Mi Amore + Savore = One Amazing Evening

Twice a year (Summer and Winter) top rated NYC Restaurants participate in Restaurant Week. All restaurants involved offer a pre-fixe menu, for $35 you get a 3 course meal, app, entree, and dessert. It's honestly a great way to try new places and/or go somewhere that normally exceeds your budget! With that said Christo and I planned a "date" night for Friday. After looking through the lengthy list of restaurants I picked Savore, a romantic, authentic Italian spot in Soho. I know what you're thinking... and the answer is no, no I didn't forget I was on WW and no, I wasn't going to go "off" of it just because it's Restaurant Week! I just knew I had to plan ahead and be extra smart on Friday, so I ate a lighter breakfast and lunch. When it came time for our 8:30 reservation I had already checked out the menu and knew exactly what I was ordering, btw I have rarely done this in the past and it really helps, not only do you not have to deal with the menu once there but you don't make poor decisions based off of what others are eating around you, etc. We had a delicious dinner, a nice bottle of wine and most of all I stayed within my daily points! Even though I was very pleased with my meal and fully satisfied I did realize it's not what you're eating that makes the night it's who you're with! Thanks Christo for one amazing evening!

It's time to get MOVING

It's time to set another weekly "mini" goal. Last night in the meeting we talked about daily activity and how it's important to get MOVING to get the weight off. So with that being said this week I am setting my "mini" goal to take the stairs whenever possible. I know this sounds kind of ridiculous but seriously living in NYC it's amazing how often you find yourself in an elevator. Even to get inside your own "home" you take an elevator! Lucky for me I live on the 3rd floor (sweet) so this should be an easy week to succeed at yet another "mini" goal!


"A thousand mile journey begins with one step. Start today."

W-Day #2

Today was weigh day and I must admit I caught myself looking at the clock way more often than usual. Finally 6:30 arrived and it was time to head to my meeting and face the scale for the 2nd week since starting WW. I knew this was going to be a tough week because last week was a pretty big number (3.8) but I felt confident in myself knowing that I did stick to the program and met my "mini" goal of drinking 2 liters of water a day! So now the time had arrived, off came my coat, off came my shoes, off came my sweater and here it was the moment I had been waiting for all day... down 1 lb. Hmm, at first I didn't know whether to be happy or annoyed, a pound, just 1 pound but you know what, a pound is a pound and a loss is a loss and I can't wait to do it all again next week!

*** total weight loss to date 4.8 lbs ***

COMFORT food vs COMFORT in my clothes

This past weekend was my 2nd official WW weekend, there were some ups and downs but overall it went fairly smooth. Saturday night Christo and I met our friends Christo (yes, there is another Christo Christoff in NYC and he happens to be a very close friend of my Christo) and his wife, Velina, for dinner. We met at Bar 89 a chic Soho spot known for their "comfort" food (ahh, found that one out once we got there) but don't be alarmed because like a good WW member I researched the menu prior to heading out and made my decision to order the Greek Salad no ifs, ands, or buts! While sitting there picking at my decent, yet nothing to call home about salad, I glanced around the restaurant. I was definitely the only person eating a salad but it was at that moment that I felt proud of myself. It wasn't easy but now I know I can do this. The next time I'm presented with the decision of comfort food or knowing my gray pants that are so not comfortable currently will one day be COMFORTABLE I'll stick it out and savor that dang salad!

Revision of an old snack

One of my most favorite snacks is hummus and Stacy's Simply Naked Pita Chips. I chose WW because you don't necessarily have to give up anything but knowing all foods have a point value you do start to think twice before eating something. Don't get me wrong here hummus and pita chips is definitely not an "unhealthy" snack in any way but 10 chips and 1/4 a cup of hummus is 5 points. Hmm, now I have a question to ask myself, do I want to have 5 points or can I find a way to enjoy a similar snack using less of my daily points!?! After some thought I came up with this figure friendly, satisfying 2 point snack.

Cucumber "Chips" and Hummus

Clean and peel a cucumber. Slice up cucumber into the size of poker chips. Mix cucumber chips in a bowl with some sea salt. Scoop out 1/4 cup of hummus into another bowl. Dip your cucumber chips into your hummus while pretending you are still having pita chips and watching Jersey Shore, hah:)

Enjoy!

