24 August 2013

30 Days 30 Letters: An Open Letter To My Diet Buddy #19 - Wise Weekend Word to Motivate You

9 Lovely Thoughts

This is letter #19 in Her Weight loss Diary's new series - 30 Days Letters to My Diet Buddy project. The road to weight loss can be tough. If you want to feel like you aren't alone in your diet endeavors, buddying up can hold you accountable for every bite you take. Subscribe here, because you don't want to miss any letter.

P.s. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts, the best thoughtful comments will be featured every Friday.

Email:

Dear Diet Buddy,

If you need just one word to inspire your weekend, I'd say: COURAGE.


Words have the ability to inspire, motivate, and persuade; or discourage, dismiss, and dissuade.

Tell me one word you use to describe what motivates you in life?  

Yours truly,




This inspiring picture quotes is contribute by Tamara. She is a professional photographer, a mama of two, a writer/blogger at Tamara Camera Blog and a nearly professional cookie taster. She's been known to be all four of those things at all hours of the day and night. After two cross country moves, due to intense Bi-Coastal Disorder, she lives with her husband, daughter and son in glorious western Massachusetts. Pets are soon to follow. She dreams about northern lights, moose and whales always. You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and Bloglovin.

23 August 2013

30 Days 30 Letters: An Open Letter To My Diet Buddy #18 - Weight Loss Freedom

5 Lovely Thoughts

This is letter #18 in Her Weight loss Diary's new series - 30 Days Letters to My Diet Buddy project. The road to weight loss can be tough. If you want to feel like you aren't alone in your diet endeavors, buddying up can hold you accountable for every bite you take. Subscribe here, because you don't want to miss any letter.

P.s. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts, the best thoughtful comments will be featured every Friday.

Email:

Dear Diet Buddy,

What does weight loss freedom means to you? For me, weight loss freedom is not wearing husband's t-shirt anymore. Weight loss freedom means not hiding my body under a baggy t-shirt anymore. Weight loss freedom means I can order clothes online without worrying if they're fit or not.

You'll see my picture how I hide behind my children to try and cover my fat. Weight loss freedom means I will no longer hide behind others on purpose when taking pictures! I want to lose weight so I can increase my self-confidence, be happy and have pictures with my kids. I refuse to have my picture taken all because of that.  




Gwen of Sky and Surf share the glorious wonder of freedom on her blog. So beautiful, I thought I'd share:

You want to know what I suddenly realized Sunday? I AM FREE. I now have:

FREEDOM from the addiction to starches and sugar.

FREEDOM to enjoy a day, or an outing, or a special occasion....and not fret over what I can eat, or 'not eat.'

FREEDOM from the guilt of overeating. Because I never overeat any more.

FREEDOM from the sense of dietary deprivation. I don't need 'cheat' days or meals...because I don't want crap food much anymore. Even a tiny teaspoon of it, when I consume it at all, is more than enough. But 95% of the time I have no interest in it. At all.

FREEDOM from embarrassment over what size clothes I wear. That's because I'm between a size medium and a size small...and now am a true size 8 petite. YAY! (yep. it's true. tried those jeans on and they fit.) (woot woot!!)

FREEDOM from fretting over what I should eat, or can eat, at any restaurant. I can go to any restaurant, and not only tailor my meal to my food ideals, but enjoy exactly what I eat. I don't rue what anyone else is eating. I am excited by what I'm eating!

FREEDOM from a fear of 'maintenance.' Because there is no maintenance. This is a life style change. Nothing will be any different in 2 years from now than it is right now. And I find that not a challenge, but very soothing. I got this. I not only 'got this', but 'I got this' is now EASY.

FREEDOM from restrictions. I don't feel restricted by my food choices. Each choice is based on choosing health and life over disease and premature death. When you feel that way, there is only one choice.

I have every one of those freedoms now.



Freedom is a life without boundaries, you can do whatever you want, whenever you want, wherever your want, with whoever you want. Now, I want to hear from you:

What does freedom means to you?

Yours truly,




20 August 2013

30 Days 30 Letters: An Open Letter To My Diet Buddy #17 - Grieving: How to Deal With Sadness Without Sabotaging Your Weight Loss Plan

10 Lovely Thoughts

This is letter #17 in Her Weight loss Diary's new series - 30 Days Letters to My Diet Buddy project. The road to weight loss can be tough. If you want to feel like you aren't alone in your diet endeavors, buddying up can hold you accountable for every bite you take. Subscribe here, because you don't want to miss any letter.

