Ditching the Dieting Mind-Set

Hello, Weight Watchers! Did you give you weight-loss resume any more attention this week? How has recognizing your strengths or wealth of experience helped your weight-loss efforts?

WATCH TV AND YOUR WAISTLINE

Don't let the fall TV season, commercials, and the couch sabotage your weight loss!

- Tape your favorite shows and watch them commercial-free while you workout

- Have healthy snacks around (try air-popped popcorn and butter spray).

- Know that the commercial break is when you should get up and do some simple exercises.

- Keep your mind busy while you're watching, so you don't start munching. Look over a list of things you need to do during the next day, or keep a craft project nearby.

- Before your show starts, assign each character an exercise. Perform that exercise each time the person enters the scene. For example, if watching Desperate Housewives, do squats each time Bree is on screen, switch to lunges for Gabrielle, leg lifts for Susan, and bicep curls for Lynette, et cetera.

JOIN OUR TEAM!

What's it like to work as a Weight Watchers Receptionist or Leader? Many of our staffers have full-time jobs but devote one evening, a Saturday morning, or lunchtime to Weight Watchers. If you are at or near your Lifetime Goal Weight, plan to attend an Information Meeting and learn more about the rewarding employment opportunities that are available. You do not have to be at goal to attend! Tell them Cyndi sent you!

- Sat Oct 13 @ 11:30 am: Weight Watchers Castleton Center (8510 Center Run Drive)

- Mon Oct 15 @ 1 & 7 pm: Weight Watchers Columbus Center (1083 N National Rd)

- Thurs Oct 25 @ 7pm: Spencer (125 N Washington St)

- Mon Oct 29 @ 6:30 pm: Greenfield (1551 E New Rd)

FRUTIE EXTRAVAGANZA

Now is a great time to try Fruities – buy two get one free. You can mix and match flavors to create your own “variety pack.” (At-work members, please let me know if you want Blackberry. I cannot order them, but can transfer as many as needed from a center.)

ARTICLES OF NOTE

· Ron Darling’s Weight-Loss Finale

· Autumn Dishes in Nature’s Wrapping

· 10 Tips for Fall Fruit Desserts

A “dieting mindset,” limiting beliefs and overly restrictive behaviors, can keep us from sticking to the program long-term. To ultimately attain our Winning Outcomes, we need to fully adopt a healthy lifestyle that we enjoy – one that limits frustration and deprivation and that we can maintain for a lifetime. Join me for this week’s meeting, Ditching the Dieting Mindset!

Have a great on-plan week!

Cyndi

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope or confidence.

~Helen Keller

Bacon and Swiss Quiche

POINTS® Value: 3
Servings: 8

• 2 sheet phyllo dough, cut into three strips each
• 3 large egg(s)
• 1/4 cup regular egg substitute
• 1 cup fat-free evaporated milk
• 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp table salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup low-fat hard cheese, Swiss, grated
• 4 oz cooked crisp turkey bacon, diced
• Preheat oven to 350ºF. Coat a 9-inch pie plate with cooking spray.

Lay phyllo dough in pie plate, one piece at a time, coating each layer with cooking spray — dough should cover bottom and sides of dish. Fold in any overhanging corners.

Whisk together eggs, egg substitute, milk, flour, salt, pepper and nutmeg.

Sprinkle cheese and bacon over phyllo dough. Pour in egg mixture and place quiche on a baking sheet. Bake until firm, about 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool at least 5 minutes before cutting into 8 wedges.

My Weight-Loss Resume

Hello, Weight Watchers! Last week, we discussed using the Motivating Strategy Tool for Living to help make the mental image of our Winning Strategies bright, vivid, and realistic. What “juicy” words did you add to your goals? Did snapping that mental image into focus help to motivate you this week?

GET THE PRODUCTS YOU WANT

Did you know that you can order any of the Weight Watchers products in the Healthy Choices catalog? This is the white binder that I bring to all meetings. There is a page for each product, highlighting features and with a large (and readable!) ingredients list for those who may have any special dietary needs. I try to have a wide variety of products available each week, but e-mailing me or filling out an order form the week before guarantees that I will have as many of your favorite products as you need the following week. Payment is due when you receive your order.

