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I had every intention of blogging while I was away on business last week, and I felt terrible when I had to neglect my writing so that I could rest up for a long string of meetings. I am back now though and hope that everyone has had a wonderful week!
Today marked the last day of my goal to lose 30 Pounds in 3 Months. As of last week I had already surpassed my goal and had lost a total of 32 pounds over an eleven week period. Even though I’ve reached my goal, however, the work doesn’t stop here. Now it’s time to set a new goal for myself, a task that I will sit and do tonight.
At this morning’s weigh in my weight was…
206 lbs
Well, I’m up one pound from last week and I breathed a huge sigh of relief to see that I hadn’t gone up past my weight loss goal. That would have been really disappointing. I think the reason my weight stayed stable over the past week was that I wasn’t able to exercise as much when I was away on business. I made it down to the hotel gym twice, but I didn’t have the energy I usually do for exercise. My big accomplishment was that I managed to eat really well while away, which is a first for me and was surprisingly easy. One of the biggest changes in my eating patterns since I last went on a business trip is that I now eat breakfast. I’m not sure how I ever managed to go until lunch without eating food and just sucking back cups of coffee. That seems very unhealthy to me now.
 There are many delicious low-calorie breakfasts that will give you energy and curb your hunger until lunch, such as breakfast smoothies that are very simple to make and can be enjoyed on the go. It seems that the debate about whether breakfast is necessary or not is still not settled. Most nutritionists would recommend eating breakfast in the morning, particularly when you are trying to lose weight, however there are lots of people who cannot stomach the idea of eating food until later in the morning and claim that this eating pattern has no ill effects. I was one of these people for most of my life. My first meal was usually lunch, but by then my blood sugar was so low that I was ravenous and spaced out – a perfect combination for overeating. It was only a couple of years ago that I started eating breakfast again. This change came when I stopped drinking coffee. I now realize it was the caffeine in my coffee that was suppressing my appetite. Lots of coffee on an empty stomach for hours everyday is not what I consider healthy, and is the unfortunate reason that some people develop chronic heartburn.
There are a limitless number of low calorie breakfast ideas you can try if you want to eat in the morning but not blow your diet. Eating even a small breakfast in the morning will improve your metabolism and curb your hunger so that when lunch arrives you are not as likely to overeat. Eating breakfast also gives your brain energy so that you are able to focus and are not lethargic.
To help you along, here are some low calorie breakfast ideas to help you stay on track with your diet and feel better during the day. A good breakfast is going to contain protein, good carbohydrates, and foods rich in vitamins and minerals. The protein is going to keep you fuller for a longer period of time, meaning you will not have the urge to snack at 10 AM. The carbohydrates are going to give you a boost of energy to get you through the morning, and we all know why we need to have vitamins and minerals. You can also take your daily vitamin with breakfast to get the most benefit throughout the day.
Here are some low calorie breakfast ideas which are around 200 calories to get you started:
‘Diet’ cereal and half cup of skim milk with a half of a ripe banana. This type of breakfast is fast and easy. You can put the banana on your cereal or you can eat it separately. The cereal you choose will be key to keeping this breakfast near 200 calories. Think about brands like Special K. Read the box carefully for calorie count and serving size. The biggest reason people eat more calories than they think they are is due to overestimating serving size.
One egg, slice of wheat bread, and a small glass of unsweetened fruit juice. The egg in this breakfast can be hard boiled or scrambled, but do not add butter to cook. Instead, get a calorie-free cooking spray. If you want butter on your toast, get a low calorie margarine with zero trans fat. Juice can be hard to buy, so read the label to be sure no sugar of any type has been added and the juice is 100 percent real fruit juice.
Small plain yogurt, half a banana or handful of berries with glass of skim milk. This breakfast is tastier if you use your fruit in the yogurt. You can buy fruit already in the yogurt, but do not do so if it means extra calories. Adding your own is sometimes the best option. The skim milk is a good idea for calcium intake, but you could substitute a small glass of fruit juice if you know you can get your calcium in later in the day. Feeling adventurous? Add all of these ingredients to a blender to make a delicious breakfast smoothie.
