Sunday, June 19, 2011
Progress So Far
Okay. I have been at this since January 1. Now time for my confession. At my highest weight, I weighed a whopping 228 pounds. Last time I weighed, I weighed 173. For those that are counting, that is a hefty 55 p0unds lost. I have gone from a size 20 to a size 12. I am not where I want to be yet, but I can see my goal on the horizon. So come on now, if I can do it, you can do it. There is no magic on January 1 so don't wait. Start today! It is easier than you think.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Progress
I have stopped writing regulary because, frankly, the people I was writing the blog for have all fallen off of their diets. One by one, they have all given up on the idea of losing weight. Well, almost all of them have. My brother is still trying to lose weight and has is making slow and steady progress. He has gone from 303 pounds to 281 since January. Lately, he has been adding 3 miles a day on the treadmill to his routine. Good job big brother.
As for me and my husband, we are still fighting the good fight too. My husband has gone from 234 pounds to his current 208 pounds. He is looking forward to being on the right side of 200. I have gone from 221 to 194. I am now in what they affectionately call "ONEderland" on The Biggest Loser. A few more weeks work and I will be out of the '90's. That is how I approach losing weight. I don't at how far I have to go but I work on getting out of the decade that I am in. So there's my tip of the day. I hope it works for you.
As for me and my husband, we are still fighting the good fight too. My husband has gone from 234 pounds to his current 208 pounds. He is looking forward to being on the right side of 200. I have gone from 221 to 194. I am now in what they affectionately call "ONEderland" on The Biggest Loser. A few more weeks work and I will be out of the '90's. That is how I approach losing weight. I don't at how far I have to go but I work on getting out of the decade that I am in. So there's my tip of the day. I hope it works for you.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Groups Weight Loss for January
Congratulations to all. Our little group of seven people has lost 62.2 pounds in the month of January. According to the experts, losing weight is the top priority for those making a New Year's resolution. Quitting smoking is a close second. Anyway, as you all know starting a diet is the hardest part. Experts say that over 90% of those making those resolutions will have already abandoned their diets by the end of January. So if you are still working at losing weight, you have already beaten the odds. You may have lost a lot of weight in January or your weight loss may have been very modest but if you are still on your diet, you are way ahead of the curve. If for some reason you have gotten sidetracked from your diet take comfort in knowing that you are not alone. Take this opportunity to make a fresh start and begin again. Don't wait until next January to start again. Good luck and keep up the good work. I will update the group's total for the month as people report in with their weight loss.
Snack Basket
I was thrilled when my husband decided to give the diet a try with me. My happiness soon turned to annoyance when it seemed like every five minutes he was pestering me and asking me how many points something was or if he could have this or that. After about his third or fourth request, I got smart. I got up and got a magic marker. I checked the labels on each can of soup and marked the total number of points for the can on top of each can. I also made a snack basket. I sat a basket on the counter. In the basket I placed things that were allowed. I wrote how many points each item was on the wrapper or skin. No more guessing. Now when he wants to snack he just goes to the snack basket and gets a snack without bothering me. It works for me.
Friday, January 21, 2011
So You Say You Like to Cook
I like to cook which poses a problem for me when I go on a diet. I miss cooking. Luckily for me, I stumbled on a new show on the OWN Network where two girls review a cookbook each day. This week they reviewed Jessica Seinfeld’s cookbook, Deceptively Delicious. She hides a lot of vegetables in her brownies, dips and casseroles making them better for you and lower in calories.
They also reviewed a book which I feel compelled to run out and buy. The Best Light Recipe Cookbook looked amazing. They made chocolate chip cookies, Fettucine Alfredo, and New York style cheesecake. The great thing about this cookbook is that it shows you the nutritional information for the original cheesecake recipe (580 calories per slice) and the nutritional information for the light version (340 calories per slice).
So if you hate those prepackaged diet meals and miss cooking in the kitchen, these two cookbooks may be just what you need to make healthy low-fat real food. Bon Appetit.
