Weigh-In Wednesday

I just realized that today Jan 21st, is my 21st week back on Weight Watchers.   I'm not sure if that's some sort of "sign" or something, but I'm going to take it as one.   It has not been easy at all, as you can see by this week's weigh in, I gained.   I kinda knew that was going to happen, it's been a week of emotional eating, not really tracking and no extra activity.   Although over the holidays I had lost 2.4 pounds, I ate a lot of sweets.   Let me tell ya, trying to kick a sugar addiction is a hard as hell.       

In the beginning of January I wanted to set a goal of losing 45 pounds by my 45th birthday which is at the end of May.    Sounded good to me, but that would mean I'd have to lose at least 2.5 pounds each week.    My Weight Watchers leader told me that it's unrealistic and I'd be setting myself up for a let-down.  After thinking about it, she's right.   I have to take a more manageable approach to this long-term goal.    

With all that in mind, I counted the weeks til my birthday and it's 18.   If I can lose another 18 pounds (just 1 pound per week) that would put my total weight loss at a little over 30 pounds.  I'd be happy with that!  

So, in order to make sure I stay on track and hit this goal I'm going to concentrate on one new healthy habit each week.    

At this week's Weight Watchers meeting we talked about "Partying Without Panic."  Obviously it's getting us ready to tackle all the food and drinks that are at Super Bowl parties.   This doesn't really apply to me because we normally stay home and watch the game.   But we go to and have parties all year long, so in the spirit of committing myself wholeheartedly to this process I'm going to find, make and figure out the points plus values for two "party" recipes. (1 appetizer, 1 dessert)   Oh, my leader Cathy is going to be so happy with me and of course I'll share it here on my next Weigh-In Wednesday post.  

 

Are you on a weight loss journey?  I'd love to connect, give and get support. 

Instagram 

Facebook 

Twitter 

   

My "One Word" For 2015 Is....

I really like the idea of coming up with one word instead of resolutions for the new year.  Let's face it, everyone's list is basically the same....

• lose weight 
• exercise 
• eat healthier 
• save more money
• organize home/life 

Of course I am working on all of the above, but I've been thinking about one word that could sum up how I want to look at 2015.

I'm not sure where I first saw transform, but once I did, I couldn't get it out of my head.

Definition:  "To make a thorough or dramatic change in the form, appearance or character of."

A thorough or dramatic change!  To me, those words are powerful.  It's the perfect way to describe what I want for myself this year.   I mean that's it, I want to transform myself, my thought processes, my surroundings, etc.  

I'm going to print out my one word Transform with the definition, in some sort of fancy font, frame it and hang it up somewhere in my house so I can see it everyday.  (I'll post the project when it's complete next week)

Having that one word to look at throughout the year will remind me of the goals I've set for myself whether it be a physical, personal or financial one.  I believe it will make more of an impact and look nicer then a list I make on a piece of paper that I eventually throw in the garbage because it becomes clutter that I swore I'd clean out in my January resolutions.   (HaHa..see how that works?) 

Have you thought about what your one word will be?   It truly is amazing how one word can change your whole outlook on life.   

The Age Old Question.... To Blog or NOT to Blog?

I ask myself this question every day and every day I get a different answer.   I know I don't want to completely walk away from my blog, but I need to find a way to continue that will make me happy and feel good about myself.
I have those days, weeks, months where I say, "I'm just going to walk away and forget about blogging."  I feel there is no way to keep up with all the hundred's of thousands of great blogs just in my niche alone.  How can I fit in and find my spot?  Maybe this niche isn't for me?

I know I'm not the only one in saying that I constantly am comparing my site and writing to all the others out there.   You wouldn't be human if you didn't have those thoughts or doubts.   It's a matter of getting past all that, and doing the best I can to move forward.

I've been doing this long enough to know what I have to do and how to do it.   It boils down to content, commitment and confidence.

Ya know what?   I think I just I answered my own question.  I'm not giving up.  I don't know exactly how it will all turn out in the end but i'm going to find a way.   My way!

My Thanksgiving Holiday With Price Chopper #HolidayAdvantEdge

Disclosure:

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. #CollectiveBias #HolidayAdvantEdge 

All opinions are mine alone.

