Weight Loss Tip

Let's Talk The App Changes

For the record:  My app has not updated yet, not even a litttle.

I wanted to say that because I can only discuss by what I'm seeing online in various groups.

There will different modes you can choose from, one being called "All In".

I watched an influencer talk about this particular mode.  She didn't like that she asked 2 questions in a virtual meeting and they chose to ignore them.  She also doesn't like that in this mode, you have no weeklies.  What is she suppose to do when her 23 pts are gone, she's way below in calories and still hungry????

I can answer that - you do what you do now; eat off that zero point food list.  That's kind of a no brainer.  She mentioned she'd get tired of chicken, yogurt and cottage cheese.  Ummmm...again, there's more on that list than that!  Every lean meat is on there!  Fruit, veggies.....  I was so very confused watching this.

She did though think that "whole" foods would be included in this.  "Whole" foods meaning the full versions of things like mayo, cheese, yogurt, etc...(not fat free or reduced fat programs).  They are not, and I must agree with her here - fat free and reduced fat products are just not healthy.  They are lower in points, but not healthy.

However, let's not knock the program without trying it; and guess what?  You have the choice not to do it at all!  This mode is only to be used in 4 week increments; it seems to me that it is a quick start if you choose to use it.

And again, you do not have to use it.  Just continue as is.  Don't knock the whole program just because one mode doesn't suit your needs. 

I saw someone else looking around for their weekly points, they were in all in mode.  Don't just choose a mode and then complain that you can't find something.  Read what that mode is and what it is for.  You do not have weekly points in all in mode; only your dailies.  

Don't have the new version of the app yet??  Neither do I.  WW is rolling it out a little at a time, be patient, it'll happen!

Let's Talk Restaurant Points

 I see a lot of people ask about how to calculate points for restaurants not in the WW database.

This is one of those things where people tend to make things more difficult then they are.

There are several ways to do this:

The most obvious (and most suggested) is to use the camera option on the WW app.  In case you didn't know, you can take a photo of your meal and the app will translate it to points. Now, let's be honest, this isn't perfect and if I were you, I'd double check what it lists to make sure it is what is on your plate!  I, for one, wouldn't trust this; however, it may be okay if you don't eat out too often.

The next would be to find similar options in other restaurants.  I use this method quite often. Say I have spaghetti at a local Italian restaurant; I'll use Olive Garden's point values for their spaghetti.

Another good option (especially if you can't find something similar) is to break down the meal by ingredients.  I often get a certain burrito at a local Mexican restaurant, but it's name does not show up in the database.  So I start putting it in ingredient by ingredient.

None of these are perfect, but it isn't necessary for it to be perfect - just honest.  Remember, restaurants are not using fat free or reduced fat items nor sugar free items.  So you have to take those points!

Weight Watchers and Weight Loss Drugs

Let's discuss Weight Watchers and the weight loss drugs.

First....I have no problem with anyone that uses weight loss drugs to help them lose weight; the drugs are just another tool to help with your weight loss, in the same way that weight loss surgery is.

My issue has always been with WW offering the drugs. 

Why?

You can go to your own doctor, you know the person that knows you and your health, and get a weight loss drug prescription.  You can then, sign up for the WW app only and access the program that is for glp-1 losers.  That's right, you don't have to be going through WW clinic to use the program.  It would actually be cheaper that way.  (Note:  WW is updating the app this week, I'm unsure if the glp-1 program will be available with just Core; you may have to do the Core+ for an additional fee).

You go through WW?  Well you're assigned a clinician (doctor???), they'll even want bloodwork done if none has been done recently.  They'll make a decision on whether or not you're a good fit for the drugs.  I've never met one person yet, that has ever been denied the drugs through WW.  I have met people who have been denied the drugs through their doctor, but approved through WW.  I have to question that.

You'll pay WW a monthly fee (higher than the app and/or meetings fee) and then you'll pay the price of the drug.  If your insurance won't cover the cost or partial cost; you'll pay the amount out of pocket which may be very pricey.  Can't afford the drug after being approved through WW?  Okay, but you're still stuck in the WW contract to the end of the term.  I have been told that when this happens there is a pill that WW will prescribe as part of the monthly fee; it may or may not work for you.

I highly suggest that you check with your insurance plan to see if they cover the cost of the drugs first. If not, don't sign up through WW.   

Another thing to consider is if something goes wrong - bad reaction, sickness - anything from the drug.  You go to the ER, Urgent Care or doctor and who are they contacting regarding this?  Your online WW clinician (doctor???).  Will they be able to get in touch with them?

Those are my concerns when it comes to WW offering prescription drugs.  You do you however.

I do like that WW does offer a program to go with weight loss drugs and that's all that I think they should be doing.

I know that everyone is offering weight loss drugs now; I just always have put WW at a higher standard then those other sites.

Kickstart Begins!

Kickstart with Jean-Luc & Nick begins today!  It's FREE and you can still sign up!  Come join us!

All it is, is a motivational and supportive group helping people set habits for their life.  No judgement, no failing.

As for me, I'm still hanging in there.  My weight isn't moving though regardless how I'm eating.  So that has me bummed a little; but I'll keep moving forward.

