Why

As we once again approach the scales, some maybe with anxiety and others maybe with excitement, no matter what the scale says just keep in mind WHY you are on this journey and WHO you are doing it for.  The scale does not define us. A number is just that - a number, and we can't let it control who we are.  Let this be a journey about a happier, healthier YOU!!!

False advertising

*DISCLAIMER:  I may be in a high state of irrational thinking today, so beware the use of curse words and other such nonsense.


So I just saw an ad for a certain diet company - I won't tell you what company it is, but I'll give you a hint,  it sounds a lot like "Feight Fotchers".    Anyway, in their ad they claim "No food is ever off limits!"  And to that I call BULLS*&T!  


Now I'm normally the first person to tell you to never deprive yourself, never cut out a whole food group, never say you "can't" have something or you'll "never" eat something again.  That just totally F*#$'s up your brain (my brain) and wreaks havoc with your system.  Not to mention the harm it can do to your body, depending on what it is you decide you're never going to eat again. Especially if you try to do it long term.  And overall, I think that certain diet program the ad was for is a great program and a healthy way to lose weight. 


But today - today I have to be realistic.  And the realistic side of me says "Kiss my A&$ Feight Fotchers!!! No  I CAN'T eat anything I want!"  Okay, that might be the irrational side talking there mostly, but there is a bit of reality mixed in with it.  Because today, number one, is the day before weigh day.  And on the day before weigh day (when we're involved in a stupid competition ((Sorry KNRC - I really do appreciate you)) with overly competitive teammates ((sorry teammates - I really do love you all and am happy to be on your team)) who might slit my throat if I follow my urges) I REALLY CAN'T eat just whatever I want and some things ARE off limits.    For example, the fried pickles that I've been craving for the past two days, they are off limits. The deep dish pizza that I'd like to sink my teeth into - it is off limits.  The box of girl scout cookies in my freezer that is 15 feet away from me as I write this - they can't be opened.   Does that mean I will never eat fried pickles, deep dish pizza or girl scout cookies again?  HELL NO.  In fact, I might eat all of that tomorrow! LOL  (Just kidding - I am in NO WAY recommending anybody eat all of that in the same day).  But it means that because of my circumstances today, because of the scale tomorrow, and because I know I'm in a state of hormonal disarray and would likely binge if I even took a bite of any of that, I KNOW I CAN'T have that today. 


Does it piss me off?  Yeah, it does.  In the most irrational way, it does.  It makes me pout and sulk.  It might even make me say things I don't mean to people who don't deserve it (Sorry, Steph).  And it makes me get angry at innocent little banner ads that come up on the internet telling me no food is off limits.  But, you know what this REALLY is?  It's a victory.  It might be a victory disguised by a frowny face, but it's still a victory.  Because two months ago on a day like today I WOULD have eaten all of those things.  Yep, probably all in the same day. And then I would vow to start my healthy eating again tomorrow. 


So let's turn that phrase around a bit and say "Nothing is ALWAYS off limits."   But sometimes it just has to be. And you should celebrate the victory in knowing when and why.   And if you're a control freak like me and don't like being told what to do, celebrate the fact that YOU really DO have control by choosing what is right for you that day.  And by golly, on a day you're feeling good, on a day you don't feel out of control, go get some dang fried pickles, stop when you're satisfied, and eat healthy the rest of the day.  Because you CAN. 

Just Listen

It's an overcast, drizzly day in Kingman, Kansas today and with that comes the urge to crawl onto the couch with a box of Girl Scout cookies, a soft blanket, and a line-up of TV shows you've had DVR'd for the past month but have been too busy to watch. Even if the weather was bright and sunny, we all still have those days when we just want to shut down.

How do you fight that urge?
How do you find the strength day after day to stay on a healthy lifestyle routine?
When seemingly every ounce of your body is begging you to just stop, lay down, and eat whatever poor helpless sugary victim comes wandering into your mouth...how do you NOT give in?

I'd like to say, "Well, it's easy, you just ___________" and then I'd fill in the blank with some magic cure for weather/emotion onset laziness. But, it's just not that simple. Just like there is no Magic Bullet for weight loss, there is also not a Magic Bullet for finding a motivational needle in a big haystack of cravings and dieting exhaustion. There just isn't a clear-cut answer for every person.

But there IS one thing we all have and if you are reading this blog I KNOW you have it because if you've committed to reading this far then you've faced the same battles we have. We all have that tiny little voice in the back of our mind that says, "I can do this" even when every other part of our being says we can't. Even when your mouth is saying everything negative it can possibly muster up...even when your body won't even bend over to tie your workout shoes....even when you've just written a $30 check for those damn Girl Scout cookies...even when there is a three-hour Cupcake War marathon on the Food Network...there IS a voice deep inside you that STILL says "I can do this". This voice doesn't ever give up on you. It always wants to push you to be stronger in your most weak moments. Even when you try to tune it out because this is all just "too hard"...it is still there. Waiting for you to agree. To tie your shoes. To stand on your feet. To put one foot in front of the other and MOVE.

The voice is calling you...listen for it....you can do this....

