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How to Drink Black Coffee and Actually Like it

12/29/2020

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TIPS FOR DITCHING SUGARY STARBUCKS FOR NO ADDED SUGARS

It's almost 2021! Health and wellness resolutions are super common, but a lot of people usually burn out. In fact, a study back in 2019 found that 73% of people who set a fitness goal as a resolution give it up before they reach it. 

I remember when I started my weight loss journey, the biggest thing that helped me succeed was making small changes and taking it one step at a time. It can feel overwhelming and time-consuming to go all in all at once, so I always recommend taking smaller steps so that way you can work towards the bigger picture in a way that is more sustainable and helps you actually develop healthier habits. 

If one of your New Year's Resolutions this year is to cut the cream and sugar in your coffee, it's totally possible to start drinking black coffee instead of some sugary Starbucks concoction. If I can do it, then so can you - but it took me a while to switch from a White Chocolate Mocha to a black cup every morning! Here are my tips for how to switch from a sugary drink that might have coffee in it to drinking black coffee and actually enjoying it.

There are affiliate links throughout this blog post for your convenience, where I can earn a small commission. I never support a product or brand I don't personally use and enjoy, but if you'd like to learn more, you can head to this page!
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1. Cut back on your creamer and try a nondairy milk alternative

Different creamers contain a surprising amounts of sugar. I recommend starting here if you're trying to transition to black coffee because it was, in my opinion, a way easier change than adding sweetener packets. I started by trying different fat free and sugar free creamers, and then eventually made the switch to unsweetened vanilla almond or cashew milk. It's only 15 calories for half a cup, which makes your coffee super creamy so you don't need even that much! A little goes a long way and helped me transition.
Once I decided I wanted to try switching to black, having swapped to nut milk made it even easier because it's a bit thinner than normal creamer, so it wasn't as much of a shock to the system when I cut back on the almond milk. I recommend measuring out how much you're using so you can schedule out how much you're going to scale back by.

2. Slowly cut back on your added sweeteners

If you're currently using sugar but have weight loss on your mind, start by switching to something like Stevia. This is a more natural sweetener than something like Splenda. Sometimes they'll add sugar alcohols to stevia packets, but it's largely natural since Stevia is from a plant. 

I took this one month at a time. Embarrassingly, I used to drink a large cup of coffee with four packets in it! 
Every month or two, I challenged myself to reduce by one packet so I could get used to the change in sweetness and not have it be a total shock to my senses. This really helped me adjust since my taste buds adapted. 

And, if you like using syrups, you can try Jordan's Skinny Syrups since they're sugar free. Then, you can ween off from there if you want. If you decide to stop using them once you've gone to black coffee but have leftover, they're great for baking or in protein shakes, too!

3. Start with Iced Coffee

The reason I suggest this if you're looking to make the switch to black is because of the ice. This dilutes the coffee a bit, so if you're struggling to get used to the taste of black, starting with iced before moving right into hot coffee should help!
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4. Get flavored coffee

Having a black coffee to start with that is flavored is really helpful once you're at the point where you're drinking it straight black. I personally recommend Coffee Over Cardio since they have some really nice flavors. I'm a huge fan of Messy Bun and Saturdaze (chocolate donut), and their seasonal flavors like Basic AF (pumpkin spice) are awesome too. You can get a 10% off coupon with the code 10MagicallyFit at checkout!
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5. Remember that you don't need to exclusively drink black coffee

I lost the bulk of my weight still drinking my coffee with either half-and-half or almond milk in it. And sometimes, I still do enjoy adding some Stevia and almond milk into my coffee. It's not an end all be all, and there are simple swaps you can do to still enjoy it how you like it without it necessarily being a sugar bomb. 

I switched to black coffee because Anthony and I have a lot of (post-pandemic) international travel plans to some destinations famous for their coffee in different ways, and I wanted to be able to enjoy them how they were without them all just tasting like how I do at home. Ask yourself what your goals are and go from there - remember, it should be because you enjoy it, not because you feel like you have to.
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Amazon Black Friday Deals for Health & Wellness in 2020

11/25/2020

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There are affiliate links throughout this blog post for your convenience, where I can earn a small commission. I never support a product or brand I don't personally use and enjoy, but if you'd like to learn more, you can head to this page!
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Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here before we all know it. While we may not be able to gather this year like we have in years past, that doesn't mean we can't still celebrate in our own ways. I know for me, instead of visiting my family this year, I'll be taking advantage of Amazon's Black Friday deals. Amazon lets you have things gift wrapped, so they can safely deliver gifts to my relatives' doors in New England while I don't potentially spread any germs from down here in Florida. 

A lot of my family members are Weight Watchers members, so it makes them really easy to shop for! Here are some of my favorite options on Amazon that you can get a really nice Black Friday deal on for any health and wellness junkie in your life.

Get a free trial of Amazon Prime for 30 days free if you don't already have a membership. The free 2-day shipping perks alone make it so worth it!
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42% off a 9-in-1 instant pot to try some new recipes

When I say I use my Instant Pot for everything, I mean everything. Turkey meatballs from the freezer? Done in four minutes. It's the only way I'll cook my rice anymore (because it also acts as a rice cooker) and I make the most delicious homemade ramen in this bad boy. 

You can get 42% off of this 9 in 1 Instant Pot on Amazon for Black Friday, which is a total steal! The perfect gift for the healthy eater in the family (or for yourself). If they already have an Instant Pot, check out some of their accessories - you can get up to 40% off of those.
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33% Off a 14 piece rubbermaid set for ultimate meal prepping

Even if you're working from home this year, meal prepping is still important and still something I love to do. Either way, good storage containers for your food is a must if you make everything to have leftovers like I do so you're never guessing what your macros will be. 

