The Weight Watchers Wednesday fun began last fall about two weeks before I found out I was pregnant. The fabulous Mojito Maven and LyndsAU continued on and lost weight and reached their goals. Then LyndsAU got pregnant, too! We all know Mojito Maven isn’t next on the pregnant bandwagon, but I did joke that bloggers should stay away from Weight Watchers Wednesday unless they wanted to end up pregnant!
I didn’t stay with the program while I was pregnant because my WW leader doesn’t like for pregnant women to follow the program. Some of you may have followed Weight Watchers while you were pregnant and that’s completely fine. I just didn’t– but I also gained 42 pounds over the course of 10 months.
Those 42 pounds don’t include the 12 pounds I gained between May 3, 2008 (our wedding day) and October 15, 2008 (the day I found out I was pregnant). Those were my happy pounds. Those pounds are the reason I started Weight Watchers Wednesday in the first place.
Now that Hudson is here, I’ve already lost 34 of the 42 pounds. Some of that was 9.5 lbs of baby. Some of it was fluid. Actually, a lot of it was fluid. Then over the past three months, most of the rest of it has just come off from having little time to think about food let alone eat. I’m also constantly chasing two dogs around and moving around the house with a 15 pound baby.
So. I have 8 pounds of baby weight left to lose and then I have those 12 pounds of happy marriage weight to lose. 20 pounds. Wow. When I put it like that it seems like an impossible mountain to climb. But I know I can do it.
Here’s my plan. I love Smart Ones and Lean Cuisines. My favorite Smart Ones is Creamy Rigatoni with Chicken and Broccoli. I could eat it every single day. I know I’m going to get comments telling me that I should cook fresh vegetables and eat lean protein. I appreciate your input so much, but the reality is that I don’t have time to cook lunch. I barely have time to eat lunch. The Creamy Rigatoni Smart Ones is 6 Weight Watchers points and it fills me up. A couple of hours later I’m bound to crave something sweet, so I eat the Sugar Free Strawberry Jell-O or Sugar Free Chocolate Jell-O Pudding Snack.
Hudson and I have just started going on walks. If I can, I like to fit in two walks. I go with just Hudson on one walk and then I bring Boudreaux along with Hudson and me for the second walk. Each walk lasts about 30 minutes, so that’s a good amount of activity every day.
I’m going to join the gym in October. I’d do it tomorrow, but I’m going to be out of town for two straight weeks and I don’t want to pay for a full month of gym membership if I’m not in town for the majority of the month. So I’ll join in October and that should speed up the process.
I know that these 20 pounds are going to be the hardest to lose, but I’m determined. I’m not giving myself a deadline– just a weight goal. When I reach it, I reach it.
For dinner, I’ll cook from the Weight Watchers website and Cooking Light. Cooking Light gives you almost all of the nutrition facts so it’s really easy to figure up the points per serving. I will have recipes ready to share next week. This post is simply here to kick off the process for me and to help me stay accountable to all of you that are watching and reading.
I’m all about honesty, but I’m just not ready to put my starting weight on the blog. I will go ahead and tell you that I’m wearing a size 8 in Banana Republic and J.Crew pants. They fit completely different than they did before I was pregnant and I know my body has morphed. I’ve also realized that I may not get my old shape back, but I’m excited to see what my new shape looks like.
I was wearing size 4 pants before I got pregnant, so I do have a big goal of fitting back into my old clothes. For weight loss purposes and economical reasons. If I can fit back into my old clothes I don’t need to buy quite as many new clothes. Although I do think a good reward for losing 20 pounds is a new wardrobe! Right, ladies?
Okay, so I’ll post about my progress every Wednesday and I promise to let you know exactly how it’s going. I’m a little bit nervous to put it out there like this again, but I’m ready. I haven’t been pregnant for 3 months and I’ve averaged 10 pounds per month with weight lost so far.
I’d also like to point out that I’m not joining Weight Watchers this go round and I won’t be attending meetings. I’ve done this so many times before and I’ve been successful. I will only weigh myself once every week and I will be recording points. I just don’t think it’s in our family’s best interest for me to pay Weight Watchers to do this when I’ve been successful before.
Okay, so please cheer me on– if I fail you’ll all see it happen! Also, please share your favorite recipes and Weight Watchers websites. And join me if you want to! Hopefully the ride will be lots of fun!
