Greedy Giveaway! The Quantum Scale (it never shows your weight)

Your shining moment has arrived. No longer will you want to throat-punch the number on the scale. The Quantum Scale gonna fix all that. It will change how you feel about stepping on the scale. Josie gonna tell you how you could win one.

WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT THE QUANTUM SCALE?

Quantum never EVER shows your weight. Once you step on it for the first time, it records your weight on the down-low and secretly stores that data into the scale. No amount of bribery or blackmail will get that scale to divulge your weight. On flipside, what Quantum WILL give you is a plus or minus total of how much weight you lost or gained since the first time you stepped on it. With this special weight tracking being so personal in nature, the scale is designed to be used by one person only. So basically, don’t let yo momma get on the scale. She’ll have to get her own.

The Quantum Scale is on sale for the holidays at a sweet price. Check out the scale demo from the Dr. Oz show, and then scroll down to enter the giveaway…

Set up is insanely easy. I had mine out the box, calibrated and ready for use in about 90-seconds. The instructions in the box are straightforward, plain and clear. The LCD display is without a backlight (deep dark cave dwellers need to know that). Use your scale in a well-lit area. Max weight capacity is 330-lbs.

THE GIVEAWAY (Update 11/30/13: this giveaway is now closed)

One winner will receive a brand new Quantum Scale in the color of their choice.

HOW TO ENTER

Leave a comment and tell me about the worst, most cheesy-terrible gift you have ever received. I’m nosy and wanna giggle about it. An expired box of chocolates in a beat up package tops the list for me.

**If are a subscriber to my Youtube channel, leave a separate comment with your Youtube name, and you’ll receive an extra entry. Yahoooo!

Your chance to enter ends Friday, November 29th (eastern time). Winner will be selected at random and announced by Sunday, December 1st. United States and Canada entries only. Totally null and void where prohibited.

Ready? Set. QUANTUM!

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It’s Not Only Weight Loss Supplements That Steal Before and After Photos!

The stolen before and after photo saga continues. This time fellow blogger Renee found her before and after photos next to a testimonial on a colon cleanse site.

Yup, that’s Renee and when you click on her photo you get zoomed in.

The testimonial they claim she gave calls her Rene L.

Her photos are still being used as of today along side others I can only assume are stolen as well.

This is Renee’s real story…

Hey Roni! My before and after is on the Cleansing Waters Colonic website with an actual testimonial! It took me 8 months to lose 52 pounds and I did it by using Jenny Craig the first three months coupled with exercise. After that I started food journaling and continued to exercise to lose the additional 25 or so pounds. I’ve NEVER had a colonic and am appalled that my hard work is being diminished by being exploited by this site. I lost the weight in 2011 and continue to work hard and live a healthy life to maintain my weight loss. It isn’t always easy but I keep active and have run 15 half marathons, a full marathon and am running a 200-mile Ragnar relay next month. I’m also a Zumba instructor. All to stay fit and healthy. I’m appalled that this company is trying to pimp my success by saying they had a hand in it!

PLEASE read Renee’s REAL story on her site Cutie Booty Cakes.

I will continue to share stories like this in hopes that it prevents at least one person from buying the next “weight loss miracle pill” or scam. Enough is enough.

Click here to see 3 more stolen photo stories and here for my own.

Note: If your photos have been stolen and used to promote a weight loss product or supplement, send me a message on my Facebook page with the following information and I will share your story as well. 

Screen shot of stolen before and after photo (not your originals)Link to your site and/or Facebook page (where your original story or photos can be found)A paragraph or two of how you REALLY lost the weight, how long it took and why this makes you so angry.

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10 Excuses You Need to Stop Using When it Comes to Weight Loss

I used to be the queen of excuses when it came to weight loss.

“I’m big boned.” I’d say. “Just look at my rib cage. I’m thick.”

I remember uttering those exact words to a friend in the midst of my yo-yo dieting cycle of hell and fat talk era.

It’s true, I am not petite by any means, but that didn’t really account for the extra 30 pounds I was carrying around, and then the 20 more I gained.

At that time I needed to latch onto an excuse. It was easier than changing my bad habits and admitting the truth: I ate too much and I moved too little.

Now, I’m not saying that is necessarily true for others who aren’t svelte according to society’s standards. Lord knows there is a gradient of healthy body sizes, all of which we do not see in traditional media on a regular basis. Beauty has been defined for us as tall, slender, cellulite-free and pretty much underweight.

That image of the “perfect” female form is an illusion, and I think we all know it, yet it’s what drives so many of us to continue the yo-yo dieting cycle of hell.

Now, if we throw the image of the “perfect” body out of our minds and stop the pursuit of a particular body shape (and even to some extent a specific number on the scale), what is stopping us from eating a bit consciously and moving a little more?

I’m convinced that feeling bad about our bodies is on top of the list of things that keep us from losing weight. It’s the root factor that drives people to look for other excuses not to be a bit more responsible with their food choices and take an active role in their overall health.

The following are 10 excuses I have used (or have heard others use) to explain why weight loss is impossible when really, I think, it comes down to a bad body image.

10. Eating healthy is too expensive. I don’t buy it (pun intended). Sure, eating organic can cost you an arm and a leg, but there are many other choices. It may be the harder choice to skip the fast-food dollar menu but as a good friend of mine said on Facebook recently …

1. Two bananas
2. Six eggs
3. 1/2 pound brown rice
4. An avocado
5. 1 pound dry black beans
6. An apple
7. A bag of frozen vegetables

All are either under or around a dollar.

There are other options than the dollar menu at fast food restaurants.

And if you really, REALLY want the fast food, there is nothing stopping you from making a better choice there as well. I once wrote a post about how to eat cheap and light at McDonald’s. It is possible. I do it all the time.

9. I don’t have any time. No one has time. No one. We all work, have families and homes to clean. We all only get 24 hours a day. We all make time for the things that are important to us. I wrote a post last year about this. Instead of saying “I don’t have time to eat healthy” say “eating healthy is not my priority” and see how that sits with you.

8. It’s too hard. Yes it is hard. I’m not going to lie. So are things like going to school and working and raising kids. Life is hard. I woke up at 5:25 this morning so I can get to the gym because it was the only time I had today. I have chicken legs cooking in the Crock Pot right now because I know I won’t have time to make dinner before the 8-year-old’s Scout meeting. Would it have been easier to skip the gym and hit a drive-through on our way there? I guess, but I’ve made it a priority to work out and cook more meals at home –see No. 9 above.

7. If I just look at a brownie I gain 5 pounds. This is one of my favorites because I’ve used it hundreds of times. The truth is I had no self control around brownies because I was stuck in a cycle of deprivation and binging. I had to learn that the brownie (or whatever) had no power over me. I’m not cursed with some miraculously slow metabolism that absorbs calories through my eyeballs. I just had to learn the brownie isn’t worth it. And if it is, then I my next meal should be a little lighter.

 6. I don’t know how to start. Yes you do. Just make your next choice a better one. Don’t think today’s going to be your last day eating junk because you’ll be perfect starting tomorrow. There are no “last meals” unless you’re on death row. (Are you on death row? I didn’t think so.) Stop using the “I don’t now how to start” excuse and order a darn salad for lunch.

 5. I have no willpower. Again, I don’t buy it. It’s not about willpower. It comes down to a state of mind. I will bet there have been times you had willpower. You said no to that office cookie. You made it to the gym when you didn’t want to go. What was different then? I’m going to bet it was Jan, 1 or the day you decided you were going to start some new diet. You had that motivated state of mind and you can get it back; it just takes some work and confidence. Stop saying you have no willpower and making it a self-fulfilling prophecy.

4. No one supports me. Let me guess, your spouse eats a lot of junk food. He/she doesn’t want to lose weight. They like being lazy. Welcome to my world. You can’t wait for anyone else to make these kind of changes for yourself. If you aren’t getting the support at home, reach out online. If you don’t like social media, find a group at your gym. There is support out there; you just need to take the first step and find it.

3. I don’t like exercise. Again. Do. Not. Buy. It. Sure, maybe you don’t like the gym — I can understand that. I hated the gym until a few years ago. Maybe you don’t like running. OK, I get it. I wasn’t always a runner either. Here’s the thing: exercise doesn’t mean you HAVE to go to some gym to pick things up and put them down. It doesn’t mean you have to suffer through a step class if it isn’t your thing. It means you MOVE YOUR BODY. I’m guessing you are a human being and therefore your body likes to move. I don’t care what you say — your body craves exercise, all you need to do is find the activities you like. Really have no idea? Start with walking and go from there.

2. I love to eat. Really? ME, TOO! Nice to meet you. Can we be friends? Seriously though, there aren’t too many people I know who don’t like to eat. What do you love to eat and why? I know for me, when I grab a bag of Doritos out of the pantry or order an entire pizza for myself it’s not a love of food driving those decisions.

 1. Why bother? I’m just going to gain it back. NOOOO! That’s because you are thinking of this as a diet. IT’S NOT A DIET. Stop thinking that way and continuing the on-plan/off-plan mentality. Make conscious food choices, move a little more and accept the fact that you will probably never look like an airbrushed Victoria’s Secret model. Then whatever weight you do lose will be permanent and you can break out of the yo-yo dieting cycle of hell for good.

Disclaimer: This post isn’t written to shame anyone into losing weight. I’m specifically talking to those who want to and are currently stuck in the yo-yo dieting cycle of hell. I’ve been there. It sucks.

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How to Fast for a Weight Loss Breakthrough

As a ferociously greedy woman who has fasted from time to time over the years, I promise you will not wither away into nothingness if you abstain from gnawing on delectable foodstuffs for a period of 8, 12, or even 24 hours.

Will you be hungry? Sure.

Will you crawl into a ball and curse the day you decided to fast? I plead the 5th on whether I’ve done that.

If you see your fast through to the end, will you experience a breakthrough in how you think about food and gain victory of its control over you. Yes indeed. I’m willing to bet my last slice of pie on it. That’s high stakes right there, but I’m counting on you.

People fast for various reasons: spiritual (I do this), medically necessary, to get skinny quick (terrible idea). There’s even a fitness technique called Intermittent Fasting which has credence. But the type of fast I’m referring to right now is none of those.

While a tiny bit of weight loss may be a side effect directly related to your day of fasting, The Breakthrough Fast is a tool with greater purpose. I came up with this fast as a means of gaining control over cravings, mindless munching and other unhealthy eating habits. You will become the Master of Your Stomach instead of your stomach mastering you. This is exactly what I achieved when I did a 7 Day No Sugar Fast.

Just like a bowl of cornflakes without the milk, if you workout in Beastmode, achieving the sweat of 10,000 armpits, but then proceed to not eat right on most days, that makes no darn sense.

But you can finally get it right.

The Breakthrough Fast will help you develop self control. You will come to understand that several hours without food is not the death of you. You find that coffee can’t control you (it’s okay to love it, but it shouldn’t rule over you), the sweet tooth can be put in check, and excessive carbs can finally get a swift kick in butt cheeks.

Water only.Water and tea only.Water, fruit and veggies only.Water only for 6-8 hours.Water only, no food until dinner.Abstain from certain foods: sugary crap, carbs, deep fried moose skins, etc.

These are just a few examples. You call the shots. Make it what you need it to be based on the kind of breakthrough you desire. There is no wrong way. The only requirement is to complete the fast from beginning to end based on your own pre-set terms. Each variation restricts calories, but not long enough where temptation kicks in to rob a convenience store, demanding Ju-Ju Beans and a large Kool-Aid.

All of the above fasting variations include water, so drink up. Your breath is likely to get funky on fasting day if you don’t wet your palate with hydration. Don’t ask me how I know.Plan ahead. Clear your kitchen of any tempting foods. The appointed day shouldn’t coincide with special occasions, work luncheons or restaurant dates. That would be counterproductive. As you get closer to your appointed fasting day, keep in the forefront of your mind that “the day is approaching and I will complete my fast successfully”.Keep yourself occupied. The busier you are on fasting day, the less time you’ll have to think about food.Stay focused on finishing. Fasting isn’t easy. It can play tricks on your mind and try to break you down. Yet one of the points of the fast is to develop discipline. Discipline comes at a price.Whining is not encouraged. And no whimpering allowed. We’re all grown-ish folks here. Partial whimpering, however, may be unavoidable.If you slip up, don’t be hard on yourself. Pick up where you left off. Be a finisher.If you have any medical conditions, please check with your doctor before fasting.

Taking charge leads to weight. Empowering yourself and showing your body who’s boss will lead to weight loss. Breakthrough leads to weight loss. This fast can help you do all of those things. Although it’s a mostly uncomfortable process, fasting produces some wildly wonderful cohorts to weight loss called discipline, patience, and self-control.

You can break the cycle of excessive noshing. You are a champion, my friend.

