Saturday, January 26, 2013

Weekly Weigh In Saturday 1/26

It's that time of the week.
Time to step on that scale and be rewarded for all the hard work this past week!
How did you week go?
Did you gain or lose?
(remember - you can share as much or as little info as you like)

Let the commenting begin.......

Friday, January 25, 2013

A helpful little tool...

Hi all, Q/Laureate04 here!  This is my first official post over here at the Skinny Girl blog...although I've been following and commenting since we started again after New Year's...I've got a little tip for you!

So if you're like me, you're trying this diet thing on your own - no programs, no food deliveries, no official weigh ins - and sometimes things can be a bit tough.

You're getting ready to have a snack (because, let's face it, sometimes you just need a little something...and they say that smaller/grazing type meals are better for you anyway...) and you're not sure which is better...or you want to start counting calories (this, along with portion size is my own diet plan...) but you have absolutely no idea how many calories that chicken breast you're having for dinner is.  I mean, it's easy when you open the loaf of bread to make a sandwich to check out the nutrition facts, but a head of lettuce doesn't have a calories or nutrition list. 

I've found a great tool that has been super useful in this endeavor.  It's also helped me figure out what to order the few times I've been out to eat since I really started paying attention.  

I use www.fatsecret.com.  It's a fully customizable food and diet page.  It has a food log where you can log everything you eat (which goes with UAB's suggestion of writing everything down that she shared in a previous post).  It also has an activity log so you can fairly accurately estimate the number of calories burned both by working out and in a general day.  There are forums if you have questions for others, a cookbook to store favorite healthy recipes (and you can search others' recipes as well), there are groups you can join and also challenges that you can set up or post.  I've gotten some great ideas for challenges - both short and long term - from others who have posted. 

The biggest advantage I've found with this website is the app for my phone as well.  I can log food no matter where I am.  I can also search restaurants and other foods while I'm out so I can compare and make smart decisions.  You can set your preferences to the number of calories that you want to stay under or other parameters and it will show you when you're getting close.  

Check it out and see what you think.  Great tool, easy to use...oh, and the best part?  Totally free!! 

Monday, January 21, 2013

Embrace Your Hunger

When you stomach growls, you want to eat.

It's an automatic thing.
You go ahead and eat something, because hunger pangs can be uncomfortable.

I'd like to offer another way of looking at those hunger pangs.
Those hunger pangs tell me that I've been doing well with my eating plan.

Let me clarify. 
If I've been sticking to my points and eating what I should, then my body has been nourished.
So it's okay to feel hungry between meals.  At bed time.
Especially at bed time.  
You shouldn't eat late at night anyway, and I just tell myself that I'm going to sleep anyway.

Think about when you are being....let's say...not so good.  You are constantly eating.  You never even give your body a chance to actually feel hungry.

How many times have you overeaten, and then you feel miserable.
I hate that feeling.

So when I feel a little hungry, I think about that awful feeling of being stuffed, and the hunger doesn't seem so bad.
I'm not saying you shouldn't eat if you truly need to eat.
If it gets really bad, try drinking some water, or having a light snack to take the edge off.
I'm just saying, it's okay to feel hungry.

So embrace your hunger.

Remember, you will be happy with the results in the long run.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Weekly Weigh In Saturday 1/19

It's that time of the week.
Time to step on that scale and be rewarded for all the hard work this past week!
How did you week go?
Did you gain or lose?
(remember - you can share as much or as little info as you like)

Let the commenting begin.......

Monday, January 14, 2013

...it's so tasty too!

Who said all diet foods had to taste horrible? Well for nearly everyone that is dieting we know that no one says it, but it is very true that not all healthy food gives you the warm and fuzzies that most comfort food do.

In my journeys to find healthy food (read as: spending my days surfing pinterest) I came across a recipe for smoothies. The guidelines for the smoothie were very rigid, "Use this exact ounce of this specific brand name item, don't worry that it costs you $10 for a small portion!" Needless to say I was not impressed. I did however come across another website and I used their smoothie recipe as a base for my very own.

In total the ingredients for these smoothies (I say 'these' because I have more than enough for many smoothies and a variety of them.) cost $13. I didn't have to buy the honey or milk (or orange juice) but those are staples in most kitchens so I'm not counting them in my cost. I bought four bags of frozen fruits at $2.50 each, and a 1 tub of yogurt. You can buy as needed and it'll keep the cost down.

Here are the ingredients I used for my smoothie today, this is a smoothie for one person, I will also show you alternatives.