This 14 piece set from Rubbermaid is currently 33% off. It's BPA free, leak free, and has a bunch of different sizes included. It's glass so it's easy to clean and won't stain; we have similar and love them!
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Up to 20% off KitchenAid tools

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KitchenAid has a ton of their kitchen tools on sale this year! Having quality tools in your kitchen can make all the difference and can make for great stocking stuffers for those in your life who are health conscious and love to cook.

Get up to 20% off KitchenAid's products this year on Amazon for Black Friday. I took a look and it looks like most of them actually are 20% off, if not 15%, so it's not one of those sale situations where it's not as good as it seems. This one is!
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30% off An Amazon fire tv stick to stream your fave workouts

I've been doing a lot of home workouts on YouTube this year because, well, 2020. What has been so nice has been being able to utilize YouTube on my Fire TV Stick instead of just squinting at my laptop screen when I'm trying to do a yoga class in my living room. It's really easy to set up and even includes voice control with Alexa.

You can get a Fire TV Stick for 30% off for Black Friday this year! 
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15% off a set of resistance bands perfect for home workouts

With COVID-19 restrictions being reinforced across much of the country, that means gyms are closing again. But you can still get a work out in with a set of resistance bands that vary from 10-50 lbs! My husband has a set like this and loves it, as it helped him maintain his progress when our gyms closed rather than regress on his gains.

Get 15% off this limited Prime Day deal. Plus, at the time of writing this, there's a box you can check for an additional 10% off too! 
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up to 35% off Puma Apparel and footwear

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I will never forget how fast I flew through my clothing when I first started Weight Watchers. For a long time, people didn't even notice my weight loss because I was wearing clothes that were too big on me since I was cheap and was trying to milk what I had for as long as I could. So if you know someone who has been undergoing a weight loss journey, or if you even have been yourself, treat yourself this season to some new pieces! 

Puma is offering up to 35% off their apparel and footwear on Amazon for Black Friday this year, and there are a ton of options for both men and women.
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29% off Garmin Venu and vivoactive Smartwatches

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Whether someone is a fitness expert or just getting started, a smart watch is a fantastic way to track your progress. I had a Garmin for ages and absolutely loved it, and you can get a bunch of different varieties on sale this year!

Get 29% off Gamin's Venu and Vivoactive styles on Amazon for Black Friday. They have some gorgeous ones for adults and fun Star Wars and Frozen II themed ones for kids!
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Plus, a few more deals you can get off of Amazon from my favorite health/wellness brands online

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Built Bar is offering 25% off their entire site starting on Thursday 11/26 at 7 p.m. EST, but you can get 28% off when you use the coupon MagicallyFit. These protein bars range from 3-5 SmartPoints on all myWW plans and make for a fantastic stocking stuffer. All Black Friday orders are getting two free Candy Cane Brownie bars, and they've also launched two white chocolate flavors: Cookies and Cream and Salted Caramel. Spoiler alert: I got to sample them and they are freaking delicious.

Healthy Human is offering 20-40% off their website, including stainless steel steins, tumblers, and reusable straws! Their products keep my drinks hot or cold for ages, are super friendly to our environment, and come in some beautiful colors and patterns. Get an additional 15% off with the coupon code JessicaS15!

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Coffee Over Cardio is offering a free Hydrate (a delicious way to add electrolytes to your water or coffee) with all orders over $50 - so if you and anyone you know uses coffee to fuel your workouts, this makes for the perfect stocking stuffer and you get a freebie. Get 10% off with the coupon code 10MagicallyFit.

Crowned Athletics sells super cute Disney-inspired clothing and fitness accessories. Whether you're looking for the perfect outfit for a virtual runDisney race or want to stock someone's stuffing with excercise bands, scrunchies, or fitness watch accessories (like my You Can Fly sneaker charm!), this is the perfect place to shop - and you can get 20% off for Black Friday!
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​I hope everyone has a lovely Thanksgiving and stays safe!
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Bass fishing at Epcot

11/16/2020

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This July, Anthony and I went bass fishing on one of the charters out of Magic Kingdom. For my birthday, we went out to try the fall bite at Epcot!

​There are affiliate links throughout this blog post for your convenience, where I can earn a small commission. I never support a product or brand I don't personally use and enjoy, but if you'd like to learn more, you can head to this page on my blog!
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As I mentioned in my last blog post about Disney's fishing excursions, I had fished at Epcot before but had minimal luck since our boat got stuck. I can now say with confidence that it's not something that happens regularly and was a weird one-off! Our guide this time was fantastic and showed us all of the best spots to catch fish... including right before you even take off. My first fish was my personal best!
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We started at the Yacht and Beach Club, then moved over to the World Showcase with awesome views of Spaceship Earth and all of the pavilions. Once the bite slowed down there, we fished underneath the bridges on the way back to the Boardwalk Resort area, and then got some fishing in closer to Hollywood Studios overlooking the Tower of Terror. ​
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We finished where we started and caught a few last fish before calling it a day. All in all, we caught 20 fish between the two of us! Not bad for just two hours on the water. It helped that our guide let us have two rods with live shiners in the water while we also fished with an artificial senko. We used one by Gary Yamamoto with a chartreuse tail.
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This is a fantastic activity to do if you're looking to stay away from crowds and enjoy being outdoors. Masks are required since you'll be with the guide, but that's still significantly less people that you'd encounter compared to being in the parks... so if you're eager for a touch of Disney magic but aren't totally sure if you want to get into the parks yet or weren't able to score a reservation for a desired day, this is the perfect activity for you.

