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Sep. 1st, 2007

[info]0nly_human

Recipe of the Week

Quick Gumbo

Authentic gumbo begins with a roux, which is made by cooking flour in butter until it's a deep rich brown, and ends with file powder, which is stirred in after the gumbo is removed from the heat. Our easy version of this Creole favorite showcases shrimp, chicken, and kielbasa in a savory broth. Use frozen silced okra if your market doesn't have fresh.

Makes 4 servings.

4 teaspoons olive oil
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
6 scallions, sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
2 cups Basic Chicken Stock or low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup trimmed sliced fresh or thawed frozen okra
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1/8-1/4 teaspon cayenne
1/2 cup regular long-grain rice
1/2 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/4 pound skinless boneless chicken breast, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 (2-inc) piece kielbasa, cut into 8 slices


1. In a large nonstick saucepan over medium heat, heat the oil. Saute the bell pepper, celery, scallions, and garlic until softened, about 5 minutes, Stir in the tomatoes, stock, okra, thyme, bay leaf, and cayenne; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, 15 minutes.

2. Stir in the rice and simmer, covered, 15 minutes. Add the shrimp, chicken, and kielbasa; simmer, covered, until the shrimp is pink, the chicken is cooked through, and the rice is tender, about 5 minutes longer, Discard the bay leaf.

Per serving (1/4 of soup); 295 Cal, 8g Fat, 2g Sat Fat, 0g Trans Fat, 104mg Chol, 651mg Sod, 35g Carb, 4g Fib, 22g Prot, 108mg Calc.

Points value: 6

Source: WeightWatchers New Complete Cookbook

[info]grievous_angel

Just had my first go on my new step machine and have burned off 100 calories in 11 minutes - not bad for me, I think! It can only improve as I get used to it (and stop falling off the back of it of course, but that was only to be expected). Will do it again Monday morning (must warn [info]trueriver about the strange, potentially embarrassing rhythmical noises coming from the room above her head...) Three times a week to start with, apparently, building up the length of time you do it. I'll have calf muscles like - a person with large calf muscles before I know where I am. Funny because to start with I was thinking, well this isn't doing much and then by the end of it my calves were pulling like crazy. Must be doing me good...

*collapses*

Aug. 31st, 2007

[info]0nly_human

WI week 18!

Well I gained .6 this week. I think it's because it's that time of the month. Oh how I loath bloating. Which also means for the 3rd strait week I've been at the same weight. I'm stuck in a rut. I also have been feeling so awful. I made a doctors appt for next week. I have a feeling I'm going to be diagnosed with depression which is scary for me. I hate being on medication.

Something really cool happened this week. We were talking about resources and one person was talking about meetings and how she liked seeing how everyone else was doing. And TWO people said I was an inspiration to them because they could see me getting smaller. Can you imagine that?? I'm an inspiration to someone. That just shocks me. You can click here to see some before and after pictures.

[info]petermaxwell

Meh.

I hate plateaus.

Gained .2 this week, which equates to about two ounces. Which could easily be eliminated due to the fact that I had to pee when she weighed me.

I need to watch my points better, and make sure I'm getting them all in and not going over like I'm sure I did last night when we went to Red Robin.

I finally got my hands on one of the organizers, they've been out for a while at my meetings and they had ONE sitting there this week that was marked down to $5. I snagged it, and am going to use it to help clean out my Purse-O-Doom that I could likely cripple a man with. Having my WW stuff in one spot will also (hopefully) help me remember to keep track better.

SW - 235
CW - 223
GW - 130

Aug. 29th, 2007

[info]wretchedpixie

First meeting....again.

Well, I made it to the first meeting yesterday. Mom was *very* glad to see me. I was glad to see I hadn't gained back *all* I'd lost last time out. I came out 5.2 pounds ahead. *snicker* Background: four years ago, I started WW and lost 76.2 pounds. Seems I gained 71 back. So, I know I can lose it. This time, I have to work on keeping it off.

Starting: 238.8
Current: 238.8
Goal: 215

I want that 10% first, then I'll decide on the final goal. Although, I'm kinda hoping I can make it to 145.

Aug. 23rd, 2007

[info]petermaxwell

Well it could have been worse.

Just got back from my meeting, and while it wasn't BAD, it could have been better. Even with mucking up my knee, I lost .8 lbs this week. My lowest loss yet, but hey. I COULD HAVE GAINED, right? I keep telling myself that.

