Monthly Archives: December 2011

Christmas: Eat, drink and be merry! (for 1 minute)

Posted on December 23, 2011 | 4 Comments

HOLIDAY EATING TIPS by Lauren NOT CARRIE.

1.  Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately.. Go next door, where they’re serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It’s rare. You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It’s not as if you’re going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It’s a treat.. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It’s later than you think. It’s Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That’s the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they’re made with skim milk or whole milk. If it’s skim, pass. Why bother? It’s like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Holiday party is to eat other people’s food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year’s. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you’ll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don’t budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They’re like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you’re never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don’t like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day ?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it’s loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don’t feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven’t been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I really do love a good laugh! No, I don’t support any of these, but it’s Christmas, so enjoy.

Special thanks to Julie for sending this to me.  You know, I sometimes think you are on a personal mission to cause me to have a stroke!

 

 

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Avoid the “Last Supper” Mentality

Posted on December 13, 2011 | 1 Comment

Christmas festivities are in full swing and now the countdown or should I say chow down (bwahaha) to Christmas is on.

Last night at boot camp I was telling the group to eat responsibly.  It is not your last supper, so you don’t have to binge on all of these decadent holiday foods.
You have probably tasted these treats before so you know what they taste like and it is not like you will never be able to eat them again.

When I was overweight I use to eat like it was the last supper. It didn’t matter if it was Christmas or Tuesday.  I just overate…all the time.  In my mind, it was like I would not be able to eat again, so I better fill up.  I would eat so fast and shovel the food into my mouth I had no idea how the food actually tasted.  I still eat fast and have to really concentrate on slowing down the whole process.  I remember the first time I had a meal with my mother-in-law, she saw how fast I was piling the food into my face, she asked if I came from a big family because it looked like I was eating so no one would take it away from me.

Not only did I eat fast, I would stretch my stomach and  that’s when my portion distortion started.  Have you been doing this at the Christmas parties? Have you been eating so much because you have convinced yourself that you deserve the treat or you won’t have it again because it is the holiday season.  Well, both “reason’s” are completely lame.

Three issues that were hurting me (I bet you have experienced some of these):

  1. I ate out of boredom.  I was 225lbs,  I didn’t have much of a social life, so I ate because I was home and had nothing to do.  I got fatter, so I ate more…vicious cycle
  2. I was an emotional eater (I still struggle with that today). I ate because I was sad/miserable: ( I was sad and miserable because I was so overweight) I ate when I was happy. I ate when I was mad.  If there was an emotion I would turn to food. Food will never solve a problem or make you feel better.  I guarantee it will make you feel worse!  You know this already.
  3. I was skipping meals. I would never eat breakfast. Then I would eat like a lumberjack at lunch and then I would eat crappy snacks in the afternoon and binge on dinner.

A boot camper asked me last night if I crave chocolate or things like that.  I don’t anymore.  Yes, I have my days and yes if you put a cupcake in front of me,  I might start sweating but generally I have controlled my eating by eating real food and eating throughout the day. I won’t go longer than 3 hrs without eating. This is an easy fix for everyone.  Eat real food, it is that simple, stop making it complicated.

How did I overcome the “last supper” syndrome?

 

  • I started eating smaller meals throughout the day-making sure that I had protein with every meal.
  • I started drinking lots of water and boy oh boy did that help me feel better!
  • Exercise….need I say more? This is a deal breaker–without exercise you are going no where fast.
  • I started doing my food journals-that I nag you all to do. When you track and see what you actually eat in a day, it will wake you up fast. You will be able to catch any portion distortion or overeating when you see it on paper
  • Late night eating…this is a tough one still. I work odd hours so when I get home if I don’t have a post workout protein shake then it will lead to me opening the cupboards looking for food. The shake and having tea help me get through the hours before bed. I also cut off the eating 2 hrs before bed…the kitchen is closed!

For many of you, you know all of this and it is more often than not, a mental game. This is where you summon up that mental toughness.  It’s just food. Crappy food makes you feel like crap.  Sorry, there really is no way to church that statement up.

