Can Foods Tighten Your Tummy?

It has been said in the past that if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is. Both women and men  day after day tend to look for ways to burn the fat and shake a few pounds, especially at this time of year (and when I say this time of year I am speaking for those of us that live in the eastern or midwest areas where snow still covers the ground but we desperately await sunshine and warm temps.) However, in recent studies, there has talk about food tightening the tummy. No this is not a magical system to shrink belly fat overnight, and if you believe that you are sadly being misled.

Nevertheless, like sand in an hour glass, time is ticking...Is this all speculation? Perhaps it was, or so I thought, but after reviewing these particular items that I am about to share with you and reading facts and statements by others I decided to try it myself and I can honestly tell you that I have noticed an improvement in my tummy. Let me give you some history about me; I am a happy, healthy, cancer free gal with a lot to live for! Prior to a few years ago, weight was never a big issue for me. At my age (50) gravity tends to set in and menopause has made its way through my body tearing it up over the last several years, causing drastic changes and added weight to just appear, especially in areas where it never did before. My stomach and waistline area suffered. The pounds just packed on and all I could do was cry.

Summer months no longer meant sunbathing for me and that was quite difficult as my families owned beach front properties where we vacations frequently. I didn't want to look like the beached whale bathing in the sand. Instead, I sat in my swimming suit with with a wrap around my waist hiding behind my Prada sunglasses hoping no one would see the chubby lady. I didn't like this me. I was determined to say enough is enough. While I am working now from my home office full time, I decided to clean out the refrigerator and only buy foods that would help me, not hurt me. At first I thought it would be really tough but after a month, it didn't really seem so bad. I am able to eat foods that I like and exercise less because they are working their magic and burning fat from my areas that caused me so much grief. Do I exercise? Sure I do a few times a week I pop in my 'yoga booty ballet' DVD and dance along to that, but I am NOT one of those up at 5am get to the gym sorta gals.

So, do you want to learn more? Of course you do because you have a bathing suit with your name on it and in your mind you are thinking "man I have to knock of 10 pounds before summer!"So where does one begin? How about with breakfast? I was awful at choosing the right breakfast foods. I'd go to the fridge and grab a can of pop and something quick such as last nights left overs heated up or worse, candy bars from the pantry. No, no, no! Here's where I made my first change...

I've learned that oats are a wonderful way to start your day. Why? They fill you up quickly making your body think that it's really full, even if it may not be. Let me guess, you don't have the time to wake up and cook oats? Hey, guess what they come in packets. You simply add water. You can microwave them at the office or better in their own small containers even with fruit, etc., where you can pop them in the microwave and take them on the go on your way to work. Need flavor? I'm certainly not at all a cinnamon lover however did you know that by putting cinnamon on it has natural thermionic properties that can increase your metabolism?

OK, so you don't particularly like oats? Some of us don't…then try grapefruit. My thoughts on this one? Thanks but no thanks, I'll stick with the oats. Grapefruit is my absolutely worst source of fruit and would honestly be my last choice of fruit nonetheless it has been proven to lower insulin levels which promote weight loss and get your metabolism racing. My problem was when I was 18 I went on a crazy diet (because I felt fat) where I ate, breathed and drank grapefruit which was unhealthy for me and I landed in the hospital with IV drips. To this day the smell of grapefruit turns my stomach.

Next; Red peppers and almonds. I'll bet you didn't know it but peppers contain capsaicin which help with burning stubborn fat. That's it…from here on out peppers go in everything I cook! Almonds are a super source of protein to help keep your body full and your metabolism kicking! Instead of reaching for a bag of chips at night while watching your favorite show on television, pour a small bowl of almonds and snack on them. These bad boys will burn calories and keep your metabolism going while you are sleeping and dreaming in la-la-land. No, I'm not saying that they are magical, but almonds, unlike those junk foods filled with fat and empty calories are actually doing something good for your body.

Salmon; You probably already know that of all the fish to eat salmon is loaded with Omega Fatty 3 Acids which are super beneficial for fat loss. This is great news, however it does not mean to go to the grocery store and buy a months supply of fish. Trust me, you'll get sick of it real fast. I bake mine in the oven in 1/4 cup of water, lemon juice, and some parsley flakes. Eat it with other combined foods mentioned and together they will all help tighten those fatty areas that give you problems.

