So what’s your diet downfall? Or, if you are going to splurge, in your opinion, what food or drink makes the splurge worth it?
Here’s my short list:
Cheese
Avocados/guacamole
Wine
Nutella
Chocolate
Warm, fresh bread
Did I mention cheese?
What’s Your Diet Downfall?
February 2, 2012 By 3 Comments
Damn You, 37-Year-Old Body {Or, Why Is it So Hard to Lose One Stinking Pound?}
January 19, 2012 By 10 Comments
Lately, as I sweat my brains out at the gym, all I can think is that I should have done this when I was 27, not 37. From a fitness perspective, I’ve gotten in better shape in recent years than I have been for most of my life. I’m at the gym these days at least five days a week, doing hard workouts for an hour. And I don’t just go to the classes, I BRING IT. Do you guys know what I’m saying?
I eat healthy and I even try and diet. I will admit I fall off the wagon with my calories on the weekend but I really don’t go crazy and feel like that should be okay, right? (I’m a huge fan of MyFitnessPal.com, which I’ve blogged about a bunch here before. That is the site I use to calorie count.)
I’m now over three weeks into my diet, I’ve worked my A$# off, only to have lost a pound and a half. Really, scale? And the worst part is that when I started (the 1.5 lbs up), I was bloated and heavy coming off of a vacation. So I don’t even know if my hard work has lost me that weight as I probably would have lost it anyway.
Reality is starting to set in and while I’m doing everything right, I know why it doesn’t come as easily as it used to: I’m not so young anymore. It’s a little bit depressing to think about a time when I could decide to go on a diet for a week and lose five pounds by eating a tiny bit less and going for an occasional run.
That’s it, right?
And what will I have to do when I’m 47 to lose weight? Or 57? Not eat?
I’m just frustrated. I know that I have to stick with it. I’ve gone slow and steady before and had success with it but I’m having a hard time working so hard and seeing very little results at this point.
Yo-Yo Weight & Working Out Again – It Feels Good
October 12, 2011 By 9 Comments
My weight’s a constant battle. I’ve said it before – I have a good 15lb range that my scale will see on any given year or two. Most of the time I’ll hover in the middle of that range. After a good diet I’ll be at the start of it, after a summer of drinks and barbecues, I’ll be at the other end.
I lost almost 15 pounds in the summer of 2010 using a free diet and fitness site, MyFitnessPal.com. I’ve talked about them over and over here and I still swear by it.
Which is why I’m back on it as of this week. (Well that, and the fact that I’ve gained back 8 of those 15 lbs.)
Losing weight isn’t easy. I know it isn’t. I have to workout and workout hard, and I have to eat less. There’s no quick remedy and it’s about persistence and patience. I have to remind myself of this daily or I just can’t do it.
I got out of the workout groove this past summer. Then one too many tasty margaritas on the deck hit and I don’t even know, but the fall came and it hurt to button my pants.
No more excuses.
One of the nice things about getting back into the diet and exercise routine is remembering how much I actually do enjoy working out. I’m only three days in but I already feel worlds better.
Trying something new: And, I tried a new class today! I went to my first ever Spin class. I’m not kidding when I tell you guys, I don’t think I’ve been on a stationary bike since sometime in the mid-90s. I always hated how it hurts my butt (that hasn’t changed) but didn’t realize what a real grind it can really be! I sweat up a storm! And this was after I had run 3 miles on the track so I’m feeling pretty pleased with myself tonight.
Who’s with me on working out and getting healthy this fall?
Workout Options You Don’t Have to Leave Your House For
January 6, 2011 By 1 Comment
No more excuses. This time of year, millions of women are hitting the gym and picking back up on an old or a new fitness regime to work off all that extra pumpkin pie and egg nog they indulged in last month.
Personally I’ve been talking about getting back on my fitness and diet from last summer and so far so good. The biggest challenge I find this time of year is the motivation – or lack thereof – when the cold weather hits. When there’s snow and cold outside, I want to just curl up inside of my house on the couch with a big cup of coffee and plate of carbs.
And I have a wonderful local gym I work out at – but I like that I don’t have any excuses not to work out at home. Between the Wii and workout videos, there’s really no reason I can’t burn some calories at home too.
