I'm not too sure what I did to my right leg last week, but I figured I was over it when I went to the gym on Monday, but it turns out I just aggrevated whatever is going on there.
I was planning to cover 10 miles that morning, but after 7.5 miles running on the treadmill and 2 miles on the elyptical, I could hardly walk for the pain, so called it a day.
Exercise has been limited for a couple of days now, but tomorrow I'll walk a few miles on it and may also limit myself to walking on Friday. I do need to exercise, but I guess I'd better be careful!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
MICHELLE'S MUFFINS
I'm grateful to Michelle for this recipe she brought on Saturday morning and the samples she gave me too! Having tested them to the full, I recommend these muffins!
1/4 Cup Oatmeal
1 Cup dry Cream of Wheat
Cinamon
Nutmeg
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/4 tsp Salt
1 1/2 Cups Shredded Apple
1 Egg
1/2 Cup Splenda
Vanilla
1 Cup Skimmed Milk
4 tsp Canola Oil
Combine first group of ingredients
Combine second group of ingredients
Stir together
Spray muffin tin, pour in mixture, sprinkle a few dry oats on the top of each muffin and bake for 25-30 minutes at 375 degrees (makes 12)
Each muffin is 1 Point
1/4 Cup Oatmeal
1 Cup dry Cream of Wheat
Cinamon
Nutmeg
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/4 tsp Salt
1 1/2 Cups Shredded Apple
1 Egg
1/2 Cup Splenda
Vanilla
1 Cup Skimmed Milk
4 tsp Canola Oil
Combine first group of ingredients
Combine second group of ingredients
Stir together
Spray muffin tin, pour in mixture, sprinkle a few dry oats on the top of each muffin and bake for 25-30 minutes at 375 degrees (makes 12)
Each muffin is 1 Point
Sunday, January 27, 2008
THE BIG "L"
Yesterday was an outstanding morning for us at Weight Watchers, for a couple of reasons. One of them was the fact that we had our biggest total crowd since I took on the Saturday morning groups in September. The 9.30 group finally broke through the 100 mark with 106 members showing up and the others weren't too shabby either.
Now of course it's not just about numbers, what it's about is that each person there is someone who has committed to a journey and is continuing on that path. That's why it's great to see so many coming each week.
The big thing that made yesterday so special was that we had two members who achieved their Lifetime status and one who passed the 50lb weight loss goal. It's always good to see a full meeting room, but if it's not full of people going somewhere, what's the point?
We have a lot of committed folks and a whole load of successes we'll be celebrating over the next few months.
Now of course it's not just about numbers, what it's about is that each person there is someone who has committed to a journey and is continuing on that path. That's why it's great to see so many coming each week.
The big thing that made yesterday so special was that we had two members who achieved their Lifetime status and one who passed the 50lb weight loss goal. It's always good to see a full meeting room, but if it's not full of people going somewhere, what's the point?
We have a lot of committed folks and a whole load of successes we'll be celebrating over the next few months.
Friday, January 25, 2008
BUSY WEEKEND
This promises to be an interesting weekend because not only will I be talking about healthy living in my Weight Watchers groups on Saturday morning, but I am also taking on the same topic in my Sunday role as our church's pastor.
We're going through a whole series at Church At The Movies in Ronkonkoma entitled Getting In Shape and looking at what the Bible says about a variety of topics - Getting in Shape Emotionally, Getting In Shape Financially, Getting in Shape Spiritually and this coming Sunday it's Getting In Shape Physically.
We had a lot of fun with the subject last time we covered it in church, which was a couple of years ago, but then again we have a lot of fun there every Sunday.
The subject is dead serious but there's no reason we shouldn't enjoy looking at it, is there?
We're going through a whole series at Church At The Movies in Ronkonkoma entitled Getting In Shape and looking at what the Bible says about a variety of topics - Getting in Shape Emotionally, Getting In Shape Financially, Getting in Shape Spiritually and this coming Sunday it's Getting In Shape Physically.
We had a lot of fun with the subject last time we covered it in church, which was a couple of years ago, but then again we have a lot of fun there every Sunday.
The subject is dead serious but there's no reason we shouldn't enjoy looking at it, is there?
Thursday, January 24, 2008
MOVING MORE
My knee started giving me problems at the gym yesterday and I was in considerable discomfort throughout the day, especially going up and down stairs when there was severe pain.
Last night I took two Tylenol PM to help me sleep and decided not to exercise this morning, which I wasn't happy about at all.