Recognize your triggers and be aware of how you can fix them.

If you actually want to change your body you need to change your mind and yes it wouldn’t be me without saying “get your head in the game” (shout out to High School Musical)

Will it keep you up at night because you didn’t have that extra Pina colada, Egg Nogg or  butter tart?  Heck no it won’t!  But I know you go off the rails, at some point you will ask yourself, “Did I really need to eat that entire box of chocolates?”

Jingle bells people not Jiggle Bellies!!!

BONUS – Yummy Smoothie
  Banana Split Smoothie

1 Scoop of Carrie’s Vanilla Protein
1 Frozen Banana
1/2 Cup of Frozen Pineapple Chunks
5 Frozen Strawberries
1 Teaspoon of Pure Cocoa Powder
1 1/2 Cups of Cold Water

Blend and enjoy the no guilt treat!

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Beware of the “Experts”

Posted on December 7, 2011 | 9 Comments

I saw this on Facebook the other day , shook my head and now I have to comment on it.

Just have a baby, low on energy, want your old body back? (notice the bad grammer-guess the product doesn’t help that)
Have picky eaters, children, teens, seniors, want to ensure their nutrition?
Need to lose weight for health reasons, Diabetes, Heart Conditions, Back Problems?
Want more Energy for family, friends and the busy holiday season?
Want to trim down for Family Pictures, High School Reunions or Tropical Vacations?

Well what is this all in one miracle that works for children to seniors?
For sickly people to people in pain?

So if you are trying to lose baby weight or if you are a senior with a disease then this miracle product will work for you!! Actually, it will work for anyone with a heart beat including the dog or the squirrel on your lawn.

WHAT A BUNCH OF LIES!!!!

This is a post from someone with ZERO health/fitness training and education–pimping some product.

I am sure you all know someone like this. It could be a neighbour, co-worker, family member that has gotten involved with some kind of multi level marketing company.

They have no idea how these products are manufactured–they have no idea about the “ingredients” in these products–all they know is that it might help them lose weight and get rich.

What also shocks me is that smart people will take health advice from someone who has no training or education–that is a whole lot of crazy!

I always find amusing is that the majority of these people selling these types of miracle products are usually unhealthy, sick and broke!  Great role model for your company folks.

If you are selling a weight loss product, you likely shouldn’t be overweight.
If you are trying to get someone to join your “company” you likely shouldnt be broke.

There is no miracle product that is a one size fits all…..read that again.  If someone is trying to tell you that it is good for your kids and for your grandparents they are way off base. (Unless they are selling water or vegetables).

What I see usually, are people who are drawn into these quick fixes and then they are on to the next one.  It might not be a direct selling company, it might be that they started with Jenny Craig and then moved on to Herbal Magic and then on to the next diet centre. Or diet books; one week it is Atkins then the next week it is the blood type diet.

What the heck has happened to society……
Everyone is looking for the easy way out.
Lazy, lazy, lazy.

Losing weight takes an effort.  No magic drinks, pills, lotions or potions.

Guess what, you did this to yourself. You did not wake up with an 30 extra pounds on your frame. You had to have the Eggs Benedict when a veggie omelet would’ve been fine. You had to have the chips because they were out on the table at a party. You had to have the pizza because everyone else was. You couldn’t pass up dessert because it was your favourite……shazam you gained weight!

Everyone is unique…..its this special thing called DNA, maybe you have heard of it?!

Your genetic makeup is your own. So what works for Sally won’t necessarily work for you.

One thing that is true is that you need to eat real food–(not boxed food) and you NEED to exercise—-those are two truths that will never change.

Just so we are clear anyone telling you to buy some “magic” product and replace two of your meals with this magic product and you will be a brand new person is lying.

Slim Fast said the same and remember what happened to Oprah when she went on that liquid diet.  Yeah she lost weight but now look at her.  Has she ever been able to keep it off? Did she ever learn why she loses weight than gains it back, faster and bigger then before?

What’s your thoughts? Let me know…agree / disagree?

