[Renee3]

Happy Easter Everyone!

Corinna - I accept the challenge! So glad to see you back!

We can do this!

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Yesterday:
B - oatmeal
S - Banana
L - Soup and sandwich
S - Apple
D - Steak, veggies and small piece of anniversary cake
__

[TERAPET]

Happy Easter all! Mine was very festive but very high in calories by the end of the day. I love these once a year menus but they are doozies. Tomorrow is the day though. I am dropping my daily bad habits and resolving to get to my Y classes four days a week.

Corrina, I love your suggestion but I have a hard time going completely cold turkey. I get so unhappy and I have to focus on it so completely. But I must admit, I have not made much progress lately and I have a wedding to attend soon. I guess I can try and see how it goes. I do hate the thought of eating contaminated indulgences...yikes! Goodness knows, if my lovely food indulgences are now contaminated, I will have to find something else to fill the void-like those Y classes I keep missing for one excuse or another.

[Corinna T]

Thats great Renee!! Yes we will do this!!

My meals for today were:
B-Cereal
S-Apple
L-Salad
D-Veggie Flatbread Sub

I did go for a slow jog this morning, and a walk this evening with my pooch. So day 1 feels pretty good so far. I even passed up the left over Easter treats in the office.

Terapet-It was just a suggestion I thought I would share. It is the one I am using right now to keep myself away from the sweets. I had some melon and grapes in my salad today. I told myself this is my new dessert. I won't get sick eating that. It worked for day 1. I don't have the will power to moderate my amounts, so I have to go cold turkey. Hope you have a successful day 1 too.

[Corinna T]

by Suzanne Hiscock
https://www.fitwatch.com/blog/7-small-changes-to-melt-off-10lbs-of-fat

Sometimes it feels like you have to work hard to lose weight. And don’t get
me wrong—I know that fat loss takes effort. But sometimes we make it
more complicated than necessary, don’t you think? If you’ve got bad
food habits, you can shed 10 pounds easily just by making small changes
in your daily diet regimen. Make some of these small changes and watch
the weight peel off.

Change #1: When cooking, quit using fatty oils to flavor up and moisten
your dish. Instead, steam your food or use a pressure cooker. Cook it in
broth and you’ll still get the flavor without all of the calories. Oil can
house 39 calories teaspoon. Steam or pressure-cook your food and you
save 273 calories a week (and this is if you only use one tsp, which most
people actually use much more)!

Change #2: Ramp up your exercise during the day. Most people walk, on
average, between 5,000 and 7,000 steps per day. It’s been said that in
order to lose weight, you need to get in 10,000 steps per day. Add an
additional 3,000-4,000 steps per day and you’ll rack up an extra
1.5-2 miles each day. If you weigh 180 pounds, you would burn about 97
more calories per day if you walked a 15-minute mile. That burns 679
calories more per week!

Change #3: Say goodbye to full fat salad dressing and introduce a leaner
option to your greens and veggies! Full fat salad dressing like Ranch has a
whopping 148 calories for every two tablespoons. If you get Kraft
Lite Done Right – you’ll slash it in half, putting only 77 calories on your
salad instead. Eat a salad every day and you’re preventing 497 calories
from hitting your hips!

Change #4: Choose lean meats from now on. Whether it’s on your
sandwich or something from the grill, the fat that flavors your meat
selections adds extra calories to your weekly intake. If you like Oscar
Meyer, instead of eating their 88-calorie per slice bologna, try their fat free
smoked turkey option for just 42 calories per slice. Save 322 calories per
week!

Change #5: Switch from a Peppermint Mocha Twist Frappachino at
Starbucks (470 calories) to a Mint Mocha Chip Frappachino Light for just
210 calories and save 260 calories a day – which totals 1,820 calories
per week! Coffee – especially at chain stores – that’s iced and laden with
sugar can really pack on the pounds.

