21 Day Food Rehab Restart - Day 8 (week 2):6/23/14

Breakfast
Bran cereal, strawberries,  skin milk

Snack
Nectarines

Lunch
Pasta with low fat cheese, peppers,  onions; turkey patty; chicken dumpsticks; 94% fat free popcorn; 2 bananas

Snack
Starbuck Protein Bistro Box

Dinner
Chicken with brown rice

21 Day Food Rehab Restart - week 1 completed

With week 1 under my belt, I feel I can go all the way.  But I have to admit it was not easy a times - craving chocolate,  crackers, and cookies; eating grilled chicken instead of fried chicken. But I am a few pounds lighter this week for my efforts.

21 Day Food Rehab Restart - Day 7 (6/23/14)

Breakfast
Bran cereal,  strawberries,  skim milk

Lunch
Lettuce, tomatoes,  colored peppers, purple onions,  cheese, salad dressing

Snack
94% fat free popcorn

Dinner
Grilled chicken

Snack
94% fat free popcorn

21 Day Food Rehab Restart - Day 6 (6/22/14)

Breakfast
2 scrambled eggs with low fat cheese, wheat toast with cheese,  banana

Lunch
Ground turkey taco meat, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, taco sauce

Dinner
Veggie medley ( broccoli,  cauliflower,  celery,  carrots), broiled chicken breast (2 oz.), turkey burger, corn on the cob

Snack
94% fat free popcorn

15 in 15 - My Sojourn to Labor Day: Week 5

Last week was much better: lost about 3 lbs, worked out 5 of 7 days (power walking, cardio - stationary bike,  circuit training).

Plans for the upcoming week - continue with the 21-Day Restart diet and working @ least 4 days.

21 Day Food Rehab Restart - Day 5 (6/21/14)

Breakfast
Latte, omelet with cheese and bacon, 0-calorie sports drink

Lunch
Lima beans, grilled chicken,  cornbread, broccoli and cauliflower

Dinner
Bran cereal, skim milk

Snack
Movie theater popcorn - :(

21 Day Food Rehab Restart - Day 4 (6/20/14)

Breakfast

Bran cereal, skim milk, bananas

Lunch

Mixed salad greens, grilled chicken breast, low-fat cheese,  sugar free raspberry vinegareitte dressing

Snack

Almonds

Dinner

Lettuce, tomatoes,  low-fat cheese, sour cream,  ground turkey taco meat

21 Day Food Rehab Restart - Days 2 & 3 (6/18 & 6/19/14)

Day 2 meals (6/18/14)
Breakfast - bran cereal, skim milk, bananas, Splenda, coffee
Snack - mixed fruit salad (bananas, strawberries, kiwis, peaches)
Lunch - broiled chicken thigh, lima beans and black-eyed peas, summer squash with low-fat cheese 
Dinner - wild rice, summer squash with low-fat cheese 

Day 3 meals (6/19/14)
Breakfast - bran cereal, skim milk, bananas, Splenda, coffee
Snack - bananas (2)
Lunch - salad greens, reduced-fat cheese, grilled chicken breast, sugar-free raspberry vinaigrette dressing, rice, summer squash with low-fat cheese 
Snack - 94% fat-free popcorn
Dinner - wild rice, rutabaga, broiled chicken thigh

Really haven't missed the junk. 

I'm in it to win it!

21 Day Food Rehab Restart - Day 1 (6/17/14)

I found this posted on Facebook this week and decided to jump-start my eating habits by following these guidelines.  Also, after reading the post, I decided to visit the website (www.BlackWeightLossSuccess.com) to learn more about the challenge: June 2014 Portion Control Challenge.  Interestingly, many of the guidelines and principles discussed on the website are well-promoted by the medical community - keeping a food diary, reading food labels, set a daily calorie target, eating more, smaller meals, etc. This is a testament that there are affordable weight management options if you are willing to do the research,

As a general rule of thumb, it always a good idea to validate health information with reputable sources - your physician is always a good starting point.  

I posted this in my kitchen, even at work!  Sometimes the worst place for me to manage my eating is my office.  I'm engaging co-workers to help me stay on track.  The more people you are accountable to, the more likely you will be accountable.

Day 1 meals
Breakfast - bran cereal, skim milk, bananas, Splenda, coffee
Snack - banana
Lunch - salad greens, reduced-fat cheese, grilled chicken breast, sugar-free raspberry vinaigrette dressing
Snack - banana
Dinner - broiled chicken thigh, lima beans, summer squash with low-fat cheese 

Surprisingly I didn't feel deprived.  For the most part, I wasn't hungry.

