Emotional Hunger vs. Physical Hunger

Hello, Weight Watchers! How did you Move More this week? Activity has so many benefits beyond weight loss - lower blood pressure, reduced pressure on joints, elevated mood, lower LDL cholesterol, higher metabolism, just to name a few! I know it can be hard to make the time for activity, but find ways to sneak it in, make YOU a priority, and make it enjoyable!

Dear Diary,
For my 50th birthday, my husband, the dear, purchased a week of personal training at the local health club for me.

Although I am still in great shape since playing on my high school softball team, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try.

I called the club and made my reservations with a personal trainer I'll call Bruce, who identified himself as a 26 year old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swim wear.

My husband seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started. The club encouraged me to keep this diary to chart my progress...

Monday: Started my day at 6:00 a.m. Tough to get out of bed, but found it was well worth the effort when I arrived at the health club and found Bruce waiting for me. He is something of a Greek God! with blonde hair, dancing blue eyes and a dazzling white smile. Woo Hoo!!!

Bruce gave me a tour and showed me the machines. He took my pulse after five minutes on the treadmill. He was alarmed that my pulse was so fast, but I attribute it to standing next to him in his Lycra aerobic outfit. I enjoyed watching the skillful way in which he conducted his aerobics class after my workout today. Very inspiring!

Bruce was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time he was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week!

Tuesday: I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door. Bruce made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air, then he put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. Bruce's rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT!! It's a whole new life for me!!!

Wednesday: The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying on the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or to stop. I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot. Bruce was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered the other club members. His voice is a little too perky for early in the morning and when he scolds he gets this nasally whine that is VERY annoying. My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Bruce put me on the stair monster. Why the heck would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Bruce told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. He said some other useless sh** too!

Thursday: Bruce was waiting for me with his vampire-like teeth exposed as his thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being half an hour late, it took me that long to tie my shoes! Bruce took me to work out with dumbbells. When he was not looking, I ran and hid in the men's room. He sent Lars in to find me, then, as punishment, put me on the rowing machine, which I promptly sank!

Friday: I hate that son-of-a b**** Bruce more than any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic little cheerleader wanna-be! If there was a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat him with it! Bruce wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps!!! And if you don't want dents in the floor don't hand me the %&$#&%&# barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich! (which I am sure you learned in the sadist school you attended and graduated magna cum laude!)

The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher. Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like the drama coach of the choir director?

Saturday: Bruce left a message on my answering machine in his grating, shrill voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing him made me want to smash the machine with my planner. However, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven straight hours of the *&$%^$& weather channel!!!

Sunday: I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank God that this week is over. I will also pray that next year my husband will choose a gift for me that is fun---- like a root canal or hysterectomy.


HEALTHY TIP FOR CHEAP OF THE WEEK
Pre-portioned foods are a godsend, but often a LOT more expensive than their bulk-packaged cousins. Invest the $40 in a food scale that you'll get tons of other use out of and make your own pre-portioned snacks with sandwich baggies.

♫ ♪♫♪ ARTICLES OF NOTE ♫ ♪♫♪
Many people turn to food for reasons other than actual hunger, because they associate the experience of eating with the sensation of comfort. It's easy to see how this can sabotage weight loss and maintenance, and how it can lead to weigh gain. If hunger isn't the question, food is not the answer - find out some better solutions at this week's meeting!

Have a great week, everyone! I'll see you at your meeting.

Cyndi

Hunger is the best sauce.
--Cervantes

Moving Matters

Hello, Weight Watchers! Were you able to fit in more Filling Foods this week? Did you feel more satisfied? Filling Foods not only help us stretch our Points, but they also fulfill the Good Health Guidelines and provide the nutrients our bodies need to stay strong and healthy!

JANUARY TRACKING CHALLENGE
In light of last week's topic, I am holding a Tracking Challenge for the next four weeks. At this week's meeting, if you have tracked everything that went into your mouth for the previous week (irrespective of staying within your points or fulfilling the GHGs, though I encourage both for maximum success), you will have earned an entry into a Grand Prize drawing! Simply write your name on the front of a weekly tracker and drop it into the bag I will provide. There will be a drawing for a WW goodie bag of prizes at your meeting the week of Jan 31.

WINTER SNACK SALE *FINAL WEEK*
Do the winter blahs have you reaching into the pantry for a sweet or salty snack? Reach for a portion-controlled Weight Watchers Just 2 POINTS bar or salty snack instead for the low price of $3.50 per box until January 23! This is a great time to try our new Roasted Almond Sensation Just 2 POINTS bar!

Believe You Can Do It

Never say, "I'm beaten,"
For better or for worse.
Never say, "I'm defeated,"
Or you'll never quench your thirst.

No one's ever perfect,
Losing is in style.
So accept your defeat acquiescently,
And take it with a smile.

Never give up, never look back,
Be always on your feet.
Just say, "I must, I can and I will,"
And success will be your treat.

