OMG! As a mom, in my opinion, this woman is very irresponsible living an unhealthy life. I don’t understand that Donna Simpson from New Jersey who is already over 600 pounds wants to be 1000 so she can be in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Isn’t there another goal she can accomplish that won’t put her life in danger? She spends almost $800 a week on food for herself and makes some money on the internet where men can pay to watch her eat. Okay, I am just not going to say anymore because this is a road I just don’t want to go down even if I am just saying my opinion. Just take a look and see for yourself.
Well, there has been enough interest in my 60 day fitness challenge idea that I decided to go ahead with it. Here’s the rules and guidelines. The challenge will start April 1, 2010. That gives everyone about 10 days to get ready and sign up.
1. No fad diets. I want real results that will stay with you after the challenge. Fad diets only lead to temporary results and are unhealthy.
2. Post your starting weight and body measurements that you will be tracking (waist, chest, arms, legs, and hips are what I track) here on or before April 1.
3. You must exercise at least 3 times a week for a minimum of half an hour. I don’t really care what you do, an exercise video, go for a walk or jog, ride your bike are all fine. Just move for at least half an hour 3 times a week.
4. Post your completed weekly exercises on my challenge update posts for the week.
5. Weigh yourself once a week. Post your weight along with your completed exercises.
6. After the final week of the challenge, total the body change for each area tracked and weight lost so I can determine the winner for each area (best arms, legs, waist, etc) as well as an overall winner. I’ll write more about this toward the end of the challenge.
7. Drink plenty of water. I’m not going to require a certain amount, but drinking water helps flush toxins and fat out of your body. A good rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in ounces each day. For example if you weigh 160, then you should drink 80 ounces (10 cups). Don’t up your water intake all at once though because you’ll get sick.
That’s it! Simple isn’t it? If you have any reasonable suggestions for additional guidelines, please let me know. In the meantime, get ready. I like the BeachBody motto: Decide, Commit, Succeed. It’s time to decide and post your commitment. Hopefully you’ll see success at the end of May!
This is something that a lot of people don’t know because too many people tell them to stop eating fat if they want to lose weight. The biggest reason people don’t get results is misinformation. Too much of it. Your body is in survival mode from the time you take your first breath. A lot about getting in shape has to do with understanding what this means and how it affects you. We will explain that in another post. For now, les talk about fat. Fat is your bodies main source of energy. Your body stores fat because it is in SURVIVAL mode. If you don’t give your body fat it won’t burn fat but store it instead. If you eat a HEALTHY source of fat, your body will immediately start burning fat. Your body notices that you are going to supply it with what it needs so it can get rid of what it has and use your new source for energy. This is Part 1 of this series. Look or part 2 soon.
28. Stick to my Weight Watchers diet and lose at least 10 pounds.
36. Work up to running 5k (just not in a race).
Although I’ve been unhappy with my weight and lack of fitness for a few years now, I hadn’t done anything about it. Buying my house and starting grad school in 2004 took up all of my free time and my gym days quickly came to an end. Then, I met Alex in 2005, fell madly in love and got very comfortable with my growing weight and eating. For the past few years, my doctor has (rudely) commented on my weight gain, but that only made me want to find a new doctor. (If you love your internist or GP, please give me his/her name and number. I’m leaving my current internist due to these insensitive comments.) That all ended this past Christmas. Alex and I made a pact to begin eating healthier (Weight Watchers) and begin exercising again.
Now it’s official; I have lost 10 pounds since beginning Weight Watchers. Although I had been heavier before my official start, I wanted to wait until I hit an official 10 pounds loss. A few of my NSVs (non-scale victories):
My wedding rings are a bit loose; when I shake my left hand, they move.
My wristwatch is more like a bangle bracelet than wristwatch.
All of my work pants are too big to even cinch up with a belt. I’m in the process of taking them to the tailor to have them taken in.
I’ve gone down in my jeans and pants size. Even new tops I’ve tried on, I need to go down a size.
I can tuck in shirts again because my waist isn’t bulging anymore. This has allowed me to begin wearing my suits again, opening up my wardrobe choices.
My students and other teachers have been complimenting me more often on my outfits, my hair, my make-up. Funny thing: I haven’t changed any of that. People aren’t saying, “Oh, you look great – you’ve lost weight!” They may not notice the weight loss, but people are realizing that I look better. Thanks! This adds fuel to my fire.
I really credit Weight Watchers for creating a plan that is easy to follow. Never do I feel like I can’t eat something; it’s all about portion control. Like over Christmas break, I had FOUR BOXES of chocolates from students. I was still able to eat them, just in smaller portions. It made me savor each chocolate that much more.