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Excellent reads for people who wanna lose weight and transform their body.

Please adjust your eyeballs to the “intake” setting. I’m about to lay some great reads on ya that may prove to be mighty helpful to your weight loss and body transformation missions. I usually don’t mind at all if you skim through my posts instead of reading every word, but no skimming allowed this time! Warning: I just installed an anti-skimming device onto this blog post. Everyone who skim-reads will immediately receive an electro-shock to the eyeball for being naughty.

FITNESS RX FOR WOMEN: Holy crap. Their website is seriously awesome. It’s like rolling around in a sandbox of fitness-resource euphoria (but you won’t get any sand granules in your bikini bottoms). It’s truly a smorgasbord of good information. The site is jam packed with workouts, printables, videos, nutrition tips, recipes, body transformation stories, targeted training plans for abs, arms, legs, shoulders & more. Just go check out the site already. Sheesh!

WHEAT BELLY: Have you heard of the book? This one is a New York Times bestseller. Although there’s a small dose of controversy (nay-sayers & eyeball rollers) surrounding Wheat Belly, the consensus is in. Most consumer reviews on Amazon give it 5-stars. Yes, I bought the book. I skimmed through it, then put it down. I picked it up again, talked to some people about the book, and talked to others who followed through on ditching or extremely lowering their wheat intake. Then I put it into practice for myself. The book deals with problems stemming from the wheat of today; the kind that has been effed with through genetic tampering, not the wheat of olden days.

I’m entering week #3 of significantly reduced wheat intake. Oh yes I am. I’m only eating bread products 1 or 2 times per week now. That’s it. This change has made a SERIOUS difference in an accelerated kind of way. I’m feeling lighter and leaner. My stomach is flatter! There’s less bloating. I’m less farty, too, which I didn’t expect would ever happen. If you or a loved one are fighting the fat, experiencing unresolved health problems (even if there is an official diagnosis), or any weird symptoms that can’t be pinned down to a certain issue, this book will open your eyes to how wheat may be affecting your body. The Wheat Belly book. You must!

—-

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Blog to Book: Musings from My Weight Loss Journey [Kindle Edition]

 I SO should be sleeping but I couldn’t go to bed with out posting really quick! 

Tomorrow I’m heading to Toronto for TBEX, a conference specifically for travel bloggers. I wouldn’t categorize myself quite as a travel blogger YET, but it’s something I want to learn more about in hopes of growing TheUnworldlyTravelers into a thriving blog giving me more opportunities and reasons to travel.

If you remember, all of this was something I put on my birthday bucket list last year and as you are well aware, I’m not getting any younger. The time to DO is now. :)

My plan tomorrow morning is to go to the 6 a.m. CrossFit class (because I’m obsessed,) run my mile, and head to the airport. It’s going to be quite a challenge considering I’m not completely packed and it’s 11:30 p.m. but you’ll have this. I’ll sleep on the plane.

Anyway, the real reason I’m here is announce my Blog To Book called From Fat to Skinny to Healthy: Musings From My Weight-Loss Journey. I worked with the editors at Hyperlink.com to package some of my archives in book form for the Kindle. The idea is to have a collection of posts that give my story and thoughts on weight loss in a easy-to-access format.

At first I wasn’t sold on the idea considering my archives are all available here and I don’t actually own a Kindle, but then I realized others may find it helpful.

So there you have it, a new book, a trip to Toronto, oh! And I had fun with a new breakfast idea on GreenLiteBites using chia seeds!

I was on a roll today even though I had to put out a few FitBloggin‘ fires and I took the kids to the pool.

I think I thrive off busy. :)

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Weight Watchers Smart Ones Thin Crust Cheese Pizza Review

Reviewed by Tanya Patrice | Apr 29, 2013
Rating:

Weight Watchers Smart Ones Thin Crust Cheese Pizza is described as a blend of reduced fat cheeses with a tangy tomato sauce on a crispy-thin crust. There aren't too many "real" pizza substitutes that I've enjoyed, but this one looked good on the packaging, so I was anxious to try it.

NUTRITION FACTS
Serving Size: 1 pkg (124 grams)
Calories: 280
Total Fat: 9 grams, 13%
Saturated Fat: 3.5 grams, 17%
Sodium: 480 mg, 20%
Carbohydrates: 34 grams, 11%
Fiber: 4 grams, 15%
Sugars: 4 grams
Protein: 16 grams

Unfortunately, I ended up underwhelmed. Like they said over at The Impulsive Buy - this pizza is really sad looking. It vaguely resembles pizza that you're familiar with. It is a decent size though, and the taste is just so-so. It's not terrible, but there's not much deliciousness and ooey-gooey-ness to it - it's more like bread with a little something extra. As you can see from all the reviews of Weight Watchers products, there are many I enjoy, but this is not going in that category.

Each serving of Weight Watchers Smart Ones Thin Crust Cheese Pizza (7 Points) provides 280 calories, 9 grams of total fat, 3.5 grams of which is saturated (13% and 17% of the daily values), 480 mg of sodium, 4 grams of fibers and sugars as well as 16 grams of protein.

I received samples for review, but it's available for sale in supermarkets for between #2 - $3.00. Unfortunately, this is not one that I would buy again. Other similar products by Weight Watchers Smart Ones that I would reach for are Weight Watchers SmartOnes Artisan Creations Chicken Marinara with Mozzarella Cheese Grilled Flatbread and Weight Watchers Smart Ones Artisan Creations Stone Fired Crust Pizza (Pepperoni).

{Website: Weight Watchers Smart Ones}

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Weight Watchers Smart Ones Sesame Noodles with Vegetables (Classic Favorites) Review

Reviewed by Tanya Patrice | Apr 16, 2013
Rating:

Weight Watchers Smart Ones Sesame Noodles with Vegetables is described as having Lo Mein pasta, snap peas, broccoli, carrots & red peppers in sesame sauce. I followed the directions, heating this up int he microwave for 3 minutes, then pulling back the film and heating again for another minute. A quick stir of things and I had something that closely resembled the picture on the packaging.

NUTRITION FACTS
Serving Size: 1 pkg (255 grams)
Calories: 280
Total Fat: 2.5 grams, 4%
Saturated Fat: 0.5 grams, 3%
Sodium: 430mg, 18%
Carbohydrates: 55 grams, 18%
Fiber: 7 grams, 27%
Sugars: 14 grams
Protein: 10 grams

The overwhelming flavor of this meal is from the sweetness of the sauce. If you have a sweet tooth, trust me that this will take the edge of some of your cravings. All the components worked well together though, and I enjoyed the noodles & the mixed vegetables of which there was plenty. I don't know about you, but a frozen dinner alone is not enough to make a filling lunch, so to mine I added a side salad, an apple, a small container of yogurt and water - no sugary drinks necessary here. And that's still a little shy of 500 calories for a pretty tasty, filling meal.