On to Day 2!

MONDAY'S MEDS: The DOCTOR IS IN (6/17/2013) - 5 Ways to Fight Fat with Ayurveda

Ayurveda? Ever heard of it?  I had not until I read this article (5 Ways to Fight Fat with Ayurveda) on Dr. Oz's website. 

Ayurveda is the ancient medical system of India.  According to the article, this system uses techniques to ignite digestive fire to help rid your body of fat.    Unlike most Western forms of medicine, Ayurveda focus on why your fat cells are getting bigger and provides solutions that work long-term.  The key to ayurvedic medicine is the concept 'ama' - translated "toxins". Toxic impurities accumulate in our bodies over time - poor diet, stress, environmental  pollutants.  Some toxins are water-soluble which are easily removed by diet and exercise; others are fat-soluble, sticking to your fat cells and expanding as they accumulate - leading to weight gain, especially in the stubborn areas of the stomach, hips, and thighs.  The ayurvedic techniques target removing 'ama' from your body, thus shrinking your fat cells. The older we get, the more 'ama' accumulates in our bodies.  But it doesn't have to be that way.  The 5 techniques individually are helpful; but done together, you will experience impressive weight loss. Following the daily habits and detox programs in this article to remove the toxins will lessen them becoming a chronic issue leading to weight gain. 

WEDNESDAY'S WISDOM - GETTING OVER THE HUMP! (1-9-13)

TESTIFY SOMEBODY!

Lack of Sleep May Lead to Weight Gain

Regularly getting less than 6 hours per day can alter appetite hormone levels, according researcher cited in this Runner's World article - Lack of Sleep May Lead to Weight Gain.

50 X 50 - 4 lbs. lost, 46 lbs to go

I've been back on Weight Watchers for about 3 weeks and I've lost 4 lbs.  - could have been more, but I wasn't disciplined during the July 4th holiday. Tracking hasn't been my strong suit - but you know just because you didn't write it down doesn't mean you did eat.  The scales are going in the right direction and that's what's important.

50 BY 50!

Well, it's July 8th.  Getting closer to a milestone birthday - 50, the half-century mark. WOW!  That's 10 months, 47 weeks, 304 days away.  Not much time at all. And while I have reasonably good health (thank you, God), I haven't yet reached my weight goal.  I really have put forth the effort I needed to, but that changes now.  Today starts my 50 by 50 campaign - lose 50 pounds by my 50th birthday. Losing about 1 pound a week is not too ambitious - to some, it may even seem almost laughable.  But considering the pitfalls of the long holiday season ahead of me - it's a smart strategy.  Besides, permanent weight loss is much more achievable and sustainable when it's done slowly. 

Check out my progress by looking for the Looking Good, Girlfriend! ticker.

REMEMBER - the tortoise, not the hare, won the race!

My Newest Weight Loss 'Weapon'

Down another 3 lbs this week - felt really good weighing this week.  Just as I drove up to the Weight Watchers meeting, it started pouring down raining.  But I would not be deterred. 

I must say I had a little help from my orthodontist in helping me stick to my Points.  He instructed that I need to wear my upper retainer essentially full-time - the only time I'm not wearing it is when I eat. It's a pain taking in and out, so I'm not snacking much now between meals.   Maybe I'm on to the next great weight loss fad - HMM?

If I Lose 1 Pound a Week ...

Some encouraging words that hopefully get you through the tough times -

This is a journey, not a destination.

(I picked up this bookmark at my last Weight Watchers meeting, and thought I would share it.)

Transform Yourself and Win

Dr. Oz has done it again!  This time, he has teamed up with Weight Watchers to  create Dr. Oz's Transformation Nation: Million Dollar You, a life-changing plan that will literally transform your health!  And you might become a MILLION DOLLARS richer!!!!

Jefferson County is on the Move to Lose!

The Jefferson County Department of Health (Birmingham, AL) has partnered with several nonprofit organizations to implement a new initiative - Champions for Health.   This coalition is working to bring resources to residents of Jefferson County to encourage physical activity, reduce obesity, expand food access, advance smoke-free policies, reduce tobacco use and improve the overall health of its citizenry.  And speaking of moving, the CFH is promoting exercise and physical activity through its October Walking Challenge.  The challenge is pin conjunction with Blue Cross Blue Shields' Walking Works.  The BCBS program is nationwide so anyone can take part.  I took the challenge today and completed my first miles (3.24 miles).

Check it out!