Archive for December, 2011

Diet Update #2

 

Time to Weigh In!

The Diet Solution

Weigh In #2

Flat Stomach Diet day 17…

It’s been 10 days since my last weigh in and update.  This morning I weighed in at 167.8 pounds.  That’s a loss of 1.2 pounds over the past 10 days and 3.2 pounds overall with The Diet Solution.

Not bad considering that Christmas was 5 days ago!  I can’t believe I actually LOST WEIGHT over Christmas!  And yes, I did enjoy great food and drink that day.

My favorite thing to eat for breakfast turns out to be steel cut oats with blueberries.  Healthy carbs that keep me full all morning.  I don’t know about you but I need carbs in the morning.

For lunch I usually have a big bowl of  cabbage soup, which I make myself and fill with all my favorite vegetables and a source of protein like beans or lean meat.

During the last ten days I suffered from a pretty serious back strain which kept me from working out for a few days.  I’ve suffered from back problems most of my life and it’s one of the reasons I need to strengthen my core and get back into shape.

I have noticed that my work outs are getting a little easier and I’m determined to stick to my schedule.  Having dogs that need to be walked a few times a day also helps get me away from my desk!

Over the next several days I’ll continue to enjoy The Diet Solution and increase my activity level to keep these positive results coming.

This weekend is New Years and I plan to enjoy that too.  It’s important to allow yourself to splurge once in a while, as long as you get right back on track the next day.  It’s also important to reward yourself when you reach your goals.

For Christmas, my son gave me a gift certificate to my favorite Salon.  So, when my weight loss gets to 20 pounds I’m looking forward to a new hair style to go along with my new thinner self.  Only 16.8 pounds to go!

I’m looking forward to the new Year and I’m starting it off several pounds lighter than when I started on this flat stomach diet 17 days ago.

Get Started with Your Free 7 Day ECourse Today!

 

CONSUMER NOTICE: This is an affiliate ad supported website. If you buy something through an ad, link, or recommendation on this website, we may get paid an affiliate commission. Thank you.

Cabbage Soup Diet Recipe Ideas

Cabbage Soup Diet Recipe Ideas

Most of us who have dieted in the past have heard of the cabbage soup diet.  I remember a couple times when I was working in advertising all the women in the department would go on this crazy diet together.  It worked, at least short term, but it also limited food choices and was hard to stick to.

Cabbage Soup Diet

Hearty Healthy Soup

But eating soup should be part of a healthy diet plan because it can help you reduce your calorie intake to lose weight.

Here is my basic “Better than Cabbage Soup Diet Recipe”.  You can change the recipe to suit your own tastes and even add healthy grains and lean meats if you like.

This soup is a great “got to” meal to keep on hand for lunch, dinner or a snack.  And eating soup several times a week will help you get a lot of the fiber and vitamins you need while you lose weight!

 

My “Better than Cabbage Soup” Diet Recipe

1 Tablespoon olive oil

1 medium onion chopped

3 cloves garlic minced

1-2 large carrots diced

2 stalks celery sliced

1 zucchini diced

1 cup red or green bell pepper diced

1 can dices tomatoes (or 2 cups fresh)

1 can sliced mushrooms (or 1 cup fresh)

2 cups sweet potatoes cubed

2 cups cabbage chopped

4 cups chicken stock (I use home made to control sodium but canned low sodium works too)

Pinch of red chili flakes and/or any herbs/spices you enjoy.

Simply heat the olive oil and add the first 6 ingredients.  Cook until softened.  Then add the remaining ingredients and cook until the potatoes and cabbage are done.  Simple.

This recipe makes 6-7 very filling 150 calorie servings.

Of course you can add any type of vegetables you like (avoid white potatoes).  I also like to bulk my soup up with whole grains like a cup of cooked barley or a cup of beans.  You can also add meats like chicken, turkey or lean beef to include the protein you need.  Eating a serving of filling soup several times a week can help you reduce your calorie intake to lose weight!

 

Use Your Favorites to Create Your Own Cabbage Soup Diet Recipe!

