Share Your Story
Have you lost weight and kept it off? Have you changed your lifestyle and improved your health? We want to know what you did and how you did it! Your story will inspire others to help them lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle!
To submit your story, simply fill in the fields below. If it’s selected, you’ll be featured on our Web site and will receive a Flip Video™ camera. Plus, your story will serve as an inspiration to the entire Smart Ones® community!
So start sharing today, and give others the motivation they need to succeed with their weight-loss goals, too.
Submission Rules & Guidelines
Read All Stories
Share Your Story
Congratulations to bridge92,
our latest Share Your Story winner!
Have a weight loss
story to share?
Submit your story and you
may be our featured
member AND win a
Flip Video™ camera!
Contest Rules
OPEN ONLY TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND WHO ARE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE OR THE AGE OF MAJORITY IN THEIR STATE OF RESIDENCE, WHICHEVER IS GREATER, AS OF THE DATE OF ENTRY. VOID ELSEWHERE AND WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.
1. ELIGIBILITY:
Open only to individuals who are legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, 18 years of age or older or the age of majority in their state of residence, whichever is greater. The following individuals are not eligible: employees, contractors, directors and officers of H. J. Heinz Company, L. P. ("Sponsor"), Promotion Execution Partners, Ferrara & Company, Emanate, Kick Apps, Promotion Fulfillment Partners, LLC, and each of their respective parent, subsidiaries and affiliated companies, distributors, web design, advertising, and fulfillment agencies and other individuals and entities involved in the administration, development, fulfillment and execution of this Contest (collectively, "Sponsor & Others"), and the immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling and spouse or "step" of each) and those living in the same households of each.
2. BRIEF OVERVIEW OF PROMOTION:
The Weight Watchers® Smart Ones® “Share Your Story Contest” (“Contest”) starts on 7/15/09 at 6:00 P.M. ET and ends on 4/30/10 at 11:59:59 P.M. ET (“Contest Entry Period”). All entries (“Submissions”) must be uploaded to www.eatyourbest.com/community (“Contest Website”) no later than 4/30/10 at 11:59:59 P.M. ET. Please be aware that your copy, photos and videos may be publicly displayed on the Contest Website. To participate in the Contest, a community member (“Member”) as defined below must submit a blog post on the Contest Website, which may include photos, videos and copy up to 300 words in length, in which the member shares their weight loss story according to the instructions and judging criteria stated in these Official Rules. (Be sure to carefully read these Official Rules as you will be bound by them.) The twelve (12) Submissions selected by the panel of Contest judges may be posted on the Contest Website for public view. Twelve (12) Winners will receive a Flip Video Camcorder. Additionally, each Winner’s weight loss story may be featured on eatyourbest.com as a “Featured Member”.
3. TO ENTER:
To enter, a Member must go to www.eatyourbest.com/community during the Contest Entry Period, and follow the instructions to register, post his/her Submission, and click on the “Share Your Story” link. Submissions must be received no later than 4/30/10 at 11:59:59 P.M. ET or the member’s submission will not be entered into the Contest. Before uploading a Submission, each member must indicate his/her agreement that s/he has read, understands and agrees to be bound by these Official Rules. Remember: Once a Submission has been posted, it may not be changed or edited. Be sure to save your Contest Submission in its original format after uploading it to the Contest Website. Submissions become the property of Sponsor and will not be returned. Limit of one (1) entry per person/e-mail address. Multiple entrants are not permitted to share the same e-mail address. Any attempt by any entrant to obtain more than the stated number of entries by using multiple/different e-mail addresses, identities, registrations and logins, or any other methods will void that entrant's entries and that entrant will be disqualified.
4. REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES AS CONDITIONS OF ENTRY:
Submitter by registering and uploading a Submission, represents and warrants that: (A) s/he has the legal capacity to enter this Contest; (B) the Submission has not been entered in or won previous contests or awards; and (C) the Submission has not been published or distributed previously in any media. Additionally, each Submitter represents and warrants that the member owns all rights and title to the Submission and all the Submission Elements. Submitter further represents and warrants that the member has obtained permission from each person whose name, image, likeness or voice ("Likeness") is included in the Submission, and that such person(s) have granted Submitter all necessary rights to use the person's Likeness as described in these rules, and that Submitter can and will make written copies of such permissions available to the Sponsor upon request. By uploading a Submission, a Submitter, irrevocably grants Sponsor and its affiliates, legal representatives, assigns, agents and licensees, the unconditional, unlimited and perpetual right and permission to reproduce, encode, store, copy, transmit, publish, post, broadcast, display, publicly perform, adapt, exhibit and/or otherwise use or reuse the Submitter's Submission and Submission Elements, including, but not limited to, the recording and the performances contained therein (in each case, as submitted or as edited/modified in any way by the Sponsor, in its sole discretion), as well as to use (or not use) Submitter's and the Family Members’ names, likenesses, photographs, and/or statements ("Bio Information") in this Contest in any and all media without limitation, worldwide and throughout perpetuity, without additional compensation, notice to, or approval from Submitter, or any other party. Each Submitter understands and agrees that although it has granted Sponsor to use its Submission as stated hereinabove, Sponsor, in its sole discretion, may elect not to so use any said Submission. EACH SUBMITTER REPRESENTS, UNDERSTANDS AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT A SUBMITTER WILL NOT BE PAID FOR OR RECEIVE ANY FORM OF COMPENSATION OR ROYALTY OTHER THAN POTENTIALLY THE PRIZES STATED HEREIN IN EXCHANGE FOR GRANTING SPONSOR THESE RIGHTS OR FOR ANY SUBSEQUENT USE OF SUCH SUBMISSION BY SPONSOR. Each Submitter waives all intellectual property rights, privacy/publicity rights or other legal or moral rights that might limit or preclude Sponsor’s use of the respective Submission and agrees not to sue or assert any claim against Sponsor & Others arising out of or connected to the use of the Submission or Bio Information. Each Submitter further agrees to indemnify and hold Sponsor & Others harmless from any and all claims, damages, expenses, costs (including reasonable attorneys' fees) and liabilities (including settlements), brought or asserted by any third party against any of them due to or arising out of the respective Submission, or the Submitter's conduct in creating a Submission or other actions in connection with this Contest, including but not limited to claims for trademark infringement, copyright infringement; violation of an individual's right of publicity or right of privacy; or defamation. Each Submitter further agrees to release and hold harmless Sponsor & Others from any and all claims that any advertising subsequently produced, presented, and/or prepared by or on behalf of Sponsor infringes Submitter's rights with regard to any Submission Elements, contained in the Submission. Although all Submissions will be reviewed by Sponsor before being judged, posted or published; the posting or publication of a Submission does not mean the Submission has been deemed to be in compliance with these Official Rules. Submissions that do not comply with these Official Rules or that otherwise contain prohibited or inappropriate content as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion will be disqualified and, if posted on any websites related to this Contest, removed there from.
5. CONTENT REQUIREMENTS AND SUBMISSION FORMAT:
(A) Creative Objective: The creative objective of the Submission is to create a Submission that will deliver the weight loss story of our community members, and motive other members to share their stories. (B) Content Requirements: The Submission must be a minimum of fifty (50) words and a maximum of one hundred fifty (300) words in length, including any tags, and must be primarily in English. Submission may not contain or refer to any food or beverage brands other than Weight Watchers® Smart Ones®. All Submission Elements used must be either (i) entirely original, or (ii) be in the public domain. Use of any elements, including without limitation music, audio, speech/voiceovers, video, stills, visuals, or other materials that are not original, in the public domain, or downloaded from the Web Site may result in disqualification of Submission, in Sponsor's sole discretion. A Submission must not contain, mention, refer or otherwise allude to the name or logo of any retailer, manufacturer, brand, product, person, company or character nor may it contain, mention, refer or otherwise allude to any obscene, lewd, violent, illegal, offensive, disparaging or inappropriate words, abbreviations, language, signs, products, symbols, political, personal and/or religious references or statements, (including but not limited to words or symbols that are widely considered offensive to individuals of a certain race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or socioeconomic group; must not promote alcohol, illegal drugs or tobacco (or the use of any of the foregoing); or in any way reflect negatively upon the Sponsor as determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion. All Submissions will be reviewed before being posted or judged; however, despite a Submitter’s receipt of an email from Sponsor confirming acceptance of his/her Submission, posting of a Submission does not mean the Submission has been deemed to be in compliance with these Rules. Submissions that do not comply with these Official Rules or that otherwise contain prohibited or inappropriate content as determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion at anytime during the Promotion Period, will be disqualified and will not be considered for a Prize. (C) Technical Requirements: The maximum file size for any Submission to be uploaded to the Contest Website is 100 MB, and must be provided in one of the following file formats: .flv, .avi, .mov, .mpg, wmv, .asf, .mpeg, .mp4, or .3gp.
6. SELECTION OF WINNERS:
Judging will commence as Submissions are received and will be completed on or around the fifteenth of each month beginning August 15, 2009 and ending May 15, 2010, at which time the highest scoring entry received as of that time will be declared the winning entry for that judging period. Two winning entries will be selected in the months of (June & July 2010). Non-winning entries from one month will be eligible to win in subsequent months, but will not be re-judged each month. Submissions will be judged by a panel of qualified judges (“Contest Judges”) comprised of Sponsor’s employees. The Contest Judges will employ the following criteria in evaluating and rating the Submissions: (i) Originality – 25%; (ii) Overall appeal – 25%; (iii) Likelihood to motivate people to use lose weight/start a healthier lifestyle -25%; and Use of key messaging – 25%. The twelve (12) Submissions that are selected based on the above criteria will be designated as the Twelve Winning Submissions. In the event of a tie in any month, the tie will be broken based on the highest score received for Criterion (i) Originality, and continuing thereafter to each other Criterion above in order, as needed to break the tie. If a tie still remains, the tied Submissions will be evaluated and ranked by a Contest Judge not previously involved in the judging. Potential Grand Prize Winners will be notified by email, phone, and/or courier within approximately five (5) business days of each drawing. The Submitters of the potential Top Twelve winners will be required to irrevocably assign and transfer to Sponsor any and all rights, title and interest in their respective Submission, including, without limitation, all copyrights, and agree to waive all moral rights in that Submission. The Submitters of the Top Twelve Winning Submissions will be required to complete, sign and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability Release, Copyright Assignment and, where lawful, a Publicity Release and return these properly signed documents to Sponsor in the pre-paid, pre-addressed mailer provided to Submitter within 5 days of date notice was sent or their potential winning status will be forfeited and an alternate winner may be selected. Notification of Winners status must be kept confidential until their Submissions are publicly revealed by Sponsor. All Top twelve winners are subject to verification, including without limitation, verification of eligibility, compliance with these Official Rules and completion of all required documents (described below). Additionally, the potential Winners agree that Sponsor may conduct a confidential background check as described in Rule 7 below. Entrants agree that the Sponsor has the sole right to decide all matters and disputes arising from this Contest and that all decisions of Sponsor are final and binding.