I recently received a box of new workout DVDs that I thought looked pretty good – if you don’t have a Wii or are looking for a new video, here are some ones to check out:
Jane Fonda Prime Time – Fit & Strong – $8.99 (down from $14.98) on Amazon with free shipping. I love that Jane Fonda is still putting out workout videos. I used to workout to her Step Aerobics all the time in college and she definitely still has it. I hope to be this fit at her age. Fit & Strong includes two 25-minute basic workouts that include a little of everything – strength training, burning fat, etc. This DVD is brand new – it released November 30th. She also released Jane Fonda Prime Time – Walk Out, which is a walking workout for folks who like to walk to stay in shape.
Jillian Michaels has released two new workout DVDs – Six Week Six Pack ($8.99 on Amazon) and Shred-It With Weights ($7.99) She’s hard-core as always but she gets results when you stick with her! I have to admit, I wasn’t on the Jillian plan until I met her in 2009.
She was so genuine and nice, it only inspired me more to workout with her as you know she’s pushing for results as she truly wants everyone to succeed in their fitness goals.
And while we’re talking Jillian, it only makes sense to transition into the new Biggest Loser workout DVDs – Biggest Loser: Power Walk ($8.99) and Biggest Loser: Cardio Max Weight Loss ($8.99). If you’re a fan of the show, these are two DVDs worth checking out to kick it into high gear with your New Years Resolutions.
New Years Resolutions Start With My Favorite Diet & Fitness Site: MyFitnessPal.com
December 31, 2010 By 4 Comments
Last spring, I had finally had it. I was still up several pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight and the kicker? My son was 3 1/2. Deciding that it wasn’t just going to “come off” easily after three and a half years, I joined MyFitnessPal.com at the encouragement of my little sister.
From May to September, I lost 15 pounds. I was probably strict about the diet and my exercise regime fairly devoutly for 14 weeks or so. It wasn’t a quick weight loss. I counted calories, I hit the gym several times a week and I didn’t sweat the random weekend days that I may have gone over or didn’t do as well as I did the day before. I lost about a pound of week. I stuck with it because I found the website and program to be extremely easy and fun to use.
You can see my review from August of 2010 when I was down 10 pounds.
Now here I am at the end of December and while I have to be honest and admit that I haven’t been eating the healthiest, and I’m certainly not working out like I did, I’m happy to report that I’ve maintained my weight from the end of my time on MyFitnessPal. Well, mostly. In the end, by September I had lost 15 pounds. I’ve gained 3 since then which I can attribute to Peppermint Bark and Christmas cookies. But it even feels like more than two pounds as I’m bloated and have had about as much exercise as a sack of potatoes over the last few days.
So along with millions of other people, I’ll be starting back up on a diet and health regime in the New Year. I plan on joining back on board with my account at MyFitnessPal.com. It’s just too easy not to – the straight calorie counting, the ability to input my food and exercise into my profile via the web or my iPhone – it’s simple and it works. I implore anyone who is going for a diet and fitness resolution this year to check out this site. It’s user-friendly, simple and best of all – free!
If you know me, friend me! The best part of the site is that it’s Facebook-esque if you want it to be. My parents, sister and aunt all dieted with me last summer and having the group together to post encouragement on each others walls was an inspiration.
Check out MyFitnessPal.com and let me know what you think! I wasn’t paid or asked to write this review, I just love the website and think it’s a fabulous fitness and diet tool and what’s better than free?
Healthy Holidays with Healthy Choice: $1 off Printable Coupon
December 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment
While wonderful in so many ways, it can be tougher than ever to stay on track with a diet and healthy food eating regime when it’s the holiday season.
Whether you start now or after the holidays, treating yourself to a meal with Healthy Choice. I actually relied on meals like those from Healthy Choice (their Steaming Entrees are awesome!) this past summer when I went on a diet and lost 12 pounds.
It’s so nice to have a meal that you can grab on-the-go. It really helped me to count calories and curb myself in terms of portion control. And they’re delicious too!
