March 05, 2014

A floppy hat

Today was my second Weight Watchers meeting at the new location. I was actually really excited to go today, because I really enjoyed the leader last week. I had plans to meet Jessica for lunch at Panera afterward, and then go to the funeral home on the way home, so I dressed in my funeral clothes this morning. Sarah had specifically requested that everyone wear bright, cheerful clothing to her funeral, so I picked out a bright pink cami with a white shrug over it.

The meeting was great again today! The more I hear from this leader, the more I like her. Today, she talked about how how she's always recommended that her members use up their weekly points, because that is what makes the plan do-able for a lifetime. A lot of new members are nervous to use all their weekly points, but I think it's so important to do so--you can fit in your favorite treat foods and not feel deprived. At the previous WW center I went to, the leaders always used to tell us not to use those points unless it we really had to, or it was a very special occasion. So today, hearing the leader say that she recommends using all the weekly points was great!

I feel comfortable enough in that meeting to participate in the discussion, which is nice, and I like hearing what the other members have to say as well. Today, a man raised his hand and said the sweetest thing--it actually brought tears to my eyes ;)  He wasn't there last week, and when he raised his hand to talk, I discovered why: He said, "My wife has always been asking me to lose weight with her, and when she wanted to join Weight Watchers, I told her that I would go only when she weighs less than I do [meaning, he wanted her to prove that it would work]. And here I am, today, because she lost 115 pounds and now she weighs less than me!" He was SO proud of her, you could see it all over his face.

I remember the day I weighed in less than Jerry, and I was so excited about that! No woman wants to weigh more than her husband. So it was exciting to see that woman's husband follow through and show up to Weight Watchers with her today ;)

When I was at my mom's house a couple of days ago, I saw that she had some Weight Watchers Smoothie mixes--the Salted Caramel favor--and I took one home to try it out. I mixed it with milk and some instant decaf coffee, and it was amazing! I wanted to buy a box today, but when I was at the meeting, they said they discontinued that flavor. Bummer! I bought a different flavor instead, so hopefully I like it just as much:


I like to spend about 4-6 points on an afternoon snack, so if I mix this with milk, it'll be 4 points.

After I left Weight Watchers, I had some time to kill before going to meet up with Jessica. I stopped at Target, and I ended up buying a floppy wide-brim hat to keep the sun out of my face. Sarah's death has made me second guess every little freckle on my body, and I want to be extra-cautious about sun exposure. Besides, the hat is really cute!


I'm sure I'll get a lot of use out of it in San Diego... just 29 days left! :)

I went to Panera to meet Jessica for lunch, and I ordered off of their "hidden menu" today. Since I didn't run today, I didn't have any activity points to spend, and I wanted to keep lunch on the lighter side. I got the Power Mediterranean Roasted Turkey Salad. (I forget to take a pic, so this one is from the Panera site)...


It comes with lemon and olive oil to dress it, and after squeezing on the lemon, I decided to try it without the oil and see how it tasted. I was surprised to see that I liked it a lot, so I skipped the oil altogether. When I got home, I discovered that by skipping the oil, the salad was only 4 PointsPlus. If I'd have known that, I'd have ordered a piece of bread on the side! ;)  It was really good, and I would definitely order it again; but it's pretty pricey (I think it was $9).

After lunch, I stopped at the funeral home, which I don't really want to write about. Emotionally, it was a lot harder than I thought it would be. But I'm glad I got to talk to Sarah's mom.

Exciting news: Bonnie, from my Ragnar SoCal team, got her April issue of Runner's World in the mail yesterday! I'm still impatiently waiting for my copy, but I saw a sneak peak of the spread--and it's AMAZING. Once I get mine, I'll post a pic. The issue will be on newsstands March 11th, but if you're a subscriber, you should be getting it any day now.

22 comments:

  1. I love Panera's hidden menu! It's so light and delicious!

    I also love your hat. I have always wanted a big hat for the summer. Maybe this year I will get one!

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  2. You are such an inspiration! Love your blog posts!


