Hi Roni,

I just had to email you to tell you that I was feeling a bit stressed about staying on track this evening (this week, I am trying to spread my 35 Weekly Points out throughout the week, whereas I usually plow through them pretty quickly within the first few days of my week) and I decided to read through your blog (I’ve read it for a long time now and I visit your site daily, for inspiration…or commiseration!) :)

I am so glad I read back through old blog posts! It’s funny how you might know something for a long time but then start second-guessing yourself about how to approach the plan or how to handle emotions and feelings about the "journey" and the sometimes struggle that may be involved.

I was wondering, when you came to the end of your day in terms of Points and didn’t want to use any more (for whatever reason), do you ever start getting that urge, that little "voice" saying, "Hmmm, I wonder what I can snack on?!" How do you deal with that? I know that I can almost expect that reaction every night after I scan my Points Tracker page and upload it to my blog (it’s my way of staying accountable, recently, because after I post it, I figure if I eat more than what it shows, I’m really just hurting myself and my own success) how counter-productive is THAT?! But that urge shows up like clock-work no matter how satisfying of a day I’ve had. It’s like my "inner child" wants to rebel because she’s been told "No more!" Does that sound weird?! It’s the best way I can think of to explain it! :P

I know it’s more of a psychological reaction than a physiological one, but how do you overcome this in your experience? So many times, I’ve said, "OK, well, I’ll just eat such and such." when I’ve wanted to wait until morning, and then I end up using a greater number of Points than intended, and I feel guilty and upset with myself, and I’m sure you are familiar with the cycle of "Why did I do that?! I knew I didn’t want to eat more than X amount of Points! I shouldn’t have done that!" and all the other berating that goes along with letting yourself down and not meeting your own expectations.

I want to turn a corner on the WW plan. There are certain cycles of eating, thinking, and reacting that I need to change – and my biggest obstacle is myself!

Thanks for your advice and insight!

Robyn

OMG… Robyn, this happens to me ALL THE TIME! [Read more →]

I eat out. There, I said it.

What can I say? I’m a working mom married to a fast food junky. I do my best to cook most evenings. I enjoy cooking. I like knowing what goes in my meals and in my family. And there is no doubt a big part of my 70 lb. weight loss was learning how to cook lighter and healthier. GreenLiteBites was/is my outlet to share what I was/am learning.

However, I live in the real world and in the real world it’s just not possible to cook every night. [Read more →]

When will I learn not to ask the husband where he wants to go to dinner? WHEN?

By the middle of the work week I’m spent and going out to dinner gives me a much needed break in the evening. So tonight on my home I gave the husband a ring and ask what he wanted to do for dinner. He blurts out.. "Five Guys?" [Read more →]

I’m feeling much better then I’ve been these last few days. I’m not sure what was up with me. Unmotivated is an understatement. I was down in the dumps. Lazy. Uninterested in everything. In a funk, as I like to say. [Read more →]

Last week I held the Living Greener and Healthier Giveaway and you guys submitted so many AWESOME ideas. With a 148 comments and counting I thought it would be a good idea to summarize all of your awesome tips. I have to admit I’m totally inspired to take on some of these suggestion and make them habits especially with today being Earth Day and all. :) [Read more →]

A few weeks ago I asked How do you find balance? I was (and still am) feeling a bit overwhelmed. Blame it on trying to sell and buy a house, having a toddler, owning my own business, tax season, getting older, watever! I could list a bazillion things going on in my life and I’m sure you can to. But let’s face it, there are and will always be things that stress us out. [Read more →]

You do not need to join a gym to lose weight. You do not need to "workout" for hours a day. You do not need to wake up at 5AM for a 5 mile jog.

You do NOT. [Read more →]

Last week at my Weight Watchers meeting the leader asked what we learned by doing Flex. I loved hearing everyone experiences. People all have different challenges, histories and situations. Some of the tips where practical, some anecdotal. Mine was funny, I love when I can get everyone at a meeting to chuckle… [Read more →]

Trying out a new video player because the old one has been giving me and others some problems. Plus is was taking DAYS for my videos to get uploaded for the site.

Let me know what you think, the quality may be grainy becuase I recorded this with the old player in mind.

Topics in this video include… [Read more →]

I read an article entitled 8 secrets of the naturally slim in last months issue of Prevention that got me thinking. Are there naturally slim people? I mean everyone has to work at it, right? Then I realized the husband is one of “those” people. He’s gaining weight now that he’s a bit older but when I first met him the dude was S-K-I-N-N-Y! I mean super skinny. He stands at just about 6 foot and used to weigh what I weigh now! Honestly, since reaching my goal, it is the first time in our relationship I weigh less them him. Man that feels good!

Anyway, I thought I would look at these 8 secrets and compare me and the husband.

They choose Satisfied over stuffed.

Is this really a secret? I do wonder why some people, me included, eat until stuffed. It is one thing I have always admired about my husband. If he’s full he’s full. It doesn’t matter if there is more on his plate or if it’s his favorite meal. Amazing!

They realize hunger is not an emergency.

I thought this was interesting because sometimes I think I use hunger as an excuse to eat more. “Oh, I’m starving, I haven’t eaten since whenever, I better stuff my face now”. The husband on the other hand needs to be reminded to eat. Again, unbelievable.

They know food doesn’t cure the blues.

DUH?!? But it tastes SOOO good. ;~) But seriously yet another stark contrast between the husband and I. I do not think he has ever grabbed a gallon of ice cream because he of stress.

They eat more fruit.

This one I can say I do now. Since losing the weight and reaching goal I eat on average 2-3 serving of fruit a day. Not a natural thing for the husband I push the fruit on him.

They are creatures of habit.

This is so true. First of all, my husband eats only about 5-6 different things. Now I’m not saying they are healthy things but he sure is a creature of habit. I am now too. Look at my breakfasts for the past few months. I only have a few things I put into rotation.

They have a self-control gene.

Ok, Still working on this but I have it. The guys at work actually bet me I couldn’t eat just one M&M. Ha! I showed them!

They are movers and shakers.

So true! I make it very clear I’m not a traditional exerciser but I keep moving. I’m always out and about on the weekends, taking the toddler here and there. We meet playgroups, go for walks, hey, tomorrow I’m taking the little guy to the zoo! When I’m home I garden, straighten up, dance around like a goof, anything to stop me from watching too much TV.

They sleep well

I am still working on this. I tend to go to bed too late and wake up early with the toddler. The husband on the other hand, can sleep 9-10 hours easily. I’ve seen him go 12 without a stir.

So there you have it. Where they really secrets? I think just good things to strive for. One additional habit I would like add is ‘they know they can’t be perfect’. I was far from perfect this weekend but got right back on plan today!