Thursday January 15, 2009
Belly fat is the bane of my weight-loss efforts. It's so easy to get yet so tough to get rid of. Ask anyone -- who wouldn't love to see some of their spare tire deflate?!
Of course... Wanting to banish that belly isn't just about gearing up for swimsuit season or fitting in to must-have jeans. Belly fat is actually the most dangerous type of fat to have. Abdominal fat can increase your chances of developing some really serious health problems, including heart disease.
That's why exercise Guide Paige's tips on 8 Ways to Reduce Belly Fat are so important. I am going to try to tackle a different "way" each week in the coming two months.
What do you think is the best way to reduce belly fat? Post your comments!
Image: NIH.gov
"Have Your Say!": What's Making 2009 Weight Loss Tough?
Monday January 12, 2009
Can you believe it? We're almost halfway into January. How are your 2009 dieting and exercise resolutions going? Are you experiencing any setbacks?
Don't feel bad. It's tough to go from the holiday season "free for all" to single-minded dieting determination!
Personally, my two biggest problems right now are resisting all the leftover holiday goodies from my family (like cookies and candy), and the fact that I haven't been sleeping well.
It's tough to get up the energy to walk my usual hour and fifteen minutes when I've only gotten four hours of sleep (at most!). Then again, I'm sure the candy-sprinkled, red-iced, frisbee-sized sugar cookie I ate about an hour ago didn't help either. (Sugar crash, anyone?)
So what's been your biggest post-holiday dieting downfall?
Image: © [2009] www.clipart.com
Get Your Grains!
Saturday January 10, 2009
Whole grains may help you lose weight -- those who eat one serving each day weigh about seven pounds less, according to Dutch researchers. Getting more whole grains and fiber also help in: regulating blood sugar, lowering cholesterol and improving heart health.
It's easier at home to switch to whole grains than when eating out, right? Think again! Now some fast food and casual dining eateries are offering whole grain choices.
Check out these healthier picks:
- Papa John's - offers whole grain pizza crust
- Chik-fil-a - offers whole wheat buns
- Olive Garden - offers whole grain linguine
- Panera Bread - offers multiple whole grain breads
- P.F. Chang's - offers brown rice
- Ruby Tuesday - offers brown rice and whole wheat tortillas and wraps
To find more ways to work in whole grains on the go, check out the Whole Grain Council's Chain Restaurants list of restaurants and the whole grains offered at each.
Photo: © [2008] www.clipart.com
Ah, My Beloved Lo Mein...
Friday January 9, 2009
When I first started trying to lose weight, I swore off all takeout, even my favorite, Chinese. Big mistake. I hit the all-you-can eat Chinese buffet a couple miles from my house twice in as many days and gained three pounds!
You don't even want to know what happened when this country girl moved to a "big city" with Chinese food delivery. And I probably shouldn't mention that I've been tempted to move back there for that attribute alone.
Anyway, instead of making those overindulging-after-deprivation type mistakes ever again, I decided to begin studying menu options at my favorite ethnic eateries to identify dishes that are healthier than my old favorites.
I even talked to the staff at a few places to find out how certain dishes were prepared. I created handy little lists of what I should order so I could enjoy my favorite "craved cuisines" without paying for it in pounds.
That's how my Ethnic Dining "Quick Guides" came about... they will help you -- and me! -- make smart choices (and avoid those not-so-smart choices!) at several common types of ethnic restaurants:
Image: © [2009] www.clipart.com
