Cheese Flatbread
serves 16 (2 points)
1 loaf (1 lb) frozen bread dough, thawed
1 T. light tub butter
2 tsp paprika
1.2 tsp garlic powder
1.2 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1 C. shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
On a lightly floured surface, roll dought into a large rectangle. Transfer to a 15 x 10 x 1 pan coated with cooking spray. Build up edges slightly. Spread with butter, sprinkle with spices. Prick the dough several times with a fork; sprinkle with cheese. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 20 minutes. Bake at 375 until golden and cheese is melted. (20-25 minutes.) adapted from Healthy Cooking.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Taco Soup 1 point
Taco Soup (one version)
1 pound of lean ground beef cooked and drained
1 small onion cooked with the meat
1 package of taco seasoning
1 can of tomatoes crushed (28 oz)
1 can of corn
1 can of ranch style beans
2 cups of water (or fill the corn can)
Simmer for 20 minutes
Makes 10 servings at one point per serving.
1 pound of lean ground beef cooked and drained
1 small onion cooked with the meat
1 package of taco seasoning
1 can of tomatoes crushed (28 oz)
1 can of corn
1 can of ranch style beans
2 cups of water (or fill the corn can)
Simmer for 20 minutes
Makes 10 servings at one point per serving.
Why slow weight loss wins.
Why Slow Weight Loss Wins.
Article By: Melissa Sperl
Frustrated by slow weight loss? Read on for expert input on why slow and steady wins the race.
"We live in a quick-fix society," says Debra Mandel, PhD, a Los Angeles psychologist who specializes in eating disorders. "When we want something, we want it right away."
Worse, we constantly see advertisements that convince us that we can lose inches by tomorrow, and be slimmer by next week. It seems like there's no harm in wanting to lose weight by yesterday. After all, it is possible. Isn't it?
Not at all, insists Mandel. Because when it comes down to it, fast weight loss can't last, because it usually means adapting to very difficult eating habits and an impossible-to-live-with lifestyle.
Quick fix, fast failure
"[With quick-fix diets], our metabolism slows down, and eventually we're eating fewer and fewer calories but not losing weight," says Mandel. "This leads to anxiety, which prompts us to eat even fewer calories to try to lose. The body rebels against that even more."
So it's a vicious cycle. Because if you don't get enough nutrients — which is a major risk when you're going for a quick fix — your brain, and then your body, will, well, insist that you eat. To your body, it's nothing more than survival. But to you, it will feel like you're giving in and losing control. Then you'll feel like a failure, which might very well send you to the fridge.
It's a never-ending yo-yo cycle of weight gain, then loss, then gain again. Go for slow and steady weight loss (a healthy rate is two pounds per week or less), and not only will you be doing a service to your body, you'll also be more likely to keep that weight off for good. Isn't that better than rebounding?
Why slow weight loss lasts
"I'm glad my weight loss was slow for me because I feel like I really have made lifestyle changes," says Lyn, a meetings member. "I just keep at it. I continue to see slow progress but overall a great deal of success. Slowly but surely the weight comes off."
It's that kind of "through thick and thin" attitude that will take people from thick to thin for good, says Mandel. Losing weight slowly isn't just healthier, she says, it's a better investment. Not only are you dropping pounds, you're working on building habits that you'll be able to maintain. And those habits will help you maintain the weight you lost, so you can stay at your goal weight for good.
"Plus, you have more energy to live life in the present, because you're not starving and focusing on food," says Mandel. "You're creating a healthy relationship with food." That's the key to lifelong success.
Maintain a positive attitude
All that said, Cindy, a subscriber to Weight Watchers Online, isn't exactly glad she loses weight slowly. "'Thankful' might be a better word for it," she says. "At least I'm losing and not gaining."
Cindy has also held on during slow losses by maintaining a positive attitude: "I know this plan is something I can stick with for the rest of my life. It's definitely not a 'diet' that I'll go off for a long period of time. It's a lifetime commitment."
Article By: Melissa Sperl
Frustrated by slow weight loss? Read on for expert input on why slow and steady wins the race.
"We live in a quick-fix society," says Debra Mandel, PhD, a Los Angeles psychologist who specializes in eating disorders. "When we want something, we want it right away."
Worse, we constantly see advertisements that convince us that we can lose inches by tomorrow, and be slimmer by next week. It seems like there's no harm in wanting to lose weight by yesterday. After all, it is possible. Isn't it?
Not at all, insists Mandel. Because when it comes down to it, fast weight loss can't last, because it usually means adapting to very difficult eating habits and an impossible-to-live-with lifestyle.
Quick fix, fast failure
"[With quick-fix diets], our metabolism slows down, and eventually we're eating fewer and fewer calories but not losing weight," says Mandel. "This leads to anxiety, which prompts us to eat even fewer calories to try to lose. The body rebels against that even more."
So it's a vicious cycle. Because if you don't get enough nutrients — which is a major risk when you're going for a quick fix — your brain, and then your body, will, well, insist that you eat. To your body, it's nothing more than survival. But to you, it will feel like you're giving in and losing control. Then you'll feel like a failure, which might very well send you to the fridge.
It's a never-ending yo-yo cycle of weight gain, then loss, then gain again. Go for slow and steady weight loss (a healthy rate is two pounds per week or less), and not only will you be doing a service to your body, you'll also be more likely to keep that weight off for good. Isn't that better than rebounding?
