A Little Molehill

Weekly weigh in gone wrong! Up from my goal weight..... Oh how I relaxed a bit too much (curses to cuisine to go delivery and the creator)....but no worries I am back on track today. I have a very pleasant short term goal...the beach for (a kid free) memorial day/birthday weekend . The bathing suit is hanging on my mirror in the bedroom almost smirking at me. I do have a "back up" tankini. I never thought I would even own a tankini and now I think ......will I ever be able to put a two piece on again? Love the children but boy do they completely change your body! I will not set myself up for failure and I will be happy with myself. Remember life is about being able to be confident, sexy and sure of yourself both inside and out-even if you do not reach your weight and health related goals. So until then I will use my trusty food journal and write away. Remember people who write down what they eat and drink EVERY DAY will lose TWICE as much weight as dieters who don't. Another tool to get to my short term goal...bottled water in my hand 24/7, sipping before and after meals and all the times in between.

The FRUIT BOWL EXPERIMENT
I've had a bowl of fruit out all this week as a household experiment. I put two pieces of fruit per person and older child on the table to see if people were eating their servings daily. Day 1 and 2 I saw a little dent in the bowel but by Monday of this week the bowl has been empty! Word to the wise: stick with apples, pears, oranges and bananas as they hold up a bit better at room temperature.

Cheers,

The Dieting Dietitian

Affirmations?

I will not go to Pretzel Boys Pretzels. I will not go to Pretzel Boys Pretzels. I will not go to Pretzel Boys Pretzels. I will not go to Pretzel Boys Pretzels. I will not go to Pretzel Boys Pretzels.



You are not "allowed" to buy one pretzel you have to buy three.......



I will not go to Prezel Boys Pretzels. I will not go to Preztel Boys Pretzels.

Success

I did it! I set a goal and reached it! I'm officially back to my pre-pregnancy weight! Did I say that loud enough. I'm back! Well not totally, things are definitely NOT in the same places they were before, but I'll accept that (at least for now). It took a long time and small goals along the way to get to this big goal. Easter was the hardest and days that I was feeling down. Support from friends and family was the best, especially the ones that suggest activities to MOVE instead of going out for a bite. This weekend I met a friend at a step class. I thought step? That sounds so 1980's. Okay well it was fun, even for someone that isn't coordinated or can follow directions :) It was an hour and I felt great...until Sunday.. Oh my goodness did my body ache. So there you go, I thought I was in shape post baby but not even close. It is fun to mix up an exercise routine (and hang out with a friend at the same time).

So mix it up, get your friends together and sass-shay! Oh and try a new recipe this week while you are at it!


Cheers,

The Dieting Dietitian (to maintain her weight:) )

Rewarding Succuss

Hello and welcome Spring!
As the weather gets warmer, our layers come off. Some of us feel like we need to lose more and others feel like they will never trade their pants for shorts. Remember weight loss is a journey, it takes time to reach your long term goals (like losing over 30 pounds!). Setting short term goals along the way with built in non food related rewards is a way to keep you focused on the bigger picture...your health! Maybe this month you plan to walk a 5 K. Better yet what if you jogged some of it? Seems too hard? Remember baby steps will get you there slowly, but it will still get you there. Another non food related reward could be after losing 10 pounds you get a pedicure or new golf club (you can use all the money you saved from not eating out as much). You re worth it now go ahead and reward yourself along the way!

Cheers,

The Dieting Dietitian

Oh Another Holiday

This week I went to an Easter Egg Hunt with my two year old. I was surprised by what was put into the eggs for toddlers! Laffy Taffy, Hershey Kisses, and Peanut Butter Cups. Really? Even my teeth hurt after eating a Laffy Taffy, imagine how kids with only half their teeth feel (not to mention the dental cavities it may lead too). So what I did notice was other eggs filled with: stickers, rubber dinosaurs, fruit snacks (100% juice). And do you know what? Those kids loved the other eggs just as much, if not more, than the ones filled with candy! I understand the concept of wanting to give a treat during the holidays, but remember it does not need to be filled with sugar and additives. Special time with a parent or sibling is just as special then sharing a candy treat. Creating these associations with holidays will set our children up for "diet sabotage" as adults. They will associate all holidays and special celebrations with high calorie, low nutrient dense foods leading to overindulgence as opposed to normal snacking. Holidays and celebrations are about the moment and the family and friends you spend it with-not the food as much. Let food be the secondary focus. So next time you want to make a special holiday for your children or partner, think of a non-food related activity, such as coloring, crafts, scrapbooks, taking them to a special park, or having a family game of volleyball or softball.
So enjoy those tasty treats in moderation but remember not to focus on them. Take the time to enjoy your families and yourselves.

Cheers,

The Dieting Dietitian

Vacations and Eating Healthy

Recently, I went to Florida to meet my new nephew. It was a fantastic trip but posed many difficulties for my healthy eating goals. Finding healthy choices when traveling is difficult, however, it is not impossible. On both travel days to and from the airports, I packed a low-fat mozzarella string cheese, apple, high fiber granola bar, baby carrots, and hummus in small snack containers and bags. It worked out great! I wasn't so hungry that I was tempted by the Annie's Pretzels or candy at all the terminals. Once I got to my destination, we ate lunch at Panera's and had many healthy options so I was fine. The weather was not good and walking outside was not an option, so that left me with one day of no exercise, but I planned on not exercising that day (thinking I'd be tired from traveling with a baby). Each day afterwards I had fun walking and including fun activities with my family that included exercise. Prior to each morning shower, I still fit in my ab and strength training (using my 4 month old as a weight!). The hardest part of the trip was finding my brother's food pantry. If you wanted it and craved it, they had it! I stuck to serving sizes, but still indulged in a 1/2 cup of cookie dough ice cream, 1 peanut chocolate smidgen, and 7 salt and vinegar potato chips. Afterwards, the next morning, I felt like my work that week was shot! I picked myself up and counted the unplanned calories = 430 calories. If only the amount of exercise needed to burn off the calories was on the food labels!

I ran at a higher intensity and for a longer time in the afternoon (with a 3 year old and a baby!) the next day to create the calorie deficit needed to meet my weight goal. So there you have it! Indulging in some guilty pleasures but not ruining my weight and diet goals! Eating healthy can work!

Cheers,

The Dieting Dietitian

46 Pounds Lost

I'm so close to my goal weight, that I'm actually thinking of going clothes shopping! Setting realistic weight, food and exercise goals really works and keeps you on target. The journey to weight loss has been long, but I know losing 1-2 pounds per week, (at least most weeks), is the ONLY way to keep the weight off for the rest of my life. Yes there are fad diets, the vinegar diet, Atkins, South Beach..... but following a balanced REAL diet you and your family can live with (and afford) is the best solution. I know I'm eating healthy foods (and having treats in moderation) and winning the battle of the bulge.

I saw an ad in the paper for a free exercise trainer in our area. It did advertise nutrition counseling, which scares me. Many "nutritionists" are not educated in medical nutrition therapy as registered dietitians are, but I will go and see what it's like (the exercise training part only)! Maybe I will learn a new way to work out to burn more calories in my exercise time and teach them a few things about nutrition too!

Until then, keep moving and eating balanced!

Cheers!

The Dieting Dietitian