​While you get great views of the front of Magic Kingdom when you fish at Bay Lake, the Yacht Club charter actually takes you into the World Showcase, so if you really want to feel like you're visiting the parks, I'd recommend this one.
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Fishing excursions are available at the following marinas:

  • Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
  • Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
  • Disney's Contemporary Resort
  • Disney's Old Key West Resort
  • Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
  • Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside
  • Disney's Wilderness Lodge
  • Disney's Yacht Club Resort

Call (407) 939-BASS or (407) 939-2277 to make a reservation at any of the above spots! You can go for two or four hours. We opted for a two hour excursion at 7 a.m. (the other time option is 10) and it’s worth noting that discounts are available for annual passholders - if you’re a Disney Vacation Club owner or a cast member, I’d check if you also can!

The charter includes everything: bait, fishing poles, and drinks. You don't have to bring anything, so if you don't have any of your own gear, have no fear!

Also, bring cash! It's customary to tip your captain when you do a fishing charter. 
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To check out all of the fish we caught (except for one that I caught and immediately dropped upon bringing it onto the boat... oops, but still counts!) and what the experience is like firsthand, check out Anthony's YouTube video about our experience!
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Ways to Drink More Water

11/9/2020

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There are affiliate links throughout this blog post for your convenience, where I can earn a small commission. I never support a product or brand I don't personally use and enjoy, but if you'd like to learn more, you can head to this page on my blog!

Have you had enough water to drink lately? I think we all know at this point that drinking water is extremely helpful for us whether we are looking to lose weight, build muscle, or just function normally as humans living our day-to-day lives. It can be easy to dehydrate yourself and not even realize it. Everyone's needs are different, but I aim for a gallon of water per day since I'm super active and live in Florida (where it is just varying forms of summer rather than actual seasons). Here's how I manage to get more of my water down without getting bored. 
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Add fun flavorings 

Adding a flavoring to your water that doesn’t have any sugar can be a great way to mix things up. This is also super great if you like juices or soda but are looking to cut those out, too, so you can reduce your sugar intake.

Some of my favorite flavorings include
  • Built Boost, which is basically a multivitamin in water flavoring form (get 10% off with the coupon MagicallyFit). My favorite flavor is the Cloud Nine, which tastes like grape soda.
  • Hydrate by Coffee Over Cardio, which is a coconut water powder with electrolytes that helps you stay hydrated (get 10% off with the coupon 10MagicallyFit). The pink lemonade flavor legit tastes like lemonade, especially when its served cold.
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Yes, coffee and tea count!

I know what you’re thinking: ‘Jess, coffee and tea can have caffeine in it which dehydrates you because they just make you pee a lot.’ Not so fast! Unless you’re drinking coffee by the literal gallon (we’ve all had those days, no judgement), there’s not really enough caffeine in your coffee to dehydrate you. 

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PubMed Central did some studies and they showed for a significant diuretic effect, you’d need to have 5 or more cups of coffee per day. So, yes, you can track your coffee and tea for this! 
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Just don’t include any creamer you might add. I personally don’t like to include any coffee sweetened with sugar (which I don’t drink anyways, but everyone’s different) since I think including sugary drinks can be a slippery slope if you’re working on improving your health. ​

If you are looking to reduce your sugar intake in your coffee, try a flavored coffee! I love the ones from Coffee Over Cardio - Basic AF is my go-to PSL when fall rolls around, and I also really love Saturdaze since it has a light chocolate donut flavoring to it. They have a bunch of really fun seasonal flavors that roll around, so it's worth keeping an eye out when you start to run low and you want something different or fun!

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Get 10% off with the code 10MagicallyFit.
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Use a straw 

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Using a straw can help you drink your water faster, so if you struggle to drink a lot, then this can be a great way to sneak more in quicker. However, if you’re like me and you hate paper straws but want to help out the environment, I recommend investing in some stainless steel ones. 

I use the ones that came with my Healthy Human stainless steel steins. They even have a silicone tip on one end so if you have sensitive teeth, it won’t bother you. You can get a discount with the code JessicaS15.

Get a water bottle that sparks joy 

As Marie Kondo would say, we should have things that spark joy. Your water bottle should be no different. I love my water bottles from Healthy Human for a few reasons: they come in a bunch of gorgeous prints and fun colors so I’m encouraged to want to keep it nearby on my desk or to go with me when I travel, and also it stays cold for hours in there (and, for coffee, it stays hot for hours too).

​Anthony and I went on a beach weekend once in the summer and accidentally left a half-full bottle in the car overnight. The next day, I decided to test it out to see if it was still drinkable (do not try this with plastic, though!). The stainless steel Healthy Human worked as advertised because, and I swear to you I’m not lying, the water was still cold.

​You can get a discount with the code JessicaS15.​​
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Rating Popular Foods from Trader Joe's

11/3/2020

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There are affiliate links throughout this blog post for your convenience, where I can earn a small commission. I never support a product or brand I don't personally use and enjoy, but if you'd like to learn more, you can head to this page on my blog!

​If you've been in a Weight Watchers Facebook group or been on WW Connect for five minutes, you'll know that a lot of Weight Watchers members love Trader Joe's. The closest Trader Joe’s to me is about 20-30 minutes away, so usually we just shop at Publix since it’s closer. But I wanted something different, so I decided to try a bunch of Trader Joe’s foods I’ve seen all over Instagram and TikTok and see how they were for myself!


I’ll include the SmartPoints and calories per serving and my rating for each item.
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Sunday: Thai Sweet Chili Veggie Burger and Chicken Chow Mein

We’ll start with the Thai Sweet Chili Veggie Burger since I had this for lunch on Sunday since I was too lazy to make anything. 

