Tilapia Salad -- Weekly Weigh-in

Last night was my regular meeting night. I went (even in terrible weather) and stood on the scale, wishing, praying, and hoping I had lost 2.4! I made sure I had on no jewelry and made sure to breathe all the way out (hey I'll do whatever I think might help). My fearless leader, Ginny, wrote down the number and was so happy for me, but it wasn't what I wanted. 1.8. Don't get me wrong I'm happy for the loss. I'm happy to be nearing the 170's again. I'm happy to have lost 3.4 pounds over the past 2 weeks. I'm happy to have not gained.

But I can't help but be disappointed that I missed my weekly goal again this week. I have set this very realistic goal of losing 8 pounds in the month of March. I am trying my best to reach this goal. In the event that I don't reach my goal of 8 pounds I want to look back at this month and think that there was nothing I could have done differently. 

Things I did good last week: 

I tracked 5 days.

I earned 32 activity points. 

I made good choices while out to eat and even found a new favorite dish! (more on that in a second)

I performed the best I've done so far this season for co-ed softball on Sunday! (it was only practice but I'll take it:)

Overall it was a great week and I'll just have to settle be happy with the 1.8. 

NEW RECIPE 

Last Friday night I ate at Charles Anthony's Pub (off the Mitylene exit in Montgomery). I ordered a Tilapia Salad. It was amazing and I couldn't wait to try and whip up my own version of it at home. 

It's quick and easy and only 7 PP without dressing!!

Ingredients: 

3 oz of cooked Tilapia (I prefer cajun or blackened) 

2 cups of spring mix

1 stalk chopped celery

1/2 diced tomatoes

1 tbsp blue cheese 

2 tbsp dried cranberries

1 tbsp chopped pecans 

Directions: 

Bake tilapia filet on 325 degrees for 20-25 minutes (or until done). 

Put all other ingredients in bowl and place cooked tilapia on top. 

I found an amazing lemon vinaigrette recipe that you can make in less than 5 minutes with simple ingredients. I put this recipe in the recipe builder and the dressing is 4 points for 2 tbsp (it yields about 12 tbsp). 

I hope that your weekly weigh in goes well! If you try this fresh salad please let me know what you think! Have a great and healthy week! 

I ordered that? (Restaurant Nightmares)

A friend of mine recently told me about an app called NutriScore2Go (it can also be used like a website if you don't have a smartphone). NutriScore2Go is an app with many different restaurants neatly organized with the Weight Watchers points plus values for their menus.  If you are counting points plus values and you eat out often this app is a must have! I was just browsing through the app and looked up the values for some of my "used to be" favorite meals. Ummmm did I really used to go to a restaurant for dinner and eat 50 or 60 points? Yes, I most certainly did! And sometimes more than once a week!!! I am not a depressed person or not a very emotional eater (aside from the occasional boredom snacking). I became 300 pounds because I love food and made poor food choices daily! Here are some of my old favorites....

Boneless Buffalo Wings: 32 pp (shared with usually 2 other people) 

Fiesta Lime Chicken: 32 pp

Chocolate Chip Cooke Sundae: 44 pp (shared with usually 2 other people)

Total pp value for this meal: 64 Points Plus

Cheddar Bay Biscuits: 4 pp each (always had at least 3)

Salad with blue cheese: 7 pp

Cajun Chicken Pasta: 39 pp (full order)

Bahama Mama: 11pp 

Total pp value for this meal: 69 Points Plus

Buttermilk Spice Muffin: 16 pp 

Steak Seared Salad: 29 pp 

Total pp value for this meal: 45 Points Plus

Bread and butter: 4 pp

Filet Foccacia with Sweet Potato Fries: 34

Total pp value for this meal: 38 Points Plus

Onion strings with fried jalapenos: 29 pp (shared with usually 1 other person) 

Buffalo Chicken Ranch Sandwich: 37 pp 

Total pp value for this meal: 66 Points Plus 

Ice Cream Cone: 4 pp

Beefeater: 20 pp 

Blue Corn Tortilla Chips and Homemade Salsa: 7pp

Total pp value for this meal: 31 Points Plus

Looking back at these meals and the amount of calories I was eating for dinner a couple of nights a week is embarrassing!  I am writing this blog to show people how these meals with appetizers and drinks can lead to one very fattening meal. I really had no idea these foods had so many points! A dessert that is 44 points! Ridiculous! 

Using the Weight Watchers program I have developed a lifestyle that has made me more aware of the food choices I make on a daily basis. I still eat a few things on this list but I almost always half the meal or share it. You don't have to give up everything you love but remember everything in moderation! 

What are some of your "worst" favorite meals? And do you never order them anymore or just for special occasions? Let me hear all about it!