{ 64 comments… read them below or add one }
Great goals Erin-that is the way to do it-healthy, no deadlines, and incorporating normal activity like walks and heading to the gym. You can do it!
awesome that you’re getting back into it! i definitely suggest http://www.dwlz.com/restaurants.html for ww points when eating out.
good luck to you!
Go Erin, go! I think I might just be jumping back on the WW bandwagon myself – my happy pounds are starting to show!
I’m so happy you’ll be doing WWW again! I have been on it since February and am currently down 15 with another 10 to go (then I’ll re-evaluate my goal). I’ll have to try that Smart Ones– it sounds great! GL to you and I can’t wait to follow along!
YAYAYAYAYAYYAYAYAYAYAYYA
I’m not alone anymore!!!!!!!! We’re going to get you where you need to be together! i know you can do it!!
P.S. I’ve put on about 5 pounds so I could use of motivation too!
Yay for WW Wednesdays!! It’s such a great program and I became lifetime many years ago…going from a size 8 to a 4 in a short amount of time. Not so easy when you’re older, but I do need to loose 12-15 lbs!!! I eat healthy 80% of the time…I just enjoy my evening vino, but working to cut back during the weekdays.
Here is a site that features WW recipes…I’ve tried many and they are pretty tasty. http://weight-watchers-points-recipes.blogspot.com
I also love Cooking Light too. Best of luck on your journey…you’ll get there. I’m going to use your motivation to inspire me…sure would like to get at least 5+ lbs off by T-Giving to get a jump start over the holidays.
Oh, and by my “older” comment, I meant me…NOT you Erin!!! I’m much, much older than you so it does get a lot harder when the old metabolism slows down!! Didn’t want you to think it was towards you at all!! : )
Wooohooo! You have made my day! I am rejoining WW tonight! (If I can find the meeting place) I am super nervous! I did this a few years ago and had success. Then work got in the way. I quit smoking 1.5 years ago and put on a TON of weight! 20+lbs (very worth it though). I have bee working out and eating right and seeing some results but it is now time to step it up. I am also excited about the support. So if you do not mind I would LOVE to join you! I haven’t written a BLOG in a long time and I thought this was the perfect opportunity.
Good for you! I’m on Day 3 of my own weight-loss regime (basically, eat healthy and workout). I’ll look forward to your Wednesday posts!
Once I have this baby, I will be right there with you! I keep joking with people that I’m going on my “30 Year Diet” as soon as this baby is born. He’s my last one, so I’m ready to be done with all this gaining and start LOSING FOR GOOD!
Did you just hear that? That’s me cheering you on from Shreveport!! I know you’ll be successful and I look forward to using some of the recipes you post.
I’m doing weight watchers too, and also doing weigh-in Wednesday! Here is my post from today:
http://legallyfabulous.blogspot.com/2009/09/weigh-in-wednesday.html
I have 30 pounds to lose (have lost 9 so far via WW and working out like a crazy woman), so I know what you mean about feeling like it’s an impossible mountain to climb. That’s one of the great things about weight watchers – I know a guy who lost over ONE-HUNDRED pounds over a year doing the program. I just remind myself that compared to everything he had to lose, my 30 pounds is nothing. It sometimes helps. Other times it doesn’t matter, and I just feel discouraged.
I also totally know what you mean about the SmartOnes meals… my trainer is constantly getting on me to stop eating them because of the sodium and blah blah blah. It’s better than McDonald’s, which is usually the only other thing I have time for!
Good luck, can’t wait to read about your SUCCESS!
good luck! here is a good website that gives great recipes for all that yummy comfort food and also provides the ww points! http://www.hungry-girl.com/ (the daily newsletter is pretty helpful too)
I am cheering for you my friend!! You will get those pesky 20 lbs off in no time!! Don’t worry!! And of course I am always here for you if you need anything! FIT TRAIN here you come and me too in oh say… 2 months…
I so want in on this!! So glad to have found so other ladies who are going through the same thing! Good luck!!
Erin, you’re NOT going to fail – I can’t wait to see how well all of this goes for you. (And it will!) Thank you for your brave decision to be open and honest about the numbers and know that I’ll be rooting you on. I’m due in 6 weeks and am already encouraged by your success so far – can’t wait to join you after our little one is here! Keep up the great work!
I never comment, but had to share this great website with you – http://www.weight-watchers-points-recipes.blogspot.com is the best. I too am starting up again to lose the never ending 10. wishing you weight loss success!