They also reviewed a book which I feel compelled to run out and buy. The Best Light Recipe Cookbook looked amazing. They made chocolate chip cookies, Fettucine Alfredo, and New York style cheesecake. The great thing about this cookbook is that it shows you the nutritional information for the original cheesecake recipe (580 calories per slice) and the nutritional information for the light version (340 calories per slice).
So if you hate those prepackaged diet meals and miss cooking in the kitchen, these two cookbooks may be just what you need to make healthy low-fat real food. Bon Appetit.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Let Us Eat Lettuce
I was watching a show about health and fitness when I heard a surprising fact. Did you know that lettuce was a negative calorie food? Me neither. What exactly is a negative calorie food? Well, lettuce has a very small amount of calories per serving but it takes more calories to chew and digest the lettuce than the lettuce actually has making lettuce a negative calorie food. But before you get excited and think you have found some miracle food that burns more calories than it uses, keep in mind the deficit is very small. Be careful when you eat the lettuce though because y0u can make a salad high calorie by piling on the toppings and dressing.
Another benefit of lettuce is that it is a natural diuretic which comes in handy when you are trying to lose weight. So whatever you do, don’t skip the salad. Let us eat lettuce!
Another benefit of lettuce is that it is a natural diuretic which comes in handy when you are trying to lose weight. So whatever you do, don’t skip the salad. Let us eat lettuce!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Weight Loss Totals for Week Two
We have seven people in our little group.
In week one, the group lost a total of 27.2 pounds.
So far, only four of the group have reported their week two totals.
So far, out of the seven people weighing in and with only five of them reporting in so far, our little group has lost 20 additional pounds.
Our running total to date for the seven of us is 47.2 pounds. Not bad for two weeks. Keep up the good work.
In week one, the group lost a total of 27.2 pounds.
So far, only four of the group have reported their week two totals.
So far, out of the seven people weighing in and with only five of them reporting in so far, our little group has lost 20 additional pounds.
Our running total to date for the seven of us is 47.2 pounds. Not bad for two weeks. Keep up the good work.
New show "Heavy" tonight at 9 on A&E Network
Don't forget that "Heavy" premieres tonight on A&E Network at 9 p.m.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Visualize it!
I was talking with my sister recently and suggested something that I thought I’d pass along. Does anyone remember the episode of Oprah where she pulled out a wagon with 67 pounds of fat in it? The 67 pounds represented all of the weight that she had lost. Well, she was onto something. Some people are just visual people. If you happen to fit into this group then I have a suggestion for you.
Find a place preferably in your kitchen where you can stack up food representing the pounds that you have lost to date. For example, the one pound box of butter represents one pound, the box that Velveeta cheese comes in represents two pounds and a gallon milk jug filled with water weighs 7 pounds, etc… As you lose weight pile up the boxes. It is very encouraging to see all of the weight that you have lost. Let me know how this works for you.
Find a place preferably in your kitchen where you can stack up food representing the pounds that you have lost to date. For example, the one pound box of butter represents one pound, the box that Velveeta cheese comes in represents two pounds and a gallon milk jug filled with water weighs 7 pounds, etc… As you lose weight pile up the boxes. It is very encouraging to see all of the weight that you have lost. Let me know how this works for you.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Not Missing a Thing
I love pizza and ice cream. I mean I really love them. I could eat those two items every day at every meal without getting tired of them. I have and that is the reason that I look like I do. As I mentioned in the introduction, I have dieted before and have taken off a substantial amount of weight. I start out eating food that tastes like cardboard. I white knuckle it for awhile but sooner or later I give in to the smell of a brick oven pizza or a bowl of creamy ice cream. All of this failure has taught me something though. If I am going to succeed, I am going to have to figure out how to incorporate my favorite foods into my diet. Oh, folks, I think I am on to something.