SALAD BAR SAVVY

Go ahead and play with your food! Drag and drop different salad bar ingredients and see how the POINTS add up. Go to this link for some tips and tricks on making the best choices for a healthy salad at WeightWatchers.com:

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=40851&sc=3022

JOIN OUR TEAM!

What's it like to work as a Weight Watchers Receptionist or Leader? Many of our staffers have full-time jobs but devote one evening, a Saturday morning, or lunchtime to Weight Watchers. If you are at or near your Lifetime Goal Weight, plan to attend an Information Meeting and learn more about the rewarding employment opportunities that are available. You do not have to be at goal to attend! Tell them Cyndi sent you!

- Wed Sep 26 @ 11:30 am: Downtown at First Indiana Plaza, 7^th Floor (135 N Pennsylvania)

- Sat Oct 13 @ 11:30 am: Weight Watchers Castleton Center (8510 Center Run Drive)

- Mon Oct 15 @ 1 & 7 pm: Weight Watchers Columbus Center (1083 N National Rd)

- Thurs Oct 25 @ 7pm: Spencer (125 N Washington St)

- Mon Oct 29 @ 6:30 pm: Greenfield (1551 E New Rd)

ARTICLES OF NOTE

· A Weight Watchers Mom-alogue

· Community Talks: Recovering from Vacations

· Persistence Pays Off

· Why Vicki’s Loving Imperfection

No matter whether this is your first time or fiftieth time joining Weight Watchers, you have strengths, education, and experience that will help you identify the best approach to achieving your goal. In this week’s meeting, we will develop a Weight-Loss Resume and apply for the job of Lifetime membership!

Have a great week, everyone!

Cyndi

Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment.

~Barry LaPatner

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

From WeightWatchers.com

POINTS® Value: 5 | Servings: 8

Core if whole wheat pasta and FF cheese are used

12 oz uncooked (white or whole wheat) macaroni, elbow-type

1/2 cup fat-free sour cream

12 oz fat-free evaporated milk

8 oz low-fat cheddar or Colby cheese, shredded

1 Tbsp Dijon mustard

1/4 tsp table salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

2 Tbsp dried breadcrumbs

2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Cook pasta according to package directions without added fat or salt; drain and transfer to a large bowl. While pasta is still hot, stir in sour cream; set aside. Heat milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until tiny bubbles appear just around the edges (known as scalding). Reduce heat to low, add cheese and simmer until cheese melts, stirring constantly with a wire whisk, about 2 minutes; remove from heat and stir in mustard, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Add cheese mixture to pasta; mix well.

Transfer to a 3-quart casserole dish. Combine breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese; sprinkle over pasta. Bake until top is golden, about 30 minutes. Yields about 1 cup per serving.

Apple-Cinnamon Wontons a la Mode

From WeightWatchers.com

POINTS® Value: 4 | Servings: 6

• 2 serving butter-flavor cooking spray, divided
• 2 medium apple(s), McIntosh, peeled, cored and minced
• 1 Tbsp packed light brown sugar
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 24 items wonton wrapper(s), half of a 12 oz package
• 1 1/2 Tbsp powdered sugar
• 3 cup light vanilla ice cream

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, combine apples, brown sugar, lemon juice and cinnamon; toss to coat apples.

Place wonton wrappers on a flat surface. Drop apple mixture by teaspoonfuls onto center of each wrapper. Moisten edges of wrapper with wet fingers, fold over one corner to make a triangle and press sides together to seal. Transfer filled wrappers to prepared baking sheet and coat surfaces with cooking spray.

Bake until wontons are golden brown, about 15 minutes. Place wontons on individual plates and sift powdered sugar on top. Serve with ice cream on the side. Yields 4 wontons, 1 teaspoon of powdered sugar and 1/2 cup of ice cream per serving.

Visualize Outcomes Featuring Motivating Strategies

Hello, Weight Watchers!

Did you complete your activity goal for this week? Remember that there are four activity stages and you don’t have to go from One to Four overnight! By exploring each stage and setting specific, achievable goals, we can gradually move more by progressing at a pace that is comfortable and sustainable.