Chicken; Now here's a great source of lean protein. Did you know that by doing something as simple as placing more proteins in your diet that you can reduce the amount of carbs you take in which will assist you in weight loss? Yes, you heard me, so go jump on the chicken ban-wagon! There are so many ways to make chicken that you actually could eat it every night and not get sick of it.

Potatoes; Can potatoes help you lose weight? Yes and No, not just any potatoes, sweet potatoes! They keep your blood sugar levels stable while giving your metabolism a jump start.

Avocados are truly considered a fat, so you wonder, "why is she saying to eat avocados then?" We'll, yes it is true that they are considered a fat, however, they are a very healthy fat. Did you know that your body needs these healthy fats to use as energy to promote fat burning?

Blueberries; these little fellas are loaded with antioxidants and they are also low in sugar and great for a healthy low calorie snack!

Green Tea; I certainly don't like tea but it has been known to help speed up your metabolism and keep you super energized which in turn burns more calories throughout the day.

With this being said, isn't it about time you made changes in your life and diet to be a 'better YOU?'

Dieting - The Ups and Downs

The word "DIET" just makes me want to eat more. there is something to be said about those that have will power and those who do not. I am one of those ;do not;' kinda people. My thighs get larger if I just stand in front of a bakery window drooling over a piece of New york Cheese Cake. Does it seem like you're constantly on a diet?  If so, you're truly not alone! You may be surprised with how many people feel the same way. Does that help you? Do you feel better now? Probably not, but it should be a little more comforting to know that you are not alone in this struggle. 

Considering that dieting is extremely challenging and considering that it can even be stressful at times, it does not come as such a surprise that some people give up on dieting before any results start showing. But they will almost never admit that their failure to lose weight was their fault.  I did some research and found some great ways to try to look at weight loss not as something I had to do, rather a preventative program so to speak. I believe (from my own personal experience) that when one tells you that you simply cannot have something, it makes you want it all the more. Why take everything away? that's only punishing yourself. Why not just learn how to really cut your portions and exercise more?

 These weight loss tips for the frequent dieter may be what you've needed to finally make the dieting roller coaster stop so you can finally stop this crazy ride and get off!

Maybe you've tried every diet that's come down the pike. You've eaten grapefruit to the point where you can't stand the sight of them. You've given up carbohydrates but still crave sugar, potatoes, and bread. Seeing that it was a losing battle, you gave up on every one. 

Did you know that the majority of popular diets can be divided into three groups: low-fat diets, low-carbohydrate diets and calorie restriction diets. The names are mostly self-explanatory considering that a low-fat diet refers to a diet which includes foods with little fat; low-carbohydrate diet restricts the consumption of carbohydrates and instead, it focuses on foods rich in protein and fat; calorie restriction diets rely on the assumption that it does not matter so much what you eat as long as you don’t go over the recommended number of calories that you need to consume during a day.

You may have had some success at losing weight, only to gain it back. Let's face it, it gets discouraging when you hear that most dieters will regain the weight they've lost within three to five years. With those kinds of odds against you, you may wonder why you bother. The reasons you keep trying to lose weight may vary. You know you need to lose weight to improve your overall health or reduce symptoms of disease. You can't fit into your clothes or you have a reunion to attend. There could be any number of other reasons.

Regardless of why you want to slim down or how many times you've dieted in the past, (and we've all done this plenty of times) if you want to succeed at losing weight once and for all, you may be better served by following the example of those who've achieved their goal and kept the weight off. You just have to learn more about your body and what works for YOU!

Effective weight loss tactics for those who've succeeded include these techniques:

1. Look at weight loss as a life change rather than the means to a particular end. You're not merely losing weight; you're making a commitment to change your eating and exercise habits so your health and life can improve.

2. Learn all you can about food, the nutrients needed by the human body, and how to provide your body with the fuel it needs, rather than overfilling it with foods that will make it sluggish and unhealthy.

