Accidental involvement
Somehow I got involved in this Biggest Loser thing at work. I got the original email asking for participants, I asked for more information, I never officially signed up, and then yesterday I got the list of “official participants” and there was my name. Rather than go through the effort of extracting myself from the list, I took it as a sign that, despite my indecision, I should participate.
So now I have until April to lose some weight. I’m not really in it to win. I rather like the way I look, but I could lose a few pounds to feel a little healthier, a little lighter on my feet. Plus I would probably fit into my wedding dress like I did when I first purchased it. Which would be nice since alterations are NOT in the budget!
Here’s the thing. I’m not going to diet, and I’m not going to start working out. My plan is to pay better attention to portions and to eat less junk. And to not sit on my ass all day. I’m not joining a gym and I’m not going to pretend to start running or anything. But maybe while watching TV in the evening I could do some stretching or crunches. Maybe I can get up from my desk every hour and stroll through the building or something. And when this god awful weather dissipates, I can do more. I’ll want to do more because I love a long walk outside in the spring.
It’s not much, but it’s what I’ve got right now.
If you have any simple tips on how to eat less, eat better or move a little more, I’d love to hear them. But if you tell me to start training for a marathon because eh, it’s nothing! anyone can do it! I’ll be tempted to break bones. Your bones.
I think if you focus on steps, it will do wonders. You can get a pedometer and see how many you take in your regular day and then how many more you take when you are trying. Parking farther when you run your errands. Those steps add up. I know it’s snowing there now though so if you work or live in a multi-level building, climb the stairs. There is loads of junk where I work. I think the only reason I haven’t blown up like a balloon is the extra steps (nothing major) and the 50 stairs up and down my apartment building. Avoiding junk food and sugar is good too. Cutting sugar works wonders. I refrained one year and lost 15 pounds.
My belief is that any movement is better than no movement. I’ve also heard that a little movement after eating helps with digestion – so, I try to go for a daily walk after lunch. I feel a bit more energized for the afternoon, too. You could also learn a few simple yoga poses to do during commercials or whatever, which is awesome for stretching muscles and working your core. Oh… and eat the rainbow (not skittles, but fruits & veggies of different colors).
I too am working on eating better and working out. Happy healthy-ness!
I think that’s a great plan! I think the big thing for me is that if I only have 10 minutes to do something, I say it’s not worth it. But those 10 minutes really are worth it. So take whatever extra time you have, a few minutes here and there and do jumping jacks, or crunches, or lift something close by.
Also – I find that if I try to incorporate more servings of fruit in throughout the day, I’m less hungry and don’t eat the junk because of it.
For the record – I tried training for a half marathon, and I’m not sure running a marathon is something “everyone can do!” I had a flexible job, no kids, a good level of fitness, good shoes, and a supportive training group, and my body still just sort of started to give out on me and I had to quit training. I’m gonna try it again; I *do* think I can do a half marathon, but I don’t think I personally have a marathon in me.
However, I do think most people can train to walk a 5K for charity or something like that. Sometimes it is nice to be out moving with other people, especially if it’s for a good cause.
The following has been helpful to me in my quest to maintain my satisfactory weight:
- Snacks: cheddar goldfish, animal crackers, Strawberry Special K, and Trader Joe’s fruit bars/dried fruit all make good and surprisingly low-fat snacks. I keep them in a drawer at my work. Also, at home: Jell-O and instant pudding.
- Switching to a lower fat milk (I never thought I could accept 1%, but now I’m used to it and it tastes normal)
- Using broth/white wine in cooking instead of olive oil – reserved pasta water is another good “moistener” for heating up leftovers
- Nibbling on a single square of dark chocolate after dinner – satisfies my need for something decadent without needing a “real” dessert. Also if said square is melted (in the microwave), a cut up banana can be dipped into it for a quick and tasty and low-fat fondue.
- Make your own muffins for breakfast substituting yogurt/banana/applesauce for some of the butter/oil called for in the recipe. _The Best Lowfat Cookbook_ has some fantastic recipes that do not taste “low fat.”
Dori I like your snack ideas. I need to stock up. I already drink fat free milk (lots of it!), and Mike does all the cooking so I’ll have to share the broth/wine idea with him. Good ideas, thanks!
I’m awaiting some info on the whole weight watchers program. My friend Edward has lost over 30 lbs on it and he says he has all the info needed to try it out on my own without actually having to sign up for it. He’s done zero working out. He has only watched what he’s eaten. If I get the info, I can share if you are interested.
My other tips and tricks include eating breakfast, of course. Many people see this as a no-brainer, but many people don’t do it. It’s an important meal to have to jumpstart your metabolism. And eating foods high in fiber (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-fiber-foods/NU00582)helps you feel full for longer and also generally take longer to chew giving your body time to register when you are no longer hungry and so you are less likely to overeat.
Those are my basic essential tips. Good luck. Keep us posted, if you so wish, on how it goes.
Don’t train for a marathon! It is such a time suck… and then you just hurt all over for days… months. UGH!
As for tips. Hmm… my biggest tip is to get rid of the junk food in your house (if you have any). Its tough to reach for the junk food if its not around.
Also, drink LOTS OF WATER. You may already do this – but I was guilty of not drinking a lot of water. Its help curbed my snacking.
And… hmmm… chew sugar free gum? That helps curb my snacking too. I think snacks are good for you – I just have a tendency to snack out of boredom.
My one biggest tip is to write it down. Just email a list to yourself every night or morning or something. Seeing it on paper is a HUGE wake up call. Biggest lesson learned from Weight Watchers.
By “it” I mean what you eat.
That’s actually our exact plan for getting healthier. The only problem with it is that it’s so theoretical that sometimes it’s easy to let it slip. My biggest advice is for you and the G to do it together, because nothing will make you throw a diet out the window faster than a cuddly man who wants to sleep until noon and enjoy a brunch of fried chicken in bed.
Here are some of my little things:
1. No more pop. I can’t believe how much better I feel as a result. But trust me, it’s NOT easy.
2. Dance. It doesn’t feel like exercise.
3. I try to eat lots of veggies, meat the size of a deck of cards, and lots of fiber. Peanut butter in the morning (usually on an English muffin) keeps me from reaching for candy mid-morning. Fiber and protein keep you fuller longer. Also, when I want something sweet at night (in the winter), I eat a giant grapefruit with a little sugar sprinkled on it. Or sugar-free Jello in the prepacked cups. Mmmmmm! i’m a reformed sweet tooth, and it feels amazing. No dips in energy.
4. Yoga feels great and tones you up but you wont’ necessarily lose weight.
5. I think that the most change comes from taking steps and making goals you want to achieve. I have no interest in running a marathon either. But small, achievable goals makes you want to go on. So .. dance during commercial breaks, eat fiber, and avoid soda and candy. Voila!
With regard to eating smaller portions, I’ve read (and found) that eating a small snack about half an hour before a meal (dinner, usually for me) helps because it jump-starts the hormones that tell you you’re full. The signal of fullness takes a little while to travel, so often we don’t know we’re full until we’ve eaten too much. This way, you can know you’re full right away and save yourself from unnecessary extra portions.
Another thing I’ve been teaching myself is to not feel shame for not clearing a plate–if you’re not hungry, stop eating!
Hope this helps!