7. PRIZES: GRAND PRIZE (12):
Twelve (12) Winners will receive a flip video camera (Approximate Retail Value: $250.00). TOTAL ARV OF ALL PRIZES: $3,000. Prizes may not be redeemed for cash and they are neither transferable nor substitutable, except at the sole discretion of the Sponsor. The potential Winners may also be required to sign additional documents, as deemed necessary by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right to require a potential Winner to submit to a confidential background check to confirm eligibility as a condition of awarding the Prize to help ensure that the use of any such person in advertising or publicity for the Contest will not bring Sponsor & Others into public disrepute, contempt, scandal or ridicule or reflect unfavorably on the Contest as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. All Prizes will be awarded provided that, in Sponsor’s good faith judgment and sole determination, there are a sufficient number of eligible and suitable Submissions. LIMIT: Only one (1) Prize per Family will be awarded.
8. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY/RELEASE/ INTERNET:
No liability or responsibility is assumed by Sponsor or Contest Parties resulting from any user's participation in or attempt to participate in the Contest or ability or inability to upload or download any information in connection with participating in the Contest. No responsibility or liability is assumed by the Sponsor or Contest Parties for technical problems or technical malfunction arising in connection with any of the following occurrences which may affect the operation of the Contest: hardware or software errors; faulty computer, telephone, cable, satellite, network, electronic, wireless or Internet connectivity or other online communication problems; errors or limitations of any Internet service providers, servers, hosts or providers; garbled, jumbled or faulty data transmissions; failure of any e-mail transmissions to be sent or received; lost, late, delayed or intercepted e-mail transmissions; inaccessibility of the Contest Website in whole or in part for any reason; traffic congestion on the Internet or the Contest Website; unauthorized human or non-human intervention of the operation of the Contest, including without limitation, unauthorized tampering, hacking, theft, virus, bugs, worms; or destruction of any aspect of the Contest, or loss, miscount, misdirection, inaccessibility or unavailability of an email account used in connection with the Contest. Sponsor & Others are not responsible for any typographical errors in the announcement of Prizes or these Official Rules, or any inaccurate or incorrect data contained in the Contest Website. The use of any robotic, automatic, macro, programmed, third party or like methods in this Contest are prohibited and the use or attempted use of such will void any attempted participation effected by such methods, may result in the cancellation, termination, or modification of the Contest and the disqualification of the individual utilizing the same. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE PROMOTION IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS. SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, THE SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES OR OTHER REMEDIES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON (S) RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTEMPT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. Use of the Contest Website is at user's own risk. Sponsor & Others are not responsible for any personal injury or property damage or losses of any kind which may be sustained to user's or any other person's computer equipment resulting from participation in the Contest, use of the Contest Website or the download of any information from the Contest Website. By participating in the Contest, the Submitter releases Sponsor & Others from any and all claims, damages or liabilities arising from or relating to participation in the Contest. By accepting a prize in the Contest, Winners agree that Sponsor & Others shall not be liable for any loss or injury resulting from participation in the Contest, or acceptance or use of any prize. Sponsor & Others are not liable in the event that any portion of the Contest is cancelled due to weather, fire, strike, acts of war or terrorism, or any other condition beyond their control (a "Force Majeure Event"). As stated above, a Submitter shall be regarded as the official representative acting on behalf of his/her Family and Family Members, is authorized to accept the Prize on behalf of the Family and Family Members, and will be the arbiter of any disputes between and/or among Family Members relating to a Submission or participation in this Contest. Sponsor & Others are not liable for any disputes between a Submitter and his/her respective Family or among Family Members as relates to a Submission or participation in this Contest. If for any reason the Contest is not capable of running as planned, including without limitation, infection by computer viruses, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Contest, Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion to cancel, modify or terminate the Contest and proceed in a manner it deems fair and reasonable, including the selection of winners from among eligible Submissions received prior to such cancellation, modification or termination. Further, Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual deemed to be (a) tampering or attempting to tamper with the entry, judging or voting process or the operation of the Contest; (b) violating the Official Rules; or (c) acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person.
