The work week ended, the weekend came and went… And…look what I found… the top twelve weight loss tips to get you up and moving!
What did you do to increase your metabolism and promote your healthy weight loss program? We had a relaxing, working weekend…yes, working can be relaxing, especially when it is work you don’t do daily! (hubby usually does this, so it was relaxing to ME) he he, sshhh, don’t tell him I told you… First of all, we started off getting the laundry out of the way…we had ordered some new pillows for the bed and I wanted clean sheets to go with new pillows!
Dishes were next, watering the lawn and plants, finishing up computer work, and then off to play, shop, and eat! Eat? Yes, eat…that is how I maintain my healthy weight loss plan.
Healthy weight loss is such a huge topic today.
From us grandmothers to young teens it’s the rage. We all are so focused on how we look…we pay no mind to how we feel or even worse how sick our bodies really are! Imagine how much money is spent to look good! Even more, think about how much money is spent, again and again, when the cycle repeats itself. I call this yo-yo dieting, I’ve done it my whole life. We lose weight, we gain it all back plus a few, and then start all over again, no wonder our metabolism is all messed up. Sound familiar?
Imagine if… you could put together a plan that would once and for all put an end to that cycle! What would you be willing to do to make that happen? Let’s look at some specific tips we can add to our daily routine to get to our destination…a healthy body, that not only looks good but operates at its peak!
A myth that we need to dispel first… * A calorie is a calorie
Most doctors are taught this in school. Were you aware that the majority of doctors have only 3 hours of training in nutrition? A new study finds physicians’ nutrition education lacking – “A new study indicating that 60 percent of medical schools in the United States are not meeting minimum recommendations for their students’ nutrition education offers more reasons for consumers to seek food and nutrition advice from the experts…”
Is a calorie a calorie? Absolutely not, this is simply NOT true. Calories are not the same for you and me. You may exercise more than I do. Athletes’ bodies utilize calories very differently from you and me, even when we exercise. How do you ask? A trained athlete, like a ball player, burns calories very differently from the stay-at-home mom who exercises in the Jazzercise video. Hormonal imbalance can affect how you burn and save calories, too. This indicates that we need to balance out our hormones to attain our weight loss, too. Matter of fact, until I got my hormones straightened out, I couldn’t lose a pound if I ate celery for a week! Once my hormones weren’t whacky anymore, then the pounds started melting like butter.
Do you know what “saved” calories are? I didn’t either until I read some of these articles and then I got mad…these are the calories that our bodies save, and they are known as FAT!
* The latest research shows… We all know that to lose weight and keep it off we must restrict the amount of food we eat and get up and move, and exercise. What we don’t need to do is go on a specific “diet” to lose this weight. Instead, it makes better sense to let our unique DNA tell us what we should and shouldn’t eat, what exercise works best for us, and then start following our born-with blueprint.
Each time we diet, we are programming our minds that we are “doing without”. We all know what that does…makes us want it all the more. When we feel deprived we will do exactly the opposite of what we want to do…automatically.
Let’s look at the top twelve weight loss tips to get us up and moving…
- Keep a food diary. After we’ve eaten our meal, record what we’ve put in our mouth. Record how you were feeling at the time (your emotional state) This will help you see where your eating habits come from.
- Drink an 8-ounce glass of water before each meal. Remember, we need at least 8 eight-ounce glasses of water throughout the day. (the more active you are the more water you need, up to 12 eight-ounce glasses per day). Don’t forget your electrolyte replacement.
- Change your dinner plate for a salad plate. This will convince your mind that you have eaten a full-sized meal.
- After each mouthful, lay down your fork or spoon. Don’t pick it up again until you have chewed your food and swallowed.
- Take a sip of water between each mouthful of food (at least every other mouthful)
- Enjoy and savor each morsel of food. As you eat and chew, savor the flavor and texture. Don’t swallow until the flavor is gone.
- Carry a water bottle with you. Each time you want to eat something, take a drink instead. Especially those of us who work at a computer all day and feel the need to fill our mouths.
- Brush your teeth between meals. This takes the temptation to eat away and will discourage eating between meals.
- Don’t keep finger foods in the house. Want a snack? Force yourself to eat only with a fork or spoon.
- Only eat in the dining room at the table when you are hungry. If you must snack, sit at the table until you have finished eating. Even use your own place mat, this will program your mind that it is time to eat and your body will relax and enjoy its meal.
