I am 2.6 pounds over goal weight, and last week I was 4 pounds over. I will be very happy when that reads 0.0!
I still went over my PointsPlus this week, but only by 30; and since I had ditched the ActiveLink, I was manually tracking my Activity PointsPlus (which gave me less than using the AL would have). I'm happy with the decision to stop using it.
The ActiveLink really did help develop some positive habits for me, though. Even though I wasn't wearing it this week, I still always made it a point to park very far from the entrance to the stores, do active things with my kids, and stay actively busy around the house. I knew I wasn't earning PP for doing those things, but I know that some extra movement never hurts!
Today, I realized that I could still wear the ActiveLink and not be subscribed to it. I wouldn't get any feedback on the computer as far as PointsPlus go, but that's what I like about the idea. My only goal would be to see how many lights I could light up each day (basically, just to keep me moving, but without earning PP as a reward). Like using a pedometer, only there wouldn't be any numbers. The only activity PointsPlus I would count would be from my running, and I would calculate those manually, as if I wasn't wearing the ActiveLink at all. Hard to describe, but it makes sense in my head ;)
I also made a deal with Jeanie. We've been texting our food logs to each other every night, but I still ended up going over my PointsPlus for the week. So this week, we are going to owe each other $1 for every PP that we go over. We can still use our daily, weekly, and activity PP; but if we use more beyond those (going into the negative), it will cost us $1 per PP. This week would have cost me $30. I think with that kind of incentive, I will be very likely to stick to my PP!
I tried a new Weight Watchers recipe for dinner, and it was SO good! Jerry's been wanting to cook on his new grill, so we made Greek Grilled Chicken Sandwiches. I've been buying these 4 PP hoagie rolls from Sam's Club, and they make an ordinary sandwich taste amazing, so we used those for the sandwiches tonight. I love anything with feta cheese, and this recipe includes a feta spread for the sandwich--it's just feta cheese, milk, and chopped onion. I could have eaten it all with a spoon!
Here is a link to the recipe. I followed it as-written, except I used dried dill instead of fresh and I used fat-free feta. It ended up being 9 PointsPlus--not bad at all for such a tasty sandwich! I bet it would be awesome on homemade pita bread, too.
I'm going to place another David's Tea order tomorrow. They offer free shipping if you order $50 worth, so when I order, it's usually a pretty big list. Some of these aren't new to me, but I'm excited to try the ones that I haven't tried before:
I started drinking David's Tea after you posted about it and I agree that they should have it so you can just purchase the sample size. I have bought a few now that I don't really care for and now I am stuck with the rest of it. My favorites are Salted Caramel and Birthday Cake. I just ordered Oh Canada and that one is really good too! ~Sara
ReplyDeleteWe should do a tea swap of the ones we don't like! ;)
DeleteMovie Night is my go-to!!!
ReplyDeleteMmmm I have a chocolate mint tea from Harney and Sons and it is delicious! I like adding a little bit of milk to make it creamy!
ReplyDeleteI bought David's Tea after you recommended it, and I love it! Here are my favorites, that you haven't blogged about (since I know you've already tried the ones you have blogged about)
ReplyDelete-Love Tea #7 (this one you may have mentioned?)
-Stormy Night
-Creme Brulee Roobios
-Cherry Cola (really tastes like Cola!)
I'm drinking the birthday cake one now: not a huge fan-- it doesn't taste as authentic as the others. Question: do you put, or plan to put, milk/cream in the Roobios ones? I have been, but I feel a little odd doing that.
I use fat-free half and half in all the teas except for green. I felt weird putting it in white tea (the Cookie Dough), but it tastes good that way!
DeleteSo this is completely unrelated to this particular post, but I just wanted to say that I am so happy that I found your blog. I am excited to read more of your posts from your weight loss/maintenance, to races, to updates on your cat's weight loss ;) I actually also had plump cat named Ewan (named after the wonderful Ewan McGregor), who was on a kitty diet for the majority of his adult life, but I had no luck with his weight loss. Some kitties are just meant to be chubby. Anyways, just wanted to say hi and let you know you have a new reader!
ReplyDeleteHi there Rachael! Thanks for commenting--I'm so glad you're enjoying my blog. :)
DeleteThat feta spread sounds delicious!!
ReplyDeleteAnywho, I just wanted to tell you that I love your blog. I am only about 15 pounds away from my goal weight, but have BED, which definitely keeps me from where I want to be. I do find constant inspiration from visiting and reading your posts. I really feel like I can identify with you on so many levels. I think that you may have even sparked some desire in me to maybe one day have a blog of my own :)
Thank you for sharing your life with all of us readers! You really are an amazing and wonderful inspiration!!!
Thanks so much for reading, Eva! I totally understand how hard those last 15 are, especially when battling BED. Best wishes to you!
DeleteI don't think I like flavoured teas... I've tried a lot of them, but it just doesn't seem "right" to me. However, let me know how the Oh Canada one is! Being Canadian, I'm curious as to what it tastes like! I'm guessing maple. Also, the salted caramel one sounds like heaven.
ReplyDeleteI try not to eat much bread, but I discovered those buns at Walmart Bakery and they are so good! I have no idea how many calories are in them--do you? You said 4 PP, but I don't follow WW, just try to watch the calories.
