Posts for Weight loss
Don’t Drink Your Calories
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The average person’s beverage consumption equals approximately 20% of their total caloric intake on a daily basis. In other words, many of us are drinking our calories!
What have you had to drink today? Did you have a big glass of orange juice w/breakfast? Or just the juice? Did you stop at Starbucks and get a venti drink of your choice? Or you might enjoy a smoothie from your favorite smoothie chain. Maybe you drink black coffee with sugar and cream at home or the office?
A Venti Peppermint Mocha made with 2% milk and whipped cream is a whopping 480 calories and 17g of fat. If you get it nonfat with no whipped cream it’s till 360 calories but only 3.6g of fat. Still, that’s way too many calories for one beverage. You could have a large, healthy breakfast for all those calories, not to mention the nutritional boost from eating real, healthy food.
Many people think that juice, since it’s from fruit, is healthy. But juice contains a lot of calories and sugar and little of the nutrition of the whole fruit, unless you have a juicer and juiced the whole fruit for that glass of juice you enjoy. Eating a whole apple, orange or cup of berries has about a third or the calories of the same juice and has all the fiber, vitamins and antioxidants without the sugar shock.
You would think that a smoothie is a great choice as a beverage or meal replacement. However, most smoothies from your favorite smoothie shop are again loaded with a lot of calories and sugar. Sure there’s a lot of fruit in them but many are made with ice cream or sherbets or sorbets which equal a lot of sugar. Look at the nutrition information on your favorite smoothie the next time you stop in for one. You might be shocked that your healthy treat is not so healthy with the average regular size smoothie having approximately 400 calories.
Of course we all know that soda is filled with sugar and empty calories unless you drink diet. Choosing sugar-free beverages is a good choice but nothing hydrates you like water.
Water is the only beverage that helps regulate body temperature, keeps you regular, flushes out toxins, boosts your metabolism, and improves organ function. So if you have trouble drinking adequate amounts of water jazz it up with a squeeze of lemon or a little cranberry juice to add flavor.
Laugh more, Stress less, Weigh less!
Posted by: | CommentsThere are several ways in which stress can contribute to weight gain. One has to do with cortisol, a stress hormone. When we’re under stress, the the fight or flight response is triggered in our bodies, leading to the release of various hormones.
Whether we’re stressed because of constant, crazy demands at work or we’re really in danger, our bodies respond like we’re about to be harmed and need to fight for our lives (or run like heck). To answer this need, we experience a burst of energy, shifts in metabolism and blood flow, and other changes.
If you remain in this state for a prolonged amount of time due to chronic stress, your health becomes at risk. Aside from a host of other dangers, chronic stress can also cause weight gain — which is why some products like Cortislim are marketed as diet aids.
So what would be the cheapest and easiest way to reduce stress and thereby prevent weight gain? The simple act of laughing. Here are ten tips on how to get more laughter into your life:
- Smile big: Not only is smiling contagious, it’s also the precursor to laughter, which research show strengthens the immune system and keeps illness at bay.
- Go for a stroll: Daily walks lower depression levels. Aim for 30-minute cardio sessions to release feel-good endorphins.
- Lighten up: Why so serious? Seek out the humor in situations that might otherwise lead to mood-dampening self-criticism.
- Find the fun: Break your everyday routine with some much-needed play time.
- Just breathe: Deep breathing can reduce mental anxieties that keep laughter at bay.
- Get friendly: It’s easiest to relax and therefore laugh with the people that know you best. Schedule regular social meet-ups with close friends.
- Find some comic relief: Rent a comedy, read the funny papers, etc.
- Deal with it: Whether it’s yoga, bubble baths, or reading, find a healthy means to cope with everyday stressors.
- Surround yourself: Post humorous reminder, like a computer screensaver for example.
- Stay positive: Make a list of all the good things in your life, it can be an instant mood-booster.
Nora’s Weight Loss: 5 Month Check-In
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I started this diet in June. In August, I reached my goal weight of 135 lbs. Now it is November and I have kept the weight off (and without exercise-HA!) Not only do I feel good, I LOOK GOOD! I went from a size 14 to a size 6!
Don’t I look great? I had to purchase a whole new wardrobe and last weekend I started to purge all those size 10-14 clothes. It felt great. With a new wardrobe, people are really noticing the weight loss. That and I am actually purchasing clothes that cling to my body instead of hiding my body. What a new experience.
