Archive for August, 2008

This and that

Hello everyone
I hope you had a good week .I lost a pound bringing it down to 211 so i’m happy with That . I got stinged by a couple of bees one got me on the eye lid and so my eye was swelling closed .and another got me in the middle of the back . so it been a bad couple of days trying to see to write .
I got a great group of friends here that help me a lot .and also i belone to a good Christain group of friends .we don’t always  lose every week but we know how to give support if you jump in and be a part you find all the support to help you make it .where all like a group of sisters so if you find you like a few more friends come on over, we would love to have more and our little family . it a all women group , Sorry guys wish it was for you to . but we not only talk on weight but what every else bother us .and we help one other get through the hard times .Here the links elping_hand_weightloss-subscribe@yahoogroups.com  .
It been raining so not had to get out and work peeling logs so for this week .but got to do some house work done . and read a couple blogs . I love to go visit my friends LOL .
I wish someone would tell me how to add a weight graft to my blog and how to add other stuff / I’m such a dummy when it come to computer ;)
well the holiday or on the way how do you plan on making it through them this year? I could use some ideal i alway seem to manage to gain and don’t want to this year
Bye for now
LInda C

Stay Consistent With the ‘Go-To’ Meal

Food for When You’re Out of Ideas

You open the fridge and panic sets in. The cupboards elicit a similar response. Same for the pantry. You have no time and have to come up with dinner – and fast. But what will satisfy your hunger without requiring an hour of prep time? In the final hope that something new and exciting will appear, you open the fridge door one last time.

Take a moment, take a deep breath and relax. Before you speed off to the drive-thru as an “easy” solution to fixing dinner, consider this: there are countless “Go-To” Meals that will make cooking swift and simple. When you’re at a loss for time and ideas, you can turn to these without much thought.

Go-To Meals allow you to put in minimal effort while maximizing taste and nutritional value. These meals are quick, easy, and can be a staple in your diet. Only a few ingredients are required, so preparation and clean-up don’t cut deeply into your hectic schedule.

To create your own Go-To Meal, start with a few of your favorite ingredients. You’ll learn to depend on them when you’re in a time crunch. On your next trip to the grocery store, stock up on easy foods that you can whip up in minutes.
These meals should be quick, but still have nutritional benefits. Here are a few of our suggestions:

* Peanut butter and jelly is an old favorite that’s even better when served on toasted whole wheat bread.
* Pita pocket sandwiches are delectably stuffed with veggies and healthy lunch meat. Its shape is perfect for eating on-the-go. For some variety, try a whole grain bagel sandwich.
* Peas and tuna are a breeze. Open a can of each, mix, microwave, and you’re set. For a little more flavor, jazz it up with some spices or more vegetables.
* Oatmeal isn’t just for breakfast! Heat some up for any meal of the day. With so many flavors to choose from, you don’t need an excuse to get this boost of fiber.
* Beans and brown rice cover two of your main energy sources. The protein in the beans fuels your muscles, while the complex carbs in the rice provides lasting energy. To save time, try a quick-cook variety of brown rice.
* Low-sodium soup and crackers will fill you up fast. Add some fresh or even canned vegetables for more nutrients.
* Whole wheat pancakes taste great, no matter what time is blinking on the clock. With a powdered mix, you can be flipping some hotcakes in a flash. To save more time, toast frozen whole wheat waffles.
* Chicken burritos are probably easier to make than you might think. Heat chicken, beans and vegetables, and wrap them in a whole wheat tortilla. Sprinkle on low-fat cheese and you’ve nearly hit all of the major food groups with one bite.

VERY INTERESTING QUESTION!