9. PRIVACY POLICY:
Any personally identifiable information collected during an entrant's participation in this Promotion will be collected by Sponsor and used by Sponsor, its affiliates, agents and marketers for purposes of the proper administration and fulfillment of the Promotion as described in these Official Rules and in accordance with Sponsor's Privacy Policy as such is stated at www.heinz.com/privacy.aspx.
10. PUBLICITY RIGHTS:
By accepting a Prize, Prize Winners agree to allow Sponsor and/or Sponsor's designee the perpetual right to use their name, biographical information, photos and/or likeness, and statements for promotion, trade, commercial, advertising and publicity purposes, at any time or times, in all media now known or hereafter discovered, worldwide, including but not limited to on the World Wide Web and Internet, without notice, review or approval and without additional compensation except where prohibited by law.
11. GENERAL:
By entering this Contest, participants agree to abide by and accept these Official Rules. Participants waive any right to claim ambiguity in these Official Rules. In no event will more Prizes be awarded than are stated in these Official Rules. In the event that due to technical, mechanical or other errors, there are more potential Prize Winners than are stated in these Official Rules, a random drawing among the claimants will be held to determine the Game Prize Winners. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. In the event of a dispute as to the identity of a winner based on an email address, the winning entry will be declared made by the authorized account holder of the email address submitted at time of entry. "Authorized account holder" is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an email address by an Internet access provider, on-line service provider or other organization (e.g., business, educational institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted email address. The interpretation of these Official Rules shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Any and all disputes will be resolved individually, without resort to class action, in the appropriate courts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania exclusively, and subject to the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Should there be a conflict between the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and any other laws, the conflict will be resolved in favor of the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. All federal, state, and local laws apply. Void in PR and where prohibited by law.
12. WINNERS LIST:
For a list of the Grand Prize Winners, visit www.eatyourbest.com/community, by 5/30/10.
These Weight Watchers Smart Ones “Share Your Story Contest” Rules may not be re-printed or republished in whole or in part without the prior written consent of H.J. Heinz Company, L.P.
Sponsor: H. J. Heinz Company, L.P. 357 6th Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 ©2010
Community Rules
Inappropriate Language
Weight Watchers® Smart Ones® wants all members to feel comfortable within the community. Comments including, but not limited to, profane or provocative language will be removed. This includes any comment that can be seen as hateful, racially or ethnically offensive, derogatory, threatening, obscene or sexually explicit.
Copyright Infringement
The unauthorized use of copyrighted material will be removed. Please see our Terms of Use for additional information.
Personal Attacks
Weight Watchers® Smart Ones® believes that people come first. Please keep this in mind when posting your opinion. If you disagree with a post, we’d like to hear from you, but we ask that you refrain from personal attacks or being disrespectful of other members.
Illegal
All federal laws and all laws that govern the state of Pennsylvania, as well as any other applicable laws, rules and regulations (together “Laws”) will be followed on eatyourbest.com. Any comments pertaining to or referencing illegal activity (i.e. activity that could reasonably be viewed as violating any Laws) will be removed.
Spam
Comments focused on selling a product or service, un-related self promotion, extremely off-topic remarks and comments that have been posted more than once will be removed.
Health Claims
While we encourage members to discuss how they have achieved a healthy lifestyle, please don't post any medical advice. These items will be removed.
For more information about what is acceptable within the Weight Watchers® Smart Ones® community, please review the Terms of Use within the Heinz Privacy and Legal Policies.
The use and disclosure of information collected on this web site is subject to the Heinz Privacy and Legal Policies
H. J. Heinz Company, L. P. 2010 All Rights Reserved
WEIGHT WATCHERS on foods and beverages is the registered trademark of WW Foods, LLC and is used under license. WEIGHT WATCHERS for services and POINTS are the registered trademarks of Weight Watchers International, Inc. and are used under license.
Blog Posts With the Most Comments
relapse! relapse!
Bridgette Wilson - The Journey Bridgette Wilson - The Journey
Long as I could remember. I was the “cute, but chubby” girl. In the first grade, I weighed 90 pounds!! I was the one that adults would say, “She has such a pretty face, if only she could lose a little weight…..”
Fast food was my obsession. I loved French fries…..they were everything. I never met a French fry I didn’t like. When I was in Middle school, every Friday Mom treated us to somewhere special. I would get off the bus and no matter what had happened that day, I knew we were going to go and eat later that evening. There was a place where I grew up in Houston, called “Master Burger”. They had small orders of fries: four for 25 cent with a coupon. I would get the Master Burger with Cheese and four orders of fries and sometimes onion rings as well. I would eat it all!!
College was where I had my first wake up call to do something about my weight. One of my mother’s friends was into fitness and losing weight. She recommended I try Slim-Fast. I did it for about two weeks and lost 14 pounds. I was hooked. So, then I started exercising, watching what I ate and really giving it my all. I went from 194 to 130!! I was wearing a size 8 and thought I was the queen of the world. But the part I didn’t learn was HOW to eat and WHAT to do after the diet is over. I was finally thinner, but very unhealthy. I realized that you can’t live on shakes for the rest of your life. So, before long, I put the weight back on and was heavier than when I first started out.