Each packaged Weight Watchers Smart Ones Sesame Noodles with Vegetables meal provides 280 calories, a low 2.5 grams of total fat, 0.5 grams of which is saturated fat, 10 grams of protein, 7 grams of fiber and 14 grams of sugars. Each one also provides 7 PointsPlus Value. The ingredients list is not too bad, lengthy, but most of the ingredients are recognizable. There is "sucralose concentrate" which is an artificial sweetener, so if you're not into that, be forewarned - and this helps to explain why it's so sweet.

I purchased 1 for $2.50 - they were on sale, and I would buy this one again. It's not a "wow" meal, but it's good enough to make a tasty lunch.

Weight Watchers Smart Ones Sesame Noodles with Vegetables

{Website: Weight Watchers Smart Ones}

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Why You Shouldn’t Make Weight Loss Your Primary Goal

Please to welcome our friend, COACH CALORIE.  Im a huge fan of Tony and his fantastic staff of writers…

Are you trying to lose weight?

There’s nothing wrong with that. Weight loss is a goal for millions of people every year.

However, what most people tend to forget is that weight loss is a side effect of living a healthy lifestyle. If you can stop focusing on the day to day struggles of losing weight, and instead focus on changing your body from the inside out, you’re going to be much more successful in the long term.

You might not be able to see it yet on the outside, but every time you turn down processed food, drink a glass of water, go for a walk, or do any other healthy activity, you are changing your body on the inside. That is where weight loss starts – on the inside. This isn’t liposuction where you suck the fat off your body without changing what’s going on inside of it. True change happens internally – mentally and physically.

You might not be able to see the fruits of your labor yet, but every time you exercise you’re improving your hormonal profile. You’re improving your insulin sensitivity. You’re priming your body and creating a favorable metabolic environment for fat loss. You’re reducing stress, and you’re improving hundreds of other health markers like cholesterol and triglycerides.

Every time you choose whole foods over processed foods you’re reducing your risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. You’re making your joints, bones, and ligaments stronger. You’re giving yourself more energy, and you’re setting good examples for the people around you.

So you’ve been eating healthy and exercising for a month and you haven’t lost a pound? So what. The weight will come off when it’s ready, but not a moment before then. However, it will come off. It always does when you’re living a healthy lifestyle. Your body is a reflection of what you put into it and how you use it. Eat processed foods and be sedentary, and that’s what your body is going to reflect. Eat whole foods and be active, and your body will become its function.

Put your weight, fat, and every other external marker of good health out of mind for a while.

It’s hard.

I know it is.

Focus your efforts on making good decisions. Get active on a daily basis, even if that means just going for a walk. Do more than what you’ve done in the past. Make a single better nutrition choice every day. Do better. Make progress. Don’t try to be perfect. Every step in the right direction you make, your body will react and make a positive change both on the inside and out.

Before you know it, someone is going to make a comment about how you look healthier, and looking healthy is 100 times more preferable to looking skinny.

I say again, forget about trying to lose weight.

Make a goal of getting healthy. With good health comes fat loss. Feed your body the fuel it needs and get active, and it will start to transform from the inside out.

I promise you this.

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Before and After Weight Loss: My Latest Progress Pictures!

New progress pictures for ya! My weight loss and body transformation is on a roll, baby. I’ve got HUGE smiles over here. These pics are better than I could have hoped for. I’m much leaner than I was a few months ago. I made some tweaks my diet by identifying opportunities to eat cleaner, and reduced my greedy indulgences to once per week and celebratory occasions only.

My weight right now is 153 pounds on the dot. Several months ago I made a commitment to strength training on a consistent basis. It’s definitely accelerated my weight loss and is ushering me into the lean body shape I want. Now it’s time to go clothes shopping gain. At the moment I look like a hobo on liquid crack in my outfits. I need some smaller clothes.

My stomach area has the signature loose-skin-and-stretch-marks look that comes from getting knocked up multiple times and birthing 4 gremlin-children. Whatevs. So getting back to those greedy indulgences… I accomplished this latest round of progress while taking Thanksgiving and Christmas head on. I enjoyed 7 larges slices of sweet potato pie on Thanksgiving weekend. And around Christmastime? There was a carb-fest featuring warm bread(s) with melted buttery goodness, a plate of fried food, a host of tasty chocolates, and that special tenderhearted moment when I inhaled of 6 slices of cake in one sitting. You know I had to gnaw on some cake. I disclose this greediness to you to show that even a few incidents of overeating can’t stop you from losing weight when clean eating and diligence with your fitness is your primary focus.

And will ya look at that. My back fat is gone! Finally. In the months to come, my goal is to continue getting lean in my lower abdominal area and focus on building more muscle. So whatcha think of my progress? Not too shabby for a 40-year-old bitty with 4 kids, right?

If you’re not taking progress pictures, start right away. It can honestly be a little bit uncomfortable or even downright discouraging to snap those “before” pics, but you’ll be glad you have ‘em once you start whittling down the weight and can look back on progress pics to see how far you’ve come.

Upcoming in my next post: It’s a new workout targeting the core, so watch out for it get ready to rock those abs. BOOM!

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Mind over Numbers for Weight Loss (guest post)

Calories In < Calories Out = Weight loss. 

The formula seems simple enough and so for anyone who has undertaken a weight loss journey it starts here. We are ready to finally take control of our food habits. I was no different and spent years tallying every morsel and tracking the number on the scale to prove I was doing it right…until I realized that I wasn’t in control of the food; it was controlling me.
I started to read MizFit and she kept talking about “Intuitive Eating”.

I dug for more information, hoping for a plan, more answers, more tools…but that is the blessing and curse of intuitive eating. It’s so simple that we all know how to do it, we just don’t.

It felt unnatural to let go of the numbers which had created a safety blanket for me. But I was spending far too much time worrying about food and very little time enjoying food, so something needed to shift. The first step in my new journey was to focus on eating 7-9 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. I didn’t care how I got them, but that small switch helped me to start thinking of food in positive terms.

