It's Just Too Hard!

I am always amazed at the people I talk to about losing weight that use the words "I can't do it! It's just too hard!" after making a comment to me about how great I'm looking and how did I do it? Did they think it was "easy"?! I mean, really!!!! I'm still not even CLOSE to where I want to be yet! If it were easy I'd be there 10 times over! It's NOT easy!!!! But it's worth it!

Here's a secret... IT'S HARD FOR EVERYONE TO EAT HEALTHY ALL THE TIME!!!!!!

It's not any easier for "skinny people" to eat healthy than it is for "fat people". Eating healthy in this country is simply put, nearly impossible without your desire to do so. On top of that, it's also something that once you get the knack of doing it you are STILL going to fall off the wagon on some days and eat things you simply know you really shouldn't! So if you think eating healthier foods is something that just suddenly happens to people and they magically lose weight you may as well just canter up to the dessert buffet and go nuts, die fat and happy & probably earlier than you planned. I'm sorry to be so blunt but I get SO tired of hearing others comment on how they simply CAN'T do it because it's too hard.

That being said, it's also not as hard as you might think it is to change your ways. Here are a few highlights on getting the job done:

1. Be Realistic - If you love sweets you probably are not going to realistically go without ever treating yourself to sweets again. The same for snack foods, etc. Set realistic goals and know what your trigger foods are, keeping those trigger foods out of reach and use them once in a while. For me, ice cream is a huge trigger food. My solution? I buy individual serving sized ice cream treats, rarely have entire half gallons around and when I want to truly indulge I go OUT for a big huge bowl/cup of ice cream to get it out of my system and move on.
   
   
2. Find Replacements - This is one of my best options. I know that I love sweets so instead of using high calorie, high fat, bad for me treats I've tried to find alternatives. Use yogurt for sweet treats. I love topping pancakes, Coco-Pops, a single cookie with frozen yogurt on it, etc. for my sweet treats. Using a quick squirt of a chocolate topping, a fat free caramel or other sweet items can quickly give me my sweets fix. Instead of frying, I have learned how to coat (using various low fat/high fiber items) and bake for a "just like friend" style treat. Find lower fat products on the market and put the extra money out if necessary. I love french fries and Alexia has created a wonderful potato alternative in so many different ways that you simply bake in the oven for a crunchy treat! Cheese is one of my favorite things and giving it up or using a totally fat free version is like torture to me! Instead, I purchase 2% cheeses to use on top of my burgers, chicken, etc. instead of the full fat versions. Find lower fat meats! One of my favorite replacements is a 95% Fat Free beef, easily found in most grocery markets (I buy mine at Wegmans) which comes out nearly fat free in the end as opposed to the cheaper 80% beef usually purchased. I use this low fat beef to re-create amazing burgers that mimic some of the "fast food" style burgers we crave!
   
   
3. Notice Portions - Portion control is key. You can truly have anything you'd like in moderation and paying attention to the portion size recommended on the package will keep you from over-indulging. You did not gain that extra weight from eating one candy bar or one cookie! You gained that weight by over indulging in portions, like most of America! A "portion" of a protein/meat is about the size of a deck of cards! A single portion of pasta is about 1/2 cup!

These top 3 tips are not exactly something that is unknown to us but sometimes we need to be reminded. It's not easy to eat healthy. We live in a world of fast food, high fat, low nutritional valued meals offered in a drive thru window! Even our sit down restaurants are clueless about portions or more than that, we have become so accustomed to over indulging that when we're served normal portion sizes we think we're being ripped off! YOU have to make the choice to change and understand that you are not perfect. YOU have to realize that changes are the only way you're going to get healthy and getting healthy means you will start to see results in numbers also. Your cholesterol levels will come down, your weight will come down, your dress/pants size will come down. You're going to start seeing things happen to your body that you thought were impossible; medications may start to be un-needed, blood pressures may start to come down and become "normal", diabetes may simply disappear on you and your doctor's going to either be very happy that you are getting healthier or very disappointed that he's not going to be seeing you as often! The pharmacy is going to really dislike you, you're not going to be one of their best clients at some point! Aren't these reasons enough to make the changes?