P.s. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts, the best thoughtful comments will be featured every Friday.

Email:

Dear Diet Buddy,

Ball workout? Eating clean plan? My diet and exercise plan while on vacation is not working. I'm not eating well and I didn't workout. 


Unexpected thing happened during our holiday. Our beloved grandfather - my mom's father - has been called to eternity. He was 81. I'm not so sure what cause his death, but he had been suffering from Alzheimer for a while. Basically, Alzheimer's does not kill a person directly. But factor that work against those with Alzheimer's like the inability to take care of himself leads to other complications, infections and diseases that lead to death. Death is a natural part of life. We know that every human being will die someday. But losing someone you loved is still hurt and make you feel sad. 

Grieving and Weight Gain
Grief affects different people in different ways. The symptoms of grieving can feel similar to depression. Grieving people just want to hole up in bed and do nothing. Food is all the comfort you can find. After losing someone close to you, you may not even care if you get fat. Emotional eaters may find that grief is the road to obesity.

Weight-Loss Grief
Not everyone gain weight, of course. Loss of appetite is also an option. Some people stop eating when they are grieving. They may even experience fatigue and sleep disturbance. On the Dr. Oz show, Eva Longoria revealed how her traumatic divorce results in weight loss.

Eva Longoria recalled how her divorce affecting her health: "I was not eating. I was depressed. I was sad. My diet was coffee."
People grieve for many reasons -- when you lose someone dear to you, the loss of a job, break up, the loss of a pet, divorce, etc.
How to Handle Sadness Without Sabotaging Your Weight Loss Plan 

There's no quick fix but there are practical things you can do to deal with the loss of a loved one:
  • Express yourself - Talking is often a good way to soothe painful emotions.
  • Allow yourself to feel sad - Crying is a healthy part of the process and enables your body to release tension.
  • Maintain a schedule - It reduces the panicky feelings. I
  • Sleep - If you’re having trouble sleeping, see your GP. 
  • Eat healthily - A healthy, well-balanced diet will help you to cope with your emotions. 
  • Avoid things that ‘numb’ the pain, such as alcohol
  • Go to counselling if it feels right for you.

Source: NHS Choices

I want to hear from your personal experience, how do you manage sadness and stick to your weight loss plan while grieving?


Yours truly,





Google+ Profile on Your Blog: How to Change Your NO-REPLY BLOGGER Status

7 Lovely Thoughts
Google+: How to Fix a No-Reply Blogger

I switched to Google+ and had no idea I was a no reply blogger! Thanks to Veronica from V Watts' Thoughts for the quick heads-up. I'm sorry, all this while I was a no-reply blogger. How rude of me! That was not by choice but it's all fixed now. So, if you have switched to Google+ and are experiencing this no-reply blogger, here's the remedy.

First off, why fixing the "No-Reply Blogger" thing is such a big deal?

1. Follow up comments made easy
If you leave a comment on a blog post that you like, you will get a notification via email when the blogger reply. If your profile status is a "no-reply blogger" then you will not see the reply unless you go back to blogs you comment and look for it.

2. To make better connection between reader and blogger (admin)
Once the blogger receive a comment, they can reply straight from their comment notification and then hit "Send" from their email to carry on a conversation. The reply will not be added as a comment on your blog. Personally, I reply comments on my blog because I like to put myself on a reader perspective. If I were new to a blog and browsing but never see the admin respond to comments, then I'll be less likely to leave my own comment. Some people email directly, but new reader has no knowledge of that.


But on the other hand I also find a "thank you" email is a little more personal, and this often leads into a conversation and perhaps a relationship. By changing your setting, people can find how to contact you easier. After all, blogging is about building a real connection.