A packet of instant oatmeal with a dash of skim milk. Oatmeal is an excellent source of fiber and many vitamins and minerals. Of its numerous health benefits, oatmeal contains soluble fiber that helps to reduce levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar. Oatmeal in the morning has been a food I have grown to love. I use individual packets of instant oatmeal because it is easier to control portion size that way. Just add boiling water and a splash of skim milk for a delicious and healthy breakfast that will keep your hunger pangs at bay until lunch.
This morning marked Week 11 of my goal to lose 30 Pounds in 90 Days. Wow, has it really been eleven weeks since I started this. I can’t believe how quickly the time has flown by. Not only that, but I can’t believe how well I have stuck with my diet and exercise program. It has been some major work, but my clothes are so much looser and I feel so much more confident in my ability to lose weight and stick with it. Whatever the weigh in results are this morning, I’m glad I have been making this effort.
My weight this morning is…
205 lbs
I DID IT! I DID IT! OH MY GOSH, I CAN’T BELIEVE IT! I wasnt expecting to see such a low number of the scale. Holy smokes. I got back on the scale three times because I couldn’t believe the number. I don’t know how I managed it, but I lost eight pounds since my weigh in last week and have now surpassed my goal of losing 30 pounds in three months. As of this morning, I HAVE LOST 32 POUNDS IN 11 WEEKS! 🙂
 Joining a group or finding a friend to lose weight with is one of many ways of improving your weight loss motivation. I’m still on cloud nine after reaching my weight loss goal a week early. Tonight I’m going to sit down and set my next weight loss goal. When losing weight it is very important to set weight goals for yourself. Even if they are small, they keep your eyes on the prize. My weight loss this week has given my motivation a huge boost. Staying motivated when losing weight is something that every dieter battles with. I have learned a few really helpful tricks for keeping myself motivated as I lose and I hope that they will help you too.
Dieting is never easy, but it is even harder if you dive in without really thinking about what you are doing. You may have your eating plan in place, and have thought of ways to get exercise into your life each day or at least a few times each week. That’s great. However, is it enough to keep you motivated day in and day out? People talk about willpower, but there really is no such thing – at least not in the way you think. You can not diet on willpower alone. You have to have some tricks up your sleeve for improving and maintaining your weight loss motivation.
One trick you can use seems simple enough, but many of us overlook it as a useful means of improving weight loss motivation. Instead of thinking about the sixty pounds you want to lose, think about losing the first five. After that five, think about the next five or even ten. Make mini weight loss goals for yourself and you are more likely to stay on track. Celebrate each and every small milestone so you feel you have accomplished something. However, don’t celebrate with food because that defeats the entire purpose of all your efforts. Instead, treat yourself to a new piece of clothing, or a pedicure, or something else that feels special but doesn’t involve eating.
One of the best ways to improve weight loss motivation is to find a friend or a group to join that has similar weight loss interests and goals to yourself. Not only will this friend or group be something you can lean on during difficult times and celebrate your successes with, but it will also keep you accountable to someone other than yourself. If you are the only one on a diet, you can slowly fall off and only answer to yourself without any embarrassment. If someone else is counting on you to diet and exercise with them, or if you have to go and weigh in or be held accountable for your patterns to a group, you are much more likely to stay on track. Plus, the extra support also keeps you on track too. It’s win-win!
Keeping a weight loss journal is another method that many people find helpful for improving their weight loss motivation. A weight loss journal is a very important and special book that gives you the means of documenting your weight loss. This journal should include everything from pictures of yourself as you lose weight, to your daily struggles with losing weight, to inspirational quotes that help to keep you going. A weight loss journal helps to keep you motivated by indicating exactly how far you have come and is one of the most rewarding activities to do when losing weight. I should mention here too, that many internet-savvy dieters are now using blogging as a type of weight loss journaling.
Another good tip for improving weight loss motivation is to clean out your closet. Many of us, and I’m the worst for this, keep clothes in our closets that we have had for eons. I have some jeans in my closet that I wore in high school and all they do is remind me of how much thinner I used to be. Also, many of us who have lost weight probably have a collection of “fat” clothes that we are hesitant to get rid of. My advice, do some spring cleaning and get rid of all the old, skinny clothes and the fat clothes that you don’t wear anymore. If you don’t want to throw them away or donate them, then simply pack them away in storage. This is particularly important for your “fat” clothes that are too big for you now. Don’t give yourself an excuse to grow back into them! Keep only what fits you in your closet. When you go down a couple of sizes, get rid of the old, larger clothing as soon as possible.