Here’s something very interesting for everyone to ponder on! If you could have you have your choice which would you choose to have the body of a swim suit model or to have a million dollars cash ,which would you take?I saw this on a talk show they did a survey and 65% of the women surveyed said the swim suit model body!As for me i would take the money and hire a chef and personal trainer!HA

Weight Journal 08/25/08

Weight Journal

DAte:08-25-08
Weight:212

Breakfast:
2 ole south biscuits and sausage sandwiches  = 7 points

Total Points: 7
Total Fats: 14
Total Carbs:30
Total Fibers; 1

Lunch:  Tomatoes Serving Size: 1 tomato; Calories: 25,  1 point

Green Bell Peppers Serving Size: 10 strips  0 points

Corn Serving Size: 1/2cup;  2 points

Olive Oil  (DaVinci)Serving Size: 1 Tbsp    3 points

Total Points: 6 points
Total Fats: 15
Total Carbs: 43
Total Fibers; 2

Snacks:Peach, Fresh
Serving Size: 1 medlium;   1 points

Total Points: 1
Total Fats: -1
Total Carbs: 15
Total Fibers; 3

Dinner:
Olive Oil  (DaVinci)Serving Size: 1 Tbsp    3 points

Chuck Roast/steak (boneless)
dinner 3 oz  6 points

Tomatoes
Serving Size: 1 ; 1 point

Red Salad Potatoes
1/2 cup          2 points

Cucumber
Serving Size: 1 cup sliced;  0 points

Total Points: 11
Total Fats: 21.2
Total Carbs: 6.9
Total Fibers; 5

Snacks: Nut Cone with caramel core 340 calories

Total Points: 8
Total Fats: 20
Total Carbs: 33
Total Fibers; 2

Grand Total Points: 33
Grand Total Fats: 66
Grand Total Carbs: 150
Grand Total Fibers; 11
Grand Total Calories ;1243

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Hello (It’s Just Me:o)

here it is tuesday already . well so for not to bad on eating for me .I can’t wait to get to a size 16 . i’m tried of being at 18  again .yes i was at 16 then got bored again and went up again . at lease it not a 28 that i was to begine with .
That 10 dress sizes down . Wow! that blow my mind when i think of that. wish i had my fat pictures but the burned in our trailer last year .i want to see if mite get one from one  the inlaws mite they mite  one. I want  to see the differents .
Wish i had more time on to visit all my friends but seem i’m alway at a run lately it eithier work out side or cleaning house ,preparing meals and a never ending Job Of doing wash or dishes lol .
I would like to know how each of you or doing ? Just think of all that fat being mealted off .where making room for more space in the house ;) .
Has anyone learned some new trick to help lose lately if so pass them my way . i’m bound to keep losing one way or the other it will be done . here a few ideals if you have had a gain hope they help .

Here’s to slimming down and feeling great! Dealing With a Weight Gain.

After a disappointing weigh - in , you may feel frustrated , ready to throw in the towel and head toward the nearest bakery. But if you really want results over time, here is what you should do.

1. Don’t Give up - there is a power in perseverance. Although you may feel like all your hard work was for nothing it is crucial to stay motivated.

2. Congratulate yourself for your hard work and remain postive about the coming week - Think of all the things you did right(no after dinner eating) as they are bound to pay off in the future.

3. Remind yourself that one weight gain is not failure - if you are sticking to the plan, five it some time and your body will catch up.

4. Take a Walk - Exercise makes one feel empowered and will give you some time to consolidate your thoughts.

5. Remember non-scale victories - Don’t just measure your success by what the scale showed today. As your clothes looser? Did you make it through an evening without mindless nibbling? Did you handle stressful day by doing something other than pigging out afterward? Non - scale victories are the ways to measure your success and build up your confidence.

Weigh gains are simply natural parts of the weight loss process. It is HOW you DEAL with the gains that will really determine your long-term success.

Movie Theatre Snack Attack!

Two Thumbs Up or Blockbuster Diet Disaster?
– By Leanne Beattie, Health & Fitness Writer

The aroma hits you as soon as you walk through the doors of any movie theater…popcorn! For many people, a trip to the movies isn’t complete without a big tub of buttery popcorn and a giant cup of soda. But if you don’t choose carefully, that treat could be scarier than the next blockbuster horror flick! With a little planning, you can still enjoy a yummy snack that doesn’t wreak havoc on your good eating habits.

In theory, popcorn should be low in calories and high in fiber—a healthy, whole grain snack. And it is when you air pop your own at home. But everything changes when it’s made at the theater and becomes a greasy and oil-soaked mess covered in artery-clogging butter or margarine.

