WellCommons

Weight Watchers Quick Tip of the Day: Sandwich Thins

Yes, I do enter everything I eat into a calculator/app. When you join weight watchers you get access to their online e-tools and their smart phone app.

A lot of the guesswork is taken out of it by Weight Watchers. They have books (or online tools) that can tell you automatically the point value of most foods. There is also a recipe builder function in the e-tools that I use when I make a new recipe and want to know the points per serving.

It takes time to enter everything I eat, but that is what really helps me (and I'd have to be doing the same thing if I were counting calories, right? I'd have to look up the calories in everything I ate and write it down to keep track, so it's a very similar process).

After awhile you learn the values of the things you eat most and you don't have to look it up anymore. I rarely have to plug a lot of things into a calculator now - I've been at it for 17 weeks and by the 4th week I had most of my regular things down pat.

I think it's a better approach than just counting calories, but it's because the whole "program" works for me. I like the accountability of the weigh in, and I get a lot out of our weekly meetings.

On Weight Watchers, you can eat fruits and vegetables for "free" - ie, they have a zero points plus value. This is an "encouragement" to snack on healthy things rather than chips or other less nutritional choices.

Also, it takes into account the nutritional value (carb, fiber, protein, etc) of the things you eat instead of just the caloric value.

To get "full access" to Weight Watchers, it costs me $39.99 a month, which is a slightly discounted rate I get for doing Weight Watchers at Work. I think regular members pay something like $45 but don't quote me on that. If you are not interested in weigh ins or meetings, you can just get access to the online e-tools for approximately $20 a month (I think, but since I don't do it that way, I'm not sure).

I am so happy to answer your questions. Keep em coming!

May 18, 2012 at 9:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Weight Watchers Quick Tip of the Day: Sandwich Thins

Sometimes the points aren't what they seem. Like, half a sandwich thin bun is 1 point, but a whole one is 3. This is because items with a decent amount of dietary fiber usually get a lower points plus value. But there are diminishing returns on that fiber, so when you start adding portions, you don't get as much bang out of it in the algorithm. Does that make sense?

May 17, 2012 at 3:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Weight Watchers Quick Tip of the Day: Sandwich Thins

Weight Watchers assigns a Points Plus value to all foods.

It is an algorithm based on carbs, fat, fiber, and protein.

How many points a day you get depends on your BMI. Anywhere from 27 - mid-30's (not sure how high). As you lose weight, your daily point allowance decreases.

When you go on maintenance, it goes up a tiny bit since you are no longer trying to lose, but just to stay at your goal weight.

May 17, 2012 at 2:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Weight Watchers Quick Tip of the Day: Sandwich Thins

Fanaddict -

My first batch did. Now I keep them in the fridge and they stay good for a very long time.

May 17, 2012 at 1:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Mothers say placenta consumption beneficial in postpartum recovery

I know for a fact that my placenta was "used up" - I think the doctor's words were, "That's pretty ratty." Biohazard bin. Bye bye. It did a great job. I thank it for its role in making my baby. That is all.

May 4, 2012 at 10:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Thinking about dieting? Stop that.

Yes, Jamie, I considered nixing that word from the column even, but to be honest, I still think of what I'm doing as dieting. It's a new diet, as opposed to my old diet, and no matter what you call it, it is what it is. But more than anything, it's a process or a journey, absolutely.

May 2, 2012 at 8:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Chief financial officer Simon Scholtz key to Lawrence Memorial Hospital's turnaround

I agree - we'll all feel his absence. He's brilliant and kind. An amazing combination in a leader.

April 25, 2012 at 8:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Douglas County providing prenatal care for more immigrants; health department says service gap remains

Prenatal care is different, and all of you know it. Remember that children born here are citizens, even if their parents aren't. Shame on all of you.

April 25, 2012 at 1:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

It's All About Balance

I prefer weight training to cardio. When I used to work out regularly, I alternated days doing resistance training and cardio. I had great results. I have often read that (especially for women) weight training is very important. I get great results from it, when I have time to do it!

April 24, 2012 at 1:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Filling Up on 450 calories

I wouldn't probably eat that big white bun either. I'd slap that chicken on a whole wheat Arrowwheat sandwich thin, or wrap it in a low carb tortilla. I sometimes need at least a bit of bread or starch with a meal to feel full enough. Just veggies and protein alone doesn't really do it for me.

April 24, 2012 at 1:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )