Be Your Best, Not Your Perfect

   Do you ever get discouraged or disappointed in yourself?  Everyone does. I know I usually hold myself to a much higher standard and when I don't achieve what I think I should or accomplish the task I'm working on with the level of perfection I think should be attained, I get really upset with myself.  It's much easier for me to encourage others and forgive them than it is for me to extend the same compassion to myself.
   This week in our WW meetings we discussed being nice to ourselves.  Many times when members step on the scales and don't see a loss or don't see the amount of loss they think they should have, they get discouraged and become their own worse critic.
   We all need to be reminded from time to time that no one is perfect.  I was reminded that only one person was "nearly perfect in every way"- Mary Poppins.  One of my favorite quotes is one by Michael J. Fox:  "Excellence I can achieve; perfection is God's business."  We have to remember that if we let our setbacks get us down and we don't continue to try, then we have accepted defeat. I liked what one member said she told herself when her weigh-in didn't go like she wanted: "Tomorrow is a new day with a new opportunity to stay on plan."
    During the meeting, I had members read quotes at different points in the discussion.  Here are the quotes we used:

Promise me you'll always remember: you're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. -Christopher Robin to Pooh Bear

When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it. -Henry Ford (The Science Teacher in me is particularly fond of this one!)

Face your deficiencies and acknowledge them; but do not let them master you.  Let them teach you patience, sweetness, and insight. -Helen Keller

We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.  -Aristotle

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. -Winston Churchill

Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. -Calvin Coolidge

The following is the motivation we closed with and really puts things in perspective:

What Food Can Do

Food can fill our stomachs.
It cannot fill our souls. 
Food can nourish our bodies.
It cannot nourish our hearts and minds.
Food can make our taste buds happy. 
It cannot make us happy.
Food can give momentary pleasure. 
It cannot give lasting pleasure. 
Food can distract us from our pain.
It cannot take away our pain. 
 -Author Unknown

    This week take the initiative to be nice to yourself.  Tape a quote to your bathroom mirror or stick one on your fridge as a reminder.  Remember: "If you are going to doubt something, doubt your limits." -Don Ward

It's My Party and I'll Eat if I Want To...

   Last week a member in one of my meetings said she was celebrating a birthday for a family member who also was a Weight Watchers member.  She asked for a suggestion on a cake.  I was happy to share an easy recipe I use for birthdays.  My favorite is to take a spice cake mix and add a can of Diet Dr. Pepper (No milk, no eggs, no oil...nothing else) and bake according to the box directions.  For frosting I use a small tub of sugar-free Cool Whip with a box of sugar-free butterscotch pudding mixed in.  Depending on the cake mix you use and the size of the slice, you can have a pretty nice sized piece of cake for a low PointsPlus value.     

    Another option would be to use a white cake mix with Diet 7-Up.  Also include a small can of no sugar added, well-drained pineapple in the mix.  Frost with sugar-free Cool Whip with fresh strawberry slices added. Chill for a great treat during a pool party or backyard barbeque. I made a variation for a 4th of July party last year.  For the frosting, I used sugar-free Cool Whip only, then made a flag on top using blueberries and strawberry halves.

    People tend to associate parties with out-of-control eating.  Eating doesn't have to be the main attraction of a party.  On the other hand, eating doesn't have to be excluded from a party in order to be healthy or to "stay on plan."  I found some great articles to stay on plan and party, too!

   The first article, "Plan a Party and Stick with the Plan," offers some general tips and guidelines for party planning.  In "What's Cooking: Bridal and Baby Showers" you'll find menus for brunch, lunch, and finger foods that include a link to each recipe. Don't let the title fool you; the menus work for other parties, too.  My favorite article is "Recipe Round-Up: Award-Winning Party Food." This article provide several choices for appetizers, salads, main dishes and desserts that are great alternatives to high fat and sugary recipes. (I will definitely be trying the Chocolate Chip Cheesecake from the article!)

   Now that you know you can stay on plan without giving up the party food...PARTY ON!