I just wanted to take a few minutes and check in with all my fellow weight watchers out there. We all lead busy lives so one thing that I’ve learned on my weight loss journey is meal planning and organization are key elements of being successful and staying on track. I am still working on getting those last pesky few pounds off, but I am thrilled with my progress so far. My weight loss has even been noted by others which is always a great motivator!
What I’ve been eating for Breakfast lately….
Breakfast Sandwich – Obviously there are 100+ variations of a breakfast sandwich so let your imagination run wild but this is what I will sometimes make if I’m not in the mood for a bowl of fruit (0 point+) with my morning coffee.
Store Brand or Thomas English Muffin – 3 points+ (1 muffin)
Kraft American Cheese Singles, Reg – 2 points+ (1 slice) or 2% is only 1 point+
Canadian-Stlye Bacon – 1 point+ (1 slice, 24 g)
Egg – 2 points+ (1 large) or Egg Whites (3) – 1 point+ or Regular Egg Substitute (1/4 Cup) – 1 point+
Baby Spinach or Arugula Leaves – 0 point+
Total Points – 6 to 8 points+(depending on my mood for type of eggs!)
Cold Cereal
Honeynut Cheerios – 4 points+ (1 cup) or 2 points+ (1/2 cup)
Fat Free Milk – 2 points+ (1 cup) or 1 point+ (1/2 cup)
Total Points – 6 points+ (1c) or 3 points+ for (1/2c)
Hot Cereal
Cream of Wheat – 3 points+ (1 cup)
Fat Free Milk – 1 point+ (1/2 cup)
White or Brown Sugar – 1 point+ (1 tbsp) (you could use equal or splenda for 0 point+ but I don’t really like it so I just use regular sugar)
Total points – 5 points+
Yogurt – 2, 3 or 4 points+ depending on the brand
Fresh Fruit cup – 0 point+
Smoothies – most times my smoothies consist of soon to spoil yogurts and fruit and my secret ingredient, flax seed (see my video here) but here a couple of additional ones I like!
Skinny Green Tropical Smoothie – 6 points+ (1-3/4 cup)
Skinny Green Monster Smoothie – 6 points+ (2 cups)
Oatmeal Breakfast Smoothie – 6 points+ (1/2, serves 2) I haven’t made this one yet but it looks interesting. A couple of readers on Facebook said it was good.
Here are some of the lunches I’ve been having depending how big my breakfast was…. 😉
Deli Style Sandwich – I usually alternate between Turkey and Ham since it’s the lowest in points and my faves!
Wheat Bread – 4 points+ (2 slices) (2 points+ for 1 slice for open face sandwich)
Oscar Mayer Selects Applewood Smoked Ham – 1 point+ (6 slices)
Oscar Mayer Smoked Turkey Breast – 2 points+ (6 slices)
Kraft American Cheese Singles – 2 points+ (1 slice)
Dijon Mustard – 0 point+
Handful of shredded lettuce – 0 point+
Total Points – 7 points+ for ham and 8 points+ for turkey
(If you prefer regular mayo use just a smear for 0 point+ or 1 tsp for 1 point+)
Veggie Burger –
Arnold Wheat Sandwich Thin Bun – 3 points+ (1 bun)
Morningstar Farms Spicy Black Bean Veggie Burger – 3 points+ (1 burger)
Laughing Cow Light (various flavors) Cheese – 1 point+ (1 wedge) (I use in place of mayo)
Dijon Mustard – 0 point+
Handful of shredded lettuce or baby spinach – 0 point+
Total Points – 7 points+
Sometimes I’ll just have a House salad with leftover roasted chicken – 6 points+ (1 breast)
Lunch Sides:
Kosher Dill Pickle Spears – 0 point+ (you will rediscover your love of pickles…so yummy and 0 points!)
Regular 4% Cottage Cheese – 3 points+ (1/2 cup)
Mini Babybell Cheese Wheel – 2 points+ (1 wheel)
Fresh Fruit cup or Veggie Sticks – 0 point+
What I’ve been having for dinner…..
Deconstructed Taco Salad – This is what I make but your points may vary depending on your brand of ingredients or additions/omitions:
bed of shredded lettuce – 0 points+
ground beef – 7 points or ground turkey – 6 points (1 cup)
canned black beans – 2 points+ (1/2 cup)
shredded colby cheese – 3 points+ (1/4 cup)
jarred salsa – 0 point+
Sour Cream – 1 point+ (2 tbsp)
Total Points – 13 points+ for beef total or 12 points+ total for turkey
*I sometimes omit some of the toppings like cheese or sour cream or cut back on the serving of meat to reduce my points but you get the drift.
Grilled Garlic Dijon Herb Salmon – 6 points+ (1 filet w/lemon)
Turkey Stuffed Peppers – 5 points+ (1/2 pepper)
Classic Shepherd’s Pie – 7 points+ (1 serving, makes 6 servings)
Baked Lump Crab Cakes with Red Pepper Chipotle Lime Sauce – 5 points+ (1 cake)
Johnsonville Stadium Brats – 6 points+ (1 brat)
Sautéed onions and bell peppers – 0 points+
Juicy Hamburgers – 6 points+ (1 burger)
Dinner Sides:
Skinny Texas Cheese Fries – 7 points+ (1/2, serves 2) with homemade buttermilk ranch dressing – 1 point+ (1/4 cup)
Roasted Mushrooms – Pound of sliced mushrooms, salt & pepper, spray with cooking spray (Olive Oil spray, up to 5 for 0 points+). Roast at 450 for 20 minutes. 0 points+ and oh so delicious! This would work for just about any vegetable.
