5 for $5

Arby's has brought back the famous 5 for $5.95 promotion and I wondered how many calories you would consume if you ate everything from the choices. I was actually surprised to find out that if you ate all 8 choices, you would ONLY consume 2316 calories. That's a conservative estimate with the lowest calorie beverage and shake included. I can probably count on one hand how many times I have gone out to eat at a fast food restaurant other than Subway during this past year. Subway has been a staple as I can walk there very quickly. In fact, the employees know my order and have already asked, "is this one for your ...?" I just have to giggle and say yes. The Arby's choices surprised me as I was really expecting more calories and especially more fat from the two sandwiches.

Well, the title 5 for $5 actually has nothing to do with Arby's, but it gave me a good excuse to do some mindless math. My workplace is once again sponsoring an at-work weight loss challenge. I have done well in the previous two and thought there would be no harm in trying another one. This time, no money up front. Weigh in today, weigh in after 5 weeks. If you lose 5 pounds, you get $5! No strings attached. I'm sure this means that my yearly raise of a quarter will probably be cut, since the money has to be coming from somewhere. The dietitian weighing everyone in mentioned that several people are trying to lose the same 5 pounds they lost last time, but she also stated that it is great motivation to keep working at it and not let more pounds creep on before too long. I totally agree. I know the ladies from my department that have succeeded in the past have gained the 5 pounds that they lost. Even I tricked the scale and am not quite as low as my final at-work weigh in of 186. I'm looking forward to the challenge and hope to be able to stop at Arby's on June 17, the last day of the challenge. (Of course, I'm kidding!)

Friday Hodge Podge

FRIDAY FOODS

I don't go out of my way to buy Weight Watcher products normally, but they have come out with a few new flavors of yogurt. My new favorite has become Amaretto Cheesecake. Apparently, I am not the only one to find this new flavor as it has been sold out every time I've checked at my local grocery store. I did manage to get my hands on some recently and will continue to keep my eyes open for this flavor. There are other new flavors including Cherry Cheesecake and Boston Cream Pie, but I was not impressed by the Cherry Cheesecake and for some reason, brown yogurt just did not appeal to me as this was the color of the Boston Cream Pie.


AT WORK WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE
Wowsers! I was very worried about making it to my 6 pound goal for my Weight Loss Challenge because on Tuesday when I sneaked a peak at work, I was still 3 pounds away from my goal. I didn't think not eating breakfast would have such an impact, but that's what I did yesterday. I didn't eat or drink anything from 6:00pm Wednesday till the time I weighed in (10:30am) on Thursday. I was completely taken by surprise when I weighed in at 184! I needed to weigh 188 on the scale to reach my goal and I easily surpassed my goal. At the time I weighed in, only 6 people had reached their goal, so we should be receiving a nice little check soon :)

WEIGHT WATCHER TRAINING
Last night, I completed my training as a receptionist. It's amazing how many people came to sign up for WW last night. There were 8 new members at the first meeting. My mentor told me that this usually does happen when word of the free registration spreads. Free registration for Weight Watchers ends tomorrow. I felt much more comfortable this week and did not feel rushed and nervous like I did last week. There are definitely certain steps that need to be followed when checking someone out, like you must weigh in before purchasing items unless you go through a few extra steps. I am excited to start for real a week from Wednesday. Today, I received my name tag in the mail, so I will look like an official employee rather than a trainee.

"What's for Lunch?"

Our at-work weight loss challenge is under way. I've had so many people come up to me and ask for pointers as to how to lose weight. There's no magic pill, no vanishing formula, just plain hard work and determination. Of course, everyone is looking for an easy way out. They do not want to hear that I exercise 30 minutes every morning, talk a walk every lunch and another walk in the evening usually. Exercise has and will continue to be a big part of my success.

The last few days, I've noticed more people than normal asking me what I was having for lunch. Well, today I had an apple, a banana, a grapefruit, a can of Progresso Soup ((I know it's 2 points for the whole can and not 0, but that's still reasonable)), and a WW yogurt to go along with a packet of diet hot chocolate. The nurses and CNA's were stunned to see no meat. I did explain to them, the I have been changing my lunches up and have not been relying on meat so much. I eat a lot of peanut butter sandwiches, some chicken salad made with canned chicken and low fat mayo, and lots of salads with loads of veggies. I have been quite full after lunch on most days, but have had an afternoon snack of 2-3 points at about 3:00pm.

My 6 year old, Elizabeth, surprised me earlier this week. She takes hot lunch 2 days a week and cold lunch 3 days a week, just because hot lunch costs so much and she eats so little. She asked me on Monday night if she could have a lunch full of "healthy" food. She said that she is tired of all of her friends asking for her food. Normally, I give her a peanut butter sandwich, a granola bar, fruit snacks and something else for a treat. She said that her friends always ask for the fruit snacks, so today she took a banana and I was surprised to find out that she actually ate it. I will be sending more fruit with her tomorrow as well.

I am so glad to see that all my healthy eating habits are having a positive impact on everyone around me: friends, family, co-workers, and people I hardly even know.

At Work Weight Loss Challenge #2

Today, I joined the second at-work weight loss challenge for the new year. The first weight loss challenge was a big success. I won and took home almost $50.00.

It's too bad I wasn't thinking way ahead before I weighed in because if I was, I would have worn two sweaters, two pairs of socks, the heaviest shoes possible, etc. Instead, I took it look a man and drink 40oz. of water, stuffed tons of pencils and pens in my pockets, and ate about 10 minutes before being weighed. My starting weight for the at-work challenge 194lbs. I made a goal of 6lbs. in 8 weeks. Should be doable and if there are as many people in it as last time, it should make for a good little payday come March 4.

Thought I'd try to think writing a few handy tips down for a few weeks on Tuesdays. We'll see how long it lasts.

Tuesday Tip of the Day:
Use a measuring cup as a serving spoon. Helps you keep your portions under control. Sadly, I don't do this often enough.