asking for help.
5. Make a list of emotions that I eat for and a list of what I can do instead.
6. Everytime I think I am hungry, I am going to put my hand on my stomach and ask myself if I am really hunger. (The leader asked us to commit to doing that this week.)

Oh and by the way, I gained a pound this week. I don't know if it was hospital food ,stress, lack of exercise or what, but I am moving forward with a hope to lose something this week!

Eat Better America Coupons

Eat Better America is giving a Coupon Booklet ($10 in coupons) to people who sign up for their newsetter. It always nice to get coupons for healthy stuff! Click here for more information..

My decision

Someone mentioned that they liked that I am posting more. I guess the reason I quit posting was because I was just tired with trying to lose weight. I had done well and then I did not quit but I just was not as into it? You can tell from my side bar when I quit recording my weights. Not to worry they are in my Weight Watchers book! I want to keep going. So, I have rededicated myself to this process again. So, you will be seeing more post from me in the future. I ended up buying the Wii and Wii Fit. I just want to say it was so hard at first, but I kept doing it and now I am pretty good and my 30 minutes goes by so fast. I have only done the step aerobics, but I am addicted to it. I think I should be able to do at least an hour a day because I love it. It is so easy and goes by so fast. I got the impression from the box that you were not suppose to wear your shoes. Does anybody know if you can? I like to protect my feet. Well, anyways thanks for all your imput in helping me make this decision. My kids love the Wii sports too. My 4 year olds are great at bowling! So, as you can tell. I have my excitement back. I hope I can lose the last 20 some pounds to get to my 100 pound loss goal. So, I am stepping it up a notch and trying to lose again, instead of yo-yo ing. I read in the Weight Watcher Magazine that continued yo-yo ing can cause you to have memory loss. I can't afford to lose any more memory so I got to quit that! I am still in the obese range, but hey I have gone down at least 10 points in my BMI since I first started, so I guess that's what matters. Some people say that people who have a little to lose have a harder time. While, it may be hard to lose those last few pounds, I think it is just as hard when you have a lot more weight to lose. You may lose it faster in the beginning, but you have to keep at it for so much longer. I just gave up at Christmas and ate whatever I wanted and gained about 7 pounds, but I have lost that now. And, the way I look at it, it is in the past and I have to move ahead! Hopefully, I'll get more on track and lose some weight this year! I know that this blog is the best thing that I have ever done to help me reach a goal! I think it would have been a lot harder without the support I get from this blog! I hope I'm able to give all of you the same support you give me. I also keep forgetting to mention that the doctor lowered my blood pressure meds. She says that it is all because of my weight loss efforts. So, that's another reason I need to push on, I want to get off those meds all together!!!! Well here's to looking in the future and putting the past behind me!

Bras and weight loss

Well did that title just get you here? If so, I am going to talk about bras. Before I started losing weight, I wore a 46 D and last summer I went to get some new ones and I knew my old ones did not fit me so I I just got a 44 D. Well I was about to die because my bras just were not doing there job, if you know what I mean. So, today I went to JCPenney's and got fitted and I actually wear a 42 C. When I put it on I said "WOW." The lady said does it not fit and I said no it fits so good. So, I guess I lost weight in my boobs too. I don't know if that's good or bad, lol. I was lucky because I got to buy more than I planned on buying because they were 50% off. Lucky me!

My Cheat Sheet

One of the biggest loser blogs that I visit, had a post about eating out and not really knowing what the calories or fat was for the items they were buying. I just wanted to share an idea that I use that has helped me with this problem. I used the Weight Watchers book that list lots of restaurants and I took an index card and wrote down each restaurant and what I usually eat and the number of points for each item. I keep this card in my purse and when we are out and unexpectedly have to eat out (which is not often) then I have this card to remember what the points are for the foods I like. If you don't do points then you could write down the calories and fats of the items you like at the restaurants. If you don't have a Weight Watchers Restaurants book, you can find most of the Nutritional Information on the restaurants website. You can also ask and some restaurants will provide you with a pamplet of the nutritional information. I used to carry the one for Subway around and then I already figured the points and wrote them on there, but I like my new cheat sheet better. This cheat sheet has saved me several times and it is easier than packing that big book around.
Some other cheat sheets that I like to use are on the Weight Watchers Webpage, I thought you might like these so I will share them with you too.
Pizza Cheat Sheet
Red Meat Cheat Sheet
Beer Cheat Sheet (I don't drink, but maybe some of my readers do?)
There are more cheat sheets on the Weight Watchers Website, but you have to be a paid online e-tools member to view them. I love the Thanksgiving one.

