The Main Event - Weight Watchers vs. MyFitnessPal

Some people may wonder if I'm over-analyzing fitness/weight loss, but since training for a 5k and entering another DietBet, I have started tracking my progress through Weight Watchers and MyFitnessPal. Part of me has been curious if it is worth paying the $18.95 every month for WW if I can just as easily maintain my fitness goals through MyFitnessPal. One tracks points and the other calories. So the biggest question is - which one is better? Which strategy will help increase my results?

My recent gut feeling is "free" sounds much more appealing. For the past three years, I have been watching the $18.95 deduct out of my checking account for Weight Watchers. Spending money has been a driving force for watching what I eat. But now also tracking calories through a free app, MFP, has put me on the fence. I've been losing weight and getting in better shape and I can't tell if one method is prevailing over the other.

Below is a list of the positives and negatives of each that I have found.

Weight Watchers
Pros:
1. Huge network of support from a credible source
2. Point-friendly and reasonable recipes at the touch of the app
3. Flexibility to get back and use "activity" (exercise) points either on the day of the work out, or weekly pool
4. Ability to scan foods into the app to track
5. Eat what you want, as long as within portion control (you can eat your pizza and cake, as long as within reason)
6. Many foods found in supermarkets include point values
7. You can find many restaurants on the app to track
8. Encourages to weigh in once a week, which the app then shows graph and cheers you on as you lose
9. Links up to other apps, such as Fitbit (iPhone has a Health app that helps put it all together)

Cons:
1. It is not free to be a member and use the services ($18.95/mth)
2. I've noticed some newer or unique foods are not found when trying to scan
3. Does not factor in calories and other nutritional facts and uses formula strictly by: fat, carbohydrates, protein, and fiber
4. Slightly confusing when making "smart" choices - for example, half an avocado is worth the same point value as a pop-tart
5. Slightly discourages eating meats (as the protein and fat values tend to increase the amount of points)

MyFitnessPal
Pros:
1. Free!
2. Large network of support from credible source
3. Calories are the number 1 factor, although you can also track all other nutritional values
4. Ability to scan foods into the app to track
5. You can search and find foods that people have already created and tracked, including certain brands and restaurants
6. Have the ability to eat what you want, as long as you stay within your daily allotted calories
7. Track your weight and progress whenever you want, also shows a graph of your progress
8. You can save recipes
9. Syncs up to other apps such as Fitbit

Cons:
1. Main focus is on calorie-counting, which can be difficult when you're eating foods from for example a cafeteria, or restaurant
2. Can be difficult to guess portion sizes (ex. 1 cup, 1 tbsp, 3 oz?)
3. I've noticed it is difficult to track exercises if you do not know the exact amount (running on a treadmill will show calories burned, but difficult to track calories if running outside at unknown speeds)
4. Only allows the extra calories from exercising on the day of, they go away once the next day hits
5. Alot going on in the app, there are components that I probably don't even know about

I'm sure I could think of more for each as the day goes on, but you get the idea. They both have a lot of good and not-so-good aspects - I think it really depends on the person and what they would rather pay attention to. I'm so used to Weight Watchers and my loyalty to the brand, but one day I may decide to stop paying for it. Especially knowing I can get the same results by tracking calories for free.

I think my next challenge will be to track only using MyFitnessPal for a given amount of time to see if my results are the same, or possibly greater. Then I can truly judge which works for me. But for now, I think I'm going to stick to being slightly compulsive and tracking on both. At least until DietBet is over in a week!

DietBet - Lose Weight to Win Cash

Normally, I am a sucker for gambling. Every Superbowl pool, March Madness bracket, even last years World Cup got me entering in for a chance to win. Any type of competition where money is involved, I'm up for the challenge. Along with the sports events, last year I was exposed to a new game called DietBet. Looking at the title alone, you know there are two key components: dieting and money. But what are the terms?

