Saturday, May 28, 2011

Best Supporting Actors

Did you know that Weight Watchers really started in 1963?

Jean Nidetch had been struggling to lose weight, and one night she admitted to her friends, in her own kitchen, that she would sometimes eat compulsively, even hide foods. To her surprise, her friends admitted to the same thing. She was not alone!

After that they would meet in her kitchen and share their struggles and victories finding strength in the support and encouragement of the group. Friends brought friends who also brought friends and soon they had outgrown Nidetch’s kitchen.

At the time it was unheard of, women meeting to talk about their struggles in a rather public forum. Now, almost 50 years later, Weight Watchers is well known and thousands of meetings are held every day in the US alone. Women and men, young and not so young understand that there is indeed strength in numbers.

Since 1963, we have seen numerous program changes and different tools have come and gone as science progressed. One thing never changed though: the strength of the group. A Weight Watchers meeting in its essence is not very different than those informal meetings in Jean Nidetch’s kitchen. We are friends getting together to talk about what works, and laugh about what doesn’t. This week, we are celebrating ourselves and those who make the meetings OUR meetings.

If you think about your meeting, Who have you learned from? Who has encouraged you? Inspired you? Given you a “Ha ah!” moment? Who are the best supporting actors? All of us, lets celebrate!

Tool of the week

Have you looked at the magazine lately? Information, recipes (Mmmmm!) ideas, inspiration, it’s all there!


Of course, my favorite part, always, is the success stories. I just never get tired of it!

In the kitchen

I like packet grilling for side dishes. It’s an easy, low maintenance way to cook a very flavorful side dish while the rest of the meal is grilling away.

Usually, I prepare the packet first, put it on the side of the grill where it slowly cook while the meat is doing its thing over the fire.

This one is simple and delicious and goes with pretty much anything.


Nutmeg Carrots
4 servings, 2 P+/serving

Ingredients
6 carrots, diagonally sliced (1/4 inch thick), about 4 cup
3 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
1 TBSP water
2 tsp olive oil
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp freshly ground pepper (I like coarsely ground for such things, prettier if nothing else)
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg (freshly ground is MUCH better) *

Prep the grill: Medium fire (or put the packet on the side away from the hot flame).

Prep the food: Mix all ingredients in a bowl and toss well.

Making the packet: Place the mixture in the center of a double layer of heavy duty, extra-wide foil, about 24 inches long. Make a packet by bringing 2 sides of the foil to meet in the center, and pressing the edges together to two ½ inch folds. Then fold the edges of each end together to two ½ inch folds. Allowing room for the packet to expand, crimp the edges together to seal.

Please the packet on the grill rack and grill until cooked through, about 25 minutes. Remove the packet from the grill and open it carefully to allow the hot steam to escape (it WILL burn!). Place in a serving dish or divide evenly in 4 plates.

*Cinnamon works too

Source: Weight Watchers Grill It! 2005, p. 129

Activity

The Walk It challenge is over, but that doesn't mean that we are done walking or moving altogether. It's time to set new goals, maybe look for new activities, and make sure that we keep on moving.

Several of us committed to doing 3 cardio work outs this week. I'm well on my way to being done! How about you?

What are you summer activity goals?

Is summer a time where you tend to move more? How are you going to take advantage of that in your weight loss efforts?

Do you tend to move less in the summer? How are you going to offset that?

It's time to think my friends. Time to thing and to make a plan.

Looking for a walking/running/exercise buddy?

As I have explained in most, if not all, of my meetings, I am not committing to walking every week like I did for the Walk it Challenge, BUT if you want to find a walking partner, or a work out buddy, don't be afraid to chime up during the meeting and to email me. I'll be more than happy to post your appeal on the blog. This is for you!


Have a Great Week!

I hope you had a great Memorial Day weekend and can’t wait to hear all about it.

As always, I’m here for you, just let me know what you need!


See you in the meeting room!

Melanie

“We deceive ourselves when we fancy that only weakness needs support. Strength needs it far more.”
Anne Sophie Swetchine

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