Information Is Power

Even though I am surrounded by conversation at my job, I love to listen to talk radio when I am in my car. I enjoy hearing different points of view. I like to know what's going on the world and I want to base my opinions on information. The more the better.

This is not the place to talk politics, but everyone is talking about the health care bill. And it seems more information is coming out about it everyday. One thing in the bill is the requirement that any restaurant with 20 or more stores must post nutrition information on the menu boards. The host of the radio show I was listening to was saying she was not in favor of this regulation, because the board udpates will cost business owners money in a time when the economy is bad. That is true. She also went on to say that people should know when they go into McDonald's, that a Big Mac is not a health food. And if you don't - you're stupid.

Well, I thought, giving people information about the food they put in their BODY is not stupid. And McDonald's is not the only chain restaurant. The host actually used a Dunkin' Donuts example stating the misinformation about bran muffins vs donuts. A customer may really want a donut, but instead chooses the bran muffin, thinking it's a healthier choice. Now neither food is healthy, but the donut is less calories. So the person may be "sacrificing" for no reason at all, except misinformation. In response, a chain store owner said he has nutrition flyers available, but no one asks for them. Well, I know my members usually look on line before they go, so they don't have to ask, but most people are not going to hold up a line to ask about the calories in a Subway chicken sandwich. Most people think a vinaigrette salad dressing is light on calories, but it is not. The facts don't lie and the information is power. You can CHOOSE to have the highest calorie item on the menu, but it's best for you to make that decision on knowledge.

I called the radio station and basically when I told her that I was a Weight Watchers leader and that most people are surprised at the true calorie counts, both good and bad, she just said if someone is on WW, they shouldn't be going to Mickey D's. Again, with the Mickey D's. My members can, and should, go ANY WHERE they want.

So, here's the real reason I was so mad. Most people who want to lost weight and be healthier, don't join Weight Watchers, or go to their doctors, because they think they SHOULD KNOW BETTER. It's their fault because they are overweight and they shouldn't need help. WW is giving you the TOOLS for successful weight loss. WW is not losing the weight for you, you are, with the KNOWLEDGE you gain with the meetings, the materials and the members. I do not know tax law, so I have an accountant. However, if I don't pay my taxes, there is nothing he can do to keep me out of jail. My successful members apply the knowledge they learn each week and ask questions. They are empowered. They do the work.

So keep fighting for more information. Ask what is in the special at your favorite restaurant. Ask the grocery store manager for the healthy products you like. Look for new recipes on eTools. Ask your family what they are serving for Easter. Log onto your favorite restaurant's web site and get nutrition information. Or Google the food. The Internet has been a powerful tool for my members.

Well, I'll think I'm going to take a ride to McDonald's. A vanilla ice cream cone is only 3 Points! Maybe I'll see you there.

Step Back and Focus

We like to have fun in my Weight Watchers meetings. I especially love it when I ask a member a question like, "Why do you think you did not stay on plan this week?" and the member says something like, "It was the martinis!" I usually laugh. However, if we want to accomplish our goals, we need to get serious. I know you are responsible in other areas of your lives. For instance, I know you need your job, so if your boss comes in and asks if you finished a top priority project, you wouldn't say, sorry I'm busy drinking martinis! You take your job seriously!

So when you come to the scale and see the number, sometimes you say {insert excuse here}. Sometimes that reason is serious, like illness, flooded cellar, Royal Caribbean cruise. But other times is just the same thing as last week. I want you to look at last week, step back and think what do I need to do better? And then do it!!! Instead of being stressed when you are trying to figure out what to wear or what the doctor is going to say at your checkup, get yourself moving and make a plan on what needs to be done to have a successful week.

We've had some great meetings when members have figured out how what needs to change to have a great weigh in (I think they already knew) and they say it out loud, so they feel committed to do it! Then, they have success!