Why slow weight loss lasts
"I'm glad my weight loss was slow for me because I feel like I really have made lifestyle changes," says Lyn, a meetings member. "I just keep at it. I continue to see slow progress but overall a great deal of success. Slowly but surely the weight comes off."
It's that kind of "through thick and thin" attitude that will take people from thick to thin for good, says Mandel. Losing weight slowly isn't just healthier, she says, it's a better investment. Not only are you dropping pounds, you're working on building habits that you'll be able to maintain. And those habits will help you maintain the weight you lost, so you can stay at your goal weight for good.
"Plus, you have more energy to live life in the present, because you're not starving and focusing on food," says Mandel. "You're creating a healthy relationship with food." That's the key to lifelong success.
Maintain a positive attitude
All that said, Cindy, a subscriber to Weight Watchers Online, isn't exactly glad she loses weight slowly. "'Thankful' might be a better word for it," she says. "At least I'm losing and not gaining."
Cindy has also held on during slow losses by maintaining a positive attitude: "I know this plan is something I can stick with for the rest of my life. It's definitely not a 'diet' that I'll go off for a long period of time. It's a lifetime commitment."
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Harvest Pie
Harvest Pie
From: www.halfmysize.com
Servings - 8
Points - 3
1 cup skim milk
1 pkg. (4 serv. size) sugar free fat free butterscotch instant pudding mix
2 cups Cool Whip Free
1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
non-stick cooking spray
1 red delicious apple, chopped
1 golden delicious apple, chopped
2 Tbsp. chopped pecans
1/4 cup miniature marshmallows
1/4 cup fat free caramel topping
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray a 9 inch pie plate with non-stick cooking spray. Sprinkle graham crackers into bottom of dish and pat down firmly to form crust. Bake in preheated for 5 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
Pour milk into medium mixing bowl; add pudding mix and beat with a wire whisk until well blended, 1 to 2 minutes. Let stand for 1 to 2 minutes or until slightly thickened.
Fold in Cool Whip Free and mix thoroughly. Pour into crust. Chill until firm, about 2 hours.
Sprinkle with apples, pecans and marshmallows just before serving. Drizzle caramel topping over pie and serve. made this for dessert tonight.. very yummy! You could easily omit the graham cracker crumbs and put in parfait dishes as a pudding, if desired. It's perfect for this time of year!
From: www.halfmysize.com
Servings - 8
Points - 3
1 cup skim milk
1 pkg. (4 serv. size) sugar free fat free butterscotch instant pudding mix
2 cups Cool Whip Free
1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
non-stick cooking spray
1 red delicious apple, chopped
1 golden delicious apple, chopped
2 Tbsp. chopped pecans
1/4 cup miniature marshmallows
1/4 cup fat free caramel topping
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray a 9 inch pie plate with non-stick cooking spray. Sprinkle graham crackers into bottom of dish and pat down firmly to form crust. Bake in preheated for 5 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
Pour milk into medium mixing bowl; add pudding mix and beat with a wire whisk until well blended, 1 to 2 minutes. Let stand for 1 to 2 minutes or until slightly thickened.
Fold in Cool Whip Free and mix thoroughly. Pour into crust. Chill until firm, about 2 hours.
Sprinkle with apples, pecans and marshmallows just before serving. Drizzle caramel topping over pie and serve. made this for dessert tonight.. very yummy! You could easily omit the graham cracker crumbs and put in parfait dishes as a pudding, if desired. It's perfect for this time of year!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Pumpkin Spice Recipe
Pumpkin Spice No-Bake Cheesecake
Servings: 8 Size: 1 piece Points: 5 ww points
7 oz 1/3 less fat Philadelphia Cream Cheese
1/2 cup pureed pumpkin (canned is fine)
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 cup brown sugar, unpacked
8 oz Cool Whip Free, thawed
9 inch reduced fat Graham Cracker Crust
In a large bowl using an electric mixer, whip cream cheese, pumpkin, vanilla, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and brown sugar for a few minutes until fluffy. Add Cool Whip and whip until smooth. Spoon mixture into pie crust and chill for a few hours, until firm.
Servings: 8 Size: 1 piece Points: 5 ww points
7 oz 1/3 less fat Philadelphia Cream Cheese
1/2 cup pureed pumpkin (canned is fine)
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 cup brown sugar, unpacked
8 oz Cool Whip Free, thawed
9 inch reduced fat Graham Cracker Crust
In a large bowl using an electric mixer, whip cream cheese, pumpkin, vanilla, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and brown sugar for a few minutes until fluffy. Add Cool Whip and whip until smooth. Spoon mixture into pie crust and chill for a few hours, until firm.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
10 Ways to Get Back on Track After the Summer
10 Ways to Get Back on Track After Summer
Article By: Sally Bevan www.weightwatchers.com
Still trying to ditch your summer vacation eating habits? Follow our ten tips for getting back in control.
One minute you're eating, drinking and making merry in the summer sun. The next you're back home, very possibly disappointed by any vacation weight gain and facing the prospect of the oncoming colder weather. It's enough to make anyone ditch their diet, grab the comforter and become one with the cookie jar.
Follow our 10 top tips to get back on track
It might seem obvious but you can avoid the post-vacation panic if you eat and drink sensibly while you're away. Eating well over summer is easy as you can always get access to low POINTS® value foods (sorbets, salads, exotic fruits etc.) and you'll also have lots of opportunities to earn activity POINTS values by swimming, walking and other outdoor activities.
Your vacation feeling doesn't have to end the moment you walk through your front door. Make the most of the fading light by getting out and about. The exercise will not only burn calories but it will also keep you feeling cheerful and buoyant well after your vacation has ended
Same goes for food. Recreate some of the best meals of your trip at home. Buy the best fish you can afford or the leanest cut of meat, season well and grill over charcoal for the authentic alfresco taste. Serve with a crisp salad, juicy tomatoes and fresh herbs for a light, low POINTS value meal.
Foods that make you feel full will stop you from overeating, even if you're suffering the back-to-work blues. Mix tastes, textures and temperatures to keep your palate entertained and opt for filling, slow-release foods such as brown rice, bananas, potatoes and lentils.
Have a kitchen clear-out. Get back on track by clearing out the cupboards and fridge. Have an amnesty on naughty foods; don't feel guilty for having bought them, just trash them.
Stock up on delicious fall foods. Swap out light summer herbs like basil and cilantro for woodsy rosemary, thyme and sage, and look for autumn apples and squash. Spend an afternoon with a cup of coffee and your favorite cookbooks, finding low POINTS value recipes for the forthcoming months. You could also cook a few meals in advance and freeze them.
Anticipate any monthly milestones. Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are just a few of the seasonal events that revolve around food. We've got lots of recipes for all these occasions so there's no reason you have to miss out on all the fun.
Exercising in bad weather can be brutal. Keep on track with your fitness routine by investing in a new workout video or picking up second-hand copies from a thrift shop. If you don't feel like buying any videos, your local library and video store will have them to rent for a few bucks.
Make sure you get enough sleep. Vacations, jet lag and getting back to work can all disrupt your sleep patterns leaving you tired and low. Tiredness is often a trigger for snacking and overeating, so make sure you get plenty of rest and the full eight hours.
Stay positive! Your summer vacation may be over but each season has its own charm. Some of the nicest walking weather happens in the fall, with its clear skies and glorious colors, while winter is the perfect time to be sledging, skiing and building fires — all great fun activities which will earn you extra activity POINTS values!
Article By: Sally Bevan www.weightwatchers.com
Still trying to ditch your summer vacation eating habits? Follow our ten tips for getting back in control.
One minute you're eating, drinking and making merry in the summer sun. The next you're back home, very possibly disappointed by any vacation weight gain and facing the prospect of the oncoming colder weather. It's enough to make anyone ditch their diet, grab the comforter and become one with the cookie jar.
Follow our 10 top tips to get back on track
It might seem obvious but you can avoid the post-vacation panic if you eat and drink sensibly while you're away. Eating well over summer is easy as you can always get access to low POINTS® value foods (sorbets, salads, exotic fruits etc.) and you'll also have lots of opportunities to earn activity POINTS values by swimming, walking and other outdoor activities.
Your vacation feeling doesn't have to end the moment you walk through your front door. Make the most of the fading light by getting out and about. The exercise will not only burn calories but it will also keep you feeling cheerful and buoyant well after your vacation has ended
Same goes for food. Recreate some of the best meals of your trip at home. Buy the best fish you can afford or the leanest cut of meat, season well and grill over charcoal for the authentic alfresco taste. Serve with a crisp salad, juicy tomatoes and fresh herbs for a light, low POINTS value meal.
Foods that make you feel full will stop you from overeating, even if you're suffering the back-to-work blues. Mix tastes, textures and temperatures to keep your palate entertained and opt for filling, slow-release foods such as brown rice, bananas, potatoes and lentils.
Have a kitchen clear-out. Get back on track by clearing out the cupboards and fridge. Have an amnesty on naughty foods; don't feel guilty for having bought them, just trash them.
Stock up on delicious fall foods. Swap out light summer herbs like basil and cilantro for woodsy rosemary, thyme and sage, and look for autumn apples and squash. Spend an afternoon with a cup of coffee and your favorite cookbooks, finding low POINTS value recipes for the forthcoming months. You could also cook a few meals in advance and freeze them.
Anticipate any monthly milestones. Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are just a few of the seasonal events that revolve around food. We've got lots of recipes for all these occasions so there's no reason you have to miss out on all the fun.
Exercising in bad weather can be brutal. Keep on track with your fitness routine by investing in a new workout video or picking up second-hand copies from a thrift shop. If you don't feel like buying any videos, your local library and video store will have them to rent for a few bucks.
Make sure you get enough sleep. Vacations, jet lag and getting back to work can all disrupt your sleep patterns leaving you tired and low. Tiredness is often a trigger for snacking and overeating, so make sure you get plenty of rest and the full eight hours.
Stay positive! Your summer vacation may be over but each season has its own charm. Some of the nicest walking weather happens in the fall, with its clear skies and glorious colors, while winter is the perfect time to be sledging, skiing and building fires — all great fun activities which will earn you extra activity POINTS values!
I am unhappy with my progress
"I’m unhappy with my progress."
Article By: Weight Watchers
Our Take: Take one look at the tabloid magazine covers: Our society is obsessed with how much so-and-so weighs. It’s not surprising, then, that we focus on numbers. What is surprising is this seemingly counterintuitive solution: If you’re unsatisfied with the scale, stop looking. Ignore it for a while.
Our weight fluctuates at the best of times (not to mention the worst), so we can’t allow the scale to be the only indicator of success. It’s too fickle. You’ve certainly made progress, but it isn’t necessarily weight-related. Give yourself credit! Celebrate your non-scale victories (NSVs). For one thing, your improved nutritional intake — more fruits, veggies, calcium, healthy oils, etc. — is nourishing your body the right way. Don’t overlook the significance of your more active lifestyle, either. The extra energy and stamina for work, play and family is nice, right? Maybe your jeans are feeling a little loose. Point is, we can’t control the scale, but we can control our feelings about progress being made. The scale can and should be used as one indicator of success, but certainly not the only one. Losing pounds is great. But gaining health is even better in the long run. Eventually, the scale will catch up.