In life there are many chances,
It's always on the run.
So keep on moving, hoping and trying,
Until one day, you know you've won.

HEALTHY FOR CHEAP TIP OF THE WEEK
Frozen fruits and vegetables may actually contain more nutrients than fresh and can be stored for a long time. Wait for a good sale and stock up!

♫ ♪♫♪ ARTICLES OF NOTE ♫ ♪♫♪
We all know that physical activity is good for us, but we don't always want to do it. For many of us, exercise is a low priority, something we do sporadically, if at all. Contributing to this is the misconception that exercise has to be time-consuming, difficult, demanding, or a drag. In this week's meeting, we'll discuss how to make exercise a good fit with our lives, find activities we enjoy, and make moving more a priority.

Have a great week, everyone! I'll see you at your meeting!

Cyndi

Enter every activity without giving mental recognition to the possibility of defeat. Concentrate on your strengths instead of your weaknesses, on your powers instead of your problems.
--Paul J. Meyer

Staying Satisfied: The Secret of Success

Hello, Weight Watchers! I know it's been a few weeks since the Weekly came out, and I do apologize. Like so many of us, I over-scheduled a bit over the holidays and needed a little mental break from my Weight Watchers responsibilities. I'm not a big New Year's resolution person, but having two weeks more or less off has really let me breathe for a little bit, and come back with fresh resolve, motivation, and perspective.

Last week, we talked tracking. I'm in the middle of my second week back to tracking after a hiatus of at least a month or so. What is keeping you from tracking what you eat and drink? Are you successful without tracking? If not, what can you change to have more success in 2010?

JANUARY TRACKING CHALLENGE
In light of last week's topic, I am holding a Tracking Challenge for the next four weeks. At this week's meeting, if you have tracked everything that went into your mouth for the previous week (irrespective of staying within your points or fulfilling the GHGs, though I encourage both for maximum success), you will have earned an entry into a Grand Prize drawing! Simply write your name on the front of a weekly tracker and drop it into the bag I will provide. There will be a drawing for a WW goodie bag of prizes at your meeting the week of Jan 31.

WINTER SNACK SALE
Do the winter blahs have you reaching into the pantry for a sweet or salty snack? Reach for a portion-controlled Weight Watchers Just 2 POINTS bar or salty snack instead for the low price of $3.50 per box until January 23! This is a great time to try our new Roasted Almond Sensation Just 2 POINTS bar!

WEIGHT WATCHERS AT WORK
January is a great time for everyone at your workplace to get healthy together! Weight Watchers At Work brings all the support and accountability of a traditional Weight Watchers meeting directly to you at your place of business! If you have at least 15 people in your office who would like to join a convenient, right-where-you-work meeting at whatever day or time is convenient for you, please call 1-800-8ATWORK and ask for Jodie Amell to get started!

Twas the week after Christmas, and all through the house
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.

The cookies I`d nibbled, the eggnog I`d taste,
All the holiday parties had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
I should have stayed in bed and continued to slumber.

I`d remember the marvelous meals I`d prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,

The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
and the way I`d never said, "No thank you, please."

As I squeezed in my jeans and favorite top
I held my breath, not wanting the buttons to pop

Finally, I said to myself, as only I can,
"I guess it’s time to try and lose weight again!

I’m back Weight Watchers to lose all this weight.
A meeting each week is an unbreakable date!

I’ve decided right now to make a change of lifestyle
So I sit here in my Weight Watchers meeting with a smile

Envisioning my goal in the morning and at night,
I’ll keep focused by eating what I know is just right.
Each sticker I’ll savor as a well earned prize
On my way to good health and a smaller waist size.

Gladly I’ll give up high blood pressure and cholesterol,
With a little less chocolate and one less hot roll?

Patience and planning are important, you see,
So that in due time, you’ll see the new me!

Thank you Weight Watchers, for the Momentum Plan.
I know I will make it, as you show me I can.

HEALTHY FOR CHEAP TIP OF THE WEEK
Make a list and stick to it. Not only does this prevent impulse buys, but it will also help you to check your fridge/pantry before you shop so you're not buying things you already have at home.

♫ ♪♫♪ ARTICLES OF NOTE ♫ ♪♫♪

For us to be successful with weight loss, it's essential that we are satisfied with our food choices. Feeling hungry or bored may make us more vulnerable to those everyday temptations - the receptionist's candy dish or idly perusing the cupboards at home - that can get us off track. This week, we'll discuss the foods that fuel a healthy body, fill us physically, and really satisfy. Join us for some new ideas!

Have a great week, everyone! I'll see you at your meeting!

Cyndi
We are built to conquer environment, solve problems, achieve goals, and we find no real satisfaction or happiness in life without obstacles to conquer and goals to achieve.
--Maxwell Maltz

p.s. If you were once a Traditional meetings member, and are interested in re-joining, call Weight Watchers at (800) 651-6000 and dial four to see if we have any membership specials! ;-)