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Weight Watchers® program...
changing 1 lb or less losses to
an average of 3 lbs most weeks!
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Check out my Daily Menu Food Log for a quick glance at what I'm eating to get where I'm at, which is a healthier & therefore thinner ME! While I don't always keep it up to date.. I do give you some different ideas of what might help you change up your daily menu!


Don't forget to check out my newest Book Blog, where I give book reviews on recent books I've read. If you're a reader you'll want to check this out!

WE CAN DO THIS, TOGETHER
ONE DAY AT A TIME!

Like this article? Twit it to your followers!



Who Else Helps me get healthy?
These are just a few of the people online that inspire me along with AssistU....

1.
Check out the Fab Fatties - tons of ideas, comic relief & great give-aways!

2. Joe Gigantino - Fitness Trainer
This is the guy that really set me on the path to physical fitness - Sign up for his FREE newsletter!



3.

4. BWJEN - Another WW Buddy & A 'bookworm' too!?



5.

5.

6.Sean Anderson the formerly 500lb man!
Diary of A Winning Loser - Sean is an inspiration to anyone trying to get healthy!


*Note I am not affiliated nor endorsed by Weight Watchers® at all, in any way. I highly recommend their program and cannot say enough GOOD about it, but I also have decided that they were my "stepping stone" to making a change in my lifestyle. Any mention of Weight Watchers®, their program or their term of "points®" does not mean they have approved, seen, or endorsed anything on my blogs.

Also, if at any time Points® are mentioned it is always with the assumption that you will analyze the recipes, foods, ingredients and figure the points out specifically for your consumption of any product, as ingredients may vary by brand, size, etc. and Points® is a registered trademark of the Weight Watchers® company.

Sensa - New Product seen on MSN Shopping Network

Using Sensa - Week One
(Beginning September 22, 2009)

While I am blogging the actual information as I go along, I am not releasing anything until I've completed at least a substantial part of the Sensa program. There will be very little as far as "recommendations" until after my "results" are in on this new product. Sensa contacted me in late August asking me if I'd be interested in their product & blogging about it. I'm always interested in new ways to help my weight loss along but only if it's a product that I feel is truly safe & has the common sense factor to be legitimately effective.

Sensa directed me to their site, but I still didn't seem to have quite enough information to say I'd DEFINITELY start using their product. I quickly told their marketing department that I would NOT use the product if I found it to be something I didn't believe in, or it was completely un-natural and full of stimulants, etc. or anything that seemed like simply hype. They were very respectful of that decision, a plus on their part for me as I don't "sell" things that I don't believe in. I also explained that I would not lie about my results, my thoughts on the product or how the product worked for me. Again, Sensa was very courteous about accepting my limitations. This alone is a sign of a reputable company that is selling a product they believe in & stand behind.

I must interject at this point I have been using a product from US Nutrition LLC called AssistU which has the same basic ideas behind the product (creating a feeling of satiety) but comes in a completely natural supplement, single dose, pill form. What I love about the AssistU is that it not only gives me the satiety, but the herbs/supplements used also make my metabolism kick up a notch... bringing me from an original weight loss average of between 0.6 to 1.2 lbs a week to an average of about 2.6 to 3.2 lbs. per week!

I have had amazing results using the product & some other supplements recommended by my "Healthy Chick" friend, Yvette and I am definitely staying on AssistU while trying the Sensa. I believe, from what I've read & known about both products that they have the same basic idea of creating satiety to make one feel satisfied enough to not overindulge; while suggesting the obvious that "you cannot lose weight without changing lifestyle". Using both products will help my olfactory senses (with the Sensa) while also enhancing my metabolism (with AssistU) using natural products & innovative ideas. The combination of these two products together, to me, seems to be a win-win situation. I hope I'm right! In either case, I know that AssistU has provided me with a metabolism that has brought my Weight Watchers® lifestyle to a whole new level & I will have that to help me maintain once I achieve goal. I'm hoping that the Sensa can do the same for me! So I'm taking you on this journey too......

Quick explanation of Sensa, you sprinkle it on your food (not on or in any liquids). The idea behind it is to sprinkle "Salty" or "Sweet" side of the pack onto the appropriate foods. The tough part is knowing "how much" is "correct". Once the Sensa is on your food, it is supposed to feel satiated via your sense of "smell", when the crystals/powder hits your palette - telling your brain you're content & full or technically that you are satiated.