ReplyDeleteThey have 150 calories--totally worth it!
DeleteHi, love your blog and have caught up from the beginning a few months ago. We shop at Sam's too and those rolls sound awesome. Could you tell me the brand or post a pic of the package? Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteI believe they are made in the Sam's Club bakery, because there isn't a brand label on the bag. It's just a big, clear plastic bag with 18 rolls; 150 calories per roll.
DeleteThanks!!
DeleteI do menu planning for the week ahead on Fridays, and, no joke, last Friday I planned those Greek chicken sandwiches for tonight's dinner! I found that recipe on Pinterest and tonight is the big debut at our house. I'm glad it went over well with your crew! Great minds, Katie, great minds ;-)
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to try David's Tea so badly! They don't seem to have many stores on the West Coast, unfortunately, but if I go to SF one day I'll have to hunt one out. I think the chocolate teas would make a tasty, satisfying dessert option :)
ReplyDeleteI actually can't recall trying feta EVER! I always seem to gravitate towards cheddar when buying cheese, but I've really been trying to branch out in my food. I'm going to add it to the grocery list. I do love a good gyro and Greek flavors, so hopefully it will be delicious! I haven't had a WW recipe fail me yet!
It's definitely better to have a buddy to keep you accountable. Charlie just doesn't care one way or the other, but he knows I'm happier at this weight. Having a partner that's in the same boat is best!
ReplyDeleteAt Sam's where I live, there are these whole wheat ciabatta rolls that are 5 pp and are addicting!
ReplyDeleteThose are REALLY good! I like the white ones better than whole wheat, but I know what rolls you're talking about. We used to buy them until I found these new ones (they're softer, which I like better for sandwiches).
DeleteYum, that sandwich looks delicious! Can't wait to try it :)
ReplyDeleteRegarding the rolls at Sam's, what does the PP stand for? I want to look for these but wasn't sure of the brand?
ReplyDeleteI am feeling a little down about my WW this week. Last Tuesday I was down 2.2 lbs, and now this Tuesday I was up 1.8 and today at home I was up another .5! I feel like I have been trying very hard to stay in my 33 points a day. I was REALLY hoping to be down 40 lbs by 7/22/13 when I see the doctor again. Last week I was at my 30 lb loss, but now its back to 28 lbs lost. So frustrating when I have really done nothing different.
:-(
PP is just PointsPlus :) It's not a particular brand, because I think Sam's Club makes them in their bakery. They're just in a big clear plastic bag, and there are 18 of them in the bag. They have 150 calories each. Hope that helps!
DeleteI love feta too!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is by far my favorite WW recipe. We don't have milk in the house often so i've found that fat free sour cream works just as good to make the spread!
ReplyDeleteLong-time reader, first time commenter here. I love your blog! Just wanted to tell you that you inspired me with your mentions of the ActiveLink. I don't do Weight Watchers, so I bought a Fitbit Flex wristband. It has really given me the motivation to get more activity in throughout the day - but like you, I don't link it to how many calories I can eat. I just want to make sure I get all 5 lights lit up by the end of the day (10k+ steps). It's really been an eye-opener - the days I don't run, it's much harder to reach my goal. So I'm more consistent with being active now!
ReplyDeleteAnyway just wanted to say thanks for all the great info you share, I've really enjoyed following your journey!
Cora
Thanks so much for commenting, Cora! Your Fitbit Flex wristband sounds exactly what I plan to do with my ActiveLink. I know what you mean about how hard it is to get the lights to come on when you don't run that day. It takes a LOT of movement!
DeleteI really like the Lime Gelato, it is actually my favorite. I am pretty sure that you also mentioned you have already tried Movie Night which I am also a huge fan of. I enjoy Paradise Punch which is one of their herbal teas. I agree with you on the sample pack, I have ordered a few and was really disappointed when I tried them (cookie dough being one of them).
ReplyDeleteI do like Movie Night, and Lime Gelato sounds good! I didn't see that one.
DeleteIf you like the Coffee Pu'erh or the Bollywood Chai, I'd be happy to swap for the Cookie Dough! I have those two sitting in my cupboard and I wasn't a fan.
I wish I had thought of trading them with someone before I discarded the teas I didn't like. I don't think I would enjoy those flavors you are holding on to, but thank you for the offer. Lime Gelato was under the green tea section and is tied for a favorite with Movie Night.
DeleteI have a David's teas store within walking distance and I keep meaning to go and buy some but I can never find the time. I really need to do it this week!
ReplyDeleteThat sandwhich recipe looks delicious- thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI've had both the Oh Canada and the Chocolate Mint teas, and they're both great. The Canada one is especially good if you sweeten it with a tiny bit of real maple syrup.
ReplyDeleteThe Mint Chocolate Rooibos is my favorite of all the ones I tried. I put "York Peppermint Patty" flavored creamer in it.
ReplyDeleteHi Katie! I love the Exoctica, it is one of their herbal teas. My husband picked this one, it is usually really hard for me to find an herbal tea I really love and this one is a winner. Fruity in subtle way with a vanilla undertone and very very smooth. Love your blog, but as you can tell from this comment, I am way behind in reading it. LOL - Nadine
ReplyDelete