Roni’s Weight Watchen Page(s) - Take 2 (the rebuild)

Originally Posted on December 31st, 2006 1:16 pm

The most frequently asked questions I receive relate to workouts and exercise.

• Did you exercise at all to lose weight, or did you do weight watchers alone?
• How many days a week do you get in a “workout”?
• What is your workout routine?

I always answer these questions with the same wishy-washy response.

I stay active, take walks, dance around with my son and, every once in awhile, do a real workout.

It’s about time I address this exercise thing more seriously. So I decided to write about how I stay active and to make a commitment to my New Year’s workout resolution.

First, while I was losing most of my weight I was doing some fairly regular workouts while staying active. What does that actually mean?

Yourself Fitness & Kinetic

Both of these are “games” for the playstation. Yourself Fitness provides you with a virtual trainer. It’s like a workout video with a memory. Kinetic uses the eye toy and allows you to interactive with your whole body. You end up doing some pretty fun activities and it gets you moving. It also tracks your workouts and keeps a progress. I did this a lot during my losing phase but fell out of the habit for some reason. Honestly, I loved Kinetic! It was much more interactive then a video (for me) and time flies when you are working out.

Dance Dance Revolution

I got the dance pads on ebay as a joke and ended up falling in love with this game. It is loads of fun and if you have a friend (or husband) that is willing to look like an idiot with you, you can get in some intense dancing. The only problem is its all legs but for someone who does not like aerobics it is an alright alternative.

Baby Workouts

I know there are workouts out there to do with your baby but I never invested in one. Just make it up! When my son was young, I would lie on my back and put him on my legs for some lifts. He loved it and I was getting a good workout in. I would also dance around holding him out and do arm lifts. Again, he loved it and my arms would be burning after a few minutes! Now that he is a bit older, he loves being upside down. So I hold him by his ankles and do curls. He is giggling and I am working out my biceps. It’s fun and he’s almost 30lbs!!

Every Day Activities

I never take the elevator below 5 stories. It’s a rule. I always park far away from my destination. I will carry things instead of using a cart. I do squads while brushing my teeth. These things add up! You may feel like a goof at first but after awhile it becomes second nature.

Take Walks

Everyone can do it! It’s easy you can go at your own pace. I love walking alone, with friends, or pushing the baby carriage. It doesn’t really matter to me. There are some nights now I’ll throw on my iPod and walk alone. It’s nice. I get a break, unwind and listen to music. What else is better for a busy mom to get a few minutes to her self?

That’s what I have been doing. So what am I going to do?

I actually really enjoy weight training. It gives me a sense of strength and confidence. My New Years Resolution is to weight train at least 3 days a week and to walk for 30 minutes at least 3 days a week. It’s going to take a commitment from me but I know if I force myself to do it the month of January I’ll make it a habit.

Labels: journal

Originally Posted on December 17th, 2006 12:46 pm

Inspired by a few recipes I found on some message boards, this is not really Fudge (duh). It doesn’t have the consistency but if you freeze it and let it defrost a bit at room temperature it hits the chocolate craving perfectly!

• 1 can of Black beans drained and rinsed
• 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce
• 1 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder (I use half regular/half dark)
• 1 ½ cup of Splenda
• Non stick cooking spray

Put beans and applesauce in bender mix well. Add other ingredients and mix until smooth.

Spray a plastic tupperware dish (preferably a longer rectangle one) with cooking spray and add mixture. Smooth it out to fill the dish. Place in freezer for about and hour then remove and cut into 15 squares (you have to do this now because it will get too hard to cut later. The consistency is too mushy in the fridge and too hard in the freezer so I leave it in the freezer and remove a square when I want some chocolate. Let it sit at room temp for a minute or two and it’s perfect.

The whole mixture is 15 points so if you cut it in 15 squares it a point a piece. To be honest it’s pretty rich, it’s all you’ll need!

Labels: DessertIdeas, SnackIdeas

Originally Posted on December 2nd, 2006 10:33 pm

• 1 Yam or Sweet Potato
• Non stick cooking spray
• Salt
• Curry

Not sure if this is a snack but I cut it into thick slices, usually about 6. Spray with a little pam on both sides, sprinkle with salt and curry and bake at 375 for about 40 min. MMmm MMmmm perfect autumn snack, good at room temp too, so bake ahead!

If you like a crunchier fry turn up the heat to about 400-425 or put them under the broiler.

Labels: DinnerIdeas, SnackIdeas

Posted Originally on December 2nd, 2006 10:31 pm

• 1 point English muffin
• 4 thin slices of a large tomato
• 1 oz  shredded mozzarella cheese
• Garlic powder
• Oregano
• Salt & Pepper
• Any veggie topping you like I used broccoli and green peppers.

Preheat oven or toaster oven to 425 degrees.  Toast the muffin.  Measure out the mozzarella cheese and slice the tomato.  Add a little sprinkle of the cheese on each toasted muffin (will help the tomatoes stick). Place a slice of tomato on each and sprinkle with all the spices, and then a bit more of the cheese to help the next tomato slices stick.  Add the next tomato slices, spices any veggie toppings and remaining cheese.

I think the layer of tomato slices is even better then using sauce plus they are free!

With 1 point muffin and 1 oz of cheese I count this as 3 points.  Makes a great quick lunch or snack!

Labels: SandwichIdeas, SnackIdeas

Originally Posted on December 2nd, 2006 8:02 pm

• 1 package of Quaker Oatmeal Weight Control Cinnamon
• Dash of extra cinnamon to taste
• 1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce or a single serve container

I pour the package content in a coffee mug and add about 1/2 cup of boiling water so that the oatmeal comes out thick. Stir and let sit a minute. Then add the applesauce and stir.

I swear it taste like I smooshed up an apple pie! It’s 4 points for a nice warm healthy breakfast.

UPDATE: I found a few generic sugar free cinnamon flavored oatmeals. They work just as good and some are less point then the quaker.

Labels: BreakfastIdeas

Posted on December 2nd, 2006 1:19 pm

• 1 tsp Olive Oil (or non stick spray)
• Vidalia Onion chopped (I only use one thick slice but I’m not an onion person)
• Garlic Cloves diced (I use at least 3)
• 1 Large Tomato or a Handful of Cherry/Grape tomatoes cut in chunks
• 1 small-medium Zucchini sliced
• 1 small-medium Yellow Squash sliced
• 1 Pepper any color chopped
• Salt
• Black Pepper
• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder
• Oregano, Basil, Parsley (or Italian seasoning would work)

In a non-stick large skillet add the oil, diced onion and garlic over medium-high heat. While that is cooking slice up the Zucchini, Squash and Pepper and cut up the tomatoes in chunks. If you are using Cherry tomatoes half them, you want the juice to help cook the other veggies.

Once the onion starts to turn a little opaque and starts to burn (adds great flavor) add all the veggies and sprinkle with all the spices. Cover. The "juices" from the tomatoes and other veggies will start to steam everything. Stir a few times and cook until the veggies are tender.

The whole skillet is only 1 point because of the oil. You can eat this as a meal, a side dish or a filling for anything! I put it on a large 1 point tortilla with some mozzarella cheese and a little green chile sauce, MMmmm MMMmmm so good. I’ve also piled in on home made pizza.

I will be updating this for GreenLiteBites I just haven't had time!

Labels: DinnerIdeas, SaladIdeas, SandwichIdeas, SnackIdeas