- Picture yourself as you want to be, not as you are. I have a picture of a model that is the weight I want to be. I keep it on the refrigerator and look at it every time I open the door. (be realistic with this, mine is a small plus-size woman, not a “Twiggy” teen)
- Remember, non-diet soda and alcoholic beverages contain lots of calories. If you must drink them, sip slowly.
Keep in mind, that each of us is individual. We may need to adjust plus or minus from the above examples according to our personal weight, needs, and circumstances. Do the best you can do, don’t focus on what you can’t do…focus on what you did right, and celebrate that!
So, now we have a plan. We are NOT going to diet, we are going to change the way we think, act and eat. We are going to take baby steps, one, two, three…it took me months to get my plan going and to see results. Today I am 21 pounds slimmer, 4 sizes smaller, and well on my way to my goal. I know you can do it! Together managing our weight will be fun, rewarding, and in the end…I will have healthy, excited friends who will be living a life of adventure for a long time.
Do what you must do to put your plan into action, then relax and live your life. Let’s do this together and start living our adventure today! Until next time…
"Very well put. I've been with a health and nutrition company for over 26 years and I understand exactly what you are going through. I shiver to think what my health might be today at age 68 had I not stuck to my guns as far as practicing what I preach. Yes, I fall off the wagon regularly but my daily routine life reflects taking care of my health. That way I can keep up (somewhat) with my 7 grandchildren. You keep it up, Carla". 
"For most people the thought of venturing out there in pursuit of your dreams, in a place outside of your comfort zones is just what stops them. But I could sense your excitement not resentment in going against the competition. In planting your stake and truly making a difference in the clients experience. That's ultimately what matters, the rest just falls so easily into place. Thanks for that reminder"! 
Carla, I’ve got to say that I LOVE your focus on the joys and challenges facing women over 50. I’m definitely in that camp! I’ve been inspired by your candor, practical ideas, and refreshing determination to joyfully tackle life. The hours we’ve spent on the phone, in person, and through social media have enriched my life immeasurably. YOU are one Fiery Grandma, and I love your style! 
I have known Carla Gardiner for 6+ years. We met at a business training for bring business online. She is a business women at heart and willing to do the hard things to make the results show up. I have watched her run a business, work a job and take care of her family. She is a go getter when it comes to putting in the work to build her business to the level of being able to enjoy her grand kids.
She is the example that age is not a limit it is a tool for sharing knowledge to those she empowers to use their own skills and talents. Excuses are fuel to push her to learn and apply. I have seen her scared to death about implementing new technology and rock it out despite the learning curve.
I love watching you grow into your greatness Carla! Don’t slow down. 
"Carla, you are a model for me to follow. I love your site. And, I like what you have to say - very kind, very gracious. I have to say though that nothing in my life has ever been crystal clear". 
"I've known Carla for 5+ years and can tell you that she has lived every bit of this and more. We shared tears and laughs and hard work....you will enjoy getting to know Carla."
I’m so glad you mentioned the hormone imbalance thing. I am only 29 but just found out my hormones are simply crazy! I have an appt on the 3rd of January to start figuring out how to fix everything and I’m so excited! I’ve always had a problem with weight, but about 5 years ago I lost a considerable amount due to lifestyle changes. For the past year I’ve been doing my best to eat healthy and exercise but can’t seem to lose an ounce – just keep slowly gaining and feel like I have no control over it. I wish more women knew about hormone imbalances and got them checked!
Also, thanks for a great site!
Oh Meg I’m so thankful that this article helped give you some relief and put your mind at ease. Trust me when I tell you that my weight has been a lifelong issue, a struggle and as I got older it even became more so. It is troubling to hear that you are starting at such an early age. If you would like to chat, I’ll be in the office tomorrow…I may have some information that could dramatically change your life for the better.
I’d just about given up on losing weight – I have a thyroid condition and just restricting calories does not work. Then menopause hit. I felt rotten, my blood pressure was high, I got sick all the time, even the plus size 18 was startng to get tight. So I had to do something.
I restrict the calorie intake to what my Dr (and I) figured would be acceptable (keep the food diary – if I don’t I cheat), exercised more (walk the dogs 3 times per day instead of 2, climb the stairs even if I don’t have to, put on 80’s music and dance while I do house work) and Water, Water and more water. And talk about it with other people who are trying to do the same thing. Young people don’t get it, husbands don’t get it, but other grandmothers (or those of the grandmother age) do.
I lost 40 pounds (still got 40 to go). Its taken a year, but I feel great!
I try to remember that it took me 15 years to put on the weight, I can’t expect it to disappear in a few weeks or months.
Keep on rocking Carla!