So this is what I did. I went to the grocery store and looked at the back of every pizza in the store. I calculated the total number of calories for each whole pizza. Finally, I figured out what worked for me. I settled on a Palermo thin crust Margherita pizza. I multiplied the number of servings by the number of calories and came up with the total number of calories per package. I divided that number by 50 and that was the number of points per pizza (21). When I got home I sat the pizza on the counter until I could cut it into three sections. I froze them individually. Now when I want a pizza, I take out can cook one third of my Palermo’s pizza for seven points. It works for me. Just a word to the wise, don’t bake any more than you plan to eat because you will eat the whole thing. Don’t ask how I know.
Here's a great tip for those who eat pizza out. Stick to veggies for the toppings and take a napkin and blot your slice of pizza before eating it. You will have absorbed about 35 calories of oil for each slice that you blot. Not bad.
P.S. Have you tried Weight Watchers Ice Cream yet? It really is deliciouis and only one or two points.
So this is what I did. I went to the grocery store and looked at the back of every pizza in the store. I calculated the total number of calories for each whole pizza. Finally, I figured out what worked for me. I settled on a Palermo thin crust Margherita pizza. I multiplied the number of servings by the number of calories and came up with the total number of calories per package. I divided that number by 50 and that was the number of points per pizza (21). When I got home I sat the pizza on the counter until I could cut it into three sections. I froze them individually. Now when I want a pizza, I take out can cook one third of my Palermo’s pizza for seven points. It works for me. Just a word to the wise, don’t bake any more than you plan to eat because you will eat the whole thing. Don’t ask how I know.
Here's a great tip for those who eat pizza out. Stick to veggies for the toppings and take a napkin and blot your slice of pizza before eating it. You will have absorbed about 35 calories of oil for each slice that you blot. Not bad.
P.S. Have you tried Weight Watchers Ice Cream yet? It really is deliciouis and only one or two points.
Set a Personal Goal of 10% of Starting Weight
Even if you had a great week, you might be tempted to get discouraged if you happen to have a lot of weight to lose. Fortunately, there are several little tricks that can help you with your journey. If you weigh 306 pounds, you probably have naturally set a goal of getting below 300. But how do you keep your spirits up when you don’t have a big round number in your sights?
This week I challenge you to set a personal goal of losing 10% of your starting weight. No, you don’t have to lose 10% of your weight this week, you only have to set a goal that you are going to stay with the program until you lose at least 10% of your starting weight. So, if you weigh 254, your immediate goal is 25.4 pounds. Don’t worry about the rest of the weight that you have to lose. By the time you lose the 10%, you will have proven to yourself that you can lose the weight and you will have momentum on your side.
This week I challenge you to set a personal goal of losing 10% of your starting weight. No, you don’t have to lose 10% of your weight this week, you only have to set a goal that you are going to stay with the program until you lose at least 10% of your starting weight. So, if you weigh 254, your immediate goal is 25.4 pounds. Don’t worry about the rest of the weight that you have to lose. By the time you lose the 10%, you will have proven to yourself that you can lose the weight and you will have momentum on your side.
I only lost ...
I lost six pounds this week. I know. I know. Most of the weight was water weight but the scale still said six magical pounds. How much weight did you lose? I have heard from several people who shall remain anonymous concerning their weight loss. So far, this is how we stand. Two people lost 6 pounds, one person lost 5 pounds, another lost 4.2, another lost 3, another lost 2 pounds, and another lost 1 pound. Congratulations group! The seven of us have lost a collective 27.2 pounds this week. Of course, that doesn’t include others who didn’t report in with their weight loss.
To anyone who may be discouraged with an “only one pound” loss, let me say this; get out a pound of butter from your refrigerator. Take a good look at it. This is how much weight came off your tummy or fanny this week. Not bad, huh? While one pound may seem like a modest loss for your efforts, keep in mind that even at this modest rate you will lose 52 pounds in 2011. Keep up the good work.
