April Fool's Day

Today I signed up for Weightwatchers. No fooling.

Ken and Polly invited me to a meeting last week and I liked their principles and practices. For those interested, here's what they are:

First you are assigned points based on your height, weight, gender, age, and level of activity. I can eat 20 points/day. There's a weekly slush fund of 35 points for special occasions. 

You need to include 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, 2 of milk products, 2 of lean proteins, 5 glasses of fluids, and a multi vitamin pill each day.

Foods are assigned points based on fiber, calories and fat grams.  For example, a small apple is 1 point. Most vegetables are 0 points. One half candy bar is 3 points. So you quickly learn to choose filling and nutritious foods rather than jelly beans because you want to make your points count!

Exercise will earn points. For example, 1/2 hour of walking is 1 point.

Step 1: Plan ahead. You think about the situations you'll be in and what food you'll eat to stay under the #of points allowed.

Step 2: Track. You keep a record on paper of what you take in. 

Step 3: Report. There are weekly meetings where you weigh in and receive some motivational instruction.

Step 4: Celebrate. For example, Ken received a gold star for losing his first 5 lb. and we were genuinely proud of him!