In spite of my weight challenges over the years, I met a wonderful man in the fall of 1997. Shawn and I were married on May 20, 2000. On our wedding day, I weighed 175, which I had accomplished to fit into my wedding dress. Before I got pregnant, I had swarmed up to 210 pounds. We had our daughter in 2004, which surprisingly, I only gained 30 pounds, so that took me to about 240 pounds. After Kayla was born, I dropped 25 pounds just like that. I thought to myself, hey, let’s try losing some more. So, I did finally get down to 188 and was feeling pretty good. I got on a 1500 calorie diet plan on my own. I exercised and was feeling pretty good about my accomplishment. But then, the yo-yo dieting started all over again for me. I returned to my old habits and the weight returned as well. I was back up to 215 pounds.
A job offer came to me in November 2006. We moved to Austin, TX. I continued with my bad eating habits, rebelling on being healthy. I tried to convince myself that since I keep going back to the 200 pound range, maybe this is just where I was meant to remain.
Finally, my turning point came. I had to get self-employment insurance because my consulting firm was not going to be able to provide group insurance to the Texas employees. So, that meant every consultant for my company working in Texas had to get their own insurance. Once the agent found out how much I weighed, they put me in a high risk category, which meant my rate changed so drastically. This was the wakeup call I needed.
On December 28, 2006, I started my weight loss journey, weighing 215 pounds. For once in my life, I realized, it was an addiction with me and fatty foods. I didn’t want to go back this time, but go forward. I didn’t need to be skinny, just healthy. I started changing the way I was eating and got into exercise. After a year, I got to my ultimate goal of losing 92 pounds!
I have been maintaining my weight loss (between 121-124) since March 2008, which is over a year and half. I am now a size 4-6 Petite in pants and skirts and small in tops! I use to be a size 22W pants and XXL in tops. This makes shopping so much easier and more fun now!
But the three things that are the key to my success are:
I have learned to find sensible alternatives and still get the same satisfaction as the high fat foods gave me. Some people want to challenge me to see if I will stick to my new way of eating. I use this as a tool to make me stronger. I have adopted a new way of thinking and along with it came a new life.
Before I go out to a restaurant, I research online for calorie and fat counts. I know what to order before I get there. I only eat out twice a month, and I make Smart Ones part of my lunch menu at least 3 times a week!
I have learned on my journey that you must plan or you will fail. I have finally learned that I am a food addict and I have to be aware of that or I will end up back in the plus-size department. But with a little planning ahead, I believe I will make it this time.
The surprising conclusion is that I don’t even like the way those fatting foods made me feel. I know that I didn’t like the way they made me look. So, do I miss it?? Not one bit, because when I look in a mirror, I am so grateful to God for helping me to find a new life.
Andie's Final Journey Andie's Final Journey
I named this my final journey because I have finally realized that this weight loss adventure will last forever. It's no longer a race to the finish and then return to old habits. Yes, I've done that. Gotten to goal weight and didn't learn a thing about eating habits and what causes me to eat. When I had 40 pounds to lose...I took a lot for granted and NOW I have more than 150 pounds to lose and realize this must become a lifestyle. I'm learning a lot about me as I CHOSE to begin the Weight Watcher program again. I've learned that I CAN do this one day at a time. I've learned that little goals can be rewarding. AND I've learned that I do not have to reward myself with food. When I read about the additional 35 points a week, I secretly planned a splurge......but as the week went on, I didn't need or want to use the points. Granted this is my first week, I'm always gung-ho the first week. I relied heavily on Smart Ones this week, to help with portion sizing and "to not eat a meal while I cooked a meal." I have always been a "taster". Next thing I know ,I've eaten half a loaf of bread while "tasting" what I am cooking. Losing weight this time is definitely more challenging. At present, I cannot walk any type of distance. So I am relying on diet rather than exercise. This will change as I lose the pounds. It took me years to get here, Now I'm ready to get on with it and am excited to say that week one was successful. I lost 9 pounds. Good for me!!!!
30 lbs in 6 weeks?? HELP 30 lbs in 6 weeks?? HELP
So I just started the weight watchers plan on my own. No online or meetings I have faith in myself that I can do it. I know that I need 22 points a day and I am loving the meals the scramble egg and potatoes are my fav so far. any tips or help will truly mean a lot. i am also starting to bike a few miles a day to push it even more
Finally under 300 Lbs! Finally under 300 Lbs!
I'm a 38 year old single woman in Dallas Texas and I've just lost 28 lbs since Mid-February 2010. It all started when I got VIP tickets to see my favorite singer, Aaron Lewis of Staind. I wanted to lost 20 lbs so I started eating Smart Ones for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I lost 14 lbs by the time I sent to the concert a month later. I decided to keep on with the weight loss. After all, I was a size 24, and quickly pushing up to a 26. I couldn't have that. So I kept on. I did have cheat days. I did go to On the Border and have chips and queso, but I've been making the healthiest of choices like chicken fajitas.
