Dive In!

It is so easy to get caught up in the "excitement" of starting a new diet or weight routine. You picture yourself standing in front of the mirror trying to get the best view of your new tight behind. There isn't anything wrong with that! The problem is keeping up that initial energy despite the lure of cheesecake! It is very hard to lose weight and keep it off. If it were easy, wouldn't we all be buying size 8?

I've crashed and burned many a time when it comes to diets. I finally reached the conclusion that dieting is just a bad idea! Losing weight isn't about a diet, it is about healthier choices and changed attitudes. It isn't really that simple. But there are a few little tips that I have learned on my journey that may help you out too!

Get Started...

1. Meet the Measuring Tape. Yes, this is your new friend. Get out an index card and pen and start measuring. No cheating either! Don't suck it in! Measure your biceps, chest, upper abs, waist, hips, thighs...whatever you want to see imporvements on. Write it down and date it. Measure again in 2 weeks.

 2. Say "hi" to the scale. I avoided the scale for years. When I decided to give it a try, I was shocked and very upset. I felt sick to the see those numbers! Now I weigh myself every morning before breakfast It feels great to see a change, even a pound a week! It is important to remember that the body's weight fluctuates from day to day, so don't panic if you see a small gain here and there. This is just a tool to keep you from straying too far off the path.

3. Strike a pose. Put on a pair of shorts and a tank top and have someone take your picture. Not many of us like the way we look in photos, and this picture probably won't be an exception. Put the picture on the refrigerator or pantry door to remind you of where you have been and where you want to go with your weight. Later, when you are looking hot, look back at the picture to see your new changes!

The Little Things...

1. Water. Bet you saw that coming! I really don't like water. I would much rather have a tea or coke, but I always order water when I go out to eat and save the soda for a treat. I take on sip for every bite I take. I fill up faster and get my needed hydration. I carry a bottle around everywhere! Bottled water was getting expensive, so I bought a water filtration pitcher and use that water to keep my saved bottles full.

2. Don't buy it! Never go to the store hungry, and try to plan meals ahead of time so you will buy your needed items only. If you know that you have a weakness, try to avoid it. But most importantly, just don't touch it. Walk away!

3. Appetizers are such teasers! I love to eat out, and my favorite restaurants serve chips and salsa or bread sticks. I'm not going to deprive anyone else, but I just don't want to go there. So I place the dessert menu and salt and pepper shakers, ect. between me and the tempting appetizer and push it as far from me as possible. It is hard sometimes, but it can become a habit.

4. Measure it! When I first started measuring my food, I was shocked to find that I was actually eating 3 servings of cereal for breakfast! It was very hard to get used to smaller portions, but now it is second nature. My body went through an adjustment period also, but I'm never hungry now. I still eat quite a bit, even sweets. I just don't eat as much of them as I did before.

5. Do I have to have that? I used to see eating out as such a reward. It was all about a big, delicious meal. Then I realized that there would be plenty of opportunities in my life to eat all of these delicious foods. I don't need to eat cheese enchiladas every time I go to a mexican food restaurant. I don't need to eat fettucine alfredo every time either. I change it up and have dicovered meals that are healthier and don't leave me feeling so guilty.

6. On the side, please. Cheese and dressing. I used to think that a salad wasn't a salad until you added the "good stuff." Too bad that good stuff is really the bad stuff. Now I ask for these items on the side, so I can decide how much I want on my salad.

7. Find a calorie counter. There are many websites that offer free calorie counters. I'm no slave to the calorie counter, but I do enter in my foods at least once a week just to keep me honest! The little things add up, and now I have a pretty good idea of how much I'm consuming without entering it in.

8. Break out the "skinny" jeans. I just had another baby, and I know it will be awhile before I'm back in those stretch denim size 8s, but that doesn't stop me from looking at them every once in awhile. I'll pull them out of the closet once a week and know that I'll be wearing these again one day. It may be awhile, but I'm not going to throw them out. That seems like it would be giving up.

9. Break out the "not-so-skinny" jeans. I love the fact that my first post-pregnancy jeans are starting to get a little bigger in the waist and backside. I wear them often still (because nothing else fits!), and I actually enjoy having to pull them up as I walk. I won't throw these out either. These are going to be my little reminder of where I've been and how far I have come.

10. Feel proud. When you eat a healthy meal or put down the tempting (but unneccesary) treat, feel proud! It isn't easy to make these changes.

11. Revamp your recipes. I love recipe exploration online. There are so many wonderful recipes on the web, many of which are already healthier. But don't we all have our comfort foods, our favorites? I love to eat ice cream and chocolate cake (a habit passed down from my parents!) Below you can find my easy quick-fix Chocolate Brownie Sundae, remodeled!

12. Don't do it alone. My healthy habits are just for me, they are for my whole family. I make meals for all of us to enjoy. I fix the same thing for us all. I'm not going to eat a separate meal and watch them eat something that is no better for them than it is for me. When I make recipe changes (such as fat-free milk instead of regular), they don't have a clue anyway! Also, find some support in a friend with the same goals or even online in forums or discussion boards.

I hope that these few tips will make your change a little easier! It is so hard to break bad habits and change your way of thinking and feeling about food. I'm still a work-in-progress and will be for a long time... That is just the way it is. This is a challenge, but challenges can be conquered!

Chocolate Brownie Sundae, Remodeled

Invest in a box of fat-free brownie mix in a box. Take 2 tablespoons of the mix and place it in the bottom of a coffee cup. Add 1 tablespoon of water and blend. Pop the cup in the microwave for 30 seconds. You'll have the perfect cake-like brownie. Top with a scoop of lowfat ice cream or yogurt and a marachino cherry. Fast and satisfying!