Reflections from this Past Week, October 31

Here we are, entering the dreaded "Burmuda Triangle" - that time between Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.  The official kick-off to the holiday festivities.  However, as we talked about in the meeting rooms this past week, YOU CAN SURVIVE!  Remember some of the winning strategies to stay out of the candy bags and away from all those sweet treats:

• Purchase candy and treats you don't like
• Give the left over candy away
• Instead of giving out candy to the trick or treaters, give out stickers

If I had one suggestion for you all, it would be to KEEP ON TRACKING.  I know it can be tiresome and seem like a chore sometimes.  Look at it this way: besides coming to your meetings each week, tracking can be one of the best things you can do to help you through the holidays. Remember, studies have shown people tend to consume more food than they think they do unless they WRITE IT DOWN.

Given today is Halloween, I wanted to share a poem written by another Weight Watchers' Leader:

What scares me most at Halloween
Are my trick-or-treat supplies
These sweet treats can play tricks
Changing truth to tempting lies……

CORN candy is a veggie
Nestles CRUNCH an exercise
Almond JOY a blissful blessing
Three MUSKETEERS my kind’a guys!

 Eat a Tootsie ROLL for breakfast
Pick Jujy FRUITS right off the tree
Hershey KISSES give lots of lovin’
LIFE SAVERS will rescue me.

 The truth is treats are triggers
They fail to satisfy
 Nutritious snacks don’t play tricks
A better choice, no lie!

Reflections from this Past Week, October 24th

A Note from Kim

The response from all members for the Lose for Good campaign has been overwhelming.  All the numbers aren't in yet for the Moline and Davenport Centers, watch this space for the BIG NUMBER next week! A huge THANK YOU to everyone who brought food in for the local food pantries.Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

This past week has been a BLAST!  Members have taken a trip down memory lane and have given thought to how far they have come.  I have members who are running their first 5K, taken up kayaking, been able to go shopping for new clothes, stopped smoking, added hills to their walking regimen.......the list goes on and on! 

I encourage you to read an article at http://www.weightwatchers.com by Meslissa Sperl called "Milestones: the Key to Weight Loss Success".  It helps put a new perspective on recognizing your successes.  Remember, "Baby Steps" will get you to your goal. 

My members continue to inspire and motivate.  Not only me, but other members.  Keep up the great work.  You all have repeatedly demonstrated YOU CAN DO IT!!

Here's to a great week!

Reflections from this Past Week, October 17th

Did You See This?

Dr. Oz had a sement "Empty Nester Gets on Track".  Take a peek - I think you'll find it interesting and inspiring.  Be sure to watch both Part 1 and Part 2. 

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/empty-nester-gets-track-pt-1

A Note from Kim

Just a gentle reminder this is the last week for the Lose for Good Campaign.  Please continue to take the pounds off and bring the food in to help support others who are in need.  Thank you!

There was a lot of discussion this past week about various tools we can use to help us with our weight loss journey.  Trackers, scales, eTools, measuring cups and spoons, attending meetings, the slide to figure points values, points calculator, Dining Out Companion, Complete Food Companion.....the list goes on and on.

One tool in particular generated a lot of discussion - ATTITUDE.  I think everyone agreed having  the right attitude is crucial - it can make or break anything - be it a business, a relationship, or your weight loss.  How true.


Attitude is very important, though not often appreciated, especially when it comes to losing weight.   A negative perspective can be debilitating.  As I tell my members, just because you are eating healthy, doesn't have to mean you have to eat sad!  Focus on the good things you are eating and not how the portions you're consuming aren't as robust as they used to be.  Think about how much you enjoy experimenting with new recipes or new foods.  Recognize how you enjoy moving more.  Think about how good you feel and look as you move toward your goal.

YOU CAN DO IT!

And, yes - much to every one's surprise, I'm a Star Trek fan, right down to the ring tone on my cell phone.  With this in mind, let me leave you with this thought:
"Weight Loss.....your final frontier.  Your mission is to establish a healthy lifestyle - to boldly go where you have never gone before."

Wit and Wisdom

Live lean and prosper.  (a little "Mr. Spock" humor)

Reflections from this Past Week, October 10th

A Note from Kim
Remember the words from a Rolling Stones song "I can't get no satisfaction"?  My question to my members this last week was "When you are eating a meal, how do you know when you are satisfied?"  It brought out a lot of interesting discussion and insights.  One thing I heard over and over again was PORTION CONTROL was key. 

According to Lisa Young, PhD, RD, adjunct assistant professor at New York University, portion sizes served from fast food, restaurant and prepared food are two to five times larger today as they were in the 1970s!  When we are presented with more food, we tend to eat more.

Practice Portion Control - Sizing things up
To keep portions in perspective, you need a tool to help you navigate through bulked-up portions. Visualizing recommended serving sizes by relating them to common household objects is an easy and useful technique. By comparing food portions to things you already recognize, you should be able to eyeball a food item and guesstimate how large it is. Long gone are the days of carrying around a food scale. It's wise to weigh things occasionally to get an accurate idea of how big portions should be, but relating those measurements to common objects and teaching yourself to recognize them will be a great step toward achieving your weight-loss goals.

For example:

Your fist is about the same size as one cup of fruit or pasta

Your thumb (tip to base) is the size of one ounce of meat or cheese

Your palm (minus fingers) equals three ounces of meat, fish, or poultry

Your cupped hand equals one to two ounces of nuts or pretzels

Wit and Wisdom

It's not what you give up; it's what you get back.

Member Recipe of the Week

Chicken Tacos 

This is the easiest chicken taco recipe.  Throw the chicken in the crockpot frozen and cook on low for 6 hours -7 hours.

Makes 16-20 tacos ( 1 taco with 2 oz. meat, lettuce and tomatoes = 3 points)

40 oz. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 package taco seasoning
1/4 c. salsa
La Tortilla Factory whole wheat tortilla shells

Place chicken with taco seasoning and salsa in a crockpot. Cook on low for 6 or more hours until easily shreddable. Shred 30 minutes before serving. This will help absorb some of the juice. Serve using a slotted spoon.
Wrap tortillas in foil and heat in a 350 degree oven for 10-15 minutes.
Top with lettuce and tomatoes. Add points for any additional toppings such as cheese or sour cream.

Welcome to "Bye the Weigh by Kim"!

Greetings and WELCOME to my new blog.  I am a Weight Watchers leader and wanted to find a way to reach out to my members in case they needed some additional support - and this blog was born! 

I will be posting thoughts, inspiration and possibly a recipe once a week, so feel free to visit anytime.