MyWeightLossForLife.com

Archive for December, 2006

“The message is really obesity in the abdomen matters even more than obesity overall,”

Here’s yet another good reason to watch your weight, don’t you think? This is the sort of thing that really reminds me why I want, and need, to do better with my weight.

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I’ve been watching a little television (I’m home this week), and it’s amazing how many ads there are for diets and exercise equipment. Of course, each offers more amazing results than the last.

I’m not saying that these don’t work. It’s probably just the opposite, really. I bet most of them work, if you stick to it. But that’s the kicker, isn’t it? You know if you lift weights, job, bike, or completely change your eating habits you’ll lose weight and get fit. It’ll be your dream come true, right?

Sure, I know that too, but the problem is, it’s easier said than done. I know that I should snack on raw veggies, but chocolate TASTES better. I know that I should be walking on the treadmill, but what I want to do is kick back and relax. I bet you’re the same. Most people are. We want to do what’s fun, and dieting and exercise just aren’t. (more…)

So, how did the first week go? If you’re like me, you may have reached for seconds almost without thinking. I think I made it to the kitchen once or twice before it dawned on me that I had committed to not having seconds.

You know what? I didn’t feel deprived even once this week. Of course, all I did was avoid seconds. No dieting, no deprivation, just a small dose of common sense. How did it work for you? If you tried the week of no second helpings, how did you do? Are you going to continue on with it?

As for me, I will. It was just too easy not to stick with.

Christmas is here, and so is the food! No, I’m not going to even suggest that you pass on the holiday favorites. I’m not going to, and I’m not going to ask anyone else to either.

For this week, let’s resolve to eat only healthy snacks. If I eat between meals or after dinner, I’m going to limit my snacking to fruits, vegetables, or something equally healthy. Fruit salad is one of our favorites for the holidays, so i’ll be eating that and passing on the chips, dip, and leftover desserts.

What do we do about last week’s habit? (more…)

You know you need to, I know I need to, but how do you get in the habit of exercising? It is a habit, more than anything else.

Again, I believe in making small changes that I can easily stick with. Nothing drastic, but ltos of small changes can certainly add up. Here’s what I plan on doing to begin my exercise routine.

1. I will spend a few minutes each day doing toning exercises for my arms and shoulders. If you have another problem area, then you might want to focus on that. This is something that I can do any time, even at work. i can shut my door and do a few push-ups off the wall or lift something that weighs a pound or two. What toning exercises can you work in throughout your day?
2. I will begin wearing my pedometer again. If you don’t wear a pedometer, or don’t own one, begin by concsiously adding steps to your day. Use a restroom farther away from your office, park farther from the store, get up and walk around the office every hour. Anything you can do that you don’t normally do will be a benefit.

Post here about what small changes you’re going to make to get more exercise into your day.

So, we’ve spent the day going without seconds. How did it go for you?

One thing I’ve learned through many diets is that I’m most definitely an emotional eater. When I stressed or upset, I reach for comfort foods, which could be sweets or salty snacks for me.

I started the no seconds habit yesterday, and one thing I’ve already noticed is that I tend to reach for seconds purely out of habit. No, I’m not hungry. I may not even be all that enamored of the meal itself. Still, I reach for seconds anyway, without even thinking.

Today and yesterday, I reminded myself not to do that, and you know what I noticed? I don’t feel deprived; after all, I ate what I wanted. I didn’t even reduce my portion sizes, but I didn’t increase them either! I served up what’s normal for me, and that was it. So far, sounds pretty easy, right?

Maybe. Two days does not a habit make, but passing on second helpings doesn’t seem like it will be a terribly painful way to reduce calories.

Each week, I’m going to announce a new habit to try to either get in more exercise or improve eating habits. I’m going to try each for a week and then decide whether I think it will be beneficial to continue it.

I’m hoping that this will be a simple technique to aid in weight loss. (more…)

You haven’t even lost the Thanksgiving weight and Christmas is right around the corner. Even more weight is inevitable, right?

Not necessarily. Yes, I put on a few pounds over the Thanksgiving holiday too, and I know myself well enough to realize that I’m not going to pass on all the Christmas goodies either. So, what can I do (and you!) to avoid putting on lots of weight I’ll just feel bad about come January? (more…)

I know everyone has weight loss advice to offer, and more often than not, it seems to come from people who don’t have a weight problem at all. This blog isn’t like that at all. (more…)