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.

An Open Letter To Debbie Gibson

Debbie Debbie Debbie (no I will not call you DebRAH)

What have you done to yourself? You are BEYOND thin, and to be honest, I can't even tell it's you - at all. Your face look COMPLETELY different.

Come on Debbie, just because New Kids on the Block are giving it another go - doesn't mean every 80's teen popper needs to try. You don't see Tiffany out there in her bikini talking about (quote from Debbie):

“I’m at 114 pounds. I was okay at my previous weight, but I felt like my inner diva did not match my outer diva.”
“I feel hotter and more in control. It’s even improved my sex life. You shouldn’t get your whole self-worth from how you look, but at 39, I think it’s okay to focus on the outside a bit if it makes you feel good.”

Debbie, I'm begging you - put on some stirup pants with some slouch socks. Back comb those bangs, rub some DEP gel in your hair, throw on your black hat, spray on some Electric Youth perfume... You're better than this... In the famous word of you - remember when you were young!

Rachel Zoe Is Bananas!!

OMG. Ok, Rachel Zoe is THIN!!! Shockingly shockingly thin.

The sad part - she actually doesn't think she's that thin. She just thinks she's a normal healthy size.

I should not be able to count your ribs. I should not be able to see your arm bones. Your shoulder blades should not stick out.

I am curious about her new clothing line. I wonder if she will make anything over a size zero?

What are your thoughts on these pictures?

{photos via dlisted}

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.

YUMMY DINNER!!!

Ok, I just made the yummiest dinner EVER!!!
It's a veggie burger patty - I should say that I am not a vegetarian now. From 16-22ish I was a super strict veg. No meat, dairy, eggs, honey... nothing. Then I slowly started to eat eggs, dairy and such - then I moved to the west coast and brought in fish - then chicken followed. A couple weeks ago my doctor said I need to eat red meat. With my thyroid my iron is crazy low and no veggies in the world will give you the iron of red meat. So now, I eat red meat... still no pork. I do not like pork.. but I digress.
So its a veggie burger patty in a flax pita with some mixed greens and peppers. On the side I have romain lettuce with Renee's Wellness Garlic Caesar dressing (so freakin good) with some yellow pepper. And finally - the best part - squash with olive oil, cinnamon, allspice and apple butter on top.
So Good!!!

Weightloss Wednesday

Wait... is it Wednesday? Yes.. ok...
So, I joined a gym... Yes, yes I have. Yesterday I had a meeting with a personal trainer to find out my "body age" (40 by the way - I was thinking 90). Anyway - So she TOTALLY contradicted EVERYTHING the dietitian said - she said no carbs, no fruit, no sugar - nothing.. just meat and veggies. Really, how long is that sustainable? Really?
So I emailed my dietitian and told her. She said no no no... your brain needs carbs to work. Your brain can ONLY absorb carbs - sheesh... I knew that personal trainer was a little ... you know... not all there.
So anyway - she would ask me how many servings of vegetables I eat a day - I say 6 (I really do - I like veggies) - she would look me up and down and say REALLY? I would say Yeeeees... And she would say OKAAAAAAY in that condescending tone.
You know, at least I'm trying... I went to a dietitian - got some good meal plans - joined a gym... what else does she expect? Really?
So anyway, the girl at the front desk was very nice and overheard the conversation and apologized for everything. Said she eats more carbs then meat and she looks great. We agreed to take a beginner spinning class together on Friday mornings... I've never spun? Have you spun? Will I drop dead of exhaustion if I spin?

Weightloss Wednesday

Sorry for the late post guys. Welcome to Weight loss Wednesday.

So I find Jillian Michaels to be the ultimate role model for weight loss and being buff. She is an advocate for working out hard and eating well. No pain, no gain.

I do find her a little intense at time - I don't need someone screaming in my face - but she's no frill, no gimmicks ...

...

Until now...

Now she is selling diet pills - $100.00 / bottle. Take a magic pill and lose weight. The side effects of these diet pills you ask? They include nausea, dizziness, erratic heart rate, and vomiting.

Um... do you think erratic heart rate is healthy for an obese individual?

What do you think of this? Do you think she's selling out, or do you think it's a good idea?

Weightloss Wednesday

There are so many diets out there.

So many diets.

It is so confusing.

According to my dietitian, the best, healthiest diet is following the food guide. If you follow a lot of diet's that celebrities claim to follow - or popular diets, the food guide has WAY too many carbs.

8-11 servings of whole grains/day - keeping in mind that 2 pieces of bread is 3 grains, 1/2 a cup of rice is another. However, with a low carb diet - even a cracker is too much?

I have tried a few diets in my time. The low carb ones do take the weight off quickly, but can you really live your entire life without another piece of bread?

Really?


Two things I know about myself?

1. If you tell me I can't have something - that is all I want...

2. Once I have said bad thing - then I'm off the wagon - I've already ruined the day - might as well eat this and this oh, and some of that.