Here we are, it's already November.  You know what that means... Holiday Entertaining is right around the corner.  

This year I'm doing Thanksgiving at my house.  Normally we go to my sister's in New York, but it's been a tough year for my husband and his mother with losing both my father-in-law and brother-in-law in February.   I decided we need to just stay put and keep it somewhat low key.  My mother will come up to be with us, so that'll be helpful to me (both mentally and physically.)  

I've cooked a whole Thanksgiving dinner before just never on the actual holiday.  So to say I feel a little pressure, would be an understatement!     

I know it's going to be stressful but I'm going to do the best I can and try to enjoy the day in my own home for a change.

I've already been searching Pinterest for table settings, centerpieces and recipes. I'm probably more about the decorating then the food.  I want to try to make this holiday a little more fun.  My grandson Tyler is going to be here so he'll be welcome distraction from any sadness.   

Heading out to Price Chopper is what I need to do first.   I know I'll find great ideas and sales with my AdvantEdge savings card.   Plus there is the always the Fuel AdvantEdge points that add up every time I shop.  (that never hurts, especially this time of year)

First thing I always do when walking in the door, is scan my AdvantEdge card at the kiosk.   You never know what kind of great coupons will print out.

   

 

Price Chopper has everything you need for Thanksgiving dinner.  We stick to the traditional holiday foods, turkey, stuffing, candied sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole,  Pillsbury crescent rolls (to scoop up any gravy left on the plate), of course some fall beer and lots of pies for dessert.   

The floral department always catches my eye.  I'm a sucker for pretty fall flowers and all the displays of plants and arrangements.     I love the orange "Rose Of The Month" for November, those would look gorgeous in a centerpiece on my table.  

Onto the rest of my groceries.... I'm picking up crescent rolls (reduced fat, because I'm trying to be somewhat good on my diet these days.)  I have a few different things I want to  make with them. Besides having them in a basket on the table with dinner, I had an idea for edible place cards and for turkey "leftovers" the next day. 

I know you must be thinking she's crazy with all those weird ingredients but just wait... it's going to a be cute, yummy and different way to serve turkey leftovers.   

But first I'm going to make edible place cards for the table settings.    Using the crescent rolls and holiday cookie cutters.   It's fun and super easy, I could even have Tyler help me.  

I just rolled the crescent out onto wax paper and pinched together the seams.    Each can comes with 8 rolls so combining 2 makes 4 squares of dough.  This way it's easy to get two shapes out off each square.  Which works perfect for me since there will be 8 of us for dinner.

Cut out each shape and place on a foil lined baking sheet.   Next I used a toothpick to sort of carve each family member's initial into the dough, then baked at 375 degrees for about 10 mins.   *Remember you're not making rolled up crescent shapes like the package, so these cook much quicker then the instructions.  I suggest you stay close to the stove and check on them every so often.

Then when they came out of the oven I used an edible pen to fill in each letter so they would show up better against the napkin.

I have old drapery rod rings with clips that I reused into napkin rings.  I had hot glued some acorns to make them more festive for the season.   Just carefully clipped the crescent place card onto each one and there ya have it.   Easy, Edible and Cute!      

   

Now I have a bonus recipe I would like to share.   I make a chicken salad that my family goes nuts over.  I normally make it with a rotisserie chicken you buy at Price Chopper but I figured it'll be even better with the leftover Thanksgiving turkey.  

Now here's the fun part,  I saw somewhere on Pinterest a mini cornucopia using crescent rolls.  I thought to myself "how perfect and cute for leftover turkey salad sandwiches." 

Using sugar cones as the form for the cornucopia...  cover them in foil.  

Then roll out the Pillsbury crescent dough (you could buy the kind that rolls out into one sheet but it's just as easy to pinch together the seams on the regular kind.) 

Then using a pizza cutter, I made six strips of the dough.   

Then wrapped each piece around the cone to form the cornucopia shape.
Baked at 375 for about 13-15 minutes.   They came out golden brown and the cone just slips right out from the crescent dough.  (You could either save the cones wrapped in foil for another project or I guess you could just put them in a ziplock back and save the pantry for ice cream!)