This had a really nice flavor! The Thai Sweet Chili flavoring was definitely there but not so strong that I felt it was spicy (and I am weak when it comes to heat in food, ha!). 

It didn’t really need any condiments because the flavor profile was really nice on its own. I had it on an Ole wrap with some lettuce and it made for a really nice wrap! It didn’t get too mushy in the microwave like other veggie burgers I’ve tried, either, which was a nice surprise. 

SmartPoints: 4 per patty 
Calories: 150 
Jessica’s rating: 9/10 


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We had the Chicken Chow Mein for dinner - this was something I actually had fairly frequently when I started my Weight Watchers journey and wasn’t super great of a cook yet since it’s super quick and easy. It being low fat means it’s fairly low in SmartPoints. Just be sure to weigh this one when serving. The packaging says that 1/3 of the package is a serving and there are 3 servings per package, but I often find that it's more like 1/2 the package for the amount of grams listed. Score! Only thing I don't like about this is that it's usually pretty heavy on the red pepper, which I don't like. I pick mine out and give it to my husband.
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SmartPoints: 5 SmartPoints per serving
Calories: 210 
Jessica’s rating: 7/10 
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Monday: BBQ Chicken Teriyaki with Riced Cauliflower Stir Fry

We paired the BBQ Chicken Teriyaki with the Riced Cauliflower Stir Fry for dinner Monday night and it tasted like takeout! We paired it with the riced cauliflower stir fry, which was also really good but I easily could have made it myself without the oil and saved the SmartPoint. But if you're feeling lazy, its a fantastic option.
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SmartPoints: 1 SmartPoint for a serving of the rice; 4 SmartPoints for 1 cup of the chicken
Calories: 150 for the chicken; 75 calories for 1.5 cups of the rice 
Jessica’s rating: 9/10 for both
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Tuesday: Jicama Wraps

This was brought to my attention from Blogilates. We ended up throwing the jicama wraps on the stovetop to heat them up until they were lightly browned and softer and it made for a really nice wrap. They were small, so it was actually nice having multiple mini tacos instead of just one big one for two reasons:
  1. I am a chronic over-stuffer. I never learn my lesson. My Ole wraps never stood a chance.
  2. It helped me slow down a bit and feel like I was eating more since visually, I was eating more tacos even if the filling amounts were the same.​

​SmartPoints: None! This is a Zero SmartPoint food.
Calories: 30 calories for 85 g 
Jessica’s rating: 10/10
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Wednesday: Sprouted Wheat 7-Grain Bread and Pumpkin Butter ​

Mixing it up today with a breakfast option (since dinner is just fish and sweet potato tonight, nothing fancy)! After my workout this morning, all I wanted were eggs and toast. I tried the Organic Sprouted Wheat 7-Grain Toast that I’ve seen a lot of people say they love (2 SmartPoints and 80 calories per slice) and I can see why - this bread has a lovely texture and crunch when toasted, especially the crust. The flavor profile of this bread is pretty good on its own, too. It probably makes for a great sandwich option.

I topped each slice with half a tablespoon of the seasonal Pumpkin Butter (2 SP per tbsp) and a little bit of pumpkin pie spice and you guys, this was the most decadent toast I’ve ever had. So good.

Total SmartPoints: 6 (+ the eggs if you’re on myWW Green) for the combo
Total calories (excluding eggs): 200 
Jessica’s rating: 10/10 for both the bread and pumpkin butter

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​Thursday: Cauliflower Gnocchi 

I've seen this cauliflower gnocchi all over Instagram so I had to grab a few bags to try - especially since I'm a huge gnocchi fan. This cauliflower gnocchi totally lived up to the hype! It was super tasty, not too heavy but still had that lovely texture that you get from real gnocchi. Though, now Anthony and I are in a debate over if this is classified as a veggie tot or a pasta. I say pasta, he insists they're technically tots. Either way, they're delish. 

SmartPoints: 4 for 1 cup of gnocchi 
Calories: 140 per cup 
Jessica’s rating: 9/10 
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Friday: Chicken Cilantro Wontons 

I love these and have since I started my Weight Watchers journey back in 2015. They’re small so perfect to use as either a side dish or to make part of a larger meal like I did Friday night. I whipped up a soup in my Instant Pot and let it slow cook for a few hours, and then for the last thirty minutes I added in the wontons (from frozen - they’re little so do not take long at all to thoroughly cook). 

Dinner was fantastic. My only wish with these wontons would be to have the flavor profile be a bit stronger - the chicken cilantro flavor is there but it's very mild. However, that mildness lets these wontons be really versatile in what kind of cuisine you decide to make them with. 

SmartPoints: 1 SmartPoint for 4 pieces
Calories: 50 calories for 4 pieces
Jessica’s rating: 9/10
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Saturday: Mahi Burgers 

The mahi burgers are pretty good, with a minimal fishy taste to them and are super easy to slap on a George Foreman grill. However, these are pretty small. This is another instance of weighing and measuring before you log it into your fitness tracker, because when I had this for dinner on Saturday and then lunch on Sunday, both of my patties were only about 2 ounces once they were cooked. 

SmartPoints: 2 SmartPoints for 3.2 oz
Calories: 140 for 3.2 oz
Jessica’s rating: 6.5/10
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Other Trader Joe’s foods I tried this week:

Turkey Corn Dogs
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My husband loves these so we always stock up on a few boxes whenever we go to Trader Joe’s. These are super easy to make since you just microwave them so they make for a pretty good option if you’re craving some carnival-style comfort food. 