For Google+ User: How to Change Your "No-Reply Blogger" Status

Step 1: Go to Blogger Dashboard
Click on the gear in the upper right hand corner and choose "Revert to Blogger Profile" (Don't worry, this is only temporary)
Google+: How to Fix a No-Reply Blogger


Step 2: Change Your Google+ Profile to Blogger Profile
Choose "Switch to a limited Blogger profile" button.
Google+: How to Fix a No-Reply Blogger


Step 3: Confirm your profile
Fill in the "Display Name" box with your desired alias and after that click the "Continue to Blogger" button.
Google+: How to Fix a No-Reply Blogger


Step 4: Edit your profile
Go back to the Blogger Dashboard. Choose "Connect to Google+" on the gear in the upper right hand corner.
Google+: How to Fix a No-Reply Blogger


Step 5: View your complete profile
You will be directed to "Connect to Google+" page, prompting you to switch from Blogger profile to Google+ profile. Click the "View my complete profile" link on your Blogger profile side. (left)

Google+: How to Fix a No-Reply Blogger


Step 6: Edit your Blogger profile
You will be directed to a new window. Don't close the "Connect to Google+" window yet. Click the "Edit Profile" button in the upper right hand corner.
Google+: How to Fix a No-Reply Blogger


Step 7: Changing Email Settings
Tick the "show my email address" box on Privacy section.

Step 8: Key in your email address
Fill in your "Email Address" on the Identity section.  Please take note, this is the email address that the comment notifications are sent to.

Step 9: Save your changes
Click on "Save Profile" at the bottom of the page.
Google+: How to Fix a No-Reply Blogger


Step 10: Switching back to Google+ profile
I know some people quit blogger platform because they get too frustrated that their GooglePlus account keep their email address private. But now you know how to fix this. If you prefer to use Google+ profile, go back to "Connect to Google+" page. (see step 5). Tick the box at the bottom to accept the T&C and proceed to click the "Switch Now" button to complete profile switch.
Google+: How to Fix a No-Reply Blogger


How to check if you are a no-reply blogger:
Leave comment on your own blog. Check your email to see if your received the comment. If you are a no-reply blogger, your email address will appear as "noreply-comment@blogger.com."

Google+: How to Fix a No-Reply Blogger
"No-reply blogger" setting

Google+: How to Fix a No-Reply Blogger
After remove the "No-reply blogger" 
To end this post, I'd like to hear from you:

  • Which do you prefer, Blogger profile or Google+ profile? And why? 
  • Google+  vs Facebook, which one is the best?

Leave your opinion in the comments, I am all excited to hear about it.

  

19 August 2013

30 Days 30 Letters: An Open Letter To My Diet Buddy #16 - 10 Inspiring Thoughts to Kickstart Your Week

8 Lovely Thoughts

This is letter #16 in Her Weight loss Diary's new series - 30 Days Letters to My Diet Buddy project. The road to weight loss can be tough. If you want to feel like you aren't alone in your diet endeavors, buddying up can hold you accountable for every bite you take. Subscribe here, because you don't want to miss any letter.

P.s. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts, the best thoughtful comments will be featured every Friday.

Email:

Dear Diet Buddy,

I'm back! You might not have noticed the long gap between post, but in case you did—my apologies for the long wait. It was school holiday last two weeks so I took a blogging break to spend the holidays with my darlings.
 Motivational Quotes, Inspiring Thought to Kickstart Your Week

Many people dread Monday especially after having a great weekend. Some people think that Monday is the worst day of the week. Oh, yes I can read it from your Monday's status on Facebook. No matter how much you hate Mondays, it will come and you can do nothing about it. But, I know that there are some positive people that actually like Monday. Some of them are seeing glass as half full, saying that Monday is the best day in week. For these optimist, Mondays mean a new start - a fresh slate - a chance to make things happen. 

To provide you some Monday's motivation, I thought I'd share some of my favorite quote to kickstart your week.
 Motivational Quotes, Inspiring Thought to Kickstart Your Week
Motivational Quote #1 - Start your day by saying life is good. Positive attitude is a great stress buster.

 Motivational Quotes, Inspiring Thought to Kickstart Your Week
Motivational Quote#2 - Every day is a new opportunity

 Motivational Quotes, Inspiring Thought to Kickstart Your Week
Motivational Quote #3 - The best way to deal with hard situations? Smile!

 Motivational Quotes, Inspiring Thought to Kickstart Your Week
Motivational Quote #4 - Unconditional love is truly amazing. How do you define love?

