Don't stand near the food table at parties.

Today's Diet Tip # 10

Discuss: Is it too much temptation to view the delightful assortment of morsels? Are you more comfortable chewing than chatting at parties?

Microwave or use a non stick skillet whenever you can. A steamer or brolier comes in handy too.

Discuss Today's Diet Tip #9

Discuss: Do you use pans, grill, modern cooking methods to limit fat? Were you raised on a deep fryer? Or do you just cook with convenience and speed in mind? Do you have any appliances that are favorites for limiting oils and fats?

Alcohol slows down your metabolism; limit it.

Discuss Today's Diet Tip #8

How much do you think is too much on a weekly basis? Do you count your alcohol as part of your diet caloric intake? Do you believe alcohol increases your appetite?

Never stand when you eat; sit instead.

Discuss Today's Diet Tip #7

Discuss: Ever so hurried that you eat on the run? Do you ever eat over the stove? Do you believe we are meant to sit and eat a meal? Is there a good reason you can think of for this practice?

Get calories from foods you chew, not beverages.

Today's Diet Tip # 6

Discuss: Typically 20%+ of our calories come from drinks. Do you drink water? What fluids do you drink that could be amputated from your diet? If you count calories or do WW points, do you remember to add your beverages for the day?

If the temptation is too much, drive a different route if you have to pass a fast food or donut shop.

Discuss Today's Diet Tip #5

Discuss: Has your car ever turned right into a McDonald's with barely your consent? Is it a real temptation to grab and go? Have you ever resisted this way?

Drink broth, bullion cube, or a full glass of water before a meal.

Discuss Today's Diet Tip #4:

How many want to get right to the chewing part of the meal? Do you mentally prepare for the meal before hunger has you in its grip? How many use this technique to help the brain signal full before they overeat?

Instead of whole milk, switch to skim or 1 percent.

Discuss # 3 quick, best diet tip:

Have you made the switch? Would you change to lessen calories or fat content? Would your family object? Do you get enough calcium in your diet?

Eat at least two servings of fruit or veggie at every meal.

Discuss # 2 quick, best diet tip:


Do you believe there is a correlation between health and nutrition? Do you believe in the USDA Pyramid guidelines and try to follow them? How many servings a day of fruit and vegetables do you get?

 (www.dietingfordummies.org, www.gracetoday.com, and coming soon www.inspirationeating.com)

Edited by author 12-08-2007 04:06 AM
Use a salad plate instead of a dinner plate.

Discuss #1 quick, best diet tip:

Do you use large sized dinner plates? Could you really scale back on your portions if you used a salad plate instead? Do you follow the rule to leave a space you can see in between each food? Tell what tricks you use for portion control with cups, glasses, bowls and plates?

Boosting Your Metabolism!

To lose weight, you have to reduce calories taken in, increase calories expended, or do both. Metabolism is somewhat a function of genetics, but you can increase basal metabolism by building muscle. Aerobic exercise that increases the heart rate can raise metabolism while you're exercising. You can increase the thermic effect on metabolism by focusing on quality protein and high-fiber fruits and vegetables. Dehydration can contribute to an inefficient metabolism. Making sure you drink enough water will help to avoid this. Never dip down to lower than 1200 calories a day or your body will try to conserve calories. Do not skip meals for the same reason. Space them out 4-5 hours a piece and add a moderate snack in between if you so desire. Move as much as possible. The amount of calories you burn in the course of a day adds up. And last but not least, your metabolism naturally decreases with age, so determine to start losing weight now.

Have a blessed day!

http://www.gracetoday.com
http://www.dietingfordummies.org

Think before you drink!

Be mindful of beverages loaded with caloric ingredients like sugar, corn syrup, fructose, milk, cream, syrup, special flavoring, and even fruit juice. If you're watching your weight, you are better off eating fruit versus drinking it. Did you know that flavored water, vitamin water and sports drinks all have added calories? When it comes to managing your weight, calorie-free water will always be your best bet. Pay careful attention to serving sizes also. Many bottled products are two or more servings, not one. Watch out for alcohol when dieting. Alcohol and nutrition are closely linked. Over consumption of alcohol can lead to nutrient deficiencies, weight gain, and chronic diseases such as liver disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and coronary heart disease. If you drink alcoholic beverages do so in moderation. No more than one drink a day for women. No more than two drinks a day for men. Trim 500 liquid calories from your daily diet and you'll save 3,500 calories a week and lose a pound. Just 500 extra calories per day will add up to one pound per week potential weight gain.

