Bev's BLOB Blog

I've been sadly forgetting to post here, but not forgetting to stick to my WOE. I've still been doing very well eating properly and exercising. I lost a total of 13 pounds for my first month OP. Yesterday, I did Richard Simmons' Groovin In the House, and on Thursday, I went for a half hour power walk during my lunch hour. This weekend is major PMS (pretty miserable syndrome) and I'm feeling like I could eat a horse, but I'm still managing to just eat allowable snacks and stay within my calorie alotment.

A renowned dietitian was addressing a large, health seminar audience: "The material we put into our stomachs is enough to have killed most other primates of the world years ago. Red meat is is a digestive nightmare.

Soft drinks can erode the stomach lining, disrupting our digestive systems. Chinese food is loaded with MSG sending our blood pressure through the roof. Vegetables can be highly dangerous if not carefully prepared to consider the effects of pesticides. Finally, none of us realizes the potential long-term harm caused by the invisible but insidious bacteria or other contaminants that could enter our drinking water. But there is one particular food that is the most dangerous of all and we all have, or almost certainly will, eat it. Can anyone here tell me what food it is that causes us the most grief and suffering for many years long after eating it - perhaps the rest of your life?"

There was a long moment of silence in the audience. FInally, the first to respond, a weary-looking 70-year-old man in the front row, stood up and said, "It must be wedding cake."

FUELING YOUR WORKOUT
by Katy Yocom

It's no secret that the ideal way to lose weight is to eat less and exercise more. But watch out for unintended side effects if you're eating too little before you work out.

Many people prefer to exercise on an empty stomach to avoid cramps and stomach discomfort. But if you find yourself flagging in the middle of your workout, or end up exhausted and irritable instead of pumped up and invigorated, your body may be telling you something. Try eating a banana or having a glass of fruit juice shortly before you begin your workout. These easily digested foods will fuel your body without creating stomach problems

Today is the one month mark! YES! I can't believe it's going so good! I don't feel like I'm on a diet at all, except in the staff room when I have to pass on all the goodies brought in there! Yesterday it was hot apple crisp with ice cream! GROAN! But I did it! I've also managed to work out a minimum of 20 minutes every day except 2. So onward ho.... to month 2!

Things are still going great! I did 3 consecutive days of tae bo over the weekend. Was down another 1/2 pound for a total loss of 12 pounds now! I am finding that my calorie count has been a tiny bit higher the last couple of days, but still acceptable, so I want to keep an eye on that, to make sure I don't get back into the old habits of eating more than I need!

TIP OF THE DAY: If you retain fluid, then start drinking water regularly. If you are dehydrated the body will hold on to every last drop of water that it can.....it perceives the low water levels as a famine. This extra water is stored under the skin, showing up in the form of swollen feet, hands and ankles. Only when you hydrate yourself with more water will the body begin to release the stored water. Remember, the more salt you eat, the more water you retain, so watch the salt shaker as well.

Joanne Bednar
The Motivation Station

WEIGHT LOSS FOR PEOPLE ON THE RUN
by Katy Yocom

Does your job or your kids have you meeting yourself coming and going? When you live at a frantic pitch, good eating habits are often the first thing to go. Instead of sitting down with a grilled chicken salad, you grab a soda and a bag of Doritos from the vending machine and eat on the fly.

If this sounds familiar, you need a way to make eating healthy meals just as convenient as eating junk. One solution: Turn healthy foods into "fast food." Prepare for your hectic day by filling plastic bags with snack-sized amounts of food you can eat on the run. In one bag, put a handful of baby carrots; in another, half a chicken sandwich. In another, put a strip of string cheese or some grapes. Keep the portions small, so you can eat the food and then toss the empty bag. You don't want to end up dealing with lots of leftovers.

Make sure you include enough protein to keep you going throughout your daily marathon. Skip the sodas and sugary snack foods--you don't need that post-sugar-buzz crash. And drink plenty of water--you need to stay hydrated to keep your energy levels up.