 Motivational Quotes, Inspiring Thought to Kickstart Your Week
Motivational Quote #5

 Motivational Quotes, Inspiring Thought to Kickstart Your Week
Motivational Quote #6

 Motivational Quotes, Inspiring Thought to Kickstart Your Week
Motivational Quote #7

 Motivational Quotes, Inspiring Thought to Kickstart Your Week
Motivational Quote #8 - Ain't no mountain high enough

 Motivational Quotes, Inspiring Thought to Kickstart Your Week
Motivational Quote #9 - Get up!

 Motivational Quotes, Inspiring Thought to Kickstart Your Week
Motivational Quote #10

Do you hate Mondays? If you do why do you hate Mondays? Please feel free to share in the comments. If you like this Inspirational Picture Quote, don't forget to pin this on Pinterest, share on Facebook or Tweet this!


Yours truly,





09 August 2013

Excess skin and Weight Loss: Is Weight Loss Surgery for You?

15 Lovely Thoughts
This is a guest contribution from Paula, a writer for a medical reconstructive and cosmetic surgery center in Atlanta.


Dr. Patricia, 
I have recently begun planning a healthier lifestyle and am aiming to lose a rather large amount of weight to do so. My question is what will happen to my skin? Will it shrink along with my body mass? I have heard some say that skin will not shrink down when you lose weight, and you have to have plastic surgery to remove the excess skin. Is this true? I have done an extensive amount of research on the subject, and I have found almost nothing. I am not concerned with a bit of saggy skin, but when I do reach my weight goal, I don't want to look like an old, lumpy sack of potatoes. Please help! 

Does this sound familiar?

This is an actual question emailed to us from a customer that comes in for regular skin spa treatments. I get many emails from patients curious about what happens to their skin during weight loss and it seems like skin is the one organ in our body that people know the least about. Sure we know if we scrape it, it bleeds, if its dry, we moisturize, but there is so much more into knowing how your skin works to realize the affects our daily lives have on it. So the quick answer to the question is not really quick at all, it is a Yes and No.

Yes, your skin will shrink down to an extent.

No, it will not tighten completely.

Yes, if the amount of excess skin is disruptive, you will want (not need) to have it removed. If excess skin is causing health issues then it must be removed. Excess skin can be a serious medical problem but so is obesity, although excess skin is troublesome, your health should be the first and foremost concern. 

Skin 101 

Skin is our largest organ in our body and it is our first line of defense against the environment. This makes it very important for us as humans to take care of our skin through sun protection and nutrition. Your skin is made of a protein called collagen; collagen allows for elasticity but it also has its limits. When you pinch your skin you know it is not solid, we've all seen those crazy creepy YouTube videos of people stretching their eyelids and ear lobes or whatnot. In order to understand what happens to our skin during weight gain or weight loss, we should first understand what happens to our fat when we lose weight.

What happens to our fat when we lose weight?
When we lose mass by burning fat, the fat doesn't just disappear as we would like it to, instead our fat changes form. When we eat, glucose and sugar are harnessed from the carbohydrates we consume, which are our bodies’ first fuel source. The liver then stores the glucose in the form of glycogen and released into the bloodstream as necessary. Once our bodies run out of glucose for energy then fat takes over in what is called ketosis. During ketosis, our hormones activate an enzyme in fat tissue called lipase. The lipase ignites fat cells to release macromolecules called triglycerides. Once they are released they are signaled to break into three components of glycerol and three fatty acid chains in a process called lipolysis. They liver then absorbs the glycerol for energy and the fatty acids move to the muscles for energy. Because the fat tissue is removed of some of its components, it shrinks and so does the skin but as stated before only to an extent.

Skin stretches because rapid weight gain or growth (ex. pregnancy) outpaces collagen production in your skin which causes areas to overstretch. Just as plastic will tear when stretched too far, so will skin in terms of stretch marks. In cases of massive weight loss, where individuals lose 80 lbs. and over, folds of extra skin remains because the skin had become so outstretched that it hangs from the thinner body like a rubber band that has lost its elasticity.

In cases of moderate weight loss, skin can certainly shrink back to fit the body’s new size because of its elasticity. However, collagen fibers weaken with age and a few other factors thus resulting in wrinkles. The factors that determine your skins elasticity is dependent upon the individual and include whether the individual smokes, their race, sun damage, genetics, and even how often their weight has fluctuated greatly. 