This is me cheering you on!!!! I know that you will reach your goal in no time!! The other day I realized that I had gained 12 pounds since I got married I was completely shocked. That is horrible! I have a theory on this, but its not one that I can share on the ole blog. I would love it if you would share some of your recipes that you are cooking, Luke always gives me a hard time that I cook the fattiest recipes. I admire you for doing this, because I am afraid that I don’t know how to lose weight, if I tried I don’t know if I would know what to do! That sounds so weird.
You can definitely do it! You should check out Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred. It’s an amazing 20 minute workout AND it’s like $8 or $9 on Amazon.
I will look forward to reading about this…and participating along with you from a far!
Good for you Erin! I am trying to get back into my healthy-eating/exercise routine too. The Heatlhy Ones frozen dinners sound perfect for me. I love the recipes from Self.com too, so easy. I’ll have to check out the WW site. Best of luck!
How exciting!!! At least you know what you like and what does the trick for you! You can do it
Good luck!!!!
I am very excited for this feature as well! I have been batteling my weight and have been thinking I will try WW at the beginning of the year. I am worried about the portion sizes. Good luck!
Good luck!! I am excited to watch your progress!!
If you get tired of using the WW or Cooking Light recipes, you should check out Healthy Cooking magazine. I do almost all of our menus from their online selections, and they include the nutrition data for calculating points.
Hey – just noticed that Fiona doesn’t seem to make the cut when it comes to your walks. What gives? You don’t want her to become a fatty, do you?
SAHM in CA with an 11 week old bundle of joy in the very same 20 lb boat
I look forward to trying the recipes you suggest.
OH, Erin you will lose it and your body will be more like it was before as time goes by. The walking will do it! That’s how I lost my last, most difficult pounds when I had my babies! And gosh what a relief to get OUT OF THE HOUSE into the fresh air! I remember looking forward to my walks with a passion! You have already done so well!! I promise you will be back in those size 4’s! Have a great day! xoxo
I am going to participate with you! After starting to teach last month I have put on weight that is very unwelcome considering I bought my teacher clothes after I had lost weight for the wedding and can’t afford for them to not fit. Can’t wait to hear your ideas for weight loss.
another great site for recipes is RecipeGirl.com She has a section completely devoted to Weight Watchers and many of the recipes have pictures (always a plus in my opinion!).
Good luck! I know they’ll be talking about how HOT Hudson’s mom is at the park in no time!
Whew-hew Erin! You can do it, girl! No worries….I still have 5 ish lbs to go and Kendall is 7 mo. old. Opps. Life just takes over, huh? Looking forward to seeing what you cook for your family, so I can copy.
Go Erin!! You can totally do this!! I look forward to your tips and recipes as I could always stand to lose a couple of pounds!!
I know you can do it!
Right there with ya! Good luck, I’ll be rooting for you!
ps Go Cocks!
You can do it!
We will all be cheering you on from afar! 
Yeah! I love checking the WWW posts on everyone’s sites. I actually just created over a months worth of WWW posts of my own and have them ready to post for the weeks ahead…I almost always post a recipe on my WWW’s. Best of luck to you…
I just wanted to say that you are the cutest mom ever! I love reading your posts, especially now that your little guy is here! One day when the Mr and I have babies, I will be at home too, so it’s so fun to read about your journey!
Good luck with the baby weight! I know you’ll do great!
Good luck with your weight loss Erin! I know you can do it. And there are so many people on here who will benefit from your journey…myself included. Thanks for sharing your story!
I’m thinking about quitting the meetings myself. I’m paying like $40 a month…and I know the program so well…I fell like I can do it on my own.
Good luck girl! You can do it, and I am cheering you on!!
I will join you!! I have more happy pounds than I would like to share, so I will definitely join you! Way to go!!
YAY!!!!! I love this entire post!! I am glad you are REALISTIC about everything!
Ugh- 7 lbs of happy fat have crept on since my late May wedding. I definitely need to jump on the fit train!
Good for you!! I weighed myself last week and noticed I’d put on 10 pounds since MAY! That’s now a total of 18 since my wedding last July. I’m not doing WW, but my husband has joined me in an effort to lose the weight, so I’m right there with ya! Keep sharing those healthy recipes and I’ll do the same!
Ok- I’m going to join you… I need the inspiration and I like that I can follow along with you. Can’t wait to hear your progress!
I really enjoy some of the smart ones too. I am certainly hopping on the WW train once Jack arrives. I’m actually pretty darn excited to eat healthy and get back to something resembling my old body! Bring it on!!
My fav? Santa Fe Rice & Beans!
Can’t wait to see your progress! I’m going to start this back as soon as I can after Weston is born, so I completely understand and can’t wait to get started!
