Monthly Archives: December 2008

The Doers . . . .


Posted by katiebird
ESTP - The Doers

ESTP - The Doers

I couldn’t resist the total cuteness of this drawing.

This is how Typealyzer interpreted Eat4Today’s personality:

ESTP – The Doers
The active and play-ful type. They are especially attuned to people and things around them and often full of energy, talking, joking and engaging in physical out-door activities.

The Doers are happiest with action-filled work which craves their full attention and focus. They might be very impulsive and more keen on starting something new than following it through. They might have a problem with sitting still or remaining inactive for any period of time.

I only wish it was true.


A Commitment — Just 4 Today


Posted by katiebird

Just 4 Today, I’ll drink my fiber twice (done once), drink 2 liters of water (I’ve drunk about 1/2 liter), walk 5 miles (yesterday – 2.3), NOT eat between meals & NOT take seconds.

Just 4 Today is the basis of my weight control (and general theory of health maintenance.) It’s too overwhelming for me to contemplate doing this stuff everyday for the rest of my life. Depressing even. But, I can commit to sticking to a certain set of goals for just one day — that’s manageable. Continue reading →


Things that could easily be done better


Posted by katiebird

[Updated] Nevermind (these people are really good at customer service!) . . . .

I met two friends of this blog (Nancy and Beth) at Houlihan’s — and we had a great time. But, you know me: I’m trying to log the nutritional information for everything I eat. So after deciding what I wanted (hamburger, fries & coleslaw) I found a note at the bottom of the menu saying to check Houlihans.com for nutritional information. Since the information was available online, I didn’t bother asking the staff for it.

What a laugh! I easily found the menu. But, couldn’t find a thing about the nutritional information until I found this buried in their FAQ:

Nutritional information
We cook almost exclusively from scratch, and our menu items may vary slightly in size and composition from batch to batch. For that reason, we don’t provide nutritional data on our menu items. Additionally, we and our franchise partners may make adjustments in both our menu and recipe content to compensate for seasonal changes and the availability (or lack) of certain raw ingredients. Consequently, it’s very difficult to guarantee the accuracy of any nutritional information we may provide.

After fuming about the absurdity of spending 15 minutes finding THAT out, I sent this message via their comment page:

A note at the bottom of your menu says to see your website for nutritional information. But, your FAQ says that nutritional information is unavailable.

I understand the reasons for that. But, wouldn’t have been kinder if you just said it straight out on your menu? Why was it necessary for me to take the time to hunt through your site to find out the information wasn’t available?

I had a wonderful meal and don’t regret eating it. But, I’m mildly irritated that you made me jump through this hoop.

Sadly,
Katiebird

I’ve already received a pretty standard apology for my trouble:

Katiebird,
I would first like to thank you for your patronage at Houlihan’s On BoardWalk Square! I would also like to apologize for the inconvenience to you. I am in communication with our corporate office on this matter. Feel free
to contact me and I will answer any questions I can. Thank-you for bringing this to our attention. And again I apologize!

But I don’t expect anything to change.


Blogging Writers: Christina Jones


Posted by katiebird

weightwatchersOne of my favorite authors, Christina Jones started a blog last July but, I just discovered it. Which proves how out of touch I’ve been. Has it really been that long since I looked at her website?

It seems she’s on Weight Watchers (and THIS is supposed to be a photo of her) and well, the blog’s a blast — just like one of her books:
… Continue reading →


Why NOT Weight Watchers?


Posted by katiebird

I’ve joined Weight Watchers more times than I can count. But, I’m NOT joining it now. And, in fact, haven’t joined it for 7 years. So this post isn’t a response to their current programs. I don’t have any idea what specific plans they’re promoting these days. My reluctance to re-join Weight Watchers isn’t because of their plans. You’ll lose weight at Weight Watchers. Their plans, almost always balance out to about 1200 calories a day, and any of us will lose weight if we stick to that sort of plan.

My problem with Weight Watchers is that it’s fundamentally phony.

It’s all hugs and kisses when we’re giving them our cold-hard-cash (or credit cards) but, when we’re ready for that long-awaited-lifetime-membership? Nada. Nothing. A quick – “Any Lifetime Members here? Stand and Wave” and that’s it.

Well, I’m here to tell you that anyone can lose weight. If you’re determined enough you can focus for 6 or 8 months and lose A LOT of weight. So what? It’s the keeping it off that’s the life-long challenge and Weight Watchers sucks at that. (sigh) I say they suck but, I’m guessing they’re doing just fine at it from the corporation’s perspective.

Because the Weight Watchers corporation doesn’t make money on the Life Time Members. They don’t make money off them until they “backslide” by gaining more than 2 pounds. At that point we get to start writing the checks again. How’s that for a money tree? EVERYONE backslides more than 2 pounds now and then.

I’ve been much more successful since joining my Eat4Today/Blogging Community plan. I’m part of a world-wide support community. And it’s free.