Hot-Cha-Chocolate

Nothing warms you quite like a steaming mug of hot chocolate on a chilly winter day. And it's easy to indulge in a healthy version. Look for diet cocoa from Swiss Miss and Nestle; at 25 calories a packet, they're hotter than hot. Add some extra flavor with a dash of curry powder and a peppermint or cinnamon stick. Mix in a new Splenda Flavor Blend in French vanilla, hazelnut or mocha. Or, try sugar-free syrups by Torani and DaVinci in festive flavors such as peppermint and eggnog. For recipe ideas, visit www.davincigourmet.com.
Five foods to add to your diet
Lose it for good!
Brown bagging it

Good-bye January

Well January is now at an end and I have not come close to my goal for the month, a 5 pound weight loss. I have lost only 1 tiny little pound and am sitting at 217, it is hard to believe that last August I weighed in at 212 pounds. I know that if I stick with it I can and will get down to 150 pounds (it just may take longer than what I wanted it to), but isn't that how life is?
I mentioned in my last post (not the conquer your cravings posts) that I am the proud owner of an exercise ball, well, I love it. I did 90 seconds worth of sit ups and hurt for two days. I know, my abs are WAY out of shape. I would recommend a ball to anyone who is looking at getting an ab machine. My only complaint is that you can't use it for 48 hours from the time that you blow it up. First, you have to air it up until it is 4 to 6 inches smaller than what it says it is on the box and let it sit for 24 hours. After that 24 hour time is over you finish inflating it and sit it aside for another 24 hours. Then you can use it.
They should (for the most part) be kept away from children. As you can not hit, kick, or throw them. Should any of that happen to it, it could pop. That would be a bad thing. Before I bought my ball, I thought about getting an Ab lounge (gets you up of the floor, helping your muscles to work better, enabling you to do more with less). The ball does the same thing and cost less. Sometimes as low as $11.88 for just the ball, or you can get a ball, two 3 pound hand weights, a ball stand and a DVD (and of course the pump) for around $30 at Target. The Ab Lounge is almost $100, and it takes up a large space in your home. So, before you buy your next piece of exercise equipment, take a moment to think about this. I will see you all next month.
For all of you that are interested in a cross country weight loss support group, leave a comment with your current weight, what your goal is this year (be specific please), your first name and if you want your age (totally optional). If you have anything that you would like posted e-mail me at sewbjbstyle@yahoo.com , in the subject line put healthy mom so that I will know what it is and check back for more tips on getting to that healthy weight, along with recipes and other stuff for moms.
Buffie

Stay Sane -- Commit Yourself

Cravings driving you up the wall? Maybe it's time to escape the house -- and get moving. Start a walking, a biking or an in-line skating group, or make a standing appointment with a friend at the gym, courts or park. Redbook magazine offers the tools to create a Walking Group -- they'll even send you music playlists and gear guides. Research shows that a workout buddy can help you stay committed to regular physical activity. Don't be surprised if your craving pipes down in the midst of catching up.
Look good while getting in shape
http://diet.ivillage.com/motivate/mimage/0,,8cwwz9hl,00.html?nlcid=cv01-09-2007
Curb emotional eating
http://diet.ivillage.com/issues/iemotional/0,,1k6s,00.html?nlcid=cv01-09-2007

For What It's Worth

Whoa, Nellie! You wouldn't throw down dollars with abandon; why would you recklessly consume calories? Charles Stuart Platkin, the Diet Detective, points out that we have little real idea what a calorie is worth -- in terms of energy expenditure and physical exertion. One way to frame it is to translate calories into exercise. Knowing how much you'll need to sweat to burn off excess calories is a handy way to make conscious and clear food choices. A quick index: for a half-pound of prime rib, or 675 calories, you'd have to walk for 174 minutes, run for 96 or bike for 72. To burn two chicken fingers, at 240 calories, you'd need to walk for 62 minutes, run for 34 or bike for 26. Two cubes of Cheddar cheese have 110 calories for a 28-minute walk, a 16-minute run or a 12-minute bike. It's enough to make you stops in your tracks -- or at least snack more sensibly.
Five best post-workout foods
http://diet.ivillage.com/issues/ichoices/0,,bowden_9gcg7sch,00.html?nlcid=cv01-08-2007

