Weighting Around

Is Fat Funny?

2010-10-31T10:47:00.006-04:00

I went to the gay capital of Ft. Lauderdale last night for their Halloween extravaganza. It was great fun sitting on a bench watching the people strolling by decked out in all sorts of wild and crazy costumes. Amazing looking women, slinky and sexy, dressed in their highest of heels and full makeup turned out to be men. Sailors, policemen, Mad Hatters, a penis, masters and their slaves and lots of people dressed in fat costumes. Men and women alike in padded suits, overabudant fake breasts, rolls of simulated fat, fake double chins - all in the name of Halloween and a good time. But is it in good taste?

Is it OK for us to single out a group and make fun of them? Is it alright to pretend to be someone else, such as a homeless person, a fat person, an old person, all in the name of fun? Here's an excerpt from Kataphatic. In her blog Katie says:

"My body is sold as a costume. People can dress up like me, pretending. Playing. Trying out what it’s like to be fat; getting a laugh out of it. How crazy and disgusting their body would be if they really looked like me. And then at the end of the evening they can take it off. Shed that extra weight of the costume with a sigh, and a “thank God I’m not really that fat.” Or, maybe not even think about it, the way I think about how my life would be different if I weren’t fat, every day. My body is treated as a costume by thin people.

My body isn’t the only body that’s objectified as a costume for privileged people. The bodies and cultures of many people of color are used as costumes by white people. The bodies of "illegal" immigrants are used as costumes by American (particularly white) citizens. The bodies of the mentally ill are used as costumes by the neurotypical. The bodies of the old are used as costumes by the young. The bodies of the poor and homeless are used as costumes by the wealthy.

The privileged use the bodies of the oppressed as costumes, but they don’t stop there. The costumes are not usually realistic at all. They don’t communicate any sense that the wearer (the appropriator, the rapist, the conqueror, the colonizer) has any sense of the humanity of the person whose body they are exploiting. These costumes are caricatures of us, designed to be shocking, ugly, “exotic” to highlight the “other-ness” and even the “not-human-ness” of our bodies. Not only are we othered by the fact that our bodies are used as a costume, we are dehumanized by them."

When you see that thin person decked out in some semblance of a fat person's body, how do you feel? Do you find it amusing? Or is it just pathetic that they think it is OK to make fun of overweight people?

No Thanks, Spanx!

2010-10-03T08:28:00.009-04:00

As a teenaged girl, my mother encouraged me to squeeze into a panty girdle, which was somewhat de rigueur back in the 60's. This tight contraption. which went from the waist to the bottom of the thighs, was worn under everything - dresses, skirts and pants. It smoothed the figure and eliminated bulges. It also acted as a kind of chastity belt because it was almost impossible to be naughty while wearing one, which might be why so many mothers bought them for their daughters. From the 1920's through the 70's girdles were a part of every woman's wardrobe.

You can imagine how happy I was when they went out of style, although I usually left mine abandoned at the back of my underwear drawer. Then skirts got shorter and girdles were impractical and went out of style. That's when panyhose came into fashion. Basically, they had the same function, to give women a smooth silhouette from waist to toes. Control top squeezed my middle and eliminated the jiggle but putting them on involved a death defying dance. One wrong tug and a hole or run would prove to be a disaster to this costly invention (the credit most certainly has to be given to a man).

When I moved to a warmer climate the first thing to go was my pantyhose. I love the freedom of bare legs! Sure, pantyhose hid a multitude of flaws but, hey, unless I am getting dressed to the 9's, they have taken that spot in my drawer once occupied by the pantygirdle.

And now we have Spanx! Have you tried them? I splurged and bought a pair. I went home and eagerly pushed, pulled and tugged to get it on. I tried the kind that went from just under the breast to the end of the thigh. They brought back memories of my teenage days but now there was a lot more to hold in. OK, I looked pretty smooth under that little black dress, but what would my man think when he slid his arms around me and felt this elastic armor? The very idea was an embarassment. They came off a lot more easily than they went on, and now can be found next to the discarded pantyhose.

I might have bulges and I most certainly jiggle, but I am comfotable in my skin. How about you?

Sex & Nudity

2010-09-05T13:59:00.006-04:00

I take my clothes off in the privacy of the bathroom where no one will be able to see my nakedness. I don't even like looking at my own nudity. I'm no prude, far from it, but when it comes to displaying my overabundant flesh I am shy. Well, maybe mortified is closer to the right feeling. My body looks nothing like the ones I see in magazines. I could be the "before" on a makeover show if they had a Ms. Nude Makeover series on TV - too much jiggle and wiggle and a whole lot of sag.

One would think that wearing a size six would qualify me for at least a second or third-rate magazine centerfold, but no way. In fact, my body doesn't look all that different than it did forty pounds ago, just a smaller version of the same bulges and flaws. So when my guy is feeling frisky and starts getting romantic, I want the lights dimmed, or better yet, off entirely. Then I can prance around in my sexiest nightie and not feel so intimidated.

Body image & great sex seem to go hand in hand. I would love the freedom to run around naked in the house but that's more than I can handle. It's the norm for women to be dissatisfied with their bodies. Much to my chagrin, the standard of attractiveness is a youthful and slender body which creates pressure for anyone overweight or aging.

In a survey of over 300 women, ranging in age from 35 to 55, the results provide a sober look at the way women view their bodies. Nearly 21% of the people surveyed could not think of even one attractive feature and reported an overall sense of dissatisfaction with their bodies. Men also fret about what they perceive are male physical shortcomings but to a much lesser extent than women.
So what should we do when our mate wants to get naked and the very thought scares us? It's time to turn to those self-help books on improving our body image. Here are some hints on how to begin which came from Lifescript.com:

Write an “I Like Myself Because…” ListFirst, write down 10 things that you like about yourself without referring to your body or appearance in any way. Include things that you’re good at, or various ways you’re proud of yourself. Then, after this list is done, make another list of 10 things you like about your body and appearance. Depending on your level of self-loathing, this might be hard to do at first, but just do your best and add to the list later when you think of something else

Take a Closer Look at NatureGo outside and find something in nature – a flower, leaf, twig, grass blade, or anything that catches your eye. Is it perfect? Or does it have irregular edges, rough sides and blemishes here and there? Chances are that it is imperfect, yet it is still so amazing and complex. Nature is beautiful despite its “failure” to be perfect. Take this wisdom and use it on yourself – you are imperfect, yet you are also beautiful.

Undo Negative Self-TalkEvery time you hear yourself talking negatively about how you look, spend an equal amount of time giving yourself positive feedback. Your worst critic is yourself, which means only you can change that. You do have the power to focus on the positive, change your own state of mind and trash negative self-talk whenever it pops up.

Learn to Love ExerciseEveryone should exercise, and not necessarily just for weight loss. Regular exercise improves heart and lung health, and therefore benefits the rest of the body, increasing muscle endurance, circulation and overall body health. It is the road to a more toned you. If you don’t really like to exercise in the gym, explore your many other options for being physically active, like learning how to play like a kid again.

Splurge on YourselfYou might not look like a Victoria's Secret model (and who does?), but sexy lingerie can make you feel better about yourself. Select a nightie that feels good against your skin and flatters your curves. It doesn't have to be too short or too revealing. Light some candles in the bathroom before you slip it on and you will feel better about slipping into the arms of your waiting mate who loves you for who you are, not who you aren't.

What do you do when it is time to get naked? We'd love to hear your story.

Starting Over

2010-08-29T11:01:00.009-04:00

How many of us, with all our good intentions, go astray? We win battle after battle but occasionally our passion for food gets the better of us? I truly believe that for me it will always be a struggle. There I was, just three measly pounds from my goal and then I succumbed to temptation. How easy it would be to eat myself into oblivion, gaining back all of the forty plus pounds I've lost, and then some. I swore to myself that I would never, ever do that again and this is a promise I intend to keep.

I've been bad; Dunkin Donuts bad, chocolate bad, afraid to get on the scale bad, skipping Weight Watcher bad, not going to the gym bad.

So what's a girl to do? I will get back on the bandwagon. I still fit into my still new size six clothes but my middle is bulging unattractively and I hate it. Tomorrow I begin my penance. I will throw out every temptation in my new kitchen. I will step on that scale at a Weight Watcher's meeting, I will revisit the gym and do whatever it takes to lose those final three pounds plus whatever extra I am now carrying around.

Last week I mentioned the serendipitous seating of a Weight Watcher group leader at my dinner table on the cruise I took with my mom. Well, I visited her website and here is Judy's poem called Start Over - a poem which says it all.

START OVER

If you've started out in pursuit of your goal and you've really tried with all your heart and soul, but somehow things got out of control-START OVER

When you've tried your best to do what you should and you thought this time that you surely would, but once again you didn't do good-START OVER

When you've worked so hard to follow the plan's way and you fought to win a victory each day, but one more time you went astray-START OVER

When the road to success seemed much too long and each temptation was oh so strong and once again you gave into wrong-START OVER

When you've told your friends what you planned to do and trusted them to help you through and soon discovered its up to you-START OVER

When you know you must be physically fit but your hope seems gone and your stuck in a pit. That's not the time for you to quit-START OVER

When the week seems long and successes few and at weigh in time your feeling blue, remember tomorrow is just for you-START OVER

To start again means a victory's been won and starting over AGAIN means a race well won and starting over AGAIN proves it can be done, so don't just sit there-START OVER

So if you find yourself in the same dilemma, just take a deep breath, know you are not alone and - start once again! That's what I am doing.

Weight Watchers Follows You Everywhere!

2010-08-23T11:23:00.003-04:00

Sorry, friends, for having taken some time off. I bought a new condo and have been so busy moving, cleaning, organizing, etc., that I haven't had a spare moment to write. Today, however, I have just returned from a 4 day cruise to the Bahamas, rested and ready to get back to business at hand.

I have to catch you up on what's been going on. Many of you have written asking how my hula hooping was going. I do have to tell you that my first day, being in hooper's heaven, I overdid it and happily hooped for over an hour and a half. I wound up with enormous bruises around my midsection! So my advice to those of you who want to have some fun while exercising -start slow. Maybe 15 minutes at a time. Don't whirl like a dervish the way I did!

Let me tell you about the cruise... an opportunity to sit back, relax and eat to my heart's content. I was tempted to blow the diet and just enjoy but as fate would have it, after sitting down for my first meal and happily nibbling on a Caesar's piled high with tons Parmesan cheese and way too much dressing, introductions were made at our table. Mike and George, two married men curiously escaping together from their wives for a long weekend were charming. And Ruth and her sister (who prefers to remain nameless) lived far from one another were having a sister's weekend. My mother and I were traveling by ourselves, enjoying some mother-daughter quality time.

So this is how it went, I ordered my meal and except for the salad, I did pretty well. The grilled salmon and veggies were off the Vitality Menu and well within my points range. The salad, however, raised by point consumption through the roof. Of course I drooled over everyone else's food at the table, lots of carbs, fat and oodles of calories, except for the second sister who ate like a model of healthy dining.

We learned a lot about each other over the course of dinner and I found out - and you are not going to believe this - that the second sis was none other than a Weight Watcher group leader on vacation! Oh no, I thought, now I have no choice but to be good! Weight Watcher's had followed me on vacation.

I was actually glad to have her there. If not I might not have been content with the two spoonfuls of tiramisu or several bites of the warm chocolate souffle. But as fate would have it, I admitted to having lost 40 pounds and to being just 3 pounds away from my goal. I felt obliged to be on my best behavior.