Well, I’m off to work, but not before I reward myself for a job well done. I just called my husband and he agrees that a day at the local spa is a perfect reward for reaching my weight loss goal. Perhaps I’ll make an appointment for the weekend and spend the day. I can’t wait. Have a great day everyone!
I went to a birthday party Sunday evening for a close friend of mine. I have to admit that my husband and I were not super excited about going, not because we didn’t want to visit with our friends, but because we didn’t want to be faced with all the delicious foods and drinks that are usually abundant at these occasions. We both agreed, however, that you can’t live your life avoiding social events simply because you are afraid of what temptations may be there. We already miss enough events because we are dieting and trying to lose weight, such as the Easter Dinner invite from a friend of ours that we had to make excuses for missing.
Anyway, we did go to the birthday party and I was blown away by how considerate my friend was. Even though it was her birthday and she could have had all sorts of amazing foods and treats, because of me she offered a wonderful spread of low-calorie and low-fat snacks. I was moved to tears by her consideration and support of my goal to lose weight. Of course my friend and I have spoken extensively about my weight loss and she is a huge support, but I never expected this. When I was thanking her over and over for such a thoughtful menu plan for her birthday she smiled and said the nicest thing, “I want to support you and this is one way that I know how”. Now that is one good friend!
 Sharing your weight loss goals with family and friends helps them to understand better how to support you in your weight loss efforts. Dieting is often a very personal journey, but as you can see you do not have to go it alone. Unless you are completely isolated from friends and family, you have to let someone know what you are doing. It may seem private and even painful, but if you have support from those that love you, you are going to do much better. There are many reasons for this, and all are reasons why you could succeed. Your family and friends can be more helpful in you reaching your weight loss goals than you think.
Above all else, it is most important that you share your weight loss goals with the family members you live with. Likely they will know you are trying to lose weight because there is no way you can hide your diet from them. They are going to notice the change in what you eat, and even that you are trying to be more active. If you are the adult, or one of the adults, in your family then sharing your weight loss goals with your family is even more important so that they understand your motives and support you in your efforts. For example, in many households, children and even spouses will expect certain snack foods and treats to be in the house although you may find these things too tempting to have around. Speaking with your family about this and coming up with compromises about these types of foods can help you as well as keep your family happy.
When it comes to family, if you are the person who prepares the main meals then you are going to need your families support to make sweeping changes to your meal plans. You can not always make one meal for yourself and one for everyone else when you’re on a diet. In a situation like this, sharing your weight loss goals with you family is very important so that they can support you. Also, discuss with you family how everyone will be healthier because of eating a better diet and it is not just because you want to lose weight. Focus on the health part of dieting and not the vanity side. Also, compromises when dealing with your family meals can go a long way to keeping the peace. For example, a compromise would be to make Friday pizza night and order them pizza in. This way you can make a small meal for yourself and the rest of your family can have a meal that they all enjoy.
When it comes to extended family and your close friends, they are going to know that something is up as well, and it might be in your best interest to share your weight loss goals with them. If everyone is more aware of your mission to lose weight then they can be more supportive. A wonderful example of this is how my friend prepared a special low-calorie, low-fat menu plan at her birthday party with me in mind.
Family and good friends should be there to support you no matter what you are going through in life – and losing weight should not be an exception. If they seem not to be giving you the support you need from them, speak to them about it in a calm and understanding way. Talking things out is always best, as the solution is often simpler than anyone could imagine. Often, it’s a matter of misunderstanding each other and by sharing your weight loss goals with family and friends you will find the peace and support you need to succeed at losing weight.
Ahhh, the alarm clock was silent this morning and I was able to snooze until refreshed. Like many others today, I have the day off because it is Good Friday.
This year my husband and I didn’t go away over Easter, but a few of my friends have jetted off to some place sunny and warm. My husband and I were chatting this morning about our next trip, which will be to Mexico in a few weeks. We are excited and both of us are eager to lose as much weight as we can before we go. It’s funny how we work hard a few weeks before a trip to lose weight with the anticipation that we’ll really blow our diets on vacation. This time, however, I am determined not to do this. I really want to stay on track with my weight loss even if we are vacationing. I think it will take some planning.
