Wednesday, June 27, 2012

61 Easy Ways to lose Weight


Saw this tonight on the Yahoo website - so had to read it. Yes, an Article I could not pass up. Check it out.

Or for those that don't want to hit the link - here is the list


Below are dozens of simple ways to lose weight. Start with one -- today! -- and watch the weight begin to melt away. Trust me, this is going to be easier than you think.


1. Have a clear goal. It should be one that anyone in the world can measure and understand.
2. Drink tea. Research suggests that those who drink tea -- black, green, or white, as long as it’s from real tea versus herbal tea -- have lower BMIs and less body fat than those who don’t consume tea.
3. Eat cayenne pepper. A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition showed that when compared to placebo, capsaicin -- the active ingredient in cayenne -- increased fat burning.
4. Decrease/eliminate processed carbs. They do nothing for you outside of creating a favorable environment for gaining fat.
5. Eat more veggies. They fill you up, without providing many calories. Just avoid the high-calorie dressings.
6. Eat more fruit. No one ever gained weight from eating more fruit. And that includes the so-called "high sugar" fruits like bananas and melons.
7. Lift weights. Heavy weights. Build more muscle, burn more calories.
8. Cut down rest time between sets. This will keep your heart rate elevated causing an increase in calories burned. The good news: You can sky-rocket your heart rate and torch belly-fat fast with The Spartacus Workout for Men and The Spartacus Workout for Women -- the most popular fat-blasting workouts in Men's Health and Women's Health history.
9. Do intervals. Study after study after study continues to show intervals are more effective and time efficient than longer activity performed at a lower intensity.
10. Eat more protein. Replacing refined carbohydrates with lean protein will not only help satiate you, but will also increase your metabolism -- through something called the thermic effect of food.
12. Supplement with fish oil. A study published in Lipids fed mice diets enhanced EPA and DHA -- a.k.a. fish oil. The researchers learned that the mice fed diets higher in omega-3 fats had significantly less accumulation of body fat. Other studies have shown similar results.
13. Do full body exercises. Think: Squats, deadlifts, chin-ups, and push-ups. You'll get more bang for your buck out of each workout. Want even better results? Discover the 100 Greatest Fitness Tips of All Time.
14. Cycle your carb intake based on your activity level. Sure, carbs are important. But on the days you don't work out, you simply don't need as many compared to the days you exercise hard. Rule of thumb: The more active you are, the more carbs you can eat, and vice versa.
15. Start your meals with a salad. Salad will provide some bulk to help fill you up -- so that you eat less calories overall.
16. Don't forget the fiber. Think of fiber like a sponge; it absorbs water and makes you feel full.
17. Drink water. Professor Dr. Brenda Davy and her Team from Virginia Tech University found that giving people 2 cups of water before each meal resulted in greater weight loss after 12 weeks. The reason? It helps fill you up.
18. Add beans to your salads. It's a nice way to add some additional fiber, protein and healthy carbs.
19. Replace one meal a day with a large salad and lean protein. This is a simple way to instantly improve your diet.
20. Keep a food journal. There's no better way to track what you're putting in your mouth.
21. Watch your portions. Avoid the buffet line and never supersize. Instead make sure you're following what the nutrition label recommends for a serving.

