Happy Halloween

I hope you all are enjoying the day and keeping on program. Yesterday, I got fully prepared. I brought Fiber One Bars, Smart One Chocolate Muffins and yogurt. I brought the yogurt with me, I already had the muffins here but I forgot one of the most important things! My Fiber One Bars to have in place of candy.

Oh well, I'll deal. As soon as my boss got here she handed me a handful of mini chocolate bars just for me. I actually did good. I put them away in my desk drawer (I usually don't sit at that desk)... I'm try to save them for a rainy day.

I get 25 points, so far I've used up 9. I'm making Carne Asada for Dinner with all the fixings, so I know I'll be dipping into my flex points tonight. So far the cupcakes or candy haven't been tempting - which is a good thing.

Well, I hope you all have a Safe and Happy, OP Hallween!

L is for LLLLLOOOSSSEEERRR!!!!

Today was weigh-in... and I'm down 1.6! Which puts me at a 13 pound loss!!! I'm super excited. 2 more pounds and I'll be at my 15 pound mark, and after that I'll be reaching for my 10% goal!!!

I am now the same weight I was when I was 17 years old 04/20/04, the day before I went into labor (40 weeks pregnant)... lol. Crazy huh, I remember freaking out then when I got on the scale because I was so close to 200... now when I got on the scale and seen 183 I was doing my victory dance... funny how things work.

I'm excited to be losing. I feel really motivated and back on track today. Tomorrow's Halloween and I think I'm prepared for it... I brought Fiber One Bars today to have when everyone else is having candy. I also brought Smart One's Chocolate Muffins when everyone else is having cupcakes and whatever other high point foods my boss brings in for them. I should do fine tomorrow.

Did I tell you about my coat? I thrifted a coat on my birthday that is a bit too small for me... my goal is to get into it by Christmas... so getting into that coat to me is more important and will bring more satisfaction than a candy bar.

Another video should be coming soon... should by up sometime next week... the 4th will be my 2 month anniversary... I'm proud of myself for sticking to this.

It's Wednesday

I'm feeling much better today. Even though tomorrow's weigh-in I'm okay about it. I feel back in control. I think I get a little nutty when I go over on the weekend then have to make up for it the rest of the week. Friday's Halloween, but unless we go out to a club I should be okay with my points. Halloween isn't really a dinning holiday. Vi is going to her BFF's house, and Ross' kids will be with their mother... that means I will be able to steer clear of the trick-or-treating candy.

My boss wants to do a little something for our patients. I think I'll make cupcakes to bring in, which I should be okay with... once I set them out for the patients and they start in on them I won't touch them. I'm finicky about my food and who's around it. Which is a good thing, it'll prevent me from walking back and forth to the waiting room shoving cupcakes in my mouth.

I got on the scale this morning and it said I'm down .8... which is a little annoying because that means I won't move to the next number down on the scale... oh please scale goddess will you please let me be down at least .10? I'm expecting a loss, that's all I know... my scale is a little wonky, I'll weigh myself at home - it'll say one thing. Then I'll get to Weight Watchers and either I'll be lower in weight or higher then what my scale says. My scale - it has a mind of it's own.

Is It Thursday Yet?

Today was a big struggle. I think it's my stress level and TOM's visit that has me wanting to shove everything I shouldn't in my mouth. I'm craving JUNK, JUNK, JUNK! I gave into some of my cravings like Cheese Puffs, I never eat those... what's the matter with me?

I think I need to go to Walgreens in the morning and pick up some more Fiber One Bars, those will keep me away from all the Halloween chocolate my boss has at the office. I've been out of Fiber One Bars all week... it's been a struggle for me.

I made it through the day, catching up on all my water - got some exercise in... I should have a decent loss. I got one more day until weigh-in, I can do this! I CAN DO THIS! I WILL DO THIS!

Zero Point Soup

Zero Point Soup 2/3 cup diced carrot
1/2 cup diced onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups fat-free broth ( beef, chicken or veggie)
1 1/2 cups diced green cabbage
1/2 cup green beans
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 cup diced zucchini
1. In large sauce pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, sauté the carrot, onion and garlic over low heat until softened, about five minutes.

2. Add broth, cabbage, beans, tomato paste, basil, oregano, and salt, bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer, covered for about 15 minutes or until beans are tender.


3. Stir in zucchini and heat 3-4 minutes. Serve hot, Makes four 1 cup servings.


Calories: 42 Per Serving
Fat: 0G
Fiber: 2G

FREAK OUT!

I need to get a grip... for some reason I feel totally off... I feel like splurging, I have no willpower. I want sugar, sugar, sugar! Yesterday I went crazy and had 4 cupcakes... I need to stay away from cupcakes... today I can still save the day... I have 13 points left.

So far I've had:

1 Reese's Cup - 2 pt
1 Cupcake - 6pt
I'm counting a 1/2 Tamale but I actually had it yesterday but ran out of points yesterday so I'm counting it for today. So that's 2 pts.
As soon as I'm done here I'm having a WW Shake with 1 cup fat free milk so that's another 3pts.

I went for a 20 minute walk so I earned a point. So that leaves me with 13 points left.

Okay, now that I wrote that out I feel a little better. I think I need to catch up on my water and just try to calm down. All week my water has been off. I don't know why but I feel anxious. TOM is here so that might have something to do with it.

(pause: taking deep breaths)

On to funner news... Diet Soda Diva's Holiday Challenge - 2008! So far there are five of us pledging to stay on program through out the holidays.... anyone else wanna join us? We're going to do this and kick butt during the holiday season. I'm excited. Ideally, I want to get together some nice little packages to mail out to the particpates once the challenge is over or maybe even during the challenge. I don't want to say too much until I have everything together. But for sure the real prize is the weight we're going to get rid of!

I just realized I'm less then 3 pounds away from my 15 pound mark. Then after that I'll be at my 10%. Thinking of these things gets me motivated. I'm excited now...

Diet Soda Cake

1 box cake mix - any flavor
1 can diet soda - any flavor

Variations I've seen:
chocolate cake w/ diet coke
yellow cake w/ diet lemon-lime
use your imagination for the combinations! Oh the possibilities!


Mix the dry cake mix with 10-12 oz of diet soda. (Do not use the egg or oil listed
on the box). Spray a 9 x 12 cake pan (or cupcake tin) with non-stick spray and
bake according to package instructions.

Some have said an entire can of pop makes the cake TOO moist ... 10 oz. seems
to be the least I've seen suggested. Experiment yourself to find the best amount
for your taste.
--

Tip: Make sure to let the cake cook completely before you try to cut it. Because you aren't adding eggs, the cake will be tender and can tear if you cut it while it's warm. Some people have started adding 2 egg whites to the mix. It doesn't raise the points any (less than 1 point) but they report that the cake is firmer and rises better.

POINTS? You have to figure your points from the cake mix you use. Multiply the nutritional info on the box by the number of servings the box says you get (usually 12). Then divide by the actual number of pieces you cut or cupcakes you make. The points will vary widely depending on how much fat is in your cake mix. I made this cake with a Betty Crocker German Chocolate cake with 2.5 grams of fat per serving. It came to 4 points for 12 slices. That would have been 2 points per cupcake if I'd made 24.


I've tried this before and it works... I used lemon/lime soda with yellow mix. Good way to cut down on points and fat.

DIETSODADIVA.COM'S HOLIDAY CHALLENGE - 2008

THE CHALLENGE WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR AND NEED THIS TIME OF YEAR IS HERE!!! DIETSODADIVA.COM'S HOLIDAY CHALLENGE - 2008!!!

Here's What Ya Gotta Do... MUST BE IN BY 23:59 HOURS (11:59 pm) NOVEMBER 16TH, 2008 - CHALLENGE BEGINS ON NOVEMBER 17TH, 2008 AND WILL RUN UNTIL 11:59pm JANUARY 5TH, 2009!

