Michele: my success tips for Smart Points

Hi everyone! My name is Michele (@mp.healthyrecovery from Instagram) and I have lost 60 pounds with the help of weight watchers and exercise. I am in recovery from an eating disorder which makes this a very hard journey but so worth it. I never thought I would be this interested in a healthy lifestyle. If I can do it, you all can. It just takes hard work and dedication!

 I’m learning from the recovery that we should not label food as “good” or “bad” and that we should enjoy everything in moderation.  I am a very picky eater which makes it sometimes hard to find foods that healthier options and enjoyable. Here are the tips that I learned to make my journey successful.

Balance Meals:

What I learned from Weight Watchers and my nutritionist (for my eating disorder) is that our meals should be balanced with a: protein, carb, and Chew (fruit or veggie).  Having an eating disorder made it very hard to add carbs into my diet, but when I discovered Western Bagel it made it so much easier for me, I was able to add carb into my meal or snack but it also was a protein and low in Weight Watchers smart points so I am able to enjoy foods that I once labeled as “bad”. 

Here is one of my favorite breakfasts that is filling and follows my guideline for protein, carb and chew:

I love the Perfect 10 Healthy grain bagel (3sp) with 1 tbsp. of natural peanut butter ( 3sp) and strawberries (0sp).

The bagel counts as a carb and a protein which is great!

Snack:

It is important to have snacks during the day to keep our bodies out of starvation mode. I like to have the Bagelettes for (1sp) with cinnamon and of course my favorite peanut butter for a yummy and filling snack.

Exercise:

This was one of the hardest things to add to my lifestyle in the beginning but now it is my favorite thing to do and it helps me release stress, have fun and get healthy. I like to workout at home, take classes at the gym and walking. What I learned is just taking a short walk after dinner makes a huge difference!  It’s all about getting up and using pout bodies for what they were made to do- Move.

Planning ahead:

What helps me the most is to plan out my dinners for the week and then each night before bed I plan my other meals and snacks for the day. What I love the most about Western Bagel is that I can freeze them and then take them out when I plan to eat one and they defrost wonderfully! Now while all plans change sometime last minute, planning ahead helps me know my plan and how to stick with my points throughout the day and also make sure I am getting enough fuel throughout the day.  It’s not only about not eating too much but also eating enough, I know on busy days I can forget to eat which then leads to horrible.

Seek support:

What has helped me the most is realizing I do not have to be on this journey alone.  Weight Watchers meetings have helped me tremendously to gain support, get food ideas, hear other peoples journeys and to share victories and challenges.  Meetings always make me feel good afterward and let me know that I am not alone on this journey.  My family, nutritionist, and therapist have also been a huge support on my journey!

And lastly, remember to enjoy your food and do not deprive yourself!! Everything in moderation is what I am learning now, and foods like Western Bagel let you feel like you are having a cheat meal when you are not at all.

This journey is not easy but so worth it! Do not consider this a diet, it’s a lifestyle change.  Always remember your “why” and keep going no matter what.

I will end with my favorite quote that helps me with my journey“Life is about laughing and living in good and bad times. Getting through whatever comes our way. And looking back with a smile.”

If you want support to follow my Instagram @mp.healthyrecovery