To anyone who may be discouraged with an “only one pound” loss, let me say this; get out a pound of butter from your refrigerator. Take a good look at it. This is how much weight came off your tummy or fanny this week. Not bad, huh? While one pound may seem like a modest loss for your efforts, keep in mind that even at this modest rate you will lose 52 pounds in 2011. Keep up the good work.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Popcorn - Friend of all Nighttime Snackers
Are you a nighttime snacker who finds that you need a little something to snack on while you watch tv? Popcorn just may be your new best friend. Do yourself a favor and invest in a hot air popcorn popper. Pop the popcorn as usual, then spray the popcorn with butter flavored Pam.
While it is still wet, sprinkle with your favorite flavor of popcorn seasoning. It sounds weird but it is really great.
While it is still wet, sprinkle with your favorite flavor of popcorn seasoning. It sounds weird but it is really great.
Go Ahead, Eat Out
Subway, Subway, Subway. Need I say more?
Applebee’s has a Weight Watcher’s section on their menu which has meals for about 7 points so you can eat out when you want to without breaking the diet if you watch what you eat.
Did you know that you still go to Taco Bell for lunch without breaking your diet? Just ask two Fresco Steak soft tacos. The total calorie count is 350 which amount to seven points. If you crave Taco Bell, this may be the solution for you. I would get my two tacos and get out of the place before I was overcome with temptation and ordered four or five other things though.
Speaking of craving, did you know a White Castle was only three points? Jack in the Box tacos are only 4 points. When you crave something, don’t do without it, just look up the nutritional value on the internet and save your points. You can have what you want in moderation. This way you won’t feel deprived and just might be able to stay on your diet longer.
Applebee’s has a Weight Watcher’s section on their menu which has meals for about 7 points so you can eat out when you want to without breaking the diet if you watch what you eat.
Did you know that you still go to Taco Bell for lunch without breaking your diet? Just ask two Fresco Steak soft tacos. The total calorie count is 350 which amount to seven points. If you crave Taco Bell, this may be the solution for you. I would get my two tacos and get out of the place before I was overcome with temptation and ordered four or five other things though.
Speaking of craving, did you know a White Castle was only three points? Jack in the Box tacos are only 4 points. When you crave something, don’t do without it, just look up the nutritional value on the internet and save your points. You can have what you want in moderation. This way you won’t feel deprived and just might be able to stay on your diet longer.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Recipe of the Day- Twinkie Banana Pudding Pie
10 Twinkies
2 bananas peeled and sliced
1 package sugar free instant banana cream pudding mix
8 ounces fat free Cool Whip
Slice Twinkies lengthwise and arrange them cream side up in the bottom of a 9 x 15 pan. Place the banana rounds over the Twinkies evenly.
Prepare the pie filling according to package directions using skim milk.
Pour pie filling mixture on top of the bananas and spread it evenly.
Spread Cool Whip over pudding.
Cover the dish and chill for at least one hour.
Makes 12 servings. 4 points each serving.
2 bananas peeled and sliced
1 package sugar free instant banana cream pudding mix
8 ounces fat free Cool Whip
Slice Twinkies lengthwise and arrange them cream side up in the bottom of a 9 x 15 pan. Place the banana rounds over the Twinkies evenly.
Prepare the pie filling according to package directions using skim milk.
Pour pie filling mixture on top of the bananas and spread it evenly.
Spread Cool Whip over pudding.
Cover the dish and chill for at least one hour.
Makes 12 servings. 4 points each serving.
Recipe of the Day - Meatloaf with Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons sugar
½ pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 ½ pounds ground lean beef (93% lean)
1 cup tomato sauce
½ cup plain dried bread crumbs
2 egg whites, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Ketchup
Preheat oven to 350° .
Spray a large rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray.
Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
Add onion, garlic and sugar.
Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 10 minutes.
Transfer to a large bowl.
Heat remaining teaspoon oil in same skillet.
Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally until browned, about 6-7 minutes.
Add to bowl with onions in it.
Let cool five minutes.
Stir in the beef, ½ cup of the tomato sauce, bread crumbs, egg whites, basil, salt and pepper until well combined.