1. Email me your information: WHEN E-MAILING SUBJECT HEADING MUST BE DIETSODADIVA.COM'S HOLIDAY CHALLENGE - 2008 SUBMISSION (Or something similar).
Name
Nickname if any
Blog Address if any
Current Weight
Address
Before Picture
50 Day Goal
Biggest Challenge Staying On Program
Suggestions, Ideas for This Challenge, For Other Challenges... if any.

Provide a mailing address if you would like to received your challenge completion certificate and or prizes at the end of the challenge.

Your information (i.e. photo, first name/nickname, link to blog if any, current weight, challenge goal, and current status) will be posted on DIETSODADIVA.COM anything you're not comfortable having posted, including pictures just let me know in the email... ADDRESSES OR CONTACT INFORMATION WILL NOT BE POSTED. I respect everyone's privacy and comfort level. If you don't want anything posting, just let me know - that's fine too...

2. Make your BEST effort to Stay on Program.
- Journal EVERYDAY and faithfully.
- Drink Your Water - At Least 6 Cups of Water Daily.
- Stay With In Your Points Range.
- Earn at Least 10 Activity Points a week.
- AND PROMISE THAT IF YOU FALL OF PROGRAM, YOU'RE GOING TO GET YOURSELF UP, DUST YOURSELF OFF AND GET BACK ON!!!

3. Check DietSodaDiva.com daily for new Challenge information and updates.

4. Be willing to post your journal for the day at least once a week.

5. E-mail results every 5 Days: weight, how you're doing, feeling... etc.

6. Every 25 Days Send In UPDATED PHOTO to be posted.

7. At the end of the 50 Days e-mail in your final results, and photos.




WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF DIETSODADIVA.COM'S HOLIDAY CHALLENGE?
The purpose of the Challenge is to keep you motivated during the hardest dieting/healthy eating time of the year - holiday season! Our goal is to make this challenge fun and keep you active and excited about losing weight during this time. Who says losing weight and learning to live on program has to be a punishment... lets make it FUN, there will be no winners or losers. If you complete the Holiday Challenge... YOU'VE WON! Also, it's a sort of way to help keep you accountable for saying on program.


WHAT WILL I WIN IF I COMPLETE THE CHALLENGE?
DietSodaDiva.com isn't sure what the prizes will be yet... but for sure you won't win cash, or anything major. Don't go quitting your job or anything. Expect a small reward - your REAL prize will be walking around with less weight, and feeling and looking even HOTTER! Prizes will be announced later.


WHAT IF I NEED HELP OR MOTIVATION?
DietSodaDiva.com updates daily with either tips, recipes, and extra tidbits, so make sure to check it out daily, if you still need more support email me directly.


WHAT DO I DO IF I FALL OFF TRACK, WILL I STILL BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE?
Of course you will!!! All you have to do is get your butt up and on program. We're all human, and well sometimes things happen and we lose it for a day or two... the important thing is getting back on ASAP.


WHAT IF I DON'T REACH MY GOAL... WILL I STILL GET A PRIZE?
Of course you will as long as you continue to participate through the full challenge.


WILL ALL THE PRIZES BE THE SAME?
We're not sure at this point how the prizes will work, just that everyone will receive acknowledgment for participating...


HOW DO YOU KNOW I'M NOT LYING ABOUT REACHING GOAL OR STAYING ON PROGRAM?
Because DietSodaDiva.com trusts you. And if you say you're staying on program, then you must be. If you lie about it, you're only lying to yourself.


DO I HAVE TO BE A WEIGHT WATCHER MEMBER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CHALLENGE?
No, just following the program. We are in no way affiliated with Weight Watchers, and are making no profit from this... so whether you pay for meetings or you don't it doesn't matter to us, as long as you're following the program.


DO I HAVE TO HAVE MY PERSONAL INFORMATION OR PHOTO POSTED? CAN I JUST PARTICIPATE PRIVATELY?
Of course you can, DietSodaDiva.com thinks it would be fun to have the participates pictures and goals on the website, but it isn't mandatory to do so. Just let us know when you send in your info what info you don't want on the site, please be specific what you're not comfortable having posted. YOUR ADDRESS OR EMAIL ADDRESS WILL NOT BE POSTED ON DIETSODADIVA.COM


CAN I JUST HAVE MY BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTO POSTED AT THE END OF THE CHALLENGE BUT NOT IN THE BEGINNING?
Sure, whatever makes your comfortable... the goal of the challenge is to keep your motivated. Not to make you feel uncomfortable having your picture on a website.

I'M A TOTAL HAM AND WOULD LIKE YOU TO POST AN UPDATED PICTURE OF ME EVERY 10 DAYS FOR THE WORLD TO SEE... CAN YOU MAKE THAT HAPPEN?
We sure can, if you would like your photo posted more often then every 25 days that's great, just email it to me and I'll make a special post just for you. Whatever it'll take to keep you motivated and through this challenge.

IS THERE A SPECIFIC WAY YOU WANT THE PHOTO SHOT?
That's up to you, however you're comfortable. Just please NO NUDITY. A date stamped photo or holding a sign in the picture with the days date would be nice but not required.


I DON'T WANT TO DO THE CHALLENGE, BUT I KNOW SOMEONE WHO COULD BE INTERESTED, CAN I FORWARD THIS INFORMATION?
Sure you can, the more participates the merrier! As long as the info is into me before 11:59PM November 16th, 2008.


I DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO GETTING MY PICTURE ONLINE, WHAT CAN I DO? CAN I STILL PARTICIPATE?
Yes, you can. Just send in the rest of the info and let me know you can't submit a photo.

WHAT IF MY QUESTION HASN'T BEEN ADDRESSED?
Then email me at dietsodadivaATyahooDOTcom with your questions, comments, or suggestions. Please use the following or something similar in the subject line: QUESTION ABOUT DSD'S 2008 HOLIDAY CHALLENGE.

Another One Bites The Dust...

I'm down a pound. It feels so good to be restarting this week... as it gets closer to weigh-in day I tend to hold my breath and I get anxious right before weigh-in. I can't wait to get there and weigh-in. I'm now down 11.4... inching my way to my 10% goal. I'm a little more then half way there. I'll have it before Christmas.

I'm still trying to get over this cold and get my asthma coughing under control... so I think I'm going to go lay down for now.

Tomorrow I should have up the Diet Soda Diva Holiday Challenge 2008 information up. I have a few who have contacted me ready to be challenged... where are the rest of you? You can comment here or email me at dietsodadivaATyahooDOTcom! Or you can check in tomorrow for the details then decide if it's for you.

It's Wednesday

It's Wednesday, and we all know what today is... the eve of my weekly weigh-in! I got on the scale yesterday I was down 1.8, then I got on the scale again a couple of seconds later and I was only .8 down. This morning I got on the scale and I am down .8 so I'm assuming I'm going to have a lost somewhere around there - which is fine. That's very close to a pound. I did okay this week. I think I could of done better over the weekend... but I'm not going to beat myself up over it. Instead, today I'm going to stick to program jump on the scale tomorrow afternoon and start my week all over, aiming once again to stay within points range and not go crazy over the weekend. This weekend should be easier for me because I'm staying home to get some cleaning done and spend some solo mother-daughter time with Vi.

Eleven Tricks to Keep You Out of the (Unhealthy) Halloween Treats

If you are trying to eat more healthy, not gain weight or get a grip on a sweet tooth, then don't use Halloween as an excuse for a candy mountain binge. Should you eat healthy Halloween candy? (Is there such a thing as healthy Halloween candy?) Or should you avoid it all together?

