WL Goals

Dia Minha · #1 07-21-2007, 01:48 PM

Just getting around to starting a thread that I meant to start the other day, but blogged instead. See blog entry "Taking it Slow".

Diva said: "Can I add something to your goal process? And this is from experience....keep setting goals during and after to keep the progress moving forward rather than coming to a halt. It took me a while to figure out why I'd set a goal and then just quit after I reached it."

I have had the same problem with keeping the progress moving forward. Usually I would set a goal to get in all my waters for a week. Then, at the end of the week it would be like yeah, I did it. Now this week I am going to get my multi-vitamin every day. And I would, except then I would fall back on my water.

This time I have it set up so that each goal will add upon the one I'm already working on. So I have three areas I'm working on: food plan, excercise, and emotional eating. In each of these areas I have one big goal I am striving to reach. Each week I set a smaller goal that keeps me moving toward the bigger one. Each little goal is an add on to the weeks before. Anyway I hope I'm making some sense here.

So my ultimate goal is to be in control of my eating and following my food plan. In order to do this there are eight guidelines I need to follow, including: water, vitamin, healthy oils, lean proteins, whole grains, fruits and veggies, dairy, and cutting back on sweets and bad fats. So this week I am working on my water. Next week I will continue working on water and add vitamin. Then the third week I will continue with water and vitamin and add dairy. So, at the end of the eight weeks or so I should be following my entire food plan. I know I might have some fall backs and need longer than a week to concentrate on one and that's ok.

Then there is my excercise goal. Right now I'm not sure what I want the final outcome to be. I guess you could say my goal for right now is to just move more. I don't think I can jump right back into a lot of cardio, because I'm am still physically healing. However, I know that when I am ready I'll need a plan. So, this week I'm working on my plan.

How are each of you doing on your fitness goals? I know some of you are training for the 5K in September. How is that going? Any marathons coming up soon? When is yours Mama?

Dia

smed · #2 07-21-2007, 02:38 PM

Hey maybe you can help me out on this one. Of course you know I've started WW. I have lost 10 lbs but am at a stand still for about a week and a half. So now what? I've been thinking I need to start some kind of exercise program but not quiet sure where to begin? do you have any advice for me?

smed · #3 07-21-2007, 02:41 PM

I have been trying to move more and be active around the house, I can say I've done alot better in the last 3 weeks with this then I have ever before. But I feel as though I'm missing something? Any ideas would be great. I thought about getting my dance mat out and having tornuments with my kids. They love the dance mat. But I'm having trouble getting it to work. I have sound but no picture. I'll be having my H look at it today so I think that will help. But if you have any advice please let me know.

runamyrun · #4 07-21-2007, 03:50 PM

Congratulations on your weight loss! Let me know when you get your dance mat working. It would be fun to watch!

Actually, it would be fun to do that with my kids.

runamyrun · #5 07-21-2007, 03:55 PM

I don't have a lot of advice, because all I know about is running. I would recommend finding something that you enjoy. And don't be afraid to try something new, you may really enjoy it. If you find something you like, you are more likely to stick with it. Good luck! You can do it!

Dia Minha · #6 07-21-2007, 08:33 PM

I feel bad, because I have been neglecting you SMED. I got your email forever ago and just haven't gotten back to you.

You are on the flex program. That is where every food has a point value and you can eat whatever you want as long as you stay within your points. I like the core program and hopefully I will be back on it soon. The core program is where you have a list of foods that you can eat as much as you need to feel satisfied and then you have a few points for extras like chocolate, bread, and ice-cream.

I don't know if you have hit a plateau or not. Usually I don't call it that until it has been three weeks or more. However, you might try measuring your food to make sure you are counting your points per serving. In other words one cup of rice is four points. If you are eating more than one cup you would need to count more points. So you want to make sure you are only eating one cup.

Also you can try to mix it up a bit. Usually a person will eat the same basic foods over and over again and that can cause a plateau. So try adding a few new foods.

The other thing you need to be aware of is if you are eating a lot of no point foods that can cause a plateau. For example brocoli is a 0pt food. But if you are eating four cups of brocoli you could be eating up to 2 pts. I hope that makes sense.

The last thing is, make sure you are following your 8 healthy guidelines in your Getting Started Book. These will make sure you are getting the nutritients etc. that you need to loose the weight properly.

