Boredom Eating!

Our team is doing FABULOUS!  Everyone is dropping pounds and getting healthy one day at a time.  If you want to join our team, just let me know!  I will add you to our side bar and we can help track your progress as well.

Boredom eating, it is something everyone of us has encountered at some point and time.  May be some of us more than others.  I find that I am a Boredom Eater.  I swear if I have a minute in the day where my hands are not busy I find myself gravitating towards the kitchen.  Most of the time I am not even the slightest bit hungry, just looking for entertainment for  my idle hands.  To avoid this, here are a few things that I doand I know will help you as well!!

If you feel yourself heading to the snack cupboard when you are bored try one or more of these until the urge subsides:

Drink a glass of water.

Reply to some emails.

Read a post from your favourite blog.

Write a note in your journal.

Play a game of Solitaire.

Brush your teeth.

Call a friend.

Go for a walk.

Do your dishes.

Read the paper.

Do some stretching.

Write down a 10 Ten List…. (ie  10 reasons to get healthy, 10 articles of clothing you want to be able to wear, 10 places you would like to visit, 10 people you admire the most)

Exercise!!!

Anything that gets your mind to change gears is what you want!!!  Please comment and let us know what YOU do to avoid Boredom Eating!

Need some Motivation?

Sometimes seeing is believing and if that is the case with you, may be you should try Weight View.  When you visit this site, you can upload a full body “Before” photo of yourself and they will send you back an “After” photo!   It says on the site that it takes 24-48 hours but it did take a little bit longer then that for me.  They Thinify you!!  So this is me at 196lbs, my heaviest.  Ack!  This is what I will look like, without the ginormous head though, at approximately 145lbs.  Seeing what I was and what I will be certainly has put a spring in my step!

So check it out and post back to let us see what YOU will be rocking in the future!!!  :)

Heart & Stroke

During the month of April, Connor will be raising money for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada.  His school will be holding a Jump-a-thon where the children will all be skipping rope to encourage healthy and active lifestyles.  It is said that more women will die, in Canada but I am sure it translates well into other parts of the world, due to heart disease, then any other disease this each year.  The following is an excerpt from their site explaining why it is important to be at a healthy weight.

Fat stored around your middle can put you at risk for high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, type-2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Almost 60% of Canadian adults are overweight or obese. Obese Canadians are four times as likely to have diabetes, more than 3 times as likely to have high blood pressure and more than two times more likely to have heart disease than those with a healthy weight.

A modest weight reduction of as little as 5% of body weight can reduce your high blood pressure and total blood cholesterol. For example, if you weigh 150 lbs, 5% would equal about 7.5 pounds. (5% of 68 kg equals 3.4 kg). Simply weighing yourself is not the only way to determine your health risk. Studies have shown that extra weight around the waistline is more dangerous to the heart than extra weight that is on the hips and thighs.

So go ahead and grab a tape, get that measurement and aim to reduce it!!! 

How Important Is Water?

 

Water.  It is always a hot topic when it comes to dieting.  How much should I drink?  How can I possible drink all that is recommended?  I dont like the taste of water, its too plain.  These are a few of the questions that arise when people start talking water in their diet.  The experts still seem to be throwing out different numbers each day but the generally consensus says that we should be drinking approximately eight 8oz glasses of water a day. 

Water is extremely important to healthy living.  Water makes up two-thirds of our body.  Without the right amount of water, our bodies just do not function the way they should.  Water helps stabilize our metabolisms, it works as a lubricant to help keep our systems flushed and in working order, it keeps our temperature in check, helps our bowels function properly and so many other things. 

Did you know that sometimes when you think you are hungry, you are actually thirsty?  It’s true!  So the next time you feel a grumble, first try drinking a glass of water, wait 20 minutes and then if you still feel hungry, have a snack.

How can you get in your 64oz?  Always keep a bottle of water near you and full.  You are more likely to sip on it through out the day instead of hitting the fridge/vending machine for some sugary fix.  Drink a full glass of water before you sit down to each meal and then have one with you meal, sipping between bites.  Not only will this help you get in your water but it will also help  fill you, so you will not be consuming as many calories.