Here are Eleven Tricks to Keep You Out of the (Unhealthy) Halloween Treats

---If you are treating---

1. Don't buy your treats too early.

2. Don't buy candy that appeals to you - certainly not your favorite. (Whom do you think you're tricking?)

3. Keep the stash in your trunk until the big day.

4. Don't open the bag until the first goblin arrives.

5. Have apples, oranges, or bananas as alternative choices.

6. Consider a grab bag of non-food choices from the dollar store - small flashlights, markers, decks of cards, pencils, notepads, yoyos, chewing gum, etc.

7. You might also choose to have your own stash of healthy Halloween candy or make yourself some popcorn or have some other tasty healthy treats for your personal munching during the course of the evening. You can find somewhat healthy Halloween candy in the health food sections of grocery stores. Try CoCoaVia Blueberry and Almond Chocolate Bars. Or Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Edamame.

---If your kids are getting treated---

8. Make a plan with your kids. Here's a suggestion: When they return home with their booty ask them to put a reasonable daily amount in seven different bags, one for each of the next seven days. Explain to them about empty calories and nutritional calories, telling them that they can have their candy after they have their nutritional calories. Let them choose their nutritional calories too. Perhaps even take them shopping to pick out some nuts, fresh fruit, baby carrots with dip, etc.

Try not to argue with them about their choices. Let them set their own limits so they'll feel some loyalty to them. Even if it is more than you feel they should have, this is great practice to reinforce reasonable eating habits for life.

9. Make a trip to a homeless shelter to drop off all extra candy, including whatever is left over from treating and whatever was more than needed from the kids seven daily bags. (The kids could go with you.) If you can't go right away, put it in a bag in the trunk specifically for marked for the shelter.

---While at work---

10. Please, for the sake of reasonable dieters everywhere - do not bring the overflow to work with you. If there is a ton of candy at work, quietly slip it into your trunk for the visit to the homeless shelter too.

~~So you don't feel deprivef ~~

11. Have a healthy Halloween treat that borders on decadent. If it is within your means and your capacity for self-control, buy yourself one really fine dark chocolate candy bar to eat over the course of the Halloween extravaganza. Stay away from ALL other candy, including your kid's bags and your co-workers candy bowl.

Thank you Donna R. from WWMSG for sharing...

Should Be Okay

I had a great weekend, but an okay point counting weekend. I went over 19 points... so one again I'm cutting points for Thursdays weigh-in. I'm cutting by 5 per day... I'll only be able to make up 15 of those points but that's still pretty good... I did better this weekend than I did last weekend.

Ross made me the yummiest chicken dish... Mojito Chicken or is it Chicken Mojito... the recipe he used was a nice light one... I'm going to figure out the points and post them here. It was delicious!

I should do pretty good this weigh in. I'm hoping for a 1.6 pound loss, but I don't know if I'll be able to do that good... but you never know, the scale sometimes surprises me.

My goal for this week is to get the challenge information out... so far I have two participates... if anyone else is interested please email me or comment here... you can email me at dietsodadivaATyahooDOTcom. It's free to join and I'll be posting more information soon.

Balsamic chicken and mushrooms 4 points

4 PTS. PER SERVING

2 t. OIL (VEGETABLE OR OLIVE)

3 T. BALSAMIC VINEGAR

2 t. DIJON MUSTARD

1 LARGE GARLIC CLOVE (CRUSHED)

1 POUND BONELESS SKINLESS CHICKEN BREAST (FOUR 4 OUNCE PIECES)

2 CUPS FRESH MUSHROOMS, SMALL HALVED

1/3 C. CHICKEN BROTH

¼ t. DRIED THYME, CRUMBLED

IN A MEDIUM BOWL, MIX 2 T. VINEGAR, THE MUSTARD AND GARLIC. ADD
CHICKEN AND TURN TO COAT.

IN A NON STICK SKILLET, HEAT 1 t. OIL.

TRANSFER CHICKEN AND MARNINATE TO THE SKILLET. SAUTE CHICKEN UNTIL
COOKED THROUGH, TURNING WHILE COOKING. TRANSFER CHICKEN TO A PLATTER
AND KEEP WARM.

HEAT REMAINING TEASPOON OF OIL IN SKILLET. SAUTE MUSHROOMS FOR 1
MINUTE. ADD BROTH, THYME AND REMAINING TABLESPOON OF VINEGAR. COOK ,
STIRRING OCCASIONALLY, UNTIL MUSHROOMS ARE A DEEP BROWN, ABOUT 2
MINUTES LONGER. THICKEN WITH A LITTLE CORNSTARCH MIXED WITH A SMALL
AMOUNT OF WATER.

SERVE CHICKEN TOPPED WITH MUSHROOMS.

I SERVE IT OVER WILD RICE. BE SURE AND ADD POINTS FOR RICE.

Thank you Debbie for sharing this with me in 2006... Where ever you are Debbie my WW Buddy, if you see this make sure to please email me sometime... it's be good to see how you're doing...

Weight Loss Babbling

Very Close To Being Done...

I worked on my video entry yesterday... making a video, even if it's a simple one is hard work. I thought I was done, but then when I uploaded it to youtube.com I realized I accidentally cut out some scenes. I also can't figure out how to add music to the credits - which sucks.

Now I have to re-piece together the video, then redo the title and credit pages. Maybe I can finish it and be able to post it tomorrow. We'll see... anyone a Windows Movie Maker Master? If worse comes to worse I'll post it with no music... not that big of a deal.

Today's my birthday I'm turning the big 3-2. I have lunch planned with my mother and I think Ross is making me dinner, but I think he might be doing that tomorrow... which might be better for my points balancing. Today I'm eating super light. I had a Weight Watchers shake for breakfast, and 3 boiled egg whites for snack... I'm going to drink at least 3 cups of water before going to lunch and have a pear if I get ugly before then. I'll have 20 points to blow on lunch. I think I'll just order a salad. I'm going to check and see if I can figure out the points on their dishes.

Well that's about it for now... except to see a video with in the next couple of days. Also next week I'll be posting Holiday Challenge information...

Fresh Start!

I weighed in today... and guess what?! I'm down .4 of a pound. I'm one happy camper! That puts me at 10.4 lbs GONE. I get a new start today, so far I'm doing good. I've used 14 points and have 11 left. I might have a Smart One meal for dinner then a shake for a snack. Tomorrow I have to eat light. I'm going for a late lunch/early dinner with my mother to Sizzler and that's going to take up a lot of points. I'll have a shake in the morning... then for snack have some veggies with a little lemon juice. That'll leave me 22 points to blow without going into my flex points. Tomorrow's my birthday so Ross and I will be celebrating this weekend... I want to save my flex points for that.

I think tonight I'll get a chance to edit my first video entry. I recorded over and over, so what I'm probably going to end up doing is cutting and pasting them all together to make one video. Maybe I'll even have it up to share tomorrow.

Also last night I started getting my challenge information together... I'll be posting more details very soon, possibly next week.

So how are you doing today?

Wanna Brand New Start

I'm disappointed with myself this week. I overate over the weekend and spent the rest of the week trying to make up for it. I got on the scale this morning and I'm down .2 which is surprising considering I didn't think I lost anything and even possibly gained this week... tomorrow morning I'll definitely take a .2 of a pound loss and be happy with it. It's Wednesday I'm going to eat light on the points today. Here's the plan:

Breakfast:
- Weight Watchers Chocolate Shake made with 1 cup of Fat Free milk
Snack:
- 2 boiled egg whites with a little bit of lemon juice
Lunch:
- Smart One Cranberry Turkey Medallions meal
Snack:
- One Fiber One Bar
Snack:
- One Cucumber with lemon
Dinner:
- Weight Watchers Chocolate or Vanilla Shake made with 1 cup of Fat Free milk
Snack:
One Fiber One Bar

If needed another snack will be a Cucumber with lemon

Total Points: 16 points

16 points is a little low so I might throw in another 3 points somewhere in there today.

