Covid-19 and the subsequent quarantine have really done a number on my waistline. Even though I’ve been a stay at home mom for years, we never spent all of our time at home. I used to run errands and lift 30 lb. kids in and out of car seats many times a day. I chased my kids around the park, library and zoo. We took Mommy + Me classes. I would spend an hour walking around Target.
With my usual SAHM activities on hold, the pounds unfortunately started to creep on and all of a sudden I found my pants were just a little too tight! It’s not so much that I mind gaining a few pounds, but I just couldn’t bring myself to buy all new pants and shorts!
So what do I do? I go back to the one and only program that has helped me shed a few pounds in the past – Weight Watchers!
In case you find yourself in the same boat as me after a few months of quarantine, today I’m sharing a few ways I’ve been able to be successful on Weight Watchers both today and when I’ve done it in the past.
5 Ways to Win at Weight Watchers
- Keep Fresh Fruits + Veggies Readily Available – Many fruits and vegetables count as zero points. This means that yes, you can eat them until you’re hearts content and count it as zero points! Make sure these are stocked and prepped (peeled, chopped, cooked, etc.) to eat whenever hunger strikes!
- Keep Track of What You’re Eating – This is the kicker with Weight Watchers. Track everything (yes, everything!) that you eat. That goes for the 2 animal crackers you ate off your kids plate after snack time or the five M&M’s you grabbed when you gave two to your potty-training toddler. It’s amazing how much food you can eat and not even really realize it. When it’s written down, you’ll be held accountable.
- Find Low Point Snacks to Keep You Satisfied – Sometimes a zero point fruit or veggie just isn’t going to cut it. Find a few snacks that are low in points (like maybe 1-3) and keep these stocked in your kitchen. My current favorite is a Frigo light cheese stick, 1 Tbs. of hummus and carrots, which is only 2 points on the green plan, yet keeps me full and satisfied!
- Measure Foods – It’s really (really!) easy to take a spoonful of something like peanut butter and think “that looks about a tablespoon” but don’t! Take the time to measure out your foods, at least at the beginning until you can accurately eyeball amounts. This will make sure you’re counting the appropriate points for what you’re really eating.
- Be Kind to Yourself – This is probably the most important! If you are having a rough day and eat a cookie (or 5!) don’t berate yourself over it. It’s going to happen. Count the points, move on and try to make healthier choices next time. You ate a cookie, the world is not going to come crashing down.
Here are some other related articles that would be helpful:
- Easy Ways to Reduce Sugar in Your Diet
- Low Sugar Meal Ideas
- I’ve Tried to Lose Weight For Years. Here’s What Finally Worked.