    Lauren
    http://stayathomewifey-lg.blogspot.ca

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  3. Katie, I am so sorry for your loss in your friend. I wanted to tell you that after you shared about her story a couple of months ago, I decided to get a mole on the back of my calf checked out. It was removed 1.5 weeks ago, and they called me two days ago to tell me that I was in the clear, but the doctor also mentioned that it was the kind of thing that could have turned into cancer. So, thank you for sharing her story. It made a difference in my life.

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    1. Thank you so much for telling me that! I'd love to tell Sarah's family that her story has helped people, and that's a great example. I'm so glad that everything was clear for you, though :)

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    2. Oh My God Anna! I am so glad you got that detected right away! So happy for you :)

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  4. Panera's hidden menu is my favorite! It's my go-to meal when I am in a rush and have to order fast food.
    I am a former tanning bed addict, and I spend my summers baking in the sun beside the pool for hours. The increasing statistics of people developing skin cancer has really shaken me! I love the hat, and I'm glad you're being more conscious of sun exposure.

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  5. As a person that has had 2 Melanomas removed I live in fear each day that I will have to deal with it again. I see my dermatologist every 6 months and will for the rest of my life. I recommend that everyone get a full body check just to make sure there are no questionable spots. As far as the sun or tanning beds being 100% of the culprit for Melanoma, I am not convinced but one should always protect themselves when in the sun. I hate that Sarah had to leave her family and children at such a young age.

    Where is the Panera hidden menu? I never knew they had such!

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    1. You have to view it on their website, because it's not available in the restaurant. They have 5-6 items with great nutritional stats! This was my first time trying one, though. You can see the details on their site (which I'm sure is a publicity thing!)

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  6. I got my copy of Runner's World yesterday in the mail! It was an awesome article! Very inspiring!

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  7. It's interesting how different WW leaders have totally different ideas. Perhaps WW International needs to make sure everyone is on the same page.

    I love your hat---I hope you wear it to to Sarah's funeral, I know she would enjoy it too. You make me wonder what Du would like people to wear to his funeral--I'm guessing he'd like it if they all wore Nebraska Cornhusker clothes. I know he doesn't want anybody to dress up--he hates to dress up. These are topics I think about....the music....where we will hold the funeral....making a video....but I never discuss it with him. It's incredibly hard, so I completely understand your not wanting to talk about the funeral home visit. Especially when you're barely 30, it's not right that people your age could die. At my age, it has become all too real, and now with my own Du's terminal diagnosis, I am no longer able to ignore the fact that death is a part of living. But it is still very scary and very sad.

    I weighed more than Du for many many years. It was a BIG day when I got below him on the scale. You're right--it's no fun to weigh more than your husband.

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    1. Pam, I can't even imagine how hard it is knowing that your husband's days are limited. That would be really hard to hear!

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  8. i always eat my salads with lemon juice and apple cider vinegar. I don't like the texture of any oil, and I really don't like salad dressing...I think my way is delicious!

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  9. How sweet is that husband! So cool!

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  10. HI! I'm a new follower. I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. I am enjoying your blog and look forward to reading more about you!

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  11. Just read your 100-lb difference, amazing!

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  12. I can't wait to get my copy of Runner's World in the mail! One of my friends was murdered several years ago and she was only 26. I totally understand the bewilderment and sense of mortality that comes with the funeral. It's so disorienting, sad, and unfair. My thoughts are definitely with you! On the up side...cute hat! :)

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  13. Cute hat!

    Good to hear you like your new meetings! Do you plan to eat your weeklies and your activity points? Keep us posted on how that goes!

    Also, I'm curious, what is this hidden menu at Panera?

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    1. The hidden menu is only available on their website. I think there are just 5-6 items, and they all have great nutritional stats!

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  14. I've never heard of a Weight Watcher leader saying to not use the weekly points. I had never heard of the hidden menu.

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  15. I got my copy of Runner's World the other day. You look great, and I loved the article! Way to go! Also, I did not know about the hidden menu at Panera-where have I been?

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  16. I think this may be a double comment, sorry. I got my issue of Runner's World the other day, and you look terrific and the article is great. Way to go, Katie! Also, I did not know about the hidden menu at Panera. Where have I been?

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I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

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