 Weight loss vacations offer a unique opportunity for you to develop your weight loss program with help from professionals. Although I’ve never tried it myself, a new trend in taking holidays is weight loss vacations. I have started looking into popular weight loss holidays at different spas and retreats and my girlfriends and I are talking about going for a couple of weeks in the fall. Afterall, time away from work and everyday stresses is a good thing, but you don’t have to rest on a sandy beach to get some peace of mind.
If you could go on a vacation that will change your life, would you? Most people would answer with an emphatic ‘yes!’ Are you aware of vacation spas that can help you get a jump start on your diet and teach you what to do when you go home to keep your dream alive? Would you go?
There are many things you want to look for when you choose a spa or weight loss destination. Probably the most important is the involvement of real medical professionals. Some are founded by doctors, which is great, but that does not have to be the case. You do, however, have the right to expect real doctors on staff. They should be a part of designing the programs and have specific rules and regulations to keep your weight loss endeavor safe.
Secondly, look for weight loss vacations that offer you a personal trainer that you can reach at any time. You may have to share with a small group, but that is not a huge issue. It would not be a good thing if you had to share with a large group, as that means waiting to get their attention when you need help. Since spa weight loss vacations are usually short, that can waste a lot of your time. See how much one-on-one time you get with the personal trainers and also with the nutritional specialist, which should also be available to you at all times.
Take a close look at the programs the weight loss vacations offer as well. You want to makes sure the programs offer activities that you will want to do and will enjoy. Do you love the outdoors? Look for programs that have hiking and bike rides through wooded areas. If you love to swim, make sure they have that as part of their program. There are many different places you can go, so you can be picky about the program you choose. If you don’t enjoy it, you are not going to get much out of it.
On a final note, look for the extras. Many spas and weight loss holiday spots have extras that are helpful and luxurious as well. These might include massage and stone therapy, just to name a few. You want to relax as much as you want to get going on your weight loss and fitness goals. Stress can often slow down or sabotage a diet. If you figure out how to relax and pamper yourself while working towards your goals, your success rate can shoot right up.
If you are interested in this type of option for your next holiday, please visit Weight Loss Center’s Weight Loss Vacations Review section. This review section outlines programs for a number of the most popular weight loss spas and weight loss vacations, including the programs they offer, price and contact information.
The other day I was calculating how many hours I have sat at my desk in my oversized office chair over the past three years. My calculations worked out to be somewhere around 5700 hours that I have sat here in front of the computer working. That is a lot of time to spend mostly sitting. Other than the time I have spent sleeping, there are few things that could top that. This got me thinking about how I could include some exercise into these many hours spent behind a desk. I mean, if I had been doing little exercises for those 5700 hours over the last three years who knows how many thousands of calories I could have burned off.
Adding a little physical activity to your work hours when you have a stationary job like mine is very easy to do. There are a number of simple exercises you can do at work that will give your muscles a workout and help you burn some extra calories during the day. What you have to do is to find ways to incorporate exercise into your work day. You may find more ways to fit in mini-workouts than you think.
 Sitting on a fitness ball, like the one shown here, at your desk for an hour or two each day strengthens your core muscles and is an easy exercise you can do at work. Walking is always great exercise, and there are quite a few ways that you can get extra steps into your work day. If you drive, park a few blocks from the office and walk, remembering to leave a little earlier from home in the morning, of course. If you take the bus, get off a few stops early. Also, take a walk on your lunch break if you can. Find co-workers to walk with you. Also, if you work in an office building with more than one floor, skip the elevator unless you are late. Walking up and even down the stairs are a great exercises you can do at work.
If you have a desk then you have some privacy to get in some great muscle workouts while you are typing away or even talking on the phone with clients. Bring ankle weights with you to work and have them on at your desk. If you have the space, you can do leg lifts, bending at the knee, with the added weight. Do a few sets of 20 each day. You can also lift your knee up in a controlled motion to touch the bottom of your desk if you can not extend your leg out straight. (I have been doing this last exercise for the past five minutes and both my butt muscles are starting to burn. That’s pretty cool!)
One of the best exercises you can do at work is something you do all day. Getting up from a chair and sitting back down is something you do without thinking about it, but it can be a great workout. You want to sit in your chair, raise yourself up to a half-standing position without the aid of your hands. Hold the position for a few seconds and then lower yourself slowly back down. You can also do this against a wall if you wish. As you go along, add more time to your stationary hold. You might be pleasantly surprised how hard and effective this type of exercise can be.
