As a rule, women hate to reveal their age, but I’m proud to say I first joined Weight Watchers when Jean Neidich came up with her life-saving program in the 1960s. Back then, the new-fangled weight loss concept introduced the idea of meetings, weigh-ins and a new language of eating as well as the point system, so those of us who tried on new crash diets as often as Lady Gaga chooses an outrageous outfit could come together in a room with our sistas-in-pounds to re-learn how to eat.
Together, we discovered the Land of Free and Legal Foods. I can eat as much as I like of these? Seriously? Never before had I been encouraged to eat all I want of certain foods on a restricted food plan and since a bunch of us were all in it together, we actually looked forward to showing up at meetings to share our tales of guilt and celebrate our victories, too.
Not only did I receive a bounty of support at WW meetings, but my father, who had heard about Weight Watchers in the first place, became my support system at home, too. Yup. The dude was on the plan with me. As you can imagine, conversation around the family dinner table became so focused on food choices, folks fled the table whenever an in-depth discussion developed about which dill pickle spear had the most flavor. Family members even developed a talent for rolling their eyes in unison. OK. So we were boring. Sure, the two of us cheated on occasion, but we always came back to the plan because one of the things you learn is that redemption awaits.
Weight Watchers has changed a lot over the years, but what hasn’t changed is the program’s ability to put anyone with weight issues in charge of his or her own destiny. I’ve been able to steer my own course and it never fails to amaze me that despite age, mood swings, menopause, lifestyle and physical activity fluctuations, I can still count on Jean’s program to get me back to the weight printed on my Driver’s License. Am I model thin? Puhlease. But I am wise — wise enough to want to share my 4 favorite “staying straight” tips with you.
There’s No Life Without Popcorn
Who’da thought this cheap, simple and satisfying treat could have revolutionized the way I support my eating program of choice? I’m not necessarily advocating that you go to extremes and bring a forklift to help load 50-pound sacks of kernels into your car (though I have done this), but for those of us who absolutely must have a big bowl of something or we’ll jump off a bridge, popcorn is amazing. Air pop it and add Kernel Season’s lightweight toppings at eight calories per teaspoon. Check out the latest, including Parmesan garlic, ranch, chocolate marshmallow, sour cream and onion, white cheddar, jalapeño, apple cinnamon, nacho cheddar, Cajun and barbeque at www.nomorenakedpopcorn.com if you don’t find it on store shelves in your area.
Fall in Love With Breakfast All Over Again
Breakfast, for reasons known only to those of us who have a hard time facing food in the morning, is the hardest meal to get enthused about. It’s easy to understand why. The rush to get everyone put together and out the door with everything from signed report card to your lunch provides enough stress to keep even the most organized person on edge. However, if you don’t learn to chow down in the morning, it’s hard to stick to the Weight Watchers plan. I learned to look forward to a morning meal simply by forcing myself to eat and over time, I developed a couple of favorites that turned me into an enthusiastic breakfaster. My two favorites are: 1) Two Weight Watchers English muffins spread with half a cup of cottage cheese that’s mixed with garlic salt, onion flakes and parsley. That’s a lot of food for only 5 points and you will feel full and 2) An omelet you can prep the night before and cook while you dress. Here’s the skinny: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Grab a quart size plastic baggie. Toss in an egg (or egg-white), the veggies you chopped the night before and fat-free shredded cheese. Seal and shake the bag. Drop it into boiling water for 13 minutes. Voila! A perfect, fat-free omelet slides right out of the bag.
It’s Okay to Hate Exercise, So Feel Free to Bribe Yourself
My mother used to tell me to stop using the word hate when I expressed my dislike. It’s too extreme, she said. Too radical. But when it comes to exercise, I’ve given myself permission to use the H word. In contrast to my abhorrence of exercise, I love Law & Order. A lot. What’s not to love? The popular, award-winning TV show is on every day, at all hours and in a number of versions. Law & Order is more than entertainment. It’s also my exercise bribe. I get an hour a day on the treadmill without having to pay much attention to the fact that I really, really dislike what I’m doing as the treadmill clicks down the miles. You might not be a Law & Order fan, but what about American Idol, The Voice or Dancing With the Stars? How about a live-streaming film from Netflix as your exercise bribe? Frankly, this is the best reason in the world to become addicted to a soap opera. You’re going to watch these guilty pleasures anyway, right? Fulfill the physical portion of your Weight Watchers program by feeding the need to watch what you love.
Get Yourself a Pal or Two To Keep You On The Straight, Narrow and Shapely
I mentioned at the start of this article that my father and I started Weight Watchers together and at the time, I had no idea how much his presence helped me stick to my guns, even when visions of sugarplums, éclairs and Boston cream pie danced in my head. The next best thing to hooking up with someone who stumbles to the breakfast table with you each day is to find a buddy with a phone. Chat up people at your Weight Watchers group to see who clicks and who doesn’t. Heck, form a mini-support group made up of a few members of your circle who are willing to be “on call” when it’s just you and leftover pizza home alone together. Rules are critical if you don’t want to lose your new WW BFFs, however. Having a buddy on speed dial is one thing; it’s another to dial-a-bud at 3 a.m. and expect her to listen to you drone on about how you’re armed with a spoon and a half-gallon of Haagen-Dazs. Interdependence can do wonders for the right partnership, but there’s no better way to short-circuit one than by failing to set boundaries that hold your relationship together like icing on a huge Cinnabon roll. Bad choice of analogies. Make that cement glue on paper.