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Monday, December 28, 2009

50 ways to cut 500 calories a day!

Some of these are just plain silly or common sense, yet the article is still useful as a reminder of things we already know... and amusing...

Lets move more and make better choices about what and how we eat. How we work and how we use our leisure time.

To use this blog better use the blog search engine to find the recipes and meal ideas. I have photographed lots of ideas... for those times you are really hungry yet diet food doesn't sound good... Check out my blog for meal ideas. Just type in a food in the search engine.

I'm starting again on my weight loss journey... 2010 has to be my year for getting healthy and fit! I have 50 pounds to lose. And I have joined a fun group to help with the accountability part of making this commitment.

If you would also like to join all the information is here...

This article was take from Health.com

The most basic way to lose weight is to slash calories. That’s Diet 101. But how many do you really have to cut or burn to see results? It’s simple: You can drop a pound a week by trimming 500 calories each day. (Calories burned are based on a 150-pound woman.)

In fact, do a couple of swaps a day and you can drop 10 pounds in five weeks! So try these 50 easy tweaks—and get the slim body you want in no time.

1. Shake your groove thing. Dance for just two hours and torch 500 calories. (A little air guitar will burn a few extra calories, too.)

2. Get enough sleep. A lack of shut-eye can make you snack, new research from the University of Chicago shows. People who got only 5 1/2 hours of sleep noshed more during the day. Snooze more and save about 1,087 calories.

3. Don’t eat in front of the TV. You’ll eat up to 288 calories more, according to research from the University of Massachusetts. Instead, eat at the table, and trade one hour of TV for a casual walk. Together, that’s 527 calories burned.

4. Get in tune with your tummy. Pay attention to how full you feel, and put down your fork when you’re satisfied. Listen to your body’s cues—instead of looking at whether the plate is clean—and save up to 500 calories a day.

5. Limit dinner guests. Eating with seven or more other guests can make you eat 96 percent more food, says Brian Wansink, Ph.D., author of Mindless Eating. That’s like doubling your dinner! Dine with fewer guests to save 500 or more calories.

6. Simple tricks to fill up (with less!). For breakfast, eat two boiled or poached eggs. (You’ll feel fullerand eat about 416 fewer calories the rest of the day.) Before lunch and dinner, enjoy 1 cup low-cal soup. (You’ll eat about 134 calories less at each meal.) And save a total of 684 calories for the day.

7. Limit salad toppings. A big salad might seem healthy, but all those goodies on top can make it more calorie-laden than lasagna or fettuccine Alfredo. Cheese crumbles, caramelized nuts, bacon, avocado, dried fruit, croutons and vinaigrettes can add lots of calories. Save 500 or more calories by having just one topping, adding flavorful but lower-cal veggies (roasted bell peppers, grilled onions, or mushrooms) and using half the dressing.

8. Don’t clean your plate. Leave 25 percent of your food on the plate at every meal, says weight-loss expert James O. Hill, Ph.D., author of The Step Diet. If you normally eat 2,000 calories or more each day, you’ll cut 500 calories.

9. Use smaller plates. Swap your 12-inch plate for a 10-inch one. You’ll eat 20 to 25 percent less—and save up to 500 calories. You won’t feel any less full, either, researchers say.

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10. Serve and sit. Family-style meals, with platters and bowls of food on the table, invite people to go back for seconds and thirds. Cut hundreds of calories by filling plates before bringing them to the table; leave serving dishes in the kitchen, too.

11. Make a swap. Use 1 cup plain fat-free yogurt instead of 1 cup heavy cream in a favorite baking recipe. Save 684 calories.

12. Make mine a mini. Check out menus for small versions of great desserts, so you can dodge calo ries and end your meal on a sweet note. P.F. Chang’s Great Wall of Chocolate (designed for one diner!) is 1,440 calories. The Mini Great Wall? A chocolatey yet svelte 150 calories. You’ll save 1,290-calories.

13. Ditch that buttered movie popcorn. Yes, the large popcorn at the concession stand weighs in at a whopping 1,005 calories. Smuggle in your own (microwave-popped, 94 percent fat-free, of course) and save more than 700 calories.