I don't drink anyway now, but I used to. And I'm convinced that quite alot of the weight I have on me is from drinking. I had some GI problems about 2 years ago and had to stop drinking. With the exception of the very very occasional margarita, I don't drink at all. I don't have a problem anymore not drinking when I'm out with the girls or on a date. It's just part of the way life is now.
So, I have added alot of yogart to my diet; fresh fruits and those frozen digestive veggies in single size packs. I drink alot of apple juice each day, and take vitamins regularly now. And I buy alot of Smart Ones. My newest fave is the mini ratoni in the vodka sauce. I have to eat alot of whole wheat fiber and that's perfect for me.
So like it says in my title, I have actually hit a weight under 300 lbs. Yesterday morning, I weighed in at 298.5 lbs. UH do you know how hard I've worked towards this? that officially makes my weight lost 28 lbs. I cannot tell you how important it has been for me to hit that goal. I have faught and faught with cravings, tried to eat healthily while maintaining portions sizes, tried not to eat chips and queso, and stay away from fast food. UH! I did it. I actually had the thought that I order a pizza to celebrate. Only for a split second. I dismissed the thought of that immediately.
What's next. Well I've hit a major goal. I think I need to add exercise. I really don't exercise much and part of that is fighting in my mind with this voice. The voice tells me I'm not good enough, to rebel against what I know I should do, and that it won't matter because I'll fail again. I hate this voice. This is the voice of my mother and the voice of an old ex-boyfriend. I hate this voice and I really wish I could be the voice in my head instead of them.
How interesting that this is being written on Mother's Day. I don't speak to my parents so I feel a little bad for outting them here, but I decided I needed a journal, to keep track and accountability. I don't know if anyone will read this, but honestly, it's not for you. It's for me. I'm going to try to be braver. I'm going to try and kick out that voice in my head keeping me down, and fat. look at the success I've had already. I need this, for me. I'm committed. It's gotten pretty easy now that it's been 3 months. it's like the decisions are already made, just have to follow them.
that's all for now,
Jackie
That Stupid Scale! That Stupid Scale!
If anybody is wondering why you haven't seen me in so long, there's a very simple answer. (You know, I said I would stay in touch even though I'm not spending much time around the computer anymore.) Well, here it is: I was going to contact you guys as soon as I finally lost the ten pounds. Lol, now you know why you haven't heard from me yet.
So, here's what's wrong with the 'weigh every day' method' (which I was really liking for a while because either way - up or down - it was motivating). When you get stuck for, like ten days, there is that temptation to say, "Oh, phooey, this isn't working anyway," and deepen your relationship with the loaf of rye bread and the enormous package of provolone cheese that your husband bought when a friend came over. And I can't blame John, either, because I'm the one that asked him to get stuff for a deli lunch (silly me) for a musical friend who was coming to rehearse with me. So, using the scale frequently works very well, except when it doesn't!
Also, I can't resist telling you: I have a slight 'fiddle injury' to my little finger and have to go to the acupuncturist. The wonderful thing about this is that , even though my little finger won't bend very much, I was able to play three tunes in our Irish music recital yesterday and all went well. (No notes for the little finger, believe it or not.) Although we were missing two accordions and a banjo due to work conflicts, we rocked! Okay, more soon, and I will tell you when I finally lose that ten pounds! Off to walk now, before it rains.
P.S. I've actually lost about 8 pounds, which is better than nothing, but still 22 to go. Still eating Smart Ones, still liking the key lime pie.
The Journey Continues The Journey Continues
Another week has flown by, I've stayed true to journaling my food, even when I didn't want to write down the oreo cookie (single) that found me. This week I had a lunch date with some friends. I fretted about it for 3 days. We were going to Arby's--one of my favorite fast food places. I always ordered a regular Arby's, curly fries and a Jamocha shake. I knew this would have to change. So I went to the Arbys.com website to find nutritional information. There I calculated that an Arby's Jr. would be 4 points, a regular Arby's would be 8 points. The site mentioned that they had side salads and dressing. After calculating the dressing points I decided to bring my own. So I practiced "Arby's Jr. and a side salad, please" over and over in my mind and I headed for my lunch date with a tupperware cup with dressing in my purse. When I got there I was told that they had discontinued salads. What to do??? I ordered a regular Arby's and a diet soda. As we were chatting at the table and having already opened and tasted my sandwich I noticed that it was not a regular but a MEDIUM. I had already taken a bite or two and was too embarrassed to take it back and say "you gave me the wrong thing." The best plans sometimes don't work out. So I enjoyed the rest and the company of my friends. When I got home I calculated the sandwich cost me 10 points. I just adjusted dinner to allow for the extra points I used. If this had happened to me before returning to Weight Watchers I would have ordered my old favorite as soon as I learned that the salad wasn't available. So I felt victorious that I did not order the fries or shake. What I noticed, was how much I missed having a vegetable with my lunch. So we'll plan our lunches somewhere better suited from now on.
