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Jan 4, 2016

Smart Points from Weight Watchers!





Yup... it's finally here! Say hello to SMART POINTS, yes, we're the last place to launch the new programme (a better idea in my opinion... it was too soon before Christmas to confuse us to be honest!) but keep calm there's NO NEED TO PANIC!!!!

No one likes change, myself included... I remember when I was with my first leader Bernie, and Points changed to ProPoints... I had a complete meltdown... it wouldn't work as well... I wouldn't be able to adapt to the new program... all the drama, and honestly when I heard the plan was changing again, my initial gut reaction was to stick with ProPoints.. I mean I've lost over 9 stone so far and I've still got a good bit to go, so why change what works for me? Right?!


But if I hadn't made the leap of faith to ProPoints from just plain old Points, I might not have been as successful... So just like my Filling & Healthy attempts, I'm embracing the change and I think it's a good thing to shake things up every now and then... We can get comfortable when we think we know things off by heart... we tell ourselves little white lies 'Ah yeah that's about 2 points...' knowing it's probably more... so change makes you take stock and rethink everything and that's a good thing I think...

Yes, I'm brain washed... I can tell you the number of ProPoints in something at a glance... I swear by my kitchen scales and I'm lost with out my APPS but as with everything that changes, there will be glitches and hiccups and we're all learning... so I say embrace it! If it doesn't work for you, then fair enough but you've got to at least give it a try! No?! Can I just add I don't work for Weight Watchers, I'm just a member like everyone else but it's worked so well for me... and I've tried all the other plans, ALL. OF. THEM! But the Points System is what has worked for me, and if I can make one person feel happier in their own skin, or push someone to start their journey by sharing this then I'm happy!

Oh and for all you APP makers out there, get your act together!!! I'm wandering about supermarkets with my calculator likes it's 2007!

So what's it all about then, this SMART POINT lark? Bottom line, it's going to help you make better choices... if you're a chocolate junkie or have a sweet tooth, you will struggle a bit but remember when we were kids, chocolate was a treat once a week not a daily trip to the vending machine with a stash in the car and cupboard at home too!?! We're not suppose to eat junk food all the time, our grand parents didn't because it just wasn't available... chocolate was something at Christmas or birthdays not something to keep us going till we get home from work and THAT'S what the new programme is about! Healthier choices...




The diabetes epidemic, the obesity epidemic are all from excess sugar in our diet.. not natural sugars, no one ever got fat from over dosing on apples...  but the high-sugar-processed foods that have invaded our supermarkets and lives over the last 20 years or more, have created all these 21st Century health problems... With ProPoints, we calculated everything with Protein, Fat, Carbs and Fibre... SMART POINTS, goes back to SATURATED FAT and adds sugar into the equation... here's an example...



A large McDonald's Vanilla Milkshake has 87g of carbs... 
was 14 PP ... now 24 SP



'sure we all need carbs, we couldn't function without them??!' 
Yes, correct we do need carbs... but 76g of the 87g are pure sugar, and only sugar... Not your natural fruit sugars, highly process sugar syrup, thats delivered to food companies in truck loads... Yes, it will give you a great sugar buzz, a temporary happy feeling but will also bring a crash... it's a temporary fix and it won't satisfy your appetite like porridge would... and no, you don't have to eat porridge all the time... but this is how health problems start... we confuse our bodies when they crave sugar we've become addicted to and do you want to treat your body that way?


Companies have slipped sugars onto the labels under carbs, check any label at home, they're hiding under glucose, fructose, any kinda -ose and whilst we do need sugar in our lives, some stuff is SO full of the processed stuff, it's just not good for us in any sense... the new plan addresses this... I've seen people in meetings buying 4 or 5 boxes of weight watchers chocolate a week, and yes they were losing weight but are they healthy? Are they getting all the nutrients they need from their food? exactly!

'OH SO NOW we can't have milkshakes!?!'
Nope... go for it... honestly the vanilla one is my fav but I'll be damned if I'm going to spend 24 SP on one... (My points are like money to me and anyone who knows me in real life knows I'm pretty tight...) But the joy with SMART POINTS is you can still have one if you want it... nothing is off the list and I think that's why it works for so many people... the very second someone say 'you can't have...' it's all you want or can think about, so you can have a milkshake, hell have two but it's a treat... not something that's good for you all the time... and the new programme makes you think about what you're putting in your body...

