HMR and Weight Watchers

Hey All,

I know I get a lot of visitors that are following the HMR program exclusively. I really liked that program and it was successful for me while I was following it.  I also love the idea of Weight Watchers.  At the end of the day I sat down and realized that it is all a similar path to the same goal.  Calories in and calories out.  WW counts points, HMR and other programs use meal replacements to control the calories coming in.  After many times back and forth I have decided that for me using HMR shakes and bars are a great way for me to control the calories/points in the context of Weight Watchers as a larger program.  When I was doing HMR I would typically have 6 shakes a day ( 660 calories), 2 entrees (450-500 calories) and a bar (160 calories).  The total of that intake very close to my point equivalent per day with Weight Watchers.  

If you are following HMR, feel free to say hi!  You will find tools and information that I have gathered about the program and I certainly have a lot of knowledge to offer...especially if you are doing it home. 

Today, I had 2 HMR shakes for snack between my light breakfast and late lunch.  For those of you not familiar with the shakes, one shake is 110 calories/1.5 g fat/ 13 carbs (1 of which is fiber)/ 14 grams of PROTEIN!!!  I use a lactose free shake and typically double them up.  I generally drink chocolate...and I really like them.  What is nice about the shakes is that I can convert them into a chocolate pudding.  One shake is 3 pts, 2 shakes is actually only 5 points. They are very filling.

Just wanted to share!  You can check out my links on HMR and where I buy my shakes online.  No need to join anything...its all just online order and shipping. 

Good luck to all with your chosen paths!  Hope to see you around the blog soon :)

Cart of shame...no more!

It was a great first day!  Sounds like a small thing, but my biggest accomplishment today was making a large and very organized grocery store list and sticking to that list.  Is it just me or have other people ever been embarrassed by the grocery selection in your cart?  This is something I think about most trips to the store.  I feel shamed by the cake, ice cream, wine, and of course ... cat food. When I usually check out I wonder what the cashier is thinking ... oh look, a fat cat lady with cake, ice cream, and corn dogs.  Today I felt different ... today I had a cart full of food that most normal people buy.  It is random, but it felt good :)

One cart closer to being "normal"

Okay, so I still did not have anything much that resembled fresh fruit or veggies ... but it was a sweeping change from my usual fare.  

Fresh meats instead of tubs of BBQ and Mac n cheese.  Vita tops instead of chocolate cake.  Still my usual Lean Cuisines (love my Thai chicken). Yogurt ... cottage cheese instead of ice cream.  Ground chicken breast instead of beef (for a pot of chili).  New water bottle!  Oh, and of course, crazy cat lady food.

Few things to experiment with...Greek Yogurt (plain) to mix with Ranch Dressing mix for a dip.  I read this is good ... I will keep you posted.  My picky palate is a pain in the ass, but I am trying!

Anyway, I am still high on my accomplishments at the grocery store.  My meals today were certainly within points range, but not really incorporating fruits and veggies yet.  Part of my dessert tonight was a cup of unsweetened apple sauce with cinnamon.  Yum!  Technically that counts as a fruit.

Tomorrow's shopping list at the Bed Bath and Beyond:
Cuisinart Griddler
Roasting Pan
Meat Cleaver

Looking forward to venturing into the world of cooking real food for myself and my BF...he will be very confused when he comes home to something other than PB & J sandwiches or Hamburger Helper!

Enough rambling.  Other accomplishments... I had my starting weigh-in and body measurements.  Next weigh-in is Sunday 1/9!

-a

Let them eat cake! I will take some yogurt instead....

Is there such a thing as a new diet high?  I am so giddy with anticipation of starting Weight Watchers again I may need to take an ambien to sleep.  That may sound like it is dripping with sarcasm, but it really is not.  For the first time in recent memory I am looking forward to working on myself and working with my best friend Jen.  She is such a good sound board and voice of reason...just what I needed.  She needs to talk me down from the snacking and she needs encouragement to exercise.  With all of the encouragement there is also a spirit of friendly competition.  We are both looking for that first 5% weight loss!

Tomorrow I will be hitting the grocery with a list in hand.  Trying to focus on having more protein and something fruit/veg related.  As you may recall, I really have an issue eating fruits and veggies.  I seem to not like them, but like the heck out of cake and ice cream.  My grocery list is lacking in carbs and plentiful with meats and little bits for snack that will be good for me.  Out with the cake, in with the roasted red pepper hummus!

That is all for now...apparently it is late!

-a

Happy New Year!!!

Feeling good and hopeful today for the first time in a while.  Had a lovely albeit quiet New Years Eve, now enjoying a thoughtful New Years Day!

I officially joined Weight Watchers and have spent some time learning the new PointsPlus plan.  It uses Fat, Carbs, Fiber, and Protein to calculate a points value rather than simple Calories/Fiber/Fat.  Ultimately that makes more sense...it just means that all the cool spreadsheets and data I have collected over the last 10 years are null and void!

Here is a breakdown of what each of those components are as calories:

• Fat: 1 gram = 9 calories 
• Protein: 1 gram = 4 calories
• Carbohydrates: 1 gram = 4 calories
• Alcohol: 1 gram = 7 calories

The new WW PointsPlus plan understands better the nutrition behind the foods, so a 100 calorie pack of empty calories cookies count differently than 100 calories of banana.

So ... tomorrow is the first official weight in, though today I am planning and calculating my points.

First Goal:  Lose 5% before my trip to Palm Springs in mid Feb.  That is just over 6 weeks.  I can do it!