Simple Tips

Jillian Michaels, that Biggest Loser trainer, has a website in which she talks about behavior modification.  Under rule #3 Curb Mindless Eating she states, "Brush your teeth after every meal and snack.  Food never seems as appealing when you have that toothpaste taste in your mouth."  Sounds like an easy enough thing to do!

Other tips I found while searching online:
1.  Don't eat processed foods (they have added sugar, fat, and salt, not to mention chemicals)
2.  Boil or steam food (cooking with oil adds fat)
3.  Reduce sugar and/or salt consumption
4.  Burn more calories than you take in
5.  Use a digital scale that weighs to 0.2 pound (some daily/weekly losses are less than a pound and this will still show your success)
6.  Drink 8 glasses of water a day (helps you feel full and aids in digestion)
7.  Eat raw veggies (low in calories and full of nutrition)
8.  Let others know you are on a diet (helps build a community of supporters)
9.  Remember that a 30 minute work out is an equal amount of time as watching a half hour sitcom
10.  Keep a food diary
11.  Make breakfast the biggest meal of the day and keep dinner light
12.  Set your plate up with 50% vegetables, 25% protein, 25% whole grains
13.  Eat your meals at the same time every day
14.  Don't eat fast food
15.  Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night
16.  Reduce stress
17.  Be confident and have a positive outlook
18.  Eat at least 10 grams of fiber a day
19.  Avoid soda (and other sugary drinks)
20.  Eat at the table and always use utensils
21.  Instead of eating 3 big meals a day spread it out to 6 small meals.  (Eating 100-150 calories every 2 hours helps to keep metabolism higher.)
22.  Remember it's a lifestyle change
23.  Avoid fad diets
24.  Read other success stories
25.  Eat grapefruit

9/11 Heroes Run at SVSU

SVSU is one of 45 locations in the world that is hosting the 5k run or walk memorializing September 11, 2001.  The race is scheduled for Saturday, September 14, 2013, 1:00 pm.  Participants earn a race shirt, medals, post-race snacks, a ticket to that nights SVSU football game, and tickets to the carnival rides for the SVSU Street Fest scheduled that day!  The overall male and female winners will receive US flags flown in Afghanistan.  Prizes for age categories will also be awarded.  Cost is $25 with half of the proceeds going towards the Travis Manion Foundation, which supports families of killed service members and the remaining proceeds going towards the One Hundred Club of Saginaw County which supports families of police, firefighters and emergency personnel killed in the line of duty in the Great Lakes Bay Region.  The children's 400 Meter Dash race is free!  It starts at 12:45 and they will earn a race shirt and medals!  Registration is available online:  http://911heroesrunsaginaw.eventbrite.com.   

I really want to do this!  Who wants to bring their families out for some fun?!?!?!

Don't Give Up!

The good news is, I lost my first 10 pounds (last week)!  Unfortunately I also lost my dieting steam and ate foods that weren't in my plan.  I gained this past week.  It could have been a disaster, where I gained back everything and gave up even trying.  Fortunately, having friends who are striving for similar goals helps.  This post is a salute to my friend, Jill, who currently has unbreakable will power.  She is so motivated with incorporating work outs into her routine and eating healthy foods.  Salad Queen!  Her fire to meet her weight loss goals has inspired me to do better as well.  I appreciate her invitations for walks, discussions on healthy foods, and most importantly her cheer leading skills repeating, "We can do it!"  Thank you, Jill!

Tomato Basil Pasta

12 ounces uncooked pasta
1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes with liquid
1 large sweet onion, cut in julienne strips
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2 large sprigs basil, chopped
4 1/2 cups vegetable broth
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste

Place pasta, tomatoes, onion, garlic, and basil in a stock pot.  Pour in vegetable broth.  Sprinkle with pepper flakes and oregano.  Drizzle with oil.

Cover pot and bring to a boil.  Reduce to a low simmer, keep covered, cook for about 10 minutes, stirring every two minutes or so.  Cook until almost all the liquid has evaporated.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

From Healthy Ever After on Facebook

Inspiring Success Story: Summer Nolan Rebienot

One thing that gets me motivated is hearing about, and seeing photos of, other people's successful weight loss journeys.  I first heard about Summer on another web page in which her mom commented on a weight loss article about her daughter's incredible success.  Summer's plan includes counting calories and exercising 30 minutes a day.  Within two years she has lost 140 pounds!  For me, one of the key elements of Summer's philosophy on her weight loss is recognizing that not all calories are the same.  One burger at 500 calories is less filling than a 500 calorie baked chicken dinner with vegetables and beans.  The before and after photos are amazing!  Check out her blog here:  fromoneoneelevenon.blogspot.com

Inspiring Success Story: Amy Moyers

This is my favorite weight loss success story.  I've been reading Amy's blog for over a year now.  She started out at 297 lbs., size 26 pants, and a 2X shirt.  She currently weighs 161lbs., making her loss 136 pounds so far!  She states in her blog that she wants to lose more, but I think she looks terrific!  Amy, who is a happy Christian, is honest about her ups and downs.  She doesn't believe in diets and therefore practices a moderation principle.  She limits her portions, or how many times a month she'll consume something.  One thing she states in her how has she done it post, that is applicable to us, is that she tries not to drink her calories.

 I asked Amy once what keeps her motivated to continue.  Her response was, “My motivation is wanting to be healthy, honor God with my body (it isn’t mine after all), to be a mom (added weight doesn’t help in getting pregnant), and to be able to help others with their journey and encourage them along the way, since I have been there.

I keep doing it because of my prayers and the prayers of others.  Prayer, exercising self-control, and more prayer.  I couldn’t have made it this far without God’s grace.

I do get burnt out.  There are days that I look forward to working out and days that I dread it.  On the days that I dread it, I just try to remember how far I’ve come.  But again, prayer really helps.”

Amy is an inspiration.  I hope to have a success story like hers one day!  Check out her blog for details and photos:  www.amymoyers.blogspot.com

Introduction

This forum is a support and accountability system for a group of friends trying to lose weight.  All members choose their own weight loss plan and conduct their own weekly weigh-ins.  Each week the members are encouraged to post at least one blog entry that may consist of one or more of the following:  an encouraging quote or story, a healthy recipe, inspiring photograph, information about upcoming races, fitness deals, or her personal progress including any milestones met.  In addition, once a week each member will log the number of pounds lost (or gained) and add it to the total under her personal tab.  Members are encouraged to comment on blog entries, especially milestones met, with positive affirmation!  Good luck ladies!  You can do it!!!

To update your weight loss or add goals (at the bottom of the weight loss chart):  When you are signed in choose "design" from the upper right hand corner.  Choose "pages" from the left hand column.  Find your name, choose "edit."  Place your information on your chart (or below it for goals).  Choose "update" from the top right corner.