If you want to send me a typical days menu I'll see what I can suggest. You can also check out the Weight Watchers Website. You can join the message boards there and also access a lot of recipes and information that might give you some other ideas.

Congratulations on your most wonderful start. It is exciting to know there is someone on here that actually knows what I am talking about when I say counting points and 8 healthy guidlines.

Dia

Dia Minha · #7 07-21-2007, 08:44 PM

Oh and excercise. Yes excercise can boast weight loss. I'm with RAR. Find something you enjoy doing. It makes it easier to do it. I like to dance in my living room and walk.

Just make sure, whatever you decide to do, you start out slow and don't over do it. This has been hard for me in the past, because I feel like if I'm going to do it at all, I have to do it for a long time. But, a ten minute walk in the morning and another one at night is a really good start. Or try once around the park, which is 3/4 mile. Pick a comfortable pace and try and increase your distance or time a little each week or so and you will be much better off in the long run. I also have a few walking areobics tapes that are really good for beginners if you would like to try them out.

I have a dance pad at my house too. I love it. The kids will pull it out every once in a while. They think its funny, because they are better at it than I am.

Dia

Imahoot · #8 07-22-2007, 07:08 PM

Your posts are very imformative. Thanks for the info.

I am at a stand still because it is summer and I cannot make it into the gym. I average about once a week and that is helping me maintain my weight. As long as I don't go up the last three weeks of summer vacation I will be happy. My husband and I went vegetarian for a week. Just for kicks and frankly for me the goal was to eat different types of veggies (I am horrible about that). It was a lot of fun and I am sure that helped the weight stay where it is too.

I am finding that if I take care of one goal at a time I do well. I started the exercise and then about four months later started the eating better part. Not sure if that was the way I was supposed to do it but I am sticking with it better this way. I like the idea of having one goal in each area. It might be something that I can challenge myself with. Thank you for the idea. I am looking forward to reading more of your posts.

Dia Minha · #9 07-22-2007, 07:47 PM

Ima, It is so cool that you have found what works for you. It took me a long time to figure out that I needed to work on my eating first and excercising second. I have found that once I start working on my eating then I feel better and have more energy to then be able to work out.

I'm glad you found some information that you could use. While I was typing I was thinking I should just send a PI to Smed since I was talking directly to her and then it occurred to me that someone else might read something that would benefit them so I went ahead and posted it. Thanks for being my reassurrance.

When you were eating vegetarian did you find lower fat, lower calorie, options to use in place of meat? The reason I was wondering was because we don't eat a lot of meat and I worry about not getting enough protein. We do a lot of beans, but not as much as we should, and we try to eat whole grains, but again not as much as we should. Usually vegeterians can get enough protein through dairy products, but I have a little one that does not like milk. She will eat cheese and yogurt, but not enough to count it as a serving of protein. I try to sneak milk in where ever I can with her, there just has to be an easier way.

Dia

Imahoot · #10 07-23-2007, 10:20 AM

Yes the first couple of days we had a hard time finding protein and frankly, I do not do well without protein. Especially in the mornings. We eat a LOT of whole grains here so that was not an issue. We did eat and drink dairy. I also have a non-cheese eater too so it was interesting. We also tried tofu and found that it was really good when cooked in good sauce. I did not try to cook it and left it to take out to try but it is something that we will be exploring as a family since we all loved it.

I did struggle with low fat and low calorie with the vegetarian diet. It would be an adjustment to do this full time. I just did not keep track that week because I did not have time but rather watched serving size. Frankly my husband was vegetarian for most of his life and I forgot about that. He had zero problems with this. It was harder for me than anyone in the family because I am eating low fat and low cal. I know we can tweak it and make it work so I will let you know as we go along and see what else we can come up with. Now that I think about it we did eat a lot of peanut butter, beans, whole grains, and dairy to make up for the lack of protein in the meat. I probably would have been better if I had a meal plan for the week. That week was a hectic one at home so we did eat out some and we also just kind of flew by the seat of our pants on eating. My goal was just to eat more veggies and get my kids to try more veggies.

Since we have tried the experiment we are eating less meat and when we do it is always chicken and pork. We were not huge red meat eaters anyways but not it is vitually non-exsistent except taco nights. I do slip in ground turkey on occasion to spaghetti sauce and nobody notices.

