Simple Start App Review

 Disclaimer: I received a free trial to Weight Watchers (including the Simple Start App) to facilitate this review. Regardless, all opinions expressed within are my own and may differ from your own.

            Hey folks! Losing weight/getting in shape is probably the most popular New Year's Resolution there is. Unfortunately, many people "fall off the wagon" within the first month. Luckily, Weight Watchers just released a new program in December that will help you kick start AND stay on track with your weight loss goals!
            The Simple Start program is designed to ease you into the Weight Watchers program and help you learn what to eat. It includes meal and snack ideas, a list of power foods that comes in handy for grocery shopping, and you can view all of it on your iPhone or Android. (Unless your phone is "too old" like mine. BUT, you can still view it online as well.)

            The Simple Start Plan is great because you learn what foods are healthy without having to worry about counting points or portion size yet. (The meals and snacks list their points values, so you can still count points, of course, if you so choose.) Plus, they even include a list of healthier versions of "indulgences", so yes, you can still eat ice cream, chocolate, and even drink wine occasionally! (It's actually a good thing to not completely cut out sweets and treats. Just don't over do it.)
            I am a self proclaimed picky eater. I'm not over exaggerating either. Ask my husband...Or my mom or any of my aunts, really. So when I first looked through the meal ideas on the Simple Start Plan, I have to admit I was a little disappointed because not a whole lot looked appetizing to me. However, I am a lot more adventurous when it comes to trying new foods than I was before I met my husband, so I'm actually kind of looking forward to trying some of the meals on there that I might not normally try. Plus, they offer "swap" ideas so you can always replace something you don't particularly care for, such as swapping turkey for chicken and sauteed veggies for salad.
            Also, Simple Start is all about learning what is healthy to eat, and obviously I'm not doing a great job on my own otherwise I wouldn't be overweight, right? So I just need to suck it up, get adventurous, and try something new on their menu!

             I am also a pasta fiend, although I've cut back drastically in the past 6 months or so. Needless to say, I was happy to see that you can still eat pasta and rice with Simple Start and Weight Watchers! They have a Beans & Rice recipe that looks and sounds super yummy along with more healthier pasta dishes on the regular Weight Watchers site. We tried their Baked Macaroni & Cheese w/Broccoli recipe the other night and it was SO GOOD!
            Another thing I liked was the Simple Start breakfast ideas. I can't eat eggs without my stomach getting upset and hurting. It's hard to find breakfast food that doesn't contain eggs or isn't totally loaded with sugar, like french toast and pancakes. So, it was nice to get new options for breakfast from there that didn't include those things. (Don't panic. There ARE recipes with eggs too!)
            I think the Simple Start Plan is a wonderful tool to utilize if you are wanting to get serious about weight loss, eating healthier, and making healthier lifestyle choices. You will probably be surprised to find that many of the foods you already enjoy are listed on there. I almost forgot the best part: IT'S FREE! Now you don't have an excuse to not eat healthy wherever you go! ;)