Top 12 Amazing Products to Help Your Weight Watchers Journey - Be Whole, Mom
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When I was 15 years old I weighed over 220 lbs. In the wake of my father’s death I was left swimming in an ocean of emotions and went inside of myself like a turtle hiding in its shell. I built elaborate forts all around my house for years, where I would hide out like a hermit to process the deep wounds in my soul.
All around me was the suffering of loss, and the painful torment of trying to glue back the pieces of a one perfect life now broken to smitherines.
It. Was. Hard.
It was easy to learn to eat the emotions away. A pint of ice cream here. A candy bar at school there. Eventually growing to the point where I recall eating an entire family style freezer meal all by myself, to my shame. I was maybe 12.
But, at 15 years old, I had had enough. I wanted to live differently. I didn’t like who I was becoming. I didn’t like the way I felt, and I wanted to change.
So, one Saturday morning my mom and I entered through the doors of Weight Watchers and everything began to change.
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You may think I’m being melodramatic, but truly Weight Watchers offered me hope in a season of life where there was little to none. I learned healthy living skills at an age that was foundational for the rest of my life. Here I am now at 34 years old, and I can still resurrect the tips and lessons I learned in those years to help me remain in control and forward moving in my health.
Now, my body has surely changed over the years…I do have 7 children, BUT the aroma of my life is filled with the lessons that Weight Watchers taught me in my youth, and I am incredibly grateful for it.
I recently decided, after years of standing on the fence, that I was not going to continue to try to figure out how to make Trim Healthy Mama work for my life, but rather to return to the community that I know works for me.
As a person who can easily fall prey to food idolatry, I know it is critically important for me to maintain a healthy viewpoint of both food and its place in my life.
It is NOT my God.
I can barely even explain how relieving it is to be back (…and, if you are using the Weight Watcher’s app, look me up! MommyJulieX! Just tell me you found me at Be Whole, Mom. I look forward to getting to know you on there).
The Weight Watcher’s community is such a relieving breath of fresh air and encouragement full of REAL people with REAL problems and a REAL heart to love, support, and uplift one another in this journey towards health.
I HIGHLY recommend Weight Watchers…it’s MORE than a diet. It’s a lifestyle (seriously).
Now, enough about my personal story with Weight Watchers. It’s time to help YOU!
If you’ve come to this page, you’re likely also in a similar boat as I was. You are tired, empty, frustrated, and ready to CHANGE your life for the better.
Hugs, sweet sister! I applaud your diligence. Keep moving forward, no matter what setbacks may occur.
The only path to failure is the one that’s never started.
Over the years I have learned so many little tips and tricks to help me through my days, but I have also found some favorite resources to guide me and simplify my life! I definitely encourage you find what works for you, but here are some solutions in the top 3 categories to help you along YOUR way!
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#1 Cookbooks!
I don’t know about you, but even with all of my pinning and saving and cataloging, I am emotionally overwhelmed by ALL the solutions and tips and options. Sometimes I just want to have a limited list of options from which to choose so I don’t go crazy! For me, the solution was to get a few trusted cookbooks and then go from there. Here are the ones I recommend (based on your needs):
The Essential Weight Watcher’s Freestyle Cookbook
This cookbook is jampacked with a load of recipes using the newest system of FreeStyle 0 point foods! EXCELLENT resource to get moving with simple, yet delicious meal choices.
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Are you an instant pot fanatic? Then, you are going to love this one! 60 recipes to let you try new things, enjoy your favorites, and do it all in true INSTANT fashion! And, if you haven’t yet given Instant Pot a try, check it out (prices range from about $100 and up)!
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As a mom of 7, I’m always trying to navigate cooking for a crowd. This book hits the mark for my needs in family cooking! There are over 250 recipes in this baby! This one have everything from meals to snacks to desserts. Definitely a must had for the Weight Watcher’s family!
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Years ago I simplified by life substantially by doing one pot recipes a LOT. My mommy brain just could not do a bajillion pieces of a meal all the time, especially with a lot of little kids. One pot meals are my SANITY. I’m SUPER excited to suggest this book, especially if you have a handful of kids. I’m a BIG fan of keeping things simple as much as possible, because seriously my mind can better be used elsewhere.