As for my menu, I have reintroduced very few carbs into my monthly diet because every time I have a carb I am disappointed at the lack of flavor and the 2 lb instant weight gain. (My husband thinks I am crazy, but when I step on a scale after eating a carb I am 2 lbs heavier.) I have only had pasta a few times and I just don’t have the love for it as I did. Crazy talk, right?
Now we are heading into the real test: Holiday Feasts. I feel confident about going into the holidays because I just don’t look at food the same way. I went to a Halloween party and it was an impressive spread of food, mostly consisting of carbs. I picked the healthiest of the foods, which was not easy. There were a lot of dips and what do you usually dip with? Crackers, bread, chips. But I enjoyed all of the dips (in small quantities) by using veggies as my dippers. Cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes.
As for the cakes, pies, cookies, chocolates, fudge, and other holiday goodies, I feel good about this feat as well. I have come up with the idea of only eating the things I can’t live without experiencing. For example, Peninsula Grill has a coconut cake that is over $100. You can purchase a slice for $10. To me, since the opportunity came along for me to share a slice of this TO DIE FOR coconut cake, this was a worthy item for me to experience and enjoy. A Little Debbie’s cake, in my humble opinion, is not really a worthy item. (I am reminded of an episode of Seinfeld when Elaine judges her suitors on whether or not they are “spongeworthy.”) So I guess I am looking at all foods I could put into my mouth and judge them to be “weight-gain worthy.”
I guess what I am trying to say is that really this whole diet was a mindset change on my relationship with food. I was never hungry on this diet, nor did I feel like what I was eating was boring or tasteless. I feel I know my body better and know what I can eat and what I cannot eat to stay within my goal weight. And I know if I really need to, I can always incorporate EXERCISE.
I have succeeded in my goal. I don’t think I would have had it not been for the help and knowledge of Tiffany Jackson, ND. Thank you Tiffany. My life is forever changed.
(Oh, and my husband has loss 20 lbs, too—and he seems to be keeping it off as well.)
Angie’s Weight Loss Challenge: Feeling Awesome……
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It is hard to believe that my 28-day challenge is almost to it’s end! I am excited to report that I am 8lbs lighter and feeling awesome!! Most of my sweet cravings are gone…..I will not lie…..I have been dreaming about pasta! I guess the good thing is that as time goes on I can start to incorporate some back into my diet……oh course with moderation! I do not want to end up gaining back all the hard work I have done and believe me through other diet regiments I have tried it is easy to do. Last full week of the challenge but of course the challenge will continue…….
Nora’s Weight Loss: Done My Time
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I know I have been a bit quiet, lately. But it isn’t because I haven’t succeeded on my diet. Actually it is quite the opposite. I have kept to the diet and loss more pounds and inches. Yay! So much so that I am needing a new wardrobe because all my clothes are falling off me. It is a good problem! Final weigh in is this week.
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Diet
Since I have now done my time and completed my 28 day goal, I have decided to take a week off and then go another 28 days in hopes to lose another 10 lbs. (I will be satisfied with 5 lbs.)
I feel this diet is no longer a diet. I really feel this is a life change. I don’t crave pasta, pizza, peanut butter or even dark chocolate (although I will be making a trip to my favorite chocolate shop on my week off). But I get it. This is how I am suppose to eat and occasionally, in moderation, I can have special treats.
I truly enjoy all the beautiful colors I eat daily. I love that I am never hungry. I love that my skin is not as dry as before. I love that I am walking faster and my husband doesn’t have to adjust his pace anymore. I love going into a grocery store and shopping the perimeter. I love that my husband has also accepted this diet–it has made it much easier.
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Exercise
I think I have mentioned that I hate exercise. Well, this has been my downfall on this plan. I haven’t really exercised in 2 weeks. (Had I, I would probably have loss more inches…I know.) And the thing is, when I was exercising, my back and knees caused me no problems. I felt energized and overall really good. The muscle pain wasn’t even bothering me…well those squats and my thighs that first week…whew! Now that I am not exercising, my back and knee pain has reoccurred. I understand it is something that is good for me and I just need to make it a life change, too.
Why did I stop? I got busy with work and just have made one excuse after another.
I really can’t believe all the excuses I have made. ”I got up too late. I have an early meeting. I am on a rush deadline. I haven’t eaten yet. I just ate and I don’t want a belly ache. It is too late to exercise, I may not sleep.” Everyday, I come up with a new “colorful” excuse.
What excuses do you make? I would love to hear them…