My Big Fat Bottom

hmmmm.....

2011-02-05T20:55:00.002-05:00

so looking at some old posts after a weekend filled with pasta, pizza and general debauchery, I'm feeling a great deal of remorse. The New Year brought new hope for diet renewal, or so I thought. But as I'm gaining weight at an alarming rate, mostly due to the fact that I eat enough for three people, it's beginning to seem a hopeless case. How do you say "When" when "When" is enough. Or maybe 5+ pieces of pizza (crusts don't count, right) is really when? When will I know?

A world of choices....

2011-01-22T06:26:00.003-05:00

I missed the weigh in yesterday. Actually, considering what I have eaten and not eaten this week, all I missed was the opportunity to feel humiliated.

Which brings me to the point. How do we stay motivated in a world full of calories. I mean to be good, I want to be good, I plan to be good...but when faced with a bag of chips and salsa, I am not good.

Do you guys have any suggestions on what keeps you on track (other than a device that makes a mooing sound when you open the fridge door or cookie jar).

Susanne Somers says...

2011-01-17T11:25:00.001-05:00

that because I'm over 40 it's not my fault that I can't lose weight. That's a relief....cause I thought it might be the brautwurst and corn muffin for breakfast.

Whew!

ya know...

2011-01-16T06:03:00.001-05:00

this whole dieting thing would be SO much easier if we didn't need to USE more calories than we EAT. It's just so unfair!

Woo Hoo!

2011-01-14T09:08:00.001-05:00

So - I lost a WHOLE pound this week. Not much - granted. But a start. I find that I start out great - eating well in the morning - and then start not eating so great and not logging what I eat (probably out of embarrasment)....

do you guys ever notice that? What keeps you in line throughout the day?

Feeling hungry ALL THE TIME?

2011-01-12T05:33:00.002-05:00

According to Calorie Counter (and Weight Watchers said the SAME thing today on their blog), it's probably WHAT you are eating....

Calorie Counter says....

"If you want to feel full all day on less food, focus on these eating strategies:

Get enough lean protein and fiber. A study of 22 men who changed the amount of protein in their diets for 18-day periods showed that those who ate the least protein were the most likely to report being hungry. "Protein is the number one thing to help you feel full," says Emily Banes, RD, clinical dietitian at Houston Northwest Medical Center. "The second thing is fiber."
Eat a rainbow of fruits and vegetables. Researchers tracked the weight-loss success of 71 obese women between 20 and 60 years of age on a low-fat diet. Half of the women were also told to increase their fruit and vegetable intake. At the end of one year, both groups of women had lost weight, but the women who ate the most fruits and veggies reported the greatest weight loss and were less likely to say they felt hungry on any given day. In fact, when the researchers crunched the data, they found that whether the women reported feeling hungry frequently predicted their ability to lose weight. Other studies have shown that changing your eating habits to focus on these water- and fiber-rich foods will help you maintain weight loss for up to six years.
Sip soup. Adding two low-calorie soups to your diet every day could stave off hunger pangs and keep you satisfied longer. Choose soups that are broth-based, not cream-based, to reduce the calorie count; also look for soups that are low in sodium. Consider chunky, pureed vegetable soups, as they have been shown to produce the most lasting full feeling. Timing your soup so that you have it before a meal also reduces the amount you eat at that meal by about 20 percent, according to a study of 53 overweight adults.
Eat whole grains. A serving of whole grains will stick with you longer than a serving of refined wheat bread or any other refined flour product, for that matter. Most refined flour is white and often bleached.
Pick "airy" snacks. If you must snack and you don't have a piece of fruit or a veggie tray on hand, choose the snack food that has more air in it — think cheese puffs instead of potato chips, rice cakes instead of cookies. You will feel just as full as you would if you ate the same serving size of another snack, but you will consume fewer calories on average.

It's Never too late to start....

2011-01-10T06:04:00.002-05:00

I copied this from Calorie Counter this morning because it REALLY spoke to me - and it might to you as well. You should ckeck out the entire posting today - the link is here on the site. She's not that much older than us (insert heavy sigh here) but what she said really sounded so much like me (as well as a conversation I had with my lovely Lisa the other day). She needed to lose about 20 lbs. She had kinda just figured that being older meant being softer (Diane - you wild woman - that does not apply to you). She had tried Atkins and gained all 15 lbs she lost back the minute she put a piece of pasta back in her mouth (sounded familiar). But her story is really interesting and she looks amazing. If you don't read it - know this. TRACK EVERY SINGLE CALORIE! I fall off the wagon and then won't write it down cause I'm ashamed of myself. DO IT ANYHOW! Love ya!