A Product You Should Look For

If I order a sandwich out...I like a crusty hard roll.  I don't want it on bread or a hamburger roll.  I want a sub.

I always look for the little club rolls at stores.  They use to be so easy to find and now seem non-existent.  Sometimes I will buy the large sub/steak rolls and cut them in half and just use half.  Another option is to pick your roll and pull out the bread on the inside to get the roll to the weight you want in order to have the points you want.  I always consider that sub rolls should be 3-4 pts.

I was in Walmart and found these in the bakery section (not the bread aisle):

Crusty like I like and only 3 WW points!! (I've included the nutrition label so you can check what they are on your plan, if you do another).  They actually weren't very expensive either!  However, I will advise that you should freeze them and take out as you need them - they'll mold fast otherwise.

I'll add 1-1/2 oz. Virginia Ham and a half a slice of Sargento's Thin Sliced Swiss and 1/2 a tbsp of light mayo for a total of 6 points!  

I'll have this sandwich along with a mini cucumber and soup or fruit.  This bread makes you feel like you're cheating, lol!

I've seen others post about these rolls and someone mentioned they make french bread pizza with them!  We have a local sub shop that makes awesome steamers (you may know them as sloppy joe's); I prefer them on a mini sub roll rather than the hamburger roll but don't like the upcharge to a sub price (even though the mini sub uses no more steamer than the regular).  Next time I know that we're going there, I'll just order the regular and switch it to one of these when I'm back in the office!

Water

My water goal is six 8 ounce servings a day.  Why 6?  When I started WW back in 2010 one of the healthy guidelines was to have 6 servings of a liquid a day.  "Six" servings of a "liquid".  I don't know why "six" was the chosen number but back then, WW allowed you to count any liquid towards that goal.  Liquid?  It could be water, soup broth, milk, coffee, tea, soda...etc...  The only catch was some of those liquids may come with a point value, so you would have to count that!  Anyway, I've stuck with the six servings but all mine are plain old water - I've never had an issue drinking water, though I know a lot do.  

A serving is 8 ounces (1 cup).  I have an old tupperware cup that I've measured 8 ounces to.  I fill to that line and drink it.  Once you see what 8 ounces looks like.....you'll realize it isn't that much. 

That ridge on the cup is the 8 oz. line.

I know that many fill those HUGE cups with the whole days water in it - if that works for you, go for it.  For me though, those huge cups are way too overwhelming, I'll stick to the little servings sizes.  Once I have my six servings in, I drink whatever I want!   And that's something to work towards.....drink water, then whatever you want!  It's like a little prize at the end.  In case you're wondering; yes, I do have coffee in the morning, I drink that along with my water.

Moving Forward

I've been tracking, weighing and walking; however, it's only 3 days in! 

I did have a mishap yesterday on the walking pad.  You do have to watch your stride length on the walking pad as you don't want your heels to hit the back.  That happened to me yesterday and I fell off the walking pad.  Fortunately, I wasn't hurt, oh I have aches and a little pain, but nothing broke or sprained or bruised; well maybe my ego; hubby was proud that I got back up and finished the walk on the pad!

Today though I braved the cold (no wind today) and did my walk outside.  I do prefer outside walks as I can do them faster than on the walking pad.  I'm so looking forward to Spring.

I will get back on the pad though!  Just will be a little bit more careful.

Weight Loss Tip

The Shapa Scale

You'll hear me mention the Shapa scale.  The Shapa scale is a numberless scale - it gives you a color rather than a weight number.  It can be very helpful if your are someone obsessed with the scale.

I bought mine some time ago at the suggestion of Jean-Luc & Nick.  I didn't really use it; but when Kickstart started last year, I decided to dust it off, put in a new battery and sign-up again for a membership.  Note: yes there is a monthly, yearly or lifetime membership involved with this scale and its app.  Last year, I went with the yearly to see if I really would use it, and I did!  This year I renewed at the Lifetime rate only because they had a really good sale price for the holidays for newbies.....but I asked and they gave me that price as well!

Shapa:

How Shapa works:  open the app and step on the scale.  It's that easy.  It will give you a color indicating how you are doing weight loss wise:

BLUE - this is what you aim for; Blue is the best!

TEAL - this is good too; it means you're losing.

GREEN - this means you're maintaining.  If that's your goal, then that is great!

LIGHT GRAY - with this one, you may want to step back and get back on track.

DARK GRAY - this is the bottom one, but don't despair...you can move back up those colors!

I've been in all those colors.  Weight Loss is an up and down progress.

I noticed that Shapa offers other options these days including a food plan (all at costs) but I only use the scale.  I use my Shapa daily.

Mile One of Thirty-One

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

And Mile #1 is complete:

Since I'm off work until Monday, I like to get the walks in as early as possible.  I much prefer walking outside, however, it is freezing out there today!!

This morning I had a 4 pt breakfast - 2 slice of light bread with 1 tbsp vegetable spread, 2 scrambled eggs, 3 oz hashbrowns and coffee.

Though "officially" I'm not starting until tomorrow diet wise, it never hurts to watch what you're eating!

Have a good day!