healthy weight loss

Quick and Easy Colorful Recipes

Quick and easy recipes are a snap with summer fruits and vegetables. I love a colorful meal. In fact, it almost seems sad to eat it, but that sure doesn't stop me! I love the large selection of summertime fruits and vegetables. Browsing at the farmers markets, or going straight to my garden for my ingredients, is just plain fun.

Recipes

Spinach salad is a daily favorite for me. I love  a mix of sweet fruit, crunchy nuts and chewy Craisins. This is my Spinach Salad recipe: recipe Spinach Salad  
  • 1 cup spinach
  • 1/4 cup kale
  • 1 T Craisins
  • 1 tsp nuts—I prefer chopped pecans or walnuts
  • 1 T Poppyseed Dressing
  • Chopped fruit—My choice of fruit varies on my particular craving that day, and sometimes I… Read More

Finding a Weight Loss Plan That Works for You

Weight Loss

Diane Carbonell recently posted on Fit to the Finish Why I Accept Other Peoples Diet Choices. weight Image courtesy of Marianne Oliva (c)/www.123RF.co I’ve been discussing weight loss for the past several weeks, and after reading her blog I wanted to clarify some points. I’m not a dieting expert. I’m a cheerleader, a motivator. I’ll be there when the burden feels too heavy, when you think you can’t take another step, when you think you will never lose the weight. I’m the one who will hold your hand, offer you encouragement, believe in you when you can’t. I don’t have answers, but I’ll be sharing what I'm learning. I am not a believer in fad diets. Not because you can’t… Read More

Make Your Workout a Family Affair

Workouts should be a family affair. Sometimes you might have to get creative, but the payoff is worth it.

Making workouts fun

My kickboxing aerobics instructors, Dana and Gloria Warren are always changing up our workouts and one night there were several kids that came with their parents.workout Dana started us off with a game of tag. Think you’re in shape? Try keeping up with a bunch of kids in a confined space who run for fun all day long. The Klutzy Athlete was breathing heavy in no time. Later in class, we piggy-backed the kids up and down the gym. They may not heavy, but trust me, you’ll get a good workout after a few trips with an extra 30-50 pounds on your back.… Read More

Life is More Than a Number

Outlaw Bathroom Scales

I think bathroom scales should be outlawed, banned like plastic grocery bags, sent to the crusher never to pop up an unwanted number again. My life seems to revolve around the number on that tiny screen. When I’m a few pounds under 150 I’m on top of the world, and when I’m a pound or two above it I’m down in the dumps, and yet I still look the same. scale Image courtesy of vorakorn at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Name That Bathroom Scale

My bathroom scale has two names. It’s Darth Vader when I’m over, and Matt Damon when I’m under. I actually have a love/hate relationship with my scale. Getting on it once a week motivates me… Read More

In Charge versus in Control

Being in control

I’ve always controlled my eating. In truth, I was never in control—food controlled me. Since high school, I’ve carefully monitored my food intake, and how much exercise I needed to maintain that weight. Ultimately, I failed and regained the few pounds I’d lost. As I mentioned in Tuesday’s blog, my weight started to increase and control and exercise stopped working for me.I’d always felt closely monitoring everything I ate was my only option, but then I read Eat What You Love and Love What You Eat, by Dr. Michelle May.

Being in charge

control Image courtesy of Ludmila Baryshnikova (c)/www.123RF.com  In the very first chapter, Dr. May discusses the distinction between being… Read More

Savoring Food

Savoring Food

I’ve mentioned in previous posts I’m searching for answers about how to maintain a healthy weight. I need to alter this slightly. I’m searching for answers to maintaining a healthy weight without being obsessed about food.savoring food In my search for answers, I've found a book that speaks to me. It’s not a diet book. It’s about living a healthy lifestyle that includes weight loss and savoring food. Eat What You Love and Love What You Eat, by Dr. Michelle May has given me several ah-ha moments. I’m learning that I can be in charge of what I eat and eat ANY food I love in moderation. The author calls it mindful eating.

Mindful… Read More