A balance of Mind-Body-Spirit

Showing posts with label weight loss tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weight loss tips. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Don't Diet!


From the book Eating Less - Say Goodbye to Overeating by Gilllian Riley.


It may be depressing but it is true that most people who lose weight by restricting their calorie intake put their lost weight - and more - back on.


Those who stay trim by eating a healthier diet and adopting a modest exercise programme fare better at keeping the weight off in the long term.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Lost a kilo!


Unbelievable!
But true!

I was feeling defeated when I wrote the last post....I didn't WANT to give up... but....I was sure close to it!
Then this morning...as the drum rolled in my head (for dramatic effect)...I approached the 'scale' to torture myself yet again.
I found, however, a loss of 1 kg!!!!
Yes!
The diet worked despite all the hiccups (uhmmm....chocolate cake and yummy stuff at a b'day party the second day into it and then noodles and brownies at the zoo during the second cycle....alas!)
Oh! It's like a dose of CPR!
There is hope!
I do know for sure that the workouts are essential!
The feeling of your body firming up is the best!
My goals this week is to take baby steps with the workouts: will aim for three this week and will continue the diet!
Here I go....

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Working out and weight loss


This week, I changed up my workout routine. Inspired by a thread at Video Fitness, I pulled out my Cindy Crawford workouts.

High repetition, low weights, fast paced but not true aerobics.

I alternated between The Next Challenge and Shape your Body all week, I gave it my all. I sang to the music ( songs by Blondie, Seal,the Smithereens, - the song Crazy, Top Top of the Pops and so on).

I worked hard and enjoyed myself. And today , in spite of a big restaurant lunch yesterday, and in spite of the accompanying fair amount of alcohol, I found I'd lost a kilo.

Woo hoo!

And my arms and glutes just look a littletighter, too

Thik I'll try and stay with Cindy this week!

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

I don't do that any more!

From The Do-able Diet ~ Barbara Wimhurst, a mother in her 20s, lost 45 kg on her own by eating less and exercising...

I remind myself constantly "I don't do that anymore". Every time my eye wanders down the confectionery aisle, or I go to eat the crusts from my sons' lunch or I think to ask for some extra cream on the side, I repeat this affirmation, "I don't do that anymore". These words remind me of how far I have come and how much I prefer the sweet taste of freedom and success,

Sunday, August 31, 2008

I have hit a goal. YIPEE!!

My weight goals were twofold:
1) go from a tight size 14 to a loose size 8. I HAVE DONE THAT!(I got my first pair of size 8 jeans yesterday!)
2) go from 168 pounds to 135 pounds. I AM ALMOST THERE. Why not stop some might ask? Well, I want a 3 to 5 pound buffer or, as My Hunny likes to say, a weight box. The weight box is the zone I can safely stay within. So, if I want to pig out at a party and I am 135, I have the room to do so. However, if I am 138 I won't be pigging out at a party, I will be calorically lying low.

I am really proud of myself, and extremely grateful to God for the grace He has given me to do this. I would NEVER have been able to do it on my own. I am, notoriously, not one to follow through on much of anything...thus the reason I unschool (LOL). Up until my mom's death, I was between 135-140. I never thought about what I was eating and didn't exercise. But the depression that sank in upon mom's death, and all the craziness going on with Ben, and getting older, just did me in weight-wise. I think it happens to alot of women.

I have learned that I can't eat what I used to. I just don't have the same metabolism. I have learned to have mastery over my appetite (THANKS TO GOD!), and I have developed the discipline (ya like that Lisa B.?) of regular exercise. Thanks to Sparkpeople (see sidebar) for all the past and continued help. Also, I have to say that the way I have lost has been High Carb, High Fiber (mostly complex carbs grains, fruits and veggies) Low Sugar, Low Fat and Low Protein. When researching the way I eat it is reminiscent of the Pritikin Diet, the Rice Diet, & the McDougall Diet and Ornish Diet (though I am not a vegetarian).

My cholesterol is 180, down from 220. My bloodwork is great, my blood pressure is on the low end (though that has always been true) my blood sugar is perfect. What I have been doing has been working, it hasn't always been easy, yet I have not been deprived (saying things like "I can never have ____ again" sabotages many a weight loss program).

I am so psyched and happy....Yeah God!!


Peace,

Friday, May 16, 2008

Checking Back In

Hi All,

Just wanted to say that I signed up with SparkPeople last month and I am down 10 POUNDS! I am so psyched! I just had to share.  I am eating mindfully, tracking my food on Spark (which is so easy and fun and FREE) and walking when I can.  I have eczema that flares in Spring and it's on the bottom of my feet, making it painful to do anything cardio.  I am also Calorie Cycling.  Where I have different calories from day to day, so I am still eating my chocolate!

If you haven't already...check out Spark People.

Peace,
Rachel

Saturday, December 8, 2007

Superfoods and Not so super foods.. :)

Here are some lists from a couple of articles I just read... The first talks about super foods.. those that give you a lot of health-bang for the buck! The second lists some things that snackers (like me) fall for. I couldn't believe how many calories in a chip or a spoon of cookie dough! EEEK! The article reminded me of N's 'intentional eating'....