I was hungry this week and have been trying to figure out why. I wasn't feeling bored which is what usually gets me started on a binge, nor was I particularly happy or sad. I'm thinking it's the lack of variety in my food choices. I've been eating pretty much, the same things for the last two weeks. So this week I'm going for variety and adding some new veggies to the menu. I need to treat this as a lifestyle versus a diet. All in all the experience has been good and I've lost another pound and a half, bringing my total lost to 10 1/2 pounds. I'm so excited. I'm ready to work on my next 10........just 17 more sets of 10 and I'll be at goal. This is the most important thing I have ever done for myself and I will not let the enormity of it get me down.
12 pounds in 4 weeks with smar 12 pounds in 4 weeks with smartones
Hello, I'm Rachel and I am 25 years old. I've never really had to diet because I was always very active. After college I began to put on a few pounds due to a desk job and unhealthy diet. I decided to do something about a year ago and lost 23 llbs. I was happy with the weight I ended 134. I began to stop dieting, but tried to control my proportions. The weight eventually crept back up to 139 and I decided that I was going to be in control of my weight and actually do something about it. I have been watching what I eat for 4 weeks by eating smart ones. I have also exercised some and I've lost 12 pounds in 4 weeks. I am currently at 127 and I would like to lose another 7 pounds or so. Smart ones makes the healthy lifestyle easier. Portion control is a big issue for me and it makes it simple. I have had friends joke about my cardboard meals that they think probably taste worse than the cardboard packaging. I honestly tell them that I enjoy the smart one's meals better than a juicy burger. It feels great when you are done and they are extremely tasty.
Sweet Fried Bananas with Cream Sweet Fried Bananas with Cream Cheese Frosting
Sweet Fried Bananas with Cream Cheese Frosting
(Recipe from Hungry Girl web site)
Ingredients:
1 large banana
1/4 cup Fiber One cereal
1/8 tsp. cinnamon
pinch of salt
2 tbsp. SPLENDA, Granular
3 tbsp. Cool Whip Free
1 tbsp. fat-free cream cheese; softened
Directions:
Cream Cheese Frosting: Stir to combine cream cheese, Cool Whip and 1 tbsp.
Splenda until smooth. Refrigerate.
In a food processor or blender, combine Fiber One cereal, cinnamon, salt and
1 tbsp. Splenda, and blend until a breadcrumb-like consistency is achieved.
Cut banana in half widthwise and then lengthwise (so you have 4 pieces).
Spray banana pieces (both sides) with nonstick cooking spray. Roll banana
pieces in the breadcrumb mixture, making sure to cover them entirely. Place
bananas in a pan sprayed with nonstick spray, and cook at medium heat for
approximately two and a half minutes per side, or until crispy. Serve with
chilled cream cheese frosting.
Serves 1
WW points: 3
(Entire recipe: 200 calories, 1g fat, 160mg sodium, 52g carbs, 11g fiber, 19g sugars, 5g protein)
Finally the scale has moved! Finally the scale has moved!
I am happy to report I have lost the weight I had gained when I had company a few months ago. I over indulged in all kinds of foods and desserts and I knew I would pay dearly. Most of my clothes feel better now and I have been keeping up with my exercise plan. Since the kids are back in school full time I have 6 hours per day to work, clean or work out! Cleaning is quite the work out let me tell ya! Anyway I would like to be to my goal by Christmas since we are going back to Baltimore to visit family for the holiday! Well until next time...........
Power Eating! Power Eating!
I’d rather just ignore this past week, but I feel that I should share ‘the good, the bad and the ugly’ (and this is ugly!) so here goes …
I may have invented a new term for my vacation eating …POWER EATING! I ate with a vengeance …Why? Because it was there! I was out of control! What is wrong with me?
I started out strong, but as the days (HA! Who am I kidding …I didn’t make it a day!) wore on, I weakened …my determination went right out the window. There were very few foods that I said ‘No’ to …in fact I can’t think of anything that I didn’t eat that was offered or just ‘hanging around’. It was one of those “lost week-ends” … only longer. I gained almost a pound per day. I felt icky. I was bloated and cranky. I was up 4 pounds when I weighed-in Sunday morning on my home scale …Woe is me …
I wish that I understood what happens …why we let ourselves eat garbage, and we wind up feeling like garbage and we’re going to have a weight gain. When I’m in the middle of an ‘eating frenzy’ I don’t even consider the consequences until I’m ‘paying the consequences’ (bloating, sick feeling, guilt, gain) …Why do I let myself do this? (Please ...tell me I'm not the only one!). It’s just so frustrating …I sabotaged myself. I have only me to blame.
Well …I’m letting go of the guilt …it doesn’t make anything any better. I’m back on program and I’ve taken off 2 of the 4 pounds. I will journal the rest of this week (WW weigh-in day is Thursday), exercise, eat lots of fruit, veggies and fish and drink lots of water. MAYBE it won’t be as bad as I anticipate …we’ll see …
My First Two weeks My First Two weeks
My first week was good I followed everything I was supose to do, and I excersized five days out of the week. When I went in for my second week i didn't feel like I lost weight, and I was really scared. I got on the scale, and I was really happy when my leader said I lost 6.2 pounds
Where Do I Start? Where Do I Start?