The match-up: You vs The Scale. Some weeks you win. Some you don’t. At least that’s the natural thinking pattern when success is solely based on weight-loss numbers. Do yourself a favor if you’re unsatisfied with the scale: stop looking at it. Liberating, huh? Now think big picture. Our weight fluctuates at the best and worst of times, so we can’t allow that fickle scale to be the only indicator of success. Focus on progress that isn’t directly weight-loss related. You’re looking pretty good in those jeans, right? What about that extra energy, moving faster and oh, all those compliments? We can’t control what the scale does, but we can control our actions. So use the scale as one indicator of success — just not the only one. The scale will catch up.
What you can do about it today:
Size yourself up.
Take measurements every 1-2 months. Sometimes your body loses inches instead of pounds, which can be a good indicator of progress. Or take monthly photos and compare before-and-after shots.
Make a list of successes.
List five things you’re doing now that you weren’t doing a month ago. Perhaps you’re walking 15 minutes longer, taking the stairs or drinking water. It’s all good. Recognize the positive things you’re doing instead of focusing on what you don’t feel are going so well.
Journal your thoughts.
Work through your feelings by writing about them on a Blog, Message Board or personal journal. Let others know how you feel — they might help change your perspective for the better with positive feedback.
Article By: Weight Watchers
Our Take: Take one look at the tabloid magazine covers: Our society is obsessed with how much so-and-so weighs. It’s not surprising, then, that we focus on numbers. What is surprising is this seemingly counterintuitive solution: If you’re unsatisfied with the scale, stop looking. Ignore it for a while.
Our weight fluctuates at the best of times (not to mention the worst), so we can’t allow the scale to be the only indicator of success. It’s too fickle. You’ve certainly made progress, but it isn’t necessarily weight-related. Give yourself credit! Celebrate your non-scale victories (NSVs). For one thing, your improved nutritional intake — more fruits, veggies, calcium, healthy oils, etc. — is nourishing your body the right way. Don’t overlook the significance of your more active lifestyle, either. The extra energy and stamina for work, play and family is nice, right? Maybe your jeans are feeling a little loose. Point is, we can’t control the scale, but we can control our feelings about progress being made. The scale can and should be used as one indicator of success, but certainly not the only one. Losing pounds is great. But gaining health is even better in the long run. Eventually, the scale will catch up.
The match-up: You vs The Scale. Some weeks you win. Some you don’t. At least that’s the natural thinking pattern when success is solely based on weight-loss numbers. Do yourself a favor if you’re unsatisfied with the scale: stop looking at it. Liberating, huh? Now think big picture. Our weight fluctuates at the best and worst of times, so we can’t allow that fickle scale to be the only indicator of success. Focus on progress that isn’t directly weight-loss related. You’re looking pretty good in those jeans, right? What about that extra energy, moving faster and oh, all those compliments? We can’t control what the scale does, but we can control our actions. So use the scale as one indicator of success — just not the only one. The scale will catch up.
What you can do about it today:
Size yourself up.
Take measurements every 1-2 months. Sometimes your body loses inches instead of pounds, which can be a good indicator of progress. Or take monthly photos and compare before-and-after shots.
Make a list of successes.
List five things you’re doing now that you weren’t doing a month ago. Perhaps you’re walking 15 minutes longer, taking the stairs or drinking water. It’s all good. Recognize the positive things you’re doing instead of focusing on what you don’t feel are going so well.
Journal your thoughts.
Work through your feelings by writing about them on a Blog, Message Board or personal journal. Let others know how you feel — they might help change your perspective for the better with positive feedback.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Fresh Veggie Pizza
FRESH VEGGIE PIZZA
1 tube (8 oz) reduced fat-crescent rolls
1 package (8 oz) reduced fat-cream cheese
1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
2 TBSP fat-free milk
½ cup each chopped fresh broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, green pepper, sweet red pepper, and mushrooms.
Unroll crescent roll dough into one long rectangle. Press onto the bottom of a 13 x 9 baking pan, coated with non stick cooking spray; seal seams and preforations. Bake at 375 degrees for 11-13 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely.
In a mixing bowl. Beat cream cheese, salad dressing mix and milk until smooth. Spread over crust. Sprinkle with vegetables. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. But into 16 pieces. Yield: 8 servings.
One serving of 2 pieces is 4 points. One piece is 2 points.
1 tube (8 oz) reduced fat-crescent rolls
1 package (8 oz) reduced fat-cream cheese
1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
2 TBSP fat-free milk
½ cup each chopped fresh broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, green pepper, sweet red pepper, and mushrooms.
Unroll crescent roll dough into one long rectangle. Press onto the bottom of a 13 x 9 baking pan, coated with non stick cooking spray; seal seams and preforations. Bake at 375 degrees for 11-13 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely.
In a mixing bowl. Beat cream cheese, salad dressing mix and milk until smooth. Spread over crust. Sprinkle with vegetables. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. But into 16 pieces. Yield: 8 servings.
One serving of 2 pieces is 4 points. One piece is 2 points.
See what you can gain with our Lose for Good Campaign
Wow...I Gained!!!
*a new healthier, balanced diet, a new variety of foods that I love that are good for me!
