The sides of the wagon are slippery

Well, it's been a tad quiet here in Week 2. You still there, everyone? (Echo: everyone, everyone)

I have to make this short. I went hard core for 7 days and freed myself for the Memorial Day BBQ, with a bit of spill over into Tuesday (no pun intended). Now, other than the bit of looseness reported on Day 2, I don't know if there's been much of a difference. Maybe 1/2 pound? I've had to think about that. Here are some of my thoughts:

1) Quality of point: I realized - maybe it was yesterday - that my quality of point hasn't been great. I have managed to stay within or JUST slightly over allotment but I think I have kind of left my body hungry. My first time around on WW I made sure most everything was supplemented with veggies - and LOTS of them. The other day I realized I hadn't had hardly any vegetables the whole day. Maybe the easy foods have become too easy - I just plug and play and can't even lift another finger to add the healthy 0's (zero point foods).

2) Continued from #1, body left hungry: I think of Sharon's anecdote from one the meetings about that guy who kept eating under his range but wasn't losing - and an unsatisified body lacks trust. (how poetic) It doesn't trust to drop the weight if it's not sure it will be nourished. My poor abused and neglected body. (sigh)

3) I don't know if I have a third point. I guess most of my points were in #1 - or were expended on my lunch. ;-) (couldn't help myself, a little WW humor)

Keep on keepin' on - more sauteed zucchini and mushrooms, I say!
D

I'm back!

It hit me at dinner at Susi's and lunch with Kim that I am truly back in the Weight Watchers mode. It really hit me when I decided to bring a Top Dog veggie dog to D's BBQ- as an option (and my own bun). I realized that I have not been "on the wagon" really since I was pregnant with Noa. I mean it took my dietician threatening me (Third conversation about the need to gain weight- Sharon: When do you think this will become a problem? Dietician: This _is_ a problem. I don't want to see Fiber One anywhere on your log. I don't want to see any meal where you do not have butter, bacon or some kind of fat. And, I want to see you next week.) to get me to eat more fat and cut out my fiber one when I was pregnant with Noa. I had only gained ten pounds six weeks into my third trimester.

But, boy, do I love FAT. And, I am the queen of the slippery slope. So, that has been the hardest thing (and portion control) about truly being on the wagon again. So, when I found myself being happy with my hummus and cucumbers and whole grain cracker instead of grabbing that piece of bread and slathering her butter sludge on it; when I measured both the dressing in teaspoons and cheese with the scale for the Caesar's; when I actually was not fantasizing about eating some fat laden BBQ thing at D's, I knew I was back. Wow, I guess exercise will be the same process. Not immediate. hmm...that's depressing. Another blog?

Another reason counting points is good for me

Wes: Let's go running.

Me: Nah. I'm too tired. I had a long day at work and I didn't get enough sleep and I'm sore from riding my bike up from Rosa Parks. You're on a fitness rampage with climbing Mt. Shasta, running, biking, soccer...I'm just trying to keep my head above water. I'd rather hang out and talk anyway--we need some time to talk.

Wes: It will earn you 2 extra points.

Me: Let's go.

Jolly Times

Jolly Time sells low fat microwave popcorn ("Healthy Pop") in smaller, 100 calorie bags with flavors like Butter and Kettle Corn.

Kettle Corn: 90 cal, 2 g fat, 8 g fiber, and you can eat the whole bag! Such a silly little trick, but don't you feel more satisfied, knowing that you ate a whole bag of popcorn, didn't waste anything, and all for ONE point?

Temptation

As a reward for the Compensation department's hard work over the past six months, our Director is treating our department to a day at Pier 39, including lunch at Bubba Gump's, fried food heaven. The big day is Thursday.

Here's my plan of attack: I already checked out the Bubba Gump's menu on their website so that I won't be overwhelmed by the myriad of fried food temptations. I decided I'm either going with a chicken salad (dressing on the side) or a salmon/veggie skillet; no alcohol or appetizers; key lime pie for dessert. In the morning, I'll skip the cream in my coffee and keep my breakfast to 2 points. I'm allocating 20 points for lunch, and 5 to 7 points for a small dinner, keeping my total for the day under 30 points. I'll let you know how it goes.

Here's the good news: I'm eating veggies again. Last night for dinner, I made baked chicken, soba noodles, boiled mustard greens and almond butter sauce. I could control the points in my homemade sauce and it added flavor to the boiled greens. Pretty satisfying meal. Hank has unofficially joined the WW wagon. I'm happy that he's eating healthily, and he's happy that I'm cooking more.

Holy Boba!

16 oz. boba milk tea: 11 points.
Sure, varies store by store but still...can't vary by more than 3 points, right?

Rats. Other boba drink nutritional info here.

Bora's Plan

Okay. This is what I'm going to do. I'm going to use the old system and give myself full fiber credit. And when I cook something super healthy (like the fresh fava, sprouted garbanzo, edamame saute I'm making tonight), I'm going to lean toward the low side of point attribution.

But I'm going to hold to a daily target of 20 points. I will use the weekly bonus 35 points for things like lunch with friends (Tomikawas on Saturday) and parties (Memorial day barbecue). And of course, cocktails (2 points for 1.5 oz shot of booze).

My goal is to lose some weight but also to jump start my way into healthier eating (quality and quantity). Here's the thing: I love healthy food. I can happily nosh on huge salads, whole grains, fruits and tons of veggies. Okay, I also love baked goods and fast food. But isn't the biggest challenge (for us all) figuring out how to eat well, sleep well and exercise, even when life gets busy and stressful?