WW (Weight Watchers) Chat #258: Your Stay on Track Tools

WW News January 2022:

There is NO LIVE CHAT on Sunday, Jan 30th due to a chance of grandkids! We will be keeping both Alyssa and Beau that evening and I’m sorry folks…I’m good but I’m not that good 🙂
WW Wellness Wins Challenges are now set up to join one food tracking and one activity challenge at the same time. The new Limited Time challenges are “Rise and Shine” – track breakfast 7 days in a row or “Ready, Set, Sweat” – track activity for any three days within the week to earn a badge!
Not really news but I’m curious…Dusty is taking insulin now and is almost “frantic” for food. The first day (second dose) he spent 45 minutes digging a singular piece of dog food out from under the couch. My mom never described anything like that to me, but for my diabetic friends do you find yourself unexplainably and uncontrollably “frantic” when your sugar is out of whack?

The month’s theme is “Start Strong” and we will spend the entire month finding ways to Start Strong and then Stay Strong. New Year doesn’t always mean New You. Sometimes it means big plans with little follow through. Stick with us this month to find out how to stay excited and keep that momentum going!

Last week during Chat #257: 2021 Tracking #NailedIt! I reminded you that if tracking hasn’t necessarily been the easiest thing for you to keep up with, there are a few small tips and adjustments you can make to simplify the process!

Take a moment and think… is it easier for you to track your meal as you eat, before you eat, or after you eat? Do you save your common foods in the app? Do you already know the point value of your food?

Tracking. #NailedIt!

Adjust your Timing
Depending on your lifestyle it may be easier to pre-track your food if you eat the same lunch every day or plan out your meals for a few days at a time. If you’re eating leisurely, it might be simplest to track your meal as you’re eating it. And if you’re pressed for time and can’t get your meals tracked during the day, snap a picture of the meal so you can track your food later in the evening when you have more time.
Save Time with Saved Foods
Do you make the same meals in rotation week after week? Save those recipes in your app to make adding them to your daily tracking quick and easy.
Use the Quick Add Function
If you already know the point value of the food and portion size you’re eating, save time by quick adding those foods.

Your homework for last week was #TrackStar. This week I want to hear what your STAR goals are when it comes to tracking ….and then type it, snap it, share it however you like, and then tag me for your next cool badge!

Let’s see how you did!

Deanna is getting back to back mentions for homework…her daughter in law has been on the mend from what could have been a bad situation with an untreated infection and Deanna not only stepped up but she stepped in. This week she’s earned another badge by getting her week’s menu prepped, in clear freezer bags and clearly marked so they will be eaten and easily tracked!
Julie has been working hard all week planning and pre-tracking her meals…posting them to our group has inspired some of us to do that same!
Tina read my mind and was already planning to use the recipe builder to either pull in a recipe or actually build it for all meals this week that require it!

Bravo, you did it!

This Week’s Topic: Your Stay on Track Tools!

The WW graphic nailed it again this week. If you can print it out, do it. If not please visit it by either logging on to www.weightwatchers.com and going to the weekly topic, or on your smartphone or tablet simply touch the icon that looks like a calendar page.

I’m going to say two words. Without overthinking it should out (or comment below) the first thing that popped in your mind. Ready?

Meal Planning.

Some of you just got all angelic and glisteny-eyed dreaming about color coded lists, stickers, and some alone time with your favorite cookbooks and some sticky note flags.

The rest of you just turned off the chat and decided C Span would be less painful.

For those of us who think meal planning takes hours, a special set of markers, and a 72 pocket planner just hang on…we can do this! WW breaks it down into 4 easy steps (although I love sets of 3’s I can get on board). Check it out:

Which meal or meals do you “need” to plan?

Notice it doesn’t say want to or feel like you have to. Which ones do you need to plan? This week I needed to plan Monday night and Wednesday night, plus Tuesday – Friday for lunch so that’s all I wrote down.

What are you going to make?

