personnal weight loss weapons!

thought it would be interesting f we all shared tips/advice on what one change / food / diet plan etc has been an intregal key in our weight loss journies! the thread would not only inspire ideas but encourage others of trying new approaches and methods or realise where there own diet and weight loss plans have become ' stuck '! so come on, who wants to go first . . . . share your secrets! ; )

1. Fruit in the morning to aid digestion

2. Fiber Gourmet Whole Wheat Pasta - just 120 calories a serving and 20 grams of fiber! Yum!

3. Green tea with a squeeze of lemon juice 4x a day

4. Plenty of water

5. Sparkling water with a splash of orange juice

6. Switching up cardio machines at the gym (Stairmaster, elliptical, treadclimber, stationary bike)

7. Stability ball training (long, lean muscles!)

8. Carrot sticks with guacamole at night :)

I switched to olive oil.

Eat fat free food whenever possible.

Get plenty of sleep.

Walk a mile three nights a week. 

 

i was looking for a place to post this, and this is the perfect thread.  a year ago, i got a manual, reel lawnmower.  if you grew up in the 70s, you know what i'm talking about, but they still make them, and they're better, smoother, less work that the rusty old ones you remember.  but they're still a lot of work.

my yard isn't huge, but it takes me 90 to mow, and at least 30 of that is aerobic, because i have a hill.  it's great!  i can get my exercise and accomplish a chore at the same time.

Original Post by pgeorgian:

i was looking for a place to post this, and this is the perfect thread.  a year ago, i got a manual, reel lawnmower.  if you grew up in the 70s, you know what i'm talking about, but they still make them, and they're better, smoother, less work that the rusty old ones you remember.  but they're still a lot of work.

my yard isn't huge, but it takes me 90 to mow, and at least 30 of that is aerobic, because i have a hill.  it's great!  i can get my exercise and accomplish a chore at the same time.

mowing is good! mowed my parents garden about a week ago. it is a very steep hill, and i am a woman and tried mowing for the second time of my life, so although the mower was electric, pushing the thing all the way to the upper part of the garden, and then sort of traing to slow it when going down, was an exercise:))) i do not think it will be my favourite chore ever, but it was not band, and the garden looked nicely!

1. Quitting soda and only drinking water

2. Special K Protein Meal replacement bars - filling and the choc chip ones take care of my chocolate cravings

3. Weighing every day

4. Tons of cardio and strength training

5. Updating my Ipod workout mixes frequently:)

Original Post by bostonshelly:

1. Quitting soda and only drinking water

2. Special K Protein Meal replacement bars - filling and the choc chip ones take care of my chocolate cravings

3. Weighing every day

4. Tons of cardio and strength training

5. Updating my Ipod workout mixes frequently:)

 bostonshelly, I update my iPod frequently too...I just added Madonna's new song "4 minutes". That song gets me fast moving at the gym every time I hear it!!!

I'm the cook for my house, which is full of hungry boys, so I've not really been able to make that many diet changes without cooking one meal for them and another for me.  My compromise has been that I cook mostly for them, but sneek in lots of veggies when they're not looking, make tasty healthy stuff and enough of it for them, then serve to them on full sized dinner plates and me on a side plate.  I could still easily eat as much as any of them, but I don't need it, and haven't yet left the table still hungry.

I have committed myself to living a healthy lifestyle (not a temporary diet).  This has resulted in weight loss, which in turn enabled me to start a modest exercise program.

For breakfast I alternate egg whites, unsweetened mueslix and Irish oatmeal - and whole eggs once a week as well.  Irish Oatmeal needs half an hour cooking time, but hasn't had everything processed out of it.  It has a somewhat crunchy texture and a slightly "nutty" flavor. 

If I'm having lots of protein for lunch and dinner, then I will select carbs for breakfast.  (and vice versa).

Have been baking my own whole grain breads and rolls (and have started adding nuts as well).

Most of all, my husband is totally onboard with this lifestyle change.  He has lost 25 lbs. and is within 2 lbs. of his goal weight.  It sure makes it so much easier when we both eat the same foods.  We do our daily weigh ins and give each other moral support!

90 calories Snickers Ice-Cream minis.  Sooo good and just 90 calories.  It's something naughty, but small enough that it doesn't really hurt my diet.  It's a good reward.

Logging everything I eat, but not stressing about going over too much.

Positive attitude.  This is the hardest and most useful part of my diet.  Being positive helps me keep up my energy and keep going.  My mantra is "Keep on tuckin'" and it really really helps.

Wii Fit is coming to me soon!  I'm sure that will be a huge help!

My main change I've made that's helped my weight loss is eating at set itmes every day. It sounds obvious, but in the fat days I was a serial snacker and ate whenever I was even the least bit hungry. Now I know that I can't possibly REALLY be hungry if I ate a good breakfast and it's only an hour since then. It's helped a lot! :)

weighing yourselfevery day!  I feel this has been great for me.  If I don't see the scale going down I do not get discouraged I just keep moving and then for sure I know it is going to  go down soon!  And that is all the encouragemnet I need.

Fiber chewables are a must for me.  I know that is helping me also. But..er..so imbarraced.  Does any one have a problem out there with passing too much gass on these?  I am starting to worry about that...I think today it is a run to the drug store and beano for me.  Anyone else having an issue with that? 