OPEN HOUSE

Feel free to invite anyone interested in joining the new series to this week’s meeting. I will be collecting payments in advance for the new series this week, as well. We must have 15 members to renew and 20 to get the special of 17 weeks for $176 including free eTools! I can accept cash, check, or charge and can redeem any Weight Watchers prepay coupons you may have at home for $11.90 apiece.

JOIN OUR TEAM!

What's it like to work as a Weight Watchers Receptionist or Leader? Many of our staffers have full-time jobs but devote one evening, a Saturday morning, or lunchtime to Weight Watchers. If you are at or near your Lifetime Goal Weight, plan to attend an Information Meeting and learn more about the rewarding employment opportunities that are available. You do not have to be at goal to attend! Tell them Cyndi sent you!

- Mon Sep 17 @ 7 pm: Weight Watchers Indianapolis Eastside Center (9433 E Washington St)

- Tues Sep 18 @ 7 pm: Covington (515 Park St)

- Thurs Sep 20 @ 7pm: Sullivan (105 N Broad St)

- Wed Sep 26 @ 11:30 am: Downtown at First Indiana Plaza, 7^th Floor (135 N Pennsylvania)

- Sat Oct 13 @ 11:30 am: Weight Watchers Castleton Center (8510 Center Run Drive)

- Mon Oct 15 @ 1 & 7 pm: Weight Watchers Columbus Center (1083 N National Rd)

- Thurs Oct 25 @ 7pm: Spencer (125 N Washington St)

- Mon Oct 29 @ 6:30 pm: Greenfield (1551 E New Rd)

BACK ON TRACK CHALLENGE

Now is the perfect time to get "back on track!" Weight Watchers asked several Leaders in the New York City area how to do just that. Their overwhelming response was to start small. Losing weight can sometimes seem overwhelming, but breaking down a sizable goal into mini-goals can make the process more manageable.

Many try to do too much too soon. A better tactic is to take one small step, which moves you closer to the next small step. Soon all of those steps add up and you're cruising along. Go to the Back on Track Challenge for more details and get back on track today!

ARTICLES OF NOTE

- Sports Arena Strategies

- Turning “Tomorrow” into “Today”

- Thinking About Weight Loss

A few weeks ago, we talked about Winning Outcomes – the short-term, intermediate, and long-term goals we have for weight loss, activity, and health. This meeting will help us make the image of our Winning Outcomes bright, vivid, and appealing through inviting, motivating visualization and words. A “juicy” goal will inspire us to do what it takes to achieve it!

Have a great week, everyone!

Cyndi

Visualize this thing you want. See it, feel it, believe in it. Make your mental blueprint and begin.

~Robert Collier

Winter-Spiced Pumpkin Bread Pudding

From the new Best-Ever Desserts cookbook

Makes 12 servings, 5 POINTS each

3 c FF half and half

1 c egg substitute

½ c packed dark brown sugar (take off one POINT per serving if subs. Splenda brown)

¾ t pumpkin pie spice

¼ t salt

1 c canned pumpkin

½ c golden raisins

¾ t vanilla extract

1 (one-pound) loaf day-old whole wheat bread, cubed

½ c chopped walnuts (take off one POINT per serving if left out)

Bring the half and half to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Remove the saucepan from the heat source. Whisk together the egg substitute, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and salt in a medium bowl. Slowly add ½ c of the hot half and half, whisking constantly. Add the mixture to the saucepan and set over medium-high heat. Cook, whisking constantly, until the custard thickens and coats the back of a spoon (about 5 min). Immediately pour the custard through a fine sieve set over a medium bowl.

Whisk in the pumpkin, raisins, and vanilla. Add the bread, stirring until moistened. Let stand at room temp for about 20 min.

Preheat over to 325. Spray a 10-cup baking dish or casserole with nonstick spray.

Pour the mix into the baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle with walnuts. Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and place in a roasting pan. Add enough boiling water to the roasting pan to come halfway up the sides of the dish. Bake for one hour. Uncover and bake until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean (about 15 min).

Carefully lift out the bread pudding and transfer to a rack. Let cool abut 20 min. May be served warm or room temperature.

Are You Puzzled by Exercise?