Change #6: Swap alcohol for a different kind of bubbly. Red wine can
deliver 150 calories per 6-ounce glass each time you drink it. Many people
like to enjoy a glass of red wine at the end of a long, hard day. But
switch to sparkling water and you have zero calories. If you want to, add a
splash of cranberry juice for about 17 calories (for one ounce). You’ll save
anywhere from 931 to 1,050 calories a week if you only have one
per day!

Change #7: How do you dress up your sandwiches when you take them
to work or eat them at home? Is mayonnaise your best friend? Tell him
you have a new BFF – mustard. While the white spread is packed with fat
and calories, mustard has a ton of flavor and it’s much more diet friendly.
Mayo has 49 calories per tablespoon and mustard only has 3 per teaspoon.
You can save 322 calories per week making this simple change!

These small changes add up to a minimum of 4,844 calories saved or burned each week.
If we know that a pound equals 3,500 calories, then you should see those 10 pounds gone
in just over 7 weeks!

Even if you don’t eat any of the foods up above, look at what you’re eating during the
week and find ways to find versions that have less calories (always watching for added
sugars though!).

[Renee3]

Well, yesterday was a total disaster I ate way too much! Today I will get back on track!

Corinna - I missed your postings. Glad to see you back! Thanks for the tips!

Beautiful day here...sunny and warm.

[Annii2901]

Thanks Corinna, I'm thinking of investing in a pedometer

Anni

[WebWoman]

Welcome back Corinna! I also accept your challenge. :-)

Easter was a great family visit but traditional foods with lots of calories. I allowed myself a break day so do not feel guilty this morning, and am back to eating healthy.
1. I'd like to lose 1 - 2 lbs every week, although I know that can't be done consistently.
2. I know that won't happen unless I step up my exercise; walking works best for me with some exercise classed at the rec center thrown in.
3. I'd like to get to 155 lbs, at which time I will re-assess my goals.

This is my year for taking care of myself. I'm taking care of varicose veins (phlebectomy is scheduled), a deviated septum - nose (surgery is scheduled), replacing a crown (appt is scheduled), getting an eye exam(scheduled), getting a colonoscopy (not yet ), and writing my will (done but not signed)...all things that I have put off for way too long. The only thing not done is losing the weight that I NEED to lose.

I'm going to suck it up and lose the weight as well. I just think of how good I'll feel after my jelly belly is gone!

REALITY CHECK: Went to the store to get a new dress for Easter...tried on a few in the size I "thought" I was and looked like a sausage in all them. ARGGGGH! The weight creeps up so slowly you don't realize how much it is unless you're in that fitting room!

Andi

[drkirish]

Hi to everyone.
My name is Diane and I just joined today. I love the "vibe" of the post here! I turned 50 Jan 4 2015 and promised myself I would "live my best life" in all areas of my life. Problem is I never got started.
I would love to join in with you ladies and start "living my best life"!
Corrine...I enjoyed reading the 7 small changes
My goal is to lose the 30 lbs I've gained over the last 4 yrs

[Renee3]

Drkirish....so glad to have you join! You will find lots of motivation and good tips here. We usually weigh-in on Saturday. Hope you have a wonderful week!

[TERAPET]

I am thinking of posting the calories in my bad choices in a day. My goal is to get that number lower over time. Today was 710. Leftover Easter goodies at work and at home. It shouldn't be too hard to do beat that tomorrow. Todays exercise was step class at the Y.

Corinna-I prefer to abstain rather than moderate also, for most things anyway. However, I usually drop one bad habit at a time-not all at once. Unfortunately, I have a bunch of bad habits to shed so it make take awhile to get there. So far I have dropped potato chips and cookies. This week I am working on the alcohol drink before dinner (sometimes accompanied by crackers as well). I started working on this last week and was not all that successful at it. It feels a lot easier this week though, thankfully. Next week I will have to work on the sweets. I told you I had a lot of bad habits. Anyway, I am going to try to push myself more.

Andi-wow, I am impressed with all the things you are getting done. Way to go.

Hi Diane!