Any how ...

A. Tons of water (trusty Nalgene with a straw);

B. logging all calories (even if I go over the daily amount), and making sure I eat enough calories every day;

C. scaling down portions of meals and snacks ("am I hungry or do I just want a taste?");

D. drinking tea (lately I've been into different flavors of green tea) or chewing a piece of gum instead of constant snacking;

E. bringing lunch to work and politely refusing the candy dish/homemade cookies/etc etc (I've found that refusing everything makes it easier for me than saying "ok" to some things and no to others, plus if you always refuse, the co-workers won't bother you so much);

lastly, F. having a smart treat, i.e. fruit bar (Edy's brand = 30 calories), yogurt and granola, pineapple & grapefruit, to satisfy the sweet craving.

A. Water Bottle Mixers (Crystal Light Wild Strawberry is amazing)

B. Vitamin C. only because I never get sick anymore.

C. Peanut Butter insead of sweets. Peanut butter with any fruit.

D. Switching from regular coke to diet coke

E. Weighing once every week

Carrot sticks.  A one-pound bag is 200 calories.  After half a bag, I'm stuffed (and no longer looking for a high-cal treat).

Miracle Noodles  I eat them at least once a day.  No calories no nothing and they fill me up.   A bowl of noodles with Cajun vegetables and I only have room for one small serving of pizza. (and a beer, light of course!)

Knowing that this is my life and I choose to eat healthy and not a diet.

Weighing daily but not freaking out because of water weight!

Wow, where do I begin. A whole life style change. Not a diet.

Log everything I eat, weigh in almost everyday, no snacking except once between breakfast and lunch or lunch and dinner. Usually an apple or some carrotts and celery.

I cut out butter, mayonnaise and ketchup. Mustard has zero calories. :) Only fat free sour cream if any. Mostly use fat free plain yogurt in place of sour cream. Works great in tuna casserole.

Strawberries, apples, watermelon, cantaloupe, oranges.

These noodles only 40 calories in a whole bag. Really good with spaghetti. http://www.locarbu.com/catalog/index.php?main _page=product_info&cPath=19&products_ id=767

Eat slower. I always ate really fast. Eating slower has helped me eat less.

Drink an entire bottle of water before dinner and then another during dinner.

Drink lots of water and green tea during the day.

Exercise everyday. More on the weekend so I can eat more  :) I stretch, weight-lift, leg lifts, abb work and do some Pilate's everyday. During the week 12 minutes on the elliptical, 40 on the treadmill. Weekends 1 1/2 hours on the treadmill. 1 hour first thing in the morning. 1/2 after dinner. Same stretching and weights as during the week.

Turkey burgers, butternut squash fries, fat free ruffles and baked tostitos, salsa, Boca burger, (original) yummy.

egg beaters, wheat puff cereal only 60 calories a cup, cheerios, rice crispies, wheat flakes. 1% fat free milk, turkey wrap at subway, sweet potatoes, fat free whole wheat bread, chili with beans and peppers, no meat. Sugar free smucker's jelly, reduced fat Jiff, Light Original - Flatout Light, Natural Nutrition Red Wheat Cereal Salad before dinner. Sugar free Mrs. Butter-worths syrup, sugar free Smucker's strawberry topping, reduced fat bisquick. (I love pancakes) half water, half 1% milk, egg whites to make the pancakes. Cut up fresh strawberries and eat one with strawberries and one with maple syrup. Sooo good.

Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Extra Wide Noodles
 These are just some of my favorite low cal foods.

On Friday night I eat the dinner I want with desert. My favorite lately has been a chicken grinder, no cheese, mayo or butter, Sputnik's which are potatoes with cheese. I ask for half the cheese and a cookie bar and a brownie with icing. Don't eat desert any other day. I live for Friday dinner. :)

When I order pizza out I always ask for half the cheese. Never get meat and usually get thin crust.

Original Post by leanne21071:

Miracle Noodles  I eat them at least once a day.  No calories no nothing and they fill me up.   A bowl of noodles with Cajun vegetables and I only have room for one small serving of pizza. (and a beer, light of course!)

Knowing that this is my life and I choose to eat healthy and not a diet.

Weighing daily but not freaking out because of water weight!

 Wait wait wait... where did you find these Miracle Noodles?! They sound amazinngggg!
No calories for noodles? Possibly better than the tofu shirataki (which I still have yet to try)

I got mine from miraclenoodle.com but I think you might be able to get them from Asian grocery stores just different brands.  They are shirataki noodles or Konnyaku noodles without the tofu.  If you try them get the thinist ones you can.  Like angle hair pasta.  I have heard the thicker ones might be a turn off if your not used to the texture.  I think the angle hair is a lot like a firm ramain noodle.  They have no flavor until you add something.

I used to eat  spaghetti squash for the noodle thing but now I just eat it for the squash and I get real noodle satisfaction from these.  Sorry I should be on an infomercial.

i really think you shouldnt weigh your self every day, minimum of every other day, i prefer every week...

eat more fish

 

I find if I keep myself busy doing yard work cleaning house ect. and drink lots of water then I only eat when I need fuel to keep going. On off days I ..... what's that I don't have off days, I am a MOM..