delicious chicken & vegetable soup

3 points+

made with 99% fat free chicken broth

carrots

celery

zucchini

diced tomatoes

potatoes

chicken breast

onions

minced garlic

basil

oregano

should provide a week's worth of optimal consumption :)

making it through finals week!

Stress, stress stress!  And I'm just about out of motivation for the semester.  There's nothing like the pressure of a nice long case study and a packet of worksheets to bring on emotional eating. This is what I've been doing instead of feasting on that mint 'n chip in my freezer:

• snacking on my zero points+ mandarins super yummy!
• drinking LOTS of Diet Coke
• avoiding the kitchen when I'm not hungry

Kudos for today: Turning down a delicious cookie, eating more salad than rice, and only having one piece of Whitney's amazing pumpkin cake after dinner.

Overall, I'd say this weekend was a success!

Week One

I decided to re-join the weight watchers program this week. I know what you're thinking, "Isn't that the fourth time you've tried this, Natalie?" Okay, well maybe I'm the only one thinking that. But yes, this is my fourth attempt at weight watchers.  The first was in high school. The second was two years ago (after I had gained 40lbs since the wedding). The third was one year ago (when I gained another twenty pounds). And that brings me to now...I have gained another 15 and really?  Enough is enough. I'm tired of being tired all the time. I want desperately to control my weight and be healthy.

I have been following the new Weight Watchers program for a few days now and I love it!  I am so enthusiastic (and a little nervous) about starting up again but the program just makes sense. I've been eating more whole grains, more fruits and vegetables and feeling great about it! I've been struggling with sweets a little but I expected that. My goal for the rest of the week is to stick to my points+ allowance and do some major portion control...(particularly on that mint 'n chip ice cream that is still in my freezer.) 

There are three things I've decided I absolutely cannot deprive myself of....for now.... mint 'n chip ice cream. chocolate chip cookies. pizza. I just need to master the self control of only allowing myself a 1/2 cup of ice cream...instead of a huge bowl. Or 2 cookies...instead of 5. Or 1 slice of pizza...instead of 3. :)  The beauty of it all is that I can incorporate my non-sacrificial foods into my plan. Yes, I will pay some major points for it. But at least I'm not deprived of it.