Someone trying to tell me something?

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

I've been lurking here, yet again, ever since I asked about Contours Express. And today I came across 2 posts that so related to me, I just had to post myself. So I have to wonder if someone is trying to tell me something...like it's time to try again and to not be afraid???

A week ago Monday I joined Contours Express. I was hoping that it would help me with weight loss or at least build up some stamina for our forthcoming trip to WDW (5 weeks, but who's counting). I changed my work schedule so that I could get home earlier and get down there and work out. I hate going some days, but I love the way I feel later. Like Curves (or so I hear), the idea is to do 2 "rounds" . But you start off by doing some stationary bike work for 3 minutes, move to the machines (with low stepping in between each machine) and then end up with the ab roller (for as long as you can handle it -- I can't handle much. 10 of those things and I'm done!) and stretching. Contours is open 6 days a week, and I've gone every day thus far. I walk down (easy) and back (not easy -- up hill) when the weather permits. This week with all the rain we've had I drove 3 days, but made sure I biked longer and did 3 rounds.

I am trying to eat better, but here is my main problem and maybe someone out there can help me. I do fine during the day. I bring my breakfast/lunch to work and stay healthy. It's when I get home that I have the complete breakdown. I start to eat dinner and just let my "old self" (aka bad habits) take over. Same problem with the weekends. Any suggestions? Or anyone else who deals with something similar?

As for my eating plan. I did WW long ago and I'm trying to do their points plan as I was taught it without going to WW (because I can't afford WW and Contours). But I definitely have difficulty staying within the point range.

Any way, enough of my blathering on here.

Happy & Healthy Halloween to all (has anyone ever considered giving out small trinkets instead of candy? No I haven't done it, but I was wondering if it might be cheaper and healthier to hand out Halloween pens/pencil from Oriental Trading than the junk that we've got in our house).

 

[nativetxn]

It's good to see you here again. Eating in the evening can be a problem for all of us. Contours sounds like a terrific work out, I'll bet you do great with it.

Are you journaling your intake? That might help you. If you know exactly how many points remain each day, perhaps you could limit yourself to that number in the evening.

Be sure and have lots of legal foods ready to go for the evenings. Carrot sticks, fruit, sugarfree jello. Whatever is low point, so that you can reach for that instead of something that is likely to put you over your allowance for the day.

I understand there is a new twist to WW, called "flex points". I don't know if this would help you at all but I'll bet some of our WW WISHers could explain it to you.

Good luck with this, I sure hope you will start to visit WISH more often, it's a great place.

Katholyn

Katholyn

 

[DoeWDW]

Boy, can I ever relate to the "after work meltdown" - well, at least that's what I've come to call it. I do so well at work because I take my food and I have a routine and I DON'T have a kitchen with lots of extra food in it.

Then I get home and all bets are off!! There are certain things I've started doing that help.

First, I try to have a late afternoon snack before I leave work, so that I am not STARVING when I walk in the door at home.

Then, I like to KNOW what I'm making for dinner before I get home so that I am not just searching for something fast and easy (and usually not on my eating plan!).

The third thing that really helps, if I've missed either of the other two, is that I try to keep a legal treat handy that I can have when I walk in the door. I usually have sugar-free Jello and whipped cream but I low-carb - don't know what you can have on WW. This keeps me from cruising the kitchen for anything that isn't nailed down.

I hope this helps. The weekends are a similar scenario - eat before I become ravenous, plan my meals ahead of time and have the ingredients on hand and have legal treats or snacks that will get me through in a pinch.

Good luck and visit here often. WISHing keeps me motivated!!

 

[ead79]

I can also relate to after-work meltdown. I have a few strategies that I use to try to keep me from eating too many points. First of all, I try to leave plenty of points for dinner and for a small snack or dessert afterwards. Since I don't have as much trouble sticking to the program at work, it's easier if I allot fewer points to the day hours. Also, I try to plan each day ahead of time, so I know how many points I need to save for dinner and a small snack. I also try to find low-point dinners that are very filling. I really like the Turkey Mac Skillet recipe in the WW recipes thread at the top of the WISH board. It's only 4 points per serving, and it's very filling. I also try to drink when I think I might be a little hungry. Sometimes it doesn't turn out to be real hunger, just the need for water. Lastly, I try to have a few low point things around in case I really am still hungry like popcorn cakes, jello, applesauce, etc. Hope that helps!

If there is any way you can scrounge up the money, I do encourage you to go to the WW meetings if you can. I think they are really helpful with staying on track and motivated, even when I have a down week.

 

[ohMom]

AHMom - I too can relate to the meltdown point and weekend struggles. You have already gotten some great advice so I just want to add that part of this is your mindset too. You need to be at a place where wanting the healthier/leaner body overtakes the desire to munch. Take it day by day and don't beat yourself up if you fall off one day. Just pick up the next day and move on. You will gradually feel stronger to resist those temptations, take pride the days when you overcome the urge! It's hard, very hard!

(I have been on WW on my own all along and found great support here on WISH - but I would strongly suggest a PM buddy that you check-in with daily or close to it for accountability and encouragement)

BTW - I bought stickers one year to pass out for Halloween, individual ones from Oriental Trading and my DH - the passer-outer-was mortified!!! Every year now he says "DON'T BUY STICKERS!!" Actually he said little girls liked it, but the boys were majorly disappointed; so I'm forbidden to pull a stunt like that again!!

 

[nativetxn]

Molli, do you think our dh's just stay little boys in some ways? When my husband found out that I wasn't buying or handing out anything this year he was SO disappointed. He agreed with my reasoning (only 5 trick or treaters last year) but still was very disappointed that we weren't handing out treats. Sort of sweet in a way.