My Morning and other stuff

Well, today, I tried the Give 30, Get 30 idea from this post. I went to bed 30 minutes earlier, and I set my alarm clock 30 minutes earlier and I got up, but what I did not count on is that my almost 2 year old would get up at 6:30 am too. He never gets up that early, but his diaper had leaked ,which is rare, so I had to deal with him too. I ended up changing and feeding him and then putting him in his high chair and giving him some food. He was so good! I did the Leslie Sansone Miracle Mile, which is only 15 minutes. Then, I had my morning prayer. Prayer has always been important to me, but when I am trying to lose weight, it is even more important to me. I ask for help in choosing the right foods for my body, help to not be so tempted by food, and just help to get through my day. Prayer was such a big part in my weight loss journey last year, that I would highly recommend it to anyone trying to lose weight. It's like having an extra support person. Then I read my scriptures and it is so quiet in my house. School was called off for today and all the kids are still sleeping, except my almost 2 year old who is being so good in his high chair. I think that I am also going to make a list of my 5 most important things to get done today like this post was talking about. So, here's my list for today.
~
1. Dishes (These never end!)
2. Laundry (This never ends!)
3. Pick up living room
4. Clean out top shelf in the refrigerator
5. Take kids to the doctor.
~
We got our income taxes filed yesterday and should be getting our income tax money back today. So, we might go shopping tonight if the kids are feeling better, they are not 100% but seem a whole lot better, we'll see what the doctor says. My kids doctor is on the Walmart shopping center. The kids don't get to go to Walmart and just pick out something new whenever we want, actually never! So, last year we let them pick out something they wanted. Each kid got $20. My kids were lost as to what to pick out because there was so much and they are never given the freedom to go choose. It made me smile to be able to let my kids go do that. So, this year, we are going to do it again. We have talked about having them pick out something that will keep them active, but I don't know if that will happen or not. I can still see the excitement on their little faces when we did this last year and I want it to be fun for them.
~
I also really want to get a treadmill and I can't spend a lot on it, but it has been something that I have wanted for a long time. I always put it off because we need the money for something else, but I have been thinking more and more that it would be a good purchase and even my dh has told me he would love it too. We don't have any gyms close and we probably would not be able to afford the fee anyways, so to me this would be a good investment. So, I want your ideas. I know some of you have treadmills. Do you love them? Got any good suggestions for buying one? Would a Wii Fit be better? I don't have a Wii gaming system so I'd have to buy one of those too. So, I'd really like to hear your ideas on treadmills, Wii's etc. Thanks!

Fiber One Apple Crisp

Fiber One Apple Crisp

1 Caramel Fiber One Bar

1 med apple

cinnamon and Splenda to taste

Fat Free Cool Whip (optional, add points)

Peel, core and slice apple. Add cinnamon and Splenda to your desired taste. Take Fiber One Bar and break in small pieces on top of the apples. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Add fat free Cool Whip if desired.

Weight Watcher Points- 3

RR: This was so good and really tasted like an Apple Crisp.

Where do I find time to work out?

