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Ready to shed that pesky winter weight? by sireena at 2/21/2015 3:58:02 PM March is right around the corner! Woot! It's time to get that summer-rockin body we all love. With the holidays and being stuck inside, it's normal to pack on a few extra pounds in the winter months. Once those bathing suits and shorts hit the store racks, it's time to think about getting ready! While not all diet plans work for everybody, there's one that will work for anyone...you just have to figure it out by trial and error. Here's what works for me: According to most statistics, my "normal" body weight for my height is somewhere between 135 and 140. I find my "comfort zone" around 128...things just seem to fit better and I feel/look better. Anything less than that and my butt disappears and I hate saggy asses (so do men) I need to lose about 10 pounds to get back into my summer yummy clothes. Here's how I do it... 1) drink lots of water all day long 2) get a pedometer (they're affordable) and make yourself put it in your pocket everyday. 3) clock around 7,500 steps per day, even if you are just walking around your house (this gets easier as the weather gets better) 4) eat as often as you feel hungry all through the day but...limit each "treat" to 100 calories. This can be veggies, fruits, dairy, lean meat, fish...there's an endless list of low calorie foods that you can consume and always drink some water...this helps you feel "full" 5) keep your scale in a visible location in the kitchen, it's a reminder and will quickly become a source of reward In just a few days, your stomach will shrink and become accustomed to smaller "meals". Your digestion will improve as well as your complexion and overall, you will feel better. Think about it this way...even if you eat 12 times a day @ 100 calories, you are still only consuming 1200 calories and you are burning much of that by simply walking! I started it this week and I've already lost 3.5 pounds. By the end of March, I will be able to focus on toning/building muscle. One last thing...once a week reward yourself, for one meal...knock yourself out and eat whatever you want.

Comments
frfforever	2/21/2015 4:19:28 PM Interesting approach. My only fear is I would eat about 30 meals a day... one right after the other... lol
frfforever	2/21/2015 4:20:46 PM I try to swim/workout every day, the only downside is it gets my metabolism revved up, and I woof down food afterwards. Try to make it healthy food though after the swim/workout.
sireena	2/21/2015 4:27:39 PM LOL! It's more about snacking (refueling) for me through out the day and I'm sure men's metabolism varies greatly from a woman's. Your key words are "healthy food" versus eating crappy food. Swimming burns lots of calories! You look to be in pretty good shape to me.
frfforever	2/21/2015 4:32:23 PM Thanks! But like you, I have "winter luggage" LOL hanging around. Even with the indoor pool, sometimes on cold days it's hard to "force" myself to drive to the gym. And like your diet, I only drink water (a lot of it)... LOL but NOT while I am swimming.
justaman65	2/21/2015 4:38:07 PM So no more sitting on the couch eating bon bons watching TV? I could lose a few pounds myself. Don't want to go to the beach and kids start throwing harpoons at me.
frfforever	2/21/2015 4:39:51 PM /\... or attempting to "roll" you back in the water when your laying out sunning.
justaman65	2/21/2015 4:41:23 PM
sireena	2/21/2015 4:47:00 PM LOL! What I left out is that there is a certain amount of self control and commitment involved. At work, I'm surrounded by "goodies"...currently, it's Girl Scout cookies. You have to be able to "just say no"!
frfforever	2/21/2015 4:50:03 PM N...nnnnn.... No to Dark Chocolate???? NEVER!!!! So true. My daughter used to sell the girl scout cookies... I HATED that time of year.
sireena	2/21/2015 4:55:58 PM No...not at all. Dark chocolate has health benefits. Instead of eating an entire bar, you just have one or two squares of it. It's not about depriving yourself of the things you love...it's about moderation (except fatty fried foods...avoid those).
frfforever	2/21/2015 4:58:48 PM Yep, and the higher cocoa content (that you can take) the better.
sireena	2/21/2015 5:00:53 PM People often forget (or don't know) that cocoa is a plant. It's all the sugar that is added to chocolate that makes it so bad. I can take about 60% cocoa, anything more than that is just too bitter.
cafe_express	2/21/2015 5:01:26 PM For those singles that don't care to cook, try a Thai restaurant. I found one with prices from $2.50 appetizers, to $7.95 with so much food it lasts for 2-3 meals. Next door is a Wendy's which for the life of me, I don't know why you would spend the same amount of money there for fresh vegetables and food cooked from scratch in the Thai place next door. You could get 3 appetizers for 3 meals.