I don't like doing this to myself. Feeling limited like this makes me feel like I'm on a diet. This isn't the right way to do Weight Watchers. I want to do it the right way.

Thank Goodness tomorrow is weigh-in. I get a brand new start tomorrow!

Four Body Types: How to Dress

Every female's body is unique, but our overall body shape typically fits into one of the following four categories: apple, pear, plus-size, and boyish.

If You Are Apple Shaped:

* Don't wear empire-waist tops.

* Wear blouses that fit at the bust, but are not too clingy. Menswear is trendy this season and will give you the fit you desire. "The delicate balance of masculine and feminine touches also looks great with suits," writes Suze Yalof Schwartz, of Glamour magazine.

* Pay attention to the collars of tops — your best bets are v-neck, boat, and collared. "Attention to detail around the neck area elongates the neck," adds Yalof Schwartz.

* Match your upper half with pants that are either normal or wide-leg to create the perfect proportion.

* Wrap tops and dresses are ideal for your body type — thank goodness for the crossover effect.

* Invest in a long coat as the weather begins to get a little chilly.

* Choose long-lapelled jackets.

* Wear darker colors on the bottom, and play with brighter and lighter colors on top.

* Don't wear turtlenecks as they make large busts appear larger.

* Higher waistlines will pull in any excess weight.

* Pair any great outfit with a complimentary pair of shoes, whether they are wedges, flats or chunky heels.

If You Are Pear Shaped:

* Wear fitted tops knits are a great option to emphasize the smallest part of your body. "Wearing something black and slimming (on top) makes you look small all over," says Yalof Schwartz.

* Pair tops with low-rise pants to balance out your complete fall look.

* Beware of trousers with side pockets, which just bring more attention to your hip area.

* Dress in A-line skirts and dresses that rest around the knee.

* Don’t wear anything too clingy on your lower half.

* Wear darker bottoms and play with prints, colors, and patterns on the top.

* Wear lower and wider necklines to bring draw attention upward.

* Invest in a great pair of bootcut or wide leg pants.

* Emphasize your fit upper body with sleeveless tops and tees.

* Don't laugh, but shoulder pads are ideal to create an hourglass shape. Buy jackets with built-in shoulder pads, or have a tailor sew them in.

* Wear handbags above the hip.

If You Are Plus-Size:

Most plus-size women are hourglass, apple or pear shaped. However, here are some great tips that work for women of every size:

*Don't wear oversized clothing, as it will make you larger. The stylish trapeze dresses this fall are not the best option for your body type.

* Bring attention to your waist by cinching it at the smallest part with a great scarf or low-slung leather belt.

* Play with patterns and color, including metallics, but remember to match the size of the patterns to the body size and the chosen color to your complexion.

*Vertical stripes are truly a woman's best friend.

*Dress in this season's hottest cardigans, whether one button or three buttons.

*Layer your tops to give the illusion of a smaller frame.

*Purchase blouses with neckline detail.

* Monotone outfits in rich fall colors can be just as effective as wearing all black to create a slimming look.

* Try shopping online to find more options for fuller-figured women.

*Invest in proper undergarments and body shapers, if you feel necessary.

* Pair any outfit with a thin high-heeled shoe.

* Wear clothes with a little bit of stretch.

* Choose wide-leg pants with a long hem that cover all but the front of your shoe.

If You Have a Boyish Figure:

* Bring attention to your natural curves.

* Steer clear of cropped clothing and go for clothing that will elongate you.

* Pick items that are voluminous, including trapeze dresses and baby doll blouses.

* Dress with ruffles, ruching and detailing around the bust.

* Wear skirts because girl you've got the body for them - pencil skirts are our favorite for this season.

* You want to make your waist defined to trick the eye into thinking you are curvier than you might be.

* You can go crazy with patterns and textures, so wear the popular tweed and plaid this fall.

* Dress in color.

* Try spaghetti straps to bring attention to your neck and shoulders.

* Purchase straighter leg/classic shaped jeans and trousers.

* Make friends with the v-neck collar, as it is the universal collar for all body types.

* Show a little skin.

By Deirdre Uria, Kaboose.com Originally Posted on Yahoo.com

I try to stick to health related posts, but I think it's important not just for Diet Soda Divas, but for all divas any size to look great!

WANTED: WEEKEND WILLPOWER

Once again, another weekend and I screwed up. I went over my points by a million. Okay - more like 37 on Saturday, and 6 yesterday... last week I did this, and I still lost - but I don't think my can swing this every week. I don't like having to cut points Monday-Wednesday. Today I'm aiming to cut 5 points out and the same for tomorrow and the day after...

I woke up this morning with a sore throat and all around feeling like crap, so cutting out points won't bother me much. My stomachs upset and I didn't even feel like having my morning shake. I had it anyway. Now my stomach feels blah. I think I might skip lunch. I just don't feel good.

So far today I've had 4 points... my morning shake and a pear. I'm full. I need to catch up on my water too... I'm 6 cups behind.

I had a pretty good excuse this week... it was Ross' birthday... but of course no excuse is really a good excuse. Friday's my birthday. My mother is taking me to eat Friday during the day and Ross and I are going to spend Friday evening and the weekend together. My mother wants to go to Sizzlers for their all you can eat options - even thought she knows I've been losing weight. I told her I'd like to go someplace else... (considering it's my birthday), she said she was paying and that is where she wants to go... typical behavior coming from her. So I'm going. I'll just have to eat very light through out the day because I want to go prepared with as many points as I can, but I also have to spread my flex points out to last me at least through out the weekend.

I think I'll go hunt me down some tea right now...

Are You Up For A Challenge???

I really want to organized a holiday challenge. I know for me the holidays mean lots of baking and endless sweets. I need something to keep me motivated and on track and I think organizing a challenge for you all would help me stay on track... what do you say? Are you up for a challenge?

I don't have the exact dates of it yet, but it will for sure cover Thanksgiving and December Holidays and be free to join... let me get a plan together and come back with more details. There will be several categories... percentage fat loss, most pounds loss, and maybe before and after photo contest. I'll have to come up with some prizes... I want everyone to win something (well win something other than the hotter self they'll get out of this). Got ideas? Wanna participate? Leave me a comment or email me at dietsodadivaATyahooDOTcom.

Make sure to spread the word, all are welcome to enter just have them leave a comment here or email me to get added to the list.

Good Health at Any Age

Want to live a longer, healthier life? Start with the number on the scale.

Most of us know that being overweight can increase certain health risks for people of all ages. According to the Surgeon General, for people of all ages, extra pounds could mean increased risk for heart disease (the biggest killer of both men and women), certain types of cancer, Type 2 diabetes, stroke and more. But someone trying to lose weight at age 50 has different needs than a 30 year old trying to do the same. Fortunately, there are age-specific steps everyone can take to help them stay healthy and reach their weight-loss goals.

"The good news is that you can turn your life and health around, and this can occur at any age," says Bill McArdle, exercise physiologist for Weight Watchers International.

Luckily, a modest weight loss through good dietary and exercise habits can positively impact your risk for these conditions, according to Jessica Smerling, RD, corporate program development specialist for Weight Watchers. "In addition, losing weight can help improve symptoms for those who may already have these conditions."

So whether you're barely 30 or well past 40, you can build a long, healthy life starting today.

At Any Age...

Risk of chronic diseases can be decreased with similar steps. In addition to maintaining a healthy weight, no matter how old you are, you should:

1. Eat a variety of foods, with an emphasis on fruits and vegetables.

2. Choose whole grains over processed grains and foods with added sugars.

3. Choose fish, lean meats and poultry. Limit processed meats, especially from high-fat sources.

4. Aim to get in 30 or more minutes of moderate exercise most days if you're trying to maintain a healthy weight; more if you're trying to lose.