I had to go into Manhattan this afternoon and opted for the train, intending then to get a cab to visit my friend in Sloane Kettering Hospital. However when I got to Penn Station I decided to see if I could walk up there without too much discomfort and I'm happy to report I did.
It was more than a little cold and it took me 45 minutes going at a pretty brisk pace, but once I arrived I was very happy to have got some exercise in today.
Moving more doesn't have to be working out.
It just needs to be moving more!
Last night I took two Tylenol PM to help me sleep and decided not to exercise this morning, which I wasn't happy about at all.
I had to go into Manhattan this afternoon and opted for the train, intending then to get a cab to visit my friend in Sloane Kettering Hospital. However when I got to Penn Station I decided to see if I could walk up there without too much discomfort and I'm happy to report I did.
It was more than a little cold and it took me 45 minutes going at a pretty brisk pace, but once I arrived I was very happy to have got some exercise in today.
Moving more doesn't have to be working out.
It just needs to be moving more!
Monday, January 21, 2008
WORKING OUT
One of the things I have learned over the past three years is that if I'm not careful, I'm too good to myself. Arriving at the gym before daylight on a frigid morning, it's easy to convince myself that I did good just to get there and don't need to kill myself.
Today I decided I needed to kick things up a notch, so I ran 7.1 miles on the treadmill and then did 1.55 miles on the elyptical. Of course that all took a while, but Monday is my day off so I had all the time I needed.
Sure, I was shot when I was done and there were times when my body said it had had enough, but as I've commented here before, our bodies lie to us!
Today I decided I needed to kick things up a notch, so I ran 7.1 miles on the treadmill and then did 1.55 miles on the elyptical. Of course that all took a while, but Monday is my day off so I had all the time I needed.
Sure, I was shot when I was done and there were times when my body said it had had enough, but as I've commented here before, our bodies lie to us!
Saturday, January 19, 2008
TWO WORLDS
Saturday is a very full day. I leave home around 6.50am, rush home to change around 2.00 and finally get back to stay sometime between 5.00 and 5.30.
What's fascinating is that my day is split between two totally different groups of people, both of whom have food issues, though the problems are certainly nowhere near the same.
Our Saturday WW groups continue to thrive. We almost made triple digits for our 9.30 meeting today, but we fell one short at 99 members. Let's see what happens next week!
This afternoon, as I have done for the past thirteen years, I spent time serving hot meals to people in need. Our church's mobile soup kitchen serves around 40 people in and around Patchogue who live in rooming houses or in makeshift tents in the woods. It's pretty amazing to think of living outside in this weather, but in today's economic climate some people just can't make it. So we're privileged to help them.
We had quite the dinner for them today - meatball heros, pasta, garlic bread, fruit and cake. I love the fact that we hand out dinners I'd be more than happy to eat myself. We don't serve junk!
Saturday mornings I endeavor to encourage our WW members towards their goals and Saturday afternoons I try to remind people having a tough time that they really do matter.
Great day - I'm a blessed man.
What's fascinating is that my day is split between two totally different groups of people, both of whom have food issues, though the problems are certainly nowhere near the same.
Our Saturday WW groups continue to thrive. We almost made triple digits for our 9.30 meeting today, but we fell one short at 99 members. Let's see what happens next week!
This afternoon, as I have done for the past thirteen years, I spent time serving hot meals to people in need. Our church's mobile soup kitchen serves around 40 people in and around Patchogue who live in rooming houses or in makeshift tents in the woods. It's pretty amazing to think of living outside in this weather, but in today's economic climate some people just can't make it. So we're privileged to help them.
We had quite the dinner for them today - meatball heros, pasta, garlic bread, fruit and cake. I love the fact that we hand out dinners I'd be more than happy to eat myself. We don't serve junk!
Saturday mornings I endeavor to encourage our WW members towards their goals and Saturday afternoons I try to remind people having a tough time that they really do matter.
Great day - I'm a blessed man.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
PLANNING
What are you going to eat for dinner tomorrow?
For those of us with food issues, the main meal of the day assumes some considerable priority, but that's not the only reason it's important to be able to answer that question.
I've discovered that planning is an essential component to staying healthy and maintaining my weight at an acceptable level. I can't leave any meal to a last minute decision as there's always the chance then that I won't have the things I need and will settle instead for something that will not help me.
It would be suicide to come home hungry and tired, look into the freezer and try to decide what to eat. That's why I make several dinners at the start of the week when I have some time, so that on the days when I'm rushed I'll still eat well.