frfforever	2/21/2015 5:02:26 PM Hmmm... I like the 70%, but I agree much over that and it's almost like baking chocolate then.
sireena	2/21/2015 5:03:26 PM I love Asian food too cafe. And you are right, when you can purchase one meal and get three out of it, that's a deal!
cafe_express	2/21/2015 5:04:22 PM How do you feel about the rice with it? Carbs?
sireena	2/21/2015 5:04:55 PM It's an aphrodisiac too forever...forget those slimy oysters!!!
frfforever	2/21/2015 5:06:29 PM @cafe... Rice with Dark Chocolate... ummmm... no thanks! *kidding* @sireena... yeah, I could never handle the oysters.... I will find "other ways"
sireena	2/21/2015 5:07:43 PM I tend to focus more on calories than I do carbs cafe...it's what works for me and my metabolism. Some people benefit more by doing the opposite. I love rice but have it prepared with something healthy and in moderation.
cafe_express	2/21/2015 5:08:33 PM ha ha frfforever, dark chocolate with strawberries...
frfforever	2/21/2015 5:09:37 PM @cafe... be sure to do whole grain rice
thepatriot1776	2/21/2015 5:09:56 PM Eventually you have to eat regular meals again. Look at the long hall instead of the short fix. America is over weight. Winter is doing us all in lol. People in general eat crap there diet is crap. When you buy food look at what you buy. Were all guilty. But im learning to stop buying the crap and buy healthy low cal food. Make a diet of 80 percent veggees stick to it.dont smother them with hi cal crap butter and cheese. Limit your sugar. Buy fat free everthing like skim milk.Last thing get off our butts and move. Just sayen.
frfforever	2/21/2015 5:11:02 PM Never been real big on strawberries in Chocolate, but I have NEVER tried them with dark chocolate.. I will give you that. I love Strawberries by themselves... usually for breakfast or a late nite snack.
sireena	2/21/2015 5:15:12 PM That's a good point patriot...it's about changing habits. I seem to do really well most of the year. It's around the holidays that I get lax (I love baked goods and I make some mean chocolate chip cookies). And the movement part too. When it's cold, I just get in my jammies after work, cuddle under a blanket on the couch and watch tv or play video games with my daughter...not much "movement".
cafe_express	2/21/2015 5:23:47 PM Ms. Sireena, have you tried that Almond Mild yet? I gave up regular skim milk a year ago so I don't filter the drugs they give cows through my kidneys. The unsweetened vanilla flavoured one is great in coffee and on cereal. Funny I had a 4 year old tell me that trick.
cafe_express	2/21/2015 5:24:03 PM That was almond MILK
sireena	2/21/2015 5:26:26 PM My daughter loves almond milk. I myself have not tried it. I drink 1% milk, I like the consistency. I eat a lot of yogurt with fresh fruit...it's my favorite snack.
thepatriot1776	2/21/2015 6:08:36 PM Coconut almond soy. Real milk is good also. Organic only. Wall marts the cheepest organic.
cafe_express	2/21/2015 6:16:22 PM I found 2 half gallons of the Silk Almond at Target for $5.79 for both. I can cook Mahi Mahi with coconut oil but never took to the flavour of it otherwise, I know it is very healthy for you.
ezzgoingru	2/21/2015 8:17:31 PM Hi y'all... great tips here!! I sooo love coconut almond milk As a matter of fact I didn't feel like cooking tonight, (worked later than I expected),that's what I added that to my cereal for dinner... yummy!!
keithcowboyup online now!	2/22/2015 1:22:06 PM This is the first Winter season that I HAVEN'T added on any weight. But that doesn't mean that I could afford to lose about 25 pounds. Didn't change a thing either. In fact I think I drank more egg nog this year than in years past. But yes, I cant wait for Spring !!!
earldirt	2/22/2015 1:48:04 PM Rox...I usually put a few extra lbs. on at some point in the winter(usually the last two months of severe cold) I just drink more water and cut back on bread and sweets with more activity outside when spring starts. As long as you don't gain too much,it's not hard to lose. my fat gage is how much I have to suck my belly in to get my jeans buttoned LOL.