Weight Loss Wednesday - Fifth Edition

Well, the exciting conclusion of the Heifer Contest ends today, and from what I can tell over at Lost a Sock's abode, is that this last week was a great one! Way to go everybody! Now on to my personal stats! My statistics as of today (1/31) are as follows: Previous Weight = 160 lbs Current Weight = 158 lbs GOAL = 130 lbs Weight to lose = 28 lbs I was pleasantly surprised when I stepped on the scale and saw that I had lost two pounds. But like I said last week, I’ll take it! Only 28 more pounds to go! Okay, well that sounds like a lot, but come on, I’ve lost 92 pounds since giving birth to my youngest child! That’s an accomplishment in itself that I’m super proud of! And you want to know what? There are two things that are motivating me beyond belief to lose the 28 pounds. One being a September trip to Hawaii, and the second is just personal satisfaction. I’ve come this far, I can’t give up now. And I won’t. Till next time.

Weight Loss Wednesday - Fourth Edition with a side of Metabolism

Well ok then. We have reached another 'Weight Loss Wednesday'. My statistics as of today (1/24) are as follows: Previous Weight = 160 lbs Current Weight = 160 lbs GOAL = 130 lbs Weight to lose = 30 lbs Not bad, can't complain. I mean I would love to see the pounds melting off, but I know that isn't going to happen. It's not even realistic to think that it's going to happen overnight. But a woman can dream!!! I did step it up a notch this week however, I've encorporated a stop at the gym before I head for home. Baby steps, right? So, there is my Weight Loss Wedneday for this week. Now on to the metabolism - Boosting Metabolism: 10 Tips That Work I came across this today and thought it was helpful. Full article can be found here. 1. Build lean body mass. As mentioned above, metabolism slows as we age – by as much as two percent a year! But there is something you can do to counterbalance nature. “Muscle is the single most important predictor or how well you metabolize your food, how well you burn calories and burn body fat,” insists Shari Lieberman, author of Dare to Lose. Strength training with dumbbells or resistance bands at least twice a week is essential to boosting your metabolism. Repeat – essential. And here’s the really good news: Your metabolism stays pumped for many hours after you finish your workout. 2. Get moving. You know the drill, but here’s a reminder. At least 30 to 60 minutes of walking, jogging, cycling, swimming or some other form of aerobic exercise a minimum of three times a week is the other half of the exercise equation. “People don’t like to hear it but you have got to exercise,” says Lieberman. 3. Eat. It may sound crazy to those trying to lose weight by severely restricting their daily caloric intake, but the problem with this old school of thought, explains Michigan dietician Julie Beyer, is that it actually slows metabolism. “Every cell of the body is like a flashlight bulb,” she explains. “When our bodies don’t get enough food, or fuel, every cell burns less brightly.” Recent studies show that eating smaller meals every three to four hours aids metabolism and weight loss. 4. Ditch the sugar. Of course, you still have to make good choices about what you eat. “When you eat sugar you throw your metabolic switch into fat storage mode,” says Lieberman, who suggests a predominately low glycemic index diet, meaning foods that, unlike sugars, are broken down gradually to help maintain an even blood-sugar level. 5. Don’t skip breakfast. It’s a fact that people who eat a healthy breakfast are skinnier than people who don’t. And try to think outside the box. A breakfast bowl of vegetables and brown rice is a great way to kick-start your metabolism for the day. 6. Include hot foods. If Mexican and Thai are favorites, you’re in luck. “Spicy food that has hot peppers in it appears to boost metabolism,” Lieberman says. 7. Drink green tea. “There are unhealthy things that can boost your metabolism, like a really strong cup of coffee, or nicotine, but I would never say go have a cigarette!” says Michelle Streif, a personal trainer in Nebraska. Nor overdo it on caffeine, which also has undesirable side effects. Instead, go for green tea, says Lieberman, which is known to stimulate metabolism longer and more effectively than coffee. 8. Don’t forget H2O. Staying well hydrated is essential to flushing the body of toxic byproducts that are released when fat is burned. Cold water may also give your metabolism at least a small boost because energy is required to heat the body. 9. Avoid stress. At all costs. “Stress can actually cause weight gain, particularly around the tummy,” says Lieberman. Why? Because physical and emotional stress activates the release of cortisol, a steroid that slows metabolism. 10. Sleep. Research shows that people who don’t sleep for seven to eight hours a night are more prone to weight gain. Additionally, we now know that lean muscle is regenerated in the final couple of hours of sleep each night, says Beyer. Which takes you right back to tip number one!