While I’m giving out credit, I have to thank my wonderful husband, Alex. For those of you who don’t know me, I despise food shopping, food preparation, and cooking. Eating, I love. If it weren’t for Alex searching for low-point recipes and getting creative with our food, I would never have been able to maintain this diet. Between his food preparation/planning and constant moral support, he has been a huge factor in my weight loss success.
In addition to controlling my eating, hitting the gym has been so important. Back when I was 25 (OMG – that was so many years ago), I began working out with a trainer and hit the gym 3-4 times a week for two years. I was in FANTASTIC shape. But that went down the toilet, as I previously explained. I know I can get it back; not quite at my 25-year-old shape, because that is unrealistic. I’m about to turn 33; my body has changed and will continue to change. But it can be better.
Again, Alex has been a huge inspiration when it comes to working out. He is extremely disciplined and his body (like most men’s) bounced back immediately. For this, I hate him a little bit. To begin, I hit the treadmill with my tried-and-true walking regimen. Well, tried-and-true from when I was 25 wasn’t cutting it. But due to my triple ankle injuries (see Goal #33 – Do not re-injure either of my ankles), I am very timid about impact cardio.
Enter the elliptical. OMG. Love. I can finally run, but my ankles are much more protected from pronating (rolling outward). Not only am I running – and YES, I have hit the 5k mark – but I am getting up at 4:30am to get to the gym by 5am. It has given me so more energy. Again, have to give a shout out to the incomparable Miss Meghann Williams for inspiring me with her Fierce Lady music to get me going.
Don’t get me wrong – it ain’t easy. There are a lot of things I miss and that are hard:
Grazing. Where I hang out in my limited free time at school always has cookies, cupcakes, cakes, and sweets galore. This is where so much of my weight gain came from. I’ve been very disciplined, but the temptation is very strong and yes, I have given in a few times (but in smaller portions!).
Chocolate. My mother ensured my chocolate addiction in utero. I have had to significantly scale back my chocolate consumption, but I have found creative ways to keep it in my diet: fat free pudding, chocolate meringues, 1 point-hot chocolate, and Weight Watchers 2 point-chocolate cakes.
The gym. I know I just raved about it, but it was very challenging getting back into it. By the time the school day is over, I’m exhausted and don’t want to work out. The 4:30am switch makes sense since I’m a morning person, but it took a bit of planning. I haven’t begun weight training again; I have to figure out how to work that in.
Eating out. As chronicled in Alex’s blog, I Cook, She Eats, we love to eat out at fine restaurants. Losing weight means we’ve had to cut back, but we refuse to cut it out. Since beginning our diet, we’ve managed to eat at Nicholas, Tinto, survive an eating extravaganza during our cousin’s bar mitzvah, and participate in Iron Chef Philly.
Hunger. I’m not going to lie: there are some days that I am still so hungry, I just want to eat whatever I want. It isn’t every day, or even most days, but it’s there. Part of my stomach remembers the days when I would eat raw cookie dough right from the package (my sometimes nightly private celebration for owning my own home) and it wants them back. But then I think of all my new “skinny” clothes and resist the temptation.
Recently, I was talking to my mom, and she asked if I was still on my diet. Funny thing is, I really don’t think of this as a diet anymore. It’s a life style change to eat healthier, eat less, eat smarter, and stay active. And know what? I think I can stick with it. :)
The week before last I weighed in with a +.2 pounds! I wasn’t discouraged…I decided to make this an opportunity to motivate me to get back on track and not even consider the things that I had encountered that had hindered my lack of weight loss. I take full responsibility for not standing up for myself and just saying “no thank you!”
This last week I went on vacation in Austin and my cousin and I ventured out and tried several new restaurants. I had a wonderful time and enjoyed trying new and delicious foods. I did not binge and I did not track either. My weight loss or lack there of is not going to run my life.
I probably sound like I am contradicting myself but what I am really doing is putting things into perspective. I am going to live my life to the fullest! I am committed to losing weight without losing myself in the process )
Today has been an awesome day…I woke up feeling good and mentally prepared to be on track in all areas of my life.
This morning I had my version of a Mocha Frap: 8 oz. Almond Breeze, 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder, 2 tbsp of light chocolate syrup, a mug of Hazelnut coffee, and a cup of ice. Blend well and enjoy! Yummy!!
For lunch I had a fruit protein shake: 8 oz. light CranRasberry juice, 2 tbsp of protein powder, 1 banana, 1 cup of frozen blueberries, a cup of ice. Blend well….delicious!! ;^)
Dinner I am planning baked chicken breast and steamed veggies.
I have to work on my water intake…besides the shakes I haven’t drank anything…I better get to guzzling that H2O!!
