Trader Joe's Tour

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I had an amazing opportunity last week.  Julie, a Weight Watchers Leader arranged for a tour of the Trader Joe's store in Batavia.  I joined about 10 other Weight Watchers members to listen to Christine, a Trader Joe's Crew Member show us around the store and tell us all about the PointsPlus (PPV) bargains that were spread throughout the store.  In addition to telling us where we could find these gems they also provided us a list of these foods and their associated Points Plus values.  I thought of myself as pretty savvy when it comes to finding a good PPV value but some of these things were a surprise to me.  I thought I'd share the list with you guys because if you haven't found any/all of these items, please go in search of them if you have a Trader Joe's store near you.

A few of my favorite items from Trader Joe's:

• Horseradish Hummus - you get a ton of flavor for only 1 PPV per serving
• Champagne Pear Dressing - there is cheese in the dressing!  Need I say more?
• Queso Cheese Dip - It is SOOO delicious
• Chili Lime Chicken Burgers - they are HUGE and so flavorful!
• Trader Joe's Whole Wheat Sandwich Thins - they are only 2 PPV per thin!!

If you've found any other Points Plus bargains that I haven't included, please let me know so I can update the list.

Brain Dump

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It's been a couple of weeks since I've posted anything because... well... I got lazy I guess.  Dan was out of town so I was trying to keep everything running smoothly while he was away.  I'd sort of forgotten how much easier things are when we're both here to tackle the day to day tasks, not to mention handling the emergency situations.  Anyway...

I've been struggling with the scale as of late.  I'll lose one week and gain it right back the next week.  It's very frustrating and I know it has more to do with emotional eating than I care to admit.  I've had to adjust my meeting schedule so I'm still getting used to my meeting on Friday morning.  My new leader, Sally, after being asked about evening/night time snacking exclaimed "if you're not hungry why are you eating" and I find myself playing that out in my head fairly frequently.  The answer is always the same.  Because I want to eat.  I just need to stop I guess but let's face it, that's easier said than done.  I will continue to try though...

On a completely unrelated topic, or maybe not really, we were talking about the Yonanas machine in one of my meetings.  My friend, Jen, had one so I asked if I could borrow hers and holy wow.  We have made some very yummy treats.  This may also have something to do with the weight gain/loss.  The basic premise is that you peel a banana and freeze it.  You put the frozen banana and/or any other frozen fruit you want into the machine and it makes it into a soft serve consistency.  Some of the delicious combinations I've made include cherries and bananas, blueberries and bananas or bananas with Better 'n Peanut Butter.

I'm still training for my first half marathon of 2014, the Oshkosh Half Marathon.  My long run for this week was a total bust as I was having some pretty serious knee pain.  Rather than finishing all eight miles I decided to call it quits after 3.57 miles and walked a half mile home.  I was disappointed in myself but I was afraid that continuing to run would only lead to more stress and injury.  I know that the training plan/season is long and measured for a reason so I just have to trust that my future training runs will go well.  And maybe help me lose the last few stubborn pounds that I need to get rid of, again.

So what's going on with you guys?  Have you tried Yonanas?

Celebrations

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The meeting topic this week is about celebrating a choice you made last week.  I tend to think I make pretty good choices most weeks but there is definitely one that I want to celebrate.  The choice I'm choosing to celebrate this week is my Tuesday meeting-as-a-member.  Even though I'm a leader I still take the time to sit in a meeting and be a member.  I celebrate with my fellow members, I participate when questions are asked and sometimes I even write on my weekly when there is a writing activity.  For nearly four years I have gone to the same meeting with very few exceptions.  Finding a meeting group that I clicked with was tremendously important to the success of my weight loss.

On Tuesday I wrote an email that I sort of dreaded having to write.  I wrote an email to Karen, my leader, to explain that I wouldn't be able to come to the meeting anymore because I was going to be leading a meeting at the same time in a different city.  She replied and told me she knew the day would come.  So, I want to celebrate Karen.  I know that without her constant encouragement and guidance I'd have given up within months of joining.  It's what I always did.  She is the leader I want to become...

To the ladies and gents of the Tuesday 4:30 group... know that you have inspired me in ways I never thought possible.  You encouraged me to get active - I'm looking at you Kim C and Jen BF.  Your success kept me going because I wanted it too, Diane F.  You made me laugh (and want to eat Reese's Peanut Butter shapes), Kari B.  You made me really think about my goal weight, Melany S.  You helped me understand how to be a location coordinator, Martha.  You laughed with me... or at me... either way you always laughed, Patti A.  You became my friends and I wish I knew how to thank you, Sue W, Faith B, Kathy J, Colleen R and so many more that I know I'm forgetting.

You guys helped me change my life.  I only hope to do the same for someone else in the future.  I'll miss you all and hope that our paths cross again, soon.  Until then, take care of yourselves and each other.