Thanks for posting your info here instead of a message. I know that some of usa re very interested and find it very helpful. Thank you for your guidance.

smed · #11 07-23-2007, 11:18 AM

DM I measure my food to a "T" . Recently I bought a new scale. I believe this was the problem I am having. My old scale is older then the hills. You could step on it and it would give you a weight and them step off and step back on it and you'd be 10 lbs heavier. I weighted my self again Sunday morning on my new scale and have lost 2 more pounds. In a total of 4 weeks I have lost a remarkable 12 pounds. YEA WHOOOO!

.

I have been mixing it up and eating different foods, just so I don't get sick and tiered of eating the same old thing. I'm very focused on making sure I get my points just right each day. In fact if I have to quess I rather quess higher then lower. Example of this is on sunday we went to craigs parents house for dinner. For most of the part I knew excatly how much of somehting I could eat and how much the points were, except for the main course, I had to really quess on. His mom made a caserole It had alot of cheese, cream of chicken, chicken, brocolli, and maybe some Miricle Whip in it. Of course none of this stuff was the fat free or reduced fat. So all of the ingredience were very high in points. I did my best at guessing, I even took less and keeped the same points as I originally thought it would be. I also took my own desseret. Have you tried the WW cake like brownie with fudge on top? THis is soooo goood. What else is really Yummy and VERY filling is a fiber one granola bar. HOLY COW! I didn't know dieting could be so YUMMY! If anyone is looking for a great way to get filled up.These are the perfect thing. They are the best granola bar I have ever had in my whole life. They are packed with fiber and fill you up! It is true as my brother said " We'll be Eating like kings and looking like there dancers".

I am going to start getting more exercise in a day though. I think my dance mat will be the perfect thing for me right now.

WHAT EVER YOU DO, DO NOT FEEL BAD ABOUT NOT GETTING BACK TO ME! You have had an experience that has needed some extra tender attention to see to at this time.. Not to mention on still trying to be a wife and mother. I figured you'd get back to me when you were ready. You are truelly an amazing Friend and Mother.

Oh! one last question What are the 8 Healthy guidlines? And I may just take you up on changing my menu to better fit my diet. For alot of my meals I have been changing to Fat FRee or reduced fat so it's all less points, this has helped alot! I LOVE COOKING AND KNOWING IT'S HEALTHER FOR ME AND MY FAMILY TO EAT!!

Dia Minha · #12 07-23-2007, 11:53 AM

OOOOOOOO I am so excited for you. I love the honeymoon stage. That is what us veterans call it when you newbies come in and are so excited and making all these new discoveries.

It sounds like you are doing wonderfully. I have always had a hard time eating at my in-laws too. They are all little bean poles. They always tell me there is no way they could go on a diet. I try to tell them over and over again (maybe more trying to convince myself than them) that I'm not on a diet. I am changing my way of eating so I can be at the healthiest weight for me.

I haven't tried the granola bars. I have heard they are very good and point worthy. They aren't on the core plan and I tend to use all my points for ice cream. I think when I'm ready to get back on plan I will start back on points and then switch when I plateau. That is what I have done after the last three babies and it seemed to work really well, and it kept me motivated and the weight dropping. I would love to try the cake though. Would you be willing to post the recipe?

The 8 healthy guidelines should be in your book. I remember that you said you weren't going to meetings, but the information you got from your sister or sister-in-law (I can't remember which) should have that info in it. They are basically just rules to go by like at least 5 servings of fruits and/or veggies, 2 dairy, 2t healthy oils, etc. They are just there to make sure your body is getting a well-balanced diet.

Yeah, anytime you want to just e-mail me what you have eaten in a day and I could go over it with you and offer suggestions for substitutions, or ideas on how to get those 8 guidelines in. I think I mentioned this before, but it is so much easier to remake over the things you and your family already enjoy then it is for me to give a whole bunch of new ideas. I often share my made over recipes here so I will continue to do that.

One of the reasons I love this program so much is because it is so easy to eat healthy and feed your family at the same time. Fubeca loves it when I'm all gung ho on Core, because we tend to eat better and I cook more so that I know what's going in it.

Keep up the good work. Again I am so excited for you. You have really inspired me. I can't wait to get back on full force.

Dia

**5ft Diva** · #13 07-24-2007, 12:59 AM

You guys are inspiring, Dia, Smed and Ima! When I decide to pay attention to what I'm eating, I'll make sure to get in touch w/ one of you!

Meticulous madness · #14 07-24-2007, 12:46 PM

You guys ARE inspiring. Thanks for sharing your ideas, your goals and your struggles.