22. Switch to calorie-free drinks. All calories count, whether they're liquid or solid. So unless it's low-fat milk, opt for tea or water. Or something I was introduced to in the Netherlands -- large bunches of mint, lemon and hot water.
23. Weigh yourself. Studies show daily weigh-ins help enhance weight loss efforts. Don't live and die by the number. And of course a scale doesn’t decipher between fat and lean body mass, but it can still be of benefit to keep things "in check."
24. Eat whole eggs. Daily. A study published a couple years ago showed that those who ate whole eggs versus a bagel for breakfast ate less at the next meal. A similar study showed eating whole eggs increases HDL (good) cholesterol.
25. Eat breakfast. A review published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that those who eat breakfast are more successful with long-term weight maintenance. Other research has shown the same for weight loss. Grab hardboiled eggs, scrambled eggs, Greek yogurt, a piece of fruit and handful of nuts, or make a smoothie. It doesn't have to be fancy.
26. Eat the bulk of your meals in the A.M. Then eat progressively less throughout the day. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition showed that eating most of your calories earlier in the day positively influences weight changes.
27. To burn more calories, stay upright. This means not sitting in front of a computer, TV, phone, etc., all day. Stand and you'll burn more and be more productive. This could even save your life. Discover Why Your Office Chair is Killing You.
28. Use the stairs. That's right: Skip the escalator and elevator. This won't make or break success, but every little bit helps. So get in all the movement you can.
29. Eat low-energy, dense foods. These are foods that are high in water and lower in calories, such as fruit, veggies, soups, and salads. Studies at Penn State University have showed that the inclusion of these foods helps individuals eat less total calories overall.
30. Don't grocery shop hungry. If you do, you'll buy everything in the aisle -- instead of sticking to your list. And most of the time, the foods you buy when hungry will be the kinds that sabotage your weight loss efforts.
31. Replace side dishes with steamed veggies. Restaurants will often allow you to substitute the fries or chips with steamed veggies. All you have to do is ask.
32. Bake, don't fry.
33. Use the fat-burner in your backyard: Your grill. (And make sure you have a copy of Grill This, Not That! -- the extraordinary guide to grilling that can help you lose 10, 20, 30 or more pounds.)
34. Order dressing on the side. But here's the bigger secret: Dip your fork in dressing, and then in the salad. This saves a ton more dressing than if one was to order it on the side, and the pour the entire cup on the salad anyway. Fewer calories equal less weight.
35. In the airport: Carry your luggage, don't roll it. Again, not a deal breaker in terms of success -- just another way to increase energy expenditure.
36. Skip the "Venti lattes" and opt for plain coffee. (Or better yet, tea.) Those extra large "designer" coffees can pack a belly-inflating 500 or more calories per serving!
37. Embrace oats. Plain rolled oats will help fill you up more than the high sugar breakfast counterparts. Moreover, one serving provides a lot less calories than the sugar coated alternatives.
38. Fidget. A study published in the journal Science showed that those who fidgeted more often -- for example, changed their posture frequently -- weighed less than those who didn't. This extra movement was termed NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis).
39. Laugh often. A study presented at the European Congress on Obesity found those who laughed hard for approximately 10 to 15 minutes each day burned an additional 10 to 40 calories/day. Multiply that by 365 and those calories can add up!

40. Leave something on your plate at the end of the meal. Every little bit counts.
41. When out to eat, split a meal. The portions are usually big enough to feed a family.
42. Skip dessert.
43. Don't socialize around the food tables at parties. You're more
likely to munch mindlessly, even though you may not be hungry.
44. Don't eat your kid's leftovers. Every little bit of food adds up, including what we call "BLTs" (bites, licks and tastes).
45. Keep chips, dips, and other high fat junk foods out of the house. It's not about willpower; it's about being realistic.
46. If you have a dog, take him for a walk. It's better for both him and you than just letting him out the back. (Bonus: He'll love you even more!)
47. If you don't have a pet, offer to walk a neighbor's dog. Make friends; lose weight.
48. Use smaller plates and bowls. There will be less room for you to fill up and it makes less food seems like more.
49. Skip buffets. It's a foregone conclusion: If you don't, you'll feel like you have to get your money's worth and overeat. For more instant weight-loss secrets – delivered to your inbox every day -- sign up for the FREE Eat This, Not That! newsletter.
50. Slow down. It takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes for your stomach to sense it's full. If you wolf down your food like a starving dog, you'll likely out-eat your hunger.
51. Decrease your food intake by 100 calories per day. Theoretically this translates to losing nearly one pound per month (1 lb = 3,500 calories) -- with hardly any effort.