I think that my biggest excuse to working out is finding the time. With 4 kids my day is pretty planned out for me and I don't get a lot of "me time." I like to exercise by myself and finding someone who will take the kids for those 30 minutes has been rare in the past few months. Yesterday I went for a "winter walk" and I really enjoyed that, but today it is a lot colder and there is a lot more snow outside. So, I guess sometime today I will be doing a Leslie Sansone DVD. I should say I will be doing a Leslie Sansone DVD today. There that sounds better. :) I found a great article in the Jan/Feb 2009 Weight Watchers Magazine that talked about how to MAKE time in your day for exercise. The article gave 8 ways to make time to exercise. I am going to list them here. More for me that anyone else. :) But, I hope they help you too!
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1. Downsize your to-do list- My to-do list is full of stuff everyday. I get so overwhelmed, that it never gets all the way done. I would always put shower on my list or I'd feel guilty about doing it because I had so many other things to do. I know bad! This article suggest that we need to zero in on 5 key task that you MUST accomplish that day. The list should fit on a large post-it note and if it does not you should bump some of those things over to the next day.
2. Get off the phone- In my case, I think I should add get off the computer. The article states that we lose valuable time chatting to friends. If you have a cell phone, go chat it up while taking a walk.
3. Maximize weekend time- The article suggest that we have a lot more flexible time on the weekends and we should try to use that time to get in a good workout. When it is nice outside spend a Saturday outside doing an activity. Personally, my weekends are busier than my week days because I try to fit so much into it because I do have a little more help with the kids then.
4. Monitor E-Mail time- Instead of checking your e-mail all day. Limit yourself to 5 e-mail checks a day and have designated times for them. The article suggest that this could free up to 15 minutes a day.
5. Give yourself a takeout pass- I like this idea, although my budget might not. They suggest giving yourself the right to order out once a week to free up time you would be using in the kitchen. It also suggest that it not be junk food. I like Subway. I think I kind of do something like this anyways and I don't have to order carry out! I like to double my meals as I cook and freeze one of the meals to eat later. This saves me a lot of time later. I need to try to do this once a week, so I will have one night the next week that I am not cooking. Last night I doubled my Crockpot Brown Sugar Chili, so I can use that for one day next week to save me time in the kitchen that I could use to exercise.
6. Give 30 minutes, Get 30 minutes- The article suggest that research shows that people who exercise in the morning are more likely to stick with it. So, it suggest you go to bed 30 minutes earlier and set you alarm clock 30 minutes earlier. You get the same amount of sleep and you'll be able to dedicate those extra morning minutes to exercise!
7. Eliminate Tiny Time Sappers- These are the small to-do's on our list that we have so many of them that they add up and suck time right from us. You need to identify your time sappers and the article suggest getting rid of at least one each day. The article also says that these are usually things we are doing for someone else like baking cupcakes for your child's school party or babysitting for a friend's child at the last minute. I guess learning to say no is sometimes beneficial to our workout!
8. Have a plan- If you have seen my header to this blog you know I am big on PLANNING! If we have an exercise plan we are so much more likely do follow it and get our exercise in. That's kind of like my Monday Menu Plan. When I plan my menu, we eat what's on there. When I don't I end up spending more money than I should have and not staying on my eating plan as well. So, I guess exercise time is the same way, I need to have a plan for what I want to do and maybe even a set time. This way it is more likely to get done. The article suggest that you could take a fitness class of some kind and after paying for it before the classes start, you will be more likely to make time for it. Well, that's not going to happen for me due to budget restraints, so I am going to have to be a little more creative. But, I know lots of you do go to the gym and pay a membership fee, so that might apply to you.
The end of the article talked about how much time we spend in our car and gave some ideas for adding fitness to that time. What a great idea! Overall, I felt like this article gave me some great ideas to making time for me to exercise.
What do you do to make time to exercise?

My Winter Walk

About 2 weeks ago, a friend of mine at Weight Watchers let me borrow some of her old Weight Watchers Magazines that I had never read before. While I was in the hospital last week with my son, I decided to pull a few of those out since I was bored out of my mind. Almost every magazine talked about walking. Those magazines got me thinking. I need to do a better job at walking again. When I was consistently losing weight, I walked about 5 days a week. I have not been outside walking since the end of October. I had not been given the time I needed to go walking. Dh was working and had night classes two days a week and the other days he was doing his homework at night. It also got too cold by the time he came home. So, I would do Leslie Sansone's Miracle Mile 1-2 times a week. Well since that time, my weight loss has definitely not been that great. So, I know I need to walk more. Even the new Weight Watchers Momentum Plan has added a new Healthy Guideline and that is to exercise 30 minutes most days of the week. Walking was about the only exercise that I could do when I started watching what I ate and trying to lose weight, and I was 323 plus pounds. It was just the right exercise for me. So, now I need to figure out how I can add it to my day. It is so hard to get that time I need. I like my exercise time to be me time. The time I get away from the kids and I am just by myself. I have tried taking the kids with me, but I am so busy helping all 4 that I don't have time to get a good workout. So, I don't know how its going to happen or if I am going to have to just do the Leslie Sansone tapes that I have. I need to work on that.