Plan Ahead Each Shopping Trip!
 
Try this on for size. Weigh yourself before you go shopping. Yikes, isn't that a novel idea? If you weigh heavy, you will surely want to avoid buying exras. If you weigh light, you don't want to blow your week with extras. This scale technique can be a win/win situation. Always eat before you go food shopping and always prepare a shopping list. Only purchase food which relates to your weekly menu plan and don't be tempted to buy goodies. Don't walk down each and every aisle if you do not intend to purchase from that row. You will only find more items to tempt you. Do buy sale and in-season items that will compliment your diet. Saving money is almost as much fun as loosing weight. If you are in doubt of a food item, do read the nutritional label, including calories per serving. Many times this will deter you from a purchase you might regret before you arrive home. The labels are your friend and will keep you honest rather that a, "I didn't know" attitude. If shopping is a favorite weekly thing to do, try to shorten your time spent in the grocery store and increase your time spent browsing at Victoria's Secret where someday you will be able to purchase items to showcase your new figure. Now, isn't that much more rewarding?
 
Have a blessed day!
 
http:www.gracetoday.com
http://www.dieitngfordummies.org

Breaking A Plateau!

A weight loss plateau can be defined as a period of two to four weeks where you are exercising regularly and following a balanced meal plan and still not losing weight. It is not abundantly clear why plateaus occur. One theory is when dieting the body is in an adaptive, prehistoric response, and thinks it’s starving, becoming even more proficient at storing calories as fat. A weight loss plateau is when you are putting forth your tried and true best attempts at a proven method for you. A plateau does not occur for those having little weight to lose. A plateau happens for those who have a great deal of weight to lose and have lost successfully without deviating from plan for months on end. It may be a case now of 1) consuming too many calories for the amount of calories that you are burning off, or 2) not consuming enough calories; your body defends itself by slowing down your metabolism. In the first instance a scale back of 100-200 calories may be warranted if you do not dip below the 1200 minimum calories per day recommended for dieters. In the last instance, you must go back to journaling to see what you are actually consuming each day. If you have become accustomed to consuming small amounts of food and are below the recommended amount consumed daily, an increase is warranted as you ride the wave when your body will react favorably once again. You may mix up your menu. You may mix up your exercise routine. You may increase your activity. You may increase supplements and natural metabolic boosters, but the bottom line is humbling, indeed. A plateau is busted when the body is ready, willing and able.
 
Have a blessed day!

http://www.gracetoday.com
http://www.dietingfordummies.org


Welcome new subscriber schemingturkey!

hey everyone,
 
i just joined and wanted to say hi. :)

Edited by author 09-30-2007 06:06 AM
Be Realistic About Your Ideal Weight Goal!

This is what a standard chart suggests: The ideal weight for a woman who is exactly 5 feet tall is 100 pounds. For every additional inch above 5 feet, add five pounds. If you are shorter than 5 feet tall, subtract five pounds for every inch you measure below 5 feet. The ideal weight for a man who is exactly 5 feet tall is 106 pounds. For every additional inch above 5 feet, add 6 pounds. What the chart does not consider is 1) your body frame size (small, medium, large), 2) your age, 3) your activities, and 4) medical recommendations. If you were a body builder or into extreme sports, it is obvious this is not an accurate chart. As you lose body fat and replace it with muscle mass, you will note the ability to carry more weight on your frame. If you have determined through the wrist measurement test that you are not medium framed, you must make an adjustment. Get out your tape measurer. If your wrist measures less than 6 inches, subtract 10 percent from your ideal weight. If your wrist measures more than 6 inches, add 10 percent to your ideal weight. As we age we no longer can retain a "low-normal" range as in our high school or college days and may consider a "high-normal" range. And most important factor of all is to ask your doctor's opinion if you have a medical condition which may factor in. Set a realistic "Ideal Weight" goal for your body, and when you do achieve it, you can then determine whether you want to fine tune it further.
 
Have a blessed day!
 
http://www.gracetoday.com
http://www.dietingfordummies.org