Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Trimming the Fat


When my college-aged daughter got home for the summer, I watched her healthy eating habits and listened to her talk about various exercise programs and, what can I say? She inspired me. Love when that happens. Now let me start by saying I've been on a gazillion diets and lost a gazillion pounds over the years only to gain them all back. A real yo yo kinda thing. This time I'm doing something different and so far it has been really easy.

I started this whole thing about a week ago and imagine my surprise to find upon weighing yesterday that I'd lost ten pounds. WHOOP. HOLLER. JUMP UP AND DOWN.  The whole process didn't kill me either. Yeah, I had a few moments late at night when I was ready to chew on the walls but it was relatively easy now that I think about it.

Mainly, I'm sticking with no processed foods, little to no sugar, lots of fresh veggies and water. Lots and lots of water. On the water...I think I'm drinking about a gallon a day and although I get the sensation of floating away it is providing some added benefits. As a woman of 'a certain age' I'm finding that hot flashes are somewhat dimished, I stay less hungry and feel an overall sense of fitness. Yeah, I'm still a coffee hound but I'm replacing that (for the most part) with water. I've found that adding those metabolism booster Crystal Light deals to my bottles helps too. Gives me that sweetness I want, too. A win win.

Ohhhh and listen to this....a new frozen yogurt place opened up down the street and I think I'm in heaven. Ice cream is my one true weakness and this place has a dozen different flavors (which are changed out weekly). I'm avoiding the wonderful toppings and since most of the choices are sugar and fat free, I can indulge without feeling guilty. Ain't it great? We looked up the calorie content of this stuff on line and found that most flavors were roughly eight calories to thirty calories per ounce. So if you fill up an eight ounce container, it's really not bad at all. Lately we've been heading over there every afternoon to try out something new. It has become a nice little 'get out of the house' thing to do.

I still haven't started an exercise program but that's next. Siiiigh.Think it's time to do something with my exercize equipment rather than simply dust it. Anyway, I'm on a journey. Figure I won't see results overnight but I'm looking at all of this as a lifestyle change. So now I'm wondering how you 'trim the fat'?

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ten pounds in a weeks time is amazing!! Yay for you on such FAB results!! And you're right, a lifestyle change is the beat way to take and keep off the fluff. I like the crystal light metabolism booster packets. I'll have to check those out. Keep it up! We're cheering you on!!

I've been dieting for the last six weeks, too. I'm an instant gratification kind of girl. Yes, I know you might find that hard to believe, so I went to a diet doctor. Makes it a little easier as they tell you what you can eat, how much and give you appetite suppressants and fat burners. I'm not a fan of veggies, especially raw ones, but I found this hummus tahini to dip them in that's low on everything and delicious. And for that little sweet tooth that hits like you like a Mac truck, sugar free Wurther's hard candies (5 for 1g fat and super low cal) and sugar free gelatin (10cal and 0 everything else). Not too exciting, but that's all I gots! :0D

Elece

Unknown said...

I'm so impressed with the 10lbs in one week. That's great!!! I suck at losing weight.
I use the treadmill and try to eat healthy, but it only lasts a few weeks and I'm back to fried food. :)

Anonymous said...

WTG!!!! I LOVE chocolate frozen yogurt:)

Since having more access to the internet, and being published, my activity level has gone down, and I've put about 30 unwanted pounds. Trying to get more exercise and do less snacking.

Molly Daniels

Regina Carlysle said...

You know, Elece, I sometimes think the doctor route or rah rah group is a good thing. You are held accountable so there's no room for error. I kind of like that. Oh and I'm planning on picking up those Werther's Candies. Love the originals so I think the sugar free ought to be really good. Gonna try to find some of that hummus tahini too. I don't do raw veggies often but I like to lightly steam them. My little steamer is sooooo handy.

Regina Carlysle said...

I normally suck at it too Tina. Just trying to eat healthy and try my best to keep at it!

Regina Carlysle said...

The frozen yogurt has been a life-saver, Molly because I just can't resist ice cream. One of the new flavors the yogurt place is getting ready to open is dark chocolate hazelnut? Doesn't that sound incredible?

Yeah, I know what you mean about the sedentary thing. Sitting at the computer all day long isn't good for the size of your butt. That's for sure!!!! Frustrating.

Harlie Williams said...

Good job on the weight loss. For me, I'd just like to lose the 25+ I gain when I went back to work almost two years ago. UGH!

I eat right, don't drink alcohol much anymore; my problem is that I don't exercise.

Good luck to everyone that is watching their weight.......

Harlie Williams said...

The Crystal Light packets are the bomb!

Syneca said...

You go girl!! Water and natural foods won't fail you:)

When it comes to exercise I've always found that the things I enjoy doing the most end up being the most effective. Yoga and pilates are wonderful for creating a lean sculpted look and there are some great dvd's available if you're not into the class setting. Then there's the cardio. Most people hate it but damn does it work for burning calories!

I like weight training and the benefits are amazing. You just have to make sure you favor reps over weight - low weight and a lot of reps.

Whatever you decide have fun with it. That'll go a long way to insuring success:)

Bravo to you babe!!

And now I think I'll do an hour's live session on my elliptical since it's freaking hot outside and maybe some yoga. You've inspired me!

Regina Carlysle said...

I drink sometimes but not all that often anymore, Harlie. Yeah, I think you're right. Just SITTING all the time does terrible things to ones ass and that's the truth. A big problem for me.

Regina Carlysle said...

Syn babe, you exhaust me! LOL. Actually I believe like you that tons of water and natural foods are awesome. Love my little steamer. Easy and getting out to the farmers markets for fresh veggies gets me away from the computer. My daughter has just bought the Stotts Pilates DVD with a mini ball and she'll be trying it out tomorrow. If it looks like something I can do, I'll join her. Will let you know how it goes.

Anonymous said...

I'm about to start Zumba because I just love dancing and it looks like it's a real workout. My main weakness is soda but I've managed to cut it down to only one 12oz can a day and I've lost 11 pounds.

Janice Seagraves said...

Congrats on the ten pounds weight loss.

My daughter might be close in age to your daughter and thinks healthy eating is the way to go too.

I finally broke down and got her the blender she'd been wanting and then she made me the most wonderful fruit smoothy I've ever had. Yum!

Janice~

Tess MacKall said...

Been thinking about Pilates myself. My girls used to do it for cheerleading. It's easy enough for sure and I could use the flexibility plus toning. Not to mention the need to simply move since I'm on the computer so much.

Gotta get some apple cider vinegar that I've been hearing about too! Woot! lol