My friend at work who ran our DietBet was sure to note: This is not considered gambling because the outcome of your DietBet is based on skill, not luck. I was extremely intrigued and read the terms. $10 dollars to join. You weigh in in the first few days with a couple photos of yourself on the scale, and then you weigh out again, same procedure. Whoever meets the terms of the bet (the percentage of weight lost in the given period of time) wins! And if there is more than one winner, you split the pot! How easy is that? Well, maybe easier said than done. But my competitive nature is what allowed me to win, and split the pot with a few other people. So in the end I won the money I entered, and some.

This year we increased the stakes at a whopping $20 to enter. The pool is up to $300 and the contest is over in less than two weeks now. The terms are to lose at least 4% of your total body weight in one month. For me, that translated to about 8 lbs, which doesn't seem like a lot. But the hardest part is if you get to your goal too soon, you must maintain.

I'm sure you are probably asking how is this regulated? For one, everything is online. DietBet is a website where you can create a profile and access all of the challenges at the click of a button. There's also a handy app for smartphones where you can track everyone's progress and weigh in whenever you want. However, the only weigh-ins that matter are the first and the last. There are judges that work for DietBet that receive your photos and approve or reject. So you don't have to worry about friends or coworkers literally seeing your pictures. You receive a code word that you must include on a piece of paper next to the scale so the judges know the pictures are actually you and that you are taking them during the right times.

You may be wondering how I'm currently doing on DietBet. Right now I have hit 75% of my goal with about 1.5 more lbs to lose before the "weigh-out" in 11 days. I've noticed a slight plateau in changes so I need to rework a few things in my diet and exercise routine. But after all is said and done, if you're looking for a fun weigh to lose that holiday weight with your friends, family, or coworkers, this has worked for me in the past and is already helping me now. It's what has put me back on track with my goals, particularly my "resolution" of running a 5k in April for Alzheimer's. I have already shaved off minutes of my 5k-time and are well on the way to running the race straight through. And what's even better, I got my husband and brother and sister-in-laws to join! We have been encouraging each other and it has been really fun doing this together. Check out the website, I'll be sure to do a follow up of my results at the end of the challenge. 11 days to go and counting!

http://www.dietbetter.com/

House Hunting - On Hold?

After marriage (especially almost a year and a half after marriage), most people expect one of the following from you:

a.) Have a baby
b.) Have a baby
c.) At least try to have a baby
d.) Buy a house

Now although I know I'm not exactly mentally prepared for a, b, or c, option d has definitely been on my mind. Jay and I spent most of last fall getting to know a realtor, venturing to open houses, and even coming close to putting down an offer. But as we were leaving that very house on the corner of a quiet block, I started asking myself questions. Would I really want three bedrooms on the lower level and the master on the upper? Do I want to demo and reno? What percentage is the right percentage for a down payment? Can I see us living here for 5 years? 20 years? Our entire adult life? Is this where I see us raising a family?

This is one of those instances in my married life where I've realized that everything truly happens for a reason. After taking a large step and a deep breath back, we knew this wasn't our time. We wanted to make sure we got this right instead of making any quick and impulsive decisions.

Below are a few key lessons learned from our recent home search:

a.) Save up as much money as possible. The more to put down, the better. 20% is ideal which seems pretty impossible. I commend anyone who has ever been able to save 5% or more, period. But the worst situation to be in is if you or your spouse loses your job and all of the sudden there isn't enough money for the mortgage payments.
b.) Know exactly what you are looking for. Whether it be the style of the house, the type of amenities, the layout, the work you'll want to put into it, you name it. If you are iffy on any factors, the realtor may have the ability to sway you otherwise. And no matter what they say, they're the ones making a buck or two off of you.
c.) Know your expenses. Take a look at your current expenses. And then add in all the types of things a homeowner needs to include. Like maintenance on landscape, plumbing, electrical, etc. When you rent, you don't realize how all these things add up. If a pipe bursts, you call your landlord or leasing office. But when you own, you're literally on your own. That pipe becomes your problem.
d.) Know your debt. When they run your credit to approve how much money you'll be granted for a mortgage, the bank takes a look at everything. And I mean everything. From student loans to the number of open credit cards you hold. A larger credit line almost looks like a liability (the more money you could technically borrow). I've been in the process myself of paying off some cards and cancelling them so I don't have as many active accounts. I'm a sucker for a good deal, but I have to remember you don't always need the "store" card to save a few dollars.