* a BMI of 25, a healthier heart, a longer life.
*a whole new wardrobe of cute skinny clothes!
*the ability to go up and down stairs without huffing and puffing, walk all day without tiring, and keep up with my kids!
* increased strength and coordination - a new appreciation for fitness.
*a respect for myself!
*social confidence.
*a sense of empowerment - my life is in control!
*a big smile when I look in the mirror and see ME again.
*a new way handling problems w/o food
*the respect of those who never believed I would stick with it.
*the knowledge that I am setting a good example for my children
*a wealth of friends through my meetings...a circle of support!
See "GAINING" isn't such a bad thing!
*a new healthier, balanced diet, a new variety of foods that I love that are good for me!
* a BMI of 25, a healthier heart, a longer life.
*a whole new wardrobe of cute skinny clothes!
*the ability to go up and down stairs without huffing and puffing, walk all day without tiring, and keep up with my kids!
* increased strength and coordination - a new appreciation for fitness.
*a respect for myself!
*social confidence.
*a sense of empowerment - my life is in control!
*a big smile when I look in the mirror and see ME again.
*a new way handling problems w/o food
*the respect of those who never believed I would stick with it.
*the knowledge that I am setting a good example for my children
*a wealth of friends through my meetings...a circle of support!
See "GAINING" isn't such a bad thing!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"THE POSITIVE THINKER SEES THE INVISIBLE, FEELS THE INTANGIBLE AND ACHIEVES THE IMPOSSIBLE"
WINSTON CHURCHILL
WINSTON CHURCHILL
Friday, September 17, 2010
I am having trouble tracking
I’m having trouble tracking.
Article By: Weight Watchers
Our Take: Don’t worry, you’re not the only one. Most people haven’t spent the past 10, 20 or 30 years of their lives writing down what they eat, so it’s completely normal to struggle while you’re trying to develop this good habit. So don’t beat yourself up. Start in small, easy ways. This week, you might track what you eat at breakfast. Build on that success next week by tracking breakfast and lunch, and so on. If you slip, don’t dwell on the negative. Just pick it back up.
Think of the great information you’ll have at your fingertips when you do track. You’ll have a handy reference guide to what worked — or didn’t work — for you. We tend to underestimate how much we eat, so there’s a lot you can learn when you “write what you bite.” Sure, it can be tough to see a gain on the scale, but if you can point to possible reasons for that gain in your tracker, you’ll be kinder to yourself and treat it for the learning experience it is. And imagine the power of being able to repeat the good habits that helped you lose!
Rome wasn’t built in a day, so it’s OK to gradually incorporate tracking into your lifestyle. Some feedback is better than none.
Need tough love? Get it here
What you can do about it today
Investigate other types of tracking.
Struggling with doing it on your computer? Try tracking on paper for a while. Or use our iPhone app to plug in foods when you’re away from the computer. Give a pocket POINTS value calculator a whirl, or use a three-month journal from the online store. Find a tracking option that fits your lifestyle.
Build a food database.
Make it easy on yourself in the long run by doing a bit of initial groundwork. Take time to look up your favorite foods and save them as Favorites in your Plan Manager.
Ask around.
Use the Community Message Boards to ask others how they tackle tracking.
Plan for success.
Define your goals, and make a game plan to achieve them. Map out a course to reach a place where you’re tracking daily. Baby steps are perfectly fine.
Use the Simply Filling technique.
If tracking still isn’t working after you’ve tried other options, this can help keep you afloat for a week so you can still have success before tackling tracking again.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
LOSE FOR GOOD
Lose For Good™ 2010
At Weight Watchers, we talk a lot about losing — losing weight. Today is about what members can gain from losing weight, and how other people can benefit from their efforts as well.
Weight Watchers® is proud to announce the return of the Lose For Good campaign! As you lose weight and participate in other activities between September 5 and October 23, 2010, the pounds you lose can help feed hungry people around the world – and right here at home. We'll donate up to one million dollars to people around the world who need it.
Hunger and obesity
Food and adequate nutrition have been a concern since the beginning of time. Thousands of years ago our ancestors — the hunters and the gatherers — ate their fill when times were prosperous in the hope of preventing starvation in leaner times. And, those leaner times were always “just around the corner.”
Today, many of us are surrounded by food constantly — triggering that ancient internal mechanism that prompts us to eat, and overeat, whenever we are surrounded by food. Sadly, this has given way to issues of overweight and obesity in modern times. And yet, in many parts of our own country and the world, hunger remains a reality.
Investing in your health
Taking care of our health and nutrition can sometimes feel like a luxury in today’s tough economic times. Weight Watchers knows you need to be careful about how you spend your money. We’re glad you see your health as a priority and are putting your hard-earned dollars behind that commitment. But, being overweight is also an expensive condition in many ways. It can lead to diabetes, high cholesterol, and a whole host of health issues. In tough times, it pays to be in the best shape and health of our lives — for ourselves and for our loved ones.
Learning what helps and hinders your own weight loss can ultimately turn every experience into a success.
Learn from Experience
Learn what fits your life, and build on that knowledge.
Evaluate your progress and make small adjustments as needs arise.
Accept what’s not in your control...and accept that mistakes happen. Weight loss is a matter of “progress, not perfection.”
Reap the benefits of others’ success. What are their secrets, tips and tricks? How do they manage difficult situations?
Never give up on your goals. There’s always something more to learn, always another option to try.