Premium Blend

Craving a soy nut? Neither are we. While there's lots to be said for this high-protein performer, it might not send your taste buds a-twittering. Enter Crum Creek's Brilliantly Blended Soy Nut Mix, a snack with a lively supporting cast of chocolate chips, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and raisins -- hitting your crunchy, salty and sweet spots in the same handful. And this high-fiber, cholesterol-free blend now comes in single-serving sizes for your desk and purse.
Dealing with a fat day
http://diet.ivillage.com/issues/0,,7k7l75x0,00.html?nlcid=cv01-05-2007
What's your excuse?
http://diet.ivillage.com/issues/0,,plrh,00.html?nlcid=cv01-05-2007

Pigskin... Not Pig-out

Tailgating for the big bowl? You don't have to bypass the burgers and forgo the fixins -- just choose wisely. Grill up a couple of 97 percent fat-free beef franks; they're only 45 calories each. At the condiment bar, stick with ketchup, relish and chopped onions -- and by all means, slather on the mustard; it's carb-free. Even the side dishes have several virtues. As a cruciferous veggie known for its cancer-fighting properties, cabbage packs loads of healthful nutrients. Opt for sauerkraut-brined cabbage instead of coleslaw, which drowns the poor thing in a pool of cream. Or, whip up a modified coleslaw -- shredded cabbage, carrots, green peppers and onion, tossed in oil and vinegar with a touch of sugar. For inspiration, check out the Claremont Salad sold at grocery retailer Wegmans.
Natural cellulite remedies
http://diet.ivillage.com/tone/tcellulite/0,,9w0c,00.html?nlcid=cv01-04-2007
Resize your thighs
http://diet.ivillage.com/tone/tlegs/0,,j9f3,00.html?nlcid=cv01-04-2007

Snap The Evidence

Honestly, now: How much food did you eat today? It's easy to lose track -- especially if you belong to the "little here, little there" school of nibbling and grazing. Most dieters -- no matter how well-intentioned -- underreport what they eat by as much as 40 percent, says nutritionist Charles Stuart Platkin. He recommends writing down everything you consume in a food diary -- or, for the most graphic evidence, snapping a photo with your camera-phone. It might be the only picture worth a thousand calories.
Seven ways to maximize workout results
http://diet.ivillage.com/workouts/0,,7npc,00.html?nlcid=cv01-03-2007
Breakfast makeover
http://diet.ivillage.com/issues/ichoices/0,,27k2,00.html?nlcid=cv01-03-2007

Sorry I'm Late

I know that I have said that I would blog every Monday, but this week that just wasn't possible.

One way or another I have felt like crap this week. I have had muscle spasms in my foot, felt like I am going to toss my cookies (not that I have had a cookie since Christmas) and a VERY sharp pain in my right side, I think I may have pulled a muscle while working out on my Gazelle. And about that thing, don't you believe it when you see the infomercial. It takes way more than 20 minutes a day three days a week for you to see any kind of weight loss with it. It is hard (not that it should be easy), but to the point where I can go outside and walk a mile in like 10 minutes, but it takes more than 30 minutes on it, I doubt it.

I didn't quite make my predicted workout, although I did do most of it. This past Monday I got in 30 minutes and did the same yesterday. I took today off (just as I will do tomorrow, my honey is off work). Friday, I think that I will try my new exercise ball. I'll let you know how that works. As for my weight, lets just say that I am up 2 pounds from the start of the month. Can I pull my hair out now????????? Did I mention that my honey and I are trying for a baby?

Buffie

Conquer Your Cravings 2 (12/25/06 to 1/1/07)

Don't you hate it when you have to play catch up? I do.