52. Buy a pedometer and accumulate at least 10,000 steps each day.
53. When possible, walk or bike to do your errands.
54. Don't buy in bulk. The more that is there, the more that you'll eat.
55. Plan ahead. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
56. Keep some healthy snacks -- like nuts -- in your glove compartment so you're prepared at all times.
57. Take before pictures.
58. Get new friends. If your friends prefer pizza, wings, nachos and beer on a regular basis, find one's who are like-minded and want to be healthy. Research has suggested that friends enhance (or can hurt) success.
59. Put yourself first. Many people (women in particular) put everyone else ahead of themselves and let their health fall by the side.
60. Remember: It's not all or nothing. If you fall off the bandwagon, jump right back on. Don't let yourself continue to fall until all progress has been lost.
61. Wake up early to exercise. You're more likely to get it done if you don’t wait until after work.
Looking for more than simple lifestyle tweaks? Discover the doctor-approved eating and fat-loss guide in Dr. Travis Stork's best-selling book, The Lean-Belly Prescription.
-- Chris Mohr, Ph.D., R.D., is a registered dietitian and nutrition consultant, and the owner ofMohrResults.com.




Making sure I put many of these helpful tips to work.

Hope all is going well with everyone's summer.

I am - still job hunting - still struggling with the weight loss - am done with Cub Scout Day Camp - (resigned just the other day - too much work for this lady)

Contemplating applying for the Biggest Loser. Heck, if I am out of work, maybe I need to go visit Bob Harper. Or what about having Julian Michaels come to my house for a workout make-over? So many options. You just never know.

Walking with the ladies tomorrow at 7 am.

Planning on doing a 9K with Mer in September.

Want to lose another 45 before my 45th birthday in November - might I be able to do it? That is just a little bit more then say 10 pounds per month - I can do it by November - Yes I can - because I am going to
DO WHAT IT TAKES (to make myself healthy).


Motivated MO

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Yes, really - I am here....

So many things happening - so many changes -

Some good

Some bad

Some, well, still staying about the same.

I totally miss the Blog world. The fact that I have only logged on about 2 times since my last post is just awful. Missing tons of you.

Got Chubby McGees message, but can't get to her blog most of the time - not sure if it is my computer, her new settings or what - have sent emails, but I am sure she is busy or have I missed the replies.

Where did April go - 30 by 30 - can't get into her blog - it has been removed. So sad

So happy for Dawn for reaching her goal recently!!! Maintenance is my dream!!!

Just spent the last 30 minutes getting caught up with Roni's Weigh and love love love that she did a Mud Run Challenge, and who can pass up the fact that Sunday is almost always sensational.

What about Alan and Michelle? Hey - where did Christina go (Just Running)? What about Bruce and Maren and OMGoodness - Jodie is pregnant!!! Wow oh wow - Jen is looking really good in her update of her romantic family get away with the hubby and daughter. So much to catch up on. So much inspiration in so many other blogs!!!

Time to get back to my own blogging. I need to make it work for me!!!

I am in a rut.

Can't lose the weight

Don't have the true motivation.

Still looking for work - that is taking longer then I anticipated. It really is hard to find a job out there, but keeping positive. Heck, I have had 3 interviews - that is one interview a month, better then some people even wish for while being out of a job. Staying positive!!

School is over for Aman - the summer is filled with camping, camping, camping - more camping for him and less for me - but I am busy with my Day Camp duties - only 2.5 weeks away - planning for about 150 Scouts (we have 130 registered at the moment) - guess not having a job frees me up in doing all the planning, prepping and cleaning. So much more to do -

No excuse for not losing the weight!! I need to be dedicated!!

Really looked at myself in the mirror tonight - yuck, yuck and double yuck.

Still here. Still struggling. Keeping busy. Wanting to do more. Tick Tock  - there goes the clock. Time for bed, time for some soul searching, making plans, setting new goals....

Hope all is well with all of you!!!

P.S. - will be seeing Mer this weekend - we need to set goals together!!

MOtivated MO



Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Resurfacing

You know when you jump into the pool and you drop to the bottom and you just enjoy that quiet moment just as you are heading back up to the surface. Well, I think that is where I am. I am enjoying being in a new pool, swimming, checking things out and from time to time I come back up to the surface.

I am enjoying my time off, as much as it is being forced upon me as unemployment. I am looking for work, had a most awesome interview two weeks ago and even if I didn't get the position, I was glad that I was able to do so well. I am working as a volunteer at both my sister's and son's school, taking the time to deal with many things that need to be done - paperwork here, paperwork there. Love taking the time to work on the yard - as time consuming as it can be.

The best part - I am working out practically every day. If I am not walking with the neighbor ladies, I am taking the time to do a workout in front of the TV with a DVD. Almost every afternoon I am doing a 2 mile walk to my son's school. And since he likes to ride his bike, I have been pushing the bike to the school and he rides it home, while I walk. I got the chance to laugh and laugh and laugh last Thursday - let me explain - After doing my 2.5 mile morning walk and working on the backyard lawn & rose bushes for 2 hours it was a fight to make the walk to the school that afternoon. But, you know what - I was so excited that my mind allowed me to make the walk. It would have been so easy to hop in the car and go pick up my son. Instead I was going to make the walk. This is where the laughter comes in - just about 1/2 way to the school I decided to hop on my 11 years old's bike - it was a bit small, but I was able to ride it. I was so surprised a fly did not make it into my mouth, because I was laughing so much. The laughter was even worse when making that last turn into the school grounds one of my good friends was pulling in, too - we all laughed together.

Amazing how things can change, because I am now loving working out everyday. I miss it when I don't get to work out. Saturday was full and a visit with Mer was on the agenda. I laugh a bit when we ended up sitting in the front yard talking for over an hour when we really should have just gone for a walk, but we needed the quiet time together. Mother's Day for me had a walk on the agenda. I surprised myself - I really wanted to get that walk in. Monday night Boy Scout meetings include walking the downtown area with one of the other Scout parents while our boys attend their meeting. I am taking care of me.

I am struggling still a bit with the eating, but doing my best to keep it under control. Driving home from Mer's on Saturday I was craving a hamburger and fries, but instead opted for a stop at the grocery store and I enjoyed a sandwich and carrots. A new type of fast food for me.

So - even if I have not been reading as much, posting as much or supporting all of you as much, I am doing really good. The pool is inviting and I am glad that I am taking care of me. Things will all come together, I am holding on, taking time to exercise, have quiet moments, but at the same time making sure that what needs to be done is getting done. I do hope to get back to blogging on a regular basis, as I do need that support, just as much as I want to give many of you my own support.

Stay Strong
Stay Fit
Keep Going
Be Good to Yourself


MOtivated MO

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Oh, the Anticipation

Not only do I have a job interview today, but I am doing really well with my eating, drinking, exercising and doing my best to keep losing the weight. Soooo - the anticipation is building with me today. I got on the scale about 10 times this morning, just hoping that the number would move, even just a little. The good part, it didn't go up each time. I even got out of the shower and tried weighing myself with wet hair - no movement. I then tried it with dry hair. The had to go to the restroom and tried it again - no movement. The anticipation is killing me. I wanted to go down one more number, just for today. Not going to blow it this week, want to keep watching that scale go down, down, down, down. I had a good weekend out with friends, but that made the numbers go up. I knew it, but I didn't let the weekend of fun get out of hand. In less then 2 days my numbers are in line again. Now all I have to do is be consistent. Weekends of fun can't be that - eat in moderation and the numbers won't have to battle back each and every week. The other anticipation, I really want to get to the next hole on my watch. I can feel it. Sometimes I can see it. There are times I do get to the next hole, but then after about a minute or two I really have to loosen the watch and say to myself - "maybe tomorrow".

Last week it was a mind over matter issue with me. I am now loving the fact that I am putting exercise into my daily routine again. I sat at my desk yesterday balancing on my balance ball rather then sitting in my chair. Not only is my back getting stronger with doing my best to stay seated up straight, but I can give my legs a good workout at the same time. Reading things (blogs, for instance) give me the chance to rock back and forth on the ball - so now I feel like I am exercising and getting the chance to catch up on my reading.

Well - have to run - the anticipation of the interview is in sight. Been waiting over a week for this appointment, I am excited, ready and know that Magic is going to happen today!!!!

Wishing everyone a most wonderful week - keep up the good work with the weight loss - don't let the mind win over what matters most - making yourself healthy!!!!

MOtivated Mo

Thursday, April 26, 2012

What you will Gain?