~

One article that got my attention was Warm Up to Winter Walking from the November/December 2005 Weight Watchers Magazine. It said that the best way to not worry about Winter weight gain is to get out and walk. It also gives 5 tips for Winter Walking. First, "Take a New Path." A shady walking path may be perfect for the hot summer, but in the winter you need to pick a path that offers a lot of sun, but offers protection from the wind. It even said to choose a path with lots of cafes along the way so you can stop and get something warm to drink if you get too cold. I live in a very rural place and that just would not be available to me. Second, you need to have a, "Cold Stretch." Exercising with cold muscles can cause injury, so the article suggest that you extend your usual warm-up by 5 to 10 minutes. Cold weather can also cause you to cool down too quickly and that may cause you muscle cramps, so you should plan for a post cool down walk indoors. Third, the article recommends to, "Drink Up." Your body actual increases urine production when it is exposed to cold, increasing the likelihood of dehydration during exercise. The article recommended drinking 1 cup of water every 15 minutes during your walk. Fourth, "Upgrade Your Gear." It suggest getting a pair of waterproof walking shoes with deep grooves on the soles for traction on slick surfaces. The article also suggest you can waterproof your shoes by coating them with a spray-on waterproofing fabric treatment to keep the moisture out, but you have to reapply it often especially after walking in very wet conditions. Last, "Watch the Weather." Pay attention to the wind chill as well as the temperature. If there is a frostbite warning, move your walk indoors. The article finally gave some ideas on dressing for the weather by layering. It also said to avoid wearing cotton in the winter because it absorbs moisture and clings to your skin. The dampness will make you colder, but is also a frostbite hazard. I knew that about cotton, but I guess I never really thought about that. Anyways, very interesting article.

~

Today I really wanted to get out. All my kids are sick and last week I spent the entire week indoors and I just really needed some alone time and wanted to give "Winter Walking" a try. At noon today it was 32 degrees. So, I dressed warmly with a coat, hat, and gloves and headed off to the track I used to walk at a lot. It was so nice and quiet on the track and I was able to walk for 30 minutes. One part of the track was a little bit slippery, but I just walked in the grass when I got to that point. It was even flurrying as I walk. My face got a little cold at times and next time I would put on some chap stick before going, but overall I had such a great time. Now, I just wish I could figure out how I could get out like that most days.

~

Do any of you go "Winter Walking?"

Food Tracker Jan 18

Here's how I ate today. I get 32 points a day.
Tracker
January 17, 2009
Morning
1 item Light Multi-Grain English Muffin- 1point
1/2 cup Egg Beaters 1 point
1/4 cup onions- 0 points
1/4 cup canned mushrooms- 0 points
1 slice Singles- 1 point
1 cup grapes- 1 point
Total Morning- 4 points
Midday
none (had a late breakfast because I slept in.)
Total Midday Points-0
Evening
1 cup Crockpot Brown Sugar Chili- 8 points
4 crackers- 2 points
1 cup skim milk- 2 points
Total Evening Points- 12 points
Anytime
5 cup(s) reduced-fat microwave-popped popcorn, 94% fat-free- 1 point
2 tsp canola oil- 2.5 points
1 medium lemon- 0 points
3 Fiber One Fudge crunchy Cookies-4 points
Anytime Points- 7.5 points
Points used for Day- 23.5 points
Total Points Left to be used- 8 points
Total Activity Points Earned: 3 points
Healthy Guidelines:
Liquids- 10 cups
Fruits and Veggies- 3 servings
Mutivitamin- took it!
Healthy Oils- 2 servings
Milk and Milk Products- 1 serving
Lean Protien- 2 servings
Activity-30 minute fast paced walk