My lifesaver

As anyone who has ever been on a weight loss journey/healthy eating lifestyle change knows, there is nothing more exciting and life changing than finding a healthy replacement for a not-so-healthy love.   The first time this happened to me was when my dear friend, Donna Coykendall, taught me that I could take the sprayer out of the  "I Can't Believe it's Not Butter" spray and use it in whole form. (Reference my first recipe).  I used it this weekend to sautee some mushrooms and onions, added some seasonings, and it was DELICIOUS!  I felt like I was cheating!!!

Well, I'm going to share my newest gem with you, one that is helping to save my sanity (and probably Steph's life - LOL) through our BL contest and journey.    Plain greek yogurt (no flavor) and dry ranch dressing.    Mix the two together and you've got some delicious creamy goodness with tons of uses.  I love it just as a dip for my veggies.  Since Ranch dip and dressing is so high calorie and high fat I have stopped using it except on very rare occasions.  And I'll be honest with you, I was very sad about it.  I ate it with a lot of stuff that I never even realized - one of them being to dip vegetables in.  (And cheetos. Yummyyyyyyy!!)   But now instead of going without like I had been, I can use my yogurt dip combination.   With the brand of yogurt I use 1/2 cup is only 60 calories and it also serves up around 9 grams of protein which will help satisfy you and help you stay full longer.  

The great thing about this dip is that it has replaced other high fat/creamy items in our diet.  We've mixed a tablespoon of it with tuna and created a healthy tuna salad option instead of using mayo.  We will spread it on our bread and add some extra flavor to our sandwiches.  It's also a great option to use on a baked potatoes or tacos instead of sour cream.  Not to mention just using it as salad dressing.    I'm sure you can come up with all sorts of other great things to use it in - and I hope you come back here and share your ideas with me!!

Now if I could only find the healthy replacement for nachos......and something chocolaty and cake-like...... (heavy sigh)............

Weighing in...again...

Today, Wednesday, Feb. 22, is yet another weigh in for the BL contest! Good luck to everyone! We'll blog about it later!

Some of us enjoy the challenge of stepping on the scale...some of us walk up to it with a bit more...ummm...passive aggressive hesitation! Smile, folks...we'll get another shot at it next week!

Introducing Andi & Steph's Super Weight Loss Patch!

If you are struggling with weight loss, WE HAVE THE ANSWER! We would like to introduce Andi & Steph's Super Weight Loss Patch (A.S.S. Patch)!

This product is guaranteed to STOP those awful afternoon chocolate cravings, CONTROL your mindless snacking, and HELP you lose that stubborn belly fat!

The directions are simple. Simply apply to the location pictured above every day following your shower. Leave patch application in place until you are ready for bed! Soon those pounds will be MELTING away!

Side effects MAY include: Irritability, low blood sugar, lack of energy, dehydration, and fatigue. Allergic reactions may occur to those with a sensitivity to adhesive materials.


While the FDA has not approved this product (and it is likely they will not), it is still available and can be found at your local hardware store!


We also offer this variety:

Get your A.S.S. Patch TODAY and watch the results unfold!

PS: Yes these photos were taken in my office restroom...we can't afford real models! 

Weight Loss Studies

I've read through a TON of weight-loss research studies. Page after page of "up to date findings" over and over -- America is getting fatter/ obesity is on the rise/ poor eating habits are to blame/ oh wait, no, it's genetics that is to blame (findings of a "fat gene), everyone is going to get diabetes, school cafeteria cooks should be dragged into the streets and shot for what they are doing to children, video games are ruining society....etc. I'm sure you've seen the headlines.

Here's what sticks out in my mind: "Animal models of obesity have accelerated the pace of discovery in obesity research." In layman's terms -- Scientists are targeting fat mice. (If you want to read the small print...here is a source you can look through...warning: it has small print and few pictures. http://webdoc.nyumc.org/nyumc/files/animalresources/attachments/laban0205-30.pdf)

I'm a fan of research. I'm a fact finder. I'm a natural-born skeptic. And I like to see proof in black and white. So, these studies really do interest me. With that in mind, I have formulated a theory about this obese mice issue. Ridding the world of fat mice will make thinner people! If you have fat mice in YOUR house, do your best to  make them more fit and healthy! Instead of eating a box of cookies on the couch and letting them eat the crumbs of that high-fat stuff...eat a handful of carrots while dusting the piano. Even if you do drop some of that food on the floor, when the mouse finds it under the piano bench, he'll be getting more nutrients and healthy food than those sofa cookies. Stop thinking about YOURSELF. There are poor chubby rodents that need YOUR HELP! Fat mice = fat homes.

Before you get all "smarty pants" on me and tell me, "Steph, those studies are done in labs to represent how the human body works...blah, blah blah" (anytime anyone corrects me, all I hear is the blah, blah, blah part)...please place your focus on the real intent of this blog post. It is really a promotion of healthy snacking with just a smidge of sarcastic humor for decoration. We all snack and while you can treat yourself to fun snacks every now and then, really try to give your body high-quality snacks so you get more bang for your buck. Personally, I've tried to add more protein snacks into my diet. They fill me up better, carry me longer, and make me feel better.