A great way to exercise your core muscles (stomach, sides and back) is to sit at your desk on a fitness ball. Fitness balls are those large, burst-resistance plastic balls that you see in gyms and on infomercials late at night. For an hour in the morning and then an hour in the afternoon, push your office chair to the side and sit on a fitness ball instead. Although this is not a difficult exercise, you will feel your core muscles constantly adjusting for balance. Sitting on a fitness ball is also pretty fun. I can’t help bouncing up and down a little and this helps work the thighs too.
Finally, use the company gym or gym membership if you can. If your company does not offer this, take matters into your own hands. Volunteer to do things that will take you out of the office or require things to be moved. You may also suggest the usefulness of your company having a gym or even a membership to one nearby. You never know, your idea may be a huge hit. Just have a list of reasons why it would be a good idea with you when you bring it up. You can also think of other ways to include your co-workers in exercises you can do at work. For example, start a lunch hour walking group or organize a pilates instructor to come to your work once a week for a session over lunchtime.
Yes, I did it! I was really congested yesterday and had no energy, but forced myself to go to the gym to workout. I pushed myself as hard as I could. I haven’t sweated like that in a long time, partly due to the fact I was sick. But this morning I woke up and my nasal passageways were clear and I felt 90% of my usual self. So for those of you with colds who are making excuses not to exercise, get out there and sweat those bugs out. You may feel much better in the morning.
Speaking of my sweaty experience at the gym yesterday, I drank more water last night than I have in a lifetime. I was parched. I admit I haven’t been drinking the eight 8-ounce glasses of water every day that is recommended for proper hydration. I find water to be a tasteless bore and am not naturally inclined to glug the stuff down. As most of us know, however, water is an essential ingredient for a healthy body and I have written about its benefits in the previous post “Drinking Water is Important for Weight Loss and Health“. Particularly when you are trying to lose weight, drinking water is one of the best and easiest things you can do.
 If you do not drink enough water to keep your body properly hydrated your metabolism will slow down. When dieting, you are advised to drink a lot of water. The amount varies, but at least eight cups of water a day are recommended. Many of us, however, skip this or do not pay close attention to how much we are really drinking because we feel people are making too big of a deal out of water intake. If you understand the effects that dehydration can have on your metabolism, and also how thirst can make you overeat, you may rethink your stand and start downing the right amounts of water each day.
Our bodies tell us when we need to drink more water. There is a balance needed to keep the body working at top form, and this can affect your metabolism and other important bodily functions. When we are kids, we know when we are thirsty and we ask for something to drink. As we get older, however, we lose the ability to tell the difference between hunger and thirst. At times, when we think we are hungry we actually need water. We can not tell the difference, so we eat. This is why when you are hungry between meals it is recommended that you drink a big glass of water. If your hunger is due to thirst then your hunger pangs should subside.
Your metabolism will slow if you are even slightly dehydrated, and three fourths of the population is always dehydrated without knowing it. Even if it only slows it down a little bit, this can be a problem when you are trying to lose weight. Water also helps keep your joints lubricated and it carries toxins from the body. You may be left feeling stiff all over and that can cause you to avoid exercise. You may be lethargic from toxins and that too will stop you from exercising.
If you add up all of the reasons why your metabolic rate may drop, you can see why something as simple as water is essential. Age can slow your metabolism, as can cutting back your calories. If you are not exercising enough, or if you are allowing long stretches between meals, your metabolism will be affected in a negative way. Making sure you get enough water can counteract some of that, though you should work on things you can control like exercising more and timing out your meals so you eat more often.
As you upgrade your water intake, keep something else in mind. There is a such thing as drinking too much water. It is very hard to do this, so you should be safe if you drink steady throughout the day instead of trying to down large amounts all at once. You should sip while you are exercising, but don’t guzzle to avoid an upset stomach. Eight 8-ounce glasses should be sufficient water to drink every day, but you can add more if you wish, especially if you are exercising more.