Today at the meeting, Yvonne gave out these little foam letters and numbers, one to each person and we talked about making them an 'anchor' to keep us on track. People had good ideas! One woman who got the letter 'O', said that she was going to use it to stay 'On target'. The fact that it looks like a little bullseye helps too. I was one of the ones that got numbers. Now a lot of people with little numbers were like '2 pounds lost' or '3 days of exercising' which are damned good goals. I got the number 8 and decided mine would be '8 more minutes of walking a day'. Not much, but definitely do-able considering I already try to walk more and walk a mile at work during my lunches.

My knee is doing much better today too, so I'll be able to start the walking thing again next week, likely.

OH! 0nly_human? You have your meetings on Walnut Bottom on Fridays at noon right? It IS the same Yvonne! She just told me today she does those meetings in Carlisle on Fridays. We have the same group leader!

SW: 235
CW: 223
GW: 130

[info]eawen_penallion

Weekly Weigh Day

I've just returned from my weekly meeting - and registered as having lost 3 lbs this week! I am delighted as I was on enforced rest for 5 days due to an infection from an insect bite at my ankle. That has cleared up (thank goodness) but I do have to say I resisted temptation to indulge on the food in the house. Mind you, sleeping most of the morning and having breakfast at noon did help shorten the day.

I also went for a fabulous meal out with the girls. Following the untimely death of a mutual friend many years ago we resolved to hold a monthly restaurant/home visit in her memory. We love it and the gossip just goes on all night. This restaurant serves Spanish-style tapas, none of which were particularly low calorie :-/ AND I indulged in a creme brulee to finish!

So I am now having a dinner of vegeratian schnitzel, baby potatoes and fried mushrooms (cooked in spray fat) followed by sugar-free jelly and yoghurt.

My total in four weeks of WW is now 10.5 lbs GONE :-)


Aug. 22nd, 2007

[info]petermaxwell

*Crossing fingers*

I have my weekly weigh-in tomorrow and I'm a bit nervous. I haven't been eating my allotment of 'points' this week on some days, but have been going a bit over on other days, it's just the way my appetite goes. Also, my daily walking to work off some of the extras is now on hold thanks to me completely mucking up my knee yesterday at work. After falling UP a set of stairs, I'm in a knee brace, look like someone took a 2x4 to my leg and am hobbling around a bit better today than I was yesterday. I'm just lucky it wasn't broken.

Wish me luck!

SW: 235
CW: 224 (as of last weigh-in)
GW: 130

Aug. 21st, 2007

[info]eawen_penallion

Red Pepper Lasagne

In response to </a></strong></a>[info]grievous_angel and her request for a few recipes, this is one that I have always enjoyed. It comes from 'The Pure Points' WeightWatchers cookbook by Sue Ashworth.


Aug. 19th, 2007

[info]grievous_angel

Intro

Hi

I've just joined IJ and I hope that this is the place where I can get a little support for what I need. I'm English, 45 and as I'm sure we all are, a struggler when it comes to my weight.

Although I am no longer an 'active' member of WW - I achieved my goal last year after a mammoth (literally!) loss of over 100lb, and now weigh in at a reasonably trim 9st 8lb 137lb (62kg), I'm looking for somewhere I can come for tasty recipes and a little bit of moral support when it comes to maintaining - at the moment I'm having more trouble making sure that I don't lose any more rather than gain any owing to some drastic changes I made in my diet, and so now I'm looking for things to replace what I cut out.

I also hope that perhaps I can offer a little moral and practical support for any fellow strugglers.

Thanks, and here's hoping!

Cassie
x

This is what I looked like BWW (Before WW) )

And this is now - so it works! )

Aug. 18th, 2007

[info]petermaxwell

Welcome!

To all the people who have joined, welcome to our little community! It's so good to see others going through what we're going through, and sharing stories of what works and what doesn't.

To the person who wanted veggie WW recipies, I don't have any just yet, but I'll see what I can find.

Lemme introduce myself. I'm 33, live in Harrisburg PA and work with . I started WW in May of this year and have had some ups and downs... The BIG down being a 4.4 gain a week or so ago. ><;

However, I started at 235 and am now at about 224-ish, so it's still not bad. I'm about halfway to my 10% goal.

My main problem is that I'm HORRIBLE with counting points, and I'm horrible with sticking to the Core plan. So, I try to find a happy medium. I know ABOUT what I can eat to get my points in, and I know that if I go over by a couple points, I'm okay thanks to the 35 'cheater' points we get.

As long as I don't overdo it, I'm fine. :) I've been pretty steadily losing weight, other than that one slip up, and a couple of 1lb gains previously. But I'm getting there!