Excess Skin Problems 
Having excess lose skin is detrimental for those who have gone through a massive weight loss or weight loss surgery. Instead of the fit and slim gorgeous body they were hoping for after putting so much work into weight loss, they have a thinner yet disfigured body image because of the excess skin. Many who go through weight loss surgery either do not realize that the surgeon does not remove the excess skin after the surgery or was not told resulting in a poor body image because of the remaining skin.

Excess skin can even cause the body distressing problems that many individuals wouldn't know about until they have the loose skin. Folds of skin from a massive weight loss can result in psychological and physical problems. A 2013 study published in the North American Journal of Medical Sciences observed 64 patients following a massive weight loss. The patients were then polled on their “Quality of Life” post weight loss and had these results:
  • Dermatitis and itching in 28%, 
  • Difficulty finding clothes that fit properly 26%, 
  • Difficulty performing physical activity 34% (N Am J Med Sci. 2013 April; 5(4): 301–305). 
They were also polled on their satisfaction with their appearance in which most rated their satisfaction in terms of specific body parts as “dissatisfied” to “very dissatisfied”. The physical problems that result from lose skin transcends into mental and emotional problems with patients as their expectations with their bodies are unsatisfactory without proper preparation beforehand.

Another common medical concern that results from having excess loose apron-like skin is intertrigo—a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection that occurs often due to the difficulty in keeping these folds of excess skin clean and dry. The skin can also cause back pains and ulcerations.

Treatment Options 

As mentioned before, a protein in the skin called elastin allows the skin to shrink back to a regular size. However, when going through weight loss, losing 20-30 pounds is very different from losing 80 lbs. or more. In cases of moderate weight loss, there are ways to reduce the amount of resulting excess skin through exercise, muscle-building, eating properly, staying hydrated and by losing the weight slowly.

Exercise that includes increasing muscle tone can tighten connective tissue and help stretch the skin as it essentially acts as a filler to your skin instead of fat tissue. By consuming the proper amount of food and water every day will ensure that your skin absorbs the necessary nutrients. Water is a crucial component of maintaining skin elasticity and you should be taking in at least 2 liters each day. The two ingredients that keep skin plump and elastic are elastin and collagen, the protein to help form these is found in cottage cheese, legumes, tofu, milk, beans, seeds, nuts, and fish.

In more severe cases of massive weight loss and bariatric surgery patients, other methods must be applied to eliminate the health risk with excess skin. If you've had a 9-month pregnancy, your skin can shrink back to pre-baby. However, if you've carried 50-100 extra pounds on your body for an extended period of time you will most likely need to resort to plastic surgery to tighten the loose skin and resolve the resulting health issues. There are treatment options for excessive lose skin through a body lift or post-bariatric surgery for those who have gone through bariatric or weight loss surgery.

Post-bariatric surgery and body lifts involve many body areas as patients have loose skin not only on their abdomen but also through the face, neck, thighs, buttocks, arms and breast. Surgery will leave small and large noticeable scars though most patients find these acceptable and enjoy more self-confidence when wearing a bathing suit. Depending on the patient, procedures can be chosen selectively focusing on the most problematic areas. For example, a patient who has lost a moderate amount of weight but has a mild amount of loose skin can have just a tummy tuck to remove remaining fat and skin in the abdomen area. Men who have gone through a massive weight loss sometimes result in sagging or large breasts. Here liposuction alone may be satisfactory, however, this is not typical and breast augmentation or reduction may be necessary.

Each individual is different which is why it is crucial to first speak or have a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. Your surgeon will be able to identify if you are a good candidate for post-bariatric surgery and will guide you through different procedures that will ultimately give you the satisfactory body you would like to achieve. According to the same study as mentioned above, participants who had gone through post-bariatric surgery following the initial poll had improved “Quality of Life” results. 65% of patients reported an Improved Body Image, 64% reported Improved Self-confidence, 53% reported Better Fitting Clothes, 45% reported Improved Mobility, and 40% reported Improved Balance of Life.

Everyone can agree that losing weight is hard, excess skin just makes it harder even though you are healthier. It takes perseverance and a community of friends for anyone to succeed through it and once you do, the results are so worth it for you and your family.

The Bottom Line? 

Being healthy has far greater importance than excess skin. Although, having excess skin can lead to some serious issues there are non-surgical ways of preventing infections such as keeping your excess skin dry.