In Your Thirties…

As many people "settle down" in their thirties, they may start to notice one of the less desirable signs of adulthood: an expanding waistline. How can this be when your life seems busier than ever? According to McArdle, the widening responsibilities of job and family often mean you have less free time to focus on regular exercise and eating healthy foods.

Carrying extra weight at this age can affect not only personal health, but it can also affect the ability of both women and men to conceive a child. And, women who are overweight during pregnancy have an increased risk of miscarriage, hypertension, gestational diabetes, cesarean section and more difficulties with delivery. In these cases, the baby also has an increased risk of having higher birth weight and neural tube defects and being admitted to the intensive care unit.

Women

If you find your weight creeping up, look for small ways to move more (take the stairs, park a few blocks from work) or get back in touch with a sport you enjoyed as a teen. If you are trying to conceive, be sure your diet includes enough folate—a deficiency increases your risk of having a premature baby or a baby with low birth weight or neural tube defects. You can get it from a multivitamin, fortified cereals, enriched rice and vegetables such as spinach, broccoli and asparagus. And all women in this age group should also be sure to get enough calcium (1,000 mg per day), from supplements or nonfat dairy. Bone density peaks in the thirties, so now is the time to build strong bones.

Men

Career, marriage and kids mean a substantial change in lifestyle in your thirties. Now is the time to make a commitment to exercise before bad habits set in. If you find it hard to fit in fitness, McArdle suggests replacing coffee breaks or your evening beer with exercise breaks. "Be systematic," he says. "Set aside certain times during the day to exercise." You can even jump rope during commercials. "Or, if you're a big burger fan, try eliminating the fries and perhaps saying no to cheese," says Smerling.

In Your Forties...

Just when you think you've got yourself all figured out, something perplexing happens in your forties: Your metabolism starts to slow down. After age 45, the average person loses about 10 percent of their muscle mass each decade. As you lose muscle, you burn fewer calories, but if you're still eating the same amount of food, you'll see gains on the scale. Understanding this concept may help you keep the pounds—and the disease risks that come with them—at bay.

Women

One solution to the metabolism problem is to eat fewer calories, says Smerling. "Also, several studies show that resistance (i.e. weight) training can help boost metabolism, while newer research suggests that endurance (i.e. aerobic) exercise may help offset a decrease in metabolism with age," she says. To maintain and build muscle with resistance training, McArdle recommends doing a set of 8 to 10 exercises that work the chest, upper and lower back, arms, shoulders, abdomen and upper and lower legs twice a week. Starting in your forties, you should also be getting annual mammograms and clinical breast exams, and doing a self breast exam every month.

Men

Start eating smaller portions; it's the key to avoiding an increase in body fat. To accommodate a decline in muscle mass, increase metabolism by taking part in resistance training and physical activity. At this age, heart disease and diabetes start to become more of a real threat, especially if your lifestyle has not been healthy up to this point. Follow the smart eating and exercise steps above to control cardiac risk factors and defend against diabetes. Things to avoid:

• Saturated and Trans Fats: These include whole-fat dairy products, fatty meats and cookies and snack foods made with partially hydrogenated oils. Decrease your intake of them to minimize your heart disease risk.
• Salt: Limit it to lower your blood pressure.
• Refined starches and added sugars: Eat them less often as they offer little nutritional benefit.

In Your Fifties...

Paying attention to health and fitness can really pay off in your fifties, as your risk for heart disease, diabetes and many cancers goes up simply because you're getting older. (More than 90 percent of people with colon cancer, for instance, are diagnosed after age 50, according to the National Cancer Institute.)

If you haven't already, now is the time to talk to your doctor about an appropriate screening schedule for things like colon, prostate and breast cancers and osteoporosis. You also need to stay on top of your cholesterol and blood pressure levels. A number of mounting health risks can be improved through good diet and exercise. If you're overweight, don't get discouraged. First, aim to stop gaining, then work on losing—even 10 percent of your body weight can make a difference.

Women

The fifties bring another weight-related challenge for women: menopause. The average woman gains about 5 to 7 pounds during this time and tends to add those pounds around the waist, which is linked to increased cardiovascular health risks. In addition, "the risk of osteoporosis accelerates dramatically at the onset of menopause, so exercise (particularly weight-bearing exercise like jogging) and adequate calcium and vitamin D intake is crucial," say McArdle.

Need another reason to exercise? "A study of nearly 122,000 women found that exercising at least one hour daily reduced breast cancer risk by 20 percent, with a greater risk reduction for postmenopausal women," he says.

Men

One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, regardless of weight. But once diagnosed, overweight and obese men's risk of dying from the disease is 25 to 50 percent higher than normal-weight men. "Losing excess weight," says Smerling, "has been shown to help prevent recurrence of prostate cancer and allows for more accurate screenings."

If pesky back problems or painful joints are keeping you out of the gym, McArdle suggests trying non-weight-bearing exercises such as stationary cycling, water aerobics, swimming and light resistance exercises. "These activities work major muscle groups in a weight-supported form of exercise. They are also excellent for burning calories and provide many of the same health-related exercise benefits as their weight-bearing counterparts."

Regardless of your age, Weight Watchers has tips to help you live a healthy lifestyle.

Originally Posted On Weight Watchers.com: http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=4&art_id=48861&sc=3046

TGIF!

I MADE IT!!! YYYYEEEAAAHHH!!!!! I got my 10 pound award yesterday and get to add another charm to my bracelet!

I really didn't expect a 1.2 loss... I thought if anything a few ounces down or maybe a few ounces up... but I figured more down considering I was REALLY good on Wednesday. I think I ended up saving 9 points... or was it 6... either way I saved points Wednesday night.

I'm right on schedule... remember towards the end of last month (09/24/08) I posted a weight loss schedule...

09/25/08 - 7.6 pound loss
10/02/08 - 8.8 pound loss
10/16/08 - 11 pound loss
10/23/08 - 12 pound loss
11/25/08 - 15 pound loss
12/30/08 - 20 pound loss

So far I'm right on schedule! Right on exactly except for 09/25/08 I think I only lost .2 but by 10/02/08 I was right back on track.

It feels great to be losing weight. Tonight's the New Kids On The Block concert and I'm fit better in my 7th/8th grade t-shirt. I still have to suck in my stomach a bit for it to look descent... but that's okay... lol.

I updated my virtual model on virtualmodel.com... there isn't much difference yet. I see a SLIGHT (and when I say slight I mean SLIGHT) change in the face but that's it... another 6 pounds I'll see a big difference so that's when I'll repost it.

Well that's about it for now. I've better get busy and get stuff done - I have a date with Jonathan Knight tonight... well with him and Ross. Two hot men, I'm a lucky lady! :o)

10 Tips for Losing 100 Pounds

Got a lot to lose? Consider these tips for successful weight loss.

If you've got 100 pounds or more to lose, chances are you've already been on numerous diets and exercise programs, without long-term success. So, the standard advice -- eat less, exercise more, and don't give up -- just isn't enough.

WebMD polled weight loss experts -- as well as men and women who have lost 100 pounds or more and kept it off -- to ask for their best tips for those who have lots to lose. Here’s their advice.

1. Shrink Yourself: Analyze the Payoff You Get from Excess Weight

The question can startle people, but Anne Fletcher, RD, a Minnesota dietitian and author of the "Thin for Life" book series, asks it anyway. "What is your excess weight doing for you?"

Put another way, she asks: "What are you getting out of NOT losing weight?"

Her clients and those she has interviewed for her weight loss books have given her some surprising answers. Some told her they were hiding behind their weight as a way to avoid intimacy.

Others had less complicated reasons, she says. "One man said he didn't like mowing the lawn, and he didn't have to do it when he was heavy."