This morning marks week 10 of my goal to lose 30 Pounds in 90 Days. To be honest, I wasn’t sure which way my weight would go this week. Life has been hectic lately and I only made it out for exercise three times last week, which is down from my regular schedule. Also, I have come down with another cold that has frustrated me to no end because I finally felt like I was moving up to another level of fitness and now I’m stuffed up with a cough. I won’t let this cold set me back though, not this time. I’ve got a gym date with my friend tonight for a two hour workout and I have already laid out the rest of my exercise schedule for this week (This is my second cold this winter. When I had the first one I wrote this post “Exercising with a Cold“). I will follow through, I must!
This morning at my weekly weigh in my weight was…
213 lbs
I can’t tell you how defeated I felt after seeing that my weight was up three pounds from last week’s weigh in. It’s these little setbacks that really gnaw at my motivation. I’m trying very hard to lose weight, but sometimes no matter how well you’ve been doing your weight will still go up. I just have to keep reminding myself that this weight gain does not mean I’ve gained three pounds of body fat in one week.
 Gaining weight when dieting does not necessarily mean you have gain body fat, but can be attributed to a number of factors including water retention. Gaining weight when dieting is one of the most frustrating and defeating things that happens. The only consolation is that it is not just happening to you or me, it happens to every person who has ever tried to lose weight. So why does this happen? Gaining weight when dieting can be caused by a number of things, some of which are in your control and some which aren’t. Here is a list of the most common reasons people gain weight when dieting:
- Calorie intake is too low – Most nutritionists and doctors state that your diet should be no less than 1,200-1,500 calories a day. If you calorie intake is less than this your metabolism will slow down and weight loss can become stubborn or you may begin to gain.
- Your body is dehydrated – Most of use would assume that if our body’s are dehydrated then our weight will go down not up, but this is not the case. When your body is dehydrated even slightly it retains as much water as it can. This can account for unexplained spikes in your weight and can be avoided by drinking plenty of water.
- Salt intake – Foods that are high in sodium can also cause your body to retain water. Last night before my weigh in I snacked on fish crackers, which are pretty high in sodium, which may explain some of my weight gain this week.
- Glycogen storage in your muscles – If you haven’t been as physically active, or you have eaten foods higher in carbohydrates, your muscles are likely primed with glycogen. Glycogen stored in your muscles is your body’s first source of energy it uses during physical activity. Glycogen stored in your mucles is accompanied with the storage of a larger amount of water, which can account for fluctuations in your body weight of two to three pounds a day.
- Food matter in your digestive system – Foods that is being digested also can contribute to an increase in body weight.
As you can see, there are a number of ways to explain gaining weight when dieting other than just an increase in your body fat. The factors listed above can contribute to daily fluctuations in your weight of 2-3 pounds or more. In fact, on the nights my husband goes out to play hockey, he has sometimes lost 5 pounds between one day and the next. So before you beat yourself up over a weight gain of 2-3 pounds even though you’ve been sticking to your diet remember that your bathroom scale lies – it only tells you part truths. Yes your weight is up, but so is the amount of water in your body, or the amount of food in your digestive system, or the amount of glycogen in your muscles. Weight gain when dieting does not always mean you have gained fat! Of course if your weight is consitently going upwards week after week then you need to take a closer look at your diet and exercise regimes.
My day yesterday was action-packed. Work was hectic and tiring, but I still managed to make it to the gym for an hour long workout afterwards. I find it funny how sometimes when you are at your absolute worst in appearance, you will bump into someone you know. There I was, all red-faced and sweaty in my gym attire, which is really quite horrible and exposing, and I bump into a friend of mine, Julie, who I haven’t seen for many years. I recognized her right away and tried to hide myself behind an elliptical machine, but she saw me too and came running over.
 Getting in shape after 40 requires that you eat a healthy diet and get more exercise. Lower-impact activites that you can do in your later years, such as golf, are a great way to get in better shape. My friend Julie is a number of years older than I am, but was a total knock-out when we knew each other in college. She had, I would say, almost a picture-perfect life. Amazing looks, intelligence, a hunk of a boyfriend who became a lawyer and who she eventually married, and so on. I remember being quite envious of her and often marvelled at how easy everything in life came to her. So it was a bit relieving in an evil kind of way when I saw Julie yesterday and realized that not even her can withstand some of the ravages of the good life and aging. Now we have something in common, we are both overweight.