Weekly Goals

I'm trying to set "mini" goals each week to help keep myself motivated throughout this process. Last week I focused on changing over from coffee w/ milk which equals points to drinking black coffee which is ZERO points. I'm happy to report that it was a success! I walked right past those milk pitchers in the caf at work each morning while repeating to myself, don't you DARE waste points on milk of ALL things, and it worked! Honestly I have not missed it and have been enjoying my zero point black coffee daily.

This week my focus is getting all of my daily water in. WW recommends that you drink 6 glasses (48 oz) of water per day but I have aimed a bit higher. I have set this weeks "mini" goal to drink 2 liters (67.6 oz) of water per day! So far so good except for the looks I'm getting from my co-workers when I leave my desk 8 times a day but they'll have to get over it!

“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.”

W-Day #1

So yesterday was W-DAY! Last night after work I anxiously walked to my WW meeting to conquer my first weigh in. As I stepped on the scale my heart was pounding but then a very pleasant smile came over Joyce's (the weigh in lady) face so I knew I must have made some progress. I am down 3.8 lbs woo hoo! I was thrilled and must admit I'm actually kind of excited to start another week on WW!

Pat me on the back... I survived my FIRST WEEKEND

Not only was it my first weekend on WW but it was a 3 day weekend because of the Martin Luther King Holiday! There were definitely moments of "struggle" but with my WW Coach or should I say Police Officer (Christo) right there by my side those moments came and went! One thing I have to constantly remind myself is that this program WILL WORK but it's going to take WILL POWER on my end! Mind over Matter Erika, that's my mantra!

FYI tomorrow is W-DAY (weigh day)... so stay tuned!

Points = Calories

Let me take a minute to briefly explain the WW plan. WW is based on a daily "points" system so according to your current weight, height, age, activity level, etc. you find out the total points you can have in a day. Points is basically counting calories with a twist. Saturday I was browsing around the WW website and found an article on foods that fill you up yet have a very low point value. It was at that moment that I decided I wanted to incorporate one of those foods into our dinner. After searching and searching through the food list which was quite extensive I might add I chose Brussel Sprouts. I really do love them and not once have made them so tonight was going to be the night! Christo came up with a simple recipe so I thought I would share.

Roasted Brussel Sprouts -
Yummy, filling and HEALTHY

Things you need-
Brussel Sprouts (cleaned up and ready to pop in your mouth)
Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper
Garlic (1 large clove)
Mixing bowl
Baking sheet

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Combine brussel sprouts, olive oil, salt, pepper, and crushed garlic in a mixing bowl. Stir until sprouts are fully coated. Pour out onto baking sheet and bake for 40 minutes (first 20 mins cover loosely with foil, uncover for remaining 20 mins)

ENJOY!

to drink or not to drink that was the question

Last night after work I met Christo and our friend Dave for drinks, yes, I just said drinks, hmm, how is this going to work now that I'm on this WW (Weight Watchers) journey?!? Well that is one reason I chose WW because you can definitely continue to live a normal life it's just that you have to revise some old habits! One thing I was not willing to give up was enjoying the metropolis of micro breweries NYC has to offer, in particularly last night our choice was Amity Hall. It's a great spot in the Village that we stumbled upon one Sunday evening and we're so glad we did! I limited myself to two beers (both Belgian, both delish) and still managed to have an enjoyable Friday night sticking to my plan. It was a good feeling and a great "revised" way to start the weekend!

A new day has...come

Hello Internet, Hello All... lets begin with the words from Celine Dion herself, (yes I am a loser and yes I actually do like her music) she writes, A new day has...come, so here it is, a new year, a new me, a new blog! I may not be on Facebook and I may have just recently joined the era of technology by getting a computer at home and a legit Internet connection (the neighbor I used to steal from moved out, dang) BUT I am starting this blog to monitor my progress and hopefully success on WEIGHT WATCHERS! Yup, I said it... I am officially on Weight Watchers and 100% ready and committed to deal with the dreaded issue of weight. As I approach turning 30 (ahhh) I have realized that I have just about everything I want (for now) and the one battle that stays in the back of my mind is carrying these extra lbs! So grab a cold one, prop up those feet and follow me on this journey of what goes up must come down!