"The title is one tip that our this week's featured member, Jenpnc would like to share with you. She’s 53 and she was resigned to the fact that her weight was slowly creeping up on her. Then she started counting calories and lost 21 lbs. Losing that weight gave her self confidence back and she's living a much healthier and happier lifestyle."

new fav....

2011-01-08T14:01:00.001-05:00

Jala Frozen Yogurt bars...total yum...110 calories...10 fat cals...nice supply of vit. a, c, and e = heaven.

Friday!!! Weigh in day!

2011-01-07T09:06:00.004-05:00

I did it! I weighed in - dosent mean that I necessarily LOST weight - but at least I am in the mind frame to lose weight! LOL!!!!

Weighing in does not mean that you have to POST your weight - although I am considering doing that as it helps to keep you accountable. It IS a weigh (HAHA) to keep you honest. SOOO....I weighed in at "I'M NOT TELLING YOU CAUSE LISA SAYS SHE'LL REPORT THIS BLOG AS A TOTAL SHAM"....which is 7 pounds off of my first goal....12 pounds off my real goal...and 17 pounds off of my OMG goal. Works for me.

That's 3 pounds off of where I last weighed in - so that's great - but I might have been leaning...and i had just trimmed my toenails and dried my hair REAL good out of the shower...just in case. Are u keeping track???

New Post - New Year - New Diet???

2011-01-01T07:01:00.002-05:00

So, inspired by 1) Watching Julie and Julia yesterday and deciding that a daily blog is a good thing for a number of reasons, regardless if anyone is listening or if there is a book deal on the other end 2) that I'm 15 lbs overweight and there is no sugar coating it 3) an acquaintance asked me last night at a New Year's party if I use to be thin (insert heavy sigh here)...

I AM BRUSHING OFF THE OLD M.B.F.B. and committing to a new goal of 15 lbs by March 5th....which might be a little extreme....but drastic times call for drastic measures. (I mean really - did I use to be thin?)

If you are out there and in, lemme know. If not, I'll be out here. Counting calories on, strangely, Calorie Counter, as my home page. Cutting on carbs and looking for ways to exercise at least 4 times a week. Weighing in on Fridays.

Wishing you, whoever and wherever you are, a Happy and skinny New Years!

one simple change...

2010-12-06T10:03:00.002-05:00

sometimes that's all it takes. For me, the act of logging in each time I eat holds me accountable for WHAT I am eating and HOW MUCH I am eating. I don't want to write down anything too gross....so maybe it helps me eat a little healthier. Of course, when I fall of the wagon, then I find that I just don't log what I just pigged out on. But each day is a new day....and this day I'm down a couple of pounds from last week. So let's see! I'm using Calorie Counter. I made it my home page on the laptop that sits on my kitchen counter to make it easier for me to track what I am doing. How about you? Do you keep track of what you eat and how do you do it?

just read a really inspirational article on Calorie Count...

2010-11-29T06:30:00.002-05:00

...and I'm back on my diet as of today. I don't know about you, but I ate enough for three people over the holiday. I need to ask Dennis to stop snacking on bad stuff near me cause I have the motivation of a slug. I can't put the article on here cause it's quite long but it's called "Beaming with Confidence" on Calorie Count. i'm going to try to find a forum on there for 45 year old out shape Moms that need to lose 20 lbs. I'll let ya know! I will include her 5 tips...

10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?

Use measuring cups and smaller plates, bowls and eating utensils. I have really become aware of my portion sizes, and measuring cups are the best way for me to really know how much I'm eating. A smaller fork or spoon helps me eat slower, and clearing a smaller plate makes me feel more satisfied without eating as much.
Give yourself a bit of tough love and STOP making excuses! This is something I really embraced, because excuses are what caused me to put on 100 pounds of excess weight. Excuses only stand in the way of what you can achieve.
Find a workout you enjoy! If you are having a blast, then it doesn't feel like "exercise." Go biking with friends, play with the dog or go dancing! Whatever gets you moving. It is so much easier to stick with an exercise if you like doing it.
Don't beat yourself up if you mess up one day. In the grand scheme of things, one day doesn't mean much. One day of overeating or missing the gym will NOT cause the end of the world, and will not cause you to put all your weight back on. This is real life people, and no one is perfect! Take your oopsie day with a grain of salt and move on.
Cut out alcohol. This one was a big challenge for me, because let's face it, drinking is fun. I realized, however, that it isn't worth it. Alcohol is empty calories that alters your ability to control yourself. For me, this resulted in late night fast food binges and an upset stomach the next day. I am not saying stop drinking completely, but bring it down to a "once in a while" thing instead of say nightly or even weekly. I only drink 2-3 nights per month and can have a perfectly awesome time with no alcohol!

Been a bad girl.

