Saturday, February 8, 2014

Weight Watchers and How it has Changed My Life

I have always heard that joining Weight Watchers is a life change.  But until you actually take the step to join and make that commitment, you cannot understand exactly what that means.  I joined Weight Watchers on February 23rd, 2013 and that is the day that my life changed for the better.

Over the past year, 3/4 of the way through my Weight Watchers Journey, I have lost 77.8 lbs..  Gone from a size 22 to a size 10.  And lost over 67"!!!!  But best of all, I am sooo much healthier than I was when I began this journey.

I cannot believe the things that I have learned!  Nor can I believe the changes that I have made and the steps that I have taken.  All changes and steps that I never would have imagined last year at this time.

Over the next few months, I am going to be writing about Weight Watchers, their philosophy, their methods, their teachings, their recipes . . . and my journey following Weight Watchers.  Let's start with some of the background on WW found on their website:  http://www.weightwatchers.com/about

The Weight Watchers Philosophy:

Our Philosophy
Weight Watchers has always believed that dieting is just one part of long-term weight management. A healthy body results from a healthy lifestyle - which means mental, emotional and physical health. Weight Watchers does not tell you what you can or can't eat. We provide information, knowledge, tools and motivation to help you make the decisions that are right for you about nutrition and exercise. We help you to make healthy eating decisions, and we encourage you to enjoy yourself by becoming more active. To provide motivation, mutual support, encouragement and instruction from our leaders, Weight Watchers organizes group meetings around the world. Members of our meetings who achieve Lifetime Membership have the opportunity to become Weight Watchers Leaders and Receptionists, sharing their personal weight loss success with others.
At Weight Watchers, weight management is a partnership that combines our knowledge with your efforts. And trust us, your efforts will pay off! We help you on your journey by:
 Helping you make the positive changes required to lose weight.
 Guiding you to make positive behavioral changes in your life.
 Inspiring you with our belief in your power to succeed.
 Motivating you every step of the way.

The History of Weight Watchers:

Our History
Jean
In the early 60's, Weight Watchers founder Jean Nidetch began inviting friends into her Queens home once a week, to discuss how best to lose weight. Today, that group of friends has grown to millions of women and men around the world who use the products and services of Weight Watchers to lose unwanted pounds. After that first Queens meeting, an estimated one million people, from Brazil to New Zealand, come together each week to help each meet their weight-loss goals at Weight Watchers meetings. And now, Weight Watchers is reaching others via the Web at WeightWatchers.com.



In my next post, I will talk about the different plans available on Weight Watchers.

I am in no way affiliated with Weight Watchers International, Inc. - however, if you have any questions regarding Weight Watchers, I would be thrilled to give you my thoughts and also try to lead you to the correct resource to obtain the answers.

Spaghetti Squash Italiano - 4 PPV

Everyone at my Weight Watcher meetings has been talking about Spaghetti Squash.  Well . . . I had really never even HEARD of Spaghetti Squash!

This week, when doing my weekly grocery shopping, I saw a Spaghetti Squash and decided that it was time to join the bandwagon and give it a try.  I perused the recipes on-line, but being on Weight Watchers, none of the recipes really matched the points value that I was hoping for.  Especially since I am soooo stingy with my points!  So I did my own thing.

Here is my recipe - and I have to say, it was so easy and so delicious!

Spaghetti Squash Italiano - 4 PPV


Ingredients:

1 Spaghetti Squash
1 Jar of Spaghetti Sauce (I used Prego Chunky Garden Tomato, Onion & Garlic)
1 Package Kraft Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, Fat Free
Basil
Oregano

Directions:
1.  Microwave your squash for 5 minutes to soften slightly - then cut in 1/2 lengthwise
2.  Scoop out the seeds
3.  Place the two halves cut side down in a baking pan.  Add about 1/4" of water to the pan. Bake @ 350 º for approx. 45 minutes or until the flesh of the squash is tender.
4.  Using a fork, scrape the flesh from the squash into a baking pan.  The flesh will look like spaghetti.  Spread it out in your pan.
5. Pour the jar of sauce over the top of the squash and spread out so that all of the squash is covered.
6.  Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the top, covering all of the sauce.
7.  Sprinkle with Basil and Oregano to taste.
8.  Bake in a 350º oven for approx. 30 minutes or until the cheese is all melted and bubbly.

Servings: 6