It's a Complete Lifestyle Change, Not a Diet

to me, weight watchers is not a diet.  its a lifestyle change.  i know that i need to hold myself accountable even when i am at my ideal weight.  its funny how holding myself accountable for my weight can lead to holding myself accountable for my overall well-being.  it amazes me how much i am beginning to concentrate on being happier since i have been back on weight watchers.  i find myself working hard to pull myself out of slumps instead of being stuck in my mind and miserable.  recently i feel as though i am on an emotional roller coaster and i frequently have to put my life into perspective.  however, i firmly believe that weight watchers has influenced my efforts to change unproductive thoughts that lead to unhealthy emotions and behaviors.  the idea of being responsible for my eating is exactly the same as being held responsible for my thoughts.  a strategy i have begun to use when i am struggling with managing my thoughts is reading inspirational quotes. since i have this blog, i thought it would be a nice place for me to share the quotes that speak to me and help me through rough moments.  i created two pages that i will be updating regularly (for obvious reasons, dr seuss has his own page).  hopefully you will find these quotes as meaningful as i do and please share your favorites!  weight watchers is honestly a complete lifestyle change for me & i truly hope it is for other people as well.

eating great also directly effects my mood so when i eat well, i feel well! :)  i definitely ate well thursday & friday!

thursday, march 17, 2011

Morning
Coffee (1/4 cup fat free half & half, 2 tsp organic turbinado raw cane sugar, 6 cups black coffee)	2
7 Whole Grain Puffs (1 large banana, 1/2 cup trader joe's organic vanilla soy milk, 1/2 cup kashi 7 whole grain puffs cereal)	2
Subtotal	4
Midday
1  cup(s) grapes	0
1  small pear(s)	0
1  medium baby carrots	0
1  serving(s) Trader Joe's Organic Light String Cheese	1
Subtotal	1
Evening
1  serving(s) Trader Joe's Sliced Lite Provolone	2
1/2 serving(s) Plumrose 25% Lower Fat Bacon	1
1  serving(s) Trader Joe's Butcher Shop Ground Turkey Breast	3
2  Tbsp Free Thousand Island Salad Dressing	1
1  serving(s) Betty Crocker Cheddar & Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes	2
Asparagus Bake (see below for recipe)	2
Subtotal	11
Anytime
4  cup(s) Healthy Pop® Kettle Corn, Popped	3
1  serving(s) Edy's Slow Churned Thin Mint Ice Cream	3
1  Chocolate Marshmallow Madness (link to recipe in previous posts)	3
Subtotal	9
Food PointsPlus values total used	25

i was going to make a lazy shepard's pie, but when i got home, i really wanted asparagus.  therefore, i opted for an italian seasoned turkey burger w/provolone cheese & bacon dipped in thousand island dressing.  the seasoning i used for the turkey burger are the same ones i used in the asparagus bake (see below).  i also had leftover instant mashed potatoes from wednesday night and i really hate leftovers so it was a perfect addition.

asparagus bake
asparagus spears
2 tbsp progresso bread crumbs italian style
1 tbsp trader joe's parmesan, romano & asiago cheese mix
italian seasoning
garlic & herb seasoning

• preheat oven to 375 degrees
• layer the bottom of a pyrex with the aparagus spears
• sprinkle bread crumbs, cheese, and seasonings
• bake covered for about 20-25 minutes

friday, march 18, 2011

Morning
Coffee (1/4 cup fat free half & half, 2 tsp organic turbinado raw cane sugar, 6 cups black coffee)	2
7 Whole Grain Puffs (1 large banana, 1/2 cup trader joe's organic vanilla soy milk, 1/2 cup kashi 7 whole grain puffs cereal)	2
Subtotal	4
Midday
1  cup(s) grapes	0
2  small pear(s)	0
1  medium orange(s)	0
1  medium nectarine(s)	0
1  serving(s) Trader Joe's Organic Light String Cheese	1
1/2 serving(s) Trader Joe's Organic Nonfat Yogurt French Vanilla	2
1  serving(s) Jell-o Sugar Free Dulce de Leche	2
1  medium baby carrots	0
Subtotal	5
Evening
1  cup(s) mixed greens (trader joe's organic romaine lettuce, red onions, and cucumber)	0
1  serving(s) Trader Joe's Crinkle Wedge Potatoes	3
1  serving(s) Maple Grove Fat Free Caesar Dressing (on salad)	0
Shrimp & Tuna Salad Sandwich (see recipe below)	10
Subtotal	13
Anytime
4  cup(s) Healthy Pop® Kettle Corn, Popped	3
1  serving(s) Edy's Slow Churned Thin Mint Ice Cream	3
1  Chocolate Marshmallow Madness (link to recipe in previous posts)	3
Subtotal	9
Food PointsPlus values total used	31

i used 2 of my weekly points.  im looking to lose as much as possible this week so i will not be digging into my weekly points too much.  however, it was worth going into them for this sandwich.  it was DELISH!!!

tuna & shrimp salad sandwich
3 oz bumble bee chunk light tuna in water
1/2 serving (4 shrimp) trader joe's jumbo cooked shrimp cut into small pieces
1 tbsp hellmann's light mayo
italian seasoning
garlic & herb seasoning
1 wholly guacamole 100 calorie packet
2 slices of pepperidge farm carbstyle 7 grain bread

• mix tuna, shrimp, mayo, and seasonings together
• spread guacamole onto each slice of bread
• spread tuna shrimp salad onto one of the slices
• close sandwich with other slice

hope everyone is having a wonderful no guilt weekend!!