Diets with restrictions do not work for me.

What has worked for you?

Weightloss Wednesday

And now for a super yummy recipe:

Turkey Taco Bowls
1 Serving
Adapted from a Rachel Ray recipe

Ingredients
120 g turkey, ground (raw weight)
2 small tortilla wrap, whole wheat
1 dash spices, cumin
1 dash chili powder
1/2 clove garlic, raw
1/4 medium onion, raw, chopped
1/2 cup shredded
or chopped
lettuce, iceberg, raw
1 /2 medium tomato, chopped
15 g cheese, cheddar, shredded
1 tbsp sour cream, light
2 tbsp sauce, salsa, ready-to-serve
1/2 tbsp vegetable oil, olive
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Wrap the tortillas in a damp towel and microwave for 10-15 seconds. Baste tortilla on both sides with canola oil and
gently push them into a jumbo muffin tin, forming a cup shape.
3. Bake tortillas for about 10-12 minutes or until they are golden brown and hold their shape.
4. While the tortillas are cooking, place a medium-size, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add 1/2 tablespoon of
olive oil. Add the ground turkey, season with salt and pepper and cook, breaking up the pieces with the back of a wooden
spoon, about 6-7 minutes until brown all over.
5. Add onion and grate the garlic right over the skillet with the fine side of a grater.
6. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, then add the chili powder and cumin, and cook for another couple minutes. If the mixture
seems dry, add a couple tablespoons of water to loosen it up. Turn the heat off and set aside to keep warm.
7. Chop up the lettuce.
8. Place the tortilla bowls into deep cereal bowls and scoop a couple of big spoonfuls of the turkey mixture into each tortilla.
Top the turkey with a sprinkle of cheese, some chopped tomatoes and shredded lettuce on top. Spoon salsa and sour
cream over the top and serve.

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!!


I will start off with a tip today, but, I have a feeling, today is going to mostly be a rant...
Tip:

Removing the skin from chicken saves you 5 grams of fat every time.
Eating fish instead of red meat saves you 90 calories per serving.

So.. here we go with the rant. Some new pictures have come out of Jennifer Love Hewitt playing tennis. Why she is playing tennis in a bikini and wedges is beyond me, but regardless, pictures of her have come out.

I first saw them on this one website that I actually look at quite regularly because its funny and kind of knocks celebrities down from their high horse. Sometimes he is a little vulgar and crude, and sometimes fully offensive, but for the most part just funny.

So over the long weekend he put up these pictures of Jennifer Love Hewitt making fun of her because she thinks she's a size two when she clearly isn't. I am not saying she is not a size two HE is. I have zero idea what a size two looks like. And really, how can anyone say, oh, I'm a size such and such. When I go to different stores - in one I'm a size 10, the next one a size 12, and then this one over here, I'm a size 8... So how can anyone be a definite size 2?

I can go to the Gap and try on pants, I pick up 2 of the EXACT SAME STYLE OF PANTS. One pair in black, one pair in brown. The brown pair fit like a glove - the black pair - same size, same style... too tight? Whats up with that? But I digress...

These pictures come out of JLH - oh she's fat she's fat.. WHERE?!?!? WHERE IS SHE FAT? She is wearing a BIKINI!! She is CLEARLY not hiding anything. She looks awesome! She looks thin, fit, not bobble head waif thin, but healthy! So to prove my point that she looks awesome, I show the pictures to my future husband. His response? "She's a little wide in the hip". WIDE IN THE HIP!?!?!? WHERE?!?!?!

To be fair, in my future husbands defence - he still thinks she's hot.

Please.. please tell me where she is wide in the hip! She looks great. Nicole Richie is too thin (not now obviously) but JLH - who looks awesome is too fat? Where is this fine line that has been drawn?

So on this same blog - this guy (not in the same post, but earlier) was talking about how all women should look and dress like Kendra:

How adorable is she?

Now, I am a huge Kendra fan, and I think she looks awesome - and if she wants to dress like that, then by all means do so. Kendra however defended women everywhere and came out with THIS great response. I love her!

That is the end of my rant.. comments? Questions? Queries?

Have a great day - see you tomorrow!

HOT HOT HOT!!!

It's hot out there this summer. HOT! We have been breaking records like you would not believe!!! It's too hot if you ask me. I found this great recipe for water (yes water) on the internet. I am not a fan of water - but with this HEAT, everyone needs to be hydrated. I can tell you that I can drink a full 2 litres of this water because it is SO YUMMY!!!
Here it is:

LEMON MINT CUCUMBER WATER

1/4 a cucumber, sliced thin
a lemon, sliced thin
sprigs of mint
2 quarts water

Add cucumber, lemon and mint in a pitcher. Fill with water. Enjoy!

I usually let my water sit overnight so it really builds the flavor. I make 2 jugs - one to drink right away - one to get all yummy and swirly over night.

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!!!