Sis was great, passing along her knowledgeable dining tips and being a perfect WW role model. She was careful with what was on her plate, usually left something over and was not afraid to order special foods, which the crew was more than happy to prepare. No sauce, steamed vegetables, plenty of cocktail sauce for her shrimp, etc. But I was happy to see she left room for something she enjoyed - wine. There was a seemingly unending supply of wine for the sisters and she wasn't afraid to imbibe. I figured she was using her extra 35 points in wine, while I sneaked an extra spoonful or two of dessert.

So like an alter-ego, Weight Watchers was right there with me on Her Majesty of the Seas. We all had a really good time but I am not in a hurry to step on the scale.

How do you handle your vacations? Have you ever had someone you didn't want to cheat in front of?

A Cheesy Dilemma

2010-08-23T11:22:00.000-04:00

Ah, cheese. So many varieties, so many flavors and from so many countries. While Gorgonzola can be wonderfully piquant, a nice creamy brie can be paired with some ripe pear slices. And a sharp Canadian cheddar is always welcome as a topping on your burger or with a glass of red wine. Whatever your choice, cheese is a delicious addition to any meal or hors d'oeuvres selection.

But cheese has fat, salt, lots of calories and that dreaded cholesterol. So what would be a good choice for us folks who are trying to lose weight? And how much can we eat before it does too much damage?

An ounce of cheese is considered one serving and provides 200 - 300 mg. of calcium. Most adults need 1,000 mg of calcium per day and people 50 and older need 1,200 mg of calcium per day. Since milk is the main ingredient, cheese provides a good source of protein and vitamin B₂. (Information from American Dietetic Association).

There is no reason to avoid eating cheese but it is important to pay attention to the type and amount you eat.

If you like to eat hard cheeses, like cheddar, look for "fat free, "reduced fat" or "low fat" on the label. They really don't taste bad coupled with something flavorful.
If you're looking for a soft cheese, "low fat" (1%), part-skim or light might be a good choice.
You will even find low fat, low cholesterol cheese selections in your grocery store. They generally have 50 - 75 percent of the fat in whole milk cheeses. Experiment with some of these to find a brand you like.

Cheese (1oz. Serving)	Mozzarella**	Cheddar	Monterey Jack	American	Swiss	Colby-Jack
Calcium content (% DV*)	20%	20%	20%	15%	25%	20%
Calories (kcal)	80	110	100	110	100	110
Cholesterol	15 mg	30 mg	30 mg	25 mg	25 mg	25 mg
Fat	5 g	9 g	8 g	9 g	8 g	9 g
Saturated Fat	3 g	5 g	5 g	6 g	8 g	7 g
Protein	8 g	7 g	7 g	6 g	8 g	7 g
Sodium	170 mg	180 mg	170 mg	400 mg	60 mg	190 mg

* Percent Daily Value (DV) is based on a 2,000-calorie diet
** Mozzarella is part-skim.

Feta contains 20% fat, Camembert 24%, Brie has 29%, Parmesan 30%, Stilton 31%, Gruyère 33%, Edam contains 26% fat, cottage cheese, has about 4g of fat per 100g, although you can get even lower-fat versions.

As with most foods, moderation is the key. Use more flavorful cheese, like feta, and a little goes a long way. Portion controlled cheese such as string cheese or Laughing Cow are always good choices. Do you have any cheese preferences you care to share with us?

Hooping and Hollering

2010-07-26T17:27:00.001-04:00

My hula hoop finally arrived and I am on my way to becoming a full fledged hooper! Unlike the toy hula hoop, the weighted hoop is easy to spin and I was successful on my second attempt. I can easily keep it going for almost as long as I like. In fact, I am still hot and sweaty as I write after an hour of whirling, twirling, spinning and grinning. it's the most fun I've had exercising ever! With some of my favorite tunes programed on Pandora I was good to go.

So what benefits will I get from my new exercise toy? First of all, it doesn't feel like exercising. For me, that is a big plus, since I've never thought of exercising as fun. I call it a toy but the hoop can be as serious or as fun as I want. Squats, lunges or whatever move you chose can all be done while keeping the hoop in motion, adding a new dimension to your workout. I've read that hooping can burn anywhere from 300 to 800 calories per hour, depending on how energetic you are feeling. The range is anywhere from a lazy spin to a whirling dervish.

I was surprised at the size of my new hoop. It is about 42" in diameter and a sparkling pink and purple whir as I undulate to music. On August 7th you'll find me on the beach with a whole bunch of fellow hoopers - my first joint hoop venture. It is my hope to inspire some friends and neighbors to join me in hooping it up! So I fully recommend you watch the following video and if you are so inclined you can order your own hoop from Canyon Hoops or any of the myriad of hooping equipment suppliers. I'd be happy to answer whatever questions you may have (with my limited knowledge, of course) or refer you to someone who has been hooping for longer than my two days.

Happy Hooping!

A Whole Lot of Hoopla!

2010-07-14T15:10:00.017-04:00

I just ordered a weighted hoop, like the old fashioned hula hoop only heavier. About six months ago I bought a kid's hoop but couldn't swing it around my body without it immediately falling to the ground. It wasn't like riding a bicycle because I used to be pretty good at swiveling my hips but now it seems I'm a total disaster!

So after studying up I learned that the children's toy is not what we want anyway. A larger hoop with some heft is easier to spin and more effective. The idea was so appealing that I found out what to look for in a hoop and wound up ordering a beginner's hoop. If I'm not a total disaster, I'll spring for the next level. I even found a hooping event just a couple of miles away which I hope to attend in August, if I get the knack, that is.

So why would a grown-up want a hula hoop anyway? I'll share with you what I've learned. Livestrong.com says weighted hoops are effective at building core strength because you must tighten your ab muscles to counteract the weight of the hoop and the act of swiveling your hips helps with flexibility. The exercise can help reduce your waist and build a stronger core. Easy (I hope) and fun, how can I go wrong? So I'll take my waist measurements and then hula to my heart's content. Perhaps my waistline will reap the benefits.

A hoop between 32 and 45 inches seems to be ideal (depending upon your size) and weighing anywhere between one to 4 pounds. There were some warnings about the heavier hoops causing bruises so I opted for one that is 42" and 1.5 pounds, recommended for beginners. I've seen them priced anywhere from $19.99 up to $150. Mine was on sale for 28.50 - a small investment for exercise equipment and just think of all the fun I'll have.

I'll let you know how it goes... Have any of you tried hooping?

Dim the Lights, Honey...

2010-07-10T15:42:00.007-04:00

Making Peace With Imperfections

Hurrah, we've lost weight! We're on our way to getting slim but if you are anything like me, your body is just a smaller version of the old one. Same imperfections only to a lesser degree. With me it's the arms. After all the exercise, one would think they'd be well-toned and yet the flab still hangs. Darn! On the other hand, my biceps are looking great, I just love feeling my muscles and I am sure, hidden under that flab there are some great triceps too.

Dressed, I look damn good. People wonder why I'm still on a diet. But they don't see what I see before I put my clothes on in the morning. I guess it is time to accept that fact that I will never look good buck naked. Dim the lights, honey...

My muscles have been ignored far too long and are slow to respond. As we age our skin loses some of its elasticity, it just isn't fair! For you young 'uns, lucky you, appreciate what you have. And for us, a bit more mature adults, we just have to be thankful for what we've got.

To help prevent loose skin as a result of dieting:

exercise to tighten and tone
build muscle - resistance training helps
stay hydrated
lose slowly
don't overdo your time in the sun
use a moisturizer
if you are a smoker, take your last puff
be patient, you can't tighten skin overnight

At least we are on the right track and although we might never be a Playboy or Playgirl centerfold, we are headed toward being the best we can be.

If you have any further knowledge on the subject or have undergone any surgical procedures for this dilemma, we'd love to hear about it.

Slave to Food

2010-07-04T07:14:00.011-04:00

There's no denying it, I'm a slave to food. In my weaker moments thoughts often turn to cravings, a morsel of cake can lead to several pieces or, if no one's watching, even more.

It's a fight to maintain self-control and I'm, afraid there will be no end to this battle. I've lost weight, yes, but it would be so easy to slide back into old habits. It would be easy to allow food to take control, after all, I am it's slave. I eat for pleasure, not simply to fuel my body.

I've read article after article. One says to slow down and eat mindfully - a really good idea in practice. A well thought out repast complete with the good china, putting down the fork between bites, chewing and really tasting what you eat. And, of course, stopping when you are satisfied, not full. Been there, done that.

Then there is the theory that revolting thoughts focused on our trigger foods can stop us in our tracks. Turn that cake into a slithering mass of snakes (yuk) and you won't want it? Hmm... I'm not too sure about that.

There are those who recommend changing your lifestyle, so it doesn't revolve around food. Breakfast, lunch and dinner shouldn't be the highlights of your day. They recommend taking on new activities to keep us busy and take our mind off thoughts of eating. Well, that works as long as we are active. But what happens when we are home after a day at work, relaxing on the sofa or in front of the television? The fridge is still there, filled with food, beckoning.

I've recommended not having anything tempting in the house. Nice in theory and possible if you live alone. But then comes that commercial for one tasty treat or another and it gets those food thoughts going. So I binge on "legal" foods - a whole container of raspberries, followed by a veggie burger and perhaps an energy bar, just in case, and maybe some fat free popcorn. Still a slave.

Then there's the idea you can re-program your taste buds. If your mouth were computerized it would be simple, but the brain is a tricky thing and we still have those creamy, sweet, fudgy memories. A piece of fruit is wonderful, but a piece of chocolate is something else entirely. I would have to install a whole new motherboard and start with a blank memory not to have those cravings.

Some advise dealing with the real issues of your overeating, those hidden emotional problems that caused you to turn to food in the first place. Great in theory but knowing the cause is not enough. Food simply tastes good.

So what's a person to do? Just keep slowly plugging away. I've been on a diet vacation and it's time to go back to work, knowing I will always be a slave to food.

100% Guilt Free Ice Cream!

2010-06-27T11:45:00.003-04:00

I don't usually post about food or nutritional products although I love finding new tasty treats which are low in calories and fat and still fit into my healthy eating lifestyle. There are a number of great blogs out there that have convinced me to try some new product or another and sometimes they are keepers. This one is definitely a keeper so I thought I'd share with you!

Arctic Zero is all natural, low carb, fat free, gluten free, lactose intolerant friendly and a 100% guilt-free delight. Sure, it's not Ben & Jerry's, but let's face it, neither Ben not Jerry has done us much good, have they? But Arctic Zero is cold, creamy (without the cream), flavorful and satisfying.

Remember the days when we sat down in front of the TV with a whole pint of ice cream and a spoon? With Arctic Ice's selection of five flavors you could pig out once more but without the guilt. Choose from chocolate, vanilla with a hint of maple, chocolate peanut better, strawberry banana, and mint chocolate cookie. I've only found this product at Whole Foods but there is a product finder located at the Arctic Zero website.

So if you feel like indulging, I recommend giving it a try. I've got a pint and a half of the chocolate peanut butter in my freezer right now and am willing to share. Come on over...

Self Sabotage

2010-06-20T07:41:00.004-04:00

I am so close to goal I can almost touch it! It should be a breeze to take off the last three pounds but, to the contrary, it's shaping up to be the most difficult three pounds of all. I am not sure if it is my body fighting to hold onto those last ounces of fat or my unconscious self refusing to accept the fact that I deserve to be thin. In any event, I am finding it more and more difficult to fight those urges to eat. Oh, I am not into the cookie jar or stopping at the donut shop on the way to work like I used to, but it has become a struggle not to munch on an energy bar when I really don't need it (they sure are packed with calories) or slip in an extra carb-filled snack at night.

This weekend is especially difficult because I am all alone. If someone else were around I wouldn't indulge, but being alone - it's rough. I skipped my water aerobics class this morning, too. I'm a bad girl who is rationalizing that it's OK to take a dieting break for the weekend.