Crispy on the Outside, Toasty on the Inside
If a chilly night calls for something warm and toasty, try these two yummy recipes with I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spray -- one's savory, one's sweet. For garlic toast, spray two slices of Wonder Light bread with ICBINB. Toast the bread, sprayed side up, on a light setting. Sprinkle with garlic powder and enjoy. For cinnamon sugar toast, toast and spray as above, then sprinkle cinnamon and a packet of Splenda on each slice. We propose a toast!

Feed Your Ego
Do you find yourself reaching for food? It might be a surrogate for something else. Overeating can result from feeling lonely and needing nurturing, says Linda Spangle, author of 100 Days of Weight Loss. If you're hungry for affection, you'll try to feed your needs in the literal sense. Among Spangle's favorite coping strategies: Choose a phrase or mantra that empowers you, helping you feel strong to combat feelings of inadequacy. For example, "I'm strong and capable." Or "I am a fantastic friend." Repeat as needed -- at the fridge, in the buffet line, cruising past White Castle. The shot of self-confidence will help ward off the insecurity that can lead to overeating.
4 steps to buying healthy bread
http://diet.ivillage.com/issues/ichoices/0,,9m7z2nj1,00.html?nlcid=cv12-26-2006

It's Easy Being Green
No wonder everyone's raving about going green. To avoid overeating at meals, always start with a salad, says nutrition expert Jean Carper. Toss with dressing made with lemon juice or vinegar and extra virgin olive oil; the first two help to suppress appetite and blood sugar spikes, while olive oil contributes "good" monounsaturated fat. For an extra kick, blend two to three tablespoons of salsa into your favorite vinaigrette.
Toasty low-cal drinks to warm you up
http://diet.ivillage.com/issues/isnacks/0,,grieger_b1kh7gcg,00.html?nlcid=cv12-27-2006

May We Propose a Toast?
Raising a glass to your health? You might take a vow of sobriety if you knew the calorie count of those delectable drinks -- arising largely from their densely-packed alcohol or fat-filled and sugary mixes. The Washington Post names the worst offenders: rum and Coke at 361 calories per serving, Amaretto sour at 421 and mudslides at a truly disastrous 820 -- enough to make you head for the hills! Better choices are light beer (110 calories), non-dessert wine (around 100 calories) and the Bloody Mary (120 calories). Prevention magazine has named their top toasts that help you steer clear of party perils. Five ounces of champagne (just over 100 calories) is one good choice. Added bonus: The bubbles encourage you to drink more slowly, pacing yourself throughout the night. Even better: an ounce of Stoli Blueberi vodka with eight ounces of pomegranate-tangerine-flavored Hint water, at a cool 58 calories. Satisfyingly fruity and flirty -- just how we ladies like it -- the cocktail works to fight heart disease, too. We'll drink to that!
Stick to your resolution this year
http://diet.ivillage.com/plans/ilose/0,,ilosecc_9vh3vj1x,00.html?nlcid=cv12-28-2006
Walk it off
http://diet.ivillage.com/workouts/wwalk/0,,1mgc,00.html?nlcid=cv12-28-2006
Your mind is key to a killer body
http://diet.ivillage.com/motivate/mimage/0,,Lindsay?nlcid=cv12-28-2006

The Best Reason to Celebrate if You've Got No Plans
No dinner plans tonight? A free night on your calendar may be a boon for your diet. When you share a meal with someone else, you're prone to eating more, says a study cited in Mindless Eating, a new book by food psychologist Brian Wansink. On average, you'll consume about 35 percent more food breaking bread with a meal partner than you would dining solo. So take a break, social butterfly, and recharge your batteries once in a while. Hey, you can always plan to meet a friend at the gym first.