SmartPoints: 5 each 
Calories: 150 each 
Jessica’s rating: 7/10
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Chocolate Hummus & Original Savory Thin Crackers 
This hummus was just okay, in my opinion. When paired with crackers or fruit, I thought that the flavor was kind of bland and I wish the chocolate profile was a bit stronger. However, I’ve found this to be an excellent option when blending into nonfat plain Greek yogurt; a tablespoon of that and a stevia added into the mix really makes for a good chocolate yogurt. 

The Original Savory Thin Crackers were something I saw a lot of Weight Watchers members hype up as a wonderful cracker option, but it was just your standard rice cracker and the SmartPoints value was pretty standard. It was fine, just didn't live up to the hype!


SmartPoints: 4 SmartPoints for 30 g crackers; 1 SmartPoint per tbsp hummus 
Calories: 130 for 30 g of crackers; 25 calories for 1 tbsp hummus
Jessica’s rating: 6/10 for both
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Light Ice Cream
I'll talk first about the light ice cream. This is Trader Joe's competitor to Halo Top, Enlightened, etc., and it comes in this flavor and cookies and cream. 

It was alright. I thought compared to other ice creams, it was kind of chalky. I don't think any of the Halo Top type ice creams are particularly good (though Chilly Cow was fantastic, but I can't find it at my local stores anymore). If you pop it in the microwave for 10 seconds, it helps not only make it soft enough to scoop but helps with the chalkiness a little bit. I added some Choc Zero syrup and that masked it, too. I'm not sure if it was from the peanut butter in the ice cream, so I'd be curious to see if that chalkiness is present in the cookies and cream flavor, too (and if I just had a weird batch, please let me know in the comments, ha!).

SmartPoints: 3 SmartPoints for 0.5 cup
Calories: 90 calories for 0.5 cup
Jessica’s rating: 5/10

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Non-Dairy Oat Frozen Dessert, Strawberry with Almond Brittle & Candied Strawberries 
This ice cream was brought to my attention by Blogilates when she raved about how creamy it was in a TikTok. I’m trying to reduce my intake of animal products, so figured I’d give this ice cream a try regardless of the SmartPoints. 

Casey was not lying - this ice cream was incredibly creamy. You would never know that this was a vegan alternative if you went into this blind. The almond brittle and candied strawberries gave this a really nice touch, too. ​

SmartPoints: 9 SmartPoints for 0.5 cup
Calories: 195 calories for 0.5 cup
Jessica’s rating: 100/10 (no, that is not a typo)


Have you tried any of these foods from Trader Joe's or have any other favorites that weren't mentioned? Let me know in the comments!
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Running Goals Check In and Halloween Workout Playlist

10/20/2020

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There are affiliate links throughout this blog post for your convenience, where I can earn a small commission. I never support a product or brand I don't personally use and enjoy, but if you'd like to learn more, you can head to this page on my blog!
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This is part three in a series where I'm documenting my running goals that I've shifted thanks to COVID towards increasing my time! You can check out part 1 and part 2 if you'd like, but not totally necessary to understand what I'll be sharing today. 

So, I have good news and bad news (well, for myself, really). The bad news: my mile time was longer than I thought. The good news: now I can accurately gauge my pace! 

So, I had done pretty exclusively treadmill runs thus far. I made the mistake of not calibrating myApple Watch before getting right into it once I switched from my Garmin and my times were not accurate, to say the least (my Garmin was old and in need of some replacing, haha).

This was discovered after calibrating and running on pavement with Anthony for the Crowned Athletics free Together in Paris run (P.S. you get 10% off their products with the coupon MagicallyFit) and a local free virtual 5K that we did (thanks, Healthy West Orange!), and found out that my pace wasn't between 9 and 10 minutes per mile, but was closer to 13-13:30. Oops! 
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Neon tiara filter is from Crowned Athletics!

​But! The good news is now I have a more accurate gauge for how much faster I actually have to go and can train accordingly... especially since I signed up for the runDisney Princess 5K in all its virtual glory. I figure if I'm gonna attempt a 30 minute 5K, I might as well have something to show for it, and whenever I get there at least I'll have a medal I can engrave with the date and time, right?

Since the race is in February, so I figure beyond just having a medal to show for my accomplishment, it'll be a good way to see how far I've come (even though my goal isn't necessarily to get a 30 minute 5K for February, but just to gauge my progress - I'm not rushing this so I don't hurt myself!). 
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I got the Rincon by Hoka One One a few months ago (when I decided to start this challenge for myself) and I absolutely love the shoe. It's super lightweight but still really supportive, which has been really important with me because one of the main reasons I would run/walk/run would be to avoid flaring up sciatic nerve damage. With these shoes (and proper stretching, but trust me from experience - the shoes do make a difference) it hasn't been a problem, so I'm super happy about that. 

Balega is the only brand of running sock I've truly not had blisters in (and my husband swears by them as well, not just for running but day-to-day life) and I love the AfterShokz bone conducting headphones for when I'm running outdoors since it allows me to be super aware of my surroundings but still getting to listen to music or chat with my husband. Best of both worlds!
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Halloween Workout Playlist

I love Halloween. I love Halloween music. I love the spooky season, you guys. So, with that being said, I had to create a Halloween workout playlist for when I'm running or hitting the weights. It's been super fun and is reminding me to not always take myself so seriously when training (because it's supposed to be fun!) and makes for a really good time, especially when I'm looking for something different to work out to. It's fun to mix things up and to be festive!