In the words of the company themselves:

The Sensa Weight-Loss System addresses this problem of our evolutionary past by using the human senses of taste and smell to help us gain greater satisfaction from a smaller amount of food. The scientific principle behind Sensa is remarkably simple. You may recall learning in biology class that smell and taste are connected. As you eat, the two senses work together to stimulate an area of the brain called the “satiety center,” which tells your body when it’s time to stop eating. By enhancing smell (sensory input), Sensa Tastants help to enable the brain-stomach connection and trigger the "feel full" signal. When you first start on the Sensa program, the Tastants do all the work. Over time, you will begin to intuitively understand portion control and develop healthier eating habits, without having to give up any of your favorite foods.

Sensa - day 1
(September 22, 2009)

So my first day using Sensa went something like this:

No breakfast (0), have been a little "under the weather" so I didn't use the Sensa until lunch .

Early Lunch (5): I toasted an Arnold's Sandwich Thin with a 1/2 slice of reduced fat cheddar, topped with medium salsa. Total points 3. I nuked an apple with 1 Tablespoon of fat free caramel dip for an amazingly awesome dessert that came in at 2 pts. Total for lunch 5 pts. Keeping in my Weight Watchers® style with points® calculations, adding the Sensa on top of each item.

Mid Afternoon Meal (5): 1/2 Cup of my homemade chicken noodle soup (2pts) with an Arnold's Sandwich thin & Roasted Turkey & a slice of laughing cow cheese. (3pts) for a total of 5 pts. on th is meal. Again, Sensa sprinkled on top.

After Gym Meal (15): Red Alert! Ended up at Wendy's and had a Bacon Cheeseburger (7.5pts), Large unsweetened Iced Tea, (0 pts) and small chocolate frosty (7.5 pts) for a total of 15 pts. (This was probably not one of my best decisions & made me question how well the "satiation" idea was working with the Sensa as I had made sure I put ample amounts on my Mid Afternoon meal, knowing that generally after my gym workout I'm famished. Was hoping the Sensa would keep this from happening, it didn't. Unfortunately I didn't have any "bars" left that I generally grab to fulfill my need either so I stopped at the closest place, got the 2 cheapie things (99 cent menu) and went from there. I did however sprinkle the Sensa on the burger and the Frosty.

Late night snack (4): 2 oz. lean steak, grilled & fat trimmed rolled in a 1pt. tortilla. I was craving some protein & definitely needed this!

Day One began with already at a weight loss of 65.2 lbs, hoping the Sensa will make the losses better & easier.

No Sensa on the late night snack. I was a bit disgusted at this point with even putting the Sensa on. Hopefully tomorrow I will see the Sensa take affect. At this point, I'm thinking it should take affect immediately, making a change using the senses should be something immediate (no?). Perhaps I'm wrong and expectations are too high. I do know that with the AssistU I felt the difference first day, as did my daughter. The sati ety was there and the metabolism was definitely working. I felt full, both physically and mentally with the AssistU and was expecting the same with Sensa.

We shall see with Day 2!

Total points® used 29 pts used of the 29 allotted - still on program but not thrilled with my after workout decision - but not bad as I'm still on track and used the right amount of "points®"

Consensus on Sensa: for today's use of Sensa. Really no effect seen, but it is the first day and I'm not exactly sure WHAT I'm looking for either. We'll say "Jury Still Out".

Sensa - day 2
(September 23, 2009)

Breakfast (5), my all time "fave" for breakfast - Naked Juice (5 pts). Sensa cannot be used in liquids so I didn't use the Sensa until lunch .

Early Lunch (5): Grilled chicken breast on a regular bun, with lettuce total 5 pts. (Forgot to put the Sensa on it this time) I made 2 of these so I could have one later as a quick grab after the gym. This is a much better choice than day 1's idea of "after the gym" dining! LOL

After Gym "meal" (5): Grilled chicken breast on a regular bun, with lettuce total 5 pts. - Used the Sensa (didn't really feel much difference, not overly full, not overly hungry)

Dinner (10): Buffalo Chicken Salad (grilled chicken (3 pts) with hot sauce, french fries (5 pts), over a bed of lettuce, shredded cheddar (2 pts) & FF Dressing. - Used Sensa & while dinner was eaten at about 6:30pm or so, it did keep me through the night. This is highly unusual, so it could be a sign that the Sensa is starting to take over or that I'm figuring out how much to use!