Weight Watchers is proud of the contributions we’ve made over the past 45 years toward helping people lose weight and get healthier. Please help us take that contribution one step further. Click on the Lose For Good callouts on the WeightWatchers.com home page and learn more about how you can get involved.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"WE CANNOT CHANGE THE WHOLE WORLD BUT WE CAN CHANGE OUR CORNER OF IT"
LOSE FOR YOU - LOSE FOR GOOD -
LOSE FOR YOU - LOSE FOR GOOD -
Friday, September 10, 2010
Taco Salad
Taco Salad serves 8 ( 4 points)
1 lb. extra lean ground beef ( 95% lean)
1 large onion, chopped
1 can Bush's mild chili beans
1 can Bush's hot chili beans
1 envelope taco seasoning
8 c. Romaine lettuce, chopped
10 Roma tomatoes, chopped
1/2 c. Marzetti Light Honey French dressing
Tortilla chips ( optional- 4 chips per serving will add 1 point)
salsa ( optional... this salad is plenty juicy, so you really do not need it)
Brown ground beef with onion; drain. Return to pan and add taco seasoning, mild beans and hot beans. Stir and heat through.
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Top each serving with 4 crushed chips if desired.
1 lb. extra lean ground beef ( 95% lean)
1 large onion, chopped
1 can Bush's mild chili beans
1 can Bush's hot chili beans
1 envelope taco seasoning
8 c. Romaine lettuce, chopped
10 Roma tomatoes, chopped
1/2 c. Marzetti Light Honey French dressing
Tortilla chips ( optional- 4 chips per serving will add 1 point)
salsa ( optional... this salad is plenty juicy, so you really do not need it)
Brown ground beef with onion; drain. Return to pan and add taco seasoning, mild beans and hot beans. Stir and heat through.
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Top each serving with 4 crushed chips if desired.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Find the fun in fitness.
Find the Fun in Fitness
Article By: Michelle Olson
Cast aside any lingering fears and get sucked into activity. You might even enjoy it!
Mildred "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias is one of the world's most accomplished woman athletes. She played basketball, baseball, tennis, volleyball and bowling; was a diver, skater and cyclist; won 3 Olympic medals for track and was a leader in women's golf in the 1940s and 1950s. She said this about her outlook on sports: "Practice, which some regard as a chore, should be approached as just about the most pleasant recreation ever devised."
Practice activity for life
How do you feel about "practice"? You already know that incorporating activity into your life can add to your overall health and weight-loss success. You know that regular exercise can burn calories, strengthen and tone muscles, improve posture and boost your health. But knowing the benefits of activity doesn't necessarily mean that you find it fun or, as Zaharias put it, "the most pleasant recreation ever devised."
Occasionally, past experiences can keep you from thoroughly enjoying an activity that you might otherwise like. For example, maybe you have felt uncomfortable swimming in the past because you didn't like being seen in a bathing suit. But the past is just that, and a prior bad experience is no reason to keep yourself from trying something that you really might enjoy. Would your outlook change if you were in a water aerobics class with others who are also trying to lose weight? Would a more positive experience like that change your outlook on swimming? Is it possible that you might love swimming if you give it another chance?
Remember when you were a kid and you would play games like jump-rope, hopscotch, hide-and-seek and Red Rover until the sun went down. You weren't self-conscious then, you were just enjoying yourself. Do you think you could re-discover that carefree attitude in order to get into some grown-up activities that you might really learn to enjoy?
Being new at an activity and feeling out of your element is just par for the course. Everyone was new at their favorite activity at one point. The only way they learned to be good at a sport or pastime was through – you guessed it – practice. So get out there, find an activity that you want to enjoy and embrace it. Practice makes perfect! As Zaharias once said about her 150-yard golf drives: "It's not enough to swing at the ball, you've got to loosen your girdle and let 'er fly."
5 Ways to Beat Exercise Boredom
You can stick to your exercise plan, with the help of secrets from real people who've found weight-loss success.
Get Moving with Three Hot Dances
Whether you're the adventurous type, a dance fanatic or just plain bored with your workout regimen, give dance a try. It's a great calorie burner and you'll be ready for your dance floor debut.
Park Power: The "Gym" on Your Doorstep
Looking for a fun way to meet new people while reaching your activity goals? Sign up for a class at your local rec center. We found six cool classes you might find at a park near you. Recent Articles
What Can Your Journal Do For You?
Can Plateaus Help You Lose?
Find a Non-Food Bandage
View all
Article By: Michelle Olson
Cast aside any lingering fears and get sucked into activity. You might even enjoy it!
Mildred "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias is one of the world's most accomplished woman athletes. She played basketball, baseball, tennis, volleyball and bowling; was a diver, skater and cyclist; won 3 Olympic medals for track and was a leader in women's golf in the 1940s and 1950s. She said this about her outlook on sports: "Practice, which some regard as a chore, should be approached as just about the most pleasant recreation ever devised."
Practice activity for life
How do you feel about "practice"? You already know that incorporating activity into your life can add to your overall health and weight-loss success. You know that regular exercise can burn calories, strengthen and tone muscles, improve posture and boost your health. But knowing the benefits of activity doesn't necessarily mean that you find it fun or, as Zaharias put it, "the most pleasant recreation ever devised."
Occasionally, past experiences can keep you from thoroughly enjoying an activity that you might otherwise like. For example, maybe you have felt uncomfortable swimming in the past because you didn't like being seen in a bathing suit. But the past is just that, and a prior bad experience is no reason to keep yourself from trying something that you really might enjoy. Would your outlook change if you were in a water aerobics class with others who are also trying to lose weight? Would a more positive experience like that change your outlook on swimming? Is it possible that you might love swimming if you give it another chance?
