How to Lose Weight in 2010

Here it is the last week of the month...heck it's the last week of year. It's the time when re-evaluating goals comes naturally. A new year, a new start and a new diet. Do I really want to start another diet? That's the real question. Bottom line is that I do want to lose weight. I do want to be healthy. I do want to fit into my clothes and breathe comfortably, and to bend over and tie my shoes without feeling like my air is cut off.

I'm taking steps toward the New Year and my plan for January's 21 Day Challenge. Today I bought a new scale. It not only tells me what I weigh but my percentage of body fat. Well, it hasn't told me yet. I didn't realize I didn't have two AA batteries. But I've taken that step, and will get the batteries this week. I also bought another book called The Maker's Diet. I'm looking for something to help inspire me and remind me of the importance of eating for health.

As I head toward January's 21 Day Challenge and putting together my goals for the first 21 days of the year, I'm considering following the No S Diet again and to walk at least 5 days a week. That's where I'm sitting with things right now.

Anybody else have any thoughts about the New Year and what they'll be doing with their weight? Have you set your goals?

New Year and the 21 Day Challenge

I've toyed with the idea of coming back to this blog for a number of reasons. First of all, I still have people leaving comments on old posts. Secondly, it's that time of year again when everyone is sick and tired of being overweight and we look with renewed determination at the New Year thinking we can actually lose that weight!

I've been facilitating a 21 Day Challenge elsewhere that has people setting goals--diet related goals--for the first 21 days of each month. I've made some new friends and couldn't help but think of those friends I left behind here.

It takes 21 days to establish a new habit. That means we can establish a new habit every month in the New Year. The goal is to work toward healthy lifestyle habits. Let’s get together and set some goals to springboard into a healthy 2010! I’m ready to lose all my excess weight! How about you?

If you want to take steps to a healthier lifestyle whether it involves losing weight or not, I encourage you to join me on or before January 1. Post your goals here and lets spur one another on to healthy living.

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For more check out my Diet News Blog.

Time To Weigh In

Hard to believe it's been a week already since I last weighed in. I'm already at the end of week two of my diet. Part of me looks forward to weighing in because I've been "good" and another part of me dreads it because I don't want to see bad news.

Before I get to that news, I have a couple of articles I'd like to share. The first offers informative and helpful tips on 50 Easy Ways to Lose Weight While You're at Work. You'll find all kinds of useful info to incorporate in your work day and weight loss journey.

A second article I want to share is an interview titled: What is the Philosophy of the Jenny Craig Diet. With Valerie Bertinelli's weight loss and bikini cover on People magazine at age 47, I thought some of my readers might enjoy this one. It really promotes a sensible approach to eating.

As for the results of this week's weigh in, you can read about them over at Diet News. Let me just say that it was once again, "Tape Measure to the Rescue"!

Lost 12 Inches in One Week!

Losing weight is a slow process and I know that, so a little over a week ago when I started the Weigh Down Diet, I decided to weigh myself AND measure myself. A week into the diet I stepped on the scale and had lost three pounds. Three pounds is excellent, but part of my brain doesn't think it is excellent when I look at the big picture and how much more I have to lose. I could feel a difference in how my clothes were feeling and I decided to re-measure to see what I had lost. My waistline was three inches less! Now it's the same number three, but for me, three inches seemed like so much more. On top of that, I had lost 1.5 inches off my lower abs and another 1.5 inches off my upper abs. My total inches gone came to 12! Now that is exciting.

As good as all that sounds, it gets even better. There are no forbidden foods on this diet. I'm eating bread again and have even enjoyed chips with my lunch. I'm no longer in bondage to the "don't eat that" mentality. THAT is something I can't even put into words. Instead of bondage I'm living in the freedom to listen to my body and learning the difference between true hunger and desire eating.

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Check out my other blog: Diet News

GABA and Food Cravings

I had to stop by to say that I read an article on GABA (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid with Vitamin B) and it was said to reduce stress, cravings...well those two things along piqued my interest. I bought it and started taking it last week. As for the stress reduction, I do feel more calm at a time when my freelancing is crazy. And for the cravings...well I've started the Weigh Down Diet which has you wait to eat until your body tells you are hungry and I haven't binged or snacked. Could the GABA be helping with this? Possibly. Just had to tell my readers out there, because it might help!

I'm reading through the Weigh Down Diet which is an older book and it deals with learning to eat when you're hungry...a form of mindful eating. Only it teaches you to rest in the Lord and to be filled with the Spirit for the strength and help you need. Though I've only been following the diet since last Thursday, I already have to say I recommend this approach to anyone who is overweight. There is no measuring food, counting calories or even forbidden foods. I'll be weighing in on Thursday and I'll stop by to let you know about the results of week one.

Visit my blog at Diet News for more of my ramblings.

Visit My New Diet News Blog

I know it's been a long time since I last posted here, and I do apologize. My roller coaster dieting has continued with its normal ups and downs, but I continue to head in the right direction. The reason I haven't been here much is that I have a new blog called Diet News. Stop by to catch the lastest.

The Priority - Diet and Exercise

Sorry I've been missing in action. The key word here is action. Life's been busy and freelancing plentiful. I've had a couple more inspirational stories accepted, a dark short story, and two articles on the craft of writing, along with plenty of articles over at LoveToKnow where I'm now overseeing Herbs and Vitamins along with Diet.

Along with that, I've made sure to put exercise before blogging. That's right. I'm exercising regularly and my diet is healthy. Last night I tried a new recipe for something called Brazilian Broccoli Mash. Since it's not my recipe, I'm not free to post it, but you can find it by following the link. I'm thankful there is enough leftover to have with my lunch today, so that tells you it's yummy.

Life is always busy, and losing or maintaining weight a challenge. It comes down to priorities. If I want to manage my weight, it has to be a priority, and while that means I may not check in here as often as I like, it's for the right reasons. I hope you'll do the same.