3. Learn to work through frustrations, loss, and stress without turning to food. In many cases, those successful former constant dieters have turned to exercise as a means to release the stresses that often cause people to resort to their old eating habits. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I turn to "Yoga Booty Ballet."

4. Recognize when your body is truly hungry. Discover how to recognize your body's signals to stop eating when you've had enough, rather than continuing to eat until you're stuffed. Don't just eat because others are eating, or because you 'think' you are hungry, eat when you need to feed your body, not because something looks delicious and you simply have to have it.

5. Focus on your health and fitness, instead of dieting to look good. Instead of dieting for a short term goal - getting into a bikini or looking great for a class reunion, or to have dinner with that guy you haven't seen in years - be more concerned about how the foods you eat affect your health.

6. Learn to recognize proper portion sizes. Eating correct portion sizes will allow you to eat only the amount of food your body needs. Forget those 'all you can eat' places...as Ellen Degeneres once said; "You're not a bear, you don't hibernate"... so why then do we need to eat so much food? The answer is; we don't!

7. Acknowledge only temporary failure when you blow it. Rather than giving up when you've eaten too much, decide to start again the next day. So sometimes we slip and cheat with our diets, hey, shit happens, so brush it off and try harder tomorrow to stick with the program or your set schedule to make it a better day!

8. Seek and allow support from others. Getting a mentor who's a weight loss success, joining a support group, or including a friend to hold you to your goals will help spur you on to success. Find a mentor that like you has had issues with weight gain and dieting and learn from tips from them. 

 

 The real truth is that diets are an effective weight loss method if they are planned sensibly. If you are not dealing with any kind of health issues that need to be solved by eating only certain type of food, you can basically eat everything in moderation. You have to cut down on unhealthy foods, replace them with healthy ones, (makes sense right?) Try eating five small portions during a day instead of just one or two big ones and that will be the most effective diet that you can go for and one that will eventually help you achieve good results. It works!

These weight loss tips I share with you for those constant dieters are given with the highest of hopes that you can finally find the ideas that will allow you to break the dieting cycle. You don't have to be one of the many dieters who've failed. Keep at it. You can learn how to make changes in your eating habits to make the weight leave for good. Take your time, learn what your body needs, and then provide the nutrients and exercise to become healthy and happy. And remember,..take care of your body. It's the only house you'll ever have. 

www.SimplyDeliciousLingerie,com

About Simply Delicious Lingerie:

Simply Delicious Lingerie is an online boutique specializing in sexy lingerie from designers such as Carrie Amber Intimates LLC ‘SeventilMidnight’, Be Wicked, Elegant Moments, Fantasy Lingerie, Raveware, and WMS Clothing. Our lingerie is the aphrodisiac of taste, and represents beauty and luxury at an affordable price. At Simply Delicious Lingerie we've personally selected a variety of sexy lingerie just for you and all of your sensuous rendezvous. We sell accessories, Bordello shoes, Pleaser shoes, garter sets, bridal lingerie, bridal undergarments, honeymoon lingerie, wedding day lingerie, wedding garter sets, wedding petticoats, affordable plus size lingerie, Halloween costumes, sexy plus size costumes,  fantasy lingerie, matching lingerie sets, men’s underwear, men’s Lingerie, sexy thigh high stockings, satin pajamas, plus size sleepwear, adult novelty items and sex swings including the Whip Smart Pleasure Swing. Have a lingerie party with us and experience fun!  Our mission is to take your sexy lingerie needs to the next level of comfort, intrigue, romance and sophistication. For more information or to place an order today please visit http://simplydeliciouslingerie.com/  Say YES (your everyday sexy) to Simply Delicious Lingerie! ® 

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Crash Diets...Do They Work?

What I am about to tell you, ya may not want to hear, but it is my duty to share with you the known facts of dieting. This article addresses a simple, unavoidable, and in cases of extreme resistance painful fact, that being: why crash diets don’t work. Oh we try and we try...and there are so, so many diets that suck us all in. For me it was the grapefruit diet, which btw, now the smell of this fruit makes me want to hurl. then there was the cabbage soup diet...now this one didn't change my thoughts about cabbage,...I still LOVE cabbage, BUT it isn't something that you want to eat a lot of and then go out in public. Do they work...these crash diets? For a short time yes, sure they do, but in a few months, you'll see the weight creeping back up on you again. There are a ton of fad diets and crazy crash diets that I see every day in tabloid magazines with celebrities (of course) whom, hey for them it might certainly work because they have thousands of dollars for a personal trainer...I don't. Despite what bright, loud, attention-grabbing ads from the TV to the magazine racks tout about so many pounds lost in so many days, the weight lost usually comes back in no time at all.