Check out the playlist on Spotify.
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So, my goal for the rest of the month is to shift that 13 minute mile closer to a 12:30... and then in November, I'm hoping to get it closer to 12. If I can shave at least 30 seconds off my mile each month, that should put me at an 11 minute mile in February, which is pretty close to my goal. We'll see if that actually pans out, though - again, I'm not going to force it.
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You May Also Like
  • Weight Watchers Halloween Candy Guide
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  • Disney Halloween Costumes You Can Get On Amazon
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Disney Halloween Costumes You Can Buy on Amazon

10/17/2020

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There are affiliate links throughout this blog post for your convenience, where I can earn a small commission. I never support a product or brand I don't personally use and enjoy, but if you'd like to learn more, you can head to this page on my blog!
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Halloween will be here before we know it - and did you know that this year, you can wear your Halloween costume to Magic Kingdom since Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party got canceled? Whether you're hitting the parks or just want to feel festive at home while you binge Hocus Pocus and Halloweentown on Disney+, here are some options you can get on Amazon.
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Disney Princess

There are a ton of Disney Princess costumes available on Amazon! A lot of them available are through Leg Avenue, a company known for making sexy versions of costumes, but you can get some dresses that look pretty similar to the actual dresses. This is a great option for Halloween since it won't be as heavy as a traditional gown you'd see a cosplayer wearing at Comic Con.
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Mickey & Minnie Mouse

Whether you're looking for a full blown Minnie Mouse costume for yourself or your kids, a Disneybound for an easy costume to wear to the theme parks, or for a Mickey Mouse onesie to stay comfy in while you hang out at home and watch some of your favorite Halloween movies and treat yourself to some candy, there are a ton of options on Amazon that you can try!
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Nightmare BEfore Christmas

If The Nightmare Before Christmas is on your list of must-watch movies this Halloween, you'll feel right at home in these costumes available on Amazon. There are some more simple costumes that will help you live your best Jack and Sally life, but also some more involved costumes that would look super cool with a ton of makeup to impress the kids in your neighborhood for some (socially distanced in 2020) trick-or-treating.
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Alice in WOnderland

If we're all mad here, then you'll want to check out some of these fun Alice in Wonderland costumes! This is a classic that never goes out of style, and with a bunch of different adaptations of this story (including from Disney), there are so many options for all the characters.
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Pixar

There are a ton of Pixar Halloween costume options on Amazon. From superheroes to personified emotions, there are so many fun characters you and your family can choose from!
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Star Wars

The Force will be strong with you in these costumes! There are a ton of Star Wars costumes out there with the new franchise and television series, so you can have a ton of fun with these costumes. Again, you may see some cosplayers with way more legit-looking costumes, but these are fantastic for those looking to just get into cosplay or who just want something comfortable for Halloween night or to walk around Magic Kingdom in. 

Marvel

There are so many cool superhero costumes you can choose from these days thanks to the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe! These costumes are great for Halloween because they're less involved than a traditional cosplay, so you can still be comfy while looking like your favorite hero on Halloween night. In general, a lot hero costumes are zentai suits, which can be really comfy since its a glorified body suit.
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What will you be wearing for Halloween? Let me know in the comments, and be sure to  tag me in your photos on Instagram so I can see what you're wearing (especially if it's something from this list)!

You may also like:
  • Weight Watchers Halloween Candy Guide
  • Walt Disney World Re-opening Guide
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Weight Watchers Halloween Candy Guide

10/9/2020

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Halloween is just three weeks away! Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, but can be pretty stressful on Weight Watchers. Over the years, I've learned the best approach is to pick a candy that I really want, pre-track it, and then stick to that so I don't feel deprived. It's really important that we don't restrict, because restricting can lead to binging or "falling off the wagon." I also like to remind myself that these candies are available whenever I want, so there's no sense in overdoing it just because it's Halloween. But it is a good excuse for a treat! 

That all being said, here's a guide to how many SmartPoints some of your favorite candies are on myWW this Halloween.

​There are affiliate links throughout this blog post for your convenience, where I can earn a small commission. I never support a product or brand I don't personally use and enjoy, but if you'd like to learn more, you can head to this page on my blog!
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Traditional Candies

York Peppermint Patties
These are my mom's favorite! You can have three minis (or three of the mini pumpkin ones!) or one full sized patty for 8 SmartPoints. One of the minis is 3 SmartPoints, and two of them is 6 SmartPoints (gotta love Weight Watchers math, am I right?)

​You can order them on Amazon here.
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
You can have three mini Reese's for only 6 SmartPoints and 130 calories, so this is a great option for Halloween without spending all of your SmartPoints budget! Two of the Reese's Peanut Butter Pumpkins are 8 SmartPoints (170 calories), and for a normal Reese's Peanut Butter Cup you can have 1 cup for 4 SmartPoints and 2 for 7 SmartPoints.
Snickers
A serving of three mini Snickers are 6 SmartPoints at 130 calories, so this makes for another great option for Weight Watchers. For reference, a full sized Snickers bar is 12 SmartPoints.

You can order some Snickers Minis on Amazon here (just in time for Halloween!)
Hershey Bars
One full-sized Hershey Bar is 11 SmartPoints (and 10 SmartPoints if you like them with almonds). If you get a bag of Hershey's miniature assorted chocolates to dump in your candy bucket, you can have...
  • One piece for 2 SmartPoints
  • Two pieces for 4 SmartPoints
  • Three pieces for 7 SmartPoints
  • Four pieces for 9 SmartPoints 
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M&Ms
M&Ms are a classic and luckily, come in convenient individual serving bags for Halloween. Three packages of M&Ms fun sized chocolate candies are 10 SmartPoints, and you can have one package for 3 SmartPoints.

​Order M&Ms Halloween candy on Amazon here.