With all of this in mind, we have put our house hunt on hold for at least another year. We'll probably get the itch again in the fall and start re-inserting ourselves in the market. But at least we'll be a little bit more educated and hopefully in a better place to find our forever home. Take my advice for what it's worth, I'm no expert. But this past year has been eye opening and definitely a learning experience for us. And no babies anytime soon! Not quite yet at least..

Running for a Reason

After almost half a month into the new year, I can proudly conclude that I am well on my way to accomplishing one of my resolutions. The motivation for it really came to me after a vivid dream with my Grandpa. He passed away in 2014 from a battle with Alzheimer's and dementia.

The dream:
It was Christmas morning and we were all in the living room opening gifts. My grandpa was there, and he was in his normal state, long before the effects of Alzheimer's took over his mind. He was wearing his signature light wash jeans and crew-neck sweatshirt. And I still remember how piercing his blue eyes looked as he stood and smiled over us. He was telling stories and laughing, and I remember thinking "wow, he really looks great." All of the sudden, I begin crying and ask him for a hug. I tell him I miss him, and he responds back, "I miss you too. But I am always with you and watching over you everyday." This must have immediately jolted me out of the dream because I woke up pretty hysterical. It felt so real and I truly believe he was reaching out to me. This was the first person close to me that I have ever lost, and I still struggle knowing he is gone. I can still hear his voice in my mind and I try to hold tight to every single memory I have of him. The dream felt so real and it makes me believe that he is out there and making sure I am OK.

After talking to my husband and mom about it, I knew I wanted to do something in his honor in 2015. When I came across a 5k event for Alzheimer's, I couldn't imagine a better way to celebrate his life. The race isn't until April 25th, so I have a good amount of time to prepare. I have already started testing my endurance by running on the tread-mill a few days a week. My goal is to get my time down to 30 minutes. That sounds like plenty to achieve 3.1 miles, but I was never a fast runner. I was always the girl who couldn't keep up with the sprinters on my soccer team, so instead I embraced my strength of kicking and potentially knocking girls over if they were in my way. Just last night I ran 3.1 in 35 minutes, shaving a minute off my initial time just a week ago. If I keep this up, I know I can do it.

This race will not only test my will and my body, but my mind as I will be thinking of one person the whole time. If my grandpa could only read this and know that I love and miss him so much. I will always keep him in my heart, and remember that he is with me. I know I will make him proud.

The Problem with Resolutions

You may not remember me, considering I haven't posted anything since the end of October. Pretty lame, right? I can't put into words my writers block - life just kind of threw me into the whirlwind of the holiday season. I felt like the singer Sting at the Kennedy Center Honors, and how he all the sudden couldn't write songs anymore. Lucky for us, it didn't last forever. Lucky for me, I guess I needed the kick of the New Year to really get motivated again. Sometimes we need a life event to give us that little extra push, I'm happy mine was 2015.

Most people for the New Year decide on a major resolution. To lose weight, quit smoking, save money, get a better job. The list could go on and on. I know from my own experience that resolutions are extremely hard to keep the entire year. One would think that a single goal in 365 days could be managed and maintained. But the term "resolution" itself can be a little misleading. We tend to glorify it as this object, when to me it really is something along the lines of "I have a problem and I need to resolve it." That's where I think we're all going wrong. We think a piece of our lives is a bit of a problem and we must fix it or else. But I truly don't believe that is the case.