Don’t like the taste of plain water?  Do not reach for the flavoured waters you see in the stores.  They are filled with preservatives, artificial flavours and hidden sugars.  Instead try spicing up the water  yourself.  Add a slice of lemon, lime, mint leaves,  or even some cucumber slices for a refreshing taste.  At first it is hard but eventually you will be drinking more then you ever thought you could!

Not all of your daily water needs have to come from pure water, you can count your morning green tea or protein shake, just make sure that at least half of your intake is pure.  Now go pour yourself a glass of water!!!  ;)

Yoga!

Yoga is a wonderful way to exercise.  It teaches you have to breath, how to stretch and best of all, how to relax.  These days it seems that everyone is rushing and everyone is tense.  Bringing yoga into your life will be a positive influence, I guarantee it.  For those of you who are new to yoga, or have never tried it before, I bring you Yoga is Yummy.  This lady is very happy and always eager to share her yoga knowledge with the world.  You just cannot help but smile with her through the pain.  Here is a video she put together for newbies.  It’s a wonderful little exercise.  It only takes ten minutes so anyone can fit that in their day.  I think doing it first thing in the morning before your shower will help rev you up!!!

Remember that yoga is a great exercise but dont go overboard, you will feel it in the morning. ;)

Good Inspiration to Stay Away from Fast Food

How many times have we gone through the drive-thru because we didnt have time to cook supper?  Or may be we just were not in the mood?  Fast food is just that, fast.  Its quick, readily available,  its cheap and it tastes yummy!  However, its not good for us.  We often hear that but we dont really listen.  We say things like “one time wont hurt me” or “I will just eat better tomorrow.”  We think, how bad could it be?  Check this out!!!  It will leave you thinking…

In yesterday’s comments Maggie left some wonderful resource sites.  I know that a lot of people swear by Weight Watchers and I can really understand why!  Eating what you like!  Thats a diet that anyone can live with.  :)  So check out their site which has lots of great free resources, as well as some you can sign you for.  It teaches you to eat the proper portion sizes which is the biggest key to weight control.   They also have a Canadian site you can visit if you live up North, like me.

Keeping track of your calories can be difficult at the beginning but before you know it you will be telling your friends just how many calories that cheeseburger and fries really has!  Check out the Calorie King for all your nutritional information for your favourite foods.  I know it seems like a lot of work but it really is a fantastic way to learn, to keep track and to know where you are and where you are going.

What would you like to see on this blog??  Let me know!  :)

Weight Loss with the Gigis

Us gals over at the Guild are going to be sharing a journey with each other, a weight loss journey.  Some have already been on this journey alone, some are new and some have struggled for years.  The key to weight loss success is to find out what works for You!  Before starting any weight loss plan you should ALWAYS talk to your doctor before hand to make that it is what your body needs.  After talking with my doctor this week, I am ready to go.  Are you?  Please join us here for regular posts on nutrition, exercise, fit websites to visit, recipes and our progress.  If you would like to join us, please post and let us know.  We are happy to have you with us.  Even if you are a silent participant, thanks for joining us.

Weight loss basically comes down to calories in, calories out.  If  you eat less then you are taking in, you lose.  Pretty simple right?  Every person has a different body type, weight, height, etc..  Please find out what your caloric intake should be to lose weight at a healthy rate.  Keep in mind that if you do not eat enough, your body will go into Starvation Mode and you will not lose weight.  Keep it healthy, its what it is all about.   Take a before picture to match up with your after photo!  ;)   The follow sites will really help you out.  They all have food calculators, diaries, blogs, fitness trackers, etc., that you can use to keep track of your goals and achievements for FREE.  There are many more and some are paying, choose what feels right for you.  I highly recommend you track what you are eating, when you are eating and WHY you are eating.  It will help you discover where you need the most help.  So take a gander and see what is right for you. 

We are going to be doing our weigh-ins on Mondays.  You do not need to post your weight but if you would like to share with us, please post pounds lost and we will add you to the list.  :)  Good luck!  We also welcome any tips you might have to share!    I also made up a blinkie if you are interested.  Ok, it doesnt really blink but you get me.  lol

You can use this Image Location:  http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3548/3364759271_09caca6710_o.jpg

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