Why, when we are so close to everything we have worked so long and hard to achieve, do we engage in self-destructive behavior? More importantly, what can we do to get back on track and stay there?

First of all, I can't entertain thoughts that I am failing. I remember how good I've been doing and all those old clothes that would never fit my new body.

Second, I need to get rid of all those no-no's lurking in the cupboards and the fridge. If I can't handle having them around, then I'll get rid of them.

Third, I'll take another look at the latest photos of myself, or better yet, try on some new clothes and be proud of how good I'm looking.

And lastly, I must not forget that I love myself. I can't lose sight of my goals. Something may taste amazingly good but it doesn't last. Once the stack of pancakes are gone, once the carton of ice cream is finished, or the pizza is only a memory on the bottom of a cardboard box, I'll be left with that aftertaste of guilt. It really isn't worth it.

My advice to myself, take a bite or two, or even three and throw the rest away. What sage advice will you offer? I'm eagerly listening...

Divas & Champions Top Blog Award

2010-06-13T10:03:00.009-04:00

A number of people have asked me what my favorite blogs are. A difficult task since there are so many wonderful ones out there and so many talented people sharing their thoughts, dreams and trepidations when it comes to the goal of being the best we can be, healthy and fit. I want to present my four top blogs with the Divas & Champions Award.

Four blogs immediately come to mind as being unique and uplifting so, in no particular order, here they are:

Snack Girl - Lisa always has interesting ideas and honest reviews of new products to try. I've found some great ideas and yummy food which I now include in my overstuffed pantry of healthy foods.
The 1972 Retro Experiment - Mimi not only has a great sense of humor (necessary in order to eat some of the Retro Weight Watcher's diet food she prepares) but is original and just plain fun! If you haven't checked her out you are in for a treat.
The Daily Diary of a Winning Loser - Special kudos to Sean, who has been sharing his inspirational journey to lose close to 300 pounds and has almost reached his goal. He is brutally honest and full of insight. When you have a particularly trying day, visit Sean. Reading about his experiences will help you put things back in perspective. He's a winner for sure!
Bar Mitzvahzilla - Linda is one of a kind. Full of humor, insight and originality, she draws on her family background and her religion and comes up with wildly interesting posts that always keeps me coming back for more. She definitely has a talent for writing and asking provocative questions. Although she is not a weight loss blogger I have included her because she offers a great change of pace.

So there you have it, some great reading. If you haven't visited these blogs, you ought to. I invite you to give your own Divas & Champions Awards to the blogs of your choice. There are so many deserving people out there, what's your favorite blog?

A Can of Worms

2010-06-13T07:13:00.000-04:00

I opened a can of worms two weeks ago when I posted about Victor, the Russian who gained weight during his 5 month stay in the U.S., and mentioned genetically altered foods. Since then I have been doing a lot of reading, became a member of Greenpeace and have dramatically altered my food choices. I guess you could call me a tree hugger now, if you like. I don't want to be an alarmist but what I learned is frightening.

Ignorance is bliss so if you are American and don't want your world turned upside down, stop reading now. In the U.S., the FDA does not require companies to label foods with warnings that they are GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms). Many countries have completely banned the use of GMO's or, at the very least, require anything genetically altered to be labeled as such.

The main reason for the use of GMO's is basically economic, to increase the yield of a crop. The plant becomes hardier and more resistant to herbicides so farmers can spray more chemicals and not worry about killing the plant. Produce is also genetically altered to make it look better or bigger. In the infinite food chain, the animals we eat are often on a GMO diet so one way or another we get our daily dose.

Beneath public radar, there has been a silent infiltration of GMOs into our food supply. About 75% percent of our processed foods contain some form of genetically modified ingredient. It's not the produce in your local supermarket that you need to avoid (with the exception of some Hawaiian papaya), most of the GMO's are found in the long list of ingredients on boxes of processed foods. You can avoid GMO's by knowing what to look for. The Non-GMO Shopper's Guide is particularly helpful.

The dangers of GMO food is not really known, but some species of animal when offered a GMO food versus a non-GMO food will avoid the GMO one. Occasionally they will do this to the point of starvation, as if they have an intuitive sense of the danger of this food.

Scientists who carried out experiments on GMO's say that it’s too early to draw conclusions about the health hazards of GMO. They insist there is a need to carry out comprehensive research. In the meantime, many of us are unknowingly ingesting genetically altered food.

The idea that consumers have tremendous power is not wishful thinking, it’s a fact. Just look at the effectiveness of the consumer-driven strategy we’re now seeing with high fructose corn syrup. Within the past few months, most major corporations have taken HFCS out of their products due to consumer demand and the manufacturers proudly label their products HFCS free.

Refusing to buy GMO food products will create pressure on the marketplace, without which there is little hope. Download the shopping guide, and make note of which brands to buy and which ones to avoid like the plague.

You'll find some sensible tips to help avoid genetically modified food at lovetoknow.com. For us, since we are careful about what we put in our bodies, it's just one more step to being the best we can be; healthy and thin! So excuse me while I step off my soapbox.

In Loving Memory

2010-05-30T08:08:00.007-04:00

As we enjoy the weekend and pay our respects to all the brave heroes who served in the military and fought for our country, let's also give a little respect to the courageous dieters out there. Here's my Memorial Day tribute to all of you, in remembrance of the things we've put behind us and the behaviors we have changed.

In memory of:

all the pounds we have lost throughout the years.
the poor eating habits we have managed to change.
having to hold our breath to zip up those favorite jeans.
planning to start our diets on Monday.
avoiding looking at our reflection as we pass a mirror.
wondering why we always look so much heavier photos.
finishing a dozen donuts on the way home from work while wondering what's for dinner.
being out of breath after climbing a flight of stairs.
having trouble finding stylish clothes in plus sizes.
hiding in baggy clothes, hoping no one will notice our bulges.
refusing offers of going to the beach because we wouldn't be caught dead in a swimsuit.
spending most of our leisure time in front of the television.
blood pressure that would make our doctors raise their eyebrows.
deciding whether or not the plastic chair is strong enough to hold us.
not being concerned with calories or caring about carbs and fat.

So along with paying proper respect to the memory of people who served in the military, make this a day to think about all the memories of behavior you have changed and celebrate those changes.

Add your remembrance in the form of a comment to this post and be honored for the healthy, motivated person you have become!

Me No Smile :(

2010-05-23T11:32:00.010-04:00

I had a conversation the other day with one of my Russian students. After five months he remains at the elementary level and his is English is still rudimentary. In spite of that, he expressed dismay about gaining 17 pounds during his stay in the United States. He claims to be eating the same kinds of food - fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, etc. and stays away from processed foods and fast food restaurants. He goes to the gym every day for two to three hours. In other words he has not changed his habits at all since leaving Russian last January and yet he has gained weight. He blames it on the food he buys in the local supermarket.

Victor, a tall hunk of a man, loves to prepare all sorts of Russian specialties. He recently cooked a meat dish for a special occasion, exactly the same method of preparation as in his native country. His words to me were, "In Russia I make meat, very smile. In America I make meat, me no smile. Same way cook, same kind meat. In Russia, smell good. In American, no smell good. No good meat."

Something here does not jive. How can one person eat the same food, do the same exercise and not gain weight in one country and gain in another? Being curious, and wanting to find some clues to Victor's weight gain, I began searching for possibilities. The most glaring difference is that Russia is GMO free (genetically modified organism), whereas Americans are unknowingly consuming large quantities of genetically altered food. I haven't come across any correlation between weight gain and GMO but what I have found is worth passing on to you.

I was totally unaware of how prevalent the consumption of genetically altered food is in the U.S., while many other countries have banned these foods as unsafe. I'd like to share this Non-GMO Shopper's Guide with you. Of course, being intelligent people we decide for ourselves what information to accept and what to reject. But, honestly, I plan on a major overhaul of my diet.

I'd love to know what you think. Read over this shopping guide and perhaps you'd like to visit the Center for Food Safety website or Greenpeace for more information. My eyes have been opened and I am concerned, how about you?

David to be Returned to Italy

2010-05-23T11:31:00.000-04:00

After a two year loan to the United States, the statue of David is being returned to Italy, or so the not-so-funny email that is circulating goes. Sad but not without some truth.

America ranks #1 in obesity according to major studies which compare obesity statistics in different countries. It's no wonder that Michelangelo's David has become so rotund. Huge portions, an overabundance of fatty foods, high sugar and sodium contents combined with a sedentary lifestyle contributes to American's obesity epidemic.

I teach ESL (English as a Second Language) to foreign students. They come from all over the world for our language immersion program; Europe, Asia, South America, etc. and the majority of them comment on how large everything is in the U.S. - the cars, the people, the portion sizes and vast quantities of fast food restaurants. The age range of my students is anywhere from 16 to 70+ and there is rarely an overweight student among them. A number of them return home after a few weeks or a few months, several pounds heavier than when they arrived. They get "suckered in" to the American style of eating, living with host families, sharing American family meals and finally returning home with stories of fat Americans and their love of junk food, as well as the tasteless yet expensive fruits and vegetables and the aisles of sugar laden snacks in the grocery stores. They bring home stories of how lazy Americans drive everywhere, even to the corner store.

One of the most wonderful things about the Internet is how it ignores international boundaries, we don't need a passport to cross borders. Many of my readers come from across oceans; Ireland, England, Australia, Germany and even Iceland, to name just a few. Hopefully, the majority of your countrymen and women are like my students, fit and athletic, and unlike the U.S., obesity isn't such a widespread problem.

Fortunately, I have chosen to step out of my role as a "typical" American and get on the path to healthy eating and exercise. For those of you who are not American, perhaps you'll share your take on the obesity problem in your country. And for us Americans, do you think we deserve our reputation?

Our Eating Habits Started With Mom

2010-05-07T14:18:00.019-04:00

I have a truly wonderful mother. She is up there in years but proudly boasts she can do anything her niece, who is 30 years younger, can do. And better, she likes to add. And she can.

One thing my mother did, was get me started in the wonderful world of food, both in the eating and the cooking department. My first food was chocolate. Mom couldn't resist my big brown eyes pleading with her for a taste of the 5¢ Hershey bar she was eating. She caved, and I still have a difficult time resisting sweets.

The family always sat down to dinner together and the meals were invariably well-balanced. Whether we liked what she was serving or not, my brother and I had to sit at the dinner table until we finished what we were given. We became bona-fide members of the Clean Plate Club. If we refused, we were reminded that children were starving in Europe. And if we finished, our reward was dessert. For me, having dessert was worth eating the baked halibut I always hated, along with the canned peas and carrots and the Rice-a-Roni or whatever Mom had prepared.

As a baby boomer growing up in the 50's, we experienced the evolution of the convenience food era. Processed foods were revered as being time savers for housewives. It was the casserole decade, meat and canned soup combos ended up in the oven and served for supper. Aluminum trays featuring TV dinners became popular and if we were lucky we'd set up a stand in front of the television and devour Swanson's idea of dinner. Powdered pudding and cake mixes became popular. An excess of sugar, salt and chemicals were added to our diets.

There were almost always sweets in the house. The bread drawer was one of my favorite places. I'd surreptitiously slide open the drawer, pull back the metal lid and forage for whatever was available, careful to make it look as though it hadn't been touched, taking off a sliver here and a wedge there. If confronted, I could always blame it on my younger brother.

I still am a member in good standing of the Clean Plate Club and don't feel satisfied unless I get dessert. Of course, my eating habits have changed, along with my food choices, but I still clean my plate!

