Controlling and Methodical? Weight Loss is in Your Cards

FitSugar — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 02:00:00 PDT

People who have had dramatic weight loss successes are often pursued by researchers so that they can test every corner of their lives to find out what the secret is to losing weight and keeping it off. Is it in their genes? Is it something that happened to them when they were little? As it turns out, it's something far more simple.

Recent reports on the National Weight Control Registry - a project created to find out what makes successful dieters stand out from the rest of us dieters - shows some interesting findings. According to their research, those with the most dramatic weight losses are people who are controlled, methodical and disciplined sticklers for structure and routine (aka "B" quadrant people). Punctual and neat, they always have a plan, timetable and calendar with appointments penciled in.

To me, this makes sense as someone inclined toward plans and routines would be the most comfortable with all the details of calorie counting, portion control and scheduling trips to the gym. In fact, this person may even enjoy having something else to plan out.

Not a "B" thinker? If your loose photos are not arranged neatly in an album (chronologically), don't worry because there is actually a way to trick your brain into thinking more methodically (you can teach your brain new tricks). To learn how, just

Organize. Alphabetize your CDs. Then, a few days later, your spices. A few days after that, rearrange your closet, then your tax papers.
Timing. Keep a time log of your daily activities and start being punctual for every appointment.
Plan. It's also helpful to follow a routine like jogging a certain course every other day, balancing your checkbook once a week.
Step-by-step thinking: Cook from a recipe exactly as it's written, knit from a pattern, learn a computer program by following a tutorial or manual.

So get that Daytimer out and start planning your way to amazing weight loss results.

6 Surprising Health Mistakes Even Smart Women Make

Prevention — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 04:05:18 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

When was the last time you got 8 hours of sleep or lifted weights at the gym? You're not alone if you can't remember: Even some of the most savvy women didn't get the memo about these health-wrecking habits. Find out if you're among them.
From the Editors of Prevention

You're supposed to watch saturated fat and eat lots of vegetables — that's why you usually pick up a salad for lunch and dinner (even when the kids get burgers). But you're not obsessed with the scale like some women you know. You brush your teeth twice a day, and you last flossed, oh, maybe two weeks ago. You exercise but avoid lifting so you don't bulk up. The tummy pains you got last week? Must have been gas — nothing serious. And hey, you'd like to get 8 hours of sleep, but the days are short, and it's hard to get everything done. Sound familiar? These so-called "good" habits may actually be derailing your health. Here, experts share the surprising things you're doing wrong — and how to recover.

1. You Always Order a Salad
Don't assume that bowl of lettuce is always the healthiest menu pick.

Truth is, a lot of take-out and restaurant salads are basically a burger in a bowl, says Brie Turner-McGrievy, RD, clinical research coordinator for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) in Washington, DC. That's because add-ons like fried chicken, croutons, and full-fat dressing pack major calories, fat, sodium, and other unhealthy nutrients. One example: McDonald's Bacon Ranch Salad with Crispy Chicken and Newman's Own Ranch Dressing has 540 calories and 35 grams of fat; a Big Mac has 540 calories and 29 grams.

The fix: Don't scratch take-out salad off your menu; just use a few common sense rules before you order. Avoid high-fat add-ons such as sour cream, extra cheese, croutons, bacon bits, and creamy dressings like Caesar and ranch. Opt for salads that aren't just a fiber-free mound of iceberg lettuce dotted with a few carrot and red cabbage shavings. And plan ahead: Most fast-food chains supply nutritional info online so you can scout out the best options before you leave.

Avoid These Surprisingly Unhealthy Salads

2. You Rock Out While You Work Out
Do your ears ring after a long iPod-powered workout?

Check the volume on your iPod or MP3 player, advises Andrew Cheng, MD, an otolaryngologist at New York Medical College. The normal range of an MP3 player is 60 to 120 decibels; persistent exposures above 85 may cause hearing loss. If you're concerned, ask a friend to stand next to you while you listen: If she can hear your music, it's too loud.

Learn the fix and four more other common mistakes, when you read more.