I kept calorie counting mind you because it was too scary to let that go. Until I had another moment where I realized the numbers were working against me. If it was 8PM and my little journal showed that I “had calories left” it wouldn’t matter if I was hungry or not, the ice cream came out, the cookies were demolished.  I could feel ok about staying within my numbers, but my body wasn’t benefiting and I was kind of confused…what caused me to suddenly start eating when I didn’t even want food?

RETURNING TO MEALS
A friend and sports dietician reviewed my food logs as I started ramping up the miles for the New York City Marathon. Her first request was that I stop snacking and start eating. I couldn’t figure out what she meant! Didn’t all the research say my grazing patterns were a good thing?  Maybe. But not if I wanted to learn to listen to my actual hunger and to get my nutrients in a more balanced fashion (important because a lack of nutrients can make you feel hungry).

Just days after switching from all day grazing to eating meals, it became very clear that my cookie habit wasn’t about hunger or even cravings, but simply because the calories said I could. I’m actually eating less now that I have let go of the calorie concern because when I am hungry I can honor that feeling with a full plate of food! Science has also shown that when you ask people what they last ate, they will remember the meal they sat down for and not all the nibbling in between.

Healthy eating is a journey and I know I’ll continue to evolve, but I am really grateful for people like MizFit who continue to show us that no diet book knows us better than our own body.

HOLIDAY EATING
The holiday season can be one of the toughest times to maintain a healthy relationship with food. But it is possible by listening to your body and focusing on eating as many fruits/veggies as you can each day! By removing the calorie counting and guilt, it becomes easier to enjoy a slice of pie and then return to normal eating. For more tips, support and motivation to ensure this your healthiest holiday season yet, check out the 5th Annual Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge hosted by RunToTheFinish.

Amanda is a seven time marathoner and author of RunToTheFinish. Through her weight loss and fitness journey she shows that being healthy is about how you fuel your body, how you feel about your body and how you choose to live every day.

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Hey Weight Loss Companies: STOP SPEWING YOUR B.S.

I’ve been in a punchy mood and this email set me off…

Please check out our 100% All-natural “1 capsule a day weight loss”… No dieting or exercise, recommended by a Pharmacist and Dr. of Natural Medicine, 100% all-natural and safe with 100% money back guarantee!!!! We are experiencing dramatic effects on MANY people who have struggled with weight in the past.  This truly works & we want to help as many others as we can to achieve their goals & dreams! We love the people, the product & the company! It is truly a WIN WIN for everyone!  Would you be willing to try a free sample & see for yourself?

Lets dissect shall we?

100% All-natural
So are poisoned berries. Doesn’t mean I should eat them.

“1 capsule a day weight loss”
Weight loss form a capsule? Doesn’t sound so natural.

No dieting or exercise
SO you don’t recommend I eat healthy and move more?

Recommended by a Pharmacist and Dr. of Natural Medicine
Really? Then it MUST be safe! <--sarcasm. Of course.

100% money back guarantee
Is it just me or the only products that give this guarantee are shady?

This truly works & we want to help as many others as we can to achieve their goals & dreams

THEN STOP SPEWING YOUR B.S. AND TRYING TO MAKE MONEY OFF PEOPLE WITH YOUR LIES.

Seriously, there is no magic pill. We know this right? We know it comes down to eating less and moving more. And don’t tell me it’s not that simple. It IS THAT SIMPLE. I didn’t want to hear it 70lbs ago either, but when I finally stopped looking for an excuse and putting it into practice, it worked.

I’m not arguing we’ll all be Victoria Secret models because we cut a few calories and go for a walk, but we will be healthier, leaner and more active. Clean the crap out of your diet. Get off the couch. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Live the life you want to live. No excuses.

It’s hard but damn, it’s worth it. <– I wrote that post 4 years ago and it’s still hard, but every day I see, feel and experience the result of that hard work.

I’m never going back to a time when an email like that will seduce me.

Never.

Rant over.

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Weight Doesn't Disappear When It's Gone

In October 2007, I had the good fortune to meet a very sweet and inspirational man: David Elmore Smith.
David is in the white sweatshirt.David was sexually molested as a child and lost his mother when he was 17. Yet, at 650 pounds, he found the courage to lose 400 pounds and he told his story to the world. David and I met when we were on Oprah, and he went on to do many other TV appearances, including the TLC documentary, “650-Pound Virgin.”
David has been out of the spotlight for a few years, but he resurfaced on the Today show Wednesday, having gained 300 pounds. In this Huffington Post article, there is a link to the Today video, and below is an excerpt of his sad, yet very honest, truth.
"All my life I was this monster in my head and all of a sudden to be this good looking guy, it blew my mind away, I didn't know how to deal with it," he said. Smith also felt like "a terrible mess" on the inside, and eventually turned to alcohol and drugs to cope, "Today" reports.

When those outlets didn't help, he turned once again to food. "A lot of people were counting on me to be inspiring, and I didn't want to let anybody down. But I just felt so bad, I didn't know how to cope," he says.


Weight doesn’t disappear. It hides, waiting for you to feed it your fear. David’s gain put me face-to-face with my own 20-pound gain and the 150 other pounds lurking in the dark recesses of my mind.

I’ve searched (not as desperately as I think I have) for a reason for my gain. Something outside me I can blame. But the truth lies not in what I eat or my reluctance to move or the pain of arthritis or perimenopause. The truth is deep inside me and buried in mistrust, and David’s truth has nudged me to at least admit that (lately) I’ve been walking – zombie-like – down the path I swerved to avoid seven years ago. When school/family/friends/love and all its ensuing conflict/euphoria/worry/obligation piled up and I couldn’t sort through it all like laundry, I looked longingly back, like Lot’s wife, at the path of “How I Used To Live” and turned into a 20-pound pillar of salt, with the very real potential of adding 150 more.

Losing weight and, more importantly, keeping it off, takes a lot of concentration. Yeah, yeah…it takes determination and motivation and inspiration and all the other “tions” you can name, but first and foremost it takes concentration.

Distractions, however, deactivate concentration, and when it comes to weight loss and maintenance, the distractions that deactivate concentration aren’t simple things like the lure of an ice cream cone on a hot summer day. They are deep-seeded emotional issues or family issues or work issues that not only distract, but cause a reaction that is counter to what our concentrated self would “approve” of.

David didn’t consciously gain 300 pounds back. Nothing in him said, “I want to be morbidly obese again.” I didn’t consciously gain 20 pounds. And nothing in my mind is saying, “I want to be 300 pounds again.”

