In which I discover a new favorite breakfast

Since I restarted WW last September I've been having some type of protein bar for breakfast, usually a Luna Protein Bar.

But under Points+, what used to be 3 (Cookie Dough) or 4 Points (Chocolate Cherry Almond) are now 5, and a not-super satisfying 5 at that.

Recently I started eating single-serving (6oz) fruit-flavored Chobani for breakfast, too, and it's delicious. But it's also not as satisfying as I'd like for the 4 Points I spend. I wish I liked oatmeal, that would solve the problem.

Anyway, I recently read a tip I should have thought of long ago - get plain Chobani and add my own 0 Point fruit. I got a tub of plain Chobani and 8oz is only 3 Points. I can add a cup of any fruit I like for 0. Yesterday I added a cup of raspberries and it was great. 8 oz is a lot of yogurt.

Today I added a 1/2 cup of Kashi Go Lean Crunch for a little texture. It only added 2.5 Points, for a total of 5.5. Excellent Points value. This will be a go-to breakfast for quite a while.

In which I say, 'TGIFriday morning'

Continuing Week 2 of C25K this morning.

Had my best run of this training, so far. Sped the treadmill up to 4.0 for several of the running sessions and felt in control and on top of the pace. Of course, I didn't waste time when the 90 seconds was up to decrease the pace and get my heart rate down a bit.

It's the first run where I've felt, dare I say, fast and strong.

In which I revisit egg whites

When I'm losing weight, I ride the hot hand: If I find a food I enjoy and is a good Points value, I eat it until I'm sick of it.

Egg white omelettes definitely fell into this category as I ate them every day when I rejoined in September up through about Halloween. They taste good, they're filling, they're easy to make and you get a pile of food for relatively few Points. A good deal.

I took a break for a while after I, naturally, was sick of them. But now, about 8 weeks later, here I am jonesing for them again.

I usually threw together 3 egg whites (3 Points), 3 oz of Hillshire Farms Low Sodium Honey Ham (3 pts), a pile of onions and red peppers (0 Points). This time, I'm keeping the ham and peppers, but added scallions (a new-found love and 0 Points) and 1T of shredded pecorino-romano cheese (1 Point).

Above is a photo of the ham, peppers and scallions in action. My "omelettes" look like roadkill in the end stage. Sharing a picture would not convince anyone to eat one.

In which I note, 'Boo, blizzard'

I normally don't mind snow, or even a big storm, because I grew up in Massachusetts and have lived in New England my whole life. Snow is part of the deal, especially in January. If you don't like it, go West.

But this year I am minding the snow because for the second time in a week, a storm has kept me from getting to the gym in the morning. It's putting me behind on C25K. Grouchy.

In which I enjoy a 'normal' dinner

One of the many things I love about Weight Watchers is you can live the program and not feel like you're on a "diet."

It's said over and over again, and it's true: It's a lifestyle, not a diet.

Last night I went out to dinner with friends at a Japanese teppanyaki restaurant.I love teppanyaki and I hadn't had it forever. It was great to go out and enjoy the whole meal without guilt, knowing I had 49 Weekly Extra Points in my back pocket for that very reason. I had filet mignon and shrimp teppanyaki, with white rice and a salad.

No idea how to count it, other than I need to stay within my Daily Point Range for the rest of the week (and drink lots of water).

Week 18: Weigh In

A good minute on the scale makes your entire week.

Scary, but true.

Had good workouts and eating this week and when I hit the scale it was great, -3. A nice, big loss to bring me to a big milestone, -50 (-50.4 to be exact).

I didn't expect to hit it this week, but I'm very happy to take it. Got my 50lb charm to add to the keychain. Next stop, that 75lb charm!

Celebrated after with my traditional Tuesday sushi.

In which I survive a Bucket of Danger

My Dad, God love him, visited us recently and brought the kids a "Candy Cookie Bucket."

He's always bringing the kids junk, but that's what Grandpas do and I'm fine with that. Usually it's candy or individual cookies, but a bucket?

Good Lord, that's akin to bringing your junkie daughter a bucket of crack and a dirty needle.

Seriously, Dad. A bucket? Stick with the individual cookies.

Of course, I had to check the NI on the bucket. 4 Points per cookie. Decided it wasn't worth it.