FitSugar

Tips on How to Keep It Off

FitSugar — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:00:00 -0700

So you've lost the weight, congrats! I wish I could tell you that the battle is finally over but unfortunately keeping the weight off after you've lost it can be just as tough. Here are a few basic tips from Bonnie Taub-Dix, a registered dietitian in New York City and a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association on how to keep weight off once you've lost it:

Allow yourself a weight-gain range of 3-5 pounds without panicking. When you’re at the lower end of your range, give yourself a little freedom to enjoy some of your favorite foods. If your weight goes up another pound or two, then you’ll need to pull in the reins again to keep yourself within your desired range.
Find a consistent tool to help you stay in touch with your body weight. You can weigh yourself on a scale daily or one or two days a week. I prefer weighing Fridays and Mondays - a way to control weekend splurges when overeating is most common. Or you can use an article of clothing, such as a pair of your favorite skinny pants, that will become your frame of reference. Try them on the last day of each month. Clothing doesn’t lie (and don’t try to blame the dry cleaner for shrinkage!).
Get rid of “fat” clothes that are too big on you and no longer fit. Why would you ever want to fit into that size again? Dress the body you have.

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Need Motivation? Get to Your Happy Weight

FitSugar — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 16:30:00 -0800

I recently came across this great little slide show on Glamour.com about real women and how they got to their "happy weights" - a weight that they were finally happy with themselves about. I loved it because it's just one of those things that you read and it makes you feel good. It's not about being rail thin; it's about being healthy. It's refreshing to see that these women had found happiness in their body images, giving hope for all of us who are not quite there yet. Here's an exerpt:

My Happy Weight: 140 pounds
“Last spring, I changed my diet and started working out five times a week. It was a personal victory-I’ve never felt stronger.” -Jocelyn Cooley, 38, 5’2”

Scroll through all the slides - if you're like me, you'll get that "Hey, I can do that too" attitude, which is a fabulous way to start the new year.

Do you have a "happy weight"? If so, feel free to share it in the comments section below.

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The Incredible, Edible Egg Now Helps With Weight Loss

FitSugar — Tue, 01 May 2007 09:30:00 -0700

Here's a reason to get up just a little bit earlier to fix yourself some eggs tomorrow...

A new study presented at Experimental Biology 2007 has found that eggs, when eaten for breakfast, can help a dieter lose weight. Even more than that, the study found that overweight women who ate two eggs for breakfast at least five days a week for 8 weeks (as part of a low-fat diet with a 1,000 calorie reduction): Lost 65 percent more weight, had 83 percent greater reductions in waist circumference and reported greater improvements in energy levels than their dieting counterparts who consumed a bagel breakfast of the same calories. Personally, I was sitting here saying well of course because a bagel has a whole lot more calories than an egg, however in the study, the egg and bagel breakfasts not only provided the same amount of calories, but also the same weight mass. Now I am convinced.

Fit's Tip: Worried that eggs will raise your cholesterol? Then think about switching to Omega-3 eggs.

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The Best Life Diet Challenge Starts

FitSugar — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 16:30:00 -0800

Bob Greene, Oprah's trainer and author of The Best Life Diet is getting several lucky people in shape for The Best Life Weight Loss Challenge and you can follow along and get in shape too!

Before you get started, Bob wants you to ask yourself these questions:

Why am I overweight?
Rather than "I don't have time to make healthy food" or "I have to eat out a lot," recognize the feelings that lead you to overeat. For example, you're really anxious about work and ice cream calms you down. Or, your husband is emotionally distant and eating fills the void.

Why do I want to lose weight?
If you say, "To look better," push further to ask, "Why?" Maybe you're afraid your significant other will leave you for someone prettier. But what does that mean about your relationship? Maybe you're trying to meet someone. Fine, but are there other changes you should be thinking about? After all, it's not only thin women who have partners. When people think that getting thinner will make them happy only to find it doesn't, it almost always leads to the misuse of food and a return to being overweight.

Why have I been unable to maintain weight loss in the past?
Think back to the trigger that turned you from staying on a healthy program to eating out of control. Was the diet too rigorous? Did your spouse think you would fail? Many people have a core belief that they're not meant to be happy and so they continually find ways to sabotage themselves. Figuring out what drives you to relapse is the beginning of success.

Watch Oprah tomorrow, February 22nd, to learn more about the participants, the Best Life and the challenge.

American I"doll": Carrie Underwood

FitSugar — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 09:02:56 -0800

Carrie Underwood has been in the limelight ever since winning American Idol last season. Turns out that becoming an Idol is working out just nicely for her as she has a booming career, a cute new man and a slender new body.

How did she slim down? Underwood has claimed that she maintains a healthy diet by eating vegetarian and staying away from junk food, pizza and traditional southern fare. Typically you'll find her eating veggie burgers, soy-based sausages and the occasional protein bar.

Underwood does not claim to be a workout guru. While she does have a TreadMill, she doesn’t have a trainer and she will swim whenever she finds the time. Underwood also credits slimming down to, "Bouncing around on-stage," which is definitely a workout in itself.

I have always thought that Carrie looked great from the beginning of her career and that she did not need to lose weight, but I do applaud her for getting healthy during such a hectic time in her life. Cutting out the junk food is a great start for anyone looking to get healthier in 2007!