Weight lost quickly is most often water and carbohydrate (glycogen) loss, not fat. The body’s interpretation of this water and carbohydrate loss is that you are starving, and therefore it slows down its metabolic rate, in effect to help you live longer on less energy. You have to drink WATER! Keep stocked up on the h20. When you do ultimately start eating again (as, by definition, all crash diets end) the body believes the food emergency is over and determines its next best way to serve your longevity is to store this food you’re putting into it in case such a food emergency should arise again. 

To put it another way, the effect of a crash diet is to keep the body always in a crisis management mode, rather than help sustain a healthy body weight. This in itself is bad enough, but it gets worse. Glycogen loss is muscle loss, and since muscles are a critical part of maintaining an active metabolism, with less muscle, our bodies burn less calories. And when we burn less calories, we gain more weight. To lose weight for good, lose weight slowly. Try to keep it down to only a pound or two each week. It may not feed your need for immediate gratification, but you can keep yourself excited and committed to the process by knowing that the results you achieve will be lasting and you'll keep the pounds off for good!

 Did you know that in order to lose 1 pound of weight..., you have to cut out 3,500 calories!It amazes me how so many people don't know that. My advice, (unprofessionally that is)...Take it slow, weigh your food and count your calories! If you do this, you’ll notice the program you set for yourself is actually quite reasonable and easy to stick to. Discipline isn’t hard when the steps you’re disciplining yourself to take are practical and realistic. Take the concept of the crash diet out of your vocabulary and replace it with a far easier, more enjoyable, and more enduringly effective form of weight loss: behavior modification. Simple shifts in one or two behaviors can have dramatic and lasting effects on your weight. Drop the pounds and feel sexy, especially if you are buying sexy matching sets and affordable lingerie at Simply Delicious Lingerie!

Yes...crash diets achieve false and fleeting results. They lead to frustration, disappointment, despair and more weight gain for many people. Stay away from them, for your own good, and the good of your body! Do what's right...take it slow, eat the right foods, drink plenty of water and exercise.

www.simplydeliciouslingerie.com

Dieting and the Struggles of Weight Loss...

Day in and day out both men and women struggle with their food intake and watching what they eat... Does it seem like you're constantly on a diet? If so, you're not alone! You may be quite surprised at how many people feel the same way. These weight loss tips for the frequent dieter may be what you've needed to finally make the dieting roller coaster stop so you can get off. Life is meant to enjoy it...not worry on a constant basis as to if you gained a few pounds here or there.

You may have had some success at losing weight, only to gain it back later... Let's face it, it gets discouraging when you hear that most dieters will regain the weight they've lost within three to five years, and some people gain it back even sooner than that. With those kinds of odds against you, you may wonder why you even bother? The reasons you keep trying to lose weight may vary. You know you need to lose weight to improve your overall health or reduce symptoms of disease. You can't fit into your clothes or you have a reunion to attend. This may sound totally off the wall to some of you but for me; mine was always that if I was going on an all inclusive trip and if I paid that much for the trip, I was damn well going to eat that much worth of food...yup, I was determined to get my monies worth. Crazy...yes, but I lost 10 lbs each time I traveled to consume the amount of food that I knew I would in a matter of 5-10 days. 

Those fad diets work for a quick fix, but what I learned long term was that in the future, my body would eventually gain more weight doing this and that as I aged it was now getting more and more difficult to take it off so quickly. For many of you, there could be any number of other reasons why you gain weight after losing it. Regardless of why you want to slim down or how many times you've dieted in the past, if you want to succeed at losing weight once and for all, you may be better served by following the example of those who've achieved their goal and kept the weight off.

