Tuesday's Tip...

I haven't spent very much time blogging about this issue. But I decided to come out and share because I realized how much I love reading about it.

WEIGHT LOSS

About a year ago I decided it was time to step up and make a change. To get real with myself. I liked to say that my body was the way it was because of child birth, lack of time, and a slowing metabolism. When in reality I ate what I wanted when I wanted, spent all my free time (the little I had) inactive. Apparently running after my four kids was not enough (or close to it). Getting real meant I had to watch what I ate, exercise and make a real life change. I do not believe in diets at all so I wanted to do something I could live with and continue. I began working out at the gym and discovered that you have the power to speed up your metabolism with exercise. I have never exercised regularly me whole life EVER. I hated running and claimed it was not "my thing". What I found was that I loved the way I felt after I exercised. I began a year ago January. At first it was very hard to find the time. Giving up some hobbies, watching less t.v I found it was totally possible. At the 6-8 month mark I had lost a significant amount of weight (at least for me). About 1-2 pounds a week with some points of loosing nothing in bettween. It was slow. I felt great. I was in smaller sizes. I had more energy. I was in control. I had stopped blaming my bad habits and taken responsibility for my own choices.

I have maintained the weight loss fairly easily over the last year (well it was still a time thing). Exercising 4-5 days a week and eating decent. Which does not mean I cannot have a treat or two. A year later I still had that last 15 pounds (or so) I wanted off. So I began working with a personal trainer to give me new work out ideas etc...

So today I wanted to share some tips that have helped me A LOT.

Log in what you eat! I use a program through my gym call Apex (body bug). It counts all my calories and helps me keep under. You can use fitday.com or a simple notebook. Most values are online or on the back of the package. I cannot tell you how much it has affected me to read and record what I eat. Most things I thought I wanted I realize are not worth it at all. You don't have to do this forever (atleast I probably won't) but it helps change the habits. It really eliminates mindless snacking. I think the weight watchers system works like this too (with points). I just don't use that. It's a simple equation. It you eat fewer calories than you burn you will loose weight.

Second keep it out of the house. Meaning if you have no self control with those items. DO NOT BUY THEM! Eating just one does not work for me.

Top three things I stay away from (not worth the huge calories) and I have issues with stopping.

1-Chips
2-French Fries (never)
3-Wheat Thins original

Don't skip meals! If you get overly hungry nothing with be enough to fill you up. Getting hungry is not a good thing. Eat small meals, healthy snacks. You will not feel like you are starving.

I plan to up my calories again once I loose this last weight (it may take some time). It's all about choices. If you want that dessert you can have it. If you limit other stuff.

I will share some of my favorite healthy snacks too.

1-String cheese
2-Dannon light and fit
3- fruit

Stay tuned I will share a good healthy lunch...

If I plan on going out to dinner. I prepare ahead. I eat very healthy all day. I log in all my foods and make sure I leave enough room for a larger dinner. I like to use this website to refer to before eating out . You can look up most restaurants. You will be amazed that some of what you think are healthy choices are totally not!
Dottie's weight loss zone Restaurants

It's not a program that ends. It's a life journey. You can eat healthy, be fit, and still eat and enjoy life.