I just heard a commercial on the TV - it is on the background as I work on my computer (I am the kind of person that needs people talking in the room, the TV does it - then I don't really feel alone - LOL) -

okay - back to the commercial -

It was for the cereal Special K - I love this cereal - has the right crunch, better then getting Corn Flakes, and much more healthier then having Frosted Flakes,, but have not had any in years -

The commercial was talking about how more people lose weight when they have a morning meal - breakfast. Then at the end I hear the announcer say - a Closet that is like a Candy Store - made me think - that is true - turning to your new closet of smaller sized clothes...the possibilities are endless...

Then the words "what would you gain when you lose"

Makes me think of all the things that I will gain as I continue on the weight loss path -

I will gain more confidence
I will gain a better looking me
I will gain a wonderful new body
I will gain a new wardrope (being tired of the one that I have had for years)
I will gain a mile long smile each and everyday
I will gain more energy
I will gain the desire to do more, move  more and be more active

So many good things to gain while I am losing. What will you gain when you lose the weight?


MOtivated MO

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Mind over Matter

That is what I figured out this morning. It is just my mind that is controlling me, but I just need to remember to keep in perspective what really matters the most!!! Mind over Matter!!

What matters the  most is making myself healthy. What matters most is losing the weight. What matters most is being around for my son in the years to come. What matters most is making sure I am around to enjoy life to the fullest.

Don't let my mind win over what matters the most!!!! I will not let my mind tell me that exercise can be done later, I will not let my mind tell me that eating that piece of pie will be delicious, I will not let my mind tell me that skipping out on 8 full glasses of water a day is not good for me - I am going to do what matters the most - making myself do all the right things!!!! NO MATTER WHAT!!!!!

Horoscope for today (Love to see when they make sense for me on certain days)

"You often take on so much that you feel overwhelmed by your life. 
Arrange things so that you can win. 
However small a victory may be, it proves somethings: 
You're a winner. If you can win small you can win big"

It was a great way to begin my day and I had a good giggle when my son cut it out and handed it to me before we walked out the door today (kids know you so well)!

Took in a good 3 mile walk this morning, too.

Mind over Matter.

Let the what Matters the most be the winner, and eventually your mind will not be so full of negative thoughts!!


MOtivated Mo

Monday, April 23, 2012

Sleeping, but time to WAKE UP

There is so much to talk about, that I really don't know where to start. I have all this stuff in my head and I just need to get it out. So, I will apologize right now - hoping not to get off topic too much, but want to share so much. Hoping you can keep up and totally understand that this lady is just itching to get so much out!!! If I don't, then I am going to explode.

For those of you that are new to this blog, I am MO - of the Mer and Mo aspect. Two good friends, doing our best to lose weight. Mo has more to lose, but both of us have so much to gain - the confidence, the good feelings of fitting into those "too small for us" clothes and taking on new exercise challenges. So much that we both want to accomplish. Mo, however, is struggling. Yes, that is the worst word to type right now.  It took me a moment, but I am at a huge turning point and I am hoping that I can have a post next week that will be more confident. So - a little bit more about me - for those that need to catch up - Mo - Single Mom, busy with an 11 year old, live in the Northern California area (most of my life), have a wonderful house, wonderful extended family, friends, love to be involved with Scouting, non-dating scene (wishing for even those worst dates), and recently unemployed. There are some positives in that description and some negatives - especially that last word - unemployed. The economy caught up with my construction job, and well, it has been two months without work.

Yes, I am struggling (or what I want to call it - Sleeping my way through life right now). I wish I was not, but I am. Before losing my job I was struggling to get back on track with my weight loss, and since that date things have just sort of gone down hill. I have not been as dedicated to this weight loss journey as I should be. Back in 2011 I lost a good 40 pounds and since last June (yes, last June) I have been up, down, down, and up again - I have been up for many months now. As of today's weigh my weight loss has changed from being down 40 pounds to being only down 24. Wow - that is awful. I get going with the walking and then stop again. I get going with a workout tape and then stop again. I tell myself each morning that this is a new day, but then by the end of the day I am snacking into the late evening. Even with being unemployed I am hitting the fast food joints. I find myself drinking more soda when I am out and about. I set the alarm for 5 am and it goes off, I wake up and then just shut it off (and the sad part is I have to get out of bed - really get out of bed - to actually shut it off), but then I go right back to bed. I hear my self talk just tell me "you can exercise later", "you can do it after you take Aman to school", "it will be okay, you will get to the exercise later today" - then later today happens and then I have not done what I need to do.