Years of eating habits are hard to change. I try to stay away from processed foods and have cut down drastically on sugar and salt. Canned food has little or no place in my diet and desserts are, sadly, a thing of the past for now. Mom did establish a lot of good habits and I certainly can't blame my weight problem on her. For all the dieting that I've done in my life, my mother has always been slim and trim. Perhaps I have my father's genes and that side of the family's propensity to be overweight. Whatever the reason, it has been a lifelong struggle, but a battle that I am finally winning.

So this Mother's Day, I'd like to thank mothers everywhere, for all they have done for us. And for today's mothers for steering their children in healthy directions at the dinner table.

What about you? Has your mother made you what you are today when it comes to eating? Or did she instill good eating habits that you still maintain today?

When is a Tomato Not a Tomato?

2010-05-01T22:39:00.031-04:00

I get nostalgic remembering the days when a tomato tasted like a tomato, not the anemic looking fruit of the vine I buy in my neighborhood supermarket, not the mealy slices that gets lost in my sandwich or salad, but a juicy rich, red, sweet but tangy globe bursting with flavor. Where have they disappeared to, those beefsteak tomatoes of my youth?

The truth of the matter is that the tomatoes we buy in the grocery store are, more than likely, grown in Florida, California or Mexico. They are picked when considered "mature green", just starting to turn color but still nice and firm. They are then crated and stacked for three days in an ethylene (a colorless flammable gas derived from petroleum) filled room. The enzymes changes the tomatoes' starch to sugar which turns them red. This method of artificially ripening tomatoes does not enhance the taste, nor does the fact that tomatoes are often shipped with lettuce at 37° F which will permanently stop the tomato from any further ripening by killing its enzymes. And if by chance a tomato escapes this treatment, the average consumer immediately puts them in the refrigerator when they get home anyway, where the average temperature is 40°. It's a lose-lose situation for the tomato.

So what are your tomato's chances of being flavorful when you are ready to slice them? So far, not so good and we haven't even mentioned over-farming which depletes the nutrients in the soil. It they're not there, the plants can't absorb them, especially the trace minerals which help maintain our good health. The average vegetable, according to Donald R. Davis, a former research associate with the Biochemical Institute, "is anywhere from 5% to 40% lower in minerals (including magnesium, iron, calcium and zinc) than those harvested just 50 years ago." These are the nutrients that give fruits and vegetables their good flavors.

The idea of getting that tomato of your memories sounds bleak, doesn't it? Here are some ideas for you:

Buy local produce
Find nearby farmer's markets and produce stands
Buy organic
Grow your own
Use your nose when selecting tomatoes. Sniff the blossom end (not the stem end). Flavorful tomatoes will have a rich aroma.
Store fresh ripe tomatoes stem-side down, in a cool, dark place and use within a few days.
If you must refrigerate the tomato, take it out and let it return to room temperature.

Perhaps one day we might recapture the flavor of that perfect tomato, I certainly hope so. But for now, at the exorbitant prices being charged for inferior tomatoes, I prefer to spend more and buy organic Heirloom tomatoes, they seem to be the closest I can get to that fading memory. For me, a tomato is not always a tomato. What are your thoughts?

And here is a little treat for you, Pablo Neruda's Ode to Tomatoes

Is a Personal Trainer Worth the Expense?

2010-04-23T04:35:00.031-04:00

Personal trainers aren't cheap and in these economically challenged times most of us think carefully before we spend our hard earned cash. I've been indulgent and have been going to a trainer for the past 8 months. Do I think it's worth it?

If you are seriously committed to achieving your goal of having a healthy, well-toned body, the right trainer it is worth every penny. Mine happens to be the best - a cross between a mother hen and a drill sergeant. Stephanie hovers over me, making sure I am doing each exercise correctly and with the proper form. She rarely takes her eyes off me, as though I'm her baby chick. The next moment she is all demands, the stereotypical drill sergeant, pushing me to work harder than I thought possible, and then unrelentingly ordering me do it all over again... and again! Just when I am able to do a task well, she makes it even more difficult! She knows exactly what I need.

Stephanie isn't my first trainer but she's by far the best. Perhaps a woman understands what my body needs more than a man and she doesn't push me further than I am able to go, stopping just at my limit yet constantly challenging me.

Getting stronger, feeling those hidden muscles growing, is quite a satisfying experience. I might never be content with my body but the differences are apparent and I love feeling those new muscles. Where have they been all my life and why have I waited so long to use them?

If you've never worked with a trainer you probably have some questions. How much does a trainer cost? How often should I train? How do I pick the right trainer? What does a session consist of? When will I see results?

Personal trainers charge between $40 to $70 and up, per hourly session. My sessions are thirty minutes long, twice a week. This is enough time to work a specific area of the body, especially if you follow the session with some cardio. Between time, you'll find me at the gym at least five times a week, engaged in different activities. Don't forget that those challenged muscles need time to recover.

Finding the right trainer is the key. They're easy to find, just ask at your local gym or look on Craig's List, but finding the right trainer might take some work. At the gym, it's fairly easy. The folks in charge should be able to help match you with a trainer who'll meet your needs. Don't be afraid to try out a number of people until you find one that suits you. Of course, they need to be certified, but they also need to care about what they're doing and care about you. A trainer who just stands there and looks around while you work out really isn't what you need. He or she ought to have their eyes on you at least 95% of the time and be there when you need them. They should help set up a program which meets your needs as well as encourage and motivate you. The right attitude is essential.

Don't be afraid to request an interview with a prospective trainer. Make sure you are satisfied with the person you select. You might consider asking other people in the gym who they recommend. Look around and find people engaged in training sessions and watch from afar. You will soon be able to pick out the caring ones from the ones who are not so involved with their clients.

During my training sessions I target an area - it can be as specific as "legs" or as general as "lower body". I do a lot more arm work than anything else since they're my biggest problem area. For example, Tuesday we worked on legs, today arms, next time it will be the back. The other day we devoted the session to triceps. Anything goes, it's really up to you and your trainer.

What exactly do we do? I work with weights, resistance training on the machines and some floor exercises. There is almost always something new to master, it keeps things interesting and progressing. The actual types of exercises you do will vary, depending on your fitness goals.

How long does it take to see results? You should see some results in a month, sometimes less. Your endurance will increase and, if you are anything like me, you will come to enjoy the experience of fine tuning your body. To answer the question - is a personal trainer worth the expense? I suggest you book a few sessions and decide for yourself. Of course, a healthy diet goes hand in hand with exercise, together they are an unbeatable duo.

South of the Border Goes Healthy

2010-04-18T11:08:00.027-04:00

Since we are all looking for good things to eat on our diets, I thought I'd try something different this week. Here's a recipe which has been requested by almost everyone who has eaten my enchiladas. They were my contribution to a family dinner and even the non-vegetarians loved them. Low in fat, low in calories, high in flavor, the fiber rich whole wheat tortillas are wrapped around oven roasted vegetables, enhanced with corn sauce and cheese and topped with green salsa . This post is dedicated to Nicole, who's been waiting a long time for this recipe.

Roasted Vegetable Enchiladas

Corn Sauce:
2 cloves unpeeled garlic
2 10-oz. packages frozen sweet corn (a quality brand)
1 cup low fat milk
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
salt & pepper to taste
To prepare the corn sauce: Roast the garlic in a skillet over medium high heat, shaking the pan often until the garlic is browned, about 6 minutes.
Add all but 1/2 cup of the corn and roast in the same skillet until lightly toasted. Put the corn, peeled roasted garlic, milk and seasonings in the blender and blend until smooth. Strain through a fine sieve, add reserved corn and set aside.

Enchiladas:

1/4 cup olive oil
8 oz. mushrooms, sliced
2 medium sweet potatoes, cubed (don't bother peeling them)
1 butternut squash, cubed
2 large onions, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets
1 can 16-oz can black beans or garbanzo beans
salt & pepper
1 tsp. ground cumin
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 large jar green salsa (I'm a lazy cook)
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or Jalapeño cheese, reduced fat
6 - 8 large whole wheat tortilla (I like La Tortilla Factory)
1/2 cup toasted pumpkin seeds
If you like it spicy add a sprinkling of crushed red pepper

Preparation:

Put the veggies in a large roasting pan with olive oil. Toss to coat. Roast in a 425 F oven for 30 minuted, stirring occasionally.

To assemble: put a heaping portion of roasted vegetables in the center of a tortilla, spoon some corn sauce on top, sprinkle with cheese and toasted pumpkin seeds, roll up and place seam side down in a large baking pan.. Repeat with the remaining tortillas, veggies, corn sauce, pumpkin seeds and cheese.

Cover the tortillas with green salsa, top with the remaining cheese and bake, covered with foil, in a 350 F oven for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 5 minutes longer.

I hope you'll try this recipe and let me know how you liked it.

Burn Those Britches Behind You

2010-04-11T06:13:00.025-04:00

You are losing weight! In fact you are getting smaller every day. And if you are anything like me your closet is an veritable shopping center with an array of sizes to choose from. I saved my "skinny" clothes and everything in between. Slowly, very slowly, I have gotten back into a descending number of sizes and have reached the smallest number, a number I never thought I would wear again. And now, wonder of wonders, that teeny, weeny size is getting loose!

So I have a ton of clothing that doesn't fit. I'm glad I saved my clothes when they were too small to squeeze into - a motivation to lose weight. But now, my friends, we are faced with a new challenge -what to do with our large sized clothing. Do we keep them, just in case? Or do we say "out with the old and in with the new"?

Let me tell you, there is NO just in case. We will never be fat again! Not us. We, in all probability, have gone up and down so many times we've lost track. But this time it's different. It feels great to try on that old pair of pants and see physical proof of your weight loss, doesn't it? I suggest you find the biggest pair of pants, dress or skirt and hold on to them as a reminder of your past, of all your hard work that got you where you are today, no matter if you are in your "skinny" size or just heading in that direction. Put that item aside and take the rest of your fat clothes and get rid of them!

There is a wonderful article on charityguide.org about options for our used clothing. In fact, it says that plus-size women's clothing (14 and larger) is the most requested type of clothing. There are a number of options listed in the article, including two websites, Freecycle and Freesharing. Oprah also has a wonderful article about where to get rid of old clothing on her site.

Although the people of Haiti need just about everything, most organizations clearly state that money is the recommended way to help. But you can check with your local Red Cross chapter to find out if they are taking donations of clothing.

If you're hesitant to get rid of a garment because it was expensive, you might think about having it re-tailored or consider a consignment shop to recoup some of your money.

Here's another idea for those too big items, a clothing swap. Get together with friends and acquaintances and pool your clothing, then have fun selecting items that actually fit while someone else is benefiting from your discarded past. It's a win-win situation and lots of fun to boot!

Show yourself that you have committed 100% to your goal and that you have said a final farewell to the fat person you used to be. Get rid of those clothes anyway you like, but do it!

Eat Big or Go Home!

2010-04-04T11:46:00.017-04:00

Are you ready for this one? You aren't going to believe it. In this day and age, when most of us are striving for good health and attempting to take off our excess weight, in a time when we are extremely conscious of being politically correct with every group of people whatever their race, gender, disability, age or size, a restaurant exists called Heart Stoppers. The waitresses, wearing scanty nurse's uniforms, serve up a menu filled with staggering amounts of fat, cholesterol and sugar.

Your "prescription" is written for such artery clogging fare as Chest Pain Fries (cooked in lard) and served in a bedpan (yuck), Death by Burger - a 3 pound killer which is wheeled out on a cart with an IV bag attached, Second Opinion Sausage Sandwich, Deep Fried Twinkies and a Purple Hematoma ice cream soda, all administered by your nurse. The decor includes a defibrillator, blood pressure machines, wheelchairs and other medical equipment.

