December 10, 2013

Simply Filling

I kept Eli home from school again today. And I definitely think I'm getting sick as well. Yesterday, I was going to do my eight-mile run on the treadmill, because Eli was home, and I didn't want to leave him home alone (obviously). I was feeling kind of crummy all morning, and was putting off the run. Finally, in the afternoon, I decided to just get it done.

I set the treadmill for my long run pace (about 8:53/mi), and turned on some random show on Netflix (I can't even remember what show now). I couldn't really focus on anything, because I was feeling nauseous. A little over a mile and a half in, I decided that I just couldn't do it. I ran until I hit the two-mile mark, and then shut off the treadmill. I hung out by the kitchen sink for a minute, thinking I may actually throw up, but the worst of it passed.

Eli and I spent pretty much the whole day on the couch watching Christmas movies and doing stuff on the computer. I didn't even want to make dinner, and I asked Jerry to pick up a pizza on his way home. Not a good choice, but I just didn't feel well enough to get up and cook dinner.

Today, it's been pretty much the same. I woke up with my stomach feeling gross. Normally, I don't eat until after the kids leave for school, but I ate right when I got up, hoping that the food would settle my stomach. It didn't. After I took Noah to the bus stop, Eli and I sat down to watch another Christmas movie. My favorite place to sit is on the chaise, but Estelle thinks that's her spot; she lies right in the center of it, so I have nowhere to put my legs. And of course I don't have the heart to push her off.



I'd been trying to think of a new challenge to try, because I've been frustrated with my diet and weight lately. I've been on track most of the time, but when I don't see progress, I get frustrated and that usually makes me eat. I used to be pretty patient while I was losing weight--I know that these things take time! But lately, I've just been getting impatient and frustrated, which is affecting me mentally (as well as physically). I just feel drained.

Yesterday, my friend Andrea mentioned that she did the Weight Watchers Simply Filling plan for a week, and she loved it. I've always been terrified of their Simply Filling plan (or "Core", as it used to be called), because it relies on some intuitive eating habits--eating when hungry, stopping when satisfied. I've tried intuitive eating many times, and my intuition sucks! ;)

Basically, the Simply Filling plan works like this: you have a list of "Power Foods", which are the basics of a healthy diet (whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, veggies, dairy, etc), and you eat from that list of foods. You don't have to weigh or measure the foods, you just eat until you're satisfied. You are also given 49 weekly PointsPlus, to use on anything you want; so if there is something that's not on the list, you can use your weekly PointsPlus to cover it. You can also still earn Activity PointsPlus and swap those the same as you would the weekly PointsPlus.

I know my diet is not the healthiest (and I feel like it's gotten worse this year), so I've been thinking of giving the Simply Filling plan a try, just for a week or so, to see how I like it. I can certainly stand to make some healthier changes, and I would really like to see if I'm capable of eating well without weighing or measuring food. That will be the true test for me! I have a hard time knowing when to stop.

A lot of the foods I eat are already Power Foods, so I'll just make it a point to eat those more often. There are some foods I eat a lot that aren't on the list--peanut butter!--so I'll just have to use my weekly PP to cover those if I choose to eat them. But the main thing I want to focus on is eating healthier in general. The Simply Filling plan will give me enough leeway to feel a little bit of freedom from all of the counting and measuring, but will also have structure, so I don't turn it into a free-for-all ;)

Weight Watchers is rolling out their 2014 plan now (and thankfully, there aren't any changes to the plan!! I hate when they make big changes, and you have to learn a whole new system). They did add something called Simple Start, though, which is basically an introduction to the Simply Filling plan. So I think now is a good time for me to give Simply Filling a try.

Since tomorrow is the start of a new week, I'll start Simply Filling tomorrow morning. I wrote up a food plan for the week, so I'm not scrounging around trying to figure out what to cook when I'm starving, and I bought some groceries today to get started. I'm excited to see how it goes!

12 comments:

  1. I was really excited to get the Simple Start materials. It's like a jump-start book of ideas if you're interested in doing Simply Filling. I think I'm going to give it a try next week - I already used it to get ideas for higher protein snacks for this week. I'm interested to see how it works for you.

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    1. I'm excited to get the new materials, too. I downloaded the iPhone app, and the pictures look great! I think that's what swayed my decision ;)

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  2. I do the same thing with my cats. I will be uncomfortable rather than move them!

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    1. and don't think for a minute that the cats don't take advantage of this tendency. I know mine does.

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    2. Chandler does this on my bed. He's enormous, and takes up SO much room, but I hate to push him off!

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  3. Also, the app is already available for iPhone for free if you are a WW eTool subscriber. I really like it...

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    1. Yes! I downloaded the app, and it's really cool. I'm going to mess around with it some more, but it has some good meal ideas.

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  4. I can't move my kitty girl either! I don't have the heart. My boy kitty though - he's something else. If he's sleeping you can basically flip him upside down and dump him over. He'll stay sleeping. So I don't feel so guilty about moving him.

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    1. Cats are so funny. I'm sure they take advantage of it!

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  5. I think the new app is pretty cool too! I got it the other day and want to try some of the recipes after my next grocery trip.

    Sorry you're not feeling well. It is that time of year. :( Hope you and the little guy get better very soon!

    I was also a little intimidated by doing SF just because of my binge eating habits but every time I have tried it I have loved it and done well. :) I look forward to seeing how your progress with it goes!

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  6. ugh I hate being sick! Hope you feel better soon!

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  7. Katie,

    I hate to see you still struggling! You have come so far! I am having so much trouble getting started - I am going to check out the SF as well. I have been working out for 2 weeks and only a 0.06 pound loss. I'm interested to see if there is any "inch" difference but that isn't until next Tuesday. You'll get through this! Maybe it's a good time for you to try the cheat day vs spreading your points out through the week? When I was strong on the points system the cheat day is what saved me. I basically binged and emotional ate all in one day, then I was a "relaxed" point counter on weekends but Monday through Friday were very strict pre-planned days. This gave me something to look forward to. Any craving I had during the week I thought "Hmmm that sounds yummy! I'll have that Saturday". And it really really helped me! Just remember - you can take a break if you need to, just don't let it break you! You're such an inspiration to all of us!

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