14. Count your chips (and crackers). No, you can’t eat your snacks from a large bag or box because it’s waaaay too tempting to eat until the bag is empty. (Remember Oprah’s blue corn–tortilla chip confession?) A chip-bender to the bottom of a 9-ounce bag is 1,260 calories sans the dip. So stick to one serving, about 15 chips—that’s 140 calories—or pick up some 100-calorie snack packs and save 1,120 calories.

15. Step away from the nuts, especially if they’re in a big bowl. The bigger the serving bowl, the more you’ll eat, Cornell University researchers say. Nuts have heart-healthy fats, but they’re also high in calories: One handful (about 1 ounce) of oil-roasted mixed nuts has 175 calories; three handfuls have 525. Cut out nuts altogether and save more than 500 calories. Can’t resist ’em? Eat pistachios: Two handfuls are just 159 calories, and the shelling will slow down your munching.

16. Skip the whip—or at least size it down. Dessert-like coffee creations can contain as many as 670 calories, with large sizes and options like whipped cream, whole milk and syrups. Craving whipped cream? Try it on a shot of espresso for a total of just 30 calories. You save 640 calories!

17. Kick the soda habit. A 12-ounce soft drink has about 150 to 180 calories. If you down two or three a day, you’re getting lots of extra calories. Quench your thirst with water and save as many as 540 calories.

18. Drink sugar-free. A 20-ounce tea with added fruit juices can have 400-plus calories. And Southern-style sweet tea isn’t much better than soda: a 16-ounce bottle of syrupy sweet tea has 180 calories; three of those are 540 calories. Choose sugar-free sips and save more than 400 calories.

19. Skinny up cocktails. Syrups, sour mix, sugary fruit juices and creamy additions turn drinks into desserts: an indulgent Mudslide can have more than 800 calories. Order drinks mixed with club soda, tonic water, cranberry juice or a squeeze of citrus; or try distilled liquors on the rocks. You’ll save up to 800 calories.

20. Eat less pasta. One cup of pasta is just 220 calories. But typical dinner portions at restaurants can be as much as 480 percent larger than that 1 cup, according to New York University research. That’s 1,056 calories. Even if you eat 2 whole cups of noodles, you’ll still save 616 calories.

21. Get out your knitting needles. An afternoon of knitting can burn more than 500 calories (at a rate of about 100 an hour).

22. Clean house. Tidy up for 2 1/2 hours and burn 510 calories.

23. Check the number of servings in a dish. The calorie count on the menu for shrimp fried rice may say 350 calories per serving, but what’s set in front of you may actually contain four servings. Split it with three friends, and save 1,050 calories.

24. Beware the healthy-food trap. People let their guard down when the menu is full of healthy fare, underestimating calories by as much as 35 perecnt, research by the Cornell University Food and Brand Lab shows. You’re also more likely to order drinks, sides and desserts with up to 131 percent more calories when you have a healthy entrée. Skip caloric sides—a cookie, chips—to save 500-plus calories.

25. Build a lean burrito—and you’ll save 630 calories. Here's how:

  • Instead of a flour tortilla, order lettuce.
  • Instead of cheese, order guacamole.
  • Instead of ground beef, shredded pork.
  • Instead of black beans, order pinto beans.
  • Instead of rice, order corn salsa
  • Instead of salsa, order pico de gallo

The reduced calorie options add up to 490 calories—down from 1,120.

26. Think small at the ice cream shop. Even if you indulge in your favorite full-fat flavor, you’ll save as many as 550 calories with a 5-ounce size instead of a 12-ounce.

27. Think thin when it comes to pizza. Eat two slices of a medium thin-crust veggie pizza (360 calories) instead of two slices of a large, meaty deep-dish pizza (940 calories) and save 580 calories.

28. Beware hidden oils. Ask to have your food cooked with a little stock instead of oil, or order steamed or poached entrées: you’ll save 124 calories per tablespoon of oil. Also, have the kitchen skip oils added at the last minute like basil oil or chive oil, and save another 40 calories per teaspoon.

29. Order spaghetti with meat sauce instead of spaghetti with Italian sausage and save 560 calories. Even better: Order mushroom ravioli (670 calories) or pasta marinara (430 calories).