A lot of people were counting on me to be inspiring… 

I want to inspire, but I’m as vulnerable and flawed as anyone on this path, including David. And that truth in and of itself is inspiring. I wish David all the love and self-care he can find as he works through his “terrible mess,” and I hope he finds the truth that lies beneath, the one I could see in his smile and in his eyes when I met him: kindness, sincerity, and a strong desire to live.

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Weight Loss and Financial Debt Reduction Require the Same Strategies for Success. Here’s How.

So, yeah. Weight loss and financial debt reduction definitely go hand and hand.

Got any debt? A little bit or a lot?  Then keep reading…

Take a look at the pic to the right. That right there is a screenshot of the final online payment I made today on my (closed) Macy’s card. Hurrah!

As you can see, my final payment was only $154.57, but back when I started the debt reduction plan for this credit card, the balance was pushing very close to $3,000. “Ewww. Dat’s nasty.”

I paid off the balance in about a year by using the same exact strategies we use to lose weight. 

Strategy #1: Just like the extra weight I used to carry around, I got sick and tired of carrying the Macy’s debt. I refused to accept that I had to live that way. It was a thorn in my side and enough was enough.

Strategy #2: I shut down the card (closed it) to prevent further spending while the balance was still almost $3,000. This is the same as making the decision to shut down crappy habits. But it wasn’t an easy decision. The Macy’s card offered me convenience and many spending pleasures, much like over-indulgence in food offers temporary happiness and instant gratification, but giving into these kinds of temptations is what got me into trouble in the first place, so I activated Strategy #2 — I shut them both down.

Strategy #3: I envisioned the day when the balance would be zero, and used that as the driving force to keep me motivated and on track with my plan. I needed this most on those days when I felt like that damn credit card bill was barely moving downward despite the effort of the extra payments I was making. The balance was still so freaking high, and that really sucked. Staying motivated to slowly chisel away at your debt is no different than staying motivated to whittle down your weight.

Strategy #4: Side road ditches and long detours couldn’t stop me, so they can’t stop YOU either. There are plenty of the times when unexpected stuff came up; when the extra funds set aside to pay down the debt sadly had to be diverted to other things instead. For instance, several times I planned on hitting the balance hard with a $300 payment, but then the stupid water heater died or some rogue mystery bill arrived in the mail. These situations meant no big lump sum to pay down the card, but even if I could throw an extra $5 or $10 extra towards killing the balance (anything but just paying the minimum due for God’s sake!), I knew I was still in active motion towards my goal. As for your weight loss, my point here is this: Life happens. Stuff will slow you down, but you can NOT stop with even the smallest daily actions towards your fitness progress. If you can’t run today, then walk. If you can’t walk, then stand up a little longer. If you can’t stand, then lay your ass down and lift your legs up 10 tens. Ya got me? There is always something you can be doing even when the unexpected throws up on you.

Had I never closed the Macy’s card, I would’ve kept spending. Had I never thirsted for a zero balance, I’d still be making minimum payments and spending the extra money on stupid stuff. When you want something bad enough you make it happen. End of story. It doesn’t matter if it’s debt reduction or weight loss or a career change or whatever. The same strategies and principles pretty much apply to every situation.

Once this blog post is old ‘n crusty, and dried up and hidden in the back pages, I wanna hear stories about YOU succeeding at whatever it is you set your hands to do. But if anything, hopefully I’ll hear about your awesome weight loss with a side dish of debt reduction? Do we haz a deal?

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Wednesday Weigh in, a Food Journal from Mom’s, and My Personal Weight Loss Rant

I may be weird but I actually enjoy traveling with the kids, alone. Don’t get me wrong, it has it’s challenges but I look at it as bonding time with my babies. Today we had 4 hours of signing in the car, talking about school, snacking on popcorn, and just being goofballs…

I used to like it when it was just Ryan and I. Having Evan now just feels like a bonus. I get all the fun toddler-ness with an older helping hand. I’m glad I decided on 2 and even happier it took me 5 years to realize it was the right choice.

Anyway, we are here at Mom’s now, but before I left, I jumped on the scale.

Down just over a pound since last week! I plan on continuing this trend. I’m tired of playing with the same 4 pounds when I have 5 more to lose to reach MY GOAL. I’m tired of the slightly snug pants. I’m tired of feeling guilty about wanting to lose because I’m suppose to be happy with the body I’m in.

That may sound "off" but hear me out. I am happy and proud of myself for the last 7 years. I’m not the same person I used to be. I’m not ashamed of my body. I don’t shy away from doing things I want to do because of a bad body image. I’m not stuck in the yo-yo dieting cycle of hell. I’m super active. I run. I play. I swim. I just wore a bathing suit at the public pool without a t-shirt!

I know.. crazy, right? I just had a baby too! Well, not "just" but 15 months ago I was 3 days postpartum and about 30 pounds heavier than I am right now. Seven years ago when I started this journey I was 57 pounds heavier than I am right now. For Pete’s sake, 12 years ago when I graduated college I was carrying 70 more pounds than I am right now.

I’m doing this. I’m managing it.

I. am. a. maintainer!

However, part of me has been struggling these last few months because of the pressure I’m putting on myself NOT to lose weight but to be an example of a healthy body image. Then I realized… I can do both. Actually, if you read my "3 Steps" you know how I feel about self-acceptance and how invaluable it is to weight loss.

Now don’t stone me, I know this is kind of the opposite of what I said in My Weight Loss A-Ha Moment. I’ll obnoxiously quote myself again,

I am now someone who doesn’t care what the scale says because of everything listed above <–THAT was My A-Ha Moment.

Here’s the thing and this may not come out right so bear with me….

I don’t really care about the number on the scale but it is the easiest tool to measure success for me right now (not always, but right now.) IF I weighed what I weigh now and all my clothes fit the way they used to, I could care less what it said (someone asked me that in a comment recently and it really stuck with me.) However, I have not hit my goal of reaching my pre-pregnancy weight and I can’t help but think doing so will make the difference.

So, can I promote a healthy body image while actively trying to lose weight? I think so. You may not agree. This is actually quite a hot topic and one we will be discussing at FitBloggin this year. You should join us! <–shameless plug

Anyway, I didn’t mean to go on a tangent. Here’s today’s food journal. I’m going to shut up now. It’s late and I’m rambling.

