Working out and eating healthy:

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone. Love this message board.

I wanted to share some tips with the group. I've been eating a salad

called Broccoli Slaw. It's shredded broccoli, carrots and cabbage.

The name of the company who makes this is Eat Smart. It almost looks

like confetti it's shredded so well.

I eat this everyday for lunch. I put 1 tablespoon dried cranberries,

1 TB pine nuts and 2 TB bacon bits and ranch dressing. You can buy

this at Costco which comes with a dressing and some nuts/seeds for

the topping of the salad.

The magical part of this salad is that is SUPPRESSES my appetite

naturally. As we all know raw veggies are wonderful for us but how

many of us want to munch on raw veggies all day long? It has lowered

my blood sugar and I swear this has been reason for my weight loss

dropping even further.

I love avocados. Natural foods are the best. A lot of times for

dinner, I'll have a lean 3 oz steak, some steam broccoli with olive

oil and ½ an avocado.

Then I eat a big handful of the edamame soy beans for break. (I buy

them at Costco as well). They really help my blood sugar and they

also give me the fiber and fullness I need. I find if I eat a lot of

raw vegetables my sugar cravings cease.

As some of you know I do the Blanks TB tape 2 to 3x's a week

and I also run. I do a slow run (13 minute mile) but it's still a

jog. All my size 12 jeans are getting too big!

Now since I've dropped about 40 pounds in the last 2 years I have

some loose skin on my belly. I'm tired of looking at it. I can pull

out 5-6 inches of skin and I hate it! I'm getting a Tummy Tuck

January 2007. I cannot wait. I now have the time and the money and

I'm going for it. I have 20 or 30 some odd years of youth and

vitality left in me and I'll be darned if I'm going to not live it

to the fullest. Once I get this done I will share my before and

after photos, clothed of course. I cannot wait to actually wear a

bathing suit around my honey and not feel self conscious. I'm

telling you ladies, I'll probably turn into a nudist in my own home

once I have this done.

For all of you out there struggling with weight, keep at it. For me

losing weight is not easy, it's darn hard. But I'm so much happier

with how I look. And you know what? People treat you better when you

look and feel better. Is it a self fulfilling prophecy that our

society is that jaded against fatter people? Probably a little of

both. Is it fair? Nope, but that's how it is. I gave up fighting

that battle a long time ago.

I come to the conclusion that my weight, diet and eating is like

having a chronic condition like diabetes. It must be managed every

single day. I've been keeping a food diary every single day for the

last 2 years and I don't plan on changing that.

What's the best way to lose weight?

1.Workout regularly. Vigorous sweaty exercise that elevates

your heart rate, makes you sweat and makes you realize you've worked

hard.

2.Keep a food diary.

3.Portion control.

4.Fast food and dining out are a big fat NO NO. If you cook

most of your meals at home you can control the calories and the food

content.

5.Remember this is for life, not the next few months.

6.Eat healthy, fruits and vegetables, lean healthy proteins,

whole grains and lots of water, cocktails to a minimum.

7.Last but not at least, treat yourself once in a while. Every

Friday morning I have an apple fritter. I eat that sucker without

guilt and enjoy every sugary fatty bite!