Transfer mixture to the baking sheet and form into a 4 x 9 inch loaf.
Spread remaining ½ cup tomato sauce over top.
Bake for 45-55 minutes.
Transfer meatloaf to cutting board and let stand for 10 minutes until cutting into 6 slices.
243 calories per serving, 5 points.
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons sugar
½ pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 ½ pounds ground lean beef (93% lean)
1 cup tomato sauce
½ cup plain dried bread crumbs
2 egg whites, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Ketchup
Preheat oven to 350° .
Spray a large rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray.
Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
Add onion, garlic and sugar.
Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 10 minutes.
Transfer to a large bowl.
Heat remaining teaspoon oil in same skillet.
Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally until browned, about 6-7 minutes.
Add to bowl with onions in it.
Let cool five minutes.
Stir in the beef, ½ cup of the tomato sauce, bread crumbs, egg whites, basil, salt and pepper until well combined.
Transfer mixture to the baking sheet and form into a 4 x 9 inch loaf.
Spread remaining ½ cup tomato sauce over top.
Bake for 45-55 minutes.
Transfer meatloaf to cutting board and let stand for 10 minutes until cutting into 6 slices.
243 calories per serving, 5 points.
Grocery List
I have had a couple of requests to repeat my grocery list so I have listed it below. Some people are having trouble finding some of the items so I have taken the time to post pictures of the items too. I hope this helps you find the product in the store. There a lot of fat free/sugar free items on the market now but not all of them taste good. This list consists of foods that I have tried and liked. If you find something that you like, please post a comment so the rest of us know how you like it.
Fresh Fruit
apples
bananas
grapefruit
grapes
oranges
strawberries
cantaloupe
watermelon
Vegetables
tomatoes
potatoes
celery
carrots
lettuce
onions
green onions
Marzetti Light Ranch Salad Dressing (you will find in the produce section so I've listed it with produce).
Canned Food
Tuna in water
Chef Boyardee Fat Free Ravioli
Campbell's Soup at Hand soups (1 point each if you have the 70 or 80 calorie soup)
Progresso Weight Watcher endorsed soups
(points vary from 0 to 2. In general, cream based soups are more)
They have 16 varieties of light soups. You can see them all at:
http://www.progressosoup.com/soup.aspx?soup=light
corn
green beans
mixed vegetables
NO PEAS
Del Monte No sugar added Peaches
Del Monte, No sugar added fruit cocktail
Del Monte, No sugar added pears
Ott's Fat Free Poppy Seed Dressing
Quaker low sugar oatmeal
Aunt Jemima Light pancake syrup
Splenda (get white and brown)
Kernel Season’s Popcorn Seasoning
Jello Sugar Free Jello Individual Cups
Jello Sugar Free Individual Pudding Cups
Jello Sugar Free Jello dry mix
Jello Sugar Free pudding dry mix
Sugar Free Cappucino Mix
Bread
Healthy Life Bread
Sandwich Thins
Dairy
Fat Free Sour Cream
Fat Free Milk
Kraft Fat Free shredded cheddar cheese
Egg Beaters (you can use egg whites instead)
Yogurt (check label for lowest calories)
I can't believe it's not butter
Frozen
Weight Watcher or Skinny Cow Ice Cream
Fat Free Cool Whip
Bagel Bites
Pizza Rolls
Palermo Margherita pizza
Weight Watcher Ziti or other meals (Lean Cuisine etc...)
Meat
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
ground turkey
Deli Select lunch meat
99% fat free ground beef
Jennie-O So Easy meals
Check back of package for calorie content. I double the serving size and double the points, it usually works out to 6 or 7 calories for two portions which is what I eat.
Tyson Slow Cooker Roast Kit (in Wal-Mart in meat counter by pork)
Just so you know, the pork roast is suppose to serve 8 at 200 calories each.
I actually total it up to 1600 calories or 32 points for the whole thing. It really will serve four for 8 points each.