Identifying and understanding your underlying motivation to stay heavy -- and getting help if you need it to address the underlying issues -- can help spur your motivation to lose.

2. Assess Your Readiness

Your readiness to lose weight, once and for all, is crucial, says Fletcher. For her books, she has interviewed 20 people who lost 100 or more pounds. In general, the more ready they were -- with few distractions or excess stress in other areas of life -- the better they did.

How do you assess your readiness? Fletcher suggests asking yourself these questions: "Is my financial situation reasonably stable?" "Is my job and my spouse's job likely to stay the same [for the foreseeable future]?" "Do I have the time to devote to weight control?" "Are my relationships stable?"

That's not to say if your life isn't perfect you shouldn't still embark on a weight loss program, she says. But it is easier to focus on weight loss if you don't have multiple stresses elsewhere, she says.

Of course, there is always the exception. "I had one person who said her life was in complete chaos when she began to lose weight," Fletcher tells WebMD. "She felt the weight was the one thing she could control. So there's no one-size fits all."

3. Consider the Options

A plan that works for some people won't work for others.

"Get multiple sources of advice," suggests Victor Stevens, PhD, senior investigator at Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, in Portland, Ore., who has researched weight loss.

Whether you choose a supervised, structured weight loss and exercise program, go it alone, or undergo gastric bypass surgery, the process will be a life change, experts say. Instead of thinking you'll go on a diet (or that gastric bypass surgery will solve all your weight problems), understand that you are adopting a new, life-long plan of better eating and exercise, Stevens says.

4. Build in Accountability

Being accountable for following your weight loss plan -- whatever it is -- is crucial, says Stevens. "Almost all organized weight loss programs include some sort of accountability," he says. It could be attendance at a meeting, a weekly weigh in, or other structured program components.

You can build in your own accountability, of course, or partner with a friend. Your structure can be similar to those set by organized programs, or you can make them action based. For instance, you might set a goal and schedule for exercise each week (such as “I’ll walk three times this week after work for at least 45 minutes). Also set a day mid week to evaluate how well you are sticking with your plans. Adapt them if necessary -- or play makeup. For instance, if by Wednesday, you haven’t walked any night, you know you need to walk each night for the rest of the week to meet your goal.

Seeking medical help, especially when you have many pounds to lose, is wise. "It's always a good idea to consult with a doctor," Stevens adds. A doctor may also recommend other experts, such as a personal trainer or nutritionist.

5. Adjust Your Expectations

It's frustrating but true. That extra 100 pounds didn't come on overnight, and it's going to come off slowly. "We recommend people cut back 500 calories a day," Stevens says. Losing just one to two pounds a week is best, he says. So it could take a year or two to lose 100 pounds.

Set short term goals, Stevens and other say, instead of focusing on the 100 pounds. Think about it, for instance, as a plan to lose 20 pounds -- five times.

To stay motivated, set realistic goals beyond a specific number of pounds, advises Daniel Stettner, PhD, director of psychology at UnaSource Health Center, Troy, and adjunct professor of psychology at Wayne State University, Detroit, Mi. Think about getting to a certain weight, for instance, by a holiday -- Thanksgiving, Halloween, whatever -- when it's likely you'll be in a photo, he says.

Or think about an upcoming special event and decide you want to fit into a favorite, currently snug, dress or suit by then.

Focus on short-term weight loss goals that will help you meet the long-term ones, says Marisa Moore, RD, an Atlanta dietitian and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. "If your goal is to drop three dress sizes, that's long term. Short term is answering the question, what am I going to do to get there?" You could cut a three soda-a-day habit to one a day, for instance, taking a week to do it. And you could park farther from stores, requiring you to walk more.

6. Develop a Healthy Selfishness

As Fletcher counseled overweight clients, she noticed that many women, in particular, had a difficult time putting themselves first. All day long, they'd help their spouse, family, friends, and co-workers. At the end of the day, these women were exhausted. And they often turned to food. "The only 'nice' thing they did for themselves was eat," she says.

"People who lose weight and keep it off have developed a kind of healthy selfishness," she says. That means saying no sometimes and putting yourself first at least sometimes.

One woman who learned ''healthy selfishness" told Fletcher she would do anything to stay on track, including carrying baked potatoes in her flight bag to avoid having to eat airport food.

The healthy selfishness helps, too, when dining out, Stettner says. "Pick a place that has the kind of food you want to eat."

7. Fat Proof Your Environment

Even if you're committed to following a new, sensible eating plan, it can be difficult when, say, your teens' tortilla chips fall out of the cupboard every time you open it.

That's why it can help to "fat-proof" your environment as much as you can, says Stettner. "Get rid of 'off-program' or impulse foods at home and work," he says.

Call a family meeting and brainstorm options, he says. Say your teen can't exist without tortilla chips. You might decide as a family that the tortilla chip lovers keep their own stash, not in the kitchen, out of sight. This allows the person trying to lose to feel more in control, Stettner says.

8. Pick the Brains of Healthy-Weight People

Stevens advises those who need to lose 100 pounds to get insight from people who are at a healthy weight. He tells them: "Talk to people who are maintaining a steady weight, who have maintained it for three or four years, and who are your age."

Then ask them how they stay that way, he says. "You may be amazed," he says. Many overweight people think people at a healthy weight don't have to work at it, but those maintaining a healthy weight typically tell an unexpected story. It's an ongoing effort to stay lean. "They are careful what they eat; they pay attention every day," Steven says.

Hearing this may help those with lots to lose understand that life is going to be different if the weight is going to stay off, Stevens says.

Those who have lost substantial amounts of weight and kept it off say they stay true to their eating plan and their exercise plan. Wade Wingler, 37, of Danville, Ind., an executive with Easter Seals, took off 100 pounds, going from 317 pounds to 217 pounds.

"I do yoga every day," he says. He also does long-distance bicycling and follows a sensible eating plan.

Linda Thacker, 60, of Norfolk, Va., lost 120 pounds and has kept it off for 16 years. Healthy eating and working out regularly are habits now. "I do Jazzercise, speed walking, bicycling, and the Stairmaster," she says. "I try to exercise every day, [though] I don't always make it." But if a few days go by without working out, she gets right back to it.

9. Find Your Secret Weapons

Most people who have lost a substantial amount of weight and kept it off have a tool or strategy -- or several -- that help them stay on track and make this time the time they don't quit or regain.

Keeping a graphic record of weight loss helps people see the big picture and stay on track, finds Stevens of Kaiser Permanente, especially when they are regaining weight. Looking at the downward trend on the weight loss graph helps people cope with minor weight fluctuations, he finds.

Finding a way to stay focused is crucial, says Allan Goldberg, 54, of St. Clair Shores, Mich., who has lost 150 pounds by cutting calories and exercising. When faced with the temptation of overeating, he says, he asks himself: "Do I want to eat this and undo my hard work?"

10. Reward your Success -- in the Right Way

Anyone who's gotten weight loss guidance already knows the rule: no food rewards for taking off weight.

So what can you do? As you meet your short-term goals, buy something new, get a new nail polish color, or book a day at the spa, Moore suggests.

By Kathleen Doheny - Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD - Orginally Posted on WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/diet/lose-weight-8/lose-100-pounds

It's The Day Before Again...

It's the eve of my way in... and for once I'm not in a panic. This by far has been my worse week... I went over 12 points on Sunday, then 13 yesterday. I don't know what I was thinking going to eat Chinese with my mother. She just had a heart attack about March, and I'm counting points - neither of us had any business there.

I did however have veggies, fish (fried) and white rice... so I could of done a whole lot worse... I'm not giving up on this week. I have been eating a lot of fiber, so there's a chance that it'll all come right out... I'm not giving up on this week... but I will understand if I have a gain. I was a bad girl this week and if I gain then it was deserved.