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30. Nix that smoothie a day. A large 32-ounce smoothie can have 800 or more calories. That really adds up if you’re having on-the-go breakfast several times a week. Instead, try a filling lower-calorie starter of oatmeal with brown sugar and banana slices, and a cup of black coffee. You’ll save 518 calories.

31. Help a friend move. You’ll burn more than 600 calories in one hour of carrying boxes and furniture up and down the stairs.

32. Shovel snow. Clearing the driveway and sidewalks for one hour and 15 minutes will torch 510 calories.

33. Ice-skate for one hour and five minutes and burn 516 calories. (Or go inline skating and slash 562.)

34. Tap your foot. Your skinnier friends are probably fidgeters, who burn up to 350 calories a day just by tapping their feet or being restless. Try it for a few days. Walk around while you’re on the phone, or tap out a tune with your hands or feet (in the privacy of your own office, of course).

35. Be the hostess with the mostest. Go grocery shopping for one hour, put away your groceries, spend two hours cooking a fabulous holiday feast, set the table and serve. Then toast yourself for the awesome 640 calorie-burn. (A glass of champagne is only about 106 calories, so you’re still ahead.)

36. Go window-shopping. Whether you buy anything or not, an afternoon of walking around and trying on clothes can torch 548 calories.

37. Hit the pool. Do one hour of laps or 55 minutes of jogging in the water to burn 500 calories.

38. Stroll your way slim. Spend an afternoon pushing junior from the giraffes to the sea lions at the zoo (or around the aquarium or museum) and burn 523 calories.

39. Head to a county fair or amusement park. You’ll slash 612 calories in three hours from the casual walking and standing in lines. (Subtract 105 calories if you have cotton candy.)

40. Play a game of touch football or basketball with your kids for one hour and burn 500 calories.

41. Head for the nearest hill. Go sledding with the kiddos for one hour and five minutes. You’ll burn 500-plus calories.

42. Do an hour of circuit training and you’ll burn 544 calories.

43. Tackle the garage. Clearing out junk for 1 hour and 30 minutes will burn 510 calories.

44. Rake the leaves. Do yard work for 1 hour and 45 minutes and burn 512 calories. (Jumping in the leaf pile won’t hurt, either.)

45. Kickbox. Sign up for kickboxing and burn 510 calories in a 45-minute class.

46. Go cross-country skiing for one hour and five minutes and sizzle off 516 calories.

47. Exercise at home. Pop in a one-hour aerobics DVD, and finish with 20 minutes of yoga—500 calories, gone.

48. Walk or run a 10K and you’ll burn up to 680 calories.

49. Go hiking. Just one hour and 15 minutes will burn 510 calories.

50. Cut down your own Christmas tree. Hike out, find the perfect tree, cut it, and take it home. Put it up and decorate it for 1 hour to burn 519 calories.


Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Finally My back is back!

But months of sitting around on my backside have made any progress of losing weight null and void. So its back to the drawing board for me again.
I start my plan soon
Watch for updates.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Still recovering from a back injury...

So I haven't been on my diet as I am still recovering from my back injury... Its been a long recovery time and I'm still not myself. I am doing a lot better than I was tho. I don't know when I can get back to my HCG weight loss tho. I am seeing three doctors right now and each one says not yet. *Sigh* a huge setback for me. I am trying not to be depressed. I am trying to say upbeat and focused on recovery. Its just so hard sometimes... Sometimes I just want to scream!
Please visit my other blog The Project Table for updates for a while...


Sunday, August 30, 2009

My new Grandson...

Is finally here!

Baby Corbin


9.8 pounds 22 1/2 inches

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Day 14

This is a drive-by posting!I was in a huge hurry today to do my Posts...
Enjoy!

Lunch:
Shrimp Cocktail with homemade cocktail sauce:


Dinner:

Cilantro/lime grilled Ahi with steamed asparagus:



Dessert:
Sliced Strawberries with Chocolate/coconut bark:

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Friday, August 21, 2009

Day 11

Yesterday was a long day, I at what Kelly and I had made but had two stressful Doctors appointments. So I didn't photo my food yesterday...

Today for breakfast I had an apple and a cuppa tea.
(Click on any photo to enlarge)


Lunch:
Egg white frittata with sautéed asparagus, green onions and a scoop of my homemade salsa.




Snack was another apple...