Be sure to visit the Healthy Choice Special Offers page too to print out a coupon for $1 off their frozen meals and $.50 off ice cream. It’s never to early to start! While I haven’t been dieting during the season, I’m trying hard to at least maintain my weight throughout the holidays and I’ve definitely been relying on easy and delicious meals like the ones Healthy Choice makes.
Disclaimer: Healthy Choice is a sponsor of the Gift Guide Girls, a website which I’m a partner in.
10 lbs down with MyFitnessPal.com
August 12, 2010 By 3 Comments
This is one of those reviews I’m writing out of profound thanks and love. No one pitched me about this website or product. No PR folks cold called my cell to tell me I have to sign up. This is a, “I’ve used this service and it’s awesome and I have to tell you about it” post.
So it was my sister and family who tuned me into MyFitnessPal.com, which is shocking in and of itself as I’m the social media one in the fam who had never heard of this website. Nevertheless, my sister and parents convinced me to join the “family diet” but joining what we’ve dubbed the Facebook of dieting – MyFitnessPal.com, a totally free calorie counting, diet & exercise journal.
Last May, I got sick of feeling like I wanted to lose a little weight but doing nothing about it. I joined this site with my family. I’ve been very healthy and reasonable about it but I’m proud to report that I’m officially 10 pounds less than when I started in May! It’s been slow and steady and it’s involved a lot of calorie counting and getting into a work out regime.
You create a profile, input your weight, height and how fast you’d like to lose. MyFitnessPal.com will give you a daily calorie goal. You’ll gain extra calories to eat the days you work out. And there’s a whole community aspect (boards) where you can find other users for support if you’d like.
I’ve really enjoyed the interface – it’s simple to use. I do it online but when I’m in a pitch, I use the iPhone app to login (also free). Check it out – whether you have 5 lbs or more to lose, it’s a great tool.
Weight Watchers Lose for Good Giveaway Winners
September 13, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Congratulations to our Weight Watchers Lose For Good Giveaway winners Sharla and Renee. They each won a 3-month membership for Weight Watchers –good for in-person meetings or online membership. We used Randomizer.org to pick the winners.
Sharla said, “What would I gain?? 1 more healthy mom=1 more healthier family of 5!”.
Renee said, “What I have to gain by losing weight is the respect of my kids. I am always preaching to them about eating right and getting enough exercise, yet I am very overweight. I am tired of being a hypocrite. I want my kids to be proud of me and I want to take care of me as much as I take care of them.”
Weight Watchers Second Annual Lose for Good Campaign started August 30 and goes to October 17. For every pound members lose, Weight Watchers will donate up to $1 million dollars to Share Our Strength and Action Against Hunger. This campaign empowers Weight Watchers members to become healthier while also doing good for others.
If you want to donate to a food bank and aren’t a Weight Watchers member, please google “Food Banks” to find one near you.
Weight Watchers Lose For Good Campaign Kick Off Event
August 30, 2009 By 4 Comments
Weight Watchers Second Annual Lose for Good Campaign started on August 30 and will go to October 17. For every pound members lose, Weight Watchers will donate up to $1 million dollars to Share Our Strength and Action Against Hunger. Weight Watchers members will be bringing cans of food to their local meetings to donate to food banks.
“Lose for Good” Ambassador Jenny McCarthy and Weight Watchers CEO David Kirchhoff kicked off the 2009 “Lose for Good” Campaign at the Arroyo Head Start in Altadena, California. This community garden, designed and installed by Teich Garden Systems will bring healthy and fresh food to a community in need. Jenny McCarthy and David Kirchhoff broke ground this garden and along with Bill Shore from Share Our Strength, Sarah Copeland from Food Network’s Good Food Gardens, and several Weight Watchers Leaders, actually planted with young students. Maria Menounos from Access Hollywood covered the event.
I was invited to this kickoff, along with 5 other incredible bloggers, Melissa of Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans, Arianne of To Think is To Create, Esther of FaintStarLite, Rebecca of Does This Blog Make US Look Fat, and Ronni of RonisWeigh. Click here to see my Whrrl slideshow of the event.
[Read more...]