[info]bodleian

My first attempt at posting in this journal. Thank-you Only_Human - I really appreciate you taking the time to help me.
I really only wanted to introduce myself. I am a 51 year old high school librarian from Australia. Because I am an Australian I talk about kilos - not pounds. However, for some reason, I have never been able to convert feet to metres so I talk about my height at being 5ft, 3 inches. I joined WW last year and have lost 12 kilos but I need to lose another 25. A serious knee injury when I was 24 means that I need to lose this weight before I need an knee replacement - hopefully not for many years yet.
I'm really pleased to find this group as I think the support will be invaluable.
Looking forward to hearing from you all.

Aug. 19th, 2007

[info]eawen_penallion

Weightwatcher in Ireland

Hi! I've been a Weightwatcher for many years - too many! I know all the rules but I often lack the incentive to follow them. During my most successful attempt I lost nearly 60 lbs, but then Christmas came and down I went again.

I rejoined WW three weeks ago, after being nagged encouraged by my husband. So far I have lost 7.5 lbs, 5.5 in the first week then 1.5 and last week it was 0.5. I know any weight loss is good but I was really doing well on the Core plan. I am demi-vegetarian, meaning that I don't eat meat but I do have fish and eggs etc. My husband is lacto-ovo vegetarian.

I think that one of the problems with the Core plan for me is balancing my protein - even though I love them, there are only so many salmon steaks I can eat, and although I use quorn (fillets, pieces and mince) and tofu, I really haven't got my head around adapting recipes that don't use disallowed food items.

The next few days are going to be difficult as I have injured my ankle and am on sick leave, with orders to put my foot up and rest. This, in a house where (because of a two for one offer at the store) my daughter has at least two tubs of Ben and Jerry's in the freezer!

Anyway, does anyone have any good vegetarian Core plan recipes they would like to share? Or know of any good sites that have some?

Thanks in advance

Eawen

Aug. 17th, 2007

[info]0nly_human

Week 16! (x-posted)

So after my constipation issues last night (don't ask) I didn't get much sleep and I'm incredibly gassy today. I haven't been feeling well because of above issues so I wasn't eating all my points and I wasn't exercising. I didn't loose this week, but on the bright side I didn't gain either. Thankfully. I'll just have to try real hard this week if I can get rid of second said issue. Hope you guys have a good week!

SW: 316
CW: 284
GW: 150

[info]wretchedpixie

Hello, all.

I'm doing the Weight Watchers thing again. Last time, I lost 75 pounds. I've managed to put most of it back on. Take one gall bladder operation, one long term bout of depression and just plain old me not having the willpower, well, I undid all the good I had managed to do.

But I'm tired of being tired. Tired of being sad. Tired of being unhealthy. I can't actually rejoin WW until August 21, but I'm trying to get back into the mindset. Ya know what gets me? When I had the right mindset, even if I'd had a bad week, it was okay. I miss the meetings. I'm so excited to be going back.

Here's to an OP day to everyone! Hugs and smiles.

My stats:
Height: 5'5"
Weight: 238.7 (Not official, but it was on a home WW scale. I'll know the offical weight on th 21st.)
Goal: 145
Mini goal: Not to chicken out before the 21st and actually make it to that first meeting.

[info]cinderbella84

Hello! *tiny wave*

I'm Jackie, 22, 5'10" and about 359 pounds. I'm not a Weight Watchers member, but I am watching my weight, amirite?? :D

So...

SW: 370
CW: 359 (down 11 pounds!)
GW: 200

My goal weight is rather high for my height, but I'm very broad and wide set. I have wide hips and shoulders. Any less than about 180 and I'd look skeletal. So that's what I'm aiming for. :) I have a mini-goal of 350 pounds. I've been watching what I eat and walking at lunchtime for about 3 months now. Sloooooowly taking it off. I don't want to push myself too hard or anything. I want to make gradual changes in how I live my life. :)

I'm a member of MyFoodDiary and it has been an invaluable resource. It's $9 a month to join, but totally worth it. :D

Um....yup. That's me. :D Hi!

Jackie

Aug. 15th, 2007

[info]0nly_human

Hello!

I was an avid user of livejournal. After a bad expierence and some goading from a co-worker I decided to start using insanejournal. On livejournal I was a member of a few weight loss communities that helped tremendously. That is why I created this community. Here are my stats:

SW: 316
CW: 285
GW: 150

I've been a member of weight watchers since May of 2007. It's been a long hard journal but I'm coming out of this a better healthier person. Feel free to post rants, questions, and anything else you can think of here.

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