And before anyone whinges that I'm picking on McDonald's, I'm not... one of my favourite tinned soups is loaded with sugar! I never questioned pointing it before but it's made me think about how nutritious it really is, especially when I make soup a lot... I'm just lazy when I use it... sure it's handy to microwave at work, and I won't stop buying it but it's made me more aware of just how processed it really is! Bottom line I don't just want to be smaller in size, or clothes, or see a small number on the scales... I want to be a grumpy 90 year old, with all her own teeth and strong bones with cute shoes, vintage handbags (that's why I'm buying them now!) with an attitude problem... and THAT'S what it's about... it's about getting healthy and happy in your own skin... one of my fav quotes that I use ALL the time is from Cindy Crawford...




So do it to be the best version of you... lovely, beautiful, strong, smart, funny you! Do it to stay healthy and happy for your loved ones, if you're not feeling 100% about you, they notice it... if you're feeling good about you, it reflects in everything you do... So get SMART!


'So how are we suppose to work out SMART POINTS'
Calculators are available at the meetings as are the scales... if they're out of your price range go to www.weightwatchers.ie there's a fantastic online calculator there which I use religiously, for the tech savvy kids, you can load it to your home page as a button so it just pops up automatically! You input the portion size, the majority of products give you the nutritional value per 100g (I just screen grabbed the SMART POINTS from my fav Glenisk Yoghurts!) Input the calories, we're back to using SATURATED fat, sugars and protein... then hit the button and the SMART POINTS value will pop up... Simples! It'll work on your phone too!



But think ahead to Valentines Day, Easter, Mothers Day... instead of the usual chocolates and roses, why not get them all to chip in to get you a kitchen scales? It'll last you longer, be better for you and who doesn't need a new gadget!? Also I'll be doing posts on here when the APPS have got their bums in gear! I'm looking at you Ultimate Food Diary!

I've been studying the new programme for the last few weeks and it's been hard, not just because it was Christmas and New Year... but like everyone else, I'm brainwashed with ProPoint values and even when I tried Filling & Healthy which is now called NO COUNT, I was subconsciously ProPointing in my head! So it's best to wipe the slate clean and just try it... because it does work... So if you're back to class this week, you'll be weighed by your leader, given your books and a personalised set of SMART POINTS and WEEKLIES just for you... the 49 are no more... BREATHE... ALSO... You will never be that weight again... and when you step off the scales, think back to last January and fast forward to the next... there's your goal! Everyone will be on a different amount of SMART POINTS to suit their age, weight and gender etc... and from what I've seen for most people it has balanced out because they're getting less weeklies but more dailies, so don't panic it's designed to work for everyone... PLUS you get to earn FITPOINTS! or in my world... GIN!


So this is what you'll get at your first meeting...


A wallet to hold your books ... 


EAT is pretty much your SMART POINT bible... 
it's got a list of all the SMART POINT values that you will need,
and the complete NO COUNT list...
Plus recipes... lots of fab combinations for meals, salads, breakfasts 
and check out the Instant noodle jars on page 53... these are my new thing!
Tangent - Pinterest has ruined mason jars for me... but that needs another post... 



MOVE is all about getting off your butt! 
Activity Points are now called FITPOINTS... 
and you can earn them like before to use at the weekends, *whispers* on GIN... 
or just forget about them and pretend they didn't happen!
There's a beginners walking plan that I'm starting this week... 
as well as exercises for more advanced (fit!) people!
If someone SNAPCHATS me the 'Bed-Makers tricep dips' I'll love you forever! 
But there's great tips for stretching, moves to do at work so it's well worth a look... 
Bottom line is if you're just starting out.. walk out the door for 5 minutes and come back...
Tomorrow do 6 minutes... you won't even notice how quickly your fitness levels change!


Finally you get SMILE... 
Now I'm a hippie child, I spent all my childhood holidays on banana plantations in Queensland
so this 'Holistic' approach is something I love... 

I've always said 
'losing weight isn't what goes in your mouth... it's what goes on in your head...' 
once you're mind is in the right place it just happens... 