To make matters worse anyone weighing over 350 pounds eats free. And if you want to shorten your life you can make a spectacle of yourself and sit in a wheelchair under operating room lights and polish off one of their three pound burger and fries. If you do it in record time, you get to have your photo on their Wall of Shame, oops - I mean Wall of Fame, either that or in their City Morgue gallery.

Not only does this restaurant exist just a couple miles from my south Florida home but there's a similar one in Arizona and they are engaged in a battle of trademark infringement or rather a fight to see which one has the legal right to be politically incorrect and morally deficient.

I haven't linked to their website and apologize to anyone who is offended by the very idea of this restaurant (myself included). Some people will do anything for $$$. Making light of health problems and obesity is in extremely bad taste, no matter how good the food might be.

Heart Stoppers - SHAME ON YOU! It's time there was a change in attitude toward obesity, the last thing we need is someone making fun of a serious problem.

Be Yourself

2010-03-28T08:59:00.000-04:00

"To be nobody but yourself in a world that's doing it's best to make you somebody else, is to fight the hardest battle you are ever going to fight. Never stop fighting," are words written by poet ee. cummings.

The wisdom of these words can be applied to almost any battle. I find them appropriate at this stage of my weight loss journey and take them to mean that I might be trying to push myself into a mold that really wasn't made for me and there is no way I will ever fit. Like many of us, I have been brainwashed into working toward a goal which may actually be unattainable.

Is there really any ideal weight, any ideal body? Will my arms ever be Michelle Obama toned? Will my thighs ever not jiggle? My tummy absolutely flat? I think it's time to reevaluate my goals. What is right for me? Will I know when I've reached the point where I am happy with myself, with my body, my weight? I've always dreamt of being thin, of walking down the street, holding my head up high and being proud of how I look. Can't I do that now?

Being just six pounds from my goal, I look like a thin person. I could fool almost anyone into believing I am thin. But I don't fit the image in my mind. So I think it is time to take a second look, time to learn to be happy with what I have accomplished, to appreciate how I look. My current battle is with my own perception, I need to stop fighting to fit into the Tyra Banks, Barbie doll, Victoria Secret molds. Watch this video and see how what we are striving for isn't even real. Perfection doesn't exist.

How will you know when you have reached your weight loss goal? Is it just a number or is it more than that?

Photo Tag!

2010-03-28T08:58:00.000-04:00

I've been tagged by Patsy at Musings on a 100 lbs+ Weight Loss Journey.

Here are the rules of photo tag:

1. Go to your first photo file and pick the 10th photo in it.
2. Tell the story behind the photo.
3. Tag 5 other people to do likewise.

This is a photo of one of Yoko Ono's notorious art projects, the Wish Tree. It was taken in November 2008 in one of the trendy plazas I stumbled upon while wandering around the streets of L.A. Twenty-one myrtle trees were filled with white tags on which people had written their fondest wishes. Outdoor tables held baskets of blank tags and pencils, so without hesitation, I sat down and wrote my own wish.

There were tags with wishes for all sorts of things, as you can imagine. Wishes for good luck, love, better health, success, money, to be thin - all the things one would expect. So what did I wish for? A peaceful world where people loved one another. I'm still waiting for my wish to come true...

Here are the people I am tagging:

1. Sarina T. at (238) and Shrinking

2. Lesley at The Life & Times of Lelly J

3. Debi at Second Journey

4. Diz at Death by Calories

5. Amber Jade at Amber is Losing

Well, that's the story and now would you add your wish to my Wish Tree?

And That's No Lie!

2010-03-14T08:28:00.012-04:00

Since many of you have been waiting with bated breath to find out the truth about me, here it goes:

1. True. I did live in a thatched roof beach house in Samana, D.R. It was a self-sufficient, island paradise where I lived out a dream.

2. True. If the Jefferson County Fair counts, I did win a blue ribbon for my Black Forest Cheesecake. It was a rich, creamy indulgence, now a distant memory. Boo hoo.

3. True. My first taste of real food was actually chocolate. I can't really blame my wonderful mother for giving in to my longing looks as she was enjoying a Hershey Bar. She caved in and let me lick her fingers. Although I gave up Hershey's for the "good stuff", I went on to become a card carrying chocoholic.

4. True. I work out 5 (and sometimes 6) days a week at LA Fitness and I still can't believe I do it religiously. And I am almost growing to like it! Actually, I think I am developing an addiction to exercising, strange as it may seem, especially from someone who used to having a such a strong aversion anything physical.

5. True. Honestly, I did have my own cooking show on Dominican TV. It was a weekly ten minute show, followed by a comedy act (was mine a comedy as well?) where I presented new recipes using local ingredients. And yes, it was in Spanish. The television crew would sneakily lock the door when I began so nobody else could eat my tasty concoctions!

6. True. Another dream I realized was The Wild Goose Restaurant. It was in the cutest little Victoria house on the St. Lawrence River. There were only 9 tables, reservations required, and the menu changed every day. It was great fun but I never worked so hard in my life. In the first three months I lost 40 pounds without even trying! I'm the skinny chick in the blue dress.

7. Lie. My late boyfriend was actually the one with the pilot's license. I would get to maneuver the plane once we were in the air but the idea of landing the craft was just too scary for me! Weaving in and out of the clouds was amazing.

8. Lie. I did grow up in New Jersey but nowhere near a cranberry farm. I was just a suburban Jersey girl with no real claim to fame.

9. Lie. Poor Bill missed out, but I did make Dr. Benjamin Spock's (the baby doctor) 80th birthday tiramisu when I was pastry chef at Brandywine Bay restaurant in the British Virgin Islands.

10. True. I love teaching ESL and have had some fascinating students from all over the world. Right now I have students from Russia, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Brazil. Here I am, the almost thin one, in the red top.

11. Lie. Although I am fluent in Spanish, after 17 years living in the D.R., Russian is Greek to me!

12. Lie. I definitely have not grown to love being on a diet but I've been so engrossed in this diet thing that the fact I am only 8 pounds from goal scares me. I know I'll never be truly free of dieting because maintenance is a forever thing. I have to monitor my weight closely for the rest of my life. How many times have I lost weight, only to gain it all back plus an extra ten pounds or so? Far too many. This time it will be different. I also know the exercise thing is not a passing fancy. It is as integral a part of my life as eating healthy. I have made a commitment to myself and will find the strength to stick to it - forever. And that's no lie!

Crash Course in Accepting Compliments

2010-03-06T16:51:00.070-05:00

The truth finally hit home today, I don't know how to accept a compliment. My boyfriend mentioned this several times and I dismissed it as just another one of his complaints but today, when my hairdresser exclaimed at how much weight I've lost, I poo-pooed it as no big deal. Being the outspoken Trinidadian she is, Debbie set me straight. "You should be proud of what you've accomplished, girl," she said in her typical Caribbean style. And she is 100% correct.

So I ask you, since you are slowly becoming thinner and more lovely ever day, do you know how to accept a compliment? Do you feel good having people tell you how terrific you are looking, or does it make you a tad uncomfortable. Just as we look in the mirror and still see fat (no matter how many pounds we've lost), maybe deep down we somehow feel that we don't deserve such compliments.

When someone says "You look great, have you lost weight?" are you wondering if they really mean "Gee, you are not quite as fat as you used to be"? Or you could silently be thinking they're criticizing you for having been so large in the first place?

At this point our self-image and self-esteem may need a little work. After all, we are not really used to so much flattery. So what's the best way to deal with this little problem? Not to worry, here is a crash course in compliment accepting!

The first thing you need to do is recognize that the person complimenting you has taken the time to notice something about you that he or she admires. That's a pretty wonderful thing in itself. Take the time to listen to what is being said.

Look the complimenter in the eye and say "Thank you" and smile. It's as simple as that. You need not elaborate and you shouldn't act blasé about it like I did. Even if you feel awkward and uncomfortable, just take a deep breath and say "Thanks."

If you want to respond to the praise, do so. You can explain, if you feel the need. Remember, when someone pays you a compliment, there is kindness behind those words. If you dismiss it or disagree, you are basically saying they are lying or just plain wrong. It makes everyone uncomfortable.

You shouldn't forget the simple fact that you are worthy of the compliment! You do look great! You may even want to make a list of all those compliments to help you realize how true they really are.

Another good way to learn to accept compliments is to give them. Watch how people accept your kind words, it makes them feel good. Practice making others happy.

And last, but not least, give yourself some compliments. Look at that person in the mirror who has been working so hard to make positive changes. Compliment yourself for a job well done!

So now, I need to practice what I preach. I want to thank some fellow bloggers for giving me a few awards. Please read on.

Much appreciated, Michelle at A Healthier Me for the motivating Sunshine Award.

Thanks so much, Jules at Big Girl Bombshell for the complimentary Beautiful Blogger Award.

Gracias, Sweet Pea at Headed to Forty n Fabulous for my second Beautiful Blogger Award.

Thank you, Alexandra at Adventures of a Done Girl Named Alex for the Creative Blogger Award. I love it! And thanks again, Alexandra for the Gorgeous Blogger Award as well!

How lucky can a girl get?

I don't usually write long blog posts but this one will be an exception. If you are interested, as you should be, in what blogs I am passing these awards on to please read on. You will also find some interesting, and unknown information about me as well as some blatant lies (part of the requirements for the awards.

First of all, these are the blogs I am passing these well-deserved Creative Writers awards to:

Linda at Bar Mitvahzilla

Mimi at 1972: The Retro WW Experiment

Allison at Loving My Comlicated Life

Becky at Running My Butt Off

Rapunzel In Pursuit of My Inner Pin-Up

Spunky Suzi at Daily Nosh

Paula at Paulawannacracker

And here are my 15 beautiful bloggers who bring sunshine to us all:

Sean at The Daily Diary of a Winning Loser

Journey at Journey Beyond Survival

Kathleen at Write-sizing

Fiona - Becoming the Best Me

Scarlet at A 252 Pound Journey to Being Free

Katie at Balance N' Beans

Sweet Sue at Sweet Sue

Maura at Maura's ToolBox

Purple Moonflower at Not a Diet, It's A Weigh of Life

Starr Starr The Pseudo Fat Chick

Little Miss Fatty Pants at Little Miss Fatty Pants

Leanne at A Slimmer, Healthier Me

Kelly at The Happy Texan Cooks

Keelie at Real Fat

Nancy at It's Not Over Till The Thin Girl Sings

Kelly at Journey To A New Me

And if you stuck with me to the end, here are the required 6 little known facts about me, combined with 6 outrageous lies. Can you guess which ones are true?

I lived in a thatched roof beach house in the Dominican Republic for many years.
My Black Forest Cheesecake has won several awards.
My first taste of real food was chocolate (that explains what I am going through today).
I work out 5 days a week at my local LA Fitness.
I had my own cooking show in Spanish on Dominican television.
I owned The Wild Goose Restaurant in Clayton, New York.
I have my pilot's license but haven't flown in quite some time.
I grew up on a cranberry farm in southern New Jersey.
I made Bill Clinton's birthday cake for his 45th.
I teach ESL to foreign students in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
I speak Spanish and Russian fluently.
I have grown to love being on a diet.

Thanks for bearing with me. Have a wonderful week of receiving compliments graciously!

Love the One You're With

2010-02-28T07:16:00.019-05:00

Why is it we all want to be someone we're not? It seems that we are never completely satisfied with our original packaging. I've always wanted sleek, shiny straight Pantene hair instead of my unruly curls. Brunettes wonder what it would like to be blonde. Short people might want to add a few inches to their height. Small breasted girls resort to padded bras or silicone implants to become more well endowed. Bald men want hair. Noses, ears, bellies and eyes are all subject to our own harsh scrutiny. Why is it we are rarely satisfied?

