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.
Take a peek at my snack drawer!