Also, is it just me, or do the minis taste better than the normal size?
Skittles
Similarly to M&Ms, you can have one package of the Halloween candy portions for 3 SmartPoints or 3 packages for 10 SmartPoints.

What's really fun is for Halloween you can get Skittles' Zombie Mix, which includes some rotten-flavored ones for a fun game of trick or treat.  You can order Skittles Halloween candy on Amazon here.
​Starburst
Starburst are a great option for Halloween candy! They're only 1 SmartPoint per piece and since they're chewy, they take a while to eat - meaning its harder to overindulge on these than, say, miniature chocolates.

You can order a bag of them on Amazon here to throw into your Halloween candy bowl mix.
Kit Kats
There are a few varieties of Kit Kats you might have in your candy bucket this Halloween! The Kit Kat pumpkin pie miniatures are 9 SmartPoints for 4 wafers or 1 piece for 2 SmartPoints.

​Similarly, miniature Kit Kats are 2 SmartPoints for 1 and 9 SmartPoints for 4 wafers.
Candy corn
You can have 19 pieces of Brach's classic candy corn for 8 SmartPoints. If you're weighing and measuring, 1 ounce is 5 SmartPoints, which works out to 13 Pieces.

If you only want to spend  2 SmartPoints, you can have up to 6 pieces of Brach's candy corn.

Weight Watchers friendly candy

With the rise in popularity of the keto diet (something I'm not super fond of due to how much it has you restrict, but that's a whole other conversation!), there has been a rise in popularity with sugar-free candies in chocolates. If you have a sensitive stomach, beware - a lot of these products contain sugar alcohols, which are known to cause gastrointestinal distress. They don't bother some people, but can be troublesome to others, so if you start to feel kind of gassy after eating any of these, look for anything on the nutritional label ending in -itol. A lot of "diet-friendly" sweets have sugar alcohols like erythritol (the least offensive of the bunch), malitol, sorbitol, and xylitol in them. 
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If you like gummies...
TrySmart Sweets! Smart Sweets sells a lot of candies that are reminiscent of the bags of candies you can get at a drugstore and touts that they don't use any sugar alcohols. One bag of their Berry Sweet Fish, Peach Rings, Sour Blast Buddies, or Gummy Bears are 3 SmartPoints. You can try them on Amazon.
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If you like chocolate...
Try Choc Zero! Choc Zero (available here on Amazon) sells a bunch of different chocolate sweets that are free of any and all sugar alcohols - thank goodness! They sell chocolate squares and peanut butter cups and they use monk fruit as a sweetener instead of anything that could cause you any tummy troubles. I've tried their chocolates and their syrups (1 tbsp is 1 SmartPoint) and absolutely love their products. You'd never know it was a keto-friendly option.

One peanut butter cup is 3 SmartPoints and one of their milk chocolate squares is 2 SmartPoints. One ounce of their keto bark is 5 SmartPoints. 
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Best Amazon Prime Day Deals for Weight Watchers

10/5/2020

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There are affiliate links throughout this blog post for your convenience, where I can earn a small commission. I never support a product or brand I don't personally use and enjoy, but if you'd like to learn more, you can head to this page on my blog!
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It's official - Amazon Prime Day is coming! This October 13 and 14th, Amazon Prime members can get some pretty big savings on products throughout the site. There are all sorts of deals, and I've rounded up my top 10 based on things I've used for my own weight loss journey or I've heard wonderful things about from fellow WW memnbers. And if you're not an Amazon Prime member but want to take advantage of the sales, you can try a free 30-day trial here!

They're having a few sales now, though, as we wait for Prime Day - these are subject to change, but when Prime Day comes around, you can get notifications in the app for when an item may go on sale for Prime Day. You can also look for Prime Day badges in blue on products.
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A waffle maker make your protein pancakes fun

I love making Kodiak Cakes in a waffle maker, especially with fun shapes, so I can jazz it up. The one pictured specifically makes skulls, which is perfect for Halloween, but they sell a bunch of other shapes if you want something different (like pumpkins, pineapples, or hearts; or, you can get it to look just like normal waffles). 

This waffle maker also acts as a panini press so you can use it for all kinds of foods, and it comes with a recipe book.

This Puma Dash Backpack for a cute gym bag or Future travel

Whether you're looking for an upgrade to a gym bag (because we deserve things that spark joy, not just stereotypical plain gym duffles) or want something sleek and stylish (that doesn't scream tourist) when you're traveling for your next vacation, this Puma backpack is a great option. Plus, you can get the Puma logo in a bunch of different colors. 

Check it out on Amazon here.

An air-fryer to save oil and time

An air fryer is a must-have kitchen tool in my personal opinion. I love mine and use it all the time from making two-ingredient dough bagels, getting frozen fries perfectly crispy, and cooking tofu for dinner. If you're looking for a nice starter air fryer, check out this Amazon Basics 3.2 quart air fryer that's available for Prime Day.

One thing that's nice about this air fryer is the recommended times and temps for certain foods right on the machine. No guessing!

A juicer to make it fresh yourself

I love juice but hate buying it because it's usually loaded with sugar. That's why I think a juicer is great for days you're craving something other than water but don't necessarily want to have a bunch of weird preservatives or a ton of sugar in the mix. Nothing beats fresh, right? 

Check out this juicer on Amazon. It's got a high juice yield and works for all different kinds of fruits and veggies.

Workout Leggings with pockets that actually fit your cell phone

Amazon is offering uo to 40% off of their own brands for Prime Day, so that means its the perfect time to treat yourself to some workout leggings that are great for hitting the gym or working from home in. They come in four colors, are super stretchy but still have a little bit of compression, and are high waisted. I'll take one in every color, please! Sizes run from XS-3X.