Total points® used 25 of 29 allotted.
Consensus on Sensa: The dinner use of Sensa did seem to give me the satiated feeling. We have to keep in mind that "satiated" is not "FULL" necessarily, but satisfied & keeps one from craving. I do believe that the evening meal did just this. Could be a good sign.

Sensa - day 3
(September 24, 2009)

No Breakfast ,unfortunately I didn't feel like eating first thing in the morning but went straight to the gym after dropping my son off at school. No food eaten for breakfast so I didn't use the Sensa until lunch .

Lunch (after gym) (5): 98% FF Roasted Turkey on a tomato basil wrap, w/lettuce & banana peppers (5 pts). - Used Sensa - I must be figuring out the amount needed at this point because I had a banana to go with my lunch but forewent eating it because I was more than content. Definitely feeling satiated with this simple and minimal lunch. This is a real surprise because

Snack (4): Stella D'Oro 100 Calorie "Breakfast Bites" - chocolate (2) & a banana (2) - did not use Sensa (although I could have technically sprinkled it on my banana it just wasn't an appealing idea to me)

Dinner (5): 2 Johnsonville Smoked Turkey Cheddar Brots (4 pts) each rolled in 1/2 Light Flat Out Bread (1) - Used Sensa & was very full & content by about 1/2 to 3/4 of the 2nd brot. Again, I believe I've figured out how much of the Sensa to use. Feeling very full & content, aka "satiated"!

Snack (6.5): 1/2 of a Small DQ Thin Mint Blizzard 6.5 pts - Ice Cream Craving (this is so very normal for me) but not only did I limit my intake I seriously didn't want it all. Now that is so NOT normal for me! GO SENSA! LOL

Total points used 20.5 of 29 allotted.
Consensus on Sensa: Both the lunch & dinner use of Sensa did seem to give me the satiated feeling. I was very content with minimal amounts of food.

Sensa - day 4
(Friday, September 25, 2009)

Breakfast (5): Naked Juice Cannot use Sensa on liquids so I didn't use the Sensa until lunch .

Lunch (after gym) (5): 98% FF Roasted Turkey on a tomato basil wrap, w/lettuce & banana peppers (5 pts). - Used Sensa - I must be figuring out the amount needed at this poin t becaus e I had a banana to go with my lunch but forewent eating it because I was more than content. Definitely feeling satiated with this simple and minimal lunch. This is a real surprise because

Snack (4): Stella D'Oro 100 Calorie "Breakfast Bites" - chocolate (2) & a banana (2) - did not use Sensa (although I could have technically sprinkled it on my banana it just wasn't an appealing idea to me)

Dinner (5): 2 Johnsonville Smoked Turkey Cheddar Brots (4 pts) each rolled in 1/2 Light Flat Out Bread (1) - Used Sensa & was very full & content by about 1/2 to 3/4 of the 2nd brot. Again, I believe I've figured out how much of the Sensa to use. Feeling very full & content, aka "satiated"!

Snack (6.5): 1/2 of a Small DQ Thin Mint Blizzard 6.5 pts - Ice Cream Craving (this is so very normal for me) but not only did I limit my intake I seriously didn't want it all. Now that is so NOT normal for me! GO SENSA! LOL

Total points used 20.5 of 29 allotted.
Consensus on Sensa: Both the lunch & dinner use of Sensa did seem to give me the satiated feeling. I was very content with minimal amounts of food.

I won't bore you with a continuous day by day update of what I've eaten & how the Sensa was used. I will say that I have days where it seems to make a difference and days where it doesn't.

The biggest issue I'm seeing thus far is knowing if you "sprinkled enough" on your serving of food... and I think this is the cause of some times it "works" obviously, while others it's not so obvious.

Consensus, thus far, of the product: Worth trying if you have the extra money to put out but the inconsistency of the product working aggrevates me. I think everyone is different & everyone's end result is going to be different. For some I think it could work alone, for others I think it's an extra "aid" with other things (such as the AssistU like I did). It is NOT a miracle pill.. or "sprinkle" in this case.. and if that's what you're looking for it's not going to happen. I think there is some definite common sense, reasoning and working ideas behind the product & it's use.

