When I started in January of '08, I weighed approximately 163 lbs and wore a (tight) size 10. It was no fun at first, but it really wasn't a "diet." I was able to eat all of the things that I loved, I just had to eat a lot less. I really enjoyed the fact that WW allows you a certain number of "cheat" points per week. If it weren't for those "cheat" points, I never would have made it!
By the time I started law school in August of '08, I weight approximately 140 lbs and wore a slightly-loose size 8. At this point, I started doing an extremely modified version of WW. By "extremely modified," I mean I counted my points Monday - Friday, but I ate whatever I wanted on the weekends. I was mostly trying to maintain my weight. At this point in the game, I was able to name the point value of any food item that I looked at within 15 seconds of reading the nutritional information label.
During my second year of law school, my then-roommate, Sally, got me to go to my first Spinning class. I haven't been able to maintain a consistent schedule (because of school), but I try to go once or twice a week. I have continued to count my points (per the "old" system) Monday - Friday. I now weigh between 130-133 and wear a size 4 or 6, depending on how tight the dress or pants are on my hips (my hips haven't gone anywhere!). I SWEAR by WW and spinning. I think it is the best combination of diet and exercise for people like me (who love food and hate exercising). WW is great because no food is "off-limits." Spinning is great because it is not as boring as running on a treadmill or working out on an elliptical because you are constantly changing your RPMs (speed) and resistance.
With all of that being said, I think that I am refusing to do the new WW "Points Plus" program. It makes sense, in theory. This new program allots dieters a larger number of points to eat per day, and it calculates food values differently (looking at fat, protein, carbs and fiber (I think)), instead of just calories, fat, and fiber. In my limited experience, this results in goods carrying higher point values. However, under the new program, fruits and vegetables (with the exception of potatoes and corn (and one or two others that I can't remember)) carry a "0" point value. So, this should encourage dieters to eat more fruits and veggies, and less carbs. This makes me very cranky. I need my carbs, or I get incredibly irritable!!! Also, the program is fairly new, so I have been unable to find out how many points I am allotted per day to maintain my current weight. All of that results in me refusing to start the new program and reenforcing the fact that the old system worked for me!!
So, I am going to share my FAVORITE WW recipe with everyone. Enjoy!!!!
Pork with Ginger and Noodles
Ingredients
- 1/4 lb of cellophane noodles (we use "thin vermicelli noodles" by Taste of Thai)
- 6 ounces of ground lean pork
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tbs minced, peeled ginger
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 tbs reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbs red-wine vinegar
- 1 tsp of Asian (dark) sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
- 1/3 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tbs chopped, fresh cilantro
Directions
- Put the noodles in a large bowl and add enough hot water to cover. Let soak until softened, about 10 minutes. Drain.
- Meanwhile, spray a nonstick wok or large deep nonstick skillet with nonstick spray and set over medium-high heat. When a drop of water sizzles in it, add the pork and stir-fry, breaking it up with a wooded spoon, until browned, about 3 minutes.
- Add the onion, ginger, and garlic to the wok; stir-fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and crushed red pepper. Pour in the broth, scraping up any browned bits fro the bottom of the wok; bring mixture to a simmer.
- Add the noodles to the wok. Reduce the heat and simmer until all the liquid is absorbed, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle with the cilantro.
Points: 4 per serving (recipe makes 4 servings).
And for everyone else, if you want to stick with the old system, here is proof that it works!
This is a picture from New Year's Eve, 2007 - one day before I started WW (that is me on the far left).
This is me on my wedding day . . . June 19, 2010.
This is me a couple of weeks ago at the 100 days party!!