CONSUMER NOTICE: This is an affiliate ad supported website. If you buy something through an ad, link, or recommendation on this website, we may get paid an affiliate commission. Thank you.

 

Week #1 Update

My Flat Stomach Diet Plan Week #1

Wow!  My first week following “The Diet Solution” has really flown by.  I started getting back in shape, ate great food and didn’t go hungry!

My Flat Stomach Diet Plan

Free 7 Day Course

I’m pleased to report that I lost not one, but two pounds.  Even better, this flat stomach diet plan helped me to lose 1/2 inch off my waist.  Fantastic!

I have to admit that starting an exercise program was hard at first.  The first day I did Pilates and I was really shocked at how out of shape I’ve become.  After a couple work outs it’s started to get easier though.  I also included light weight training and walking.

I’m sure looking forward to exercise without feeling stiff !

 

Results Week #1:

  • Weight Loss 2 lbs.
  • Waist size down 1/2 inch
  • Increased energy
  • Better sleep
  • My clothes fit better already!

The Diet Solution doesn’t stress counting calories but I’m doing it because it helps me learn to control my portion sizes.

My goal was to stick to 1660 calories a day.  I came out at an average of  1563, no problem.  I will aim for 1550-1600 again this week.

I also planned to exercise 15-20 minutes a day.  I averaged 22 minute a day.  My goal this week will be 25 minutes a day.

I did have a little trouble giving up wheat completely.  I love whole wheat tortillas and whole wheat bread and I admit that I had one serving of each.  So this week I’ll try a little harder!  I also enjoyed a cold beverage or two on the weekend but I don’t feel guilty.  Overall it was great, I lost weight, and I didn’t feel deprived at all.

Hearty Vegetable Soup

Hearty Vegetable Soup

One trick I use in my flat stomach diet is to make a big batch of  healthy vegetable soup.   I start with 8-10 different vegetables along with 4 cups of home made chicken stock.  This gives me six large, filling 150 calorie servings.

This is my “go to” food.  Mainly for lunch but it’s handy to have around any time.  It’s delicious and filled with fiber and vitamins.  This week I’ll include beans or a cup of cooked barley.  Chicken or lean meat are nice too!

Grab your 7 day starter plan and get a head start on the new you!

 

==>Get Your Free 7 Day Starter Plan Here<==

 

CONSUMER NOTICE: This is an affiliate ad supported website. If you buy something through an ad, link, or recommendation on this website, we may get paid an affiliate commission. Thank you.

Foods That Burn Belly Fat

Foods That Burn Belly Fat

When you’re on a diet it’s easy to feel deprived of the foods you enjoy.  But if you focus on the foods you CAN eat, rather than the foods you need to avoid, you’ll find that you have a lot of delicious choices.  Below are some of my favorite  foods that burn belly fat and are also high in antioxidants.

When it comes to carbs, it’s important to choose foods high in complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains, and limit those high in simple carbohydrates like white rice and white flour.  The less processed a food is, the better.

It’s also important to include a large variety of healthy foods to be sure you get the nutrients you need.  These are just a sample of the various foods you can choose from.

Chocolate!

Foods that burn belly fat

Dark Chocolate 78%

 

 

 

 

 

Beverages Choices:

Foods that burn belly fat

Water is Best!

Water is best and eight 8 ounce glasses are recommended each day

Green Tea

White Tea

Coconut Water

Antioxidant Beverages:

Pomegranate Juice (in moderation)

Red Wine (in moderation – contains Resveratrol which is an antioxidant and fat releaser!)

 

Whole Grains:

Foods that burn belly fat

Whole Grains

 

Oatmeal – Steel Cut Oats

Barley

Buckwheat

Flax Seeds

 

 

Fruits:

Foods That Burn Belly Fat

Healthy Fruits

Berries

Oranges

Grapefruit

Apples

Acai

Kiwi

Cherries

Vegetables:

Foods that Burn Belly Fat

Vegetables

Tomatoes – Grape Tomatoes make a great snack!

Red Cabbage

Dark Leafy Greens (great source of calcium!)