For the turkey salad you'll need 

*shredded or cut up turkey 

*half an apple, diced. (I leave the skin on for color)

*chopped walnuts

*diced Lindsay olives 

*2-3 tablespoons of mayo 

I just go by eye and taste, depending on how much meat I'm using

For more holiday decorating, entertaining ideas, recipes and savings check out PriceChopper.com , Facebook, Twitter  Pinterest and Instagram. 

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!  "Gobble til ya Wobble" 

The Struggle IS Real #WeightWatchers

Today marks 9 weeks since I started Weight Watchers (for the 100th time) and at tonight's weigh-in I FINALLY hit my first 10 lb goal.     Actually I lost 1.6 lbs for a total of 11.2 lbs.  At last week's weigh-in I was .4 shy of that 10 pounds and I can't tell you how unbelievably frustrating it was.

That was the hardest 11.2 pounds I've ever lost!

I'm not saying that I'm not proud or happy to have that weight off, but in my past attempts at WW it's never taken that long to lose 10 lbs.   I used to be able to lose that much weight in just a month's time, maybe even quicker.  

I'll admit that I'm not perfect with my portion controls, food choices or tracking.  But this time around I have tried harder to be better at all those things and have even adding walking regularly to my routine.    That is what has been the most frustrating!

I am aware that this time around I have more stress, health challenges, sleep issues and of course AGE working against me.

I'm not giving up.  I am going to keep pushing along.

I've decided to set goals/challenges for myself.   I'm just trying to make sure they are realistic and to somehow make them fun.   Maybe make a creative, cute board to hang over my desk?  Something like that. Something I will see every day to remind me to not give up.
I've seen on Instagram where someone had made themselves a challenge chart to run 100 miles by a certain date.   She has a board with 1-100 and she crosses off each mile she runs.   I love the idea of doing something like that.

Do you have any creative ways to help you reach a goal?   I'd love to get some ideas.    

Til next Wed..........

1st Day of Fall 2014

Happy Fall                                   Happy Autumn   

Whatever you call it, it's one of my favorite seasons.  

This year I didn't spend the day decorating my house for fall.  Instead, I took my grandson Tyler to a local farm for some traditional fall fun.
First we found our way through a mini corn maze, played on playground, saw some goats, picked out 3 of biggest pumpkins we could find and of course topped it all off with some fresh apple cider and donuts.    Is there any better way to spend a beautiful fall day?  I don't think so.

2nd day of Fall.... Decorating!    


  

Jumping Back On The Weight Watchers Wagon

Two weeks ago I joined Weight Watchers...... AGAIN.

It's probably my 6th or 7th attempt at trying the program.  But believe me when I say it's NOT Weight Watchers' fault that I've joined, dropped out, joined, dropped out, etc..etc.   I know it's 100% me and my issues with food that have prevented success in the past.  I tend to get to a point of losing 20-25lbs and then think, "I'm good, I've got this."  Yeah, no, I don't.  

Weight Watchers is one of the only diet plans I would spend money to follow.  It's more then a diet, it really does teach you to make better choices and if sometimes you don't, that's ok too. I like it because you eat normal, everyday foods.  I don't do good with strict diets where you only eat certain foods at certain times.   For me it's also about accountability, not that there's any judgement when you get weighed in at a meeting but deep down inside I want the ladies at the scale to be like "wow, good job you're down this week."   (I know I sound like a commercial or something but I swear I'm not getting paid to write this.) 

I'm one of those people that eats when I'm happy, sad, angry, stressed, bored or in social situations. So you get my drift, I eat all the time, whether I'm hungry or not.  Honestly, as I sit here writing this post all I can think about it the box of cake mix and chocolate frosting in my pantry.  "Do I make a batch of cupcakes?"   It's a real convo that goes on in my head every single day.  
So, I decided to share all about it here. I'd also love to connect with anyone who too struggles with weight loss as well.  Support and knowing you're not the only one with crazy food thoughts is just as important in this whole journey.

Since I started Sept. 3rd I've lost a total of 5.2 lbs.   I wish it was more, I know it could be more.   This week I'm going to focus on tracking my food more consistently.  It's always been something I don't do well with, which might have a lot to do with why I haven't been as successful as I could be.