DIETS

Diets... they are no fun. Over the past few months I have lost a total of 30 pounds. How? Eat less, move more... hmmm... who knew?
I have lost it very slowly, and mind you, I still have about 40 pounds to go... but it's coming off. No crazy fads, no crazy restrictions. I just try to eat as healthy as possible most of the time, and allow for slip ups.
Now, the last month has been a constant slip up, but I'm all good now. And you know what? I didn't gain one ounce back - not one. I was terrified to step back on the scale - I was exactly where I left off. Now, normally, I would want to come down on myself because I should have lost 10 pounds in that month - but I stopped myself. I have been doing really well - and I didn't gain - so that's something - and I'm back on track now. You know why? Because as yummy as ice cream with chocolate sauce is - so is a strawberry and banana smoothie - plus - I can run up 3 flights of stairs without running out of breath - in the long run - which is better?
I still have ice cream with chocolate sauce mind you - just a smaller serving, and less often. It also probably doesn't hurt that I walk my dog for 2 - 3 hours / day - every day.
Who knew all those crazy doctors knew what they were talking about when they said calories in vs. calories out. Low carb/low fat/high carb/veg... doesn't matter. Calories in vs. calories out. Plus, this is a plan I can stay on for a lifetime. I don't limit anything - just watch my portions and exercise.
A girl I know if on a low carb / low meat / low fat / no diary diet. Basically, she eats nuts, beans, fruit (limit 2/day) and veggies. No dressing, no oils... nothing. She lost 10 pounds in 10 days which is great, she feels good, and she has the will power of a saint. I'm just not sure if that is a plan you can stick to life long - if you can, its great for her. I could not do that. I'm pretty sure I would die (not really), I would WANT to die.

Health Care

I work for a medical research company (again we test of volunteer humans, not animals). We have a lot of drug reps who come in from the states to help us out with studies. We had a lady come in a couple months ago from Jersey. She was awesome. Funny, friendly, and the accent... wow... think Marissa Tomei, My Cousin Vinny... Including hair and clothes.
So she's there - we talk about the differences between Canada and the States, and of course health care came up. She is (was) a strong believer that universal health care is the devil. Long waits for procedures, she shouldn't have to pay for someone else to be covered on and on. I tried to explain to her at the time that yes, there are waits to have procedures done. For example, if you hurt your knee and want an MRI - you are going to wait until the people with MS, or brain tumors get their scans first - as they are more important.
She has been led to believe that even the very sick have to wait for treatment on the universal health care plan. I can assure you, that those who need care immediately, get care immediately. If you have cancer - you will be in treatment the next day - no waiting... but again, if you hurt your knee - you'll have to wait.
So this lovely (she is really a super sweet lady) came back a couple days ago and told me her daughter was diagnosed with Lupus. Her insurance doesn't cover the treatment for Lupus. She has to fork out $450.00/week for the treatment. She was so upset and distressed. She has decided to put her in a study that she is uncomfortable with just to get free treatments. I feel so horrible for her and her daughter.
If the US would adopt the universal health care program her daughter would have free treatment, no waiting, and wouldn't have to be uncomfortable in a study just to get treatment. So sad.

Weight Loss Wednesday

The thyroid controls, what seems like, every part of the body. I was always just a normal girl. Could eat whatever I want, and not really gain any weight - just stay the same - just average. Then came the weight - just gaining gaining gaining - my future husband was and is a wonderful cook - not too concerned about calories and fat. I thought it was just my comfy relationship weight - which it partially was. Then I started to get dizzy, panic-y, weak. I went to the doctor, and my thyroid was out.

Let me tell you - it seems close to imposible to lose weight when your thyroid is out. I've tried different diets - but again, there is so much conflicting information out there - whe knows what works really, and what's healthy. I am really hoping the information from the dietician will work. Smaller portions, eating every 3 hours, and following the food guide.

I believe a lot of women out there have thyroid issues and if your benefits cover it, I think going to a dietician is a great idea. It's worth it to pay a bit more in order to live a healthy life. Losing weight is not just a vain asthetic thing - being thinner and healthy prevents many diseases and improves the quality of your life. If they can help you and improve your life. I think they are worth the extra money.

Weightloss Wednesday

Is this a healthy standard? Is this something we should be teaching young girls?
Tori Spelling - look at her bones sticking out.. LOOK AT HER LEG?!?!!? What is going on with her LEG!!?!?

Here we have Allegra Versace - wow... she has a known eating disorder - but noone seems to be overly concerned with helping her

Up next we have Nicole Richie before and after - which picture is she healthier?

And finally - why are these people called "chunky" or "thick" or "heavy"?

I understand the importance of having a healthy body weight. I understand that excess fat is a cause of major health problem... but these two are hardly obese or even overweight.

Weightloss Wednesday

During my weight loss journey I will be posting fitness and diet tips on Wednesday's, as well as progress, and stuff that I have learned.

Welcome to Weightloss Wednesday!!
Check out these links:
FitSugar - Nine yoga poses that will tone your entire body.
Diet.com - 10 Feelings that Sabotage Your Diet
Great tip:

When baking, use applesauce instead of butter to save 90 calories

And THIS is the BEST DRESSING I HAVE EVER HAD!!! It's caesar dressing, and it's made with yogurt - even my future husband loves it... SO GOOD!! YOU NEED TO TRY IT!!!

I love Gwyneth Paltrow. I don't know why people have a problem with her. I like her and her GOOP newsletter.

I love this video. That meal looks so yummy and healthy - and how cute and charming is she?

The Younger Man

Well my future husband turned 29 yesterday. 29. He is still in his TWENTIES!!! Meanwhile I'm chugging along - next stop 33. I read in one area of the internet that 30 was the new 20. I read somewhere else that 35 was middle aged!! MIDDLE AGED!!! I AM ALMOST MIDDLE AGED!!! Does that make sense to you? I guess, realistically... 70 is a descent age. I think a lot of people live BEYOND that point tho. I have seen in the news a lot about people turning 100... 101... even 104. So by that perspective, I am no where near middle age... Well, I'm NEAR, but, not as near as I am to 35.

I went and saw a dietician yesterday - and in case you didn't know... CARBS ARE GOOD FOR YOU!!! There is so much conflicting information out there - its hard to know what's true. I have done my fair share of low carb diets in my 32 years. I admit, that yes, you lose a lot of weight, and that weight comes off quite quickly. Then you go to the nice italian bakery on the corner - get a nice baguette, and its all over. Once that sweet, soft, fluffy bread touches those lips - bliss. Then starts the downward slide - bread, pasta, cake, chocolate then hey - all that weight you lost... its back. So I went to a dietician. She basically follows the food guide (which is crazy to look at... EIGHT SERVINGS OF GRAINS!!!) But in reality, as she explained to me - 2 peices of bread are 3 servings... 1/2 a cup of pasta - one, so when you have that big plate of pasta with the yummy baguette- that is your grain count for the week. I like it because she gives you menu's with exact measuments of food and exactly when to eat. Structure. That's what I need.

So basically, at this point in my life, I'm overweight, middle aged, and unmarried ahahah. The thing that makes me happy - Angelina Jolie will ALWAYS be older then me, and she... is gorgeous!!!