Food For Thought A Year’s Worth Of Sabotage

sherylwestestg on January 18, 2016

PLAN AROUND THE CALENDAR

Let’s face it. Monday is the universally accepted day to start a diet. Unless it’s of course January 1st falls on any other day of the week, and then we’ll start there. Some people will even attempt to give themselves. A birthday present of beginning their weight loss program on their birthday. But when it comes to finding the right day on the calendar, that day could be today.

Every month has the day that will sabotage your good intentions

  • January – super bowl parties
  • February – Valentines Day
  • March – St. Patrick’s Day and Girl Scout Cookies
  • April – Easter/Passover
  • May – Mother’s Day/Memorial Day/Cinco de Mayo
  • June – Father’s Day
  • July – 4th of July
  • August – Summer Vacation
  • September – Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year)
  • October – Halloween
  • November – Thanksgiving
  • December – Christmas & Chanukah

In addition to these hallmark holidays, there are birthday parties, anniversaries weddings, engagements, baby showers, bridal showers, bar/batmitzvahs, tailgating, business lunches/dinners, christenings and confirmations – which are all celebrated with food. You must remember that every day does not have to be celebrated with food. Remember that the days you can be good outnumber the days where you can cheat a little. If you budget your days wisely, you can stay on the program. Even if you slip a little, you will still lose weight and have a good time.

SO IT’S ALWAYS GOING TO BE SOMETHING. A GOOD DECISION TO START NOW.

Leap into 2016

sherylwestestg on January 12, 2016

Well the new year has started. For all of you who have made serious commitments to change old patterns and old habits, I sincerely hope that you are on the right track.

January is usually a month that everyone hits the gym. In addition to finding the new perfect diet or fad. All it is, is wishful thinking and wasted suffering. The best chance you will have is to find a plan that will give you structure. Doing it alone is very difficult, that is why having a weight loss coach who you are accountable to, is a great way to start.

To find a sensible plan that you will be able to adhere to. Not a good idea to put so much pressure on yourself. Saying I need to loose this very quickly, otherwise you will get discouraged and lose motivation. One has to realize that the weight did not come on overnight and you cannot expect it to disappear overnight. The one thing you have to have is PATIENCE. Time goes by very quickly and if one continues eating the right foods and portions , you will lose weight.

THERE ARE TWO MUSCLES
Your giving in muscle and your resistance muscle. Every time you give in, the probability of continuing doing it will most certainly lower your changes of change and success. If you resist on a consistent basis, your mind will be more programmed to think through. You will be less likely to act impulsively. The more you resist temptation it becomes the new normal. Losing weight is not ROCKET SCIENCE. It is all about discipline , making good choices, watching portions, drinking less alcohol, watching your sodium intake and to try to stay away from snack foods, sodas etc. They all have empty calories and usually one is to many and a 100 not enough. Exercising and drinking a lot of water has to be incorporated into the plan.

So with having this information , this is your recipe to success. Losing weight becomes a high, and the more you loose, and the lighter you feel
the more you want to achieve success.

NOBODY ON THIS PLANET CAN BUY THIN. Losing weight is the most sobering experience. Nobody is the “chosen one”.

I hope that everyone who reads this, will have a better understanding and a more realistic approach.

ALL THE VERY BEST FOR A SLIM AND HEALTHY 2016.

WHAT IS HANUKKAH ALL ABOUT

sherylwestestg on December 9, 2015

So Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday celebrated for eight days and eight nights. It commemorates the re dedication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem following the victory over the Syrian-Greeks in 165 B.E.C.

With every holiday all of the world and with all religions it is celebrated with food.

Some tips on what to eat and what not to eat

Latkes. Trader Joes make the very best Latkes. They are frozen, so best is to put them in a high oven on a cookie sheet or a wire rack makes it crisper. Is is usually eaten with apple sauce and sour cream.  So another trick buy ready made apple sauce and fat free sour cream.  If you want to go the extra mile make your own apple sauce, it will be a much thicker consistency. So bottom line, 2 latkes with apple sauce and sour cream is roughly about 150 calories.  If you fry them, your house will smell for days, in addition to piling on the calories. Honestly the baked ones taste better and their is not guilt or weight gain.