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Do You Take 10 Pounds Off With That?

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 17:03:11 -0800

Sometimes when you think you've seen it all, a new product comes up and trumps that thought.

Coffee Slender is a new coffee that claims it helps people to lose weight by lowering blood sugar levels after meals. The makers claim that the active ingredient Svetol reduces the amount of carbohydrate that is turned into this excess blood sugar.

I am always skeptical of these miracle weight loss drinks, like Coke's Enviga, but some people love this kind of thing. So if you'd like to try it, take the quiz on Coffee Slender's website for a free sample.

My Virtual Model

FitSugar — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 09:30:00 -0800

Working hard at losing (or gaining) those few extra pounds and want to get an idea of how you're going to look when you've reached your goal?

The things you can do online never cease to amaze me. My Virtual Model is this cool site that allows you to basically create a virtual you. The best is that you can dress yourself up in clothing from participating retailers.

Pretty cool! Here is mine:

What do you think -- Does it look like me? To do your own Virtual Model, go here.

The Skinny On: HMR Weight-Loss Program

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:30:22 -0700

Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, and Nutrisystem help people lose weight with packaged meals that teach portion control. HMR (Health Management Resources) is another weight-loss program that's offering meal and snack replacements. However, HMR programs are offered at hospitals and medical centers as well as health facilities as opposed private offices. You can also opt for the HMR at Home program. The program is highly structured menu-wise, and utilizes HMR shakes, entrees, hot cereal, and bars. It also emphasizes support in the form of group meetings or phone calls.

To hear more about HMR, see photos of its food, and find out how much it costs read more.

This program isn't as well-known as say Jenny Craig, so if you can't find a program offered at a facility near you then you'll have to do it on your own. Entrees cost about $3.50 each, and the shakes are $21.50 for 12 servings. If you want more variety, you can order hot cereal, some weird soup they call HMR 500 Chicken Soup, or four different flavors of BeneFit Bars. I'm not one to knock it till you try it, but HMR seems too rigid. It's not a lifestyle you can keep up, unless you wan to eat its Five-Bean Casserole for the rest of your life. I understand that some people need structure, but this program just hand-feeds you and doesn't do anything to teach you about maintaining a healthy diet. I guess that's how they make it's money though - from you buying its food.

I'm curious, have any of you ever tried HMR?

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Internet Weight Loss Supplements: A Bad Idea and Bad For You

FitSugar — Wed, 21 May 2008 12:00:00 -0700

We've all gotten the spam messages in our inbox about pills promising immediate weight loss, without the help of diet and exercise. Sure, it may seem tempting, but new research has found that weight-loss supplements widely available for purchase online often include ingredients that are potentially hazardous to your heart.

I am not a fan of weight-loss supplements - I believe that the benefits of exercise and eating healthy far outweigh losing a few quick pounds. However, I know a lot of folks still invest in weight-loss pills, so I wanted to be sure that if you do, you know which ingredients raise a red flag in terms of safety. For a starter list of ingredients in weight-loss supplements that could be dangerous for your heart, read more.

Ma huang (also known as Chinese ephedra)
Bitter orange
Camellia sinensis
Green tea
Buckwheat
Guarana
Korean ginseng
Licorice root
Synephrine HCl
Caffeine anhydrous
Citrus aurantium

I was surprised to see that green tea made the list, but it does contain caffeine. It is better to drink your green tea than take it in a supplement form mixed with other questionable ingredients.

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Trying to Lose Weight? Ask These Questions

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:00:26 -0800

Many of the people reading FitSugar have weight loss on the brain, but are your efforts really necessary? Are those extra pounds putting your health at risk, or are you just carrying around a little harmless fluff? WebMD outlined seven questions you should ask yourself to help decide if you really need to get serious about weight loss.

What is your lifestyle? "Regular physical activity and healthy eating are important," say experts who spoke with WebMD, not just for those trying to budge the scale. If you're not active and eat poorly, you should start making some changes for your overall health, not just because of a weight-loss goal.
What is your family history? If high cholesterol, "high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or another weight-related ailment" runs in your family then Web MD notes that "it's crucial to be mindful of your weight."
What is your weight history? If the pounds have been creeping up on you over the past several years, you need to watch out since "experts say your BMI should not increase dramatically, even as you age. Even moderate weight gain in adulthood can increase your risk of diabetes."

To see the other four questions read more.

How is your weight distributed? WebMD warns that if your body is "the so-called 'apple' shape," it can put your health at risk. So if this sounds like you, aim to whittle away your middle. If your weight is primarily in your thighs and butt, it's not as crucial to drop the pounds.
What is your waist size? The National Institutes of Health say that a "waist circumference of over 35 inches in women signifies a health risk, particularly those people with BMIs of 25 and 34.9 (the overweight category)." If you're not sure what your BMI is, check out Fit's Calculator to find out.
What is your health profile? "If your cholesterol and blood pressure levels are high and your BMI falls into the overweight or obese category, it's important to lose weight," writes WebMD. So make an appointment with your doc to get yours checked.
How do you feel? "If you're overweight and have joint problems, shortness of breath, or other health troubles that limit your day-to-day living," and interfere with being able to work, then experts quoted in the article suggest that melting away pounds would help improve the quality of your life.