On other days I still plan what I'll eat for dinner very early on in the day - like just after I get up in the morning!
And dinner tomorrow chez moi, by the way, will be shrimp curry - 7 points!
For those of us with food issues, the main meal of the day assumes some considerable priority, but that's not the only reason it's important to be able to answer that question.
I've discovered that planning is an essential component to staying healthy and maintaining my weight at an acceptable level. I can't leave any meal to a last minute decision as there's always the chance then that I won't have the things I need and will settle instead for something that will not help me.
It would be suicide to come home hungry and tired, look into the freezer and try to decide what to eat. That's why I make several dinners at the start of the week when I have some time, so that on the days when I'm rushed I'll still eat well.
On other days I still plan what I'll eat for dinner very early on in the day - like just after I get up in the morning!
And dinner tomorrow chez moi, by the way, will be shrimp curry - 7 points!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
PB2
I had heard about this dried peanut mix that you combine with water, but was very skeptical - until I stopped by The Diet Shop in Ronkonkoma on my way home from church today.
If peanut butter is your thing, I have to tell you, when this stuff is mixed it has the taste and consistency of real peanut butter - all for a mere 1 point for two tablespoons.
You can also stir it into yogurt - I tried it with a raspberry yogurt today, great taste!
In fact there is a bunch of recipes using it on the manufacturer's website -
www.bellplantation.com
Check it out!
If peanut butter is your thing, I have to tell you, when this stuff is mixed it has the taste and consistency of real peanut butter - all for a mere 1 point for two tablespoons.
You can also stir it into yogurt - I tried it with a raspberry yogurt today, great taste!
In fact there is a bunch of recipes using it on the manufacturer's website -
www.bellplantation.com
Check it out!
Saturday, January 12, 2008
BY THE WAY
Did I say lately that I love doing my Saturday morning WW groups? We have a load of terrific members that I look forward to catching up with each week.
We also have a great team of support staff. They were worked off their feet today and just got on with it, working thorouighly and without complaint. There are not many work places where you arrive at 7.00am, leave at 1.50pm and don't get a break in any shape or form, but that's what we all do on Saturday mornings.
So I want to give a shout out to Nicky, Barbara, Vicki and Andrea. They did an incredible job today.
Teamwork is a wonderful thing. None of us is as good as all of us!
We also have a great team of support staff. They were worked off their feet today and just got on with it, working thorouighly and without complaint. There are not many work places where you arrive at 7.00am, leave at 1.50pm and don't get a break in any shape or form, but that's what we all do on Saturday mornings.
So I want to give a shout out to Nicky, Barbara, Vicki and Andrea. They did an incredible job today.
Teamwork is a wonderful thing. None of us is as good as all of us!
WEIGHT LOSS MOMENTUM
They say nothing succeeds like success and when it comes to weight loss, that has to be right. Once it's coming off, that in itself becomes a huge incentive to keep going and drop more.
It was another crazy morning at WW, with a bunch of new registrations and by far the biggest overall attendance since I took on the Saturday groups in Selden last September. Among the 275 people who weighed-in today there were a whole lot of major losers.
I love the successes achieved by the commitment demonstrated at the start of the year and really hope we can harness that and maintain the momentum.
We all know the program works, but staying on program is the real challenge. One good week can lead to the weight loss that will start things rolling and help you stay focused.
Let this be that week!
It was another crazy morning at WW, with a bunch of new registrations and by far the biggest overall attendance since I took on the Saturday groups in Selden last September. Among the 275 people who weighed-in today there were a whole lot of major losers.
I love the successes achieved by the commitment demonstrated at the start of the year and really hope we can harness that and maintain the momentum.
We all know the program works, but staying on program is the real challenge. One good week can lead to the weight loss that will start things rolling and help you stay focused.
Let this be that week!
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
GOOD FOOD STORE
Throughout the course of my weight loss journey, that started almost three years ago, I have received considerable help from the store right next door to the Selden WW Center. Pro-Portions is a great source of hot meals, ice cream and snacks that are all healthy, but I must confess I have three favorites -
1. Their ice cream. At two points for a large fat free/sugar free cone, it's not even an extravagence. I used to buy their mudslide sundaes in bulk (they're four points) and eat one nightly for an end of day treat, but I have eased off on them a bit lately (maybe you can even tire of ice cream?).