1/3 cup plain low fat yogurt
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1/4 cup low fat milk (you will add more as needed to keep the smoothie... well smooth)
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1 teaspoon honey
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1 cup frozen mixed berries
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This is the result! It tastes amazing!
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Now for the alternatives:

Substitute orange juice for milk, go for the ones with the least amount of calories and sugars. I personally prefer no pulp, but it is up to you. With the orange juice you can omit the honey, you are getting the sweetness from the juice and therefore the honey is not really needed.

The price of fruit is outrageous these days, surprisingly though frozen fruit is a less expensive solution (different fruits will go on sale different days and if you shop mid week, most of the time on Wednesday things will be on a better sale because that is the day most stores get their new shipments *bonus tip from someone that works in a grocery store*), it also cuts out the need for ice in your smoothie.

If you can afford the fresh fruit, which sadly doesn't last as long as frozen (another perk to frozen) you will do a cup of fruit and 3/4 cup ice.

If you're daring go ahead and throw in a vegetable, carrots or spinach blend well with these drinks. It's up to you what you want in your drink. I am fully experimenting here. Yesterday I had orange juice, mango, and blueberry! Tomorrow I might even try with *gasp* unsweetened cranberry juice!

Let me know if you try and what combinations you used. I love all sorts of crazy combinations and I'll keep you up to date on what I try next and how it works out.

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Weekly Weigh In Saturday 1/12

It's that time of the week.
Time to step on that scale and be rewarded for all the hard work this past week!
How did you week go?
Did you gain or lose?
(remember - you can share as much or as little info as you like)

Let the commenting begin.......

Thursday, January 10, 2013

I am still being good.  But I am always ALWAYS hungry.  So I thought I'd share some food porn. Enjoy.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Kick Off Week Day 7 - Tuesday

Keep your expectations realistic.


This has been my biggest downfall throughout my entire life.

Does this scenario sound familiar?
You spend the entire week counting everything you eat, getting in those workouts, drinking your water, so you are all jazzed up about getting on the scale at the end of the week.
Then you get on the scale, and you're like - WTF????
I was good all week.  Why have I not lost like 10 pounds???
Yeah, I've been there my whole life.

This is the hurdle that I've had to get over, in order to have success in losing weight over these last two years.  It is sometimes really hard to be good all week and then get on the scale, and see that you've only lost 0.3 pounds.  It's frustrating.

To get past this, keep these things in mind.

- No matter how little you've lost, you've still lost and that's a positive!

- All those little losses add up, and before you know it, you've lost 5 or 10 pounds.

- Your body doesn't always follow your schedule.  Maybe your body needed 8-9 days this week to show a loss, and not the 7 you expect.  Your body will show the loss on the scale when it's ready.
Just remind yourself that you will see the loss next week.

Some weeks are going to be disappointing.  So prepare yourself ahead of time.  Don't let that disappointment send you into a tailspin, because that is counterproductive.


Monday, January 7, 2013

Kick Off Week Day 6 - Monday

Try to eat a salad for one meal each day.


Make yourself some edible art for yourself.
Maybe, just maybe Edward will present you with an apple.

Seriously though, if I try to eat a salad for one meal each day (either lunch or dinner) I have a lot more points left for the other meal that day.  Plus if all I bring to work for lunch is a salad, well then I guess that's all I'll be having.

Be careful eating salads at restaurants.  They are usually bad news and have more calories than if you were to just order the damn cheeseburger that you really want!

Here's my other secret salad eating tip.
I never put the dressing on my salad.  Ever.
I dip my fork in my dressing each time I pick up a bite of salad.
You know those cups of dressing they give you at a restaurant?
I can literally get away with eating only half of one of those.
Think of all the calories you are saving???
Just make sure when you order a salad out, 
that you ask for the dressing on the side.

So it's good to always have a salad made in the fridge, 
so there are no excuses!

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Kick Off Week Day 5 - Sunday

Count every little thing that passes your lips.


It is so easy to get lazy about this.  
However, if I stop counting, I overeat.
Count every. Single. Thing.

When you grab that small handful of M&M's, you think it's not a big deal.  Snack on a few crackers.  Whatever little things you like to graze on, add up fast.

Measure it, count it and write it down.
If nothing else, it will make you aware of how much you should be eating in order to lose weight.

I do the old Weight Watchers points.  I get 24 points per day, and those points can get eaten up really fast with snacking.
Even after you've been doing this awhile, and you think you know what you're doing and you think you don't have to keep track.
Keep track!

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Kick Off Week - Day 4 - Saturday

Weigh In Day


I pick Saturday as my weigh in day for a few reasons.

1) It's the day my points reset and I'll have those extra bonus points if I need them for the weekend.

2) If I've lost weight, it will help keep me motivated through the weekend.