For those who are able and want to remove the excess skin, it is important to remember that these procedures should only be considered after ones weight has stabilized; especially after weight loss surgery. This can range from 7-18 months after weight loss. Insurance companies have very critical guidelines as to what procedures are covered. If cosmetic, it is most likely they will not cover for post-bariatric surgery. However, if the need is medical where infections are reoccurring then it will be necessary for them to provide coverage for post-bariatric surgery.

Another important factor in finding a plastic surgeon that can perform these procedures is that they must be board certified. If your plastic surgeon’s website or office does not advertise that they are board certified you must RUN! For everyone who has heard horror plastic surgery stories, this is probably where it started, having a surgical procedure done without a board certified surgeon. Use ASPS (The American Society of Plastic Surgery) to find a board certified surgeon near you.


Author Bio: Paula is a writer for a medical reconstructive and cosmetic surgery center in Atlanta. She has two kittens and loves to write about all things beauty, women, health and fitness! She spends her days outside and at the center where she learns as much as she can from the board certified surgeons. This plastic surgery center specializes in not only post-bariatric surgery but also breast augmentation and tummy tucks. Paula also has a personal blog Littlefurrymusings.tumblr.com where she writes about all kinds of things that she thinks others would enjoy.

07 August 2013

30 Days 30 Letters: An Open Letter To My Diet Buddy #15 - Honey and Cinnamon for Weight Loss: How Does It Really Work?

3 Lovely Thoughts

This is letter #1 in Her Weight loss Diary's new series - 30 Days Letters to My Diet Buddy project. The road to weight loss can be tough. If you want to feel like you aren't alone in your diet endeavors, buddying up can hold you accountable for every bite you take. Subscribe here, because you don't want to miss any letter.

P.s. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts, the best thoughtful comments will be featured every Friday.

Email:

Dear Diet Buddy,

Cinnamon is the most popular spices in the world. It use to enhance foods. But could it benefit weight loss as well?
Cinnamon: used in cooking to enhance the taste and aids digestion.
Pic found on Lunch For Two
Health Benefits of Cinnamon
The health benefits of cinnamon as listed down by Care2:
  • It regulates blood sugar
  • It stabilize energy levels and moods
  • It reduces LDL cholesterol levels. LDL is also known as the harmful cholesterol.
  • It has natural anti-infectious compounds which is effective against ulcer-causing H. pylori bacteria and other pathogens, according to studies.
  • It reduces pain linked to arthritis.
  • It may reduce the proliferation of cancer cells. 
  • It is a natural food preservative.
  • It contains fiber, calcium, iron, and manganese
  • It is effective for menstrual pain 
  • Cures infertility
How Cinnamon Can Aids Weight Loss?
These infos are from FITDAY:
1) Cinnamon has regulatory effect on blood sugar levels. 
It imitates the biological activity of insulin and increases the metabolism of glucose. Since high blood sugar levels can lead to increased storage of fat by the body, cinnamon helps prevent this increased storage of fat and enables you to lose weight.

2) Cinnamon prevents the transformation of the metabolized sugar into fat. 
Cinnamon influences the manner in which sugar is metabolized by the body

3) Cinnamon delays the passing of food from the stomach into the intestine. 
Hence, you feel satisfied for a longer time and eat less. This helps you lose weight.

4) Cinnamon helps the body to process carbohydrates more efficiently
This assists you in losing a few pounds. Studies show that abdominal fat is more sensitive to the effects of cinnamon than fat from other parts of the body.

Honey and Cinnamon for Weight Loss

Ingredients: 
  • 1 tbsp of organic local honey 
  • 1 tsp of organic cinnamon 
Step by Step: 
  • Put the cinnamon in a bowl 
  • Boil 1 cup of water 
  • Pour the hot water over the cinnamon 
  • Steep for 15 minutes 
  • Add honey to the cooled liquid (Always add honey to the cooled liquid - hot liquid will destroy the enzymes in the raw honey.)
*Note: Drink twice a day: 1/2 cup in the morning and 1/2 cup before going to bed. Take on an empty stomach.

3 Ways to Incorporate Cinnamon Into Your Daily Diet?
  • Add one to two teaspoons of ground cinnamon to a steaming hot cup of green tea
  • Season a high carb food with cinnamon to lower the impact it will have on blood sugar levels.
  • It can also be added to fruit juices to enhances their taste.
Too much of anything is a bad thing. Same goes with too much cinnamon and too much honey of any kind can be harmful.

