On a trip to Costco…

I’ve been asked by several people in my class to list some of the things I buy at Costco and their points values, since I get most of my food from there. I buy the following on a pretty regular basis.

• Kirkland Signature Roast Beef (canned)—only 4 points for the entire can
• Kirkland Signature Chicken (canned)—six points for the entire can
• Montana Wheat Bread—all the varieties that Costco carries are 1 point a slice and they are nice, big slices. I prefer the Oat and Honey variety.
• Orville Redenbacher Smart Pop 94% fat-free popcorn—only 2 points for an entire popped bag
• Laughing Cow Lite Cheese Wedges—1 point for a wedge
• Jarlsberger Lite Swiss Cheese slices—1 point a slice
• Foster Farms Deli Style Smoked Turkey and Roasted Turkey slices—1 point a slice and they’re nice, big slices
• Healthy Choice Fudge Bars—1 point apiece
• Skinny Cow Vanilla and Chocolate Ice Cream sandwiches—1 point apiece
• Fiber One Oat and Chocolate Chewy Bars—2 points a bar
• Zone Bars, Chocolate Peanut Butter and Fudge Graham—4 points a bar
• Cliff Bars—5 points apiece
• Morton’s Steakhouse Tri-Tip—according to packaging 1 point an ounce, love to grill this up
• Rader Farms Mixed Berries (frozen)—1point per cup
• Fruit Spectrum Frozen Fruit Blend—1 point per cup
• Cheerios—2 points per cup
• Fresh fruit and vegetables
• Crystal Light Lemonade Drink Mix—1 point per half gallon
• Boca Burgers—1 point per patty
• Foster Farms Frozen Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts—according to the package, 2 points per breast

UTAH and Mental Rehearsing!!!

Woo-hoo!!! I had a wonderful week in Utah. I went down to visit with my family who is scattered around the Salt Lake area and had a wonderful time catching up with them and good friends from high school. I kept up with my exercise while there, walking a 5 mile loop in between 55-57 minutes at my brothers and then a four mile loop at my mom and other brothers place. I ate healthy too and found some great spots for healthy food in the Salt Lake area.

You know in Weight Watchers the idea of "Mental Rehearsing is often discussed in meetings and in book 5, Tools for Living. Last August I went to my 15 year reunion and by that time I had already lost 66 lbs. Not to noticeable from when I was in high school so I didn't look much different at that time. While at the reunion I had the opportunity to catch up with a good friend, Brandon. I was impressed with his physique, he has long lean muscles and doesn't look bulky or goofy like those guys at health clubs that walk out of the clubs with their chests inflated and then get into their cars and exhale and the belly pops out. So when I walked every morning during the first months of starting Weight Watchers I would often think that I'd like to have Brandon's physique of long, lean muscle and not bulky, but healthy and fit. That was the mental image I would rehearse over and over again in my mind as mile after mile would pass beneath my feet. It worked. I have a great lean body now with lean muscular arms that are defined and toned. Thanks Brandon, you're great inspiration. I'll have to give that P90X some serious thought now after talking with you over dinner.

I had the chance to go to a Tuesday Weight Watcher meeting in Sandy. I gained 3.4 lbs; which is good as my leader here in CDA recommended I gain a little weight. I had fun at the meeting and it is always good getting ideas from other members and hearing their inspirational stories. Good luck to all you ladies I had the opportunity to speak with!

Good luck also to the guy I met at my brother's kid's baseball game Monday evening. The one whose wife runs marathons and who was contemplating going to Weight Watchers even before I met you. I hope you went or will go this week. Have fun with it, stick to the plan and get out and walk Mondays through Fridays and you'll be fit and feel better before you know it.

Awesome Chili

Lost another pound this last week, bringing my total weight loss to 184 lbs. I am now at 209.6 lbs. I was a little shocked. I really don't want to lose much more weight. I did fill out my application to become a Weight Watcher leader and am excited to interview for it.