Effective weight loss tactics for those who've succeeded include these techniques:

1. Look at weight loss as a life change rather than the means to a particular end. You're not merely losing weight; you're making a commitment to change your eating and exercise habits so your health and life can improve. In the long run, you will feel so much better about life and yourself!

2. Learn all you can about food, the nutrients needed by the human body, and how to provide your body with the fuel it needs, rather than overfilling it with foods that will make it sluggish and unhealthy. This is probably the most important factor. TO lose weight you have to know both your body as well as the foods you are putting into it in order for it to be effective!

3. Learn to work through frustrations, loss, and stress without turning to food. JUST SAY NO! In many cases, those successful former constant dieters have turned to exercise as a means to release the stresses that often cause people to resort to their old eating habits.

4. Recognize when your body is truly hungry. Discover how to recognize your body's signals to stop eating when you've had enough, rather than continuing to eat until you're stuffed.

5. Focus on your health and fitness, instead of dieting to look good. Instead of dieting for a short term goal - getting into a bikini or looking great for a class reunion - be more concerned about how the foods you eat affect your health.

6. Learn to recognize proper portion sizes. Eating correct portion sizes will allow you to eat only the amount of food your body needs. No one needs a mountain of food in front of them. We aren't bears, and we're not hibernating all winter, so don't stuff your face like you are!

7. Acknowledge only temporary failure when you blow it. Hey listen,no one is perfect, so we cheat sometimes,..it happens. Rather than giving up when you've eaten too much, decide to start again the next day and work harder at controlling your appetite with the right foods, not all the wrong ones.

8. Seek and allow support from others. Getting a mentor who's a weight loss success, joining a support group, or including a friend to hold you to your goals will help spur you on to success. hey, everyone needs a little encouragement or inspiration! These weight loss tips for constant dieters are given with the hopes that you can finally find the ideas that will allow you to break the dieting cycle. You don't have to be one of the many dieters who've failed. You can learn how to make changes in your eating habits to make the weight leave for good. Take your time, learn what your body needs, and then provide the nutrients and exercise to become healthy and happy. Surround yourself with healthy fruits and veggies! 

www.simplydeliciouslingerie.com

Love Handles...Do You Have Them?

Day in and day out we eat the wrong foods and then ask ourselves...Why am I a few pounds heavier than I should be? Why can't I get rid of these love handles, how in the hell do I shake them? Most of us have some way or another to hide some of the flab, but when push comes to shove, you know that it's there. You know that you need to lose weight, but are you trying, really? Better yet, are you happy with your weight and how you look?If the answer is no, it's time to physically address the issue at hand and decided when and how you are going to make healthy life style choices to better "you!" Every person alive has a “healthy weight” – the weight that each individual body, in a state of perfect health, maintains. According to the US FDA “healthy weight is a body weight that is appropriate for your height and benefits your health.” The healthy weight theory is also commonly known as the “Set-Point Theory.”

Living in a body considerably heavier than its healthy weight promotes increased risk of asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure/hypertension, osteoporosis and arthritis, Type 2 diabetes, gallstones, stroke, and certain types of cancer (esp. colon, breast, and female reproductive system). Obesity has also been associated with increased risk of problems with anxiety and depression.Folks, this is not good....it's time to as Michael Jackson once sang in "Man in the Mirror" to...Make that change!

As much as we may desire to be more slender than our healthy weight, it is not in alignment with our ideal health and overall wellness. The foundation of a successful weight loss program is a shift in consciousness towards a proper weight management program geared, one focused on reaching and sustaining an individual body’s healthy weight. 

BMI - The FDA recommends a measuring tool called the BMI or Body Mass Index for helping determine whether you are at a healthy weight for you or if are underweight or overweight. The BMI is based on a person’s height and weight. A BMI of 19-24 is considered a healthy weight, under 19 is considered underweight, 24-29 is considered overweight, and 30+ is considered obese. The US Dietary Guidelines for Americans references a BMI chart for adults over the age of 20 to use in identifying where they fall in this spectrum.