Eat Cake -- Chased with a Mint
Popping a mint post-meal signals the end of chow time. For a zingy mint that does wonders for your breath and teeth, zoom over to Zellies.com. The mastermind behind Zellies is Ellie Phillips, a dentist who owns a dessert cafe in Rochester, NY -- so she knows something about having her cake and eating it, too! Ellie's Zellies are made with 100 percent xylitol, a naturally occurring substance that tastes like sugar but has 40 percent fewer calories -- cleaning and protecting your teeth while freshening your breath. Healthy bacteria will drive out its harmful cousins to protect your teeth. We're happy to follow this dentist's "drill."
A quick and easy workout
http://diet.ivillage.com/workouts/wwalk/0,,1mgc,00.html?nlcid=cv01-01-2007

Color Me Slacker

This has not been my best week. I thank mother nature for it, but whatever. I am down to somewhere between 215 and 216 so that's a plus. My workout on the other hand suffered due to my husband getting home early last Wednesday (WalMart is currently on an overtime freeze) and then the Midwest freeze (have I mentioned that I hate ice) that caused Mark to miss two days of work.

Any who, here is what my workout looked like last week:
Jan. 8: 10 minutes (my foot was in sever pain)
Jan. 9: two 15 minute sessions
Jan. 10/11/12/13: Nothing/Nada/Zilch/More Slacking
Jan. 11/walked the mall (just thought that I'd throw that in)
Jan. 14: two 30 minute sessions (talk about exhausting)

Since I am currently without cable, I am going to try to get a full 60 minutes in today. That way if I miss a day for whatever reason this week I will still have the workout.
My forecast workout looks something like this:
1/15: 30/30
1/16: 30
1/17: 30/30
1/18: 0
1/19: 0
1/20: 30/30
1/21: 30
Here's for it actually happening.

Buffie

Conquer Your Cravings

Busy Hands Can't Reach into the Cookie Jar
It's true: Idle hands have a way of gravitating toward forbidden food. So instead of reaching into the proverbial cookie jar -- or freezer, or pantry -- divert your digits with something else. Make a phone call (go old school and forego the hands-free headset!). Treat yourself to a manicure. Crochet your mom a scarf. Squeeze one of those squishy stress balls. Once your hands -- and mind -- are engaged, any cravings borne of boredom are sure to vanish. Give yourself a hand!

Color My World
Seeing red? Getting hungry? Research has shown that fiery red, orange and yellow are the hues that induce hunger and ignite cravings... think of your favorite fast-food logo, and you'll begin to understand what's going on here. On the contrary, soothing shades of blue and green have been shown to dampen and allay hunger pangs, lulling a craving to sleep before it rears its head. So set your computer to display that ocean screen saver, or splurge on that mint-green sweater. Counter the "chain gang," and use color theory to curb your cravings, not coax them out.
Are you maximizing your metabolism?
http://quiz.ivillage.com/diet/tests/MaxMetabo.htm?nlcid=cv12-19-2006
Portion Distortion quiz
http://quiz.ivillage.com/diet/tests/portion.htm?nlcid=cv12-19-2006

Give Chimichurri a Whirl
We love pesto, but the cheese-and-pine-nut puree can pile on the pounds. Adopt the ways of the Argentineans, and enjoy chimichurri sauce -- a pesto variation that skips the cheese, moving fresh herbs to center stage. Adding zest to chicken, fish and veggies, it's the perfect finish to a healthy dinner. Give the following a whirl in your blender: half a bunch of parsley, three garlic cloves, 1/4 cup of olive oil, a dash of red-wine vinegar, some lemon juice, half a teaspoon of red onion, 1/4 teaspoon of dried oregano and a pinch of salt and pepper. Makes several servings; chill in fridge beforehand.

Hit the Beach
You've read about the South Beach Diet. Now, you can dive in more easily than ever -- without slaving over the stove or catching the next flight to Florida. Kraft Foods has launched a new line of South Beach Diet breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks -- all great-tasting and nutrient-rich, as per the South Beach mantra of non-deprivation. It's not about cutting carbs -- it's about eating the right kind. Try Vegetable Medley Breakfast Wraps to start the day, and Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Penne for a savory lunch or dinner. Time to hit the Beach, wouldn't you say?
Are your friends making you fat?
http://quiz.ivillage.com/diet/tests/FriendsMakingFat.htm?nlcid=cv12-21-2006

California Cookies
Eyeing the cookie jar with envy? Take heart -- you don't have to pass up these munch-worthy morsels. To satisfy a cookie craving, opt for oatmeal raisin, pecan or another high-fiber, high-protein combination of oats and nuts. Or, try Natasha's Health Nut Cookies -- low-carb, sugar-free goodies made from almond meal into raisin-amaretto, cranberry-orange and vanilla-chocolate-chip varieties. Natasha -- one of our new best friends -- bakes her goods from scratch out in San Mateo. Leave it to California to create a healthy cookie!
Portion patrol
http://diet.ivillage.com/issues/iportions/0,,grieger_9z9dss4l,00.html?nlcid=cv12-22-2006
Slip into your skinnies in six weeks
http://diet.ivillage.com/tone/tlegs/0,,neporent_9zsd62vk,00.html?nlcid=cv12-22-2006

I Think My Scale Is Broke

No, really. I have been working out like crazy all week (with the exception of my husband's 2 days off) and I have been watching everything that I eat and the stupid scale has only moved to somewhere between 216 and 217. While that may seen like a good thing, I assure you its not.

I believe that it is broken for a different reason. Two days ago I put on a shirt that I have not worn in about a year (in that same time the scale has only gone down 3 to 4 pounds) and the thing was huge on me. I literally felt like I was swimming in this shirt, but yet my scale says that I have only lost, like, 3 pounds. I don't get it.

Anyway, my workouts have been as follows:
Jan 1: two 15 minute sessions on my gazelle
Jan 2 (my half birthday): 10 minutes on it
Jan 3: 15 minutes
Jan 4 & 5: off
Jan 6: two 15 minute sessions
Jan 7: 30 straight minutes (this was quite the challenge and I am still hurting)
Yesterday, during my workout I got a muscle spasm in my right foot, not good when walking or using a gazelle. For those of you not familiar with the gazelle, it is like a cross between skiing and walking/jogging. So foot pain is kind of a pain to deal with, I stuck it out though and plan to do it again today. Now to add more fiber to my diet.
Til next week. Enjoy the tips and check back every few days for more ways to Conquer Your Cravings.

Buffie

Scoop No More

The carb-conscious bagel-lover will tell you, the best way to have your bagel and diet, too, is to scoop out the doughy center. But now you don't have to burrow through your bagel to cut down on carbs -- it takes too much time and... well, defeats the whole purpose of relaxing over brunch. Save the scooping for sundaes, not Sundays! Next time, toast up a 110-calorie Alternative Bagel. Sold in flavors like cinnamon spice, blueberry and top-selling sweet wheat, it boasts as much variety as the corner bagel bin -- with 7 g of fiber and 0 g of sugar! And you can enjoy every last morsel instead of digging them out.
Hot legs: No equipment required
http://diet.ivillage.com/tone/tlegs/0,,89n7rns1,00.html?nlcid=cv12-15-2006

Snack Your Way To Health

Here's a new way to party hearty! Corazonas tortilla chips -- named after the Spanish word for heart, corazon -- are the first snack chips to reduce LDL (or "bad") cholesterol by up to 15 percent, says a study published in the Journal of Nutrition. With whole oats and plant sterols, Corazonas chips are lower in saturated fat and sodium than traditional tortilla chips -- with nada in the way of cholesterol and trans-fats! And flavors Salsa Picante and Jalapeno Jack are spicy enough to hold their own in the realm of lip-smacking snacking. Nab them at Jamba Juice stores, on Amazon.com and at select retailers.

And You Thought It Was Just A Cereal

Welcome Special K to the rest of your day! Making its debut in grocery stores this winter, Special K20 Protein Water does some heavy lifting, delivering five grams of protein with only 50 calories per 16-ounce bottle. And lest you think you need to choose from flavors like turkey, chicken and steak, you'll welcome the fun, fruity tastes like strawberry kiwi, lemon twist and tropical blend. Go to www.specialk.com for advice from food and fitness experts, a progress journal to track calories and a calorie-burn calculator.
Snack Swapper
http://diet.ivillage.com/snackswapper/0,,7k7xsw71,00.html?nlcid=cv12-13-2006

Shake Your Moneymaker

Listen up, dahlings! Park Avenue's top diet doctor and nutritionist, Jana Klauer, spills the secrets of the rich and famous with the launch of her ready-to-drink Everyday Nutrition shakes. Brimming with whey protein and calcium -- two key ingredients in weight loss -- the shakes are the only ones on the market with a generous dose of omega-3, which protects your heart's health and boosts skin radiance... without Botox! Enjoy them for a meal or snack; they've got 20 grams of protein and 400 mg of calcium for a bargain rate of 180 calories. And in rich cocoa or vanilla bean flavors, they taste more like dessert. Talk about living rich!
Shimmy into your skinny jeans in six weeks
http://diet.ivillage.com/tone/tlegs/0,,neporent_9zsd62vk,00.html?nlcid=cv12-12-2006
What's a true portion size?
http://diet.ivillage.com/issues/iportions/0,,grieger_9z9dss4l,00.html?nlcid=cv12-12-2006

Not Your Grandma's Teatime

You've heard the advice to drink eight glasses of water a day. And you're probably bored silly at the mere prospect. Check out Lipton To Go -- a no-calorie, sugar-free iced tea mix loaded with protective, plant-derived flavonoids and antioxidants. Add a packet to a 16.9- to 20-ounce bottle of water, and shake well to infuse with your choice of six flavors, including raspberry, peach and lemon. It's more exciting than plain old water -- and way more fun than high tea at Grandma's.
Get fit in the new year
http://diet.ivillage.com/plans/ilose/0,,9wjzpfjm,00.html?nlcid=cv12-11-2006

Here's Looking At You, Kid

Here's a trick that draws on positive reinforcement to quash your cravings before they propel you into the danger zone. Post on your fridge a smashing photo of yourself, a picture of your sweetie or even a postcard of your favorite, bikini-worthy vacation destination. When you wander over to the kitchen, you'll find a full-color reminder to be your best self -- one that generates plenty of (nonedible) food for thought. Aruba, anyone?
Does your lifestyle fight flab?
http://quiz.ivillage.com/diet/tests/Fightflab.htm?nlcid=cv12-08-2006

Naturally Sweet Picks

Naturally Sweet Picks
Fruit for dessert? It doesn't thrill us, either. You can reach a deeper level of satisfaction by jazzing it up with some fun flourishes. Pair banana slices or grilled peaches with one tablespoon of Nutella chocolate-hazelnut spread, heated in the microwave for a fondue-like consistency. Or dust strawberries and pineapples with a granola topping for a sweet, crunchy finish. Poach pears or apples and serve with a scoop of sorbet or low-fat vanilla bean ice cream. After a few creative twists, fruit can make the leap from the so-so to the sublime.
Dealing with diet sabotage from your guy
http://diet.ivillage.com/issues/iemotional/0,,8pvjnp1g,00.html?nlcid=cv12-07-2006

Will Work For Food

If people have to work for it, it's proven they'll eat smaller portions, says Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom, founder and director of the UPMC Weight Management Center at the University of Pittsburgh. Make eating less convenient by playing a game of hard-to-get, especially while entertaining. Serve peanuts in the shell and candy in wrappers rather than a chocolate sampler or a bowl of M&M's. (Psst... this also makes it easier on the hostess!) Confine food to the kitchen so your guests have to pursue it on their own. Hey, if it works in relationships...
Losing weight: Five foods to eat and five to avoid
http://diet.ivillage.com/issues/ichoices/0,,2z2l,00.html?nlcid=cv12-06-2006

