Like Boy Scouts, dieters have to be prepared - NBC Right Now/KNDO/KNDU Tri-Cities, Yakima, WA |

By Lisa Spodak (ResultsNotTypical@worldnow.com)
Provided by WorldNow

Week 51 Weigh In:

Change this week:  -.5 lbs
Change overall:  -70 lbs

I've never been so happy to lose a half a pound!  After my 6-pound loss last week I was a little worried that it was a fluke and I'd gain some back this week to make up for it.  I still think it was a little bit of a fluke, but at least it looks like it was a fluke that will stick!

This past weekend, I embraced my inner-geek and spent quite a bit of time at a comic book and pop culture convention.  One of the things I was really worried about was staying on my program while confronted with convention center food choices like hot dogs and soft pretzels.

As I was walking across town to the convention center on Saturday morning, I kept my eyes open for any alternatives and felt a huge wave of relief when I noticed a Subway just two blocks from my destination.  Right then and there I knew I'd be fine.  I know the good choices at Subway, I know how to count Weight Watchers Points at Subway and I figured I'd also be happy for the fresh air on the walk back to Subway.

In between panels, I took a little break and picked up a 12-inch sub.  I ate half for lunch and held on to the other half for dinner.  It worked out perfectly.

Being able to keep a bit of my normal routine (I have Subway for lunch almost every workday) in place during a non-routine weekend was so helpful and made me realize how much I rely on routine and planning ahead to stick to my program.

I find that I make my biggest "mistakes" when I haven't thought through my day and made sure that I'm prepared, so I make sure to plan ahead whenever I can.

Which brings me to my snack drawer.

I'm definitely a big snacker.  I probably eat something every 2-3 hours every day so if I don't plan and count, it's very easy to overeat without even realizing it.

My main work strategy is to keep a fully stocked snack drawer to appeal to all my cravings with the best possible alternatives I can think of.  That way, when I'm hungry, I have good choices within reach and I don't go down to the newsstand for something unhealthy.  Here's what I keep on hand:

For my sweet cravings:

• 100-calorie packs of Lorna Doone cookies
• Quaker variety pack of instant oatmeal packets
• Hostess mini-cupcakes in chocolate and cinnamon streusel flavors
• Weight Watchers cakes with icing in chocolate and lemon flavors
• York Peppermint Patties
• Fiber One chocolate fudge toaster pastries

For my savory cravings:

• Individual serving size cans of tuna packed in water
• Whole grain water crackers
• Pretzel rods
• Arnold sandwich thins
• Cheerios
• Laughing Cow Light cheese wedges
• Seasoned seaweed from the Japanese grocery
• Peanut butter

I also try to bring in fresh food every couple of days:  pints of grape tomatoes, fresh avocados, small containers of yogurt.