A few years ago, when the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) reported that movie theater popcorn was full of unhealthy fat, the industry immediately made changes, switching from coconut oil to healthier oils, such as peanut. Over the years, however, some chains have switched back to coconut oil to save money and improve flavor.

But just how bad could a tub of popcorn be? On average, a large popcorn (which contains 20 cups) boasts a mind-boggling 100 grams of fat—the equivalent of more than six fast food hamburgers. With about 1,300 calories, that large popcorn packs almost a full day’s supply of calories for the average dieter.

If movie theater popcorn is a must-have, stick with a kid-sized serving and forgo the added butter or margarine. Avoid the larger sizes completely, even if it seems like a steal. Moving up to the medium serving from the small size costs only pennies more, but adds about 500 more calories and two days worth of saturated fat. Ouch!

Think you can get away with buying large and sharing? Think again. One study conducted at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that people who were given a large bucket of popcorn ate 50 percent more than those who were given a medium-sized bag. When asked to estimate how much they had eaten, participants thought they only ate as much as those with a smaller bag. This is one of many studies proving that if there’s food in front of us, we’ll eat it without thinking.

Those giant chocolate bars and boxes of candy at the counter are also bad news. While you might kid yourself into thinking that you won’t eat the whole thing, chances are that once you’re munching away in the dark, you’ll mindlessly consume the entire box without blinking. If you absolutely have to have a treat from the candy counter, choose the smallest sizes. They offer built in portion control and fewer overall calories.

Check out the following chart to see how your movie favorites compare. Pay particular attention to the sizes, which vary from two to over nine ounces.

Theatre Food Size Calories Fat
Sno Caps 3.1 oz box 300 15
Hot dog Medium (2 oz) 305 5
Mike & Ike 3 oz box 320 0
Junior Mints 3 oz box 360 7
Milk Duds 3 oz box 370 12
Gummi Bears 3.5 oz bag 390 0
Raisinets 3.5 oz bag 400 16
Soft pretzel Large (5 oz) 480 5
Starburst 4.4 oz 480 11
Goobers 3.5 oz box 500 35
Twizzlers 6 oz bag 570 4
M&M’s 5.3 oz bag 750 32
Skittles 6.5 oz bag 765 9
Peanut M&M’s 5.3 oz bag 790 40
Dots 9.2 oz box 850 0
Cheese nachos Large (4 oz) 1,100 60
Reese’s Pieces 8 oz bag 1,160 60

One way to enjoy at treat at the movies without destroying your waistline is to bring your own snacks from home. Yes, this is discouraged by most theater owners because they make a huge profit at the concession stand. However, all theatres have different policies, and some even allow you to bring food from outside vendors (such as restaurants or shops in the same mall or shopping center). Find out the policy at your favorite theatre, and be prepared to lose your snacks to an angry employee if you get caught breaking the rules.

Here are some healthy alternatives you can bring from home to munch on:

* Bottled water or 100% fruit juice
* Trail mix, made with nuts and dried fruit
* Dry cereal
* String cheese
* Air-popped popcorn, flavored with Parmesan cheese, chili pepper, or garlic powder
* Whole grain crackers, graham crackers, or rice crackers
* Baked potato chips or tortilla chips
* Bananas, grapes, raisins, or other no-mess fruit
* 2-3 miniature chocolate bars

The best way to avoid temptation at the theater is to eat a balanced meal beforehand—lean protein, whole grains, veggies and healthy fats will keep you satisfied for several hours. (Sorry, but the concession’s pizza, nachos and hot dogs don’t fit the bill of a healthy meal.)

Going to the movies is a social experience—and that means eating for many people. But you don’t have to miss out on the fun just because you’re watching what your diet. By bringing your own portion-controlled snacks from home or choosing carefully at the candy counter, the only things you’ll be missing are the inches you’ll lose from your waist.

Snacking Healthy

Add Snacks to Subtract Pounds

While some dieters happily accept when someone suggests a snack, others feel pangs of guilt when a nibble is merely suggested. However, there is nothing inherently wrong with a bite between meals. In fact, snacking might be the missing ingredient that will help you reach your weight loss goals.