I was thinking about it - I am not struggling, I am just asleep at the wheel in this weight loss process. Maybe if I dream just in the right way the weight will come off, right? Wishful thinking!! Where is that wake up call? When will the next wake up call actually get me to stay awake and get back on track 100% and lose the weight I need to lose, then I will want to keep losing weight and then my need and want will turn into my everyday life - it won't be a struggle, it won't be a hard process???

Here are some wake up calls I have experienced in the last few weeks:

Wake up call #1 - You know you need to do something about your late night eating when you go to the dentist and they have to give you 6 numbing shots to give you a deep cleaning. You then have to go back a week later for your actual polish and they tell you that you have to come back for the next year every three months, rather then every 6 months. (the worst - I will never do that again, floss, floss, floss and stop the late night eating!!!)

Wake up call #2 - You look in the trash can and see more fast food bags then in the last year.

Wake up call #3 - Your new favorite smaller size jeans are being worn so much that they need to be replaced, but you can't buy a size smaller because you have not lost any more weight.

and I will say this next Wake Up Call is my final one -

Let me explain - When you live in the United States and are let go from a job, sometimes you get the option of having your health insurance coverage continue - also known as COBRA and pay for it at a very high cost. I am paying well over $550.00 to keep my health insurance Good thing that I was able to get a good tax refund, because that is the only way I am able to afford this high cost of coverage. In the process I am trying to get my own individual coverage, not only to save on cost, but to save on cost (LOL). At the beginning of March I applied for coverage for both me and my son. Waiting, Waiting, Waiting and finally there was something in the mail. My son was approved, which is now saving me over $200.00 of my own portion for his medical coverage through his father's employment insurance. However, the letter was not promising for me.

This was for sure my wake up call!!! I am being told that I can't get insurance because I am too FAT. Yes, I have to write that word - FAT!!! and I have had to say this word over and over in my head and a few times out loud. I have always said things like - "overweight", "big", "heavy", but never the "F" word. It is just so dramatic for me. Yes, the letter does not actually use the "F" word, but they might have well said it.

and I paraphrase:

Height: 5 feet, 6 inches
Weight: 241 pounds


Based on the above figures, your body mass index (BMI) is calculated to be 38.9. Our medical underwriting guidelines preclude coverage under any of our medically underwritten plans to any female applicant with a BMI of 37.9 or greater.


The letter does note 6 other factors. A few because of the most recent medical tests I had for my heart issue that turned out to be nothing. The letter continues to say:

1) consistently maintain her weight at or below 228 pounds for a minimum of 6 months, as documented in medical records


Yes, if I don't have insurance, how in the world can I have it medically documented? I do have the option of trying another company, trying to convince this one company that I really am healthy - but I am just going to move on. I have talked to my rep and well, there are very few options for me, but I am going to exhaust all of them and see what happens. In the process, of course, take this wake up call as a reminder- that losing weight is not a sleeping moment. I have to be wide awake, fully aware and full committed to losing this weight to make myself healthy, happy and a better person for me (and my son)!!!!

This last week has been a hard one for me. Harder then you would think. The phone has not been ringing for interviews I am doing my best to be positive, as much as I can, but when they say that being out of work is hard, they are right. Things to be upbeat about -

1. I am working out each day. Even with me not getting up early, I am still taking in a daily walk, a workout in front of the TV or taking the time to stretch.
2. I finally cleaned up the garage and I can see my punching bag and pilates board again - the workout space is ready to go again.
3. My family and friends are helping me - a friendly phone call, a chat or a walk down the road - they are there to help when I am feeling down.
4. My son "bridged" from the Cub Scout level to the Boy Scout level and this has made Mom very very happy - not only for the time that it took to run a large group of Scouts, but that my son is growing up, helping me out and making me proud everyday!!!!!

Keeping my chin up - oh, and hey - I just got a phone call for a job interview - Woo Hoo - a new day, a new wake up call, life is what you make of it, and I need to make the best of it no matter what comes by way.

More to come later this week. Missing the blogging and missing the support I get from it all. Wishing all of you the best this week !!!!


MOtivated MO