Saturday, August 15, 2009

RECOVERING FROM SUMMER PART 1

Hi Everyone,

Stalls in weight loss and exercise are common during vacations or other scheduled breaks from routine. Sometimes this slowed period of weight loss is called a plateau. Getting back on track can take some determination and skill.

Let's look at some possible causes of a slowed weight loss and some ways to get back on track.

l. Relaxed efforts- we can grow lax about portion sizes, activity or other healthy behaviors without even realizing it. Recommit this week to tracking and weighing and measuring food. Schedule in activity so it is a priority.

2. A body's changing needs - a smaller body uses fewer calories. Have you redone your points target lately? Are you checking in with your comfort zone?

3. Your body adapting to your exercise routine - over time your body gets used to doing the same regimen. Your body gets more efficient, and the activity takes less effort. Try a new exercise or up the time or intensity level.

Getting back on track is something we learn to do with any lifestyle change. Every day we recommit to our weight loss effort and our new healthy lifestyle. One day at a time - YOU CAN DO IT!!!

See you at the meeting for more tips and ideas!!!

Lorraine

OVERSTUFFED AVOCADO - BLT PIZZA
Makes 8 servings (1 wedge each) POINTS VALUE 3 per serving

1 (10 ounce) prebaked thin whole wheat pizza crust
3 TBSP reduced fat mayonnaise
2 cups lightly packed mixed baby salad greens
1 tomato, diced
1 avocado, halved, pitted, peeled, and diced
4 slices turkey bacon, crisp cooked and coarsely crumbled

1. Preheat the oven to 450F
2. Place the pizza crust on a baking sheet. Bake until crisp, about 10 minutes. Transfer the crust to a wire rack and let cool slightly.
3. Spread the mayo evenly over the crust. Top with remaining ingredients and cut into 8 wedges.

Friday, August 7, 2009

CONTROLLING CRAVINGS

Hi Everyone,

It starts off as a random thought running through your head. "Boy, wouldn't chocolate ice cream taste good right now? You try to ignore it, but the thought won't go away. Before you know it, you can't stop thinking about ice cream.

Have you every felt like this? Cravings happen to all of us. What we do about them can be the key to our success.

Step one is to think about the reason for the craving. Is this a food I haven't eaten in a long time. Have I been overly restrictive in my program? Could this be an emotional craving? How can I learn to fit my favorite foods into my program so I don't have so many cravings.

Here are a couple of things to try when the craving persists. Distract it - turn the stove timer on for twenty minutes and go on to something else. In twenty minutes you might not even remember what it was that you wanted. Fake it - find a lower point food that will give you the same result (lower point ice cream, or cold chocolate pudding).

Come to the meeting for more tips and ideas. See you there.

Lorraine

BBQ CHICKEN AND GRILLED SWEET POTATOES
Makes 4 servings
Points Value per serving 5

2 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp chili powder
1/2 tbsp ground cumin
1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tbsp garlic powder
1/2 tbsp dry mustard
1 tbsp sugar
1 pound uncooked boneless skinless chicken breast, four 4-oz pieces
2 large sweet potatoes
1 spray cooking spray
1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste

1. Mix paprika through to sugar. A few hours before you plan to grill, rub chicken breasts with seasoning mixture. Cover and refrigerate until 15 minutes before you grill.
2. Peel sweet potatoes and slice into 1/3 inch discs. Place in a pot with enough cold, salted water to cover, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil 3 to 4 minutes, than drain and cool.
3. When it's time to grill, preheat grill, then spray potatoes with cooking spray or olive oil spray and salt them. Salt chicken breasts. Place potatoes and chicken on grill and cook until done. The seasoning mixture makes the chicken very reddish in color, so be careful not to cook the chicken too long.