Dinner:
3 oz Baked Sea Bass with ground melba toast and Season-All and cucumber/red onion salad with basil/vinegar dressing.


Desert is Orange Sorbet with sliced homemade sugarfree chocolate bark.




Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Day 9


Yeah... I missed posting on day 7 and day 8. My daughter Kelly and I shop and cook for the week every 6 days, then vacuum seal and mark everything. It makes it so much easier and we have been more successful this way.
(click on any photo to enlarge)

No breakfast today...
Just wasn't hungry this morning...

Lunch:


3 ounces of baked chicken breast and 3 ounces of Aspargus steamed with some thai basil, fresh from my garden, in the steamer. It gives the asparagus a wonderful flavor! (You can use any fresh herb you like)

Snack:
A med. orange



Dinner:
Chili with NO beans


Most likely I'll have an apple tonight for dessert if I get hungry.


Tomorrow is weigh in day with the Doctor.

She is supervising my weight loss. I see her every week for a weigh in and a body composition scan, which tell us if I am losing, fat, water or muscle.

I'll check in tomorrow!

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Day 6



Down another pound today! That's 7 pounds total since August 11th 2009! The first week the weight comes off fast.. then it slows down a bit... that's ok. This is the best diet ever! You see results and that keeps you SO motivated!
(Click on a photo to enlarge)

Breakfast:
I once again had my 1/2 grapefruit and Kelly had an apple and of course our
Yerba Mate or Oolong teas.



Lunch:
French Onion soup with 2 ounces of lean ground steak & 2 Melba Rounds


I switched to water with Lime today for a change.


Dinner:

Grilled steak burger with lettuce, onion and tomato


For dessert/snack
I had left over Strawberry sorbet from last night


If anyone wants recipes contact me by e-mail.
The address is on my profile.



Saturday, August 15, 2009

What we ate today... Day 5

Saturday: August 15th day 5 continued
Breakfast: I had 1/2 grapefruit again and Kelly had an apple.
And Oolong Tea, at lease 2 cups a day, it helps with hungries.

(Click on any photo to enlarge)
Delicious Pink Grapefruit with 1/2 pack Truvia


Crunchy Granny Smith Apple


Of course the ever present Lemon water


Lunch:
Green onion chicken soup
It was so good I didn't even miss the noodles.
And 2 thin breadsticks


Did I mention I am drinking a LOT of lemon water?

Dinner:

Chicken and herb patties with a drizzle of Dijon/dill sauce & Broccoli



Dessert:

I put my last fruit serving, strawberries, in the Vita Mix with a packet of Truvia and some vanilla and made a sorbet.


A closer look at delicious!


Today hasn't been too bad...
I wasn't as hungry as I was yesterday.
Next week we add in a couple of workouts and early morning walks.

Day 5

5 pounds gone for good!


Skinny Default Layouts

Friday, August 14, 2009

Day 4!


I lost THREE pounds and so did my daughter Kelly!
Whoo Hoo!
(Click on any image to enlarge)

Breakfast:
1/2 Pink Grapefruit with Truvia


Lunch:
3 Ounces boiled shrimp with Lemon and a sliced tomato



Snack:


Dinner:
1 1/2 cups of chili with NO beans and two thin breadsticks.




Thursday, August 13, 2009

Day Three!


Its day three and Kelly and I are on the VLCD days, along with the Hcg. I felt pretty hungry between meals today... And I think its because I ate so much the days before... But I'm ok and haven't cheated at all. I just had my last fruit serving at 4:00, that's when I am usually hungry.
(Click on any photo to enlarge)

Here is what we ate today:

Breakfast: A cup of Oolong Tea
1/2 grapefruit with O calorie Truvia
Lemon water





Lunch:
Spinach and Shrimp salad with Ms. Dash/Lemon dressing
More lemon water

Snack:
1 Apple


Dinner:
Paprika/garlic Grilled chicken with Grilled asparagus


Strict portion control and absolutely no oils are some of the rules of this VLCD.

Come back and visit again to see what a
Very Low Calorie Diet = VLCD
looks like.

About Me

My photo
Valley of the Sun, Arizona, United States
I am so blessed to be able to spend lots of time with my beautiful grandchildren and family! Please visit my other blog http://theprojecttable.blogspot.com/ to see what projects I am up to.