Help me win this great recognition!
Vote now if you like my blog! Thanks!

By Body & Soul

Check out my Daily Menu Food Log for a quick glance at what I'm eating to get where I'm at, which is a healthier & therefore thinner ME!


Don't forget to check out my newest Book Blog, where I give book reviews on recent books I've read. If you're a reader you'll want to check this out!

WE CAN DO THIS, TOGETHER
ONE DAY AT A TIME!

Like this article? Twit it to your followers!

Who Else Helps me get healthy?
These are just a few of the people online that inspire me....

1.
Check out the Fab Fatties

2. Joe Gigantino - Fitness Trainer
This is the guy that really set me on the path to physical fitness



3.

4. BWJEN



5.

5.

6.Sean Anderson the formerly 500lb man!
Diary of A Winning Loser


*Note I am not affiliated nor endorsed by Weight Watchers® at all, in any way. I highly recommend their program and cannot say enough GOOD about it, but I also have decided that they were my "stepping stone" to making a change in my lifestyle. Any mention of Weight Watchers®, their program or their term of "points®" does not mean they have approved, seen, or endorsed anything on my blogs.

Also, if at any time Points® are mentioned it is always with the assumption that you will analyze the recipes, foods, ingredients and figure the points out specifically for your consumption of any product, as ingredients may vary by brand, size, etc.

Creed To Live by - Author Unknown

One of my favorite "newsletters" comes from Dotties Weight Loss Zone. In this week's newsletter she had a creed that she shared and I really felt the need to share it here. Oddly enough part of the 'creed' is the name of my blog..... "One Day At A Time".

I just really wanted to share this because sometimes, in the course of life, we could use a little inspiration..... especially when we're struggling with our self worth & weight issues.

A Creed to Live By

Don't undermine your worth by comparing yourself to others.
It is because we are different that each of us is special.

Don't set your goals by what other people deem important.
Only you know what is best for you.

Don't take for granted the things closest to your heart.
For without them life is meaningless.

Don't let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past or for the future.
By living your life ONE DAY AT A TIME you live all the days of your life.

Don't give up when you still have something to give.
Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.

Don't be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect.
It is this fragile thread that binds us to each other.

Don't be afraid to encounter risks.
It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.

Don't shut love out of your life by saying it is impossible to find.
The quickest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly
and the best way to keep love is to give it wings.

Don't dismiss your dreams.
To be without dreams is to be without hope.
To be without hope is to be without purpose.

Don't run through life so fast that you forget not only where you have been,
but also where you are going.

LIFE IS NOT A RACE BUT A JOURNEY TO BE SAVOURED
EACH STEP OF THE WAY...

~~author Unknown

Had I not lived my life by this Creed since my battles with cancer... I know I wouldn't be nearly as happy, healthy & full of life as I am. I'm successful in my "battle of the bulge" because of it... I'm finally successful in my battle to find "true love" because of it & I'm successful in my life in general as a parent & person because of it. I'm NOT perfect... but I'm not afraid to say so... I'm not afraid to try... I'm not afraid to LIVE!

Check out my Daily Menu Food Log for a quick glance at what I'm eating to get where I'm at, which is a healthier & therefore thinner ME!


Don't forget to check out my newest Book Blog, where I give book reviews on recent books I've read. If you're a reader you'll want to check this out!

WE CAN DO THIS, TOGETHER
ONE DAY AT A TIME!

Like this article? Twit it to your followers!

Who Else Helps me get healthy?
These are just a few of the people online that inspire me....

1.
Check out the Fab Fatties

2. Joe Gigantino - Fitness Trainer
This is the guy that really set me on the path to physical fitness



3.

4. BWJEN



5.

5.

6.Sean Anderson the formerly 500lb man!
Diary of A Winning Loser


*Note I am not affiliated nor endorsed by Weight Watchers® at all, in any way. I highly recommend their program and cannot say enough GOOD about it, but I also have decided that they were my "stepping stone" to making a change in my lifestyle. Any mention of Weight Watchers®, their program or their term of "points®" does not mean they have approved, seen, or endorsed anything on my blogs.

Also, if at any time Points® are mentioned it is always with the assumption that you will analyze the recipes, foods, ingredients and figure the points out specifically for your consumption of any product, as ingredients may vary by brand, size, etc.