Hello SmartOnes!
I'm new to this site and was just wondering where do I start? I used to be a Weight Watchers member; but I'm not currently a member. I used my previous Weight Watchers materials and calculated my daily meal points; which says I am to eat 19 points a day. I'm only trying to lose about 10 - 12 pounds to really be the size that's comfortable for me and therafter I want to learn how to maintain. I've been in this current plateau of 150lbs for about 2 months. I work out everyday (5 - 6 days a week) and aside from an occassional treat, I eat pretty healthy everyday; but the scale won't budge. I've never exclusively eaten only SmartOnes meals, so I just wanted to ask you more experienced SmartOnes how to begin. Do I just go out and buy up some SmartOne Meals and eat them for breakfast lunch and dinner or do I add in other stuff to also incorporate (flex or core plan) meals into my eating, too? I just want to start off on the right track.
Thanks!
changes changes
I love walking at the park,tonight I walked 3 miles thats the first time I have walked that far so far,umm yeah I'm feeling it lol but it's all good, and I look forward to adding more miles onto my trails,I am still using the ellipitcal,and treadmil just not as much,but I add them still weekly,my smart ones meals watching my sugar intake and calories i'm doing good there also :). Thanks people for your support,and kuddos to ya'll for working it out :) keep it up.
How do the Points work How do the Points work
Does anyone know how the points work on the packaging of SmartOnes? I was at Target the other day and saw the Pasta with Ricotta and Spinach for $1.88. It looked good and I could afford it. I loved it and had it again tonight for dinner. I also bought the strawberry smoothie icecream bars...DELICIOUS!!!!!!!! The ricotta is 5 pts and the strawberry smoothie bars only 1 pt. So now I am wondering how to use the points...like how many points can I have in one day.
Thank you
Half Empty or Half Full? Half Empty or Half Full?
Wow! Another loss this week. I could call it a "measly" .2-pound loss, but I'm not. For me, a loss followed by another loss is a major big deal, so this time (and sticking to my goal of finding the positives in all situations, hense the glass half empty or half full title) I'm saying that I lost "a whole" .2 pounds this week! I'm a little ho-hum today, for totally non-weight and WW related reasons, so I'll sign off by saying thank goodness for Smart Ones (the chocolate chip cookie dough sundae rescues me often) and for the great people in this community. Have a great week all!
Strawberry Parfait...1 point Strawberry Parfait...1 point
Fresh strawberry season is here and I've been enjoying Yoplait Fiber One Vanilla Yogurt layered with 1 cup of sliced fresh strawberries. Only one point. At work I use a 10 oz clear plastic glass so I can enjoy how pretty it is. Very filling and oh so good!!
The Journey Continues week 5 The Journey Continues week 5
The last two weeks have been a disappointment. I weighed in and was up a total of 3 pounds. I felt very frustrated because I had followed program and feel like a betsy wetsy doll for all the water I have taken in. I am still following the program because as I said in my first blog this is my final journey. I am trying to stay positive, but it's hard. I weighed in today and I've lost 1 1/2 of the 3 I gained....so I'll take that as a positive. I always thought that plateaus were for those close to goal.....Reading other blogs has given me hope. Here's to next week.
the first step... again and ni the first step... again and nighttime complications
Greetings...
Today is the beginning of success. This time it is diferent because this time I am ready. I am sure. Currently I am 283 and I am looking forward to being 279. Ultimately, I would like the scales to read 175, but for now, 279 would be great. The 70's are coming! The 70's are coming. Then 275 and 269 will be other mini goals I would like to set. To make this happen, I am once again following my points and using portion control. This is a definite thorn in my side... portion control. Usually the best way for me to do that is to eat meals from smart ones. When I cook, sometimes it may be a heaping cup that gets on my plate.
Any suggestions for this scenario? It has been somewhat of a downer in the past... I work 11p - 7a. The problem is finding a way to work out. Most often I use videos but sometimes I do go outside. My concern is when I come home, to work out gets my adrenaline pumped and I am too excited to go to bed. But when I wake up later in the evening, it is too dark to go out or I wake up just with enough time to get ready for work. Anyone else out there with a similar issue or recommendations?
Thanks!
Feeling Healthy Feeling Healthy
Well I have joined a neighborhood jogging group. We meet 3 times a week and run around the neighborhood (slow Jog) I have lost 3 lbs. since I started and I have more energy each day. I also started juicing some fruits and veggies in my juicer again! Hey it was collecting dust. I try all different combinations of fruit and veggies together. My kids are even loving it I tell them they are smoothies. Never to young to get healthy! I also rid my house of all JUNK food. I had a box of Dunkin Donuts left over from when we had company, tossed them out. I always feel sick after I eat a donut. Not worth it. I allow myself one treat per week. Like peanut butter cups or an ice cream i get out somewhere. I cannot have ice cream ect in the house, tooo tempting. I do like the Smart Ones Desserts and I keep those on hand in the freezer. I hope to be down 10 more lbs in a few months. I am setting a goal and I will stick to it!!!