One important component of a healthy weight that the Body Mass Index doesn’t account for, however, is the body’s percentage of body fat to muscle mass. An easy way to estimate your body fat percentage is to measure your waist with a tape measure. This measurement approximates your body’s amount of visceral fat. Generally speaking, and according to the National Heart Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health, a male with a waist circumference more than 40 in. (101.6 cm) and a female with a waist circumference more than 35 in. (88.9 cm) is at greater risk of disease than those with waist circumferences less than that.

Design your weight objectives, then, not around those pants you want to fit into, but around your ideal BMI-range and body fat percentage. The formula from there is simple:

• Consume more energy (calories in food) than you burn (through activity and exercise) to gain weight;
• Burn more energy than you consume to lose weight;
• Strike a balance between how much energy you consume and how much you burn to maintain your existing weight.

Many factors influence your healthy weight – age, genetics, metabolism, diet, and lifestyle (that’s your habits and behaviors) – but only certain of those factors can you do anything about. There’s no sense bemoaning age or genetic history, but you can effect enormous changes in your metabolism (and thus your weight) by making changes in your diet and lifestyle. 

When you’re at your healthy weight, you feel good and have all the energy you need (and more) for your work and leisure activities. Take charge of your life and shake the love handles now! If you can pinch more than an inch it's time to shape up for summer and swimwear!

www.simplydeliciouslingerie.com

Lose 5 Pounds Super Easy...

How many times have you heard someone say that they want to lose five pounds? And how many times have you heard that the diet starts tomorrow? Isn't that an old cliche?

cli·ché/klēˈSHā/

Noun:

A phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought. A very predictable or unoriginal thing or person.

Tell me, and let's be honest here....

We talk the talk, but when we open that pantry door and see a bag of potato chips, out the window goes those thoughts of wanting to lose weight because we would much rather induldge in fat and grease. The truth at hand is,losing a mere five pounds is very realistic and it can be a great kick-start to your metabolism and energy levels. Plus, it can help you fit into that little black dress or suit for that upcoming wedding, reunion, or vacation. First though YOU have to make the commitment to start now, not tomorrow, not Monday, but right now!

Below is a healthy plan to help you shed 5 pounds quickly, easily and most importantly, the healthy way. As with all diets, check with your doctor before starting any weight loss or exercise plan. If I can do it, anyone can do it!

1. Begin by drinking more water. Lay off the soda/pop whatever you call it. I get caffeine headaches because i have been drinking it for wayyyyyy too long. Coca Cola has become my best friend over the years and is my wake up, and get up and go in the morning and through out the day. Nonetheless, I did realize that I was drinking far too much. Not wanting to get severe headaches I have no limited myself to 2 cans per day. If I space it out that is 4 small glasses with ice and that is plenty. I also realized how much water my body was lacking. This can be so very harmful. Organs will shut down if you don't get enough water. Some of you might not know that, but here is your wake up call. Your body requires water to function properly and with the right amount of water, your digestive system will work more efficiently. Plus, by filling your stomach with water, you'll eat less and feel full faster.

• Water helps flush your body of toxins and water weight. Yes, more water actually helps your body get rid of excess water.
• The daily minimum intake of water is 64 ounces (or almost 2 liters). If you're like most people, your current intake of water is probably less than half of the recommended amount, so drink up!

2. Get off that couch and get active! That's right, shake your groove thing girlie, even if it means dancing while running the vacuum. My kids used to laugh at me because I would turn on that song by the Village People..."YMCA" and dance around. Sure I looked like an idiot but who cares? I was burning calories! When you move your body you build muscle, which burns fat. There are so many activities that you can engage in that don't cost money or require expensive gym equipment to help you get fit and lose weight. Here are some ideas:

• Walking around your neighborhood or in a local park
• Biking
• Hiking
• Swimming
• Throwing a ball with your kids or spouse
• Frisbee
• Volleyball
• Tennis
• Inline skating (with the proper safety equipment of course)

3. Start making healthier food choices! To effectively boost your calorie and fat burning processes, eat healthier foods like leafy green vegetables, fruits and lean meats.

• You'll also want to limit your intake of red meat, high calorie and fat dressings, gravies and sauces and avoid sugary drinks, candy or other foods with lots of sugar.
• Sugar causes you to put on weight, so when you eliminate sugar, you help eliminate weight gain. Also, try to choose natural or organic foods in order to avoid consuming chemicals that may actually cause you to retain weight.