Hello, Weight Watchers! Did you set any short term, intermediate, or ultimate Winning Outcomes based on last week’s meeting discussion? Actions can sometimes seem to lack direction if our Winning Outcomes are not defined first. We discussed the four key criteria of a Winning Outcome and used an activity sheet to clarify our current Winning Outcomes or create a new one. Revisit these periodically and you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish!

JOIN OUR TEAM!

What's it like to work as a Weight Watchers Receptionist or Leader? Many of our staffers have full-time jobs but devote one evening, a Saturday morning, or lunchtime to Weight Watchers. If you are at or near your Lifetime Goal Weight, plan to attend an Information Meeting and learn more about the rewarding employment opportunities that are available. Tell them Cyndi sent you!

- Mon Sep 10 @ 12 pm: Muncie Weight Watchers Center

- Mon Sep 10 @ 7 pm: Anderson Weight Watchers Center

- Mon Sep 17 @ 7 pm: Weight Watchers Indianapolis Eastside Center (9433 E Washington St)

- Wed Sep 26 @ 11:30 am: Downtown at First Indiana Plaza, 7^th Floor (135 N Pennsylvania)

ETOOLS PRIMER

Are you a Monthly Pass member, participating in a new 17-week At Work series, or an eTools subscriber? If so, then you have access to a wealth of information through www.weightwatchers.com! eTools has special features for men, online journaling, Flex and Core meal plans, video exercise routines, and much more! If you have access to eTools, I would encourage you to spend a few minutes trying out a new feature this week. If you are not a current subscriber and are interested, pick up a code for a two-week free trial at your next meeting.

ARTICLES OF NOTE

· Inspiring Stories of 2007

· Lifetime is a Lifestyle

· Back on Track Challenge

· Everyday Ways to Get Moving

While most of us know the benefits of moving more, many still don’t do it, or jump in, full-speed, and then quickly become bored or discouraged and give up. This meeting will help us network with others at our activity stage and explore specific ways we can gradually move more by progressing at a pace that is comfortable and sustainable. Are You Puzzled by Exercise? Bring your Points Booster and Move More booklet this week as we seek the solution!

Have a great week, everyone!

Cyndi

Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live.

~Jim Rohn

Quick Pasta Pesto

POINTS® Value: 8 | Servings: 4

(Can be made Core by using whole-wheat pasta and FF cheese. The pesto adds negligible POINTS when divided by eight servings.)

3 Tbsp pesto sauce, sun-dried tomato variety preferred

3 cup mixed vegetables, chopped, fresh or frozen

1 cup fat-free evaporated milk

4 cup cooked pasta

1 oz part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded

Heat a large nonstick pan coated with cooking spray. Add pesto sauce and vegetables; cook, stirring until softened, about 2 minutes. Add milk, bring to a boil and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in pasta and cheese; cook until heated through. Yields about 1 1/2 cups per serving.

Ten-Minute Tiramisu

From the new Best-Ever Desserts cookbook

POINTS® Value: 4 | Servings: 6

¾ cup boiling water

2 t instant espresso powder

1 t dark run or ½ t rum extract

1 T sugar or sugar substitute

1 5oz package sponge dessert shells

1 ½ (14 oz) package fat-free vanilla pudding cups

¾ c thawed fat-free whipped topping

2 T grated semi-sweet chocolate

Unsweetened cocoa powder

Combine the boiling water, espresso powder, rum, and sugar in a small bowl. Stir until dissolved. Set aside to cool slightly.

Put dessert shell onto a dessert plate. Brush with the espresso mixture until saturated and set aside.

Put the pudding into a medium bowl. Gently fold in the whipped topping with a rubber spatula. Divide evenly into each dessert shell. Sprinkle with grated chocolate and dust lightly with cocoa powder. Refrigerate until chilled, about one hour.

This recipe can be made a day ahead to allow the sponge shells to absorb all of the espresso flavor. Great recipe to serve for guests!

Four Steps to Making Your Dreams Come True

Hello, Weight Watchers! Did last week’s meetings open your eyes to some new resources, tips, or products that can help you with your weight-loss journey? I asked you to set a mini-goal for yourself this week. Have you taken any steps to reach it? We revisited the Four-Way Approach to Weight Loss and reviewed the program tools to help you reach your Winning Outcomes in each of the four areas. Resources can be found at Weight Watchers meetings, at www.weightwatchers.com, and in your member materials. Even though it may be overwhelming sometimes, You Have All the Resources You Need!