So instead of thinking our lives are troublesome, why can't we think of setting short-term goals? Goals that could eventually lead to something wider-spanned and long lived? Where we are not necessarily fixing something in our lives that is "broken," but making something better? A more enhanced version of ourselves? Where we can look back and say we didn't set these unattainable resolutions that remain to sit high on a pedestal?

And just to kick off this conversation, here are a few of my short-term goals. We have to start from somewhere, right?

1. Enter and complete a 5k by summertime
2. Try my extreme hardest not to "sweat the small stuff" (I'm sure my husband will be happy about this one)
3. Learn and grow in my new position at work and don't get discouraged by obstacles
4. Plan a trip that won't break the bank
5. Remember that everything happens for a reason and stay positive

I think that's a firm number - 5. I mean I could probably set 100 things easily to accomplish off the top of my head, but they don't say "baby steps" for no reason. I encourage anyone who reads this to remember that seemingly small thoughts can snowball into life-changing resolutions, all we need is the idea and belief that we can get there.

Happy New Year and here's to 2015!

Thank You For Joining Me!

I never could have imagined that starting a blog would become not only an outlet to vent on life, but a way of life in general. Over the last few months, I have challenged myself to open up to the world and express different aspects of reality with you. For all of the bloggers reading this, you understand how tough it is to put yourself out there and share real-life stories. To allow others into our lives and to not be afraid of what anyone says. I sincerely commend you all for that, as I have faced my own inner battles while sitting you front-row and center into my journey as a new wife.

Sure, there are ups and downs, but life wouldn't be as interesting if things were always perfect. We are tested and we prevail, even if we get kicked down a time or two. Staying positive has always been one of my biggest strengths, but the fear of failure has remained my biggest flaw. Over time I have learned that I am not always right, I cannot always have it my way, yet I can still learn about myself and those around me. I can still evolve into a woman that I aspire to be - successful, fair, compassionate, and true.

I can't stress it enough, from the bottom of my heart, that I thank you all for taking the time to follow me as I continue to change and be impacted by of all of you on Bloglovin. Here's to 100 more!

Following Career Instincts

I have to admit - October has put me on a slight hiatus. This five-week month has been both a reality check and an inner debate of my career path. The questions of my future and planning for the future. Where would I see myself in a year? In five years?

Approaching my one year anniversary at work, I started asking myself these difficult questions. I knew I was ready for the next challenge, but where would it be? For one, I wanted to stay at my current company, where there is so much opportunity to grow and thrive. But I was ready to explore other options and I began meeting with people outside of my department. This was my chance to learn more about the different areas and see if they sparked any interests. A great way to connect and research. To my surprise (as I had not been actively searching jobs), there was a position available that my instincts ensured would be a great fit. I had that "Aha!" moment when you just know and it feels right. A role that blended my past with my present experience in retail and I felt passion stirring up inside my bones again. I knew I would regret it if I didn't at least give it a shot.

After talking it over with my current manager, working on scheduling with HR, and then one long week (that felt like a year) of the interview process, I received an offer the following Tuesday. I cannot truly describe the feeling of excitement that overcame me. Hard work, determination, and the drive to be successful really can pay off. I saw what I wanted and went after it, knowing there was always a chance it wouldn't work out. But at least I tried, and even rejection wouldn't stop me from continuing to push myself in the future. We can never give up on our dreams, no matter how many doors get closed. Or how many "no's" we may hear. We can't give up on ourselves and what we want in life. Only we can control our futures. I took mine by the horns and there's no turning back.

And so, I start my new position in mid-November after a well deserved vacation that Jay and I will be taking back to Aruba. We are heading to where our first week of marriage began (on our honeymoon). We will be able to revisit the places we shared together as we started and celebrated our newlywed life. And what a way to kick off a new job! I'm telling you, the timing of it all could not be more perfect. It truly is a sign that everything happens for a reason. As long as we take control of our future and go after what we believe in, everything then seems to fall into place.