I should have just said 'no thank you' when she offered a Chinese lunch. I'm going to stop beating myself up over this... it's done... the only thing I can do is learn from it and move forward. Today I'm going to cut down a bit on the points and get all my water in. I'm also going for a long walk at lunch... I should be able to save about 8 points from today... I had a Weight Watchers shake for breakfast, I'll have a Fiber One bar for snack, lunch will be a 7 point Smart One meal... I'll have another snack... probably some veggies. I like cucumber with lemon. Dinner another Weight Watcher's shake and then I'll have one or two more snacks depends on what time I go to bed... I'll have more 0 point veggies and possible a 2 point bar... that's 17 points... I'll save 8-10 points today depending on if and how long I walk for at lunch.

I think I need to get all my Weight Watchers materials organized and go through my first weeks journal... I did REALLY well with my eating that week. I need to get back there and repeat that.

I'll let you know how it went at weigh-in. Keep your fingers crossed that the scale is nice to me.

Can a Food Diary Help You Lose Weight?

Wondering how to keep a food journal? Here are 8 tips for making a food diary work for you.

What if just by making one change in your habits, you could double your weight loss? It may sound too good to be true, but many experts say that the simple act of keeping a food diary can encourage you to eat fewer calories -- and thus lose weight.

Several studies have shown that people who keep food journals are more likely to be successful in losing weight and keeping it off. In fact, a researcher from one recent study says that people keeping a food diary six days a week lost about twice as much weight as those who kept food records one day a week or less. For the six-month study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, dieters kept food diaries, attended weekly group support meetings, and were encouraged to eat a healthy diet and be active.

How does writing down what you eat and drink in a food journal work this kind of magic?

For one thing, keeping a food diary instantly increases your awareness of what, how much, and why you are eating. This helps you cut down on mindless munching, says Megrette Fletcher, MEd, RD, executive director of The Center for Mindful Eating.

Food diaries also help people identify areas where they can make changes that will help them lose weight, says Victoria Catenacci, MD, assistant professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. For example, she says, "people don’t realize how many calories they are obtaining from caloric beverages and snacks, and these can be easy interventions … that can help reduce calories."

Sherrie Delinsky, PhD, a staff psychologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, says food diaries can unveil patterns of overeating. They can also reveal identify triggers to avoid, such as not eating enough throughout the day and then overeating at night, or overeating when drinking alcohol.

For some people, the very fact that they have to record every bite helps deter overeating, Delinsky says. Her clients "often reconsider eating something because of not wanting to write it down," she says.

8 Steps for Food Diary Success

Here are some tips from the experts on how to make a food diary work for you.

Food Diary Tip No. 1: Know Your Reasons

If you know what you hope to gain from your food diary, you can make sure you're recording the type of information that will help you in that area. Fletcher advises people to be clear about their intent, whether it’s to become aware of hidden food triggers, notice problematic eating patterns, or just make sure they're eating a healthy diet.

Food Diary Tip No. 2: Choose Your Format

Kerri Anne Hawkins, MS, RD, a dietitian with Tufts Medical Center's Obesity Consultation Center, uses several types of food diary forms for her patients. She tells them to fill out just what works for them; they can even create their own system, like using sticky notes.

"The basic elements I would recommend including, however, would be time, food, amount/portion size and degree of hunger," says Hawkins.

Rebecca Puhl, PhD, director of research at the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University, also suggests including the location of the meal: "These details will provide insight into emotional triggers for eating habits, as well as times of day and places where healthy and unhealthy foods are most likely to be consumed."

If you're trying to understand how your emotions relate to your food choices, you might also want to include questions in your diary such as, "How hungry am I?" or "What were my emotions before, during and after the eating episode?"

Keeping track of carbs, fat, and fiber grams will be helpful for people with diabetes and other medical conditions. If you have type 2 diabetes, you might find, for example, that meals high in carbohydrates or meals high in saturated fat may cause you trouble. Or you might discover that your blood sugar levels improve when your meal or snack contains a certain amount of fiber.

Write down other items you think are important, such as how you felt (physically and emotionally) when you finished eating, what and how much exercise you got that day, any medication you took, and your blood sugar results, if you have diabetes.

You should write in your food diary at least 5 days a week -- but filling it out every day is best, says Catenacci.

You can fill out your food diary as you go throughout the day, or set some time aside at the end of the day to update it. But experts say your record will be more accurate if you do it right after eating. They also say it's important to record everything – even if that seems painful.

"It can be tempting to avoid recording an unplanned indulgent dessert or binge episode, but this is the most important time to record," Puhl says.

Something to watch out for: As time goes on, dieters tend to become more lax about how often they update their food diaries and go longer after eating or drinking before logging the information.

Food Diary Tip No. 4: Decide How Detailed You Want to Be

If you just can’t bring yourself to fill out a detailed food diary form each day, that’s OK. Just writing a minimum amount of information in your food diary will help you self-monitor. Hawkins says many of her patients believe that if they do not keep a "perfect" food log with every detail, they have failed. She tells them that every attempt they make at recording gets them a step closer to paying attention to their food choices and habits.

Food Diary Tip No. 5: Be Accurate About Portion Sizes

If you're just trying to get a general idea of what, when, and why you are eating, this tip may not apply to you. But if you want to get a precise picture of your intake, make sure the amounts you record in your diary are as accurate as possible, Catenacci says. Measuring out your portions can help give you a picture of what a normal serving size looks like. Kim Gorman, MS, RD, director of the Weight Management Program at the University of Colorado, Denver, advises her clients to measure portions regularly at first, and then on occasion after that.

Food Diary Tip No. 6: Include the 'Extras' that Add Up

The more thorough you are when recording what you eat -- that handful of M&Ms at the office, the mayo on your sandwich, the sauce on your entree -- the more ways you'll eventually find to cut those extra calories. When you look back over your food diary records, look for those nibbles and bites that can really add up. Did you know that 150 extra calories in a day (that could be one alcoholic drink or a slather of spread on your bread) could result in a 15- to 18-pound weight gain in one year?

Food Diary Tip No. 7: Beware of Common Obstacles

Are you embarrassed or ashamed about your eating? Do you have a sense of hopelessness, feeling that it won’t help to fill out a food diary or that weight loss is impossible for you? Does it seem too inconvenient to write down what you eat/drink? Do you feel bad when you "slip up"? These are the four most common obstacles to keeping a food diary, Delinsky says. What's the cure? "All of these obstacles can be overcome by remembering the usefulness of the diaries, not trying to be perfect, acknowledging that slips will happen, and staying motivated to use tools that promote health and well-being," Delinsky says.

Food Diary Tip No. 8: Review What You Wrote

Food diaries are most helpful when you look back and review what you wrote. You can do this on your own or with a therapist or dietitian who can help point out patterns that are keeping you from losing and suggest alternatives to try. "The act of acknowledgment and reflections is the most important piece," says Hawkins.

By Elaine Magee, MPH, RD - Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD - Originally Posted on WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/can-food-diary-help-you-lose-weight

Monday Morning...

Good Morning and Happy Monday

I feel pretty good this morning. I had my Weight Watcher's shake for breakfast, my water bottle is full and ready for me to drink it... and I have a mango for mid morning snack. I'm prepared.

This weekend wasn't so good. Again I used up all my flex points plus went over 12. I know I over estimated on some of the points but I don't think I over estimated 12 extra points!

I think my weakness right now are weekends at Ross'. I need to learn to have some control, weekends at his house and goodies given to me at work are killing me. For example Friday my boss brought in 2 donuts for me. I could of had one and saved the other one - but ohhhh nnoooo I had both - which caused me to use up some of my flex points. And this weekend when having ice cream I could of had half of cup instead of a whole cup of ice cream and one tablespoon of chocolate syrup instead of two. If I can stay focused Friday, Saturday, and Sunday that would be GREAT!