Julie is now in her early forties and she couldn’t stop talking about how hard it is to lose weight at that age. I felt badly for her because she is almost at her wits end with her failed attempts to lose weight. She attributes her weight loss failures to a much slower metabolism and a lack of energy and motivation. In fact I was totally shocked when she said “I wish I had known how hard getting in shape after 40 would be, if I had known I wouldn’t have let this happen”. So for my friend Julie, for myself and for my readers I though it would be a good idea to explore the challenges and techniques of getting in shape after 40.
There are many things the body can do when it is young that it has a harder time with as it ages. If you stayed up all night to study in college for two nights and then aced a test, you probably thought that type of stamina would go with you throughout life. If you are over 40, or even 30 for that matter, you have probably learned the hard way that this is not the case if you were to try that again. Losing weight is no different. Losing weight can be harder after 40 as well, but that does not mean you should not try. It might be easier than you think.
The first thing you have to know about getting in shape after 40 is that your metabolism is not what it used to be. You can burn 200 less calories a day than you did when you were 20. This means your energy may not be quite what it was, but that does not have to be a huge roadblock. Look into metabolism boosting foods like grapefruit, lean proteins, and apples and green tea to give you a little extra boost. It might not make up the entire difference, but it can help.
You can also boost that metabolism with exercise. You may have a harder time getting moving at first, but once you do, make sure you do cardio for at least 12 to 20 minutes three times a week when you start. As with anyone getting into shape at any age, this will help keep your blood moving and will make your metabolism rise. That helps you burn more calories and you are going to feel so much better than you did before you started your exercise program.
Weight lifting is not just for professional wrestlers and body builders. Men and women over the age of 40 can greatly benefit from lifting small amounts of weight in additional to cardio. This can be done three times a week as well. Ankle weights can be added when walking, as can hand weights. Muscle loss can occur faster after 40, so it is a good idea to replace that muscle with weight lifting. Remember to eat a good variety of protein to help with that muscle repair and replacement.
As with anyone working up to any type of exercise program, a physical is essential. A doctor must clear you for an exercise program so that you know you will be safe and remain healthy. You can also consult with your doctor about healthier eating habits that can help with your new endeavor. Eating proteins, the right carbohydrates, and fiber are a good start to getting in shape. Also, a multi-vitamin may be a good addition to your life to help ensure you are getting all of the essential vitamins and minerals. Don’t think it is impossible to get into shape at age 40 or above. All you have to do is commit yourself to these new lifestyle changes and stay positive.
It feels like an eternity since I have had the time to submit a post to the Weight Loss Blog here on Weight Loss Center. With all the hustle and bustle of work and family life, time for writing has been rather elusive. I’m glad to be back though and am blown away by the writing that has been going on here – REALLY top notch stuff, keep up the amazing efforts!
It has been some months now since I first shared my experiences about taking diet pills. Since then I have fielded many questions by people who want to know where and how to buy diet pills online safely. Seeing as how this seems to be a pressing issue for many, I though it may be very helpful to discuss my own recipe when it comes to buying diet pills online.
 Follow these suggestion for buying diet pills online that will help you avoid many of the common diet pill marketing traps. With the sheer volume of diet pills and websites that sell diet pills it is no wonder that people wanting to buy are intimidated and skeptical. No one wants to shell out their hard-earned dollars for a diet pill that sounds great in the advertising, but turns out not to work at all. For this reason, one of the best things to do before you buy diet pills online, or even at your local pharmacy or health store, is to do your own research into the effectiveness of the ingredients and reputation of the company.
Researching the ingredients of a diet pill before you buy it is very important and can help you avoid purchasing a diet pill that is ineffective. One of the best places on the internet to explore clinical studies and research with diet pills and their ingredients is PubMed. For example, if you are interested in buying Phentramin-D, which is sold here on Weight Loss Center, then you can go to PubMed and look up 1,3,7 trimethylxanthine, otherwise known as caffeine, which is one of the active ingredients. With this example alone you will find numerous clinical studies that have been conducted with this compound and from there you will be able to make a more educated decision as to whether or not this product will be effective.
Before buying diet pills online, I also recommend that you read reviews about the product you are interested in. Visit a number of different diet pill review sites, as some review site’s can be biased in their opinions if they are trying to sell their own products.
Finally, the reputation of the diet pill company and the methods with which they promote their products speaks volumes about the quality of the product they are selling. One of the first checks I start with is a search for the product or company in the RipOff Report (ripoffreport.com). This is a good tool to use to find out if other people are claiming to be scammed by the company or website selling the diet pills. Also, I take a close look at the website that is selling the product I’m interested in. Does the website solicit sales with spam emails? Is the advertising full of ridiculous claims for weight loss, such as “Lose 30 Pounds in 30 Day without Dieting or Exercise”? Is there a contact phone number and address for the company? Through examining the quality of the information provided by the website, you will know whether or not it is a reliable place for buying diet pills online.
I consider myself pretty lucky to have not experienced any major pitfalls with buying diet pills online; however I have always been careful. I have bought a number of different diet pills to try, including both prescription (when you could still buy them online) and non-prescription. The last diet pills I purchased were Phentramin-D from this website. When ordering through Weight Loss Center I have always received my orders promptly, I have never had extra charges made to my credit card and the product works really well for me. But don’t just take my word for it. Now you too are armed with the information you need for buying diet pills online successfully.
I must apologize for not getting around to posting my weekly weigh in yesterday as I have done for the past two months now. Work and life kept me offline yesterday, but I’m back with a vengeance today. Yesterday marked week 9 of my goal to Lose 30 Pounds in 90 Days. At my weigh in this week my weight was…
210 lbs
My new weight marks a total loss of 27 pounds in nine weeks!!!!! I am already starting to dream about weight loss goals like 190 and 180 pounds. I feel like I have finally found the secret to weight loss success – Control Calories, Exercise Regularly and Stick with It.
 A healthy obsession with weight loss is sometimes what it takes to reach your weight loss goals. Last night while my husband and I ate our dinner together, I was filling his ear about how many calories certain kinds of foods contain. Recently I have been checking the food labels of everything I buy. This has given me a much larger awareness of the kinds of calories and fats that are contained in the everyday foods that I buy when I grocery shop. It sometimes blows my mind when I pick up an item I have been eating for years and then realize that every portion size (of which I eat 2-3 times the amount) contains 200+ calories. Many of these items are snack foods and it was a real eye-opener to realize that in one short snacking session my husband and I would consume anywhere from 400 to 600 calories or more each. It is a wonder that I am not more overweight.
When I was finished my brief rant about how many calories are in my favorite cheesies (Hawkins – they are soooo delicious and totally a no-no now), my husband turned to me with a concerned look and said the most startling thing, “You have a weight loss obsession”. I admit his comment made me pretty defensive at first. Here I am trying to make myself and our family healthier and now my husband says I’m obsessed with losing weight. I was pretty angry, but now I have had time to reflect and I feel it is helpful, for me and my readers, to address the whole weight loss obsession issue.
Thinking about my husband’s comment with a clearer mind, I do understand his point and I think it is a valid one. Nine weeks ago now I set a goal for myself to lose weight and for the first time I am determined beyond everything else to make this happen. Part of the weight loss process for myself is to closely manage what I eat and in particular how many calories I consume daily. Counting calories, as those who have done it know, requires constant calorie checks and calorie calculations for everything you put into your mouth. These days, before I buy or eat anything, I am calculating in my head how many calories this food will cost me. This process, in many ways, is taking the fun out of eating.
Am I obsessed with weight loss? Right now, maybe yes. My husband calls it weight loss obsession, but I call it weight loss commitment and both of us are right. Sometimes you need to submerge yourself into your weight loss program so that you can just manage to stay on track. I equate it to how horses that pull carriages have blinders put over their eyes so that they can only see straight ahead and are not distracted by other things in their periphery. For me, counting calories, planning my meals, scheduling my workouts and writing in this blog are my blinders that help me see straight ahead to my weight loss goal. I know that it won’t always be this hard, but for now my “weight loss obsession” is what is keeping me going and I am grateful for it.
I would like to say as a side note here that there are some people who have an unhealthy obsession with losing weight. People with an unhealthy weight loss obsession will often force rapid weight loss by any means possible, including starvation diets, extreme exercise, purging and the abuse of diuretics and diet pills. These unhealthy weight loss methods will often be accompanied by very low-self esteem and poor body image. If you feel like you have an unhealthy obsession with losing weight, or a friend or family member may be suffering from this, please visit the following website for help: National Eating Disorders Association.
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