Remember when you were a kid and you would play games like jump-rope, hopscotch, hide-and-seek and Red Rover until the sun went down. You weren't self-conscious then, you were just enjoying yourself. Do you think you could re-discover that carefree attitude in order to get into some grown-up activities that you might really learn to enjoy?
Being new at an activity and feeling out of your element is just par for the course. Everyone was new at their favorite activity at one point. The only way they learned to be good at a sport or pastime was through – you guessed it – practice. So get out there, find an activity that you want to enjoy and embrace it. Practice makes perfect! As Zaharias once said about her 150-yard golf drives: "It's not enough to swing at the ball, you've got to loosen your girdle and let 'er fly."
5 Ways to Beat Exercise Boredom
You can stick to your exercise plan, with the help of secrets from real people who've found weight-loss success.
Get Moving with Three Hot Dances
Whether you're the adventurous type, a dance fanatic or just plain bored with your workout regimen, give dance a try. It's a great calorie burner and you'll be ready for your dance floor debut.
Park Power: The "Gym" on Your Doorstep
Looking for a fun way to meet new people while reaching your activity goals? Sign up for a class at your local rec center. We found six cool classes you might find at a park near you. Recent Articles
What Can Your Journal Do For You?
Can Plateaus Help You Lose?
Find a Non-Food Bandage
View all
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE IMPOSSIBLE AND THE POSSIBLE LIES IN A PERSON'S DETERMINTION"
Friday, September 3, 2010
Frozen Cappucino Pie
Frozen cappuccino pie
POINTS® value | 7
Servings | 10
8 oz light cream cheese, softened
21 Tbsp fat-free sweetened condensed milk, equal to 14 oz can
6 Tbsp chocolate syrup
1 Tbsp decaffeinated instant coffee, powder
1 Tbsp hot water
1 1/2 cup lite whipped topping
6 oz Ready Crust Hershey's Chocolate Ready Pie Crust, or similar product
Beat cream cheese in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add condensed milk and 4 tablespoons of chocolate syrup; beat on low speed until well blended.
In a separate bowl, dissolve coffee powder in hot water; stir into cream cheese mixture. Fold in whipped topping, pour mixture into crust, cover and freeze overnight.
For best results, let pie stand in refrigerator for about 15 minutes before serving. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup before slicing into 10 pieces.
POINTS® value | 7
Servings | 10
8 oz light cream cheese, softened
21 Tbsp fat-free sweetened condensed milk, equal to 14 oz can
6 Tbsp chocolate syrup
1 Tbsp decaffeinated instant coffee, powder
1 Tbsp hot water
1 1/2 cup lite whipped topping
6 oz Ready Crust Hershey's Chocolate Ready Pie Crust, or similar product
Beat cream cheese in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add condensed milk and 4 tablespoons of chocolate syrup; beat on low speed until well blended.
In a separate bowl, dissolve coffee powder in hot water; stir into cream cheese mixture. Fold in whipped topping, pour mixture into crust, cover and freeze overnight.
For best results, let pie stand in refrigerator for about 15 minutes before serving. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup before slicing into 10 pieces.
The Lean, Clean Workout Routine
The Lean, Clean Workout Routine
Article By: Estelle Sobel
Sometimes it's too hot to head outside for a workout. With our easy guide, and an air conditioned room you can exercise without ever leaving your house.
Some days the weather just doesn't cooperate with your workout. Winter can be too frigid, summer too stifling, and when it rains, forget it. But by picking up the pace of your usual housework, and sneaking in some aerobic moves and toning exercises, you'll have done a total-body workout in no time!
The trick: Just try to get your heart rate up — exercise at a level no higher than you would rate as feeling "somewhat hard." Talk to your doctor about the right routine for you, but a good plan to start with is 30 minutes of aerobic activity on most days — try three to four times a week at first. When you get the hang of that, add strength training and toning exercises — go for three times a week. Always gradually warm up with mild calisthenics and light stretching before working out (you never want to over-stretch a cold muscle), and cool down by gradually tapering your exercise intensity. This is a good time to focus on flexibility exercises.
Have it all with housework
With that plan in mind, here are some indoor moves that'll get your housework done, too:
Suck it up. Vacuuming is great exercise, especially if you make a conscious effort to concentrate on tightening your muscles as you push and pull the machine. Your carpets — and your biceps — will thank you for it!
Squeaky clean. Washing your windows makes for a great stretching and toning exercise; the combination of up and down movements will work wonders on your arms and shoulders.
Get organized. Been putting off that major reorganizing project? Call it exercise and get it done! Take the contents of your pantry, bookshelves, linen closets, etc. out, then reach up and put them back in, in order. You're getting in another great upper-body workout!
Wipe, breathe, wipe, breathe
Now the trick is getting your heart rate up. No problem, with these suggestions from Cory Everson, California-based fitness expert and six-time Ms. Olympia:
Let's go to the videotape. Exercise tapes and DVDs are great utilities for rainy days and extreme heat. You can choose from beginner to advanced and pick a different one every day (yoga, aerobics, beginner kickboxing — just about anything you can think of) to challenge and motivate yourself. If your routine gets boring, pull out a fun one, such as salsa dancing or hip-hop aerobics.