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Diets; gah that dreaded word

Posted on December 5, 2011 | 3 Comments

If there is a diet out there, I know about it. Either I had tried it before I knew better or now I do my due diligence and research them so I can see if any of them are actually valid and will help you.

Most diets are nothing more than marketing gimmicks.  Deep down, I know you know that already so yes, I am going to yell “YOU STILL FALL FOR THESE GIMMICKS”

I will say, SOME diets do work and are not a health risk. Depending on how crazy or restrictive they are will be a factor if you can tough it out and if it is sustainable over the long-term for your health.

Those few good diets work.  People fail. They give up. They quit and then blame the diet. A diet is like a budget.  If you stick to it and stay within the terms, they will work.

I have told all of you what to do.  I have blogged about it and I have listed out what to do.  It’s your choice if you don’t want to listen or actually apply what I have said.  I find it funny that people will take diet advice from friends (who have no health or fitness background) or from a book that has no actual proof that the plan works.

This is an epidemic. Diet companies, book sellers, potion/pill manufacturers, Dr’s that are putting bands around your stomach are banking on the fact that you are so desperate and lazy they can sell you something.

Here is the secret; you have to eat real food and exercise.  No glitter or sparkles.  No high paid celebrity endorsement.  No wow factor or clever copy writing. Just sweat and mental toughness. Look at that, I just saved you hours of reading some book that claims to be the best diet plan ever.

Stop over eating, stop eating junk, stop eating processed food, stop filling yourself with chemicals.  Turn off the television, walk away from the computer, close the iPad and exercise. Get off the phone and make a meal with real food.

Fit people think differently.  Food is nourishment and energy.   There is no emotional value to food. If being in a room and cake is being served and it is driving you to cold sweats, you need to toughen up. It is just cake. You have had it before and you know what it tastes like so there is no big surprise there.  Get over any emotional value you put on crappy food.

Everyone is tired, busy, stressed, overworked and over scheduled but why is it some people find a way? They make their lunch, they drink water, they exercise.  Those people know how good fit feels and how it is so worth it.

One component that every diet or program or system is missing is how to re-train your brain.

The key to any program is found in the individual.  “Results may vary” no guff!!

Mental toughness/fitness my friends is what is key. I have blogged and blogged and blogged about getting mentally tough.  About standing up to that piece of cake and saying “NO!” Mental toughness about not giving into some made up craving.

I like to consider myself a cute and cuddly kinda girl, but this is one topic that gets me fired up.

I don’t sugar coat things for you, (because sugar makes you fat), I tell it like it is and sometimes you don’t like it. Monday’s blog hit a few nerves. No one wants to think of themselves as a quitter, but when it comes to health and fitness we have somehow given ourselves an out by blaming everything under the blazing sun except taking responsibility for eating those dang cookies and pizza.

Being overweight is uncomfortable both physically and mentally.  I know this first hand. Why, oh why do you do this to yourself???? You are putting yourself through this pain.  If you are overweight you have done it done it to yourself.  Sure, you may have been tricked, misled and uninformed by slick marketing and hidden facts, but you are the only one who can fix it.  I

I have told you what to do.  It’s now up to you if you choose to listen and apply it. I have worked with thousands of people, so yes, I know what I am talking about.

I have written how I battled a food addiction every single day.  Every hour I have to really stay strong to make good choices. I didn’t get to 225 pounds by loving salad. When I tell you that I know how you feel, I really do!  I understand your stresses and I can relate. I ACTUALLY CAN BECAUSE I’VE BEEN THERE!!!

I have studied a lot of written material.  I’ve taken part in research.  I have torn apart food labels, meal plans, diet books to make sure I give you the best quality information for your health that is available.

You need to eat.  That is a simple and plain fact of life.  But what you eat has to be for health not for your pleasure.

If you eat junk you will feel and look like junk.  Garbage in, garbage out.

So get out there, move, eat healthy and enjoy everything you can…for as long as possible.  In 30, 20, 10, 5, 1 years, tomorrow you’ll be happy you did!

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