2010-11-03T19:10:00.002-04:00

Have so MUCH life over here lately - I haven't even considered dieting (unless you consider eating only one mini Butterfinger a day a "diet").

Hope things are better with you guys! Hope you are committed to your health and your goals. Hope you can have me committed :p

Having a Fitness Buddy

2010-10-18T06:27:00.001-04:00

Reading an interesting story on Calorie Count this morning...this girl is doing a great job losing it :) She had a friend - makes so much sense!

3. What changes did you make to your usual diet, activity, lifestyle, and attitude?

I have a friend who is a huge fitness nut so she offered to work with me on getting in shape. We went to the high school track almost every night, no matter what the weather was like and ran sprints, ran the bleacher stairs and other cardio. She really got me excited about exercise and weight loss. So much so that now I am able to run a 5K!

2010-09-24T11:20:00.000-04:00

I'm a loser!!!!! 3lbs
let's see if I can keep it up.

My Big Fat Bottom: chatting.....

2010-09-20T06:33:00.000-04:00

My Big Fat Bottom: chatting.....: "So I had a personal trainer for lunch the other day. Not to eat her, but to eat with her. If that ain't pressure, I don't know what is. I ..."

chatting.....

2010-09-20T06:24:00.003-04:00

So I had a personal trainer for lunch the other day. Not to eat her, but to eat with her. If that ain't pressure, I don't know what is. I made a salad (it passed), hummus and pita chips (hummus passed, chips didn't). But we had a great chat about weight loss amoungst other things. What I got out of it was the following that I thought I would share with you. Drink drink drink water. Move move move your body. Eat protein every meal. Eat breakfast. I never eat before 10 am. She suggested throwing some vanilla whey protein powder in with some cold coffee for a breakfast shake running out the door. Even I can do that. Water, move, protein, breakfast. Got it. Made a committment with 2 other friends to lose 5 lbs by Nov 5th for the Fitville Festival that I am running. (Personally I aim to lose more). I own this baby! How about you?

5 tips from someone who lost over 100 lbs...

2010-09-13T06:29:00.001-04:00

1. Get some activity every day.
2. Drink at least 8 glasses of water every day!
3. Have a "cheat" day, so that you do not feel deprived during the rest of the week.
4. Publish your weight loss goals publicly, so that you have accountability and support.
5. Cut yourself some slack - If you misstep, diet-wise, don't stress or give up! Simply resolve to do better on the next meal or day. One meal will not derail an entire healthy diet or lifestyle.

I'm all this this week. Who is with me?

6 questions to stop a binge in it's tracks...

2010-09-09T07:06:00.001-04:00

Four Powerful Questions (From calorie counter.about.com

Question # 1: Do I want immediate gratification, or long term self-confidence?

Sometimes it’s easy to feel helpless when confronted with strong impulses to repeat self-destructive habits. The immediate relief of satisfying a compelling urge to overeat often clouds our better judgment. But, actually, you are not a victim to your past patterns. Tell yourself you have a choice, and at some point – perhaps today - that choice will confidently bring you just once step further towards your goal.

Question # 2: How do I want to feel one hour from now? One day from now? One year from now?

This question helps you to directly anticipate the results of choices you make. Do you want the next hour, day or week of your precious life to be contaminated with guilt and regret? Or do you want to honor your body and feel strong and confident? Whatever you decide, realize you are creating your future life with every decision you make today.

Question # 3: What would I do right now if I fully loved myself and my body?

This powerful question helps you link with your Future You. Act as if you are already someone who is healthy and fit. How does someone who totally loves his/her body act? Create the image in your mind of being that person. Now imagine how the Future You will handle this situation. Close the gap from where you are today and where you want to be.

Question # 4: What do I truly want?

It’s easy to forget what we truly want when weighed down by overwhelming feelings. But by reminding yourself of what you want, you link to your desire and desire coupled with positive expectation is a powerful, inspiring force. Remind yourself why you began this journey in the first place. Do I want to lose weight, or not? Do I want to be someone who feels helpless and defeated? Or do I want to be someone who is in charge of his/her body? Do I want to eat this when I’m really not hungry? Or do I want to stop and feel confident about having the life, and the body, that I want? Ask yourself right now, how committed am I to releasing excess weight from my body?

tips on getting more out of your walking workout...

2010-08-28T16:28:00.000-04:00

Sure, you may have a walking program in place — maybe you go every day, or even twice a day — and you've probably seen good results. But are you looking for ways to step up the intensity or just avoid getting bored? Here's how to elude the dreaded fitness plateau and make every stride bring you closer to your ultimate fitness goal.

Check your form. Make sure you're standing up straight and pumping your bent arms — doing so will help you move faster and burn 15 percent more calories, says walking coach Lee Scott, creator of the DVD "Simple Secrets for a Great Walking Workout."

