My Take On Dieting And How I Stay Thin And Satisfied

I am going on vacation to Costa Rica in a couple months so need to makes sure I am really sticking to my eating well plan before I get into a bikini so I thought that I would share this again for myself and anyone else who might enjoy it.

Ever since I can remember I have been obsessed with my weight and have tried just about every pill, fad diet, and exercise program. I even went to a lecture on how to lose weight through breathing once (of course I ate Now and Later candy the whole time because I figured if I could get the breathing thing down well I could eat what I wanted. Right? Well, not exactly). The irony to all this is that I am thin and small boned. I have some weird issue with thinking I'm not even when my size and the scale say I am (I will delve into that another time). The good thing is that I have figured out how to be healthy about this bizarre weight issue I have and not succumb to being overweight or underweight. After trying truly everything under the sun to find a happy balance of being happy with my body size and weight I have also found several ways to be healthy at the same time. I like to eat and I like filling food so I have to be able to feel satisfied or any weight loss tip or plan just won't work for me.

Also, keep in mind that with my last child I gained about 70 pounds and was back to my pre-baby weight within 4 months (it was not easy or fun but I did it) and I did it with the help of some of these tips below (no, I did not exercise but I should have-nobody's perfect) .


You may think you have heard it all about dieting but here is my spin on it!

**As I said in an earlier post, EAT NUTS if you are hungry and need to feel full. I usually combine the nuts with low carb foods and do this for a couple to a few days in a row to lose weight quickly. I would not do this everyday for a long period of time but by eating foods such as nuts, cheese, salads, low carb veggies (edame/soybeans, and green beans are a couple of my favorites and Soybeans contain lecithin, a chemical that will shield your cells from accumulating fat. This chemical prevents, like a shield, fat from forming on your cells. It will also break down fatty deposits in your body.

Eat soybeans at least 3 times a week and you'll be boosting your bodies ability to get rid of fat. You can find soybeans at most grocery stores in the frozen veggie area)and other low carb items combined really pull the weight off me quick (2-4 lbs in 3-5 days)

**DON'T DRINK AWAY ALL YOUR CALORIES. I used to drink a lot of juices more than anything else and I found that I was probably consuming a minimum of 500 calories just in juice. I would rather eat 500 calories wouldn't you?

**If you like sweets a lot like I do then GO FOR THE LOW CARB PROTEIN BARS. I love them and found that many of them were actually like having a candy bar too. I really enjoyed the Atkins brand bars the best myself and still do grab one of those instead of a regular candy bar.

**NEVER LET YOURSELF GET TOO HUNGRY. This is an absolute must for me! If I allow myself to get to the point of really, really hungry then I will eat whatever I want regardless of my good intentions of the day. To combat this I recommend eating several small meals a day instead of three big ones. I usually carry string cheese (organic if you can), nuts, or protein bars with me at all times so that I am constantly full. Being hungry is no fun and there is no reason you cannot lose weight and feel full all the time.

**IF YOU MUST HAVE IT THEN GO AHEAD AND EAT IT. There is nothing worse than depriving yourself. If you want a cookie, chocolate or whatever, then have it. Just make sure you do it in moderation so that you don't feel completely remorseful after consuming an entire pan of brownies (I've done that). It never works to deprive yourself. It's like the person who never wanted to date you and you probably never wanted to date them except for the fact that they didn't want you and that made them desirable (more on that later) to you. It is human nature to want what you can't have, so have it.


I am going to do a part 2 either tomorrow or Thursday so pls. be sure to check back. I may include some foods that actually burn fat and am going to tell you about how I fit in the health part. Below is a recipe I love for those low carb days. It fills you up and is very good . From http://www.seeveggiesdifferently.com/recipe_detail.aspx?id=7888



Santa Fe Breakfast Frittata
Ingredients
6 eggs
1/4 cup milk
2 Morningstar Farms® Veggie Sausage Patties (you can substitute meat if you are not vegetarian)
1 cup julienne-cut red bell pepper, green bell pepper or combination
4 teaspoons vegetable oil, divided
1/2 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, Pepper Jack cheese or Cheddar cheese (2 ounces)
sliced avocado, lime wedges, sour cream, salsa or sliced green onions (optional)

Directions
1. In medium bowl beat together eggs and milk. Set aside.2. In large oven-safe nonstick skillet cook MORNINGSTAR FARMS VEGGIE SAUSAGE PATTIES and bell pepper in 2 teaspoons of the oil over medium heat about 3 minutes or until pepper is crisp-tender. Stir in beans and remaining 2 teaspoons oil.3. Pour egg mixture over vegetables in skillet. Cook, uncovered, over medium heat. As mixture sets, run spatula around edge of skillet, allowing uncooked portions of eggs to flow underneath. Continue cooking and lifting until mixture is almost set and surface is moist.4. Sprinkle cheese over top. Broil 4- to 5-inches from the heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until top is just set and cheese is melted. Cut into wedges. Serve with avocado, lime wedges, sour cream, salsa or green onions, if desired.NOTE: To thaw, place in microwave and heat for 30 seconds.

Remember-I am not a nutritionist, doctor or anything of the sort (as much as my mother would have liked that) just someone who wants to share what has worked for her as I know the ups and downs of body weight issues. Also, I recommend talking to your doctor before starting any diet program.

32 comments:

  1. "of course I ate Now and Later candy the whole time because I figured if I could get the breathing thing down well I could eat what I wanted. Right? Well, not exactly"

    :) I also thought like this before, but then of course, I found out, it's not :( so I must learn to eat right. I hope you have a good time in Costa Rica.

    and also, thanks so much for your inspiring comment.

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  2. Costa Rica sounds like lots of fun! Losing 70 pounds...Wow! I keep struggling with 10 or 15; it's pretty frustrating.