You know what you need to work on to have a great week. Don't just think or talk about it - do it! Do you need to add variety? Then look in the week one booklet, on-line or in eTools and find at least ONE new food idea. EAT A GOOD BREAKFAST on Saturday morning, so you don't get into the rut of eating "whatever" the rest of the day. Plan what you are going to eat for the week on Sunday. Actually make some food. Write yourself a note and put it on your bathroom mirror so you will remember what needs to get done. FOCUS. Execute. Give yourself a hand. I look forward to hearing about your plans and actions steps in the WW meetings.

I Know How You Feel

I was never a skinny kid. Well, maybe in my Communion picture. But since then I've always been conscious of my weight. I try to tell myself that that's a good thing, because I've been healthy and active for so long, that it has become habit. I know you work hard at being healthy, too. That's why I tell you my story at the orientation, especially the fact that it took me 50 weeks to lose 35 pounds after my first daughter was born, even though I was running. And, I've been on Plan for 20 years in April. I know how you feel.

In the Weight Watchers meeting, it's the fact that we all have to follow the same rules that binds us all together. When a new member joins our group, she or he gets the same information, with the only difference being the Daily Points Target. Good Health Guidelines are the same. Filling Foods first rule is the same. Move more. Track. Portions count. You know what we do (I hope). What each individual has to work on differently is overcoming his or her obstacles to following the plan.


What I do know is that EVERY members thinks - "What can I eat on this menu?" EVERY members thinks, "What should I have for dinner?". No matter if you have 10 pounds to lose or 100 pounds to lose, we all have to put in the work. Whether you are at goal or just joining, we all have to do the SAME things every day! When a member asks for ideas in a meeting, no one thinks, "Well you've already lost 15 pounds, so you should know that!" We all want to help, because we all have been there.

I asked one of my very successful members, who has lost a lot of weight, if she felt different than those who have needed to lose less. She said before she joined our meeting, she didn't think that those with less to lose had as much stress about it as she does. Then she realized that everyone in the meeting needed to do the work to lose and maintain their weight loss and that it's not easy for any of us. But the rewards are worth it. The benefit of coming to the meeting is that she has gotten the support when she needed it and was able to give her words of wisdom when she had some.

So that's it. Listen to the rules of the WW plan. Figure out what you need to work on and keep at it. Ask questions and ask for ideas. Where do you think you'd find the answers? In the general population, where 66% of the people are overweight? Or in our WW meetings, where people are getting closer and closer to their healthy weight every week? I think I know where I'll find you!

The Twilight Zone a.k.a The Weekend..

Last week any member that sighed when she or he looked at the number on the Weight Watchers scale, said the same thing - it's the weekend. It's as if we think the calories we eat Friday night until Sunday night defy the laws of biology and don't fill in our fat cells. We think, "well at least I'm not eating as much as she is." or "Doesn't my body know how hard I worked at living a healthy lifestyle during the week?"

I feel the same way. My self talk is "Well, I ran long today!" Yeah, and earned 12 points, 6 of which I drank or ate during the run. On the other hand, if I do a longer run on a weekday, I don't really think about it in terms of food. Yeah - I earned some extra points, I eat another banana and a bigger piece of chicken, then move on.

It's as if the weekend is on a parallel planet. Yeah, that would be the planet of no weight loss! So this week, when you are feeling motivated, in control and "lighter", start planing your food for the weekend. Actually write it in your Tracker or in eTools (you know what those things are, don't you?) and get the foods that will keep you on plan. Maybe make waffles with sugar free syrup, instead of your usual English muffin. Get a Vitamuffin and have some soft boiled eggs for breakfast. Dust off your old, or new Weight Watchers cookbooks or go on-line to find a recipe you haven't had in a while, or ever! Buy a different fruit. Actually buy something that you heard about in the meeting, instead of just saying "That sounds good".

To tell you the truth, I'm telling you this, so I will do it. I've got a really long run this weekend (still will be only about 19 points- I can eat that while I'm waiting for my coffee to brew). I better start planning it now! I can't wait to hear your plans in our meeting!