Well, all of us plus sized people long to be thin; billion dollar businesses have profited from our plight. But the thin people, those skinny Minnies you see at the gym - what do they long for?

BOOTY POP!

For those who haven't seen the humorous commercial for Booty Pop, they are padded underwear that are supposed to enhance your derriere, can you believe it? That's right, now anyone can have the nice round butt cheeks I've had for years (albeit a little too ample)

This video will make you laugh:

It is the rare person who is satisfied with what they have. The time has come for you to take a look in the mirror and recognize how beautiful you really are. Whatever your size, stop focusing on your flaws. You are beautiful. Look in the mirror, give yourself a big smile and remember to love the one you're with. You deserve it!

The Kidnapping of Miss X

2010-02-20T08:58:00.028-05:00

Hello world. My name is Miss X and I desperately need to tell you my story. All I ask is a few minutes of your time. The whole thing began while hanging out with my friends, minding my own business. A strange woman with curly brown hair happened along and completely changed my life as I knew it.

You need to know that I've been thought of as classy and stylish and rather well put together. I was used to being lusted after until "she" came along and ended it all, from complete freedom to utter insubordination in the ca-ching of a cash register. I was snatched from my home and forced to live in a Florida condo. OK, so the condo was pretty nice but I was frequently stuffed in a dark, cramped place with the other kidnap victims. Pretty brutal treatment after being so admired and displayed.

It was apparent she was extremely fond of me because wherever she went, so did I. I accompanied her to the mall, to restaurants, sporting events and walks in the park. That part of it was fun, I must admit. My real problems began the day she went on a donut binge. She bought a dozen frosted, creme filled pastries and ate every single one of them. Then she started in on fast food restaurants, consuming burgers, fries, Cokes, burritos and whatever else she found irresistible. My goodness, she could eat.

Days turned into weeks and I began to suffer, feeling stretched to my limit and I constantly worried about falling apart. I was a nervous wreck! If a pair of jeans ever needed Xanax, it was me! My seams started to pull apart. My zipper strained with all her tugs and pulls and eventually got stuck. I wound up in a pile of abused clothing in the back of her closet, neglected.

So here I am, telling you my story and imploring you to help. I was born to be loved and cared for and I've wound up discarded and forlorn. There must be something you can do to bring "her" to her senses. I doubt whether I could ever slide over her hips again. I don't think her thighs were meant for the confines of anyone like me.

More than likely, you didn't know a pair of jeans could write a blog post. But stranger things have happened! So tell me, please, what should I do? Oh, and before you go, I promised I would mention that too small pair of jeans in YOUR closet...

My Scale is a Dirty, Rotten, Lying Scoundrel

2010-02-14T14:44:00.029-05:00

My scale definitely is a he, so now I leave my nightie on when weighing myself in the morning. He can't be trusted to not peek. I don't want him seeing my chubby body for fear he might decide I weigh a bit more than I did previously. After all, he isn't such a nice guy. In fact, he's a dirty, rotten, lying scoundrel. He'll whisper sweet nothings to me one moment (145 lbs.) and a few hours later takes back those cherished words (147 lbs.) It's more than frustrating, it's downright unfair!

In all seriousness, why does our weight fluctuate so widely within a given day? The simple fact is scales don't tell you the whole story about your weight loss progress. Here are just a few things that can increase your weight, causing it to fluctuate 3 or more pounds in one day:

Water. Because the body is about 60% water, fluctuations in your hydration levels can change the number on a scale. If you’re dehydrated or have eaten too much salt, your body may actually retain water, which can cause scale weight to creep up. Similarly, many women retain water during menstrual cycles, which is another thing that can make that number change.
Food. Weighing yourself after a meal isn’t the best idea simply because food adds weight. When you eat it, your body will add that weight as well. It doesn’t mean you’ve gained weight, it simply means that you’ve added something to your body (something that will be eliminated through digestion over the next several hours).
Muscle. Muscle is more dense than fat and it takes up less space, so adding muscle could increase your scale weight, even though you’re slimming down.
Glycogen. Some glycogen is stored in the liver and some is stored the muscles themselves. This energy reserve weighs more than a pound and its packaged with 3-4 pounds of water when it's stored. Your glycogen supply will shrink during the day if you fail to take in enough carbohydrates. It's normal to experience glycogen and water weight shifts of up to 2 pounds per day even with no changes in your calorie intake or activity level. These fluctuations have nothing to do with fat loss, although they can make for some unnecessarily dramatic weigh-ins if youre prone to obsessing over the number on the scale.

Measurements tell you a story that the numbers on the scale just can’t. Strive to lose inches and let the scale numbers fall where they may. Measure yourself monthly and get a truer picture of your weight loss than anything that scoundrel of a scale can tell you.

So don't get upset with yourself if your the scale stands still or shows an increase. Chances are it has little to do with how well you stuck to your eating plan or how nasty that darn scale can be.

Be Your Own Valentine

2010-02-06T06:56:00.009-05:00

Valentine's Day. Hearts. Flowers. Love. Sigh.

Whether you have a valentine or not isn't important. What is imperative is that you love yourself. So in preparation for Valentine's Day I want you to make a list of all your lovable qualities.

If you have trouble coming up with them, let me help you begin:

Your sense of humor.
Your caring and sensitivity to your family, friends and, of course, your weight loss buddies.
The fact that you made the decision to lose weight and are sticking to it (even if you have an occasional set-back).
That little bit of daring that shows you are not afraid to try something new, even if it seems foolish.
Your generous spirit.
The fact that you've made peace with your goal.
Your strength.
Your willingness to forgive.
Your loyalty to the ones you love.
You can improvise. If one thing doesn't work you try other ways to accomplish your goal.
You don't give up in the face of adversity.
Your huge heart and all the love it holds.

The rest is up to wonderful you. Use this as a starting point and create your own list of your lovable traits. Oscar Wilde said "To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance." And the wise and knowing Buddha said "You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection".

So when Valentine's day rolls around, go out and buy something special just for you. A bagful of wonderfully exotic fruit or maybe one of those pretty flower hair clips you've been admiring (if you're a woman) or treat yourself to a pedicure and have your toenails painted in your favorite sexy color. Guys, I haven't forgotten you - how about indulging in a professional massage or buying yourself that gadget you've been coveting. It doesn't need to be anything pricey but something just for you, because you really are wonderful!

Magical Mystery Mustard Tour

2010-02-02T16:37:00.004-05:00

Mustard is one of those "free" foods, zero points for Weight Watchers. It is far more than just a squeeze on a hot dog or a smear on a pastrami sandwich. Mustard is one of the oldest known condiments and is used in every country in some form or another. It is known to aid digestion as well as speed up metabolism. Mustard seeds are a very good source of omega-3 fatty acids as well as calcium, dietary fiber, iron, manganese, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, protein, selenium and zinc.

So with all these benefits you can't go wrong. This power packed seed concoction adds plenty of zing to otherwise boring "diet" food. Dip your carrot sticks into some chipotle mustard for a real wake-up call or add a little honey mustard to those veggie. Put some in your tuna salad or give your egg white omelet some character with a dab or two.

There are so many wonderful mustard combinations these days. Just take a walk down the aisle of your local grocery store or gourmet market. You'll see raspberry wasabi mustard, orange cranberry, horseradish mustard, roasted garlic, ale mustard, the Chinese variety as well as the classic yellow. The choice is yours, but be careful. While some mustards have no calories others have hidden sugar.

Here's a helpful list. What is your favorite?

Chipotle Mustard (Silver Spring)
Serving Size: 1 tsp; Calories: 5, Total Fat: 0g, Carbs: 0g, Protein: 0g

Yellow Mustard (French's)
Serving Size: 1 tsp; Calories: 0, Total Fat: 0g, Carbs: 0g, Protein: 0g

Dijon Mustard (Grey Poupon)
Serving Size: 5g; Calories: 5, Total Fat: 0g, Carbs: 0g, Protein: 0g

Spicy Brown Mustard (Gulden's)
Serving Size: 1 tsp ; Calories: 5, Total Fat: 0g, Carbs: 0g, Protein: 0g

Mustard (Coleman's)
Serving Size: 1 tsp; Calories:10, Total Fat: 0g, Carbs: 1g; Protein: 0g

Dijon Mustard (Maille)
Serving Size:1 tsp; Calories:10, Total Fat: .5g, Carbs:0g, Protein: .4g

Original Honey Mustard (Billybee)
Serving Size: 1 tsp; Calories:15, Total Fat: 0g, Carbs: 3g, Protein: .1g

Yellow Mustard (Heinz)
Serving Size: 1 tsp; Calories: o, Total Fat: 0g, Carbs: 0g, Protein: 0g

Stone Ground Mustard (Inglehoffer)
Serving Size:1 tsp; Calories:10, Total Fat: 0g, Carbs:1g, Protein: 0g

Smooth Honey Mustard (Emeril's)
Serving Size: 1 tsp; Calories:10, Total Fat:0g, Carbs: 1g, Protein: 0g

Hellmann's Honey Mustard (Hellmann's)
Serving Size: 1 tsp (5.0 g); Calories: 10, Total Fat: 0g, Carbs: 2g, Protein: 0g.

Jalapeno Mustard (Kraft)
Serving Size: 1 tsp; Calories: 0, Total Fat: 0g, Carbs: 0g, Protein: 0g

Creole Mustard (Zatarain's)
Serving Size: 1 oz; Calories: 10, Total Fat: .5g, Carbs: 0g, Protein: 0g

Chinese Hot Mustard (Roland)Serving
Size: 1 tsp, Calories:0, Total Fat:0g, Carbs: 1g, Protein: 0g

German Mustard (365 Organic)
Serving Size: 1 tsp; Calories: 0, Total Fat: 0g, Carbs: 0g, Protein: 0g

Horseradish Mustard (Jack Daniel's)
Serving Size:1 tsp; Calories:5, Total Fat: 0g, Carbs: 0g, Protein: o g

Horseradish Dijon Mustard (Maille)
Serving Size:1 tsp; Calories: 5, Total Fat: .5g, Carbs: 1g, Protein:0g

The Greater the Struggle, The More Glorious the Triumph

2010-02-02T16:34:00.000-05:00

The words were softly spoken in the 20 minute, emotionally packed prize winning film by Joshua Weigel, "Butterfly Circus". If you haven't seen it yet, you owe it to yourself to do so. The words are worthy of being shouted from rooftops.

“The greater the struggle,
the more glorious the triumph!”

What does that mean to us, as fellow dieters? Each pound lost is cause for celebration. We struggled for it; changing our eating habits, resisting temptations, moving our bodies in new and often tortuous ways. As we get closer and closer to our goals (and we are), we ought to take into account all the hard work and sacrifice we have endured to reach that goal. And how glorious it will feel when we actually get there!

At the present, I can only imagine. Think of it, the triumph of buying new clothes in an almost unimaginably small size. Of looking in the mirror and loving what we see. Of have the energy and endurance to chase our children and to play new games. Of fulfilling the desire to look sexy to our mate. Of gazing at a white chocolate Napoleon and not having to wipe the drool off the front of our shirts (OK, I’ll always drool over pastries). Of going to our annual check-up and the doctor telling us we no longer have to take our cholesterol or blood pressure medication. Of not shuddering every time we think of putting on a swim suit. Of feeling really good about ourselves and what we’ve accomplished.

Yes, we are struggling now. But think of that glorious triumph! In the end it will have been well worth the struggle, whether you will have lost 20 pounds, 120 pounds or more.

What triumphs are you imagining?

My First Blog Award

2010-01-19T16:49:00.010-05:00

It's exciting, when writing a blog, to get visitors, followers and subscribers but an award? Wow!

Thanks, Eat to Live! I guess you can call it a chain award because I get to give 10 awards myself!