1 egg/1 egg white omelet with onion, zucchini and hamI love changing up my eggs for breakfastI was in for a long road trip this is how a ward off junky options from gas stations and drive thrus. McDs Southwestern grill salad sans-dressing + a small coneWe stopped for lunch, see photo above. I skipped all fries but one and opted for a cone instead. slightly addicted here. Dinner at Moms: grilled tilapia, chickpea salad, baked beans, roasted potatoes and watermelon for dessert So nice to have someone cook for me for a change! I know, it was a popcorn kind of day but Mom’s has a lot of temptations. This is, again, how I ward them off. Nothing official just some fun pool time with the kids. Let me tell you running laps to make a whirlpool is a seriously hard work! The travel got me. I’m feeling a little dehydrated today. Gonna grab an extra glass before bed.

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I’ve Been Sick. My Weight Loss is Pretty Drastic

Ugh. Have you noticed my lack of posts this week, and my temporary absence on Twitter and Facebook?

Sorry, guys. I was sick.

Actually, 4 out of 6 of The Greedy Family was sick. We had a stomach bug that lasted 2 days. I’m pretty sure one of the kids contracted the bug at school and brought it home. It was a barf-fest, among other things.

I’ve lost 6.5 pounds in the last 48 hours.

Not good.

This morning when I hopped on the scale I was expecting to have gained back a little weight back since I’m finally feeling a little normal again, but I was actually down another 1/2 pound.

Sheesh.

My entirety of eating over the last 2 days has been:

10 saltine crackers3 pieces of toast5 sips of chicken brothslurps of water

That’s it. No other food. Even the water hurt my stomach.

But I’m up today, walking around and will attempt a normal meal since I’m no longer in pain. I’m still really weak, but that will fade away once I chomp on some more food.

Welp, that’s what’s been going on. Onward and upward from here! I’ll have a new post for ya tomorrow.

Love you guys! XO,

Josie

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Want Weight Loss This Week? Two Key Questions You Have to Ask Yourself and Act On

Hey guys! How did your fitness efforts and progress turn out last week?

Me? I had one of the most epic week’s of fitness ever. My water gulping was on point, eating was not only healthy, but delicious, my required greediness was contained to a minimum, and my fatty parts took a serious lashing in the calorie-burning inferno, thanks to several sessions of sprint intervals and a 4-hour backyard gardening-frenzy. Whoa.

my two youngest wild-child-spawns also contributed to my calorie-burn

My stomachs have gone flatter in his past week alone. Hallerrrluuuyahhhh!!! Why on earth would I turn back now? Gonna keep this momentum going.

But forget all this blabbering on and jibber-jabber about myself. I wanna talk about YOU?

How’d your own week go? Invest a few extra minutes in yourself to consider last week.

ASK YOURSELF 2 KEY QUESTIONS:

1) What went wonderfully right and how can I ensure I do the same for myself this week, or even better?

2) What went all kinds of wrong, and what changes do I need to make today to avoid a repeat?

…but don’t just ask these questions. ACT on them. No, really. It’s time for A-C-T-I-O-N.

That thing you want. That goal you’re after. That place in your journey you’re thirsting to get to… YOU are the only one who can make it happen. You are also the only one who can deny yourself of the accomplishment. Work hard this week (yes, it’s freaking hard work) to ensure you’re not denied.

XO,

Josie

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March Podcast: Food I Eat, Family Members and Weight Loss, Motivation, Starting to Run

Man I am chatty this month. I swear I could just talk and talk and talk! It was the questions. They were so good and, ummm, emotional. I almost lost it like 3 times. It’s pretty bad.

Topics this month include…

What’s my diet and how do I prefer meals.Dealing with Family Members who want you to lose weight.How to estimate Weight Watchers PointPlus.How I make popcorn and my favorite salad dressings.Are VitaMuffins a good option for lunch?How did I become a runner.

Links mentioned in video in order…

The Most Amazing Bowl of Oatmeal EVER! A Open Letter to my Dad My Reaction to PointsPlusPost where I mentioned the Cliff Bars My Hot Air Popcorn PopperHomemade Microwave Popcorn [video] Latest creamy salad dressing creation My winter salad Mini Apple PiesThe 3 Keys of Weight Loss for MeMy Vitalicious page – use the code RonisWeigh for 10% off! First time I ever ran 5k on the treadmil

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My Weight Loss A-Ha Moment

I hinted about this post on Sunday and honestly, it’s been brewing in me for days. I just needed a quiet moment to actually collect my thoughts (without a baby in tow) and attempt to communicate them in a way that makes sense. Now that I have that moment, I’m pretty sure I’ll still ramble on excessively. Expect a long one and please forgive me for that cheesy "A-Ha" photo.

As you may know I’ve been trying to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight for 10 months now. Baby number 2 came almost 6 years after baby number 1 and 5 years after a 70lb weight loss that I have maintained happily (minus pregnancy gain of course.) I not only lost weight back then but I started to find myself. For as long as I can remember weight loss and a bad body image dominated my thoughts. (Read more of my weight history on the My Story page.)

If you’ve been reading for some time you know this. You’ve been on this journey with me. Maybe you were there when I reached goal in 2006 or when I had the tummy tuck or made the decisions to join a gym to or the first time I ran 5k on a treadmill.

*sigh* Running. Now there’s something I never thought I’d EVER do. Yet you were there the first time I ran a 5k and 5 miles and 10 and my first half and, in-spite of a rough year, a marathon. Yes, I ran a FREAKIN’ Marathon. To say it now it still seems unreal, impossible and unbelievable. So does climbing a rock wall and doing a pull-up but I did all of those things.

Yes, now I’m crying.

Over the years my approach to losing and maintaing weight ebbed and flowed. I went from weekly weighing to daily to none at all. I food journaled on paper, in email, twitter and even Excel. I counted points and ate intuitively. My diet has slowly shifted from convenience based foods (100 cal packs, Frozen Dinners) to more and more whole and unprocessed options.

For Pete’s Sake my favorite things to eat now are winter squashes and kale! Who am I?

No, really.

Who am I?

Well…

I am now someone who not only wakes up at 5:30 AM to go to the gym but WANTS to wake up at 5:30 to go to the gym because I know from experience how awesome I feel the rest of the day.

I am now someone who is not afraid to be naked in front of her husband. That may have been a bit TMI but it’s true and I know some of you out there know where I’m coming from.

I am now someone who can wear a bathing suit on a beach and enjoy herself. Not because I’m sporting the perfect body but because I’m having too much fun with my family to care what anyone else thinks.

I’m now someone who can go out to eat and not feel controlled by food, overwhelmed at the menu or anxious about making the right choice.

I am now someone who doesn’t starve herself after eating something "bad" and then sneaks food when no one is looking.