Not to go all Oprah on you, but when you have that 'AH HA!' moment, it really does click... and it will happen... sometimes we sabotage ourselves without even knowing it... so working on your mindset isn't a bad thing...  it's my fav of the three, the tracking and pointing will work out regardless but if I'm angry, bored or sad the other two won't happen... so deep breathe and peace out man... The world needs more positivity in it!!! 

I've got some FAB giveaways across all social media over the next few weeks to ease us into the new plan, my links are above so stay tuned!

I have updated my fav foods lists here >>>
They're a work in progress so every week I'll be adding new products to them...

FYI - if you're still sticking with ProPoints don't panic just scroll down and they're still there... 


Please feel free to share but please do link them back to me, this blog is labour of love for me and I know other bloggers who are doing this weight loss journey too, it's our personal time that we take to share our stories and recipes with you and we love that you share our posts, we wouldn't do it otherwise... We're all in this weight loss boat together!

Before Christmas I was all set to pack the lot in but a little break and talking to the boy, the best friend and 2 random strangers, I have a completely different perspective on why I started this and how it's path has changed but these lovely people made me re-think everything! So I'm back and happy about it... not just doing it to get a blog post up here... So by all means share the weight loss love but don't just take credit for the hard work that goes into it... thanks... 

And here's to 2016... my personal goal of cracking the second part of my personal weight loss journey!!! Bring it on! 



39 comments

  1. Hey there…I switched just before Christmas and to be fair when it happened I was as mad as a box of frogs but my best advice is STICK WITH IT…I've had my best losses EVER over the last two weeks, despite it being Christmas! It really works and feedback from all on WW over at Break Out The Skinny Girl blog has been really positive. Good Luck! x

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  2. Doll , your positivity is contagious !
    Will be with you all the SmartPoints way and looking forward to the journal.
    Thank you again, for explaining DmartPoints as only you can.
    Cathie

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  3. My beloved Double Deckers and Malteaser Bunnies! *stunned* can't wait to get started Smart Pointing! Thanks Doll, p.s. love the font!

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  4. LOVE LOVE LOVE it!! Amazing as always Skinny Doll

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  5. Theres a free app called Tracking Assistant on the play store for android (and soon updated for ios) which includes a calculator for smart points and is created by a WW member for WW members

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  7. Just had this site recommended to me, has some handy information, can't wait to read on!

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  8. Fabulous info as always thank you very much SD x starting today...and going to a weddings lol...gotta make it tough..so no dessert and little alcohol and I reakon Im good otherwise xx

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  9. Fabulous info as always thank you very much SD x starting today...and going to a weddings lol...gotta make it tough..so no dessert and little alcohol and I reakon Im good otherwise xx

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  11. can you tell me if I calculates the saturates , sugars,proteins and calories per 100g or per the portion im having eg a 25 g bar

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    1. If you only have the values for 100g then you use those and put 25g in as your serving size

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  12. Yesterday my friend and I made the decision to join WW this evening.
    After searching pro points values of breakfast cereals on Google ( thought I'd start as i mean to go on! )I came across your blog.
    So glad I did!... your words have struck a cord and totally motivated me!...
    Congratulations on your journey so far; I'm now looking forward to starting mine! :)

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  13. Thank you for the easy to understand explanation of the new plan. How do you figure out Smart Points for old Weight Watchers recipes?

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  14. I hav'nt joined weight watchers, but was doing the points plus system on my own. How do I figure how many daily smart points I can have?

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  15. I love the way you are so positive and forward looking. I found that an inspirational piece, as I am used to Pro Points and so far have not quite accepted the new Smart Points as it feels more restrictive on the things I like. I will forge ahead and stop being a baby now xx

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  16. I would LOVE to know how many smart points I get. What's the formula for figuring that out?

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  17. Well said!!!!!!!!And may I add, you look amazing.

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  18. THanks so much for an inspiring Blog and amazing weight loss! I am a Lifetime member who regained about half the weight lost and find I'm really struggling after having such great success with ProPoints. However, you have convinced me to really stick to Smart Points and give it a proper go. Like a lot of us, I am an emotional eater and then am devastated when I get on the scales (full of excuses I might add). You go girl! I was ready to drop out of WW as my finances are pretty tight but after reading your blog and knowing how much I enjoyed the social aspect of the meetings, I'll probably rejoin in a few weeks and meanwhile stop making excuses to myself:)

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  19. Just stumbled across your blog - looking forward to looking through your recipes and your updates.BTW, you look great in your 'after' pic above :)

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  20. I didn't get the books that you are referencing above. Where can I get those?

