Weight Watchers. There's a reason they're number 1.

Logo courtesy of WeightWatchers.com

I have been a Weight Watcher member on and off again for a number of years. Typically, I start the program, lose some weight, feel as though I can manage to continue on my own, and quit. Or have a couple of bad weeks and quit. Starting and stopping. That's me on the dieting merry-go-round. But that is no reflection of the Weight Watchers program. As a matter of fact, U.S. News and World Report ranked Weight Watchers #1. And there are plenty of reasons why:

1. No foods are off limits. Want to eat ice cream? No problem. Have a hankering for chocolate? You got it.

2. The recommended diet plan is well-balanced and healthy.

3. The plan is flexible and can "fit" with most people's lifestyles.

4. It's easy to follow and Weight Watchers provides a wealth of tools to make it even easier.

5. It's a program that you can live with for a lifetime.

So now you want to know how much I've lost while on the program? Not nearly enough. Not the fault of Weight Watchers, however. It has much more to do with a lack of self-control and motivation. But I have personal story to share with you, from a successful Weight Watcher - my daughter:

" I owe Weight Watchers a token of gratitude for helping me lose 66+ pounds. Through Weight Watchers, I have learned some great healthy eating skills as well as the value of activity. Every week I walk in to my WW meeting with my head held high knowing that I did the best I could and that whether I lose or gain, the staff at Weight Watchers is always supportive and willing to help with any questions or concerns I may have. I have 14 more pounds to lose (as of this writing, that's down to 10) and I know through out the journey to lose the weight as well as my lifelong journey to keep it off, that the Weight Watchers "family" will support me and is willing to help me out when I am struggling."

Does it work? You betcha! Take a look at the photos my daughter provided for this review to see her transformation:

I'm thinking I don't have to tell you which is the "before" and which is the "after", do I? You're smart like that. So if you're looking to lose weight, Weight Watchers is the way to go! (But find your motivation first and take it along for the ride). And remember, it's not a temporary fix, it's a way to a healthy life!

Product Specs:

Item: Weight Watchers Points Plus Program

Location: There are WW locations across the US and there's sure to be one in your area! Or use the online version of the program. I also highly recommend this but think meetings are the best way to go!

Price: There are a number of pricing options depending on the package you purchase. Check out the Weight Watchers website for all the details.

Worth it?: Positively! If you have 5-500 pounds to lose, you couldn't ask for a more sensible, healthy, realistic plan that you can live with!

The Shady Truth about Shades of Grey

My normal reviewing style would be to post commentary about an item once I have completely experienced it. Finished eating a meal. Finished watching a movie. Finished reading a book. But in the case of Fifty Shades of Grey, I am making an exception.

And I am doing so in order to save those who have not yet crossed the bridge, jumped the shark, bitten the bullet and wasted your hard-earned money on this piece of "literary" crap.

Toledo Zoo - Morning morning style

This past week, my cohort Kathy and I decided to fritter away a perfectly good Monday morning at The Toledo Zoo taking photos. This turned out to be as good a time as any to review the Zoo, as well - at least as far as Monday mornings are concerned.

If you are not from Lucas County, they you may be unaware that Monday morning, between 10:00 am and noon, is free admission to the Zoo for all Lucas Co. residents. Free is right up my alley. Although I have been a Zoo member for over 25 years, my children are of an age where the animals are not as exciting as they once were so we have dropped our membership. And the truth of the matter is I think the general admission price for the Zoo is a little steep ($14.00 per adult, $11.00 per child). Not that the Zoo doesn't deserve to make money to care for the animals but as we also fund the Zoo through tax dollars, the price is a little much for me. At least at this point in my life. For all the young families with children out there, the Zoo is an awesome way to spend a day (or three) so get a membership! It more than pays for itself.

Burger Bar 419

After a day Monday morning wondering amongst the throngs of people at the Toledo Zoo, my group of three decided we needed a place to relax and have a good lunch. Burger Bar 419 was suggested and, as I had not yet tried this fairly new establishment, I thought "what the heck". And then I thought "it's right next to Wixey's Bakery and I am all about cake". But I digress.

Burger Bar 419, located at Heatherdowns and Eastgate in Toledo, is a simple place, nestled in a small-ish shopping complex. The atmosphere was neither good or bad; it was just a restaurant. I was forewarned that Burger Bar offers mostly gourmet burgers and as I am not a gourmet eater, I was a little apprehensive but I quickly found a mushroom/Swiss type burger on the menu that sounded right up my alley. My son, also a fairly picker eater, chose the Classic American. Can't go wrong with classic. Or American. Or can you?

Leia Loves....not the neighbor's dog!!

Time for Leia to speak her mind. As a dog, Leia feels it is in her rights to talk about other dogs. Especially ones that annoy Leia. And annoy her people. That would be the puppy who lives next door.

The people who live next door have three children. That is annoying to Leia already because every time one of them makes a noise, Leia has to run to the window to see what is going on. Takes a lot out of a dog, I tell you. But then, on top of three children, the people thought it would be a good idea to buy them a puppy for Christmas. Now, Leia is a Christmas puppy too, so that doesn't sound like a terrible idea. But it was. Leia will list the reasons why the new puppy annoys even more than the children:

The Avengers

Unless you live under a rock, you know by now that Marvel's The Avengers movie hit the big screen this past Friday. It seems that most companies that air prime-time commercials have a piece of this action as clips and various references have been seen for the past few weeks on television as well as in other media. From what I can gather, The Avengers is the kick off movie in what is shaping up to be a lackluster summer at the box office. But despite the bleak theater outlook, The Avengers kicks off the season smashingly, Hulk and all!

In case of a Zombie uprising

In case you are worried about a potential zombie uprising (or is it Zombie? Like Russian? or Taliban? With a capital letter? Could I ask any more unimportant questions?) there is a website that will help determine if you are in immediate danger.

English Peas by Paula Deen

I love recipes. As a matter of fact, I have been known to be somewhat of a recipe collector. Mind you I don't actually make many of the recipes I collect but I like to have them, just in case. I have recipe books, recipe magazines and recipes clipped from magazines or newspapers. I have them on cards and in binders. It's somewhat of a sickness. And of course, I now have them printed from the internet, as well.

Quaker Real Medleys

I like oatmeal. It's my go-to breakfast when I'm on a diet. Which is all the time. I am a little picky about my oatmeal, however. Me? Picky about food? Whatever! I'm just saying, I like my oatmeal a certain way. And that way is not instant. No sir. I like a thick real oat oatmeal. The kind that takes more than 20 seconds to cook. So when I happened across a new Quaker Oats product at the grocery store the other day, I was intrigued.

Size Stickers

I am not ashamed to admit right here on the old bloggo that I am not a tiny person. Not petite. Rather a woman of size. It's not a fact I can hide. Most people know right away when they see me that I don't wear a size 8. Or even a 12. That I'm a friend of Lane Bryant, shall we say. So I really don't feel the need to advertise my size to the public. They can figure it out all by themselves.