Tips

This is a list of things I have learned along the way... as to whether I follow them all the time is a different story!

• Drink a lot of water and then drink some more!!!
• Exercise, but do something you enjoy and keep changing your routine.
• Lift weights: This will make you stronger and able to burn more calories!!
• Don't deprive yourself, or if you are like me you will snap and eat everything in site. This may happen anyways but not depriving yourself will help!!
• Go to the weight watchers meetings if you are a member. I call it my weekly therapy!!
• Have a plan! Whether it is for Christmas Dinner or going out with friends. I find it is harder to break my resolve when I have a plan!!!
• If you have a lot of weight to lose, separate it into mini goals!
• Create a support team of friends!! (Thanks Trevor, Paulene, Mom, Aunt Wilma, Angie and Megan!!)
• I know that losing weight slowly sucks…. but I truly believe that if you take your time losing it, it will stay off!!
• Imagine yourself at goal, because if you can see it you can get there!!
• If you want to feel like eating something you know you shouldn't … walk away and do something else. If you still want it later then have it. I find sometimes by walking away that I don't want it anymore or I get involved in what I am doing and I forget about it!
• Take you points finder to the grocery store.
• Try new things!
• Have an anchor, like a ring or a key chain that will help you out of your daze and make you remember your goal!!
• If you bite it, you write it.
• Be careful of the "Just one Bite" syndrome. The first bite usually tastes like more!!
• Be aware of everything around you including food!!
• Expect to get frustrated sometimes. I call this my inner spoiled child who likes to have a tantrum because she cannot eat what ever she wants. Just breathe and if she takes over, tomorrow is a new day.

Food Ideas

The following is a list of the foods that I could not live with out. If anyone has any more tips or food suggestions please email me and i will put them on the follwing lists!

Skinny Cow: www.skinnycow.com Anything by these guys is awesome!

La Vache Quirit Light: At only 1 point for two triangles these are amazing in salads, on toast and sandwiches, on crackers, or by themselves

Clover Leaf Flavored Tuna: http://66.111.66.210/product.php Most of these are two points and a few are 3 for the whole can 85g. You can get Lemon & Pepper; Sun dried Tomato & Basil, Tomato & Onion, Spicy Thai Chili, and Satay Peanut. My favorite is lemon & Pepper at two points!! You can put these on a sandwich, wrap, on a salad or just eat them out of the can!!

Weight Watcher's Bread: It is hard to find weight watcher's products in Canada, but we do have the bread. 60% whole wheat, white and raisin. The white and whole wheat are 1 point for two slices. I live off of this stuff!!! The raisin is 3 points for two slices but makes a nice snack!

Dole Bagged Salad: dole.com I go through about 3 bags a week of this stuff. It is no fuss!!! Just be sure when you buy it the date is good and it does not look soggy.

Presidents Choice Blue Menu products: www.presidentschoice.ca I buy the frozen dinners, the jams, salad dressings, crackers and other items. They make a weight watcher's life much easier!!

Quaker Rice Cakes: www.quakeroats.com My favorites are the Chocolate Chip Caramel or Cracker Jack Butter Toffee. I prefer to buy the large ones that are 1 point each. The little ones are too easy to overeat.

Source Yogurt: www.yoplait.ca Fat Free and Aspartame free!!! 1 point each!! They come in Strawberry, Field berry, Peach, Raspberry, Blueberry, Blackberry / Strawberry, Nectarine, Strawberry-Vanilla, Blueberry-Vanilla, Citrus Tango-Vanilla, Apple Crumble-Vanilla, Lemon Meringue Parfait, Chocolate Cherry Fondue, Strawberry Chantilly, Raspberry Cranberry Crumble. The last five are desert ones and are amazing