Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Ideas to HELP me on my continued weight-loss journey


Now that the holidays are over, I’m craving a healthier lifestyle.  I’ve learned a few secrets since losing weight last year (you can read about that here) and I’m hoping I can continue making healthy choices in 2014.  I’m pressing forward with my mindset that the choices I make today affect all of my tomorrows.  I try to eat small healthy meals through-out the day, but one of the secrets I learned is to be prepared with healthy foods before the cravings hit.

Here are the saving foods/drinks that get me past the hard times.

  1. A grapefruit and stevia.  I have a pink grapefruit tree in my backyard and purchase stevia from Trader Joe’s.  It comes in an easy to use shaker, so I can just sprinkle it on whatever I want.
  2. Hot chocolate.  Late at night, when everyone else is snacking, I go for this. 


Sugar-free hot chocolate

Celestial Seasonings makes a great tea called Roastaroma.  I steam my tea and then mix in a shake of stevia, a tablespoon of cocoa and a pinch of cinnamon.  Sip it steamy hot and slowly and I feel like I’m on vacation at the Swiss Alps.  Seriously, I feel like I’m sitting in some ski lodge watching the snow fall.

  1. Zipfizz.  I know there are many different sugar-free drinks out there.  
    I’m not a soda person, so that’s out.  I discovered Zipfizz at Costco and am really happy with it.  I try to only drink it when I need a boost.  Dieting, I find drinks are really important.  They can save me from a downfall. 
  2. Mint Cali tea. 
    I love to sip my Sunrider Cali tea steamy hot, but when it’s done, I take the tea bag and throw it in with a half-gallon of water.  The mint of the tea bag is so strong, it carries over perfectly.  I mix in the juice of a lemon (I also have a lemon tree that sings with love) and shake in some stevia.  Served over ice, it is the most refreshing drink EVER. 
  3. Extra Gum Mint Chocolate Chip. 
    I reach for this gum several times a day.  The flavor lasts and lasts.  When dieting, smells can make or break you.  The longer I eat healthy, the less cravings I have, but I remember when I started losing weight the cravings would come which the fierceness of a hungry lion. I felt over come, but remained determined.  I learned to pick up what it was I wanted to eat, like a cookie or a piece of pizza and smell it.  Really smell it and the smell created a distraction.  It was just enough satisfaction and with some self-control, I could put the food down and walk away.
  4. Celery.  I eat a lot of celery.  At first, it doesn't taste very good.  I do keep fat-free ranch dressing on hand, so that helps.  When I first started on my weight-loss journey, I remember walking around the house saying "Look at me.  I'm so lucky I get to eat celery."  Yeah, there was a bit of sarcasm in that tone and I would chomp down on it like a cow chewing cud, but celery is an interesting food because if you pay attention to your body, you realize celery can really fill you up.  I eat three celery pieces and can go hours before I’m hungry again.
  5. Sugar-free jell-o.  It’s always good to have some jell-o stashed in the refrigerator.  I like cherry or strawberry.  The flavor is very strong and satisfying.  I eat it slowly, so I feel like I’ve had a decent treat.
  6. Broiled zuchinni with garlic.  Make sure they are well-done, crispy and they are that much more satisfying.  Sprinkle your favorite garlic seasoning over it and it's delicious.
One of the biggest things I learned is dieting has a true start and stop date.  I don't have to eat like this forever.  I really only eat this strict when I'm in fat-burning mode.  When I'm in maintaining mode, I don't have to be strict.  Still, I do fall back on these foods when I feel I'm starting to slip. In addition, because I had so much weight to lose (and still have more to lose), I found it more manageable to do it in 20 pound increments.  I lost the first 20 pounds and took some time to figure out what I was going to do from there (plus the will power was slacking).  I learned to eat more in moderation and experimented with how much I should/could eat to maintain where I was at.  After a few months, I started up again.  I lost another 20 pounds and took another break for a few months.  This required me to really love myself and be patient.  I had to enjoy and appreciate where I was at.  I had to see the good in my body, even though it was far from where I wanted to be.
  