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  3. I am learning that as I get older...the metabolism just takes a huge nose dive! Oh well...you have to just learn to love yourself (easier said than done!). I have my 20 yr. H.S. reunion in 2 weeks...I am not even gonna try to diet at this point. My motto: "Take me as I am!"

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  4. You are always so inspiring by just being yourself. You help me realize that I'm not alone when it comes to food issues which means more than I can say. And once again, you offer wonderful advice!

    Also, thank you so much for all your wonderful comments on my blog!

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  5. Very healthy tips... Great advice... but hmmm... I don't see any chocolate on that list ;)

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  6. You got it right - eat smaller meals more often and don't deprive yourself. Eat nuts - they are so healthy! And don't drink too much fruit juice - that's very sensible advice. Why not eat the fruit instead? You get fibre and it's a whole lot more filling. People who wants to slim down should read this post!

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  7. I love low carb protein bars. I'm glad to hear other candy-aholics love them.

    It's interesting how so many of us are never happy with our size, even when we logically know we're fit.

    Costa Rica is beautiful. I hope you really enjoy it!

    Doris
    http://www.fitfabandforty.com/

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  8. Wow, no wonder you look so sexy =)..i will pass this url to my girlfriend, i'm sure that she will be happy to read this post of yours..in behalf i want to thank you for this wonderful posts!!..

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  9. Weight obsession seems to be a very common issue among women...myself included.

    Great post Heidi...I'll watch for part 2...
    Cheers

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  10. I'm so jealous of your trip to Costa Rica!!! and although I understand not being happy with the way we are, you look wonderful!!! I'm still trying to get back to my pre-baby weight - 4 years later!!! :-)

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  11. Fabulous advice! I love edamame and I will be eating more of them for snacks now...

    I just love your blog!

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  12. i think the thing i love best about reading your posts is that you are human. you confess your struggles and you make it all seem real, not that we have to be perfect or on some unrealistic regimen. thanks for the insights, heidi. you're the best!

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  13. Heidi,
    I agree with you on the eating several small meals all day long. I do much better at healthy eating when I don't feel like I'm starving. Great advice!

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  14. i like all articles on your blog, if you have a time visit my blog to

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  15. Yet again...an amazing post. You have put quite some time into this...haven't you :)

    Usman
    http://burnfatnbuildmuscle.blogspot.com

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  16. I'm not much of a breakfast person, I usually just eat a small bowl of oatmeal, but that recipe sounds delicious!

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  17. I think what I need is a straight jacket to keep me from eating all the time. It wouldn't so bad if what I eat all day are the good foods.

    Costa Rica sounds heavenly. I'll be going to Jackson Hole, Wyoming about that same time frame. Good luck and enjoy.

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  18. This is very informative. I use candy or a kit-kat for quick relief but not as a real solution. I am not that big boned as well but I just look awful being skinny or something so I stay chubby/round but with shape.. I just envy those who look good really with perfect shape.

    Enjoy your vacation and I know it would be a lovely image in bikini. ^^

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  19. That dog in the cartoon is a real eater. I love that image as something that goes with this post. Your images are not that thin... it is just "perfect"!

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  20. I used to have "heavy" breakfast such as frittata when i was still in the philippines...living in europe however changed my life to just milk/hot choco and something sweet in the mrning...now frittate go in the dinner while sauces and soupy stuffs go in the pranzo/ lunch.

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  21. Have fun in Costa rica Heidi. Very impressive tips to lose weight. 70 pounds in 4 months is quite an achivement.

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  22. Excellent material as usual :). I am one of those people that needs information like this not stay thin but to stay healthy. Sometimes people think that thin means you do not have to worry about what you eat, well my doctor will tell you differently. I actually just received a lecture yesterday on my diet...so thank you I needed this post.

    I have been to Costa Rica you are going to love it!!

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  23. That cartoon is hysterical! I feel like that most days.

    And kudos on that 70 pound baby weight drop! My youngest is 2 and I still haven't lot it.

    Ivory

    www.littlehouseinthesuburbs.com

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  24. wow interesting. Maybe I should ask a friend to read this post since she is so into dieting and being thin :) I am at a healthy weight as per my height ratio but yes, I can do better! I'll keep this in mind.

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  25. Great article. I also find that eating often and not allowing myself to get hungry helps. I tend to pile my place with veggies so that my brain thinks I am eating loads and also make sure I have some carbs and proteins to fill me up. Seems to working well so far!

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  26. I have such a hard time with juice... drinking it or not drinking it... because I love juice, and I feel that it's healthy for me to drink, yet, like you said, it's sugar. And, I mean natural sugar, not the syrup stuff... because I only drink 100% juice... but I still sit and wonder if I should drink less. Gah! I just love the stuff... especially when it's hot out. I can drink a whole jug of juice by myself in a day if you let me... haha...

    Hmmm... Nuts. Gotta get some more nuts. One of my favorite snacks is, peanut butter and apple slices... though I like to change it up and have apples with pepper-jack cheese sometimes too... hehee.
    ;)

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  27. great advice! that's really the beast way to lose weight and stay thin, eating the right foods.

    the vacation sounds so much fun. im sure you'll have a great time there.

    cheers

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  28. Great advice. Yes lots of calories in fruit juice. Funnily enough nuts also great to pick up weight.

    Being Vegan for the frittata I either use egg substitute or do without.

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  29. Got to agree with you on the 'Don't drink away your calories tip'. Whilst I occassionally let myself have a can of soda (usually about once a week) I generally stick with tea, coffee, green tea and water.

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  30. Oh ya Heidi, I was searching for this, 'Santa Fe Breakfast Frittata', Today I got the recipe, Thanks a lot, I am sure, this will be a tasty & healthy food. Great...job Heidi.

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