Weight Watchers Momentum Challenge Update
June 10, 2009 By 2 Comments
My 5K walk is this Sunday and I think I’m ready. Last weekend I finally broke my usual 2.5 mile practice record and did 3.25 miles at a local park. I did 3 laps around the trail (equal to 3.25 miles), when I would usually do two (equals 2.5 miles).
The first lap was easy. The second lap was difficult. I wanted to stop but pushed myself. The last lap was surprisingly much easier. So, I’m hoping my walk Sunday is just as pleasant. My fabulous mother-in-law, and possibly my neighbor will be walking with me.
The 5K I will be participating in is the Autism Speaks’ 2009 Walk Now For Autism 5K which will be held on June 14th in NYC. Start your own team, or click here to join/support the Mommies With Style team. If you want to follow me on Twitter, to know how I did, use @MWSNancy.
For more details & other perks about the Weight Watchers Momentum Challenge, go to www.weightwatchers.com/walkit.
So, now I’m turning to you, readers. Any ideas for how to walk 3.1 miles easily?
Weight Watchers Momentum Cookbook: Tons of Filling Recipes That Will Work for Your Family
May 28, 2009 By 1 Comment
As I continue on my weight loss journey with Weight Watchers, I’m interested in finding recipes to fill me up and please my palate. I love the Weight Watchers Momentum Cookbook ($14.95) because I can find great recipes that help me keep on plan —and are delicious to serve to my family.
There are recipes for breakfast, packable lunches, hearty salads, microwave meals, easy suppers, dinners that are more involved, slow cooker meals, sweet treats, and snacks. While it’s easy for me to stick with the portion size the cookbook recommends, I serve my in-shape (and bottomless pit) husband larger portions.
Since I was getting tired of my usual breakfast of oatmeal, the Momentum Cookbook gave me several great new breakfast recipes. The Bacon Cheddar and Egg-Topped English Muffins, Spinach Feta Scramble, and Brown Rice ‘n’ Honey Pancakes were winners. I liked the salad and sandwich recipes, which were terrific because they helped me break out of the lunch rut I had also been in.
The best thing is I discovered some new family dinner classics. No more days of making my family one meal and fixing a salad for myself. The California Fish Tacos are permanently in my recipe roster – though I substitute the halibut it calls for with tilapia or flounder. The Mediterranean Turkey Burgers were a more filling (and delicious) change than the usual turkey burgers I make. The Baked Ziti with Summer Squash is delish. My very picky 3 year old even liked it (and didn’t realize that there was yellow and zucchini squash inside). I’ve made it for a couple of extended family dinners – no one realizes that it’s a healthier (and yes, a Weight Watchers) recipe.
Recipes indexes are organized by major ingredient, as well as point values.
You can find the Momentum Cookbook at Weight Watchers locations or online at Weight Watchers.com.
Weight Watchers Momentum Walk-It Blog-It Challenge: Update # 2
May 11, 2009 By Leave a Comment
I just finished my 2nd week of training for the Weight Watchers Momentum Walk-It Blog-it Challenge. Finding the time has been the hardest thing. I haven’t found a team yet, so I’m doing two long walks per week (around 2.5 miles). I walk with my family on the weekend and by myself (with a child or two in a stroller) during the week, plus short walks whenever I can. I bought a pedometer for $14.99 at Target last week and have been using it non-stop to count my steps.
The Weight Watchers Momentum Walk-it Blog It Challenge has also changed my habits. I try to walk whenever I have some free time — instead of waiting at the office while my son is at physical therapy/occupational therapy (for his low muscIe tone), I put my daughter in the stroller and walk around. When my kids are at the playground, I try to do laps around the playground and climb on the structures myself. Good strollers have also helped – when I’m with both kids, I’m use the Baby Jogger City Mini Double Stroller and when I’m with one child, I’m use the BOB Revolution Stroller.
The 5K I will be participating in is the Autism Speaks’ 2009 Walk Now For Autism 5K which will be held on June 14th in NYC. Start your own team, or click here to join/support our team. I’d love some readers to walk with me! If you want to follow me on Twitter, use @MWSNancy.
For more details & other perks, go to www.weightwatchers.com/walkit.