Fresh Fruit
apples
bananas
grapefruit
grapes
oranges
strawberries
cantaloupe
watermelon
Vegetables
tomatoes
potatoes
celery
carrots
lettuce
onions
green onions
Marzetti Light Ranch Salad Dressing (you will find in the produce section so I've listed it with produce).
Canned Food
Tuna in water
Chef Boyardee Fat Free Ravioli
Campbell's Soup at Hand soups (1 point each if you have the 70 or 80 calorie soup)
Progresso Weight Watcher endorsed soups
(points vary from 0 to 2. In general, cream based soups are more)
They have 16 varieties of light soups. You can see them all at:
http://www.progressosoup.com/soup.aspx?soup=light
corn
green beans
mixed vegetables
NO PEAS
Del Monte No sugar added Peaches
Del Monte, No sugar added fruit cocktail
Del Monte, No sugar added pears
Ott's Fat Free Poppy Seed Dressing
Quaker low sugar oatmeal
Aunt Jemima Light pancake syrup
Splenda (get white and brown)
Kernel Season’s Popcorn Seasoning
Jello Sugar Free Jello Individual Cups
Jello Sugar Free Individual Pudding Cups
Jello Sugar Free Jello dry mix
Jello Sugar Free pudding dry mix
Sugar Free Cappucino Mix
Bread
Healthy Life Bread
Sandwich Thins
Dairy
Fat Free Sour Cream
Fat Free Milk
Kraft Fat Free shredded cheddar cheese
Egg Beaters (you can use egg whites instead)
Yogurt (check label for lowest calories)
I can't believe it's not butter
Frozen
Weight Watcher or Skinny Cow Ice Cream
Fat Free Cool Whip
Bagel Bites
Pizza Rolls
Palermo Margherita pizza
Weight Watcher Ziti or other meals (Lean Cuisine etc...)
Meat
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
ground turkey
Deli Select lunch meat
99% fat free ground beef
Jennie-O So Easy meals
Check back of package for calorie content. I double the serving size and double the points, it usually works out to 6 or 7 calories for two portions which is what I eat.
Tyson Slow Cooker Roast Kit (in Wal-Mart in meat counter by pork)
Just so you know, the pork roast is suppose to serve 8 at 200 calories each.
I actually total it up to 1600 calories or 32 points for the whole thing. It really will serve four for 8 points each.
Recipe of the Day - Saucy Chicken
2 cups chicken broth
¼ cup seasoned flour (flour mixed with a dash of salt and pepper)
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
16 oz. can stewed tomatoes
3-4 green onions
1. Pour ½ cup of the broth into wide bowl; place flour mixture on plate. Dip each chicken breast in broth, then flour, turning to coat both sides.
2. Spray nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray; cook chicken over medium heat, turning once, until browned on both sides. Remove chicken from skillet; set aside.
3. Add any remaining flour to skillet; cook, stirring consistently, until browned. Slowly, stir in ¼ cup of the broth, cook until thickened.
4. Add tomatoes and scallions to skillet; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; return chicken to skillet and simmer until cooked through, about 10 minutes.
Makes 4 servings, 4 points each serving.
¼ cup seasoned flour (flour mixed with a dash of salt and pepper)
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
16 oz. can stewed tomatoes
3-4 green onions
1. Pour ½ cup of the broth into wide bowl; place flour mixture on plate. Dip each chicken breast in broth, then flour, turning to coat both sides.
2. Spray nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray; cook chicken over medium heat, turning once, until browned on both sides. Remove chicken from skillet; set aside.
3. Add any remaining flour to skillet; cook, stirring consistently, until browned. Slowly, stir in ¼ cup of the broth, cook until thickened.
4. Add tomatoes and scallions to skillet; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; return chicken to skillet and simmer until cooked through, about 10 minutes.
Makes 4 servings, 4 points each serving.
