Splenda is my Friend

Yes, here I find myself in need of losing weight yet again. I weighed myself almost every day while living in Virginia, during my extended Christmas break, (something I have never done) and that daily reminder of just how heavy I have grown helped me make good food choices each day and kept me eating wisely throughout the holidays,which resulted in no weight gain.

Yesterday I spent some time reading through my Weight Watcher books and I have decided that I will try a new program called Switch. And I will spend this week on the “no count” program.

No count is a slightly inaccurate title because I still have to count certain things like: Bread, Chocolate, sweets, certain cooking ingredients, dried fruits, nuts, fats & oils, juices and sodas, milk with a higher fat content than semi-skimmed, salad dressings & sauces and some spreads. But the reason I have chosen it is that I don't have to count every single thing that goes into my mouth, if I eat food from the “No count food list”. This plan seems more likely to succeed because I have a really hard time counting accurately with Russian labeling which more often than not does not tell me the calorie and fat content. Something I need in order to do the regular Weight Watcher program. On no count I get 21 points a week to spend on the above listed “counted” items. So yesterday I spent 3 points. 2 on the yoghurt I ate that wasn't fat free and 1 on the low fat homemade onion gravy I ate with my lean roast beef that is free/no point if I eat a sensible portion. I also drank another 1 point for dessert a lovely hot chocolate Dean stirred up for me. That I earned by exercising.

Yes, it looks like this month the only desserts I'll be eating are the ones I earn by exercising. I have the handy slide rule in which I formulate how many points I earned by deciding how hard I worked, low, moderately, or hard, then the length of time. Then I look on the other scale find my current weight and that tells me how many points I earned. I jogged strenuously for 30 minutes which earned me 4 points. And I saved 3 and spent 1.

So with persistence and a bit of time I hope to be a lighter trimmer me.

Now for the fitness part of the plan:
I will begin following the “Escape your Shape” workouts from the book of the same name. My shape is “ruler”, so each day I will do the unpleasant Ab work the author proscribes as well as the other resistance exercises. And do at least 30 minutes of strenuous aerobic work 5 days a week. He has set for me the challenge to be able to jump rope for 20 minutes continuously. (Last time I tried I made it to one minute before the rope bumped a chair) He says once I am proficient at jump rope jumping then I will have no weight problem, if of course I jump rope at least 3 days a week.
This month my favorite aerobic activity is cross country skiing. Or what I think of as “over the river and through the woods” skiing. (Although I don't have a Grandmother's house to end up at.-)
It is also Sasha's favorite pass time too. She loves snow so while I huff and puff I get to watch her cavorting through the snow.

So now you know and hopefully having people to report to will give me that little edge of self control. I really want to establish the habits before I face my week of temptation in Sharm Egypt.

Eating Rules for Feeling Good by Anita

"Eating rules for feeling good" were written by a neighbor of mine who serves on the "Food Committee" at school with me. These rules will be posted in the cafeteria and each rule given expanded attention through the TV monitors in the student lounge as well as student assemblies. (English is not Anita's native tongue I think she is amazing)

(Or, how to keep yourself healthy, full of energy and reach and keep the weight which is right for you)

1. Eat breakfast.
Start your day putting some “gas in your tank”. Breakfast does not mean eating something “fast”, rather “break the night fast”. Fruit or yogurt to wake you up; oats or whole grain cereals or whole wheat toasts for longer lasting energy.*

*If you do not feel hungry in the morning, and maybe a bit sick, that’s stomach acid playing up; try drinking a glass of lukewarm water, better with the juice of half a lemon, when you get up, use a straw to protect your teeth from the lemon juice.

2. Eat lunch and dinner at regular times.
Have lunch with lean meats or fish and vegetables, or pasta/rice and vegetables. Try to have healthy regular meals at least 5 days a week

3. Have tasty healthy snacks during the school day.
Fruit, yogurt, light sandwich, muffin, raisins for a quick boost.
Oat biscuits, whole wheat bread/muffin, trail mix for longer lasting energy
After sport have some carbs to replenish your energy quickly before homework: baked potatoes, pasta, grilled cheese sandwich, a slice of pizza

4. Drink water
And juices (fresh, whenever possible) and teas (herbal teas, please). Drink more in extreme weather (very hot or very cold) and when exercising

5. Get taller and stronger
With the right amount of calcium. You can choose: one glass of milk, one piece of cheese, yogurt, soy milk, fresh carrot or orange juice, broccoli, beans, almonds.

6. Improve your memory and concentration
With “the good fats gang”: salmon, tuna and other fish, seeds and nuts, and olive oil

7. Keep your skin looking good and your body feeling lighter
with plenty of fibers: fruit and veggies, brown bread and rice, beans and lentils

8. Give peas and peaches a chance!
Add color to your meals with veggies and fruits. A variety of colors will ensure a variety of vitamins and minerals (and give you that healthy look …)

9. Get yourself some treats, but keep them numbered
Limit caffeine (try fresh juice instead, it will wake you up), sugar and sugary drinks, salty snacks, animal fats and anything pre-cooked and packaged

10. Finally,
Stand up straight and tall, exercise, sleep and have lots of fun!