4. Use portion control to limit the amount of food you consume. Do you know what this means? Studies show that reducing the amount of food you eat actually produces the quickest weight loss. Obviously you want to do this in a healthy manner, not obsessively or out of control. So many people think they need to cut off their food supply to lose weight which is actually more harmful than good. It messes with your metabolism and can actually cause you to put all that weight right back on and then some....so eat! Here is my suggestion:

• Eating 6 small meals a day, as opposed to the three larger meals you're probably accustomed to, has been shown to be healthier, help reduce fat stores and to increase metabolism.
• If you're wondering what a healthy portion looks like, it's all in the hands. In other words, a healthy portion or serving size is about the size of your fist, palm, or hand, depending on what food you're eating.
• Close your fist. That's a healthy portion size for a serving of rice, pasta or other side dish.
• Open your hand and look at the size of your palm. This is the perfect amount of chicken breast, pork or other types of meat. It should be about the size and thickness of a deck of cards.
• The size of your entire open hand is the perfect size for veggies.

5. Replace unhealthy snacks with nuts, raw veggies or fruit!
My grandmother used to always say, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away!" Here are a few examples to help you choose healthier snack options:

• When you're craving chips or other salty, crunchy snacks, grab a handful of nuts instead. They are healthier for you and satisfy the craving for salt or crunchiness. Also, try to buy nuts with less salt. Natural or raw varieties will help to reduce your salt intake too.
• When you want something sweet, grab a piece of fruit like an apple, banana, orange, or melon. The natural sugar is way better for you than eating a bowl of ice cream or a handful (or two) of cookies.
• Have the munchies in general? Nibble on some raw carrots, celery or broccoli.

Losing 5 pounds can be fun and make you feel so much better about yourself. The best part is that it can be done quickly, in as little time as a week or two, depending on your specific circumstances.Whether it's to kick-start your weight loss plan or to fit into that little black party dress, taking off 5 pounds is a step in the right direction to a healthier, more fit you. It begins now! So get off that couch and shake the pounds away! You'll feel so good and your body will thank you, after all, as I say so many times....your body is your house, your protective barrier, take care of it, no one else will. It's the only one you've got!

A friend of mine told me about a great book to pick up, it's called "Eat This Not That!" I've listed it below for you to check out. recently it was also hot topic on the TODAY show! Sure you can still eat other foods, just learn what foods are better than others as far as calories, sodium and fat. You'll be surprised what you learn from reading this book and you'll begin making changes that will shed the pounds while still eating what you love!

http://www.simplydeliciouslingerie.com/

Healthy Snacks for Weight Loss

How many times do you try to eat healthy and do what I do? You eat your meals (now cut in half because you are trying to lose weight) and you end up standing in front of the refrigerator at 10pm at night looking for something to satisfy your hunger? Unfortunately, I tend to grab the "wrong" snacks which really don't help take the unwanted pounds off, in fact eating the wrong foods might just pack some extra weight on!

I have found that snacking seems to be the way to keep your appetite under control in between meals. When you go without food for long periods of time your metabolism slows down, your body craves carbohydrates to use for a much needed energy boost. I am guilty as charged! I'll forget to eat for a few days when I get wrapped up with work, especially now that my kids are gone, and when I do finally eat, it's generally the "bad for you foods." When it comes time to finally eat it's hard to consciously choose healthy foods and a proper portion size. Although snacking can seem like your worst nightmare it's more about controlling what types of foods you snack on and how much you choose to consume.

How many of you feel that choosing the right snacks can be difficult, especially when trying to lose weight? I don't know about you all, but if I say I am on a "diet" I pack on 10 pounds without even opening my mouth. I have to trick myself...if I want something I have to tell myself, "Yum yum eat that up Michele, it's so good for you!" When in fact, it's so high in sugar or sodium. If I tell myself I cannot eat something,..it make me only want to eat it more...reverse psychology is what you must use on yourself.

You'll want to eat something to satisfy your craving that is low in calories and healthy. Your snack doesn't necessarily have to be low fat as long as you keep your portion sizes and food choices under control. By pairing two different food types together you will feel fuller for longer, just remember to reduce the amount of each food that you eat. So the next time you're feeling hungry or its time for a snack choose foods from this list to keep you full and satisfied.