I am now someone who doesn’t shy away from things she wants to do or try or experience.

I am now someone who doesn’t care what the scale says because of everything listed above<–THAT was My A-Ha Moment.

These thoughts all came flooding to me when I received this comment from Tina on my latest weigh-in post….

Roni, did you ever think that possibly giving up the journaling might work in your favor? I see that you go back and forth with it, I think that you know by now exactly what your body needs and doesn’t need. I know that emotions play a huge part in that at times, but I think in my experience that “so called” dieting or keeping track always set me up for a binge at some point. Since I gave up counting points, calories etc. I have seen the most progress in my weight, and I also feel more relaxed with food. Just a thought.

Tina pointed out something I think I’ve been afraid to admit because it takes me further and further away from where I started and for some reason that’s scary. Here I thought I was doing the right thing by following my own example of what worked for me in the past.

6 years ago I counted points, food journaled and blogged my way to weight loss. It worked then so why shouldn’t it work now?

Ohhh yea… because I’m not the same person I was back then. I don’t need to learn what a portion is or that a banana is a better choice then pretzels or that drinking my calories isn’t "worth it." I don’t need a daily limit to stop me from eating because I can’t tell the difference between hunger or boredom or stress or exhaustion.

I’m not saying I know it all now but I know myself and I’ve learned a lot over the years. Why am I forcing myself to do something that’s not working for me now and why aren’t I trusting myself? Oh! and for Heaven’s sake WHY do I need to see some stupid number on some stupid scale when I am everything I ever wanted to be?

Happy.

~*~*~*~

P.S. I wanted to end the post right there on a "happy" note (pun intended) but while writing this I got an email from Annalisa and I feel the need to share it in this post.

Hi Roni! This is not an ask-Roni question but really a thank you. I’ve read your blog for a few years and I’ve always found you inspirational. Quick background – I lost 50 lbs a few years ago and kept it off until I had my first baby 9 months ago. I’m struggling with losing the weight. I’m 40lbs heavier that I am used to being and it gets demotivating when nothing changes week after week (I nurse, eat clean, lots of walks, etc). I’m working on it slowly but very little is happening. Anyway, my thank you is for you continual advice to ‘live your life’. I continue to sign up for things, meet new people, be active, etc. even though I am not comfortable in my own skin. I noticed this over the weekend when I signed up for mommy and me swim classes. OMG – I had to wear a swim suit! I thought about not going but I am so GLAD I did! My daughter loved it – and so did I. I sometimes even hesitate to take pictures/videos of us as a family since I’m so much bigger but I realize this is a time in my life I don’t get to repeat so I need to suck it up and embrace everything around me. I don’t think I would have this attitude if I haven’t read your blog all these years. I would truly be a SAHM and never leave the house. Instead, I bought bigger pants and kept going. Thank you!

This blog started out as a weight loss journal but now it means so much more to me and hopefully, to you. I don’t mind helping people lose weight, it’s how I got started on this whole journey. But what I really want to do is change people attitudes about themselves, their bodies and their lives. That’s my real goal . Weight loss is just the byproduct.

Thank YOU Annalisa for solidifying my A-Ha moment. :)

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There’s Something To This Green Tea Thing For Weight Loss. Allow Me To Explain…

Remember when I asked the question, “will green tea make my fatty parts melt?“? That’s when I told you about my kids’ chubby Pediatrician who is chubby no more. He credits green tea drinking for his weight loss.

And remember how I shared with you how I incorporate green tea drinking into my Shakeology 3-Day Cleanses with good success?

Welp, I’m not blogging live from the Pediatrician’s office and not currently on a Cleanse, but something interesting is still happening. I started drinking 1 cup of green tea per day since the cold weather is back again. I’m not doing anything else different. And I gotta tell you, that measly 1 cup-o green tea is making me go pee-pee more. Black tea does NOT have this same affect on me.

Turn outs green tea acts as a diuretic. Lots of people have experienced the same pee-peeing thing as me. Is this how green tea partly accomplishes its proclaimed weight loss wonders? Welp, maybe, I guess. Green tea can obviously be good for people who need to let go of excess water weight that no doubt skews the number on the scale.

But there’s more to the green tea weight loss story….

From University of Maryland Medical Center:

Clinical studies suggest that green tea extract may boost metabolism and help burn fat. One study confirmed that the combination of green tea and caffeine improved weight loss and maintenance in overweight and moderately obese individuals. Some researchers speculate that substances in green tea known as polyphenols, specifically the catechins, are responsible for the herb’s fat-burning effect… [full article]

When I hear phrases like “fat burning effect” I tend to get skeptical, but green tea is a natural substance we’re talking about here. Green tea is food for our bodies. And the right food at that! Foods such as this truly have the power to heal, restore and make whole. This is a plus for me since love green tea so much, but which brands I am drinking? There are two green teas I prefer and recommend.

The 1st tea I recommend is Twinings of London Mint Green Tea.

Many green teas can very bold and bitter, but Twinings’ is my everyday tea because it doesn’t have those traits. The mint blend makes this tea experience much flavorful and easy for your taste buds to enjoy. You should easily be able to find Twinings on any grocery store shelf, but if not, you can get it online right here. Just watch the labeling because Twinings also has a regular green tea, so snag the right package. Make sure it says “mint green tea”.

The 2nd tea I recommend is Sencha Organic Green Tea.

Sencha was difficult to find at a regular store. I didn’t find it there at all, actually. I had to drive a few towns over to one of those hippie organic stores to pick up my Sencha. I read good stuff about it online, so I just had to taste it for myself. Although it’s organic, its surprisingly cheap to buy. Sencha is a full flavor green tea (no mint mix), but it somehow accomplishes a smooth, light flavor with no strong bitterness. It’s perfect!

I’m obviously going continue with my green tea drinking for warmth and leisurely enjoyment, but now I’ll also be paying close attention to how green tea possibly ushers me into my fitness goals faster.

I sweeten my tea with Stevia in the Raw, which you can definitely get at the grocery store. It’s a natural, zero calorie sweetener (not a chemical) derived from the Stevia Rebaudiana plant. But please, don’t buy the Truvia brand of Stevia – it’s got extra stuff added into it.

One word of caution: Drinking green tea on an empty stomach makes my tummy hurt. This may not happen to you, but if it does, just know that you have to eat something first (problem solved). There’s a ton of health benefits to green tea, including cardiovascular health and cancer prevention. Green tea is even linked to flu prevention, so drink up!

Happy tea sloshing, baby.

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