Since January seems to be the month to get things going in the weight loss department of life, I thought I would share some of my favorite weight loss tactics and products (tried and true; I’ve lost 65 pounds doing or using these). Believe me, I like things EASY, so true to form, this stuff is a cinch:
Egg Beaters. Love these things. I add veggies, low fat cheese, salsa, the works. Bottom line? I have a protein rich breakfast that is less than half of what it would be calorie-wise if I had used whole eggs. Egg substitutes used to taste icky; I found Egg Beaters to be nearly as good as the real thing—it’s mostly egg whites. No gross-out additives, either!
- Fage Yogurt. This is the creamiest, most wonderful stuff on the planet. You can get the full fat, low fat or zero fat options. I get the zero fat option, add a little bit of vanilla extract and some honey (or Z Sweet, see #2) and enjoy an entire cup full for just 130 calories. Gotta love that!
- Z Sweet. Just found this stuff and I am in love. This is a sugar substitute that is a natural sugar alcohol, erythritol. The cool thing is it has NO weirdo aftertaste, looks like real granulated sugar and comes in little packets like fake sugars do. This substitute has a zero glycemic carb load, making it perfect for diabetics and those watching their weight alike. Finally, a safe sugar substitute that doesn’t scare me!
- Orville Redenbacher 100 Calorie Popcorn bags. I absolutely adore popcorn, but I always make too much and then I eat too much. Can’t do that with these pre-measured, ready to go, microwavable popcorn bags. Love, love, love it!
- Walking my neighborhood. I make a deal with myself to just get to the other side of my neighborhood, then walk back. It’s great because it takes me 20 minutes to get to one side, then I have to get back, so that’s a 40 minute jaunt.
- Run the downhills. While walking my neighborhood, to beef things up a bit, I’ll run the downhill sections and power walk the uphill ones. Pumps it up a notch.
- Do Interval training. When I go to the gym on the days I do weight training, I warm up on the treadmill and do some additional cardio to get things going. I put the treadmill on a 3% incline and walk at a 4 mile an hour pace. I will add in a jog or run every 2 minutes for 30 seconds, bring it back down, walk some more, then start over with the run. I can do this for 20 minutes, but get 30 minutes worth of benefit…that’s how effective interval training is.
- Tight Jeans. If I am home working, I will wear my jeans as opposed to sweat pants. Sweat pants tell you to pig out and do what you want food-wise. Tight jeans say otherwise! Helps me stay on the straight and narrow.
- Watch those triggers. Chocolate is a problem food for me and will often lead me down the wrong path. My mantra is just say no to chocolate. It’s all a matter of knowing thyself. Some people can eat a “no no” food in moderation. Others of us can’t. No one has died abstaining from chocolate.
- Add extra veggies. I have been putting frozen organic spinach into my morning smoothie and can’t even tell it’s there! Here’s my recipe:
Leanne’s New Smoothie
Makes 2 big smoothies
1 banana, frozen
A handful of frozen (organic if you can) berries, your choice (about 1/3 cup)
1/2 cup frozen organic spinach
2 scoops protein powder (I use a vanilla whey protein powder)
1/2 cup Fage yogurt (or your favorite nonfat plain Yogurt)
1/2 cup orange juice
*water, as needed
*if you like it sweeter, add one packet Z Sweet
Put everything in a blender (I have a 450 watt blender that works great!) and LET HER RIP!
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