Dia, I would LOVE to have a sample of your daily menus. I just looked at a "one month eating plan" from another friend of mine. She doesn't do WW, but has a personal trainer and dietician. She's done AWESOME with it, since it's so CUSTOM for her. I'll try to incorporate a few things from her list, but I know that my needs are a little different (so a variety of ideas would be great to have).

Maybe you've already mentioned this before, but does your family just eat what you're eating? Or do you make yours "special order" much of the time?

If you wouldn't mind posting some of the meal plans, or sending me over a copy or something, that would be awesome! Just when you get a minute. I know you're busy.

SMED, your weight loss is awesome! I didn't realize you were doing a new plan. Good for you! That has to be so gratifying to see results so quickly!

And...Wow Ima, the whole family doing more vegetables is awesome! I know I could never talk my husband into going meatless. He's pretty funny about veggies, too. But, I have a little bit of say with my kids as they're growing up - so I'll have to try and be better with them. If you have ideas for new veggies to try (during your adventure) please share.

I try to pick out a new veggie every once in a while (or let my 3 year old do it), or I try to just vary my method of preparation of the veggies I always use. But, I do tend to stick with the basics for the most part. And that could get old.

Thanks guys!

Dia Minha · #15 07-24-2007, 01:08 PM

M&M the idea was for you to send me your menu and I would help you make it over. I quit trying to tell people what I ate, because it would always turn into a well, I don't eat that, and I couldn't fix that, or my family wouldn't touch it. So it is easier for you to send me what you usually eat and what you usually serve and I can help you make it over. (I am giggling a little inside. You know because of the misunderstanding.)

Dia

Meticulous madness · #16 07-25-2007, 12:49 AM

Okay, so I'm chuckling a little inside, too - because I really did read that part about you going over somebody else's meal plans with them (and not using your own). I was just trying to be sneaky-sneaky, because I really would like to see YOURS.

Sorry.

You don't have to share them by any means. Especially if it's something you keep in your head, and not something written down.

But, I just like to see other people's ideas, so that I have many ideas to choose from when I'm in a pinch.

To be completely honest, I'm a bit on the clueless side when it comes to meal planning in general. I go through cycles where I'm really good and strategic with my shopping, and cooking and left-overs. We save a lot of money, and I feel good, I feel healthy and I feel organized. Then all the sudden I turn into a fast-food junky, and can't stand to cook at all. I find that this is mostly the case when DH is in school at night. Seems pointless to cook for myself. Ya know?

sunrisegirl · #17 07-25-2007, 09:03 AM

You guys are very inspiring! I think I'm right by you M&M in the way that my DH doesn't get home until late (past dinner time for the rest of us) and it is hard to know what to cook that my kids and I can eat that won't go to waste. I feel if we want to eat together as a family we will snack a lot by the time he gets home or we are so hungry that we over eat whe he gets home. A lot of times he doesn't even feel like eating because of the heat. I get sick of planning the same things too, I like variety. It's fun to look at what other people's food plan and it gives good ideas of how to change and add to what you are eating.

Dia Minha · #18 07-25-2007, 09:55 AM

Ok, Ok, I'll start a new thread a post a sample menu. M&M you are tricky.

To answer your other question and somehow I missed this one earlier. Yes my family eats the same thing as me. I do not like to cook and I am not about to cook two different things. I do try to make sure there is at least one item that everyone likes. We do a lot of layered, build your own, buffet type dinners. This way everyone can do theirs just the way the like it.

I have a very hard time with meal planning too. I find myself making up a dinner menu for the week and then Tuesday will come along and I don't want spaghetti so I'll fix something else and then everything gets all mixed up and I loose some of my fresh produce, because it wasn't used on the right day. Instead I keep a few basics on hand and work from those. I don't waste as much food that way and no one here seems to mind.

Dia

smed · #19 07-26-2007, 12:16 PM

I love all of these ideas. It gets me even more excitted on eating healther. I have also noticed that my kid's appitite is so much better at dinner and that they accually eat everything off of there plate, or want seconds. This to me is very satisfing.

smed · #20 07-26-2007, 12:19 PM

Okey DM get ready I'm going to collect a few of my favoirte recipes and have you take a look at them and see if it could be changed more than what I have already done. I also have gotten on ww web cite and gotten some meals offf there, but even some of thouse I look at and think, OH! maybe instead of that I could put this in it and it would still taste good and be even more point worthy.