How to Stop Your Smacker

My top 5 tricks for preventing unnecessary eating:

1. Always have lipstick and LOTS of gloss on.
2. Wear the tightest pants possible w/out muffin top.
3. Look at old "skinny" pics.
4. Blog.
5. Pray or recite scripture I have memorized.

What are yours?

Put Your Arm Down--The War's Over!

When I was in Jr. high, there were these quirky sisters named Bonita and Groberta (names altered to protect the innocent). They were twins and they were CHARACTERS. As we traveled on a field trip one day, in the big yellow school bus, Groberta yelled out a phrase that has forever been etched in the silly part of my brain. She saw her sister with her arm raised high in the air to indicate she was "present." Without pause, Groberta exclaimed, "Bonita! Put your arm down! The war's over!" Oh my.

Well, ever since I had my last baby my perspiration has been oddly excessive and unusually fragrant, if you catch my drift. (And believe me, if you are anywhere near me while working out, you WILL catch it.) I feel like everyone at the gym is looking at me as if to say, "Hey lady, put that thing down--the war's over!" I know, I know! I surrender! I am prepared to purchase the best deodorant money can buy.

Any suggestions?

Is this postpartum-and-beyond sweat condition a phenomenon I am not aware of?

How to Dress Your Muffin

Coming from an unlikely source, but a source nonetheless, here is a fashion tip:

Don't drop down a size before your time!

Tempting though it may be, do not, under any circumstances, do it. This is why.

208 lbs in a size 16

208 lbs in a size 18

Just in case you aren't getting it, let's take another look. From behind.

208 lbs in a size 16

208 lbs in a size 18

It is SO much fun to drop down a size! Believe me--I know. That is precisely the reason I had these 16s on tonight--just checking in with them. Much to my disappointment, the proof was in the photo. The muffin is not "mini" yet. It's not even standard. So, in my 18s I will stand proud.

Patience my dear friends, patience.

P.S. This goes for skinny folk too. No one is immune to muffin tops. Just buy the next size up and deal. You can thank me later.

In the Bag

Tonight, this:

became this:

Usually I love to cook--it's one of my favorite things about eating healthy, fresh foods. But tonight I didn't feel like it. I did want more than just a frozen dinner so this is what I whipped up using only ingredients that came from a bag, carton, or bottle.

Tuna Noodle "Casserole"

1/2 serving Smart Ones Fettuccine Alfredo mixed with 1 serving Starkist Tuna Creations in Lemon Pepper. I topped it with some Mrs. Dash Lemon Pepper.

Spinach Strawberry Salad

I topped 1 cup of fresh spinach with 4 sliced strawberries, a sprinkle of sliced almonds, and a drizzle of the BEST poppy seed dressing ever--too good to go low fat.

Calorie Breakdown

1/2 Smart Ones Fettuccine (120)

2 oz. tuna (60)

1 c. Spinach (20)

4 strawberries (25)

almonds (50)

2 T Poppy Seed Dressing (160)

Total calories: 415

Plus this meal has it all--fish, starch, veggies (spinach and broccoli), fruit, nuts, and fat!

Bon Appétit!

Being a Stickler

I have a really good friend who recently lost nearly 100 lbs. in about a year. He has been an inspiration to the people around him and I have to say I am very proud of him. I hope to soon be able to share his story along with before and after pictures. (Hint, hint, Incognito*)

I think it is always a good idea to note habits of successful "losers" and try to follow suit wherever possible. One of the things that this individual was not afraid to do in his weight loss endeavor was to stick to his food plan no matter what.

He goes on several out-of-state hunting trips every year. I'm sure the food they eat on these trips is not exactly a picture of health. On each of the trips my friend took his own food and ate it for every meal. I think that took a lot of guts even though he says it was no big deal.

Another example of him being a food stickler is family meals. He would eat BEFORE he went. He did not even eat one single thing when he was there. I don't know what he did while everyone else was eating. I guess you could sit at the table and drink a glass of water. Chew some gum...

Even though this practice might be offensive to the maker of the meals, if it is something that helps you stay true to your plan--then by all means you should do it. You are the one who has to live with yourself and however little or much fat that might include. If forgoing a family meal is one way to help reach your goals, don't be afraid to do just that. And don't feel guilty either.

Some weight loss programs encourage you to be "flexible." In situations like those I have mentioned above, one might be taught to eat small portions of whatever is offered and just keep track of it. I think this can work for some, but for others it won't. For some people it is so much more stress-free to be able to stick to the plan they have laid out and know the exact nutritional stats of what they are eating. {That would be true for me}

I have learned from my friend that successful weight loss requires hard work and consistency. It's not always a "walk in the park" as some programs make it out to be. We are not always going to be comfortable and full. We are not always going to be able to eat whatever is at the party. I have also learned from him that you gotta do what you gotta do to stay on track. No matter what other people think.

If you are reading this and in the same boat as me (trying not to be fat anymore) I would encourage you to examine your lifestyle, where food is concerned, and make sure there is nothing you are allowing to hinder your progress just because you want to please someone else or not look silly. Don't be afraid to make necessary changes. In the long run everyone will be glad you did including the most important person--YOU!