Here are the instructions:

Copy the image and display it on your blog.
List 10 things that make you happy.
Try to do at least one of them today.
Pass on the award to 10 bloggers who brighten your day

So here it goes - things that make me happy:

Being close to my mother again (I lived in the Caribbean for 17 years).
Spending time with my daughter and my 3 incredible grandchildren.
Getting creative in the kitchen. I love anything to do with food.
Shopping for a smaller size and almost liking what I see in the mirror.
Making so many new blogging friends.
Seeing my boyfriend's clothes constantly getting too big on him.
Having an outlet for my writing, and someone who responds to what I write.
Getting all dressed up to go someplace special and not feeling fat.
Weekends and vacations.
Getting blogging awards.

So I would like to present my 10 blog awards to some motivating weight loss blogs. Without further ado I give my awards to:

I chose these particular blogs because they inspire us to remain faithful to our weight loss journey. We all know it's not easy, but having each other for support can mean the difference between success and failure. Thanks for your efforts bloggers! You are appreciated.

The Naked Truth

2010-01-17T09:57:00.015-05:00

There are some people who, no matter how much weight you lose or how good you look, never give you a compliment. Perhaps they are so self-absorbed they don’t notice you are slowly melting away. Maybe we remind them of their own dieting attempts and repeated failures so they ignore the thinner you. On the other hand, there are friends and family who think what you are doing is absolutely marvelous and praise you up and down. (Don’t you just love it?)

My mother thinks I am simply wonderful (of course) and with her poor eyesight might even think I am fashion model thin (ha ha!). My hairdresser, who asked me how I lost so much weight, wonders how I can survive without late night snacking. A teacher or two at school warned me not to lose too much weight (as if there is such a thing) and some people tell me I look perfect just the way I am and not to lose another pound. If they ever saw me undressed they wouldn’t say such a thing!

The mirror tells it like it is. It’s funny though, some days I think I look really great and other days I just feel fat. The scale gives the truest compliments – it doesn’t lie to make you feel good or get jealous when you are slimming down. It simply states the naked truth – you are on your way to a new and slimmer you!

Viral Dieting

2010-01-13T04:57:00.019-05:00

All things viral are big these days.

The wiktionary says viral means: A video, image or text spread by "word of mouth" on the internet or by e-mail for humorous, political or marketing purposes; Of or relating to a biological virus; Caused by a virus; Of the nature of an informatic virus; able to spread copies of itself to other computers; Spread by word of mouth with minimal intervention in order to create “buzz” and interest.

Have you ever thought how viral dieting is?

In my last post I mentioned the chain reaction caused by one person losing weight and others thinking if so-and-so can do it, so can I! The comment from my niece Anna, in that post, made me realize how much the inspiration to lose weight can spread from person to person, like a virus!

I looked around last night at my Weight Watcher meeting. Enrollment is way up with all the New Year’s resolution dieters. When their friends and families see results, it motivates them to do the same. Just think about it, if each of those 30 some-odd people who lose weight inspires two (or more) others to do the same, then there will be 90 less overweight people walking around. And if each of them inspires someone… well, you get the picture! . .. With my 25.8 pound loss I am a walking advertisement for weight loss, how cool is that?

There Are People Out There Watching!

2010-01-07T15:38:00.010-05:00

I have to share this with you, it's too good to keep to myself. I've experienced an unusual and extremely satisfying benefit from weight loss.

Of course, I love slipping easily into my size 10’s (my 8’s are eagerly awaiting the pleasure of being worn once again). And I eat up every compliment that comes my way, who wouldn’t? But here is the best part, three (count them – 1,2,3) people have told me I have been their inspiration. Can you imagine?

My boyfriend Len joined Weight Watchers after struggling with Dr. Atkins for too long. Now he’s lost more than I (it’s not fair!). He says I helped motivate him to get back on track. He was more than ready and I take no credit, but far be it from me to dispute him.

My sweet, barely 30 year old neice Anna has dropped 10 unwanted pounds and is now even more of a knockout than she was before. She claims I inspired her. That gives me such a wonderfully warm feeling.

And today Judy, a fellow teacher, came up to me and said, “I have to thank you, Ellen.” I had no idea what she was talking about until she explained that she has been watching me the past 5 months and decided it was time to do more than watch. She hired a personal trainer and is now on her way to a more well toned body.

No one has ever told me I was their idol before! It gave me such a good feeling. I am sure, on your weight loss journey, there is someone enviously watching your pounds melt away. They haven’t said anything yet but they will. Just you wait and see! And you will know exactly how uplifting it is to be thought of as an inspiration.

I really haven’t done anything special other than stick to my eating plan and exercise regularly. It takes just one thing – determination. If you have that you’re on your way to your dream size. Now I absolutely have to reach my goal, there are people who matter out there watching!

Hungry for Sex

2010-01-03T07:53:00.048-05:00

I met a real live blogger.

All the bloggers I know (except for myself of course) hover out there in the blogosphere and offer us glimpses into their lives, share their clever ideas, entertain and motivate us. We never actually see them, other than in pixels, and certainly never have a face to face conversation with them.

But there I was on New Year's Eve being introduced to my cousin’s party guests. One woman in particular intrigued me. She was rather exotic looking, with an interesting accent. Always enjoying people who are out of the ordinary, I sat down next to her. The conversation turned to occupations and she told me she was a writer. Wow! Reading is one of my passions and writing a burning desire.

“What do you write?” I queried, hoping she was some famous novelist and I had read at least one of her books."I’m a blogger," she added. “Oh, my God, so am I!” I exclaimed in disbelief.

Bloggers have always been in the realm of tooth fairy or Easter bunny, something we believe in but have never seen and here I was talking to a fellow blogger. I now knew for certain that I wasn’t the only one, that there was at least one other person uploading her soul into cyberspace.
Mucha de la Torre, even her name is exotic! As soon as I woke up on New Year’s day I rushed to my computer to seach out her blog and read (in Spanish mind you) her provocatively sensual musings. Oh, how I wished I could read every word without dictionary in hand. But the gist was there and so were the titillating pictures.

Hey, maybe I should write a sexy blog too instead of one about the trials and tribulations of weight loss. I could rename my blog Hungry for Sex and write about improving your love life while losing weight, about the art of seduction and it’s weight loss benefits. How many minutes of foreplay burn off how many calories? Increasing your libido through weight training and that sort of stuff.

Sex sells and instead of my paltry but wonderful 13 followers my blog would become something people were twittering about incessantly:

HoHumSex RT @HungryforSex This is burning up the web. It will dramatically change your sex life & diet forever. http://bit.ly/3UdCE9

I'd write things like "The average lovemaking session burns between 50 and 100 calories. Having sex 3 times a week burns 7500 calories per year, the equivalent of jogging 75 miles. The more intense the sex, the more calories burned: up to 15,000 calories annually (at a frequency of 3 times weekly). 15,000 calories equals over 4 lbs. of weight loss a year. Try it on a hammock and burn 150 calories!"
Do I dare?

Dawn of a Decade

2010-01-01T07:23:00.007-05:00

What an amazing morning. At 7 o'clock a purple haze hung in the air, foggy and absolutely still, as if the remnants of New Year's Eve were floating in the sky. There was no breeze at all and the water of the Intracoastal didn't have the slightest ripple. It almost seemed as though time stood still until a streak of pink boldly brightened the sky and the New Year was born. Then the sun took charge, announcing the birth of the decade as it slipped silently from the sea. The sky turned a brilliant blue while the first boat of the day motored by and the calm waters began to dance and slap the shore.

And so the day was born, January 1, 2010. The beginning was not auspicious, I had forgotten to unset my alarm and it rudely played it's annoying morning tune at 6:30 A.M. But of course I wouldn't have witnessed the magic of the morning otherwise, so it really was a good beginning.

Many of you are still sleeping off last night's festivities. I, on the other hand, am awake and ready to prepare the first breakfast of the decade. I thought about pancakes but no, not enough bang for the buck (too many points for too few bites). So I settled on toasting an Alternative bagel, scrambling up three jumbo egg whites, adding some sliced Vidalia onion and smoked salmon with a creamy wedge of Laughing Cow. A cup of freshly brewed espresso will complete my morning meal for 4 extremely satisfying points. Yum.

Wishing you the best New Year ever! May all your dreams be fulfilled.

Over the River and Through the Woods

2009-12-25T07:13:00.008-05:00

Actually it is up the turnpike and through the swamp for a Florida Christmas. There is something to be said about a green Christmas. No jackets, gloves or mittens. No boots or scarves and no snow, just a sunny day decorated with stately palm trees and colorful flowers. My memory bank is filled to capacity with winter scenes and I can download them at will. I almost felt nostalgic watching a Christmas movie (one of the thousands that have been plaguing the television screen for the past several weeks). But the nostalgia disappeared pretty quickly when I remembered driving on slippery roads and freezing my buns off in spite of being swaddled in many layers of clothing.

So today I will don my Christmas duds with my painted toenails peeking out of strappy sandals and make the long drive to Uncle Bruce’s and Christmas dinner. A buffet will be set up on the counter because I don’t think the table could possibly hold all the goodies and holiday fare without groaning under the weight. Only two dieters in the crowd – me (of course) and my boyfriend. So there will be every kind of casserole, ham, turkey, potato and dessert you can think of. All finished off with either a generous slab of butter, covered with marshmallows or globs of whipped cream.

Fortunately I had the good sense to take the time and prepare my famous roasted vegetable enchiladas, possibly one of the best recipes I have ever created. Butternut squash, sweet potatoes, onions, red peppers, carrots and mushrooms with sunflower seeds, roasted garlic and corn wrapped in whole wheat tortillas and topped with green salsa and a bit of cheese. I promise to share the recipe with you very soon.

Have a super special day and a very Merry Christmas!

Faking It!

2009-12-20T07:05:00.015-05:00

This was written on vacation in the Virgin Islands a few weeks ago. A bit of dieting wisdom to share...

It’s the morning after. I’m sitting on the wooden deck of my hotel room overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Last night was the Full Moon Party, and not just any full moon party. This was a monthly event attended by hundreds, sometimes thousands, held in a hastily thrown together shack made of driftwood, leftover lumber, signs, old license plates and ladies panties! Live reggae music blared, alcohol flowed, mushroom tea boiled in cauldrons over an open fire. The smell of BBQ ribs was in the air. This was the ubiquitous Bomba Shack. And there I was, on a diet, surrounded by French fries, rum and other delectable no-no’s. What’s a girl to do?

FAKE IT! (No, not like Meg Ryan in "When Harry Met Sally").

Here’s how. Order a drink, sip slowly – very slowly. Mine was a Mount Gay rum and club soda. Club soda – "0" points therefore only half an indulgence, right?

Nurse the drink, make it last. Then order another (for show) and carry it around so your friends think you still know how to party and have a good time even though you are on a diet. (Ever notice how they either feel sorry for you or offer you a taste of their calorie laden treats?)

FAKE IT!

They’ll never know the difference. Put your drink down and dance a while, shake your booty, it's great exercise. By now your ice has melted. Ask the bartender to throw in some more and, voila, a fresh new drink!

OK, so maybe you’re not having quite as much fun as your friends but remember – in the morning those friends will be hung over and you’ll be feeling especially good about yourself. So just hang in there and fake it, baby! It'll all be worth it in the end.

Candy Cane Heaven

2009-12-14T16:23:00.014-05:00

I just found the greatest tea. I am NOT a tea drinker but this green tea really rocks! It's got everything I want in a "0" calorie beverage - green tea with peppermint, orange peel, carob, vanilla bean, cinnamon, blackberry and thistle. It's like drinking a bit of Christmas, warm, toasty and sweet. I had to read the label to make sure it didn't have sugar.