I am not doing WW but I am counting calories and trying to exercise every day. I gained some “happy” weight after marriage too, plus I lived in Europe for 7 months and all they ate where we were was meat and cheese and bread! So I need to lose about 15 pounds. I love the Smart Ones meals and I think they are a little cheaper than Lean Cuisines. They are definitely convenient!
good luck, you can do it! sounds like a healthy plan and mindset that you have. it’ll be fun to read and watch your progress as you meet your goals. go girl!
Good for you! I need to lose about 20 lbs as well. It is hard to find time to exercise and eat right! I would love to see some of your recipes if you have a chance to post them. Take care.
good luck! i’m doing WWW myself and have finally gotten off my plateau, it seems. but with football season starting up and a tailgate planned for Saturday, i’m kind of nervous. i wish you the best of luck and will be on the journey with you!
I’m proud of you! I know you can do it!!
Good luck! It sounds like you have a great, realistic plan. You’ll lose the weight before you know it!
I’m cheering you on!! I need to lose some pounds too–I managed to gain back all of what I lost over the last 8 months, which is totally depressing–so, I need to get back on track.
Good Luck girl! You can do it!!
I too am a WW believer. Not sure if you have seen though but right now they are doing free registration and a free month. Might be worth it just to get the new materials for the new motivation program they launched. Just a thought. Good luck!!
Hi Erin!
I’m new to commenting on your blog, because I just recently started my own blog and am figuring out how the whole blog world works. But, I wanted to tell you that I love your blog, and congrats on being a mom! He is adorable!
I wanted to send you my website in response to your Weight Watcher Wednesday post, because it is all (actually, mostly) all about healthy, easy recipes to make at home. I am in culinary school, but I am very interested in health, and wanted to share my recipes and health tips with others. I thought that some of my recipes might be things that you could try at home. I commend you for already losing so much baby weight, though – that was quick! Ok, here is the site!
http://delishwithouttheguilt.blogspot.com/
Thank you for sharing your weight loss progress…honesty like that is great for women to read!
P.S. Just ignore the dessert recipes that I post…those are just for entertaining purposes!
Congratulations on jumping back onthe fit train! You can do it. I know 20 pounds sounds like a lot, but it is do-able. You go girl!
Good luck! I am totally with you on the Smart Ones and the Jello. I like to add lite reddi whip too-it makes it fancy!
My aunt lost 80 pounds on WW… She looked amazing… Almost too skinny! I am a big believer in writing down everything I put in my mouth… Makes me accountable to myself… I don’t do points… But try and watch calories… I have my dress fitting in 21 days… And have GOT to get with it. Since my fiance and I moved in together I think I’ve gained like 5 pounds… The Hot Tamales in the vending machine keep calling my name! I have to resist them!!! Way to go, Erin!!!
Yay for you and WW!
Love it, and it’s the only weight loss plan I follow. Can’t wait to get back on after this baby is here. 
Good luck to you, I know you can do it. And those last few baby pounds are the hardest to lose, but you look fabulous right now..so don’t worry if it takes you awhile to reach your goal! When you don’t have much to lose, it takes a lil’ longer. 
Hey!
I just love you blog! I have never commented but have read alot of your stuff!
I was wondering if I could get your permission on something. I wanted to do a Room-Tour Tuesday on my blog, but didnt want to copy you without you saying it was ok. I know that you do Home-tour Tuesday but it was pretty similar. lol
Thanks!
I am so impressed you’re only 8 lbs away from your pre-preggy weight! That’s awesome! You are going to do great at shedding those last 20! I’m feelin’ it’s going to take me a bit longer this time around…sigh. I’m going to have to check out the Cooking Light, I LOVE that it tells the nutritional facts, I have a post that I haven’t posted yet about a BC cookbook that gives all of the facts too=)! and that Creamy Rigatoni sounds soo yummy=)! What is your plan for the gym? I have a few little weights at home but I really like doing some of the really good classes so I’m debating on maybe doing one during naptime (when Hubby isn’t out at meetings)=)!
Here are some additional nutrition tips from one of the mothers/experts I trust most.
http://www.myworkbutterfly.com/page/nutrition-1
Enjoy and best.
I just tried the Smart Ones Creamy Rigatoni with Chicken and Broccoli. It is delicious! Thanks for the recommendation. I am always hesitant to try a new flavor b/c I have found quite a few I don’t care for, but that one was yummy. Looking forward to today’s WW Wednesday post!