JOIN OUR TEAM!

What's it like to work as a Weight Watchers Receptionist or Leader? Many of our staffers have full-time jobs but devote one evening, a Saturday morning, or lunchtime to Weight Watchers. If you are at or near your Lifetime Goal Weight, plan to attend an Information Meeting and learn more about the rewarding employment opportunities that are available. Tell them Cyndi sent you!

- Mon Sep 10 @ 12 pm: Muncie Weight Watchers Center

- Mon Sep 10 @ 7 pm: Anderson Weight Watchers Center

- Mon Sep 17 @ 7 pm: Weight Watchers Indianapolis Eastside Center (9433 E Washington St)

- Wed Sep 26 @ 11:30 am: Downtown at First Indiana Plaza, 7^th Floor (135 N Pennsylvania)

TOP 10 SIGNS YOU'RE A WEIGHT WATCHERS MEMBER:

#10: You accidentally swallow toothpaste and wonder how many POINTS it was.

# 9: You feel your collar bone/ribs/hip bones and think something must be broken.

# 8: Everyone at your lunch table is asking you to figure the POINTS on their lunch.

# 7: Your child says there are too many POINTS in something s/he doesn't want to eat!

# 6: You quit sharing (Hey, I measured and know the exact POINTS, hands off!)

# 5: "On The Side" becomes the most uttered phrase in your vocabulary

# 4: You mark all the food boxes in the house with points per serving.

# 3: You replace your diploma with your 50 lb. award (which is really tougher to earn?)

# 2: You ask to bring in a curtain so you can weigh in naked.

# 1: You know where every public restroom is and the quickest way to get there!

HOLIDAY HELP

Enjoy your Labor Day holiday! We will not be meeting this week, but I thought you might still enjoy the e-mail. You are under no obligation to attend a meeting this week, but don’t forget that you have the option to attend any Weight Watchers center or traveling meeting by showing them the sticker on the front of your membership book. You can attend this week for an extra boost!

POPCORN PUZZLER

Popcorn is a great low-POINTS snack, and is on the Core plan, too! However, the nutrition information can be confusing. Weight Watchers has written an entire article just to clear this up!

ARTICLES OF NOTE

· Seven Small Steps to a Healthy You

· Cruising to Weight Goal

· A Baby-Step Workout

· Seven Steps to Losing Weight

September is a good time to regroup and reexamine our weight-loss goals. Actions can sometimes seem to lack direction if our Winning Outcomes are not defined first. This week, we will explore the four key criteria of a Winning Outcome and clarify our current Winning Outcomes or create a new one. We will also recognize and celebrate the “I wants” you’ve already achieved since joining Weight Watchers. Enjoy your Labor Day and join me for Four Steps to Making Your Dreams Come True!

Have a great week!

Cyndi

Knowing your destination is half the journey.

~Author Unknown

By member request

Frozen Watermelon Virgin Margaritas

From www.weightwatchers.com

POINTS® Value: 1
Servings: 4

• 4 cup watermelon, chunks, seeds removed
• 6 Tbsp fresh lime juice
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 4 cup ice cube(s)
• 1/8 tsp table salt
• 1/2 lime(s), cut into wedges for garnish

Combine all ingredients, except lime wedges, in a blender; purée until smooth. Divide among 4 glasses. Garnish with lime wedges. If desired, add one ounce of tequila to each serving (adds two POINTS per serving).

Classic Low-POINTS Margarita

POINTS® Value: 2 (0 if made without tequila)
Servings: 1

· 6 oz. no-cal lemon-lime soda

· 1.5 oz. tequila

· 1/2 tsp. Weight Watchers Mix-Ins powdered drink mix, Lemonade (Raspberry for a fun twist!)

· 1 oz. lime juice

· Optional: lime slice for garnish and salt or no-calorie sweetener for rim of glass

Directions:

If desired, run some lime juice along the rim of the glass and dip into a dish of salt