Even though I’m not technically “making” my lunches, I am adding #bulkitup items so I counted it as making. This week I am making salads for those lunches, pot roast, and veggies for Monday and beef stew for Wednesday

What do you need to buy?

Please remember to do your pantry, fridge, and freezer inventory before you do this one. I am serious about you joining me in reducing food waste so please make sure you really need it before you buy it. I needed a roast and two bagged salads but I already had the rest either here at KC Kitchen Center or at home – tada!

What do you need to prepare?

Remember this also doesn’t have to be a marathon day in the kitchen…unless you want it to be. I chose a pot roast and veggies because I can put them in the crock pot before I take Dusty to the vet in the morning and it will be done by the time John gets home without any other intervention from me. The bagged salads are already ready, I just need to add a small number of things I already have at work. The beef stew? Genius…it’s the leftovers from Monday’s roast and veggies!

This Week’s Homework: #PrepStar

Your homework for this week is #PrepStar. This week I want you to choose one meal on one day that you will prep using the 4 simple steps we just listed….and then type it, snap it, share it however you like, and then tag me for your next cool badge!

Don’t forget to do your homework #PrepStar and tag me when you share on social media!

Instagram tag @ifyouhaveanegg
Facebook Page tag @ifyouhaveanegg
Facebook Group tag @Kelly Green Milligan
WW Connect tag @ifyouhaveanegg

Extra Credit: Egg Lady Labs – Product Testing Time

In the second half of tonight’s chat I’m going to be trying out three products that are completely new to me! One was sent to me, several of you have asked about another, and the last one I’ve seen lots of discussion over in another group.

Goetze’s Caramel Candies
This company has been making candy and sweet treats since 1895 and the two options they sent to me are only 2 points per piece and incredibly WW-friendly! Today I’ll be trying two popular caramel candies from Goetze’s:

Candy Caramel Creams® (also known also “Bull-Eyes®”) – 1 serving is 6 points (3 pieces of candy at 2 points each); peanut free; made with real milk
These are an absolutely delicious treat! I could see these become addictive very quickly
Bullseye’s
Cow Tales® Minis – 2 points per piece; peanut free; available in a variety of flavors (including Strawberry Smoothie, Caramel Brownie, and Caramel Apple)
I’m not sure if there’s a different caramel-to-cream ratio in these versus the Bull-Eyes® but I think I might like these even better!

Kodiak Protein Snack Bars

Many of you have asked about my thoughts on these and I hadn’t tried them yet, so this is the perfect time! I’ve used other Kodiak products (like their pancake mix) but never tried these bars. These were a little pricey in a multiple sense of the word. They’re about $6 per box and a little high on points as well (for me, 7 points per serving). The ingredients include whole grain rolled oats, wheat protein, and pea protein with 2g of fiber, 10g of protein, and 11g of sugar in each serving. Today I’m testing the crunchy chocolate chip (there are crunchy and soft versions available). These bars have a nice texture but the flavor isn’t quite good enough for me to justify paying $6/box and spending the 7 points per serving. I wouldn’t necessarily eat these every day, but I might keep one in my purse or car for an emergency snack.

Fairlife Core Power vs. Premier Protein Shakes

I’ve heard many people compare these two protein drink options and I’ve only had one of them in the past so I’m going to settle the debate for myself tonight!

Premier Protein: I typically don’t drink these alone because I find that they have a “chemical” taste. I prefer to use them to add protein to things like smoothies or cold brew coffee. These protein shakes are pretty pricey but I’ll use them sparingly when I’m desperate to add protein as they have 30g of protein in 11 oz (only 2 points for the whole drink). My least favorite thing about these is the number of unpronounceable ingredients on the list
Fairlife Core Power: Right off, I notice that the first ingredient on the list is low-fat filtered milk and the remaining ingredients are much more familiar to me. There’s a little less protein per bottle (24g) but the bottles are also a little smaller (8oz instead of 11oz) for 3 points per serving. I’m trying this one for the first time tonight and the verdict is… this is HANDS DOWN better tasting than any Premier Protein drink I’ve ever tried. The extra point is completely worth it!