[Renee3]

Did ok yesterday:

B - oatmeal
L- omelet
S - banana
D - hamburger and veggies

[Corinna T]

Today's activities were:
Morning walk with hubby and pooch.
B-Cereal
L-Salad
D-Taco Salad
I need to add a healthy snack in between meals so I don't get so hungry.
Especially in the morning. My stomach was growling like a lion today.

Oh no Renee, well, we all have days like that. Glad you set your sights
back on the right direction. Enjoy your sunny warm weather.
Are you getting ready to plant a garden yet? That burns up some calories
too. Thanks for your comments!

Welcome Annii! Pedometers are good motivators. They help you
keep track of how much you are moving around in the day. Some work
better than others. I have used a couple, but both were kind of old
fashioned, so I don't have a brand I would recommend. I think a few
others on this thread are/or have used them and may be able to
recommend something modern and effective. Glad to have you join
the group.

Yeah Andi!! Glad you are up to the challenge. It sounds like you
enjoyed your Easter, and your haven't forgotten to get back on track with
your focus. Wow, you have been busy taking care of yourself!! You got
me smiling with the reality check situation. That just happened to me
too. I blamed the clothes, they were made in the wrong country, but alas,
I know the real truth is that I have grown in the wrong areas.

Hello Diane and welcome! Happy belated birthday and for
reaching that milestone where your new life begins. You have made the
first step by reaching out to others for support. We look forward to
sharing with you in the days that follow. We are all striving for the same
goal. Let's do it together!

Terapet-l like your idea of posting bad habits. It sounds like it will
motivate you by making you more accountable for your choices. Nice
approach with dropping a bad habit per week. That sounds more doable
than everything at once. I look forward to your future posts.

[Corinna T]

Here is an article that I read today and thought I would share it with you
too. I had to keep reading it a few times just to get the medical
terminology to sink in, but in the end I got their point. Do you agree?

Blame the Crave on your Brain!

Did you know reduced activity in the area of the brain that controls
self-discipline may increase high-calorie cravings?

A study published in Psychosomatic Medicine: Journal of
Bio-behavioral Medicine showed that decreased brain activity in
the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of the brain resulted in cravings
for higher calorie food and an increased intake of junk food.

The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex assists with impulse control.
Numerous studies have shown that increased activity in this area
of the brain will reduce food cravings. This small study used MRI
imagery to show that a decrease in brain activity in this area
caused a surge of unhealthy eating.

The research suggests the best solution to improve impulse control
and healthy eating is to develop a healthy brain. To develop a
healthy brain, increase aerobic exercise, limit alcohol intake, and
get adequate amounts of sleep. Keep this lesson in mind as you
pass the store holiday candy displays and when temptations and
junk food are abundant.

Tip of the Week:
To reduce high fat, high calorie junk food cravings,
increase your brain power. Get more exercise and get more sleep!

[TERAPET]

Bad choices calorie total-300. Not bad for me. Exercise-Body Sculpt class at the Y. Pretty happy with my results today. Can't say it was without pain though-I miss the good stuff. However, hopefully it will pay off on the scale eventually.

Corrina-Interesting article. It did not make sense to me at first. I puzzled over it for awhile however and in the end I agree with the study. In my personal experience, less junk food equals less cravings. Since impulse control means less junk food and less junk food means less cravings, then impulse control = less cravings. I am not sure all decisions to eat junk food are impulsive though. Is purchasing ingredients at the store and spending hours making a dessert impulsive? Still, how often is that the problem? Perhaps the impulsive choices are the ones that add up and result in the biggest impact on weight control. Not an insurmountable problem though. Just rather unpleasant in the short run due to those awful cravings until one actually eliminates enough junk food to reach the threshold of less cravings! Oh, happy day.

[Corinna T]

Morning jog with the dog.
B-Cereal
L-Salad with fruit
S-Banana
D-Veggie Pizza, 2 slices with some veggie chips


Terapet-your improving with your food choices. That's a good day for you! Good job lady.
I had to read the article several times too. Aerobic exercise and some
good sleep= a brain to help control the junk food cravings. Guess I need
to get some more sleep.

Renee-you did good with your meals yesterday!