Sautéed Zucchini and Squash – Slice thinly, spray with cooking spray, season with herbs and spices and cook till tender. 0 points+!
House Salad – everyone has their own version of a house salad, green leaves, veges (or without) but to get the most of your salad seasoning is key (and free of points+). I like to sprinkle with pepper, Mrs. Dash table blends or italian seasoning, etc. – 0 points+
McCormick Salad Toppings – 1 point+ (1-1/3 tbsp)
Kraft Roasted Red Pepper Dressing – 1 point+ (2 tbsp)
Roasted Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus Bundles – 2 points+ (1 bundle)
Uncle Ben’s Long Grain and Wild Rice Original – 5 points+ (1 cup cooked)
Desserts:
Sugar-Free Jello with Cool Whip Free– 0 points+ (this is so delicious when you are having a sugar craving)
Berry Yogurt Popsicles – 1 point+ (1 popsicle)
Amazon sells the coolest popsicle freezer pop maker and is perfect for this recipe! They look just like real popsicles and no one is the wiser. My sister has this one and her boys love em!
Homemade Skinny Chocolate Cake – 5 points+ (1 pc)
Weight Watchers English Toffee Squares – 1 point+ (1 candy) These are great to throw in your purse for a little treat while you’re on the go!
I usually keep a couple of boxes of 3 or 4 points+ frozen dessert bars on hand at all times just in case…Here are the ones I’ve had…
Weight Watchers English Toffee Ice Cream Bar – 3 points+ (1 bar), these are skinny but good overall!
Weight Watchers Giant Wild Berry & Orange Sorbet and Ice Cream Bar – 3 points+ (1 bar) and they are huge!
I also have tried the Weight Watchers Giant Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Bar – 4 points+ (1 bar), these are really big too!
If I had to pick just one I would say the Orange Sorbet & Ice Cream bar since it’s more bang for your points and it tastes like a real dreamsicle…sooo good!! 😮
Reminders:
Fresh Fruit & Veges are your bestest friends and 0 points+! I beeline it over to Aldi at least once a week for a various selections of their fresh produce. I cut it all up and put in a huge zip bags/containers so it’s always ready to eat so I’m not tempted to stray off course! Be sure to share your helpful hints to include in Ways to Save on Fresh Produce!
Drink Plenty of Water – You either love it (like me) or hate it (like my diet coke guzzling older sister) but you gotta do it! If you need a little help transitioning to water you can always try Mio Liquid Water Enhancer (various flavors) or other similar brands for 0 points+ and from what I hear (from my brother in law) it tastes great!
Tips:
Even if you don’t feel like eating you can actually sabotage yourself by not eating three balanced meals a day.
Make better food choices. Eat more proteins than carbs and load up on whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
Sometimes you can get discouraged if the scale doesn’t reflect all your efforts to drop the pounds so take body measurements. Even if you don’t lose pounds your waistline could still be shrinking. Persevere.
Great Resources:
I’m kind of boring in that I tend to eat the same foods over and over again without a lot of variation so be sure to check out Gina over at SkinnyTaste! She is an awesome resource for new and delicious Weight Watchers meals with step by step instructions, nutritional and point values plus beautiful photographs! I love her!!
Stay connected online through the Weight Watchers Facebook page! Get encouragement, share recipes and great tips from thousands of people who know just how we feel!
The Weight Watchers Magazine is also a great source and has great articles and coupons! Discount Mags is offering a one-year (6 issues) subscription for just $3.99!
This is my late papa and he loved his garden 😉
Grow Your own
Fresh Herbs can be expensive at the grocery store so I always grow some of the major ones myself. Here is a great Weight Watchers article on How to Grow Your Own Herb Garden!
We try to have a big garden every year but if you don’t have the space or time to tend to one, plant a small patio garden!
I would love to hear what meal ideas you have tried and found to be noteworthy – plus be sure to share your progress thus far!!
Kathy Robertson
Ah, your Dad and mine loved their gardens! This is my 1st week of re-joining WW and I weigh in on Tuesday. I know I’ve lost weight..woo hoo! I’ve been having fun this week learning Points Plus, and enjoying being in control. 🙂
Rita
Great picture of your Dad. I miss mine too.
Rose
Katie this is going to sound so stupid…but ever since I went out and bought myself a huge fancy water glass (like they use in restaurants) I drink more water. Go figure!
laura s.
thank you for posting this.
I am a lifetime member (became lifetime from core plan).
I had my daughter and gained a lot. I joined ww when she was 3 months. I struggled to plan and follow the points. this helps a lot! dd is now almost 2 and I am hoping to get back to lifetime.
This is great. thanks again for the ideas!
btw I love skinny taste-Gina is actually from where i live!
Have you tried her riceball casserole? yum http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/02/sicilian-rice-ball-casserole.html