Weight Loss Info Center

How important is it to count calories to lose weight?  I’ve had countless discussions about this with some of my female friends and I’ve noticed that they’re divided; half of them say that counting calories is crucial, the other half says, not so much.  So which is it?

In my opinion, if you’re just starting out on your weight loss journey, then, yes, counting calories is a great idea.  It seems like a lot of work, doesn’t it?  Well, not really.  There are many online calculators that will calculate your calories and a whole lot more for you!  Two that I really like are Fitday and Sparkpeople for keeping track of your calories and the best part is they’re both free.  So that will take some of the work out of it for you.  All you will have to do is log your food and the rest is done for you.

I think once you get a good idea of how many calories certain foods have, what’s healthy, what’s not so healthy, then calorie counting becomes less important because you’ll have an idea of what you need to be eating to lose weight or maintain your weight once you reach your goal.  Calorie counting is not something I would do every day for the rest of my life, so how could I recommend that other people do it for the rest of their lives?  I’m not saying NOT to pay attention to what you eat because what you eat is very important to weight loss, but just count calories long enough that you’re aware of what you’re putting in your body.

Bookmark It

Okay, I recently asked a group of friends if they thought clothes were being made bigger?  I have been noticing for months that the clothes I am trying on in the stores are sizes that are smaller than sizes I haven’t seen since high school.  I knew that with my current measurements, there was no way I was fitting into some of these “sizes.”  Plus, I have some of my old jeans here that are at least 8 years old.  The sizes on those (which I can actually fit into, get buttoned and zipped, but wouldn’t be caught dead in them in public just yet!) old jeans is about 2 size numbers bigger (and are tight) than pants I bought just this past weekend with the “new” sizing (and are loose).  I knew something was up!

So one of the ladies in the group of friends points out this article about Vanity Sizing.  That’s what it’s being called, this “resizing” of clothing, and at first, I felt duped.  I mean here I was thinking I’m in a size 8/10, right?  But actually, it’s just like my old jeans and my tape measure were telling me - I was being lied to!

Is this new “vanity sizing” deceptive marketing?  In a way, I think so.  It’s helping some of us lie to ourselves about our number size, isn’t it?  And then we’re so thrilled when we look in our closet and find these clothes that are bearing sizes we haven’t seen in years, but yet our rears are definitely bigger!  But isn’t there a nagging feeling in the back of your mind telling you that it’s not really true?  I know I certainly have that feeling.

But on the other hand - if this is the “new” sizing and how things are going to be, shouldn’t I/we just get used to it and go with the flow?  I mean does the number size really matter?  Isn’t how we feel about ourselves what’s really important and not just some number that can be changed on a whim?

Bookmark It

Don’t let the name fool you; this cookbook is useful even for those not following the South Beach Diet.

To be honest, before receiving a copy of “South Beach Diet Quick & Easy Cookbook” (Rodale, 2005), I didn’t know much about the South Beach Diet. I was under the assumption that it was another diet program that forbids all carbs - even good carbs. Much to my surprise, I couldn’t have been more wrong! The premise of the South Beach Diet program is in line with my own philosophy: a lifestyle change in which one changes the way they eat (from unhealthy to healthy), and is a way of life that can definitely be adapted to. The South Beach Diet is based on the healthiest way to eat: good fats, good carbs, lean protein, lots of fiber, and nutrient-dense whole foods.

While “The South Beach Diet Quick & Easy Cookbook” may have been written for South Beach dieters who were getting bored with their basic South Beach recipes, it appeals to everyone who wants to eat healthy. Included in this cookbook are 200 recipes that area ready in 30 minutes or less, with most requiring only 10 ingredients or less. In today’s hectic world, this cookbook is great for saving cooking and shopping time!

Some of the recipes included are: buttermilk waffles with jam, tuna pasta salad, chicken quesadillas, and mini cocoa swirl cheesecakes (which are delicious, by the way). Those following the South Beach plan can easily find recipes to make according to which phase of the program they are in as each recipe is labeled as being Phase 1, 2 or 3. For those not following the South Beach plan, there is also nutritional information listed including serving size, calories, fat, saturated fat, protein, carbs, fiber, and sodium.

Not only are there full-color photos throughout, there’s also information on dishes you can make without a recipe, advice on preparing foods ahead of time to make weeknight cooking a breeze, a glossary of ingredients, and food safety tips. The cookbook is broken down into the following sections:  breakfast,  soups & snacks, salads, fish & shellfis, poultry, beef, pork & lamb, vegetarian entrees, sides, desserts.

Recommended for anyone who wants to eat healthier and have a variety of healthy recipes at their fingertips.

Bookmark It

Eating healthy is an important part of losing weight, but how do we eat healthy when we’re on a tight budget?  Eating healthy while on a budget may be easier than you think.  A common misconception is that buying healthy food is much more expensive than buying unhealthy food. Here are some tips on how to eat healthy when you’re on a budget.

Make food from scratch

Yes, when you buy pre-packaged foods, you get convenience, but you’re trading convenience for nutrition. Most pre-packaged foods are high in sodium, calories, fat, and sugar, and actually cost more than foods made at home. Making food from scratch might take a little more time, but can be worth it in terms of saving money and getting more vitamins and nutrients from your food.

Pre-plan your shopping trip
-  Don’t ever shop on an empty stomach! You’ll end up buying things that you don’t really need or wouldn’t normally buy.
- Make a list, stick to it, and look for sales on the items on your list.
-  Compare prices between grocery stores and try to get most if not all of your items from the store offering the lowest prices.
- Be careful when using coupons. Coupons are great to use if the coupon is for something you normally buy and use, but coupons are often for foods that are more expensive.

Eat at home more often
You should eat at home more often or as often as possible. Eating out can get expensive and restaurant food is usually high in calories, fat, sugar, and sodium.

Bookmark It