Weight Loss Wednesday: Third Edition

Let’s cut right to the chase. My statistics as of today (1/17) are as follows: Previous Weight = 161 lbs Current Weight = 160 lbs GOAL = 130 lbs Weight to lose = 30 lbs BooHoo. After stepping off the scale this morning I was really bummed, I mean only a pound? But then I started to think about all the ‘stuff’ I’ve shoved into my pie-hole over the last week and then I started to feel guilty and well, horrible. Why can’t I just stick to my guns and do it and just get it over with? I seem to have misplaced my willpower somewhere and I can't seem to find it. Anyone seen it? I'll do what I know is best for me and keep on truckin’. I only have 30 pounds to go till I reach my goal. I really can’t complain too much considering I’ve lost 90 pounds since I delivered my youngest child, and 54 pounds since my 6 week check up after I had him (which is when I started this phase of the diet saga). Not bad if I say so myself. Hello, Willpower? Please come back to me. Please! A fellow co-worker of mine has started a blog of his own to track his weight loss alongside his wife’s. He’s got some really good insight to being on Weight Watchers, so go check him out! And now it’s time to go check in with Lost a Sock and report on my role in her awesome idea of Dieting for Charity. Heifers! Peace out.

Good Information

Add these 10 foods to your grocery cart and you'll get three terrific benefits: 1. Lots of super-healthy liquids to flush out the body while pouring in nutrients. 2. Fiber to keep your GI tract fit. 3. Foods that energize cleansing enzymes in the liver, your bodies built-in detox center. THE TOP TEN Green leafy vegetables. Eat them raw, throw them into a broth, add them to juices. Their chlorophyll helps swab out environmental toxins (heavy metals, pesticides) and is an all-round liver protector. Lemons. You need to keep the fluids flowing to wash out the body and fresh lemonade is ideal. Its vitamin C - considered the detox vitamin - helps convert toxins into water - soluble form that’s easily flushed away. Watercress. Put a handful into salads, soups, and sandwiches. The peppery little green leaves have a diuretic effect that helps move things through your system. And cress is rich in minerals too. Garlic. Add it to everything - salads, sauces, spreads. In addition to the bulb's cardio benefits, it activates liver enzymes that help filter out junk. Green tea. This antioxidant-rich brew is one of the healthiest ways to get more fluids into your system. Bonus: It contains catechins, which speed up liver activity. Broccoli sprouts. Get 'em at your health-food store. They pack 20 to 50 times more cancer-fighting, enzyme-stimulating activity into each bite than the grown-up vegetable. Sesame seeds. They're credited with protecting liver cells from the damaging effects of alcohol and other chemicals. For a concentrated form, try tahini, the yummy sesame seed paste that’s a staple of Asian cooking. Cabbage. There are two main types of detoxifying enzymes in the liver; this potent veggie helps activate both of them. Coleslaw, anyone? Psyllium. A plant that’s rich in soluble fiber, like oat bran, but more versatile. It mops up toxins (cholesterol too) and helps clear them out. Stir powdered psyllium into juice to help cleanse your colon, or have psyllium-fortified Bran Buds for breakfast. Fruits, fruits, fruits. They're full of almost all the good things above - vitamin C, fiber, nutritious fluids, and all kinds of antioxidants. Besides, nothing tastes better than a ripe mango, fresh berries, or a perfect pear.