Chives

Peppers and Chilis

Cauliflower

Broccoli

Brussels Sprouts

Alfalfa Sprouts

Kale

Spinach

Red Bell Peppers

Garlic

Onions

Eggplant

Garlic

Sweet Potatoes

Cucumbers

Water Chestnuts

Calcium Sources:

Foods that Burn Belly Fat

Swiss Cheese

Swiss, Feta and Mozarela Cheeses

Skim Milk (drink it immediately after resistance training and again one hour later to increase fat loss!)

Yogurt

Dark leafy greens such as Spinach and Kale

Broccoli

Almonds

 

Preferred Proteins:

Foods that burn belly fat

Eggs

Eggs

Chicken

Turkey

Lean Meats

Nuts

Nut Butters

Fish high in Omega 3 fats like Salmon & Sardines

Shrimp

Tofu

Nuts

Beans and Legumes

Quinoa

Protein Powder

Oils:

Foods that burn belly fat

Olive Oil

 

Nut Oils

Olive Oil

Avocado Oil

Grape Seed Oil

Coconut Oil – Increases HDL (good cholesterol)

Butter?

 

Condiments:

Guacamole

Mustard

Fresh Salsa

Hummus

Pesto

Hot Sauce

Home Made Mayo and Salad Dressings

 

Misc:

Cinnamon

Turmeric

Ginger

Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

 

As you can see, there are a lot of great foods that burn belly fat.  Keep a list of your favorites and build healthy meals around them!

==>Click HERE to Get Your FREE Weight Loss Starter Kit<==

CONSUMER NOTICE: This is an affiliate ad supported website. If you buy something through an ad, link, or recommendation on this website, we may get paid an affiliate commission.  Thank you.

My Flat Stomach Diet

My Flat Stomach Diet Journey

Flat Stomach Diet

NOT my actual picture

When January 1st rolls around lots of people decide it’s time to lose weight.  I usually do too.

But I woke up 20-25 pounds over weight THIS morning, so I started a diet this morning too.  It isn’t the first day of a new year or a new month or even a Monday.  But for me, today is the day to start making changes.

Up until a few years ago I had always been thin, not that I didn’t work at it.  I’ve always been health conscious and enjoyed exercising but I’ve become pretty much sedentary since leaving the corporate world and starting a business from home.

I’m a woman 5’9 1/2″ and I weighed 120 pounds when I got married (too thin.)  That was quite a while ago and now I have a 21 year old Son.  But I’m not going to make excuses, I’m going to take action.

One of my favorite television shows is “The Biggest Loser.”  You have to admire people who put themselves out there the way those contestants do!  So this is my way of holding myself accountable to my flat stomach diet and, hopefully, helping others along the way.

Day #1:

Height: 5′ 91/2″

Weight: 171 pounds

Arms: 12 inches

Bust: 40 inches

Waist: 35 1/2 inches

Hips: 40 inches

Thighs: 24 inches

Love Handles: 40 inches

Yes, I have love handles and I don’t like it one damn bit!

So what is my flat stomach diet plan?

I’m committing to a minimum of 15 minutes of exercise, a minimum of 5 days a week.  I intend to do more, but that’s a good start.  Heck, I was sweating like it was Summer after a 20 minute Pilates work out this morning, and that was mostly laying on the floor!

My calorie goal is 1,660 per day average…MAX.  That, along with exercise I SHOULD lose 1 pound each week.  I’ll post my progress every 7-10 days.

I’m lucky that I don’t have a sweet tooth.  My favorite foods include all things carb, including beer, but I’ll do what I need to do to achieve my goals.  I’ve found that the food program in The Diet Solution works very well for my flat stomach diet.

So feel free to join in and contribute to the conversation.  I’ll share tips, tricks, products and information that help me along the way, and just might help you too!

==>Click HERE to Get Your FREE Weight Loss Starter Kit<==

CONSUMER NOTICE: This is an affiliate ad supported website. That means that, if you buy something through an ad, link, or recommendation on this website, we may get paid an affiliate commission. This is how we pay our bills. Thank you for your support.