I think I'd better stock up since it looks like a holiday tea and might not be available the rest of the year.

Candy Cane Lane®



Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 tea bag (2g)
Makes: 8 fl. oz.
Servings Per Container: 20

Amount Per Serving

Calories 0

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 0g		0%

Sodium 0mg		0%

Total Carb. 0g		0%

	Sugars 0g

Protein 0g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

healthy chEATING

2009-12-02T07:36:00.007-05:00

If you’re anything like me you probably spend a lot of time thinking about food. It’s an obsession and it seems like I constantly need oral gratification, even after finishing a satisfying meal. My thoughts immediately turn to “What’s next?” I’d like to be able to brainwash myself into thinking celery and carrots sticks are yummy. Don’t get me wrong, they’re OK, but vegetables just don’t fill that longing.

What are some healthy comfort foods? Are there really guilt-free snacks that satisfy? As a WW member I count points. I am penalized for losing weight by having my points reduced, my now 19 points are used thoughtfully. After following the Healthy Guidelines I might have 2 or 3 points left over. So what can I eat?

These are my favorites:

Chocolate Chunk VitaTop muffins with ½ cup mixed berries topped with 2 tbs. Cool Whip Lite – just 1.5 points
WW Ice Cream cups. 2 delicious points – my favorite is mint chocolate chip.
Baked apple with cinnamon and 2 Tbs. Cool Whip Lite – 2 points
Healthy Pop 94% fat free popcorn mixed with 1 Tbs. mini chocolate chips – 3 points

Why don't you share your healthy "cheats" with us?

It Wasn't About the Food After All...

2009-11-26T09:33:00.015-05:00

We tweeted about the turkey, the cranberry sauce and the dessert, we debated on whether to pig out or be good on Thanksgiving. I made my plan and stuck to it. So while the table was groaning under the weight of the overladen plates, my plate was something to be proud of - few slices of turkey and a humongous helping of roasted veggies. As I was silently extolling my weight loss virtues it hit me... this day was not about the food. It was about sitting at the table with the people I loved most in the world; my wonderful 86 year old mother (sorry mom for revealing your age to the world), my amazing daughter and my three precious grandchildren, my brother and his family, my cousin Lynn and on and on.

Whatever filled your plate and your tummy, I hope you enjoyed the day. If you pigged out, well, today is another day - get out there and work it off. If you exercised some restraint and chose wisely - good for you! But most importantly I hope you enjoyed being with your loved ones and have many wonderful memories of this special Thanksgiving day.

As we focus on our next holiday hurdle perhaps we'll remember not to obsess about the food.

Thankful is a State of Mind

2009-11-21T11:43:00.011-05:00

Here are some of the things I am thankful for this year:

Not giving in to my food cravings.
Finding new healthy indulgences.
Maintaining the motivation to go to the gym regularly.
Weight Watchers for giving me the tools I need for healthy weight loss.
My boyfriend, Len, for making the journey with me.
Having discovered an amazing weight loss support group in my fellow bloggers.
My nightly bag of 94% fat free popcorn (couldn’t do it without you).
Being back in a size 10 (the 8’s are still waiting in my closet).
My personal trainer, Bryce, who makes me work harder than I have ever worked before.
My water aerobics instructor, Debbie, who is absolutely the best!
My determination to reach my weight loss goal.
Vita Tops, a yummy one point treat.
Dr. Praeger who sees that I eat my veggies in the best burger ever.
Fage, who makes me think I am eating something naughty when I eat my daily yogurt.
My scale for seeing me through my 21.4 pound weight loss.

I am so fortunate to have the support and encouragement of my family and friends. Thank you all. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Panting to Pandora

2009-11-17T14:27:00.009-05:00

The dentist knows what he’s doing when he pipes relaxing music into his office, a pleasant distraction from an unpleasant situation. Like the dentist, I turn on my own music when I hit the gym. Time passes faster, the energetic beat makes me pick up speed or perhaps slows me down and I stop thinking about how much I long to be somewhere else, anywhere else! In case you haven’t guessed it, the gym is not my favorite place.

Music makes it better though and Pandora is my answer.

I program my favorite songs, push quick mix and the music a is non-stop journey through time. With headphones plugged into my Blackberry I move to the music, whether it is an upbeat Bob Marley tune or some funky old folk. The secret is to pick music that makes you smile and perhaps, like me, you will look like a happy idiot traversing miles on the elliptical or making a land-locked journey on the rowing machine while mouthing the words to a great tune.

Distractions work for me. If I engage my trainer in conversation while I am pushed to my limit, I can reach new heights almost painlessly. I’ve seen people reading while pedaling miles on the stationary bike and always wonder how they manage. Maybe I should give it a try. Better yet, I’ll download a book and have someone read to me while I pant and sweat like a hungry dieter chasing a runaway M&M.

Are distractions part of your exercise routine? Do you have any recommendations you’d like to share with us?

Bust the Sugar Cravings

2009-11-12T22:02:00.016-05:00

I'm joining Jen of Watch My Butt Shrink in her sugar-free two weeks. That means swearing off the sweet stuff until Thanksgiving in an effort to kick the sugar habit. The problem, according to Mark's Daily Apple is "that sugar has addictive properties complete with a serotonin rise and crash as well as some cranky withdrawal symptoms. Please forgive us if we're a little cranky for the next few days but we're going to give it a try.

So from now until Thanksgiving no sugary sweet treats will pass my lips, or Jen's. Maybe you'd care to join us. You can find Jen at Watch My Butt Shrink and let her know you are joining her challenge to beat the sugar craving!

Too Much, Too Fast

2009-11-08T08:59:00.007-05:00

Have you been watching the The Biggest Loser? Don’t you wonder how those people can take off so much weight in such a short time? They have to live, breathe and eat (or not) weight loss! Is pushing yourself to the limit really worth it?

Depressingly, studies show that 80% of weight loss is gained back within 3 to 5 years. It’s also been demonstrated that if you lose weight too quickly the odds are against you and without a maintenance plan there is little hope for keeping it off.

So look at those Biggest Losers, they are dropping huge amounts of weight in astonishingly short time periods.

I’ve seen contestants lose up to 22 pounds in just one week. This makes for compelling TV but that’s about all. Browsing through MSN’s article Biggest Losers': Where Are They Now? you can see who kept it off and who fell off the diet wagon.

One fellow gained back 92 of the 122 pounds he lost while others gained back far less, typically 20 to 40 pounds, a significant amount considering all they went through to take it off. Was the deprivation and grueling exercise worth it?

Too much, too fast is not a good thing. I would much rather take it off slowly, making a healthy lifestyle change and keep it off! How about you?

The Battle Within

2009-11-03T14:26:00.004-05:00

I have two selves and, no, I am not a mental case. There is my fat self and my thin self. The thin me picks a garden fresh salad over a burger and fries. The thin me goes to the gym regularly and almost always makes the right food choices. At the moment the thin me is in control. But the fat me lurks behind the scenes, drooling over the display of chocolate bonbons in the store window, ogling the cakes and pies in the bakery department of my favorite gourmet market and inhaling the heavenly aroma of their freshly baked bread. The fat me thinks up excuses why it would be OK to indulge in a rich treat, a reward for being so good, and why I deserve to skip a day or two at the gym. The battle between my two selves, like so many major wars, is never ending.

Control, that’s the key to the weight loss game. Control your fat self, control what you eat, your portion size and your physical activity. Lack of control can lead to overindulgence and weight gain. Believe me, I speak from experience.

Make the right choices, keep at least half your plate filled with plant based foods. Eating a wide variety of whole foods not only insures a balanced diet but makes mealtimes more interesting, making you less likely to go for that guilty pleasure. Educate yourself so you know what to put on your plate. Try new recipes, use a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Plan ahead. Keep your fat self happy, if you must, with a small serving of what you're craving, while your thin self maintains control.

There is a no nonsense guide to making healthy choices at www.HelpGuide.org that includes excellent strategies for a healthy diet. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Splish Splash Cardio

2009-10-29T14:32:00.004-04:00

I hate exercise, plain and simple. It’s nasty, sweaty and boring. Then I discovered water aerobics. Our local gym has a dynamite instructor and now three times a week I actually have fun exercising!

Our class is made up of 15 to 20 men and women of all ages and sizes. We jump around in the pool, using all our major muscles and the water’s resistance for a wonderful cardiovascular workout, increasing our flexibility and toning ourselves in the process. It is a great way to exercise, make new friends and, best of all, no sweating!

You can actually burn 350 to 700 calories per hour in the pool, depending upon your motivation, all with very little stress on your joints. We do many of the things one would do in a regular aerobics class but in the water everything is low impact. Our routine includes the use of weights and noodles (no, not pasta, silly, the buoyant pool toy). This morning we danced in the water – a bit of ballet, some river dancing and the hustle, but usually we just work hard for 60 minutes, having a good time in the process.

Make no mistake, this is no sissy sport. It's a great workout! So if you’re anything like me and shy away from all things physical then give water aerobics a try! If you're not sure exactly how it works there are lots of great videos on YouTube. Here's one:

Have you found your own way to make exercise fun? I'd love to hear about it.

My Enemy the Scale

2009-10-24T17:46:00.015-04:00

I used to think getting on the scale was like going to the dentist – something I would put off until there was no other option. I didn’t want to visually confirm what my clothing was already telling me – I was gaining weight, seemingly overnight! It was depressing so I indulged in all the feel-good food that I shouldn’t be eating. I knew things were getting out of hand but I stubbornly refused to step on that device which seemed to be designed to measure my failure pound by unflattering pound. Passing the mirror I wondered who that chubby person was looking back at me.

This time, however, I have a new attitude. I look at the scale as my friend and guide, gently letting me know when to cut back or reminding me how good I’ve been. I will use it often. But how often is the question - every day, every couple of days, once a week?

Unfortunately there is no clear cut answer as to which is the best strategy. It is totally a personal choice. On one hand a daily weigh-in helps insure you keep yourself on track. If you overindulged you would see the bad news right away and do something about it rather than put it off until the damage is overwhelming. On the other hand I’m already obsessed with food, I don’t need another obsession.

I chose to weigh myself once a week. I’d rather wait than keep an eagle eye on my poundage. The National Weight Control Registry found that most people maintaining their weight weigh themselves more than once a week and nearly 4 out of 10 people weigh themselves daily. I never have been know to follow the crowd.

What about you? How often do you weigh yourself?

My Very First Blog!

2009-10-17T11:39:00.021-04:00

Last night I dreamt about cake, thick slices of heavenly moist cake; nutty, buttery carrot cake, deep dark fudgy chocolate cake, dense, flavorful banana cake – each piece generously topped with lots of creamy frosting. Yum. Of course cake is only something I can dream about right now. I am, as I have been so often in my life, on a diet. No fun, as you probably know.

This blog is not so much about dieting as about keeping off the pounds. Sadly the time to keep it off is not yet here, in fact, I am 16 pounds away from my goal. Who knows, when I get there I might be inspired to take off another 5 to 10 pounds. I am kind of playing it by ear, or should I say by mirror.

I teach English to foreign students and one of my fellow teachers who supplements his meager income by being a personal trainer (not mine) told me that dieting is easy, keeping it off is the difficult part. I’ve decided he is right. How many pounds have I lost in my life? Hundreds, I am sure. It was not painless but it was easy. Just eliminate anything that tastes good and voila!... weight loss. OK, so it wasn’t THAT easy…

Keeping it off is another story altogether. I have never been able to do that but I plan on becoming an expert on keeping it off! Really!

So coming closer to my goal, I begin my literary journey – blogging. I’m glad you’ve joined me; let’s make the trip together....