Fiber One Crunchy Fudge Cookies

Fiber One Crunchy Fudge Cookies

1 box fudge Brownie Mix (it called for and I used Betty Crocker)

2 cups Fiber One Cereal

1/3 c. water

1 egg

1 Tbsp veg. oil (I used Canola Oil)

2 tsp. vanilla

1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon

2 Tbsp. mini chocolate chips.

Heat oven to 350. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. In large bowl, mix all ingredients with spoon (this will be your activity points for the day!!). Drop dough by rounded tablespoons on cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 min. until set. Cool 2 minutes and move cookies to cooling rack. Cool completely for about 30 minutes.

Yields about 3 1/2 dozen cookies.

Store in a tightly sealed container can freeze for up to two months. (I plan to freeze some of these!, see above photo)

Nutritional info for 1 cookie:Calories: 70Total Fat: 1gDietary Fiber: 2 gProtein: 0 gCholesterol: 5 mg Total Carbs: 13 g

This recipe is on the side of the Original Fiber One cereal box.

RR: Everone loved these cookies. If you like chocolate, then this is the cookie to get you over that craving. They are very rich. I will make them again.

1 Cookie=1 WW Point
2 Cookies= 2 WW Points
3 Cookies= 4 WW Points
4 Cookies= 5 WW Points
5 Cookies= 7 WW Points
~
Note to Jen: You always say you did not know there was a Fiber One cookie. Well, you have to make this one yourself! Quite good!!!

My Starting Weight

This is my starting weight for The Biggest Loser......
While I am one of the heavier people in the Biggest Loser Contest, that number does not bother me! I started last year at 323.8 so 248.4 looks good to me!! I want to lose about 25 pounds to reach my 100 pounds lost mark!! I might be able to do that in 6 months? My long term goal that I can see right now is getting below 200, but I do not think that will happen during this competition.

Food Tracker Jan 17

Here's how I ate today. I get 32 points a day.
Tracker
January 17, 2009
Morning
1 item Light Multi-Grain English Muffin 1point
1/2 cup Egg Beaters 1 point
1/4 cup(s) onion(s)- 0 points
1/4 cup canned mushrooms- 0points
6 oz Amaretto Cheesecake Yogurt- 1 point
1 slice Singles- 1 point
1 cup grapes- 1 point
Total Morning- 5 points
Midday
1 cup lettuce- 0points
2 tbsp Lite Ranch - 2 points
2 tbsp reduced fat parmesan cheese- 0.5 points
1/2 cup onion(s)- 0 points
1/2 cup cucumber- 0 points
Total Midday Points-2.5
Evening
nothing yet
Total Evening Points- 0
Anytime
5 cup(s) reduced-fat microwave-popped popcorn, 94% fat-free- 1 point
2 tsp canola oil- 2.5 points
1 large banana- 2 points
1 medium lemon- 0 points
1 cup Chex Mix- 6 points (ouch!)
Anytime Points- 12.5 points
Points used for Day- 20 points
Total Points Left to be used-
Total Activity Points Earned:

Healthy Guidelines:
Liquids- 6 cups
Fruits and Veggies- 6 servings
Mutivitamin- took it!
Healthy Oils- 2 servings
Milk and Milk Products- 1 serving
Lean Protien- 2 servings
Activity- None Yet
~
Notes: I made Chex mix for the kids today and I did not want to stop eating it, so I made some popcorn to make myself quit. I need to work more on the not eating when I am not hungry!

Where have I been?

I'll be back later. I have been in the hospital for a week with my son. He had pnemonia among a few other things! I joined a biggest loser group and I will be updating about that!!!! I need rest now though!

Menu Plan Monday Jan12- Jan17

I have not done a menu on here for awhile and I got to do better! Menu planning helps me stay on my Weight Watchers plan and helps me spend less at the store. Last week at Weight Watchers, I told them I like to plan out my breakfast, lunches, and dinners. They made me feel like I was in the minority and that I must be some super organized freak! I don't know how I would go to the grocery if I did not take the time to plan my week. I always plan just sometimes it does not get put on here. With a family of 6 you have to plan! Here is my plan for this week.