Order them here to try them yourself. You can also order these with the super trendy cross-waist (shaped like a V to help with the appearance of a more narrow waistline) here.

A 13-piece cookware set to give your kitchen a refresh

Good cookware makes all the difference when you're cooking a lot (something I know I have done since starting Weight Watchers). Heat conductivity, nonstick quality, there are so many factors that are important so it's something I don't think you can cheap out on!

Right now, NutriChef's 13-piece set is on sale so you can get everything you might need. They're built to be safe for use for gas, electric, and induction counters, plus they have cool-touch handles.

A Mesh Cropped workout tee to stay cool and comfy when you're working out (whether it be for at home workouts or your local gym)

This mesh tee comes in six different colors and runs in sizes XS - 3X. It's perfect for your home gym or for hitting your local gym. It's a slight crop, so it pairs really nicely with high waisted leggings and the fabric is lightweight, moisture-wicking, and breathable with the unique all-over mesh pattern.

Try it on Amazon today!

A loose leaf tea subscription to mix up your water intake

For Prime Day, you can save up to 60% off on subscription boxes. One I'm eyeballing is this loose leaf tea subscription box. You get four types of tea in one box, which should yield between 16 and 20 cups! Every tea is accompanied by a Tasting Notes card, providing rich detail of the tea's origins, flavor notes, and best brew method.

You can order this one on Amazon now with the Prime Day deal!

An Echo Dot for hands-free help as you cook

Alexa is my best friend when I'm cooking dinner! Not only is an Echo Dot super helpful if you have a recipe where you need help converting measurements and your hands are full, but Alexa is compatible with Weight Watchers. You can get Wellow by WW for your Echo Dot to track your food, look up SmartPoints® values for different items, quick-add meals, look up your tracked and remaining SmartPoints® budget, and get basic plan information.
You can get one on sale for Prime Day (and Prime members get two for $39.98 - check for the coupon code on the listing).

This ADidas cropped hoodie, since we're all living in athleisure wear these days

Fall is here, which means I'll be working from home in hoodies instead of t-shirts. This Adidas cropped hoodie will pair super nicely with some workout pants, leggings or high waisted jeans so it's super versatile and comfortable.

It's also eligible for Prime Wardrobe (another reason to sign up for Prime if you haven't already), where you can have an item shipped to you and try it on before you commit to actually buying it.

Check it out in white and pink. 

Looking for something else?

Tons of deals will be popping up on October 13th and 14th, so be sure to keep an eye out on the app and sign up now for your free trial so you can be ready to go once more deals start rolling in. Let me know in the comments what you got and what you liked! 
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Best Protein Bars on Weight Watchers

10/1/2020

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There are affiliate links throughout this blog post for your convenience, where I can earn a small commission. I never support a product or brand I don't personally use and enjoy, but if you'd like to learn more, you can head to this page on my blog!
​

How many times have you scanned the barcode of a protein bar on the Weight Watchers app and been shocked at how many points it is? High sugar content from chocolate coating and dried fruit (which is not as good for you as whole fruit), surprisingly high fat, and chalky textures are the bane of my existence. But luckily for you, I've tried nearly every protein bar out there so you don't have to.

I never recommend replacing a meal with a protein bar (I actually advise against this), I do think that protein bars are fantastic for an on the go snack or for pre-workout fuel. So that being said, here are some of my favorite protein bars to enjoy on Weight Watchers that don't totally break your SmartPoints budget.
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Built Bars

​SmartPoints: 3-5 
Calories: 130-180
Built Bar is at the top of the list because they are by far the lowest SmartPoint option and also have a really wide variety of flavors. While certain flavors with nuts can range from 4-5 SmartPoints, most if not all of their 130 calorie bars are only 3 SmartPoints. Built Bar recently (late summer 2020) revamped their formula so the bars are slightly less sticky than they were before, but they still do have a similar texture. I'd describe the interior as being similar to a marshmallow.

They're also coated in dark chocolate, so that's a plus! You can shop now by clicking this link. You can also get 10% off if you use the coupon MagicallyFit. My personal favorite flavor is the Cookies and Cream, and my husband really likes the Cherry Barcia.

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Pure Protein

​SmartPoints: 5 
Calories: 180-200
Pure Protein is another favorite of mine. They're not chalky, and the flavor profiles are pretty strong. They don't have as many flavors as Built, but I really like their chocolate chip  and birthday cake bar flavors. These bars aren't chalky but do have a chewy texture to them (similar to the old Built Bars).

Try a variety pack now on Amazon!
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One Brand

​SmartPoints: 5-6 
Calories: 220
ONE has a soft texture to its thin (yet long and wide) bar. They have a wide flavor variety, but some of the flavors can taste kind of similar to one another. However, I do really like these bars and they usually have some tasty seasonal flavors, too.

Try ONE on Amazon, and also check out their minis for an option to curb a sweet tooth. They also have some plant based options that are vegan friendly.
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Protein One by Fiber ONe

​SmartPoints: 2
Calories: 90
These 90 calorie bars are pretty small, so I recommend these more so as a dessert than I do as a snack. While Built is a good dessert, too, I like to save those as pre-workout fuel and then use these if I want a bar for dessert since they're smaller and good for curbing a sweet tooth. At only 2 SmartPoints each, they remind me of the dessert bars that WW makes (but a bit more affordable and accessible).

​Try them on Amazon! 

*Note: price discrepancies below are due to certain selections being a single box vs. multipacks. Don't fret, it's not $35 for a box of 10! I wouldn't do that to you.

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    Jessica is a huge Disney and Star Wars nerd who channeled that love into motivation to lose 75 lbs.

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