Dress for Success
Have you ever heard the phrase “Dress for Success?” Of course, it means you should dress for the part you want. There really should be a similar phrase for those who are trying to lose weight although I haven’t come up with a catchy name yet.
The basic idea is that you should take inventory of the food in your house and stock your refrigerator and pantry for success. No dieter deserves to be taunted by the sight of potato chips in the cupboard or cookies on the counter. If you are serious about losing weight, one of the first things you should do is to take a cold hard look at everything in your house. If it is not on your new meal plan, get rid of it. If you are plagued by a guilty conscience and can’t throw food away, give it to your skinny friend. You are not likely to succeed with a lot of junk food in your house. Now, after you have totally gotten rid of the junk food sit down and make a list of what you will need in your house. Have a lot of high fiber, low sugar options in your house so when you are hungry you will have plenty of choices. Stock for Success.
The basic idea is that you should take inventory of the food in your house and stock your refrigerator and pantry for success. No dieter deserves to be taunted by the sight of potato chips in the cupboard or cookies on the counter. If you are serious about losing weight, one of the first things you should do is to take a cold hard look at everything in your house. If it is not on your new meal plan, get rid of it. If you are plagued by a guilty conscience and can’t throw food away, give it to your skinny friend. You are not likely to succeed with a lot of junk food in your house. Now, after you have totally gotten rid of the junk food sit down and make a list of what you will need in your house. Have a lot of high fiber, low sugar options in your house so when you are hungry you will have plenty of choices. Stock for Success.
100 Extra Calories a Day
Have you ever wondered how your friend stays so thin while they seem to eat the same thing you do while you put on more and more weight each year? The answer may surprise you. Let’s start with a few facts. There are 365 days in a year. It takes 3,500 calories to equal one pound of stored fat. If you eat one hundred extra calories a day, in the course of a year you will have gained 10.4 pounds! One hundred calories a day is less than the amount of calories in one 12 ounce soda or about the same amount of calories as one apple. The difference in you and your skinny friend may not be as much as you think.
Water, Water, Water
Get use to drinking water and drink it cold. A lot of research shows that diet sodas may not contain calories but they do seem to cause people to eat more which defeats the purpose of drinking diet colas in the first place.
Also, drink your water cold. Your body temperature is 98.6° . If you drink water cold, your body has to expend energy to heat it up to your body temperature. It doesn’t use many calories but over the course of a year it all adds up.
Also, drink your water cold. Your body temperature is 98.6° . If you drink water cold, your body has to expend energy to heat it up to your body temperature. It doesn’t use many calories but over the course of a year it all adds up.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
The Virtue of Fiber
I never understood how important fiber is to your diet and good health in general until recently. Fiber is said to prevent several kinds of cancer including prostate cancer in men but this is not we are interested in, is it? Fiber also helps us feel full longer. Have you ever eaten only to find yourself hungry again shortly afterwards? If the answer is yes, it is probably because you were eating empty calories, calories without much nutritional value or fiber. So you can do yourself a favor by supplementing your diet with either a fiber pill or a fiber powder that you add to your food. They say the powder doesn’t change the flavor or the texture of the food. Still, I opted for the pill. So whatever you do, make sure you get enough fiber in your diet.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
The Biggest Loser
Nothing is more annoying to me than all of those news shows that roll out a five minute segment every January, on how to get rid of those pesky little ten pounds that you put on during the holiday.
Where is the show that starts with the assumption that
most Americans have a lot more than an extra 10 pounds to lose? Well, as usual I have an answer. There are actually several shows like that and among my favorites is The Biggest Loser. As it happens, tonight is the season premiere. If you have never watched it before, I encourage you to try it tonight. It comes on NBC at 7 p.m.
Let’s face it. When you have a lot of weight to lose, it can be very depressing. The Biggest Loser proves to me every week that severely overweight people can lose weight. It is not hopeless. I am a firm believer that if anyone else can do something, that if I set my mind to it, I can too. So, The Biggest Loser inspires me every single week and if I can do it, you can do it.