Stay tuned for more consistent blogs and check me out @ youtube.com/lizzieloutx and youtube.com/thedailydiet
This is it folks…sit back…stand aside…take part…or watch from afar ~ I am planning on soaring through my journey!
Duplicate these easy tips and tricks to avoid overeating, and discover which foods make you feel full longer without extra calories, this way avoiding unwanted stomach fat.
1. Eat fiber in abundance:- One way to do this is by eating foods that contain fiber, such as most fruit, veggies, beans, and whole grains.
2. Have a soup with your meal:- Ever noticed how filling a warm bowl of soup can be? When you eat water-rich foods (such as soup), you’ll feel fuller without consuming extra calories. But be careful—some soups and chilis can load on the cream and sodium before you realize it.
3. Avoid seconds:- Instead of placing extra food on the table, leave those mashed potatoes on the stovetop. This way, you’ll become more conscious of the fact that you’re getting up from the table to get a second helping of food. That simple awareness might help you refrain.
4. Stick to planned serving seizes:- When you know what one serving looks like, it makes it easier to control your portions. For example, 3 ounces of meat, fish, or poultry is about the size of a deck of cards, and one serving of potatoes, rice, or pasta is about the size of a tennis ball.
5. Spice your diet with lean protein:- Lean protein, such as fish, skinless white-meat poultry, fat-free dairy products, and egg whites, are great examples of food that may help you feel fuller with fewer calories.
6. Trick your eyes to trick your stomach:- Use smaller plates and utensils. When the food fills the entire plate or bowl, it seems like you’re eating more. And using a smaller fork or spoon means you’ll have to take more bites.
7. Never eat straight from the package:- When snacking, put the amount of food you plan to eat in a bowl or container instead of eating straight from the package. When you portion out your food ahead of time, you’re less likely to overdo it.
JAKARTA — Indonesian David Gurnani, 25, who last week took home US$100,000 and a car after shedding more than half his bodyweight, from 157kg to merely 74kg, in the first Asian version of popular weight-loss reality show Biggest Loser, has completely disappeared from the face of the planet after continuing with his diet and workout routine, finally losing the other half.
ULTIMATE LOSER ASIA: David Gurnani before the show, at the finale and now
Speaking from his family home, Gurnani’s weightless spirit said that winning the show inspired him to continue his maniacal quest to lose weight, which he started at the beginning on the show late last year.
“Winning the show was initially my goal,” said Gurnani, warmly referred to as ‘King David’ on the show, as his invisible aura floated above the sofa in the living room. “But after losing so much of my body weight and fat right before the finale, I discovered a new, more confident me. The 100 grand wasn’t the point anymore, nor was the car. The point was the weight loss. I realised I could shed as much weight as I wanted, and it was then that I wanted to go all the way.
Reducing his already spartan daily intake of water, air and one raisin, Gurnani decided to cut the water and raisin, after learning each raisin had 2 calories and water retention could impair his weight loss plans.
“In the beginning, it was hard,” Gurnani admitted. “After my weight dropped to 5kg, I could not even lift what was left of my finger. I could feel the weight of my bones and skin holding me down.
“But after thinking about my ultimate goal, which is to be weight-free, I somehow garnered this amazing strength to move about and continue with my routine,” he said, adding that the largest organ on a human body was the skin, and for him, most problematic to shed.
“Having achieved zero-fat and zero-muscle mass content, I was left with my skin, whose weight I thought would be impossible to lose,” said the now ethereal being softly, as he struggled to keep steady what with the ceiling fan being on at half speed. “However, I discovered an ingenius way to shed it — by baking myself in the hot sun. After a full day, my skin became so flaky and dusty, it literally broke apart and fell off!” said Gurnani gleefully, his laughter freakishly echoing around the room.
“And then there was my skeleton,” he continued, voice cracking. “I thought, now, if I were to wait until my skeleton vanishes, it would take forever. I couldn’t wait that long — I mean, look at the ice man remains and the Egyptian mummies!
“So I was left with two choices: either I self destruct by cremating whatever’s left of my body, or I eat myself into oblivion. Seeing that cremating still leaves ashes behind, which still weighs a few grammes, I decided on the latter.
“After consuming my own bones from my toes to the very tip of my skull, I finally became absolutely nothing. I am now zero weight.”
Asked how life has changed after achieving his ultimate goal, Gurnani said that he has now transcended into a whole new level of being.
“I have no physical limits, really. Having removed physicality from the equation, I am pure energy. A zero-fat, zero-weight energy. If light had weight, I wouldn’t have a problem either, as I am now also completely invisible,” he explained, soaring across the room freely.
“Having realised my ultimate dream, I feel no more pressure. I have absolutely nothing more to lose. I feel as if this burden has been lifted off my shoulders.
“That is, if I had shoulders,” he ended the interview, laughing happily.
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