Tips: Take smaller steps to move more quickly, squeeze your butt while you're moving to reduce bouncing, and focus on achieving a comfortable pace (one where you're puffing but still able to have a short conversation).

Mix up your routine. Adding short bursts of skipping or jumping, for example, will help strengthen bones. It's also beneficial to get a change of scenery. If you usually walk on a sidewalk, try a dirt trail, a rubber track, or even the road in a low-traffic area (concrete is 10 times harder than asphalt). Also, remember to always ease in and out of workouts with a warm-up and cooldown (three to five minutes of slower walking).

Go beyond your comfort zone. Midlife women are no more prone to injury than college-age women. In addition, they may naturally see benefits from exercise more quickly. To put it another way: Don't baby yourself — let your progress serve as a constant reminder of what you can do!

Dirty Vs. Clean foods

2010-08-27T08:59:00.001-04:00

A little scary how many pestisides can be found on your foods....esp. those that are so readily eaten by our kids! Check out the list below!

The Dirty Dozen

The fruits and vegetables on the Dirty Dozen list are contaminated with an average of 10 different pesticides. They may be difficult to wash, are usually eaten unpeeled, or pesticides migrate through the roots. The EWG recommends buying the organic versions of the Dirty Dozen to reduce your exposure to chemicals in produce by 80 percent.

Celery
Peaches
Strawberries
Apples
Domestic blueberries
Nectarines
Sweet bell peppers
Spinach, kale and collard greens
Cherries
Potatoes
Imported grapes
Lettuce

The Clean 15

The fruits and vegetables on the Clean 15 list are less contaminated, each with an average of only two different pesticides. In addition, they are often peeled and their outer layers are disposed of and they are easier to wash.

Onions
Avocados
Sweet corn
Pineapples
Mango
Sweet peas
Asparagus
Kiwi fruit
Cabbage
Eggplant
Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Grapefruit
Sweet potatoes
Sweet onions

guiding our eating experience...

2010-08-19T07:18:00.001-04:00

got this of Calorie Counter today...so appropriate. Would love to share it with the food and nutrition people. Taken from an interview with Brian Wansink, PhD, Professor of Applied Economics and Management at Cornell University, Director of the Cornell Food and Brand Lab and best-selling author

I’ve heard you say, “We do a bad job of guiding the eater’s experience” towards healthy food. Please explain.

It’s true. The supermarkets are laid out to maximize exposure to what they want you to buy. We should be doing that with healthy food in the home. We should rearrange our snack cupboards to place the healthy foods front-and-center. Display them in attractive containers. Make junk food hard to get. (Soda? Sure. It’s downstairs in the cellar – warm.) It’s a case of out-of-sight, out-of-mind. Our research shows that intake increases when serving dishes are kept on the dinner table. A good tactic would be to keep the salad bowl on the dining table while leaving the other foods back in the kitchen.

Congratulations Diane!

2010-08-16T11:03:00.003-04:00

A BIG FAT BOTTOM YA HOOOO to Diane for running the Falmouth Road Race and kicking some serious butt doing it! She rocks the world! And she did it with an injured calf muscle to boot! Left the boys from the class of '81 in the dust. GIRLS RULE! RUN DIANE RUN!

5 tips froma 60 lbs loser!

2010-08-16T06:22:00.002-04:00

What five tips do you have for other dieters?

* Get your head in the game. No diet or exercise program will ever work if you don't believe you can do it. Success starts with your attitude.
* Get all of the temptation food out of your house and replace it with good healthy food you like.
* Eat breakfast.
* Plan your meals - its easy to fall off the wagon when you are tired at the end of the day and don't feel like preparing.
* Finally, write it down or use Calorie Count for tracking your eating and exercising - what you can measure you can manage

Bigger Bottoms - Bigger Change

2010-08-09T07:45:00.002-04:00

I was sitting here this morning, minding my own b.f.b., reading Calorie Counter. There is a wonderful story about a wonderful lady that changed her life by losing 105 lbs. Good for her. Seriously. That is awesome - I can't even imaging all the great different experience she's having due to that change. She attributes her success to "making small changes" everyday. Now from what I've been reading that can be not to drink soda - or at least 2 liters of it - daily. But about us out here that don't have 100 or more lbs to lose. What about us that want to lose 10-15. We don't do CRAZY stuff - like eat a frozen pizza a day. Just small crazy. Like finish the kids mac & cheese. It hardly seems fair. Of course, we don't have to deal with all the crap that comes with being obese as well. Like not fitting in seats, like being ostracize, life health issues. So, I guess it all comes out in the wash. Maybe I should take the advice of a friend of mine the other day. New life motto - get 1% better everyday. 1%. I can do that. So can you!!!