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#2 Gadgets!
Though I am surely a fan of simple, it also helps to have some great gadgets too when we get in the kitchen. What better way to encourage a love for cooking and kitchen engagement than to have fun while doing it?! Here are my top picks to enjoy along the way.
I am SUCH a fan of my VitaMix! Over 11 years ago we snatched ours at a our local Costco and I have NEVER regretted that decision. The company is a USA-based company that’s been around since 1949! Those are so RARE to find these days, especially continuing to make top-notch products. We have found their customer service to be beyond reproach, and I recommend them over EVERY OTHER BLENDER because they truly stand behind their product.
For the Weight Watchers follower, this contraption is PERFECT to make amazingly quick, delicious, and fresh soups, fruit-based ice cream (can anyone say frozen bananas are 0 points!?!), and so much more. Seriously. It’s AWESOME. (image and above links #afflinks)
This is a 9-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Yogurt Maker, Egg Cooker, Saute, Steamer, Warmer, and Sterilizer all wrapped up in one! Apparently this thing can do everything BUT the cold stuff. I don’t know about you, but when I’m in a rush and I realize I’ve forgotten to thaw some meat, this thing stands out like a knight in shining armor! Totally worth the investment for a family on the go. (image and above links #afflinks)
Are you the kind to prefer preparing the day’s meals earlier in the day? Or, do you frequent church potlucks or family meal gatherings? If so, this might be perfect for you! I personally LOVE my slow cooker and look forward to using it WAY more than I currently do (limited counter space as of right now). It is truly one of my favorite kitchen gadgets to help keep me sane and our food healthy. (image and above links #afflinks)
Though technically a VitaMix can accomplish the things a food processor can, I have found that my VitaMix can be a little overzealous at times. A food processor is able to quickly slice, dice, and chop up foods to enable faster meal prep, and for a mom on the go, this just really helps. This one is reasonably priced and gets the job done! (image and above links #afflinks)
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#3 Books!
Anyone else has succeeded on Weight Watchers and continued on the journey towards healthy eating will tell you that your mindset determines your path and success. It takes time, intention, and focus to retrain the mind to establish the necessary foundation to live a healthier and more fulfilling life. Here are my top recommendations to read.
If you’re looking for a new perspective to reconnect your mind to the love of God, this book is for you! You can even grab the additional read along participant’s guide to help you really dig in and digest the wisdom contained within. You are not alone in your struggle, as our craving for fulfillment is natural. The problem only enters when the source of fulfillment is sought outside of our Abba’s love. (image and above links #afflinks)
While Weight Watchers helps me to put boundaries around the food I eat, I know that I also need help navigating the inner world that steers unhealthy patterns. As I mentioned before, my childhood was filled with very unhealthy emotional eating patterns that took a lot of work and intention to override. The more we invite in the Love of our Abba to the desire we have to live healthy lives with Him, the greater the victory we are sure to soon enjoy. (image and above links #afflinks)
I am a fan of Tony Evans’ books as he hits the head right on the nail regarding the Truth between this life we live and the spiritual world. Though in the flesh it might look like the fight is against food, in reality the battle is a far more complex one. What is going on inside of us drives what we do on the outside, so lets cleanse the inside of the “cup” so that we can be truly clean. (image and above links #afflinks)
Though this one does not have any faith-affiliation, it is definitely a beneficial brain trainer for some new ways to think about emotions and how they help our lives. Emotional intelligence is a new field of interest, but it is not exactly new. Emotional intelligence is something that must be studies, learned, and practiced to become a mode of operation within a person, but our culture is full of voices with a low EQ (emotional quotient). You, however, don’t have to be one! There is great wisdom in beginning to process to increase your emotional intelligence! (image and above links #afflinks)
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You CAN Succeed! Just Keep Moving Forward.
No matter how lofty your goals may feel, like losing a hundred plus pounds, they ARE accomplishable over time. Surround yourself with people who will support and encourage you on your path towards a better health and continue to renew your mind with words that encourage you to treat yourself with that same kindness you would show your friends.
If you do, your heart will also become healthier, and we need to have more healthy heart people in this world. Keep trying. Keeping working. Keep moving forward. And, surely you will eventually reap the results you seek.
Shalom.