    Lori

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  21. Hi, in just wondering if you know a tracking app for Smartpoints? I always used iWatchr and found it great but now it is gone from
    the App store and won't update �� I'm so upset because I had entered hundreds of foods in it and could track at the touch of a button. I'm hoping to find something similar even if it means reprinting everything and entering them manually all over again. Please help!

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    1. I use the WW ireland calculator on my phone, ou can download i as a home icon there's loads of youtube vids to show you how, there's also 'tracking assistant' which is popular, the calculator is correct but some of the lists have different SP values to others so I suggest just work out the things you need to and save them in your own list.. Hope this helps :)

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    2. Thanks for your reply! I'm using both of these and they are useful. But I can't find an app that is an actual online tracker instead of the paper ones I get at WeightWatchers. IWatchr was great because I had the foods I use regularly in there and I could tap them to track them, so easily. It's a nuisance to have to go back to the paper version but I can't find anything else similar to iWatchr. Probably because WW are so protective and got them shut down! I wish they'd bring out a proper WW app for tracking, id be happy to pay for it because it'd be so useful.

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  22. Thanks Skinny Doll. I've just joined (again) and keep seeing all the pro point ww products in the supermarket-when are they planning on changing it over to sp?

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    1. I'm not sure.. I don't work for WW but I presume when the stock runs out it will be replaced with the new SPs .. some of the meals in Iceland are already in SP so it's slow I think :)

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  23. Here it is November 14th, 2016, 16 months after joining Weight Watcher's and down 57 pounds. I joined when it was Points Plus and then December 2015 it was Smart Points. I was so disappointed. So many of my foods went up in points. I have been up and down in weight loss and I believe it's because my body is used to the 30 daily points. It's odd that your daily NEVER go down. Even my doctor thought it was odd, because in order to keep losing weight, either you have to lower calories...aka points or increase activity. When you have physical limitations, that is impossible. I already exercise as much as the doctor allows. So, WHY doesn't Weight Watchers lower your daily points? I asked and got the lamest reasons.

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    1. Sorry I don't make the plan, and I don't work for WW... you're leader should be able to explain it to you... but everyone needs a certain amount of calories everyday and exercise allows you to burn more if you can... 57lbs is a great loss... :)

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  24. Has anyone here found an online food list for smart points or am I forced to buy the book at the WW Store? I joined today and my understanding was that there was a food list on the WW site. I have not found it and am bummed. Would appreciate know if anyone here has had luck finding one that lists for example: apple - service size - points. Thanks and good luck everyone! Toni

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    1. Hi Toni, If you look at the top right of the blog you'll see a list that I've put together and I regularly update. It's right under the social media icons called SMARTPOINTS, each tab will bring you to a page that has the SmartPoints of products that I've listed. I don't work for WW but if you are in the US or the UK you will have access to the app which has most of the products listed. Let me know if you can't find the lists above :)

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  25. Hi there. Well done you. I have been looking at your fabulous points lists, but I can't find any fruit on there?

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    1. Fruit is 0SP unless you blend it and its 4SP per portion, most veg are zero SP too! yay!

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  26. Hi, I started back to my class only last week. Just did a little step class in my own kitchen to a salsa dvd and I really want to get fit and lose a couple of stone. I've been just attending the meetings and wishing. But not finding it easy to give up food as my crutch in my life. Any advice? I did lose before but it was before I got married and had my baby. I stuck with weightwatchers but it never stays off and since about my 50th birthday, it seems to move further away, the more I chase it.

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    1. It's so hard isn't it... especially when we're just emotionally attached to food.. it's baby steps... take one bad habit at a time and change it... do little walks, drink and extra glass of water and believe in yourself... you can do it x

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  27. Hi! Do you recommend a app besides ww to track your smartpoints throughout the day?

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  28. Is there a way to figure out how many smartpoints I can have daily and weekly. I can't afford to join and I am not sure how many to start with

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  29. Smart Points are BRILLIANT you know all the time what's going into your mouth and you can adjust your plans to keep within your smart points allowance. You control, you choose, you never feel deprived and you loose (pounds that is)!!Just brilliant Sheila

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