Weight Loss Wednesday - Second Edition

Just a really quick post before it’s not Wednesday anymore. And too, as I sit here and type this I can hear my children upstairs screaming at the top of their lungs. I presume they are beating each other into an oblivion. It’s becoming quite the ‘norm’ around here. My statistics as of today (1/10) are as follows: Previous Weight = 163 lbs Current Weight = 161 lbs GOAL = 130 lbs Weight to lose = 31 lbs So I only lost two pounds, but I’ll take it. After all I did get off to a rocky start and I have yet to find the time to work out. It is still a goal of mine, to work out at least three times a week, but when? Any tips on how I can fit that in between working full time and two kids at home? I’d appreciate it. Till next time. I’ve got some weight to lose.

It's FREE you say?

Just a little something I wanted to share. While browsing through my US Magazine over the weekend, I came across a funny ad in the center of the magazine that had catchy lines and funny pictures. When I looked at it more closely, I found that it was an advertisement for “Discovery Health – National Body Challenge 2007”. It’s a free, eight week fitness and weight-loss challenge that provides the tools and inspiration (online and on television) that helps you to get in shape, shed extra pounds and adopt a healthier lifestyle. And even better, it’s open to individuals, groups and families!!! And the perks sound too good to be true. Go here if you want more information. Anyway, to make myself even MORE accountable, I’ve signed up. Hopefully you will too!

Shame Shame Shame

Since my last post - The amount of time I spent working out/exercising = zero The amount of 'non-south-beach-friendly food I've eaten = tons Hmmm, I think that's backwards, don't you? What I'm trying to say, if you haven't already figured it out is this: I haven't done so well at all with my top two new years resolutions. As a matter of fact, I absolutely sucked. Big Time. Anyway, press on, right? I just didn't feel it at all, and I guess I wasn't ready to focus like I should have been to start things off on the right foot. I think I'm there now. Well after the birthday party we have to go to today! Bah. Some people left me comments on my last post that I wanted to answer - Anonymous, who's really "Lucky Girl's Big Sis" said: Q: Are you sure you want to get down to 130? As tall as you are? A: Yes! I want to get to 130, I've been there before. For example 1999 when Keven and I got married. And too, I think you are a little taller then me? Maybe? I think I'm only 5'9", aren't you like 5'11"? CPA Mom said: Q: What did you start at? A: When I started the South Beach Diet back in November of 2005, I weighed 212. There is more to the story though, so if you care to hear it, email me! And in closing, I just wanted to say: To my Big Sis - Keep up the good work! She's been on the South Beach Diet for a little while too and had been doing great! And to CPA Mom - thanks for the compliment! By reading your blog I can see that you've been sticking to your guns as well with your resolution to be healthy, and I think you are doing a great job!!! And lastly to Lost a Sock - I know you've been on Weight Watchers and have had great success, I wanted to say "Keep up the good work" to you too! Tomorrow is Monday, a new day. The start of a new week. Maybe I just needed a little recovery period from the holidays. Till next time!

Weight Loss Wednesday

SO. At my other home, several bloggers on my blogroll (that would be this gal, and this one too) and I'm sure many others in blogland do what they call "Weight Loss Wednesday". Well guess what? It's Wednesday, and I'm jumping on the bandwagon and holding on for dear life. We are all in this together and I demand that we sitck together! My statistics as of today (1/3) are as follows: Current Weight = 163 lbs GOAL = 130 lbs Weight to lose = 33 lbs

With This Post.....

I bring to you my number one and two top resolutions for the year 2007. This resolution includes eating right (the South Beach Diet way) and exercising (any way that I can time permitting) at 'least' three times a week. So there you have it. Day three starts tomorrow. Expect more to follow.

And With 2007, Comes the New Me

Hey Everybody! Well, for those that come here - I'm updating again. It's a new year, and I'm back on track. The holidays are over, and so is the temptation. Besides it was nice to take a little break. I think my body needed it to be honest. So... I have about 20-25 pounds left to go, and this is the year to do it! Join me, won't you?