If you need a little more inspiration you might want to program your tv to record Ruby and Heavy. Ruby is the story of a lady in Savannah, Georgia, that dieted her way from over 700 pounds to about 300 pounds. Ruby can be found on the Style network. Heavy is airing soon on the new Oprah Winfrey network.
Where is the show that starts with the assumption that
most Americans have a lot more than an extra 10 pounds to lose? Well, as usual I have an answer. There are actually several shows like that and among my favorites is The Biggest Loser. As it happens, tonight is the season premiere. If you have never watched it before, I encourage you to try it tonight. It comes on NBC at 7 p.m.
Let’s face it. When you have a lot of weight to lose, it can be very depressing. The Biggest Loser proves to me every week that severely overweight people can lose weight. It is not hopeless. I am a firm believer that if anyone else can do something, that if I set my mind to it, I can too. So, The Biggest Loser inspires me every single week and if I can do it, you can do it.
If you need a little more inspiration you might want to program your tv to record Ruby and Heavy. Ruby is the story of a lady in Savannah, Georgia, that dieted her way from over 700 pounds to about 300 pounds. Ruby can be found on the Style network. Heavy is airing soon on the new Oprah Winfrey network.
The Diet
I tend to follow the Weight Watcher’s plan. On this plan you can have a certain number of points depending on your weight at the time. If you use this plan, don’t forget to slowly decrease the number of points you give yourself as you lose weight. I use a simplified version of their point system. It is simple. Weigh yourself and drop off the last number. That is the number of points you get. For example, if you weight 276, you would get 27 points a day. If you weigh 319, you would get 31 points a day. In addition to this number, you also get 35 extra points per week. You can use them for one special meal each week or split it up by giving yourself 5 extra points a day. It is up to you. If you want to figure out exactly how many weight watcher points you get, go to http://www.ehow.com/how_4871046_calculate-many-weight-watchers-points.html. I think you will find that I give you less points than Weight Watchers does but that helps the weight come off faster and who doesn’t want that. One last thing, each point is basically 50 calories. If you want to use another diet plan, go right ahead. Let me know how it is going.
Here we go!
OMG! Here we go again. It's January, so it is customary for me and everyone I know to go on a diet. This is not new for me. I have become somewhat of an expert at losing weight. Unfortunately, I have also become an expert at gaining it back. This time, however, I am determined to lose the weight and keep it off.
First, let me offer up a disclaimer of some sort. I am not a nutritionist nor am I a dietician. What am I is a 51 year-old white female that has ballooned up to 221 pounds. Fortunately for me I am not alone. It seems a lot of my friends and family are in the same situation. For the last few days, I have been sending out daily emails and text messages with my dieting tips in them. I have come to the conclusion that the simplest way to get to the information to the people who really want it without bothering those who don’t is to create a blog. So here I am.
Over the next few days, weeks and even months, I will be sharing my thoughts and advice about losing weight. So sign up to follow the blog and add it to your favorites. Give the blog url to your friends if you’d like. So use the tips that work for you and discard those that don’t fit your lifestyle but whatever you do be sure to email me at losingitwithpam@gmail.com and let me know how it is going.
Pam
First, let me offer up a disclaimer of some sort. I am not a nutritionist nor am I a dietician. What am I is a 51 year-old white female that has ballooned up to 221 pounds. Fortunately for me I am not alone. It seems a lot of my friends and family are in the same situation. For the last few days, I have been sending out daily emails and text messages with my dieting tips in them. I have come to the conclusion that the simplest way to get to the information to the people who really want it without bothering those who don’t is to create a blog. So here I am.
Over the next few days, weeks and even months, I will be sharing my thoughts and advice about losing weight. So sign up to follow the blog and add it to your favorites. Give the blog url to your friends if you’d like. So use the tips that work for you and discard those that don’t fit your lifestyle but whatever you do be sure to email me at losingitwithpam@gmail.com and let me know how it is going.
Pam
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