But how can this make sense, since snacking theoretically adds calories?

Snacking doesn’t serve to replace a meal. In fact, you should spread meals and snacks out by an hour or two, and snacks should total a couple hundred calories or less.

Munching between meals can actually reduce your overall caloric intake by curbing overeating at your next meal. By controlling later binging, snacking can help you stay on track. You can actually use this to your advantage. If you know you are going out to a big dinner with friends later, for example, make sure you have a healthy snack before you head out so you’re less likely to order (and finish) a large entrée.

How You Snack Can Make or Break Your Diet
There is definitely a wrong way and a right way to snack. You should avoid sugary items like candy and soda, and shouldn’t be consuming enough calories to constitute a meal. Instead, steer towards foods that will satisfy you and keep you feeling fuller longer. Fruits and vegetables are always a safe bet because they are low in fat and calories. (Just be sure to avoid high-calorie dips.) Yogurt, fruit smoothies, even a slice of whole-wheat toast all make great snacks during the day. Combining lean protein, some healthy fat, and complex carbohydrates will help you feel fuller longer.

Mini Meals
Many experts are recommending several smaller meals throughout the day instead of the usual three. By eating at regular intervals, your blood sugar levels (and therefore your energy levels) remain stable. So, instead of that mid-afternoon crash, you’ll be full of vigor through dinnertime! Eating every few hours (especially if you chew on fruits and veggies) can also help add extra nutrition that might be missing from other meals.

Snacking Isn’t Grazing
Mindless eating is often the downfall of many snackers. You may start with only a handful of your favorite crackers, only to finish the entire box, without even thinking about it. Obviously, this example isn’t the healthy snacking that can help you reach your weight loss goals.

To avoid grazing:

* Fill a small plate with your snack, and leave the kitchen. Just walk away. When your plate is empty, snack time is over.
* Never bring the entire container with you in front of the television or computer. Enjoy your snack without distraction and you won’t be tempted to reach for more.
* If you stand around the snack table chatting at a party, you may find yourself reaching for food when the conversation lulls. This can often lead to an unintentional binge because you simply aren’t paying attention to what you are eating.
* Limit yourself to a single serving.
* Plan out your snacks just like you would a meal. Is one cookie worth the calorie cost, when you could eat a plate of fresh fruit instead?

Practice Moderation
As with the rest of your diet, moderation is crucial when snacking. Make sure that you are adding every snack to your Nutrition Tracker, along with the larger meals you eat during the day. If you don’t keep track, you might add excess calories and fat to your diet without realizing it.

Don’t sabotage your diet with unhealthy nibbles throughout the day; stick to nourishing foods whenever possible. If you know you have a weakness for junk food, do yourself a favor and don’t purchase these items next time you are at the grocery store. Then you won’t have to fight the temptation of ice cream or potato chips when hunger pangs hit.

Facts on 100-Calorie Snack Packs

Do Good Things Really Come in Small Packages?
– By Leanne Beattie, Health & Fitness Writer
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Convenience foods and snacking go hand in hand. Unfortunately, many of these convenient snacks also go straight to our waistlines. When “snack packs” appeared on the market just a few years ago, dieters rejoiced! Now, they could easily count calories and enjoy their favorite snacks at the same time. In fact, the 100-calorie snack packs proved to be so popular that sales have skyrocketed to almost $200 million in under three years. But how healthy are these snacks and should we even be eating them at all? Do good things really come in small packages? Let’s break down the snack pack facts.

Automatic Portion Control
Some dietitians and behavior experts believe these small 100-calorie packages are ideal for foods that we should only enjoy in limited amounts anyway, such as chips, cookies and chocolate bars. Numerous studies have shown that when a food container is larger, people will eat more. In fact, they’re more likely to eat until they reach the bottom of a box or bag, without even realizing how much they’ve eaten until all the food is gone. Therefore, smaller portions sizes will help you eat less, right? Well, new research published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that smaller “snack” packages encouraged participants to eat nearly twice as much, often without hesitation, than people who ate from larger packages. The built-in portion control of snack packages may help some people curb mindless overeating, but this theory works only when you limit yourself to one package. If you consume more than that, the benefits are lost.