Superfoods

The latest buzz in the nutrition field is the term "superfoods" or "functional foods". These terms refer to wholesome foods that provide a high level of nutrients in each serving, particularly antioxidant vitamins, healthy fats, and/or phytochemicals that help fight disease. There are no strict guidelines yet as to what qualifies as a "superfood". However, for an idea of some food items that health experts have regarded as "superfoods", check out the following list:
Blueberries
Broccoli
Cinnamon
Citrus Fruits
Eggs (from free range chickens)
Flax Seed
Green Leafy Vegetables (chard, kale, etc.)
Green Tea
Olive Oil
Orange Vegetables
Pomegranates
Salmon
Sea Vegetables
Soy Products (tofu, etc.)
Tomatoes (especially cooked)
Whole Grains
YogurtIn light of the fact that some foods are indeed healthier than others, I suppose the term "superfoods" or "functional foods" is fitting and appropriate. Filling your diet with nutrient dense foods such as these can be beneficial and health-promoting, so indulge!


Attention, You Nibblers
Article by Maia Appleby

MyFoodDiary.com Contributor

I often hear people say that, although they watch what they eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner, they just can't seem to lose any weight. Following this statement, many of them add that they nibble on the things they miss eating, figuring that just one bite won't make any difference. When you look at the big picture, one bite probably won't, if we're really talking about one bite.Chronic nibblers, on the other hand, eat a lot more than they realize, and are often in denial about it. They consume excess calories several times each day without even realizing it, assuming that tiny amounts of this and that don't count. They do count, though. If you're nodding your head with a guilty grin on your face, you've taken the first step toward recovery.Here are a few examples of what you're consuming when you sample some of the most tempting items you encounter throughout the day, and the number of calories they contain. Keep in mind that most of these are high in fat and sparse in nutrients:
One fried chicken wing: 200
One teaspoon of cookie dough: 170
One fried spring roll: 104
Mayo on your sandwich: 100
One square of cheese: 100
One tablespoon of either peanuts or peanut butter: 90
One cocktail meatball: 85
One pig in a blanket: 85
One spoonful of icing: 80
One lollipop: 50
One crab puff: 42
Five M&M's: 40
One potato chip with onion dip: 40
One potato chip plain: 32 How can this be remedied? Simply by recognizing it. Be mindful of every bite you eat, no matter how insignificant it seems. Keep a food diary. You'll be surprised at how these little tidbits add up.

Sunday, November 4, 2007

The value of exercise

I found this quote to be very encouraging - I love my workouts and believe that fitness is more important than a number on a scale ( most of the time!). How I feel is so much better after regular workouts...

I hope this encourages you also, to continue or to re-start your workout routines. :-)

"..exercise is so vitally important because of its mental, not physical, benefit. There are obviously tons of physical benefits, but the most important mental benefit is that exercise keeps your mind toned. When you work out, you are reminding yourself that health and fitness are strong values that you are choosing to live by. Because exercise is immediately rewarding, owing to the feel-good hormones that are stimulated, you receive a reward for doing something good for yourelf. According to bariatric expert D. J. Shah, during or after exercise or bodies secrete good hormones as well as glucagons. These all have beneficial effects on the body's metabolism. Additionally, the hormone level of cortisol goes down, which benefits the body for weight loss. Thus, exercise keeps you in the mindset of health." from "Joining the Thin Club" by Judith Lederman

Monday, August 6, 2007

Some quotes

These quotes have currently been on my mind and on my fridge...


"Never, never, never, never, never give up!"

-Winston Churchill


"Enough is a good as a feast."
-George Chapman



"Nobody ever said it would be easy."
-A friend's grandmother



"When you pray, pray, but when you pheasant, pheasant!"
-St. Teresa of Avilla (when asked how she could eat so enthusiasticly at a feast)

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Sharing some fitness sites...

Video Fitness ~ I mostly visit the Reader's Forum, lots of helpful ideas on video workouts and on general fitness.

Taebo fan's page ~ again, I usually hang out at the forum.

Calorie Queens ~ forum and info about their helpful book and way of life eating. Inspiring!

The US Navy Seal Workout

Free workout routines

Extra pounds dotcom ~ a fitness/weight loss blogging area

The 90/10 Weight Loss Plan ~ good info here, good book!

Monday, January 1, 2007

7 Behaviors identified by University of Colorado for Successful Weight Loss

*Keep Trying
*Don't Deny Yourself
*Weigh Yourself Often
*Try to exercise about an hour a day (the more vigorous the better, but don't get discouraged if in the beginning you can't do that much. Start slow)
*Add a little physical activity to your daily routine
*Eat a low, fat, with plenty of protein in your diet if you are exercising
*Eat five or more meals per day

A balance of Mind-Body-Spirit

Thought for the Day


"Good friends are good for your health."

~Irwin Sarason

"Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy! And happy people just don't shoot their husbands!"

Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde