Variety is Key to Successful Dieting

One cup of instant Miso (low sodium) soup with 1/3 cup dulse (seaweed) is loaded with benefits. If you're feeling adventurous, just add 1 ounce of cubed tofu and see what happens to your protein:

It's hard to get nearly 3 grams of fiber in under 100 calories. That's a good full feeling! Lots of vitamins, too. Yep, branching out of the comfort food zone is the key! It's no wonder Whole Foods has a huge selection of instant miso soups, seaweed vegetables, and tofu.

Good Quote

Do or do not, there is no try.  -Yoda

Cher: Excuses Won't Lift Your Butt

Harlan Coben quoted Cher today at the PG Chambers School fund-raiser luncheon, Menu for the Minds. The guest speaker, and best-selling suspense author from NJ, was referring to the difficulties of writing when he said "there are no excuses for not writing,"  just before he quoted the great American philosopher, Cher.  I'm with Cher and Harlan:  there are no excuses for not exercising!

Herein Lies My Problem

And all I can say is, "Birds of a feather...."

Anyone serious about health, nutrition and weight loss should take a look at My Food Dairy. The website offers a free trial period, but the $9.00 a month is well worth the cost. It's a really time consuming approach, but research supports the benefits of keeping a food and exercise journal for increased weight loss success. Here's a snapshot of one of the many reports available to help with the constant battle of weight management.

Thinking of Maggie

And being TUBBY 24 hours a day?

Tuesday Weigh-In

Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap
but by the seeds that you plant.

-Robert Louis Stevenson

Thwarting Weight Gain

Thwarting weight gain. Thwarting weight gain. Therein lies the intent of mindful diet and exercise. Keep that mantra handy as you step on the scale. The pounds may not be falling off your body, but they are not piling on, either. Exercise is creating a toned physique for now, and future strength for old age. Do those squats and lunges now, or you'll have trouble getting off the toilet in the not-too-distant future.

Secret to Losing Weight? Supportive Friends

Experts agree that one of the key ingredients to long-term weight loss is the buddy system. People who buddy-up during a diet and exercise program have greater success achieving their fitness goals over people who go it alone. Hello? Anyone out there?

A New Look

Body changes are starting to occur. Amazing how you can see the same people at the gym, week after week, and they always look the same. Not me. My body is starting to take on a toner look. The butt is getting a lift, midriff is getting flatter, upper-thighs narrower, upper arms getting definition, and the face looks healthier and slimmer. I started taking a multi-vitamin to help supplement my excellent, but sometimes, iron-deficient diet. I'm beginning to feel like my 'ol self again. The blog has a new look, too.

Fraction of a Pound

Fractions add up to pounds. Don't be discouraged by what's on the scale each day. As long as you're committed to thwarting weight gain, losses may be gradual, but they are, none the less, losses. Hang in there. Fractions are good for your goal.

Simple Secret of a Healthy Heart

GENTLE exercise can dramatically cut the danger of an early death from heart disease, according to new research. Read the whole article here.

Positive Thinking Brings Success

Sometimes, all it takes for continued motivation, and a little extra weight loss, is to just visualize yourself at your ideal weight. Do this throughout the day, especially before meals and voilá!

Combine a Protein with a Dairy to Rev-Up Weight Loss

Studies have shown women burned more fat and calories after a meal when their diets included three to four servings of lowfat dairy daily. The amount of quality protein in your diet is the single most important calorie that influences your metabolic rate, favorably influencing weight loss. Quality protein also helps you sustain muscle during weight loss, improve muscle fitness, improve immunity, improve antioxidant function, build HDL cholesterol, and enhance insulin and leptin function – all of which contribute toward optimal weight management efforts over time.

Do Ahead: Shop, Chop, Cook

Healthy options need to be readily available when the hunger pangs strike.

21 Days Makes a Habit

Research shows that it takes 21 days to make a habit. Make each day count as you diet and exercise. In just a few short weeks, you will have developed a very good habit.

Just Do It

Nike was on to something with that famous campaign slogan. Just do it. Do it for the day. Do it for the next day. Do it for 10 minutes. Do it for an hour. Be disciplined. That is what sets you apart from others. Your disciplines during your day. Exercise. Just do it.

Don't Give Up

Don't give up. There is no quick fix to lose weight. Eat healthily. Exercise. Forgive your missteps. Keep going.

Honey and Cinnamon for Weight Loss: The Claim

The formula for honey and cinnamon for weight loss is ubiquitous.

1. Use honey and cinnamon in a 1:2 ratio (one part cinnamon, two parts honey)
2. Put the cinnamon in a cup or bowl.
3. Boil one cup of water.
4. Pour water over the cinnamon and let it steep for 30 minutes.
5. Once the liquid has cooled, add honey. Always add honey to the cooled liquid – hot liquid will destroy the enzymes in the raw honey.
6. Drink half of the resulting “tea” before going to bed. Cover and refrigerate the rest.
7. Drink the other half first thing in the morning.
8. Do not add anything to the recipe. Only drink on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning and right before bed.

Typical claims of benefits that you will find for drinking this concoction include:

1. Inches will be lost before you will notice the scale creeping downward.
2. The cinnamon and honey cleanses parasites, fungus and bacteria out of the digestive tract.
3. You may experience side effects due to the release of toxicity.
4. You may experience increased energy, better sex drive and a better mood.
5. The formula will block your body from gaining fat.

To the frustrated dieter looking for a panacea, the honey and cinnamon for weight loss cure might seem like a dream come true, but does it work? Take a look at each of the ingredients and their potential benefits on health.

20 Pounds = 5 Months

5 months = swimsuit shopping season
Lose one pound a week for the next five months and you'll be down a size or two for 2010 swimsuit season, which is right around the corner.

Make the Best of It

Make the best of it. When you make the best of whatever you're focused upon, your future will be better than your now. If each moment you're making the best of what-is, no matter what it is, you make the best of it; make the best of it; make the best of it—your future just gets better and better and better, and better.

--- Abraham- Hicks