Hunger Satisfaction
While the snack packs are winners for portion control and short-term satisfaction, they typically lack hunger-controlling nutrients (fiber, protein and healthy fats). This means that they won’t control your hunger for long and may lead to further snacking and higher calorie consumption over the course of the day. A handful of nuts or a piece of fruit could stave off the munchies for around the same number of calories while also providing key nutrients like fiber or healthy fats.

And despite the fact that the labels on these snack packs claim “0 grams of trans fats,” many still contain hydrogenated oil—the prime source of trans fats. Legally, manufacturers can label products as trans-fat-free if they contains less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving.

The Price of Convenience
While there are plenty of 100-calorie choices on the market, from chips to cookies and crackers to pudding, you’ll pay a higher price for these conveniently packaged snacks. Snack pack manufacturers charge as much as three or four times the price of conventional packaged foods. For example, a box of six 100-calorie packs of chips weighs only 95 total grams but costs around $3.00. That’s about the same price as a full-sized bag of chips, which contains three times as much food. More single-use packaging also means more waste from an environmental standpoint.
But judging by the explosive growth of the market, many dieters are choosing to pay more in order to avoid temptation. While you could simply divvy up a bag of chips or crackers into smaller portions yourself, many people don’t want to spend the time. If you can’t control your eating when faced with the full-sized version of your favorite snack, but you can eat just one smaller-portioned bag, a 100-calorie snack pack might be worth the extra money and help you reach your weight loss goals.

Smart Snack Alternatives
If you want a healthy, low-calorie snack but don’t want to pay the premium for convenience, here are some healthy snacks you can prepare yourself. You’ll save money, reduce waste, and stay fuller longer with these 100- to 200-calorie ideas that you can portion out yourself.

* Low-fat cottage cheese (4 oz): 80 calories
* Raisins (50 or about 1 oz): 85 calories
* Skim milk latte (8 oz): 85 calories
* Air-popped popcorn (3 cups or 1 oz): 95 calories
* Graham crackers (8 small rectangles): 100 calories
* Thin pretzel sticks (48 sticks or 1 oz): 100 calories
* Celery (5 pieces) with peanut butter (1 Tbsp): 100 calories
* Unsweetened applesauce (1 cup): 100 calories
* An apple (small) with low-fat cheese (2 oz): 150 calories
* Baby carrots (10) with hummus (1/4 cup): 150 calories
* Peanuts (a handful or 1 oz): 160 calories
* Raw almonds (a handful or 1 oz): 165 calories
* Low-fat yogurt (6 oz): 175 calories
* Tortilla chips (12 chips or 1 oz) with salsa (1/2 cup): 175 calories
* Whole wheat Ritz crackers (10 crackers or 1 oz) with peanut butter (1/2 Tbsp): 175 calories

Snacking Tips & Ideas

Eating is no longer an activity only experienced around the table with friends and family. Quick, how many times this past week have you eaten on the run? No place is safe either – the car, your desk, maybe even the shower! Our time is strapped and we need food that’s easy to grab ‘n’ go. And during this mad-chaos of finding food on our way out the door, one detail is easy to forget – making sure that the choices we make are healthy.

Unfortunately, it’s mostly the bad stuff that falls into the “fast” and “easy” categories – chips, candy bars, sodas, etc. Well, what if we took some time and ingenuity to make our own healthy snacks portable and easy for on-the-go eating?

I’m talking about things that can fit into the top drawer at work (not jelly beans or Kisses!) or snacks prepared ahead of time that can be popped into a lunch bag. Yes, some of these items WILL require some thinking ahead. Some might even require refrigeration or special containers. But they are fast, simple, and easy. Most take less than 5 minutes to prepare. You’ll also be thankful that you’ve saved yourself the cash that normally goes to vending machines or convenience stores. Your body will be grateful as well. The benefits of health outweigh the costs.
Check out these suggestions.