Have you tried honey and cinnamon drink? If you have tried it did it work for you? 

Yours truly,





06 August 2013

30 Days 30 Letters: An Open Letter To My Diet Buddy #14 - Planning & Prep for Vacation Diet Battle

10 Lovely Thoughts

This is letter #14 in Her Weight loss Diary's new series - 30 Days Letters to My Diet Buddy project. The road to weight loss can be tough. If you want to feel like you aren't alone in your diet endeavors, buddying up can hold you accountable for every bite you take. Subscribe here, because you don't want to miss any letter.

P.s. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts, the best thoughtful comments will be featured every Friday.

Email:

Dear Diet Buddy,

The kids' school holiday begin this week for 2 weeks. We have decided to spend the whole week at their grandparents'. It's great to relax but I have vowed to break my weight loss plateau this month, so premeditated schedule is a must to make sure my weight loss plan don't unravel.


1. Eating Clean Diet Plan
  • Avoid processed foods - processed foods are any food that has a label which means that more than one ingredient was used to make that food. They can be loaded of hidden added sugars.
  • Cook meals at home using fresh ingredients - Restaurant foods and processed foods both tend to be very high in sodium
  • Cut down on refined grains (white rice, white flour)
  • Eat whole foods - they are food straight from farms. Eg. whole fruits and veges, low fat dairy product, unsalted nut, whole grains. 
  • Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables
  • Have more water - try a spritz of lemon or lime to jazz it up.

2. Set aside time for exercise
I don't exercise a lot when I'm away from home because, I know this is sounds funny but there's no 'hidden space' (except our bedroom) at the parents' house where I can secretly exercise. :P I hate to be seen exercising in 'public'. So I plan a set of exercises which I can do upon wake up, or do spontaneously while watching TV.


3. To-do-list and Activities with Kids - to keep me busy so I'm not lounging around at home all day surrounded by food.
Do you plan out your day ahead of time? How exactly you do it? Share in the comments.


Yours truly,





02 August 2013

30 Days 30 Letters: An Open Letter To My Diet Buddy #13 - Weight Loss Wisdom of The Week

13 Lovely Thoughts

This is letter #13 in Her Weight loss Diary's new series - 30 Days Letters to My Diet Buddy project. The road to weight loss can be tough. If you want to feel like you aren't alone in your diet endeavors, buddying up can hold you accountable for every bite you take. Subscribe here, because you don't want to miss any letter.

P.s. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts, the best thoughtful comments will be featured every Friday.

Email:

Dear Diet Buddy,

The very reason I write this series of letter in the first place is to offer your encouragement. I find it helps to have someone to encourage, and be encourage by! I hope you have read all my previous letters. You notice that we have all the support we need from this people on the blog land. Should you have missed any of the previous discussions, I want to highlight a few of those weight loss wisdom I learned from these blogger. 

1) Making WEIGHT LOSS MISTAKES when trying to lose weight is common. The way to handle is by being aware of that mistakes and try to do small changes to tackle it. Kate, who's the weight loss success story herself and the blogger behind the Fat to Fit Geek shares her golden tips to success: Not to fill your plate for one sitting.

2) This one is not from the 30 Days Letters series. DO YOU USE A FOOD JOURNAL TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT YOU EAT? I hate calorie counting because sometimes it get me clueless about how much calorie I have taken, I feel that it's so complicated to analyze every details of what I put in my mouth. But Marion from Affection for Fitness has a better idea. Food journaling will encourage you to seek simple foods. Genius. So I'm back to the journaling routine this August. 


3) DO YOU HAVE A BAD HABIT? Disrupt bad habit by changing the method of performance like how Dana of Kiss My List do:

4) Being STUCK AT A WEIGHT LOSS PLATEAU can be awfully discouraging. It happens to everyone. Leslie from Pampers, Play Dates & Parties shares what worked with her: Make a  weight loss chart. Weight loss chart is a great tool to help you see on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, just how much weight you're gaining or losing. Sounds like a great idea. 

I've read some other little trick to lose weight which not involve diet and exercise like chewing gum to curb your cravings, Jessica Alba's double corset for weight loss, and using a rubber band technique to control addictions.

What weight loss trick work for you?


Yours truly,





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