Today's recipe is for Awesome Chili. It is an extremely simple recipe and takes minutes to make. As I make it the total points is 15 for 5 cups of chili, or 3 points a cup. If you like you can omit the meat and bring the total points value down to 11. You can also add whatever else you like to it, like onions, etc.

I use the following ingredients:

• 1 can corn
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1 can stewed tomatoes (I like using the Italian stewed tomatoes)
• 1 can Kirkland Signature Roast Beef
• Taco Seasoning
• chopped onion

I drain the corn and kidney beans and put them in a sauce pan, then add the can of stewed tomatoes, the roast beef and onion. If it looks too thick, simply add water or if you like it thicker leave it as is. I then add taco seasoning to taste, as mentioned you could also add peppers, etc. Then all you have to do is turn your burner to medium and heat and stir it occasionally. I usually cook it over medium heat for 5-10 minutes and then turn the burner to low and let it simmer for awhile. You could also prepare this in larger quantities in a crock pot.


To serve I like to add fat-free sour cream or you could sprinkle lightly with a low fat shredded cheese of your choice, and "BAM" you've got awesome chili, without the guilt! Enjoy!!!!

Pumpkin Pie Recipe

At the meeting this evening I weighed in at 210.6 lbs having lost 1.6 lbs during the week. Still eating all of my daily points and that is 43 points a day. I did do some extra moving this last week, the weather was beautiful so I got out my mountain bike and biked over to my friends house each evening instead of driving. I also ended up going on bike rides with them once I got there on a couple of those evenings. All bonus exercise in addition to my daily planned exercise.

This pumpkin pie recipe is delicious. I first used it on Thanksgiving day last year and was amazed at how delicious it was, so I make it quite often and the best thing is it is only 8 points total, for the whole pie. I got this recipe at a Weight Watcher meeting and it has proven to be a favorite treat of mine. It is a crustless pumpkin pie, but tastes just like the old standby.

Preheat oven to 400 F.
Mix the following together until well blended:

• 12 oz can of fat free evaporated milk
• 15 oz can of pumpkin
• 3/4 cup egg substitute
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3/4 cup Splenda

Pour into an ungreased glass pie dish.
Bake for 15 minutes at 400 F.
Then for 45 minutes at 350 F.

Presto your done. I serve it with fat free Cool Whip and it is heavenly!!! I made one of these earlier today and had it after my meeting this evening, with the fat free Cool Whip I used the total points came to 10. Not bad, not bad at all.

Lifetime

Tonight I hit Lifetime with Weight Watchers. I lost another 2.4 lbs, so my weight is now at 212.2 lbs with a total weight loss of 181.4 lbs.



I'm excited to be a Lifetime member and picked up an application to become a leader with Weight Watchers. I believe the key to weight loss is a combination of eating correctly, which Weight Watchers teaches you how to do, and exercising. You will experience weight loss with either one, but combine them both and you can really lose weight. I figured it took me 8.5 months to get to goal and and a total of 10 to become Lifetime.

Week 5 Maintenance

Lost 2.2 lbs this last week and am down to 214.6 lbs overall. Only one more week and I will become a Lifetime member, yeah no more dues!!! I am really excited to be at this point and want to become a leader with Weight Watchers. I can finally apply after this next week.

Week 4 Mainenance

I gained back 2.4lbs this last week. I am now at 216.8lbs. Still below goal, so that is good. Sorry I haven't been posting more to this blog. My life is pretty chaotic for me and I'm grateful I've not turned to food for comfort, because I know the old me would have done exactly that. I actually take solace in going walking every morning. It gives me a chance to escape my worries if even for a little while.

You know in our meeting last night we were talking about "trigger foods" and had classified them as been either green, yellow or red priority. I have to be honest. I don't really have any "trigger foods" that I am tempted by. I just fill that craving with a healthy snack or by drinking a big glass of water. I guess when I started Weight Watchers I was to the point that I knew a lifestyle change was in order and that there would be no going back to certain habits and foods, so now that that decision has been made the temptation doesn't really exist for me. A wise man once said, "When the time for decision arrives, the time for preparation is past."