However I did get on the scale this morning... and I'm 1.9 pound lighter then what I was Thursday at the Weight Watchers center! Of course my clothes were probably lighter and it was a different scale... but I'm still going to take seeing a loss as a positive thing. This Thursday I'm hoping for a 1.2 pound loss - so showing a 1.9 pound loss and it's only Monday morning is a VERY good sign.

Now when I reach my first 10 pound loss, I think it's time that I start incoporating some regularly scheduled exercise. I'm going to aim for 30 minutes on the treadmill one day a week and build on that. Maybe every 5 pounds up it a day up to 5 days, then work my way up too 5 days a week for an hour. If I did that by the time I get to 2 days a week for 60 minutes and 3 days for 45 minutes I'll be at my weight loss goal of 65 pounds! Crazy when I put it that way it sort of puts a 65 pound loss into another light, it seems closer - almost within arms reach. I'm super excited Thursday is right around the corner. And hopefully, I'll be able to order my 10 pound charm that day too.

Next Sunday is Ross' birthday - so I have to have some will power when it comes to my Flex Points on Friday and Saturday. Friday's the New Kids On The Block concert, so I won't be able to work out for extra points but I will be able to eat lighter. Saturday morning I'm going to try to get a workout in. Sunday, I'm making him Chili Rellenos and a German Chocolate cake... YUM! I should consider getting a work out in on Sunday morning too, while the cake bakes just for extra points.

My first month on Weight Watchers I lost 8.8 pounds... if I keep up with losing 8 pounds a month, by my bff's wedding in February I should be 40 pounds less... holy crap! That gets me excited just thinking about it!

We'll I've better get going on. Happy Losing...

WW Incredible Rewards

GREAT NEWS! Weight Watchers is rewarding their product customers for their purchases... earn points for every Weight Watchers product your buy... for more information check out http://www.wwincrediblerewards.com.

I just registered... the only thing I see that I don't like is that I have to send the UPS code in, but it makes sense... hopefully in the future they'll find an easier way to report your purchases.

Thank you Kristen from shoutinfromtherooftop.com for sharing this on your blog...

Battling Snack Attacks

We are constantly looking for ways to help with snack attacks! In an article in First For Women magazine it was reported that when you have one of these urges press your thumb against the front of your left ear lobe for few secs and then repeat to the other ear lobe.

According to the article, "Reflexology experts say certain points in the ear correspond to organs in the body and stimulating these points curb the urge to munch."

This would certainly be a safe non-food way to help with the snack
attacks. It is calorie free and very portable. :-)

I got this from another group Nancy H from WWMSG, thank you for sharing it with us!

Pretty Good So Far...

I'm so glad to be at the beginning of another week. That's the beauty of Weight Watchers... well I guess you can do/say it with/about any diet. Once you weigh-in you get to start the process all over... re-gain your motivation, make improvements, etc.

Last week was tough for me so I was happy to just get on that scale and close out the week. This week so far I'm doing pretty good. Last Thursday I used up 22 points in a meal... I only get 25! So that gives you an idea of how I started my week and how the rest of my week went. I struggled to stay with in my points.

This week so far, so good. Yesterday, I was kind of busy so I didn't have very much time to sit down and eat... I ended up saving three points at the end of the day. Today, I'm headed into my weekend perfectly... with all my flex points. I had a nice 5 point breakfast sandwich for breakfast, and instead of a snack I had about an inch size piece of English Toffee my boss shared with me. Darn her... Wednesday she gave me a huge chunk of it. So I've broken it up in inch squares and am counting them as 2 points a piece. I had one today, and I think I'm done with it for the day... 2 points for a tiny piece of candy isn't worth it for me. For 2 points I could have two apples or if I'm looking for sweeter - I can have a Fiber One bar... yummy!

I worked a lot on my video last night for my first DSD vlog. I don't think it's going to be done by Saturday like I was aiming for. I'm having problems with my internet at home... hopefully, I'll have it up by next Saturday. That'll also give me more time to work on it... there's lots of editing to do.

One think I seen on the video that I don't notice day to day looking in the mirror... I'm fat, really fat.... I wear a size 12 so I don't think I'm huge... I just have a lot of fat to lose. A month ago when I first joined I thought getting down to 130 is too low for me. A lot of times when I say I want to lose 60 pounds the person(s) I'm telling usually asks from where. I think they just say that to be nice, but I believed them. On video I can now see the truth! On video TOTALLY see where I can lose the 60 pounds from... ALL OVER.

I considered backing down from actually making a diet vlog... but decided what the heck... I'm just going to do it... it's a weight loss vlog anyway, people expect me to be fat! So I'mma go through with it... it should be up by next weekend... about 10/11 - 10/12ish.

Well it's Friday, so if I want to get my weekend started right I've better get cracking.

Happy Friday...

I made it!

It was a challenging week... the most challenging since I re-joined Weight Watchers. I had a feeling I was going to weigh in less then a pound. But guess what? I lost 1.6 pounds! That puts me at 8.8 pounds gone so far! 8.8 in slightly less than a month.

My goal this week is to loss 1.2 so I can collect my 10 pound book marker next Thursday, and add a 10 to my charm bracelet! I think I'm more excited about the charm then the official Weight Watchers award... lol.

Well, I'm off. I'm going to go work on my vlog video... air date aiming for Saturday. Make sure to stop by again on Saturday for my video. I'm nervous.

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly...

Tomorrow's weigh-in and I'm a bit nervous... I didn't start the week off very well... but did however stay on program about 3 days. The 4th day I went over by 2 points. I didn't do horrible this week... just not my best.

Yesterday, my mother and I went to lunch at this Mexican Market that has a full Mexican deli. I
saved my morning points, and planned on having a light dinner (I ended up having 2 Fiber One Bars for dinner)... I'm not sure how many points the food actually was... I had Birria De Rez. It's sort of like a spicy beef stew with no veggies or carbs just meat. I had half the plate... and was so overwhelmingly full I was uncomfortable. I haven't overeaten in so long, it also triggered a panic attack.

We went to a store after lunch to walk it off some... 10-15 minutes later while trying on a blouse my stomach starting making this loud rumbling sound, sort of like a cross between a muffled monster and a thunder storm. I ran out of the dressing room leaving the store clothes behind and practically had to beg the clerk to let me use their 'private' bathroom. Thank goodness she took mercy on me... she probably noticed the expression on my face, and heard the scary sounds my body was making.

Once in the restroom my body exploded... and kept exploding over and over once I got home. Now thinking about it, I guess it wasn't very smart of me to have 2 Fiber One bars after that - considering they're 9 grams of fiber each.

With all the stomach drama yesterday, I got on the scale at home this morning in my weigh-in clothes... and it said I gained a pound! WTF?! How the heck did that happen?! It could be from me drinking 3 of my water servings after 11pm last night. I think that might be it. I hope that is it.

Today being the eve of weigh-in, I'ma drink all my water early and also attempt to have dinner at a descent hour. Hopefully, tomorrow the numbers will look better.

On a happier and hopefully less gross note: I'm most-likely going to start video blogging... inspired by GoodByeFatSuits on youtube. I had thought about it before, but wasn't sure. With my busy schedule I'm not even going to attempt to do a weekly vlog. I plan on posting vlogs once a month with updates on my progress, possible recipes, tips, etc. It should be fun... but expect at least the first few videos to be a bit stiff... I get nervous in front of the camera. Usually it's easier to play a character than yourself.

I'm aiming to get it done and post it on Saturday - my one month anniversary back on Weight Watchers.

Also, if I get enough interest - I'm thinking of doing a Holiday Challenge starting possibly as early as October 15th! I'll give you more details on that later.

I've better get going now...

Have a good one...