Dinners
Spaghetti Casserole, salad, toast
Crockpot Brown Sugar Chili, cornbread
Breakfast for dinner
Pizza, salad
Creamy Potato and Ham Bake, salad
Soup and sandwiches
Leftovers night

Lunch
Ham sandwich, apple, milk
Cheesy Vegetable Soup, crackers
Refried Bean Soup
Leftovers
Breakfast
Omelet with added onions and mushrooms on light English muffin, fruit, hot herbal tea (3 days)
Low fat waffles and fruit, hot herbal tea (2 days)
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal, hot herbal tea (2 days)

Desserts/ snacks: Wendy's No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars, Fiber One Crunchy Fudge Cookies, Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies, Makeover Dirt Pudding, 94% Fat Free Popcorn, Taste Like Apple Pie Dessert
Go here to see more plans.

Yummy Snack!

I have posted this recipe on here before, but it is one of my most favorite and I traveled over an hour yesterday to get some things I can't find around here and I found the Mission Carb Balance Tortillas that are only 1 point each. I love these!
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Apple Pie Enchilada

1 medium sized apple - cored, peeled, and chopped(I used my Pampered Chef Apple Peeler corer, Slicer made it so much easier!)

1 Light Laughing Cow Wedge (Swiss flavor)(Find in the fancy cheese section)

1 Tortilla, whole wheat or other 1 point tortilla

Cinnamon (I just sprinkled some on the apples)

Splenda (0-2 packets depending on sweetness of apple)

Put peeled, cored, and chopped apple in a bowl and toss with Cinnamon and Splenda (if desired). Microwave for 1 minutes, or until soft. While your apple is cooking, spread your Laughing Cow cheese wedge on your tortilla. Spoon the cooked apple pieces into your tortilla. You can either just let it sit for about a minute to “melt” the cheese, or you can microwave for another 30 seconds. (I microwaved mine and I think it made the tortilla better) Fold over. Eat and enjoy!
**Note: You can also top it with 2 Tbsp Fat Free Cool Whip!
(Points will depending on the size of apple and kind of bread product you use- mine was 3 points)

Weight Watcher's Taste Like Apple Pie Dessert

Weight Watcher's Taste Like Apple Pie Dessert

1 medium Apple, peeled, cored, and sliced

1-2 packets Splenda

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1-2 TBSP Sugar Free Caramel Topping

2 TBSP Fat Free Whipped Topping

Place prepared apple in a bowl and add Splenda and cinnamon. Mix together. microwave on high for 1 minute. Drizzle 1-2 TBSP of Sugar Free Caramel on top of apples. Add Whipped topping to top. Enjoy! Taste a lot like an Apple Pie!!!

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Serves 1 at 2-3 Weight Watchers points depending on amount of caramel you use.

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Note: I did not have any but you could add Caramel Pudding instead of the Caramel Topping. Just stir it into the apples after you cook them. Then add your whipped topping.

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Source: I got the idea from the Weight Watcher's Message Boards

RR: Pecan Pie Cookies

PECAN PIE COOKIES

Yield: 3 dozen cookies

Cookie Ingredients:

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

3/4 cup LAND O LAKES® Butter, softened

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

Filling Ingredients:

1 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/4 cup LAND O LAKES™ Heavy Whipping Cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

Heat oven to 350°F. Combine all cookie ingredients except flour and baking powder in large bowl. Beat at medium speed until creamy. Reduce speed to low; add flour and baking powder. Beat until well mixed. Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Make indentation in each cookie with thumb; rotate thumb to hollow out slightly. Combine all filling ingredients in small bowl; fill each cookie with 1 rounded teaspoon filling. Bake for 8 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets. . TIP: These cookies can be made ahead and stored in the freezer up to 3 months. Place cookies in containers with tight-fitting lids, separating layers with waxed paper.

Nutrition Facts (1 cookie): Calories: 130, Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 20mg, Sodium: 50mg, Carbohydrates: 15g, Dietary Fiber: <1g,>

RR: Made these at Christmastime and they were so good! They taste a lot like pecan pie, easy to make too!