Out of all the blog posts I wrote last year, I find it interesting my spiritual journey to weight-loss was the most popular with over 1,000 hits.  I wasn't sure if I even wanted to share it, but decided if it would help someone, I would.  It wasn't easy sweating through an emotional battle with weight-loss (and I continue to fight the battle).  I was angry with myself and felt it was unfair I was over weight.  I was a good person.  I exercised and ate lots of salads.  I worked hard and hoped to just get by.  I had five children and that’s why my body looked the way it did.  I had every excuse in the book.  In the past, these emotions and ideas sabotaged me from my weight-loss goals, but spiritually, I held on.  Every minute was a choice.  I knew nothing was impossible with God.  Still, the body has a way of taking over the mind, so having these food and drink choices available left me feeling a bit more in control.

(click here to read more)

Dressember was a great experience for me.  Buying beautiful dresses and wearing them every day was a gift to myself.  I still can't believe I fit into smaller sizes than before.  Wearing these dresses was a reminder to myself that the sacrifices made for weight-loss are worth it.  I know my body isn't perfect, but the purpose behind dressember was important. It's been amazing to maintain my weight-loss after almost a year, but it's time to push myself again.  Back on the band wagon.  I can't wait to see what else I learn through my next spiritual journey with weight-loss.

Linking up to:
Jenny Matlock



15 comments:

  1. You'll have the ability to enjoy your life, and improve your own health. On the marketplace today, the acai fruit diet plan would be the one you want to attempt if you wish to have enduring results. The acai berry has actually recently been utilized in lots of cosmetic items.

    Regards,
    Goji Berry Juice

    ReplyDelete
  2. Eating tuna and celery as I type. It's certainly a journey. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. And sugar free chocolate pudding...with a tiny pop of cool whip. I saw that on Biggest Loser once and it has been a favorite since!

    ReplyDelete
  4. A Great Filling Snack

    Microwave Popcorn

    Use a large microwave safe bowl with lid (Mine is Rubbermaid) Put two small handfuls in and set the lid on top, don't seal. Microwave for roughly two minutes depending on your microwave. Just like the pre made packages you need to watch so it doesn't burn. No salt,no oil. You can season with chili pepper or some other healthy spice. Low calorie, filling and a great source of fiber :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I stand behind you 110%, my friend. Weight loss is mentally grueling and it is definitely not for a weak minded person. I need to get back onto the band wagon of eating healthier and exercising again. The holidays wiped me out. Actually, it all started at the end of October when DH & I took our little stay-cation, but I am at peace for once in my life about the whole challenging of burning off these unnecessary pounds off. Why? I think it's largely in part to the accomplishments I made in 2013. A lot has happened between then and now, but I need to get pro-active again with fitness and diet moderation. Thanks for visiting yesterday and it was so nice to meet you in the Alphabe-Thursday classroom!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Just found this site, Salad in a Jar, so you can make up salads in advance and always have a healthy snack waiting for you. They sound yummy! http://backtoherroots.com/2013/04/09/salad-in-a-jar-101/

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love that you're getting yourself clothes to celebrate your milestones. What a great way to reward yourself for all your hard work.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Keep up the good work Laura, you look GREAT! I must try the Calli tea, I'm ordering some right now. =)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Also, if the sense of smell works for you to curb your cravings, definitely try burning a yummy candle from Bath and Body Works... they have ones that smell like cookies and a mint chocolate chip one that smells identical to the ice cream. Sooooo good.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Congrats on your success, you look fantastic! Wishing you the best as you continue on your journey!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I brush my teeth a lot. The mint toothpaste taste makes me not want to eat. You're doing and looking great by the way! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow!!
    Its a very nice post. We really appreciate the post. We also provide yoga classes for weight loss in rishikesh at beautiful Himalaya. Please visit, if it is beneficial for you.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Dieting can be hard...

    It does help when you have your heart in it!

    I do love a sweet treat or a salty snack from time to time, but I actually feel better when I eat healthy food.

    Here's to your continued progress!

    Thanks for linking to the letter "H".

    A+

    ReplyDelete