* Celery sticks with peanut butter and several raisins on top
* Rice cakes with peanut butter (good for getting a protein punch)
* Low-fat cheese cubes
* Hardboiled eggs
* Deviled egg (wrapped in plastic wrap)
* Fruit yogurt cup (add in some fresh fruits or nuts for a boost
* Trail mix
* Nuts or nut mix (stick to just a handful)
* Vegetable sticks with a little packet of dip (lowfat salad dressing packets found in salad bars work as easy-to-pack dip)
* Broccoli or cauliflower bites
* Half of a turkey or tuna sandwich on whole-wheat bread
* Cucumber slices (lightly salted or with nonfat Italian dressing)
* Yogurt and granola
* Leftover chicken or turkey slices (great to eat cold)
* Healthy fiber-rich or grain cereal (great to eat dry from a baggie)
* Pickles (wrapped in foil or plastic wrap)
* Box of raisins or other dried fruit
* Half a large whole wheat bagel with light cream cheese
* Apples, bananas, strawberries (any fruit works, these are naturally portable)
* Mixed berries (these freeze well in plastic bags)
* Whole-wheat crackers and low-fat string cheese
* Grapes in a baggie
* Fruit smoothie in a thermos
* Tuna and cottage cheese in mini-containers

The trick here is to be prepared and get creative! Get your fresh fruits and vegetables on the weekend in preparation for the week’s snacking. Keep small-sized plastic containers for packing up small portions. Take note of the healthy foods you need to keep stocked in the house for future quick and healthy snack preparation. These will become automatic items for your grocery list. You may find that you start to replace a few nonessential, calorie-wasting items with your new healthy snack list.

Stay Consistent With the ‘Go-To’ Meal

You open the fridge and panic sets in. The cupboards elicit a similar response. Same for the pantry. You have no time and have to come up with dinner – and fast. But what will satisfy your hunger without requiring an hour of prep time? In the final hope that something new and exciting will appear, you open the fridge door one last time.

Take a moment, take a deep breath and relax. Before you speed off to the drive-thru as an “easy” solution to fixing dinner, consider this: there are countless “Go-To” Meals that will make cooking swift and simple. When you’re at a loss for time and ideas, you can turn to these without much thought.

Go-To Meals allow you to put in minimal effort while maximizing taste and nutritional value. These meals are quick, easy, and can be a staple in your diet. Only a few ingredients are required, so preparation and clean-up don’t cut deeply into your hectic schedule.

To create your own Go-To Meal, start with a few of your favorite ingredients. You’ll learn to depend on them when you’re in a time crunch. On your next trip to the grocery store, stock up on easy foods that you can whip up in minutes.
These meals should be quick, but still have nutritional benefits. Here are a few of our suggestions:

* Peanut butter and jelly is an old favorite that’s even better when served on toasted whole wheat bread.
* Pita pocket sandwiches are delectably stuffed with veggies and healthy lunch meat. Its shape is perfect for eating on-the-go. For some variety, try a whole grain bagel sandwich.
* Peas and tuna are a breeze. Open a can of each, mix, microwave, and you’re set. For a little more flavor, jazz it up with some spices or more vegetables.
* Oatmeal isn’t just for breakfast! Heat some up for any meal of the day. With so many flavors to choose from, you don’t need an excuse to get this boost of fiber.
* Beans and brown rice cover two of your main energy sources. The protein in the beans fuels your muscles, while the complex carbs in the rice provides lasting energy. To save time, try a quick-cook variety of brown rice.
* Low-sodium soup and crackers will fill you up fast. Add some fresh or even canned vegetables for more nutrients.
* Whole wheat pancakes taste great, no matter what time is blinking on the clock. With a powdered mix, you can be flipping some hotcakes in a flash. To save more time, toast frozen whole wheat waffles.
* Chicken burritos are probably easier to make than you might think. Heat chicken, beans and vegetables, and wrap them in a whole wheat tortilla. Sprinkle on low-fat cheese and you’ve nearly hit all of the major food groups with one bite.

By Liz Noelcke, Staff Writer

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