Step to it. Instead of going to step class, use the steps in your house. Vary the moves: First, step up and down on the bottom step for two to three minutes; rest a minute or two and repeat. Then try holding on to the handrail and walking up and down the first three stairs (great for butts and thighs). When you get the hang of that, try walking briskly up and down the stairs a few times (use the hand rail for support if you need to).
Whistle while you work. Crank up the music and take on the quick clean challenge. While you're at it, take little breaks to do these moves:
Stair Dips: Sitting on the bottom step, knees bent and leaning on your heels, put your weight on your hands and lift your body up and down 12 to 25 times to work out your chest, triceps and shoulders.
Rug Crunches: Lie on the carpet or rug with hands across your chest and your chin tucked; do 10 to 30 crunches, lifting your shoulders slightly off the ground and squeezing in your stomach muscles.
Wall Push-Ups: Do 10 to 20 push-ups—off the wall! Or do them the traditional way.
Join the circuit. Circuit training is a great way to burn calories. Walk in place at varying speeds for 10 minutes. Follow with 10 minutes of toning exercises. Then, another 10 minutes of aerobic exercises (maybe a DVD), and the finish: 10 more minutes of toning.
Tone your zone
Who says you have to be at a gym to do toning exercises? Many of them require nothing more than your body, so while you bustle around the house doing chores, don't be afraid to stop and squeeze some reps in. Figure out what area you want to tone, then see our Workouts (subscribers only) for example exercises.
Make "me" time
The phones ring, the kids are calling you, sometimes it seems impossible to catch a minute's breath. When everyone you know needs you for something or other, here's how to work in your much-needed private time.
Work out before your kids wake up, or do it after they go to bed.
Make your workout part of your social life — do it with your buddies!
Take the phone off the hook or let your calls go to voicemail. You'll get back to whoever called later.
Article By: Estelle Sobel
Sometimes it's too hot to head outside for a workout. With our easy guide, and an air conditioned room you can exercise without ever leaving your house.
Some days the weather just doesn't cooperate with your workout. Winter can be too frigid, summer too stifling, and when it rains, forget it. But by picking up the pace of your usual housework, and sneaking in some aerobic moves and toning exercises, you'll have done a total-body workout in no time!
The trick: Just try to get your heart rate up — exercise at a level no higher than you would rate as feeling "somewhat hard." Talk to your doctor about the right routine for you, but a good plan to start with is 30 minutes of aerobic activity on most days — try three to four times a week at first. When you get the hang of that, add strength training and toning exercises — go for three times a week. Always gradually warm up with mild calisthenics and light stretching before working out (you never want to over-stretch a cold muscle), and cool down by gradually tapering your exercise intensity. This is a good time to focus on flexibility exercises.
Have it all with housework
With that plan in mind, here are some indoor moves that'll get your housework done, too:
Suck it up. Vacuuming is great exercise, especially if you make a conscious effort to concentrate on tightening your muscles as you push and pull the machine. Your carpets — and your biceps — will thank you for it!
Squeaky clean. Washing your windows makes for a great stretching and toning exercise; the combination of up and down movements will work wonders on your arms and shoulders.
Get organized. Been putting off that major reorganizing project? Call it exercise and get it done! Take the contents of your pantry, bookshelves, linen closets, etc. out, then reach up and put them back in, in order. You're getting in another great upper-body workout!
Wipe, breathe, wipe, breathe
Now the trick is getting your heart rate up. No problem, with these suggestions from Cory Everson, California-based fitness expert and six-time Ms. Olympia:
Let's go to the videotape. Exercise tapes and DVDs are great utilities for rainy days and extreme heat. You can choose from beginner to advanced and pick a different one every day (yoga, aerobics, beginner kickboxing — just about anything you can think of) to challenge and motivate yourself. If your routine gets boring, pull out a fun one, such as salsa dancing or hip-hop aerobics.
Step to it. Instead of going to step class, use the steps in your house. Vary the moves: First, step up and down on the bottom step for two to three minutes; rest a minute or two and repeat. Then try holding on to the handrail and walking up and down the first three stairs (great for butts and thighs). When you get the hang of that, try walking briskly up and down the stairs a few times (use the hand rail for support if you need to).
Whistle while you work. Crank up the music and take on the quick clean challenge. While you're at it, take little breaks to do these moves:
Stair Dips: Sitting on the bottom step, knees bent and leaning on your heels, put your weight on your hands and lift your body up and down 12 to 25 times to work out your chest, triceps and shoulders.
Rug Crunches: Lie on the carpet or rug with hands across your chest and your chin tucked; do 10 to 30 crunches, lifting your shoulders slightly off the ground and squeezing in your stomach muscles.
Wall Push-Ups: Do 10 to 20 push-ups—off the wall! Or do them the traditional way.
Join the circuit. Circuit training is a great way to burn calories. Walk in place at varying speeds for 10 minutes. Follow with 10 minutes of toning exercises. Then, another 10 minutes of aerobic exercises (maybe a DVD), and the finish: 10 more minutes of toning.
Tone your zone
Who says you have to be at a gym to do toning exercises? Many of them require nothing more than your body, so while you bustle around the house doing chores, don't be afraid to stop and squeeze some reps in. Figure out what area you want to tone, then see our Workouts (subscribers only) for example exercises.
Make "me" time
The phones ring, the kids are calling you, sometimes it seems impossible to catch a minute's breath. When everyone you know needs you for something or other, here's how to work in your much-needed private time.
Work out before your kids wake up, or do it after they go to bed.
Make your workout part of your social life — do it with your buddies!
Take the phone off the hook or let your calls go to voicemail. You'll get back to whoever called later.
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