Peanut Butter, Only Better

We know what you're thinking: What could be better? Better'n Peanut Butter, also sold as Peanut Wonder, clocks in at around half the calories of the real thing -- with a fraction of the fat. Pair it with Smuckers Sugar Free Grape Jelly for a satisfying sandwich... just like Mom used to make! For a richly decadent dessert parfait, blend Peanut Wonder and Cool Whip, and layer with crushed Oreos from a 100-calorie pack from Nabisco. It's a tad more elegant in presentation than the peanut butter cups we used to wolf down by the bag.
Your guide to yogurt
http://diet.ivillage.com/issues/ichoices/0,,9mzlm34p,00.html?nlcid=cv12-05-2006
Meal makeovers
http://diet.ivillage.com/issues/ichoices/0,,pls2,00.html?nlcid=cv12-05-2006
Fiber: The forgotten ingredient for weight loss
http://diet.ivillage.com/issues/ichoices/0,,2nv7,00.html?nlcid=cv12-05-2006

Cocoa Cure

We used to think chocolate was a diet no-no. Now it's just what the doctor ordered. Dark chocolate has earned an angelic rep as a powerful antioxidant, with compounds called flavonoids that protect heart health. Problem is mass production strips flavonoids from most bars in the candy aisle. But British MD Keith Scott-Mumby has concocted The Doctor's Chocolate, chocoholic's dream: a luscious raspberry truffle that combines unprocessed dark chocolate, natural fruit sweetener and an amino acid that reduces daily stress and tension while sharpening mental clarity. Each truffle has a modest 20 calories, with one gram of fat. Scott-Mumby says to eat two pieces a day. And you wouldn't defy the doctor, would you?
Vegetarian weight loss tips
http://diet.ivillage.com/issues/ichoices/0,,8kn3,00.html?nlcid=cv11-30-2006

Pull A Fast One

The drive-through beckons -- and you cave. But don't despair: You can still indulge your fast-food cravings while sticking to a healthy diet. Just order smart, and consider it a special treat. A small bowl of chili and Mandarin Chicken salad makes a great meal from Wendy's. At Burger King, opt for a veggie burger or a TenderGrill Chicken Garden Salad with light Italian dressing. Even McDonalds is lightening up with "healthy" happy meals -- swapping soda and fries for milk, fruit juice, apples and carrot sticks. Or request a hamburger patty with lettuce, tomato and onion -- hold the bun. Voila: your favorite burger, reborn as a salad! That makes us happy.
Burn calories smarter and safer
http://diet.ivillage.com/motivate/mtrainer/0,,7w39w513,00.html?nlcid=cv12-01-2006

Good Morning, Gotta Go

No time to linger over cereal? Take breakfast with you! Kelloggs Smart Start Healthy Heart Bars -- a portable version of the heart-healthy cereal -- will stave off your hunger pangs to avoid a mid-morning meltdown by the vending machines. Or pack a Quaker Rice Cake. At 60 calories, it's great topped with a schmear or two of peanut butter, with protein and fiber that will quash your need to munch... at least until lunch!

Happy New Year

My year has already gotten off to a bad start.
I started my day as always and was in for a surprise when I stepped on the scale. I managed to avoid weight gain during Thanksgiving, but gained it over the Christmas holiday. I had not 1 but 2 dinners (one at my house and 1 at my sister-in-law's house).
My uncle also made an appearance, and I am not comfortable exercising in front of people. I don't even workout in front of my 4 year old, of course that is because I don't want her to get obsessed with her weight. She could stand to gain about 10 pounds though.
Anyway, I am now at 218 pounds and I am not happy about it. My top resolution this year is to lose a minimum for 5 pounds per month (I have to lose 6 just to get back to where I was in August). Can I just cry? Oh, well it looks like I'm bound for "Days of Our Lives" and 30 minutes of my gazelle.
Check back for my update next week, and tomorrow for more weight loss tips.
Buffie