3) I know this is TMI, but with you girls I feel comfortable saying this.  On Saturday, I'm not rushed as I am on the weekdays, so I can relax, drink my coffee, and then hopefully go to the bathroom - like really go to the bathroom! LOL  Sometimes that doesn't happen during the week.  Just saying.....
So I like to make sure I get everything out before I weigh myself.

So I'm going to post my weekly weigh in each Saturday.  Feel free to join me, or if a different day works better for you, please do a post on your day.

So today's weekly weigh in is going to be my starting weight post.
After this, I will be posting how much I've lost (or gained).
So in the comments, you can post as little or as much information as  you want.  You can write what your weight is that day with your loss/gain, or if you're more comfortable, just post your loss/gain.

We're in this together!

Friday, January 4, 2013

Kick Off Week Day 3 - Friday

Get some exercise in!
At the very least, get some walking in a few times per week.  My goal is to get in some exercise at least 3 times per week.
I use the treadmill, and I keep my treadmill walking more exciting by attaching a portable DVD player to my treadmill, and watching one of my favorite Rob Pattinson movies.  


I find this extremely motivating!
Before you know it, 45 minutes have passed!
I'm so busy ogling Rob, that I don't even realize I'm sweating and out of breath.  That's my usual reaction to him anyway!

I know some of you like to read while you are on the treadmill.  
A hot and steamy fanfiction might be just the motivation you need to keep going!

Books on tape are good too!

So whatever gets you moving and keeps you moving - do it!

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Kick Off Week Day 2 - Thursday

Drink plenty of water.

This sounds so simple, but you would be surprised at how often we go a day and realize we have had little to no water.  

Too much soda in place of water is also a big issue. 
It tastes good but we all know it's really not that good for us, even if we drink diet.

Here's how I overcome this obstacle.

- Set a goal of the amount of water you are going drink each day.

- If you make your water goal by dinner time, enjoy a soda.  

- If you didn't make your water goal by dinner, then no soda.

Another compromise is to drink sparkling water.  It gives you the bubbles like soda, but it has no calories, sodium or any other of that bad stuff.  I really like drinking LaCroix.  It comes in many flavors and it's better than diet pop.

When you are trying to get rid of extra weight, flushing your body out daily with water is a big help!

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Kick Off Week Day 1 - Wednesday

For this first week, I'm going to post a tip each day.
Something that I have tried, that has worked for me.

Today's weight loss tip is......

purchase a digital food scale (or start using the one you already have)

I have had this Weight Watchers scale for about 6 years now and it is an invaluable tool in portion control.
My scale toggles between ounces and grams.  Most times I use grams, since most food portions are listed in grams.  I usually only use ounces when I'm measuring meat.

The two biggest, most important things I've learned since using the digital food scale are:

1) If you stick to a serving size by measuring, you will find that it is usually enough

2) You can add a fraction of a serving, and find that you can get away with 1/2 of a serving.

For instance:  When I make a salad, I start with my veggies - zero points on Weight Watchers.  Then I put my plate on my Weight Watchers scale and hit the "tare" button which resets it to zero with the plate.  Now I don't know about you, but those little extras like cheese and croutons can make or break a salad.  Too much of those goodies will defeat the purpose of eating a salad.  Now I have found that a serving of shredded cheese is 28 grams (2 WW Points), but if I use my scale and sprinkle cheese on and stop when I get to 7 grams, I think that is enough cheese on my salad, and now I'm only using 1/4 of a serving.    All these little things add up. :)

You have to be aware of how much you are actually eating, and using a scale is the best way to achieve this.



Which plate are you going to put the biggest portion of food on?

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

It's A New Year, and Here We Go.....

Happy New Year!

Every year on this day, we resolve to change something about ourselves.  

Usually it is to lose weight.
That's my resolution every damn year.
This year, I am SERIOUS!
(Wait, isn't that what I say every year???)
No, seriously!

Losing weight is a struggle for all of us.  I have been doing it though.  It's just been slower than I thought it would be.  It proves that I can do it when I set my mind to it.

Some of us girls here on the blog are looking forward to getting together in June for the Twi-Fic Meet Up and so we each have a weight loss goal that we would like to reach by then.  Hopefully we can use this blog as a place to support each other.  We already support each other in other ways, so knowing that, I think we can accomplish amazing things together.

Please feel free to post your progress, successes and failures.  Share your tips with the group.  Most of you know that anything goes with this group - so let it fly! LOL  I'm thinking maybe we can have a weekly post where we can check in on our progress.  You can tell us as much or as little as you want about where you are at in your journey.  I personally have no problem telling everyone my weight, but if you don't want to, you don't have to.

I have a few ideas for posts, but I think today just needs to be a kick off.
What are your weight loss goals?
Share in the comments......