1. Fruit- Fruit is excellent for a snack. Whether you eat apiece by itself or pair it with cheese, yogurt or a dipping sauce, it has wonderful nutritional value and is low in calories. Most fruits are naturally sweet, which curb cravings for sugar snacks. Additionally they are a great source of fiber, have high water content and some contain antioxidants, anticancer, and heart disease fighting properties. For the quantity of melons and berries that you're able to eat for a snack they are surprisingly low in calories. Melons include watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, and casaba. Berries include raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and cranberries. Dried fruit can also be consumed because it maintains the fiber, vitamins, and minerals, however they tend to be higher in calories and can sometimes contain added sugar. Always remember your portion size when you eat dried fruits. The best fruits to eat for a snack include melons, berries, apples, pears, peaches, plums, oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, and red grapes. Fresh fruits of the season are the best!


2. Vegetables- Vegetables are a great source of nutrients, which makes them a perfect snack food. Vegetables are full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber and are very low in calories. Vegetables can be eaten alone or paired with other foods such as celery and peanut butter, cucumbers and hummus, carrots and low fat rand dressing, etc. Because most vegetables require some type of preparation such as cleaning, peeling or cutting, its best to prepare your vegetables ahead of time and store them in plastic baggies or Tupperware containers. Plant a garden. you be so much healthier, and you'll save a lot of change with the prices of produce sky rocketing with this shitty economy.


3. Nuts- Nuts are a great snack food that can be eaten on the go and stored easily. Nuts are a valuable source of fiber, antioxidants, protein, vitamins and healthy unsaturated fats. However, they run high in calories and fat so maintaining an appropriate serving size per sitting is necessary. Pistachios, almonds and walnuts are preferred for snacking purposes.


4. Legume- Legumes are a "whole food" that provides the body with essential nutrients such as fiber, protein, minerals, amino acids, omega 3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. Legumes are complex carbohydrates, which keep you feeling fuller for longer. Although legumes don't seem like a good snack food, most often they are made into a puree, dip, or added to a salad. The best legumes for snacks are beans, chickpeas, hummus, and tahini (pureed sesame seeds).


5. Dairy- Dairy is a great source of calcium, which builds strong bones, protein and vitamins. Its best to use low fat or fat free dairy products for snacking to avoid consuming high amounts of saturated fats. Yogurt, cottage cheese, ricotta, hard cheeses, milk, cream cheese, and sour cream are good sources of dairy foods for snacking. For yogurt beware of the added sugars which hike up the calories. Greek yogurt is thick and has a naturally sour taste, but is also higher in protein than normal yogurt. When measuring out serving size be careful with cheeses because even the low fat or fat free kinds tend to run high in saturated fats. You can consume 1/2 cup of soft cheese in one sitting and a couple of cubes of hard cheese such as mozzarella or Monterey jack.


6. Whole grains- Most snack foods consist of refined grains such as cookies, crackers and snack cakes. Refined grains are high in sugar and fat without any healthy benefits. Whole grains on the other hand have fiber, vitamins and minerals, which provide the body with nutrients and energy. When looking for a snack turn to whole grain food products to fill you up and keep you going. Some whole grain food products include whole grain crackers, tortilla chips, pita wedges, English muffins, rice cakes, cereals and popcorn. Light or low fat popcorn is great for snacking and is naturally high in fiber. Avoid butter, which adds fat and calories. Another option is 100% whole wheat or multi grain, however you want to watch out for added sugar and high saturated or trans fats. Whole grain snack foods are great combined with cheeses, dips, spreads, or fruits. Remember portion size when combining two food groups.


7. Nutrition Bars- Nutrition bars are a great snack to take on the go. They are easy, maintenance free and portable and most often contain a good amount of protein, vitamins, minerals and fiber. They come in all kinds granola, cereal, fiber, protein, and tons of flavors for everyone's different tastes. The fiber and protein will keep you full and satisfy your craving until your next meal. Always check the ingredient list for a high number of calories, sugar, fat and any added chemicals.