You may have noticed a slight change in my menu planning since the first of the year. Whereas I had always tried to cook local, fresh, healthy meals, I have now bumped that up about 10 notches because, well, I want to lose weight and get healthier. I did the New Years' Resolution cliché thing, and on January 1, I joined Weight Watchers. First online because meetings are scary, and then after a few weeks, I started going to meetings.
Having tried every diet in the book, I was skeptical. The thought of writing down (I use the online tool) and counting points for everything I put into my mouth was daunting. As someone who loves food, cooking, and eating, I thought that eating would become joyless. Pedestrian. The very opposite of the Like Water For Chocolate vibe I tried to cultivate in my kitchen. I never wanted to be one of those "food is fuel" people.
And then I lost 15 pounds.
And, with the support of the weekly meetings (which are not scary at all), and their A.MA. ZING iPhone app*, I realized it wasn't so hard.
I'm learning that I don't have to change what I am eating so much. I've swapped out the chicken thighs I love so much with chicken breasts and it's okay. We eat leaner grass-fed sirloin or tenderloin instead of the (let's be honest) far more delicious rib-eyes. We've completely switched over to brown rices like jasmine and basmati and whole wheat pasta (which I am learning to like.)
But the other things, the fact that I love vegetables, salad, and high-fiber foods; have always preferred salt-free whole grain breads; am not a dessert or junk-food person—those things make it easier. That, and the fact that I am now running 2-3 miles four to five times a week and just trying to be more active in general. It's hard when you work and are a parent, but I am making it a priority now.
While the initial getting up to speed was a little challenging (there is a learning curve with the points and some of the jargon which is why I find the meetings immensely helpful), I have found that my meals are still delicious, cooking is still fun, and my family doesn't really notice the difference.
I promise not to turn CityMama into a diet blog, because I am not about that. I am about sensible eating and being healthy and trying to set that example for my family. What trickles over, trickles over, and if it helps you, too, then that makes me feel good, but I'm doing this for me and my girls.
And it's working.
*Seriously, if there were Academy Awards of iPhone apps, this one would win the "Best Picture" Oscar. It's that fabulous.
This is not a review nor was I compensated in any way shape or form by Weight Watchers to write this. This is simply me, sharing how my life is changing for the better. (And, damn if it doesn't chap my hide that I feel I have to write these "disclaimers" on a non-review.)