Also it is traditional to have “sufganiyot” (jelly filled donuts).  That is a hard recipe to lower the calorie content.  My best suggestion is that you buy Miss Meringues (available at Trader Joes, Publix,Whole foods) they are 25 calories a piece.  Sandwich then together with Cool Whip and strawberries. Its not donuts but a much better option for a slimming, healthier festive Hanukkah holiday.

If you are making a special festive holiday meal.  A hearty chicken soup is always a good option. Especially in the cold weather.  Making a chicken, turkey or fish main course will also be a lot lower in calories.  If you do happen to make a brisket, just make sure you cut off all the fat.  Once again sides do not have to be kugels. What about baked sweet potato fries.  (Also available at Trader Joes). Just make sure you do not go over the serving portion.  Lots of colorful grilled vegetables. Such as asparagus, Look at my pinterst recipe for the best broccoli of your life)  Colorful peppers and roast little tomatoes in basil, with a little olive oil, or just olive oil spray.

This way you really get best of both worlds.  Delicious traditional foods, tweaked to make it healthier for all.

Happy holidays.
SHERYL

Strategies to eat well this holiday season

sherylwestestg on December 7, 2015

1.  Holiday foods gifts are meant to be shared – take to the office or the neighborhood fire station
2.  Be prepared before you go to a party ‘ have a light snack prior to the event. Have a cup or two of homemade “free” vegetable soup. Boiled eggs (one with yolk the others whites only.  2 rice cakes with a triangle of laughing cow lite cheese.  It spreads well.  1 veggie burger. a can of tuna, 1/2 cup of cottage cheese, mixed with cut up vegetables.
3.  Focus on vegetables throughout the day and watch your fruits.  (As you will be drinking them later)
4.  I love the Vidalia Chop Wizard available at Bed bath and beyond) Start off with chopping jicama, (available at whole foods, markets and now is already pre cut at Trader Joes. Chop cucumbers, red/yellow/orange peppers, carrots, radishes and red onion.   It is colorful and looks delicious.  Good presentation will make it much more appealing. Trader Joes has a tomato basil hummus which is delicious mixed with the vegetables. Just 4 teaspoons to give it some flavor or add some of your favorite salsa.
5.  Convenience stores have some healthy options , If that’s all that is available before the party. A banana/apple /protein bar/pickle.
6.  Drink a glass of water before and between all alcoholic drinks. Sparkling water & a slice of lemon or lime.
7.  A new idea – dried seaweed, its an acquired taste, (is available at most supermarkets) It makes a good salty snack. (it is low sodium)
8.  Mixed crudité with hearts of palm or artichokes. and 1 boiled egg
Just remember excess alcohol and salty food will leave you feeling unpleasant the next day. You know what it feels like – plan differently this year before you start the drinking/eating season.

How to maintain your weight through the holidays

sherylwestestg on December 3, 2015

December is a month for celebrating. Holiday cocktail parties, family gatherings, exchanging gifts with friends, family and business associates. Special New Year-dinners, they all are part of the holiday season.

While the chances of losing weight during the holiday season are probably slim, it is possible to maintain.

How does this work: If one decides to have a pig out/bindge one day. Just treat it like a carpet stain. You need to take care of it immediately. The chances are, if you get back to your normal healthy habits the next day, you can definitely recycle the gain. Don’t think “Well, I have blown it so now I may as well enjoy what is left of the holidays, eating and drinking whatever I want. Instead you need to tell yourself the opposite. One day I can recover from, a whole lot of back to back days I cannot. Try the no “lick and schmick” technique. (no little bites, licks and tastes) they all add up. One cannot just rely on exercising it off. That will not happen. Remember the 80/20 rule. Exercise is 20%, eating is 80%. So bottom line is that a little planning and moderation will go a long way in helping you enjoy the holidays, and yes it is absolutely delicious, have a little. Just stop at that.

It does not need to be a party in your mouth every day.