2. Their muffins are very satisfying. For three points, they provide a really substantial breakfast or an evening snack. Best nuked and warm.
3. I enjoy cooking and am pretty good at it, but whenever my wife is away I tend to head for Pro-Portions to eat one of their quiches for dinner. You get a huge slice and a good salad for only four points - so you still have enough points for a mudslide!
Add to that the fact that they're the friendliest folks around and it's always worth a trip next door.
1. Their ice cream. At two points for a large fat free/sugar free cone, it's not even an extravagence. I used to buy their mudslide sundaes in bulk (they're four points) and eat one nightly for an end of day treat, but I have eased off on them a bit lately (maybe you can even tire of ice cream?).
2. Their muffins are very satisfying. For three points, they provide a really substantial breakfast or an evening snack. Best nuked and warm.
3. I enjoy cooking and am pretty good at it, but whenever my wife is away I tend to head for Pro-Portions to eat one of their quiches for dinner. You get a huge slice and a good salad for only four points - so you still have enough points for a mudslide!
Add to that the fact that they're the friendliest folks around and it's always worth a trip next door.
Monday, January 7, 2008
NEW FOODS
I got an email on Saturday from a new member of one of my Saturday WW groups, asking if I knew where she could buy polenta - not the dry stuff you mix yourself, but the prepared version you buy refrigerated in a roll.
I replied that I didn't know where she could find it, but I would investigate.
What I didn't tell her at that point was I had never heard of polenta in my life and had to google it to discover what the heck she was talking about. If I interpreted what I read correctly, polenta is an Italian version of grits, made from cornmeal, which may explain why I had never encountered it - I don't eat grits!
However ...
While picking up a few things at our local Best Yet supermarket yesterday, I spotted some rolls of yellow stuff in the deli section and decided to investigate. You guessed, voila! Glorious polenta, which I looked at, read the nutritional value label and then promptly put back in the display case.
No Offense to my Italian frfiends, but some things are just not part of my cultural heritage!!!!
Oh, and I emailed our new member to let her know where she could stock up and enjoy!
I replied that I didn't know where she could find it, but I would investigate.
What I didn't tell her at that point was I had never heard of polenta in my life and had to google it to discover what the heck she was talking about. If I interpreted what I read correctly, polenta is an Italian version of grits, made from cornmeal, which may explain why I had never encountered it - I don't eat grits!
However ...
While picking up a few things at our local Best Yet supermarket yesterday, I spotted some rolls of yellow stuff in the deli section and decided to investigate. You guessed, voila! Glorious polenta, which I looked at, read the nutritional value label and then promptly put back in the display case.
No Offense to my Italian frfiends, but some things are just not part of my cultural heritage!!!!
Oh, and I emailed our new member to let her know where she could stock up and enjoy!
Saturday, January 5, 2008
NEW BEGINNINGS
Wow, that was some morning at WW today. It was non-stop from the time I arrived at 7.00am to the moment I locked the center's door at 1.50pm - the busiest Saturday in months.
Now I know it's easy for observers to be cynical and talk trash about new year resolutions that are never worked through, et, etc, but I appreciate the commitment of every one of around 230 people who came through our doors this morning. My goal is to keep them encouraged and motivated so that the changes they are looking for become a reality.
As a friend of mine puts it -
Now I know it's easy for observers to be cynical and talk trash about new year resolutions that are never worked through, et, etc, but I appreciate the commitment of every one of around 230 people who came through our doors this morning. My goal is to keep them encouraged and motivated so that the changes they are looking for become a reality.
As a friend of mine puts it -
2008 - Lose Weight & Look Great!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
SOME SOUND ADVICE
Being a Biggest Loser groupie, I was looking forward to NBC's lastest offering last night - The Biggest Loser, Couples - and it looks like the series will not disappoint.
There was one piece of very basic nutritional advice that was thrown out during the two hour season opener - Never drink your calories.
That's sound advice.
If you use too many calories (points for WW types) on liquids. you may well be sipping something you enjoy, but it will not satisfy your stomach's demands for food. So it's good sense to eat the nutrition your body needs, but while drinking the liquids that are essential, make those calorie free.
There was one piece of very basic nutritional advice that was thrown out during the two hour season opener - Never drink your calories.
That's sound advice.
If you use too many calories (points for WW types) on liquids. you may well be sipping something you enjoy, but it will not satisfy your stomach's demands for food. So it's good sense to eat the nutrition your body needs, but while drinking the liquids that are essential, make those calorie free.
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