So, there's some healthy food for thought!

Gratitude

Today's post is courtesy of Patricia Moreno and Satilife.   Become a warrior in your own world. 

Today I want you to focus on being grateful for the things in your life that we often take for granted.  How often do you find yourself complaining about your body- how it looks, its strength, its ability to do what you want it to do? Compare that to how often you find yourself thanking your body, i.e. "thank you legs for carrying me around all day!", "thank you arms for enabling me to carry my groceries!" Have you ever thanked your heart for pumping?  

  

Corey, a friend and co-worker of mine at Equinox in NYC, recently had a tragic accident. He was in an elevator when it dropped 8 floors. Although he did walk out of the elevator, he is now experiencing a loss of function in his legs. When difficult things happen to other people, we are given an opportunity to stop and reflect on our own lives.

  

How would you act if you were present to the preciousness of your body? Of your life?

  

Today, commit to simply loving what is. Loving your body as it is right now. Loving your age as it is right now. Your health, your life as they are Right Now. When you hear yourself criticizing, stop, reflect, and shift your perspective. Can you find a deeper level of appreciation for the preciousness of it all?  Instead of simply focusing on what you don't like, can you start to get real about how you have been feeding and treating yourself? 

  

It can be hard to change our eating habits, exercise regularly, deal with stressful situations, say no to ourselves when we want that extra serving. But imagine how much harder it would be to deal with a sick, tired, injured or unhealthy body.

  

Let's not waste one more precious moment complaining! Instead deal, get real and appreciate the value of your body and all it does for you!

  

Love yourself now, as you are, and be thankful for the opportunity and ability to make a difference. 

Another weigh-in down...

We are hoping everyone had a great weigh-in this past week!

Total, the Kingman-Norwich Recreation's Biggest Loser Contest has dropped 95 pounds in the past 4 weeks. With 76 people participants (I do not guarantee my math), that is pretty incredible!

This week Andi and I had mixed results. She did great, I did so-so. But, we're still on par and while I did have several "frowny" moments...I'm still motivated and trying to push through a mental and physical wall. And I'll get there!

Next week should show big numbers from people! We're excited to see what happens!!!!

Your Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day!!!  In honor of Valentine's Day tomorrow, I decided to go red!!    I also decided this would be a great opportunity to chat with you about this day that people either seem to love or hate. 


Valentine's day (and halloween and easter and Christmas) can be a very difficult day for me because I LOVE CHOCOLATE!!!  As long as I can remember I have been excited about that little red heart box with those yummy chocolates in them.  The Reese's peanut butter hearts (and eggs and christmas trees and pumpkins) are my favorite!    And many, many times Valentine's day has been the holiday that demolishes my New Years Resolution.  But not this year!!  


Not only does this dreaded day bring chocolate, but it also brings hoards of emotions.  And that alone can be enough to derail somebody's good intentions.   So I'm going to start with the emotional aspect of everything first.   


It sucks not having "someone" on Valentine's Day.  Everyone around you is oohing and ahhing over the great things their lover has done for them.  And all you can think of is the fact that you are likely going to die an old lonely person who never got a box of chocolates.  But this is the year to turn that thinking around!!!!   


You don't NEED another person to tell you how great you are, all you have to do is look in the mirror.  This Valentine's Day let's concentrate on loving ourselves. Write yourself a love note and list all of the great qualities you have.  Love your body enough to give it a good heart-pounding workout.  Don't be afraid to do something for yourself to celebrate the greatest love - the love within us.   Buy yourself a chocolate, drink a glass of wine, watch your favorite move - heck, send yourself flowers!!  Because YOU deserve it.  Take this time to realize that you don't have to have another person tell you how much you deserve it.   And if you do need to hear it from an outside source, then listen up, my friend:  YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!  YOU ARE  STRONG!  YOU CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING YOU PUT YOUR HEART AND MIND TO!  AND YOU DESERVE SOMETHING SPECIAL.    Don't let the emotional aspect of Valentine's day tear you down and result in you disrespecting your body by bingeing on high fat, high calorie foods.


Which brings me to the next subject - notice I said don't BINGE.  I didn't say don't ENJOY.  Because you CAN enjoy it.   You know what?  A piece of Russel Stover Chocolate is 70 calories.   You CAN have a chocolate.  You can even have two.  Just don't eat the whole box.  It's all about moderation - it's not about deprivation.  We still have to LIVE.  And part of living is enjoying the small things in life.    Eat a nice dinner, have a piece of chocolate and ENJOY it.  Really take time to taste it and smell it and feel the texture.  And when the evening is over, so is Valentine's Day, and you can move on.   Don't let your celebrating last for a week - and don't beat yourself up over one little meal or one little treat.  That ONE thing is NEVER what wrecks your weight loss plans - it's everything that happens afterward.  


This Valentine's day make a vow to love yourself.  Love yourself enough to know you deserve something special.  And love yourself enough to get right back on track, keeping your food journal, exercising your body, letting go of guilt, and knowing you're an awesome person!!!