Sleight Of Hand

It's amazing how many pounds can magically appear after you go a little nuts at the buffet. Next time, pull a David Blaine and outfox your cravings with some clever tricks of perception. Fix your dinner on a smaller plate -- it keeps portion sizes in perspective. A full salad plate will appear heartier than a dinner plate with gaping space that begs to be filled. Also, remember that you're entitled to seconds, no need to overload on firsts. Take half of what you think you might eat. You can always go back for more, but odds are you'll be satisfied with what you have. Don't you love when that happens? And remember, portion sizes are arbitrary. Your magic wand -- er, knife -- wields the power to slice calories and fat in half -- or thirds! So go ahead: Split a slice of cake with your friend(s). You might not share your secrets, but you can share your dessert.
Bye-bye cereal! 12 healthy breakfasts
http://diet.ivillage.com/issues/ichoices/0,,8962,00.html?nlcid=cv11-29-2006
Steamier sex diet (sounds like fun) ;)
http://health.ivillage.com/sexualhealth/sxarousal/0,,hkm0,00.html?nlcid=cv11-29-2006

Shoe Therapy

Pop quiz: What's just as fun as eating -- and burns calories, to boot? Shoe shopping! If you're on the road to weight loss, reward yourself for withstanding temptation with another kind of treat, like a great new pair of kicks. Dr. Isabelle Shaw, author of The Shoe Diet, says the key to weight loss is to set realistic goals -- losing five pounds, cutting soda out of your diet -- and to celebrate success with a tiny splurge. Stimulating the "reward mechanism" in our brains motivates us to make healthy lifestyle changes, firming up our resolve to persevere. So reward yourself at every step with a killer pair of heels.
Affordable nutrition
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Are sugar substitutes making you fat?
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10 Hollywood training tips
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Crank The Heat

We're all for the apple-a-day advice, but to ward off fruit fatigue, try doctoring it up with some natural sweetness. Apple slices dipped in honey make a great snack, as do flavored applesauce packs like Mott's Healthy Harvest. But turn up the heat, and the modest apple will reveal a whole new, seductive side. Warm yourself on a chilly night with this speedy and satisfying baked apple recipe, courtesy of dessert chef Phyllis Fox: Core a Rome or Cortland apple, peeling about an inch of skin off the top. Place in a baking dish with half an inch of water. Drizzle some honey on top, and bake at 375 degrees until soft. Sprinkle with cinnamon, or top with a scoop of fat-free vanilla ice cream.
RMR: Your body's calorie-burning engine
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Beakfast Bonus

Fiber is truly a dieter's best friend -- its prolonged digestion time staves off hunger to keep you satisfied for hours. But you don't have to sit and crunch on bran flakes. Fruits, veggies and even whole-grain breads pack plenty of fiber, too. Ready for even better news? If baked goods are more your speed, visit Vitalicious.com. Their Vitatops muffin tops offer a fiber-rich way to start the day, in yummy flavors like Deep Chocolate and Banana Nut. At 100 calories a pop, they pack five grams of fiber, but zero grams of fat! And for dessert, try their Vitacakes and Vitabrownies. Who says you can't have your cake and eat it too?
Are you an emotional overeater? (Quiz) I am a mild to moderate emotional overeater
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How healthy are you? (health calculator)
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Buffie

Chocolate Treats That Won't Fudge Your Diet

A fistful here, a cupful there... Pretty soon, your noble effort to sample tiny amounts of chocolate has mushroomed into a jumbled equation that's quickly eluding your mental math. Why fudge the amount of calories when the companies have done the work for you? Try a Hershey's Rich Dark Chocolate Stick, precision-cut to 60 calories. For two crunchable 90-calorie treats, try CocoaVia Crispy Chocolate Bars (packed with calcium and vitamins) or O'Coco's Organic Baked Chocolate Crisps (sweetened with all-natural cane juice). Take the guesswork out of snacking, and you can turn your attention to other numbers -- like your target dress size.
Bye-bye, back fat!
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Easy ways to get fit during lunch
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Reach your fitness goals, no buts about it
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