Friday, April 23, 2010

Operation Get Skinny: My Tips and Tricks

I've lost 3 more pounds since my last Operation Get Skinny post 10 days ago. How did I do that might you ask? Well I am going to tell you my friends! In addition to the weight loss tips I posted here a while back (which are all still great tips to follow and rules to live by), I am going to share with you some other tips and tricks I use to Get Skinny! Because it is not easy to lose weight. Not easy at all. As a matter of fact, it's like a war against weight. A daily battle, one that takes much thought and will power. So anything I find that works or makes things easier I am willing to share! 1.) Because I'm nice and 2.) I am not one to pretend that I am one of "those" bitches who's weight is just magically falling off...because that's not the case at all! I've worked and continue to work very hard everyday to get back to my pre pregnancy, pre infertility weight!

Tip # 1: Clean Eating is a MUST!

What do I mean by clean eating exactly? I mean a diet filled mostly with fresh produce and lean proteins (and not just animal protein, there are lots of other protein sources!) You want to avoid processed foods as much as possible, so no pre packaged frozen meals! I know I know, they are easy and convenient, but they really aren't good for you. You also want to avoid foods with a high fat to calorie ratio, and mostly importantly carbs and sugar. Consider carbs the devil when dieting. The only carbs that are okay or brown rice, whole wheat toast, or whole wheat pasta. Even then I would keep a very close eye on the frequency of eating these and your portions.
  • Rice should be no more than 1/2 cup and pasta 1 cup, and no more than once per day- if that! I am eating carbs maybe every other day right now.
  • You want to cut out all crackers and processed snacks as much as possible.
  • Snacks should really be fresh fruits or veggies, low fat cheese, cottage cheese, raw nuts, a healthy granola mix, or something of that nature.
  • Watch using high fat butters, oils, and high sugar sauces when cooking. I cook all my meats, veggies, etc. with Pam Olive Oil cooking spray. With the appropriate seasonings, you really don't need it!

So you get the idea, eat 'clean'. All the meals I prepare in my house are pretty clean. Its not only whats best while your dieting, but its better for your family as well. I don't know about you, but as a mother I want to teach my kids healthy eating habits from the go. You are responsible for laying that foundation. But does Kay get ice cream from time to time, yes! Because she's still after all a child, but do we keep it in the house. No! (see tip # 4)

Tip # 2 : Curb Hunger With Fiber

Not only it is good to keep things moving if ya know what I mean, but it makes you feel full too! You always here people say that eating a high fiber diet will keep you feeling fuller longer, and its true! But for me it was always such a guessing game as to what high-fiber was. So I adapted this little trick. When I get hungry I pop one of these; a Assorted Fruit Sugar Free Fiber Chewable. I love them actually, its like eating candy to me! They taste great, and really I'm not just saying that. So I chew one of these and chug a half of bottle of water, every night after dinner when I start getting hungry again or get the urge to snack. Works like a charm. I instantly feel full and I'm getting my fiber too!

Tip # 3: Drink Water, Only Water, and Lots of It

I drink 2 bottles while working out alone, all before 10 am. When I get hungry, I chug water, while I am eating, I chug water. Water is a skinny girls best friend!I am not sure how much water I drink daily, but its a lot. If you are one that likes something other than water with your meals, try tea, unsweetened of course. Or try one of those crystal light packets that you can add to your water.

Tip # 4: If It's Not in Your House, It's Not in Your Mouth!

Don't buy anything at the store and say to your self that you wont eat it. Because you will. In times of desperation, or the times you slip up (which we all do from time to time) that will be first thing in your mouth! So do whats best, and don't buy it in the first place. Because if its not in your house, it wont go in your mouth. And if you say to yourself that you are buying it for your kids, or your husband, stop right there. Do they need it? Is it good for them? The answer is no. So move on.

And lastly, because so many people ask me what I eat all the time, I am going to share with you what I ate yesterday:

Breakfast: a Yoplait Greek Yogurt- my go to breakfast when I'm in a hurry. The honey vanilla is my personal fav! Full of protein, 0 fat, and only 130 calories. Coffee with FF french vanilla creamer.

Snack: 1/2 cup of low fat cottage cheese.

Lunch: 1/2 cup of jasmine organic brown rice with roasted edamame and sliced roasted carrots.

Snack: A gala apple with 2 tbps. of of organic crunchy peanut butter.

Dinner: 2 king crab legs steamed and plain (not an ordinary dinner for me, but they were on sale for 7.77 a pound!), and a huge salad with garbanzo beans, baby grape tomatoes, and cucumbers with super low calorie, super yummy Roaster Red Pepper Italian dressing and a squeeze of lemon juice! Such a great combo I have found.

Exercise for the day: 50 min. on the elliptical

Usually my breakfast consists of either the greek yogurt or egg whites with a sprinkle of reduced fat cheese and salsa. Lunch is usually a salad, with some sort of protein (beans, diced chicken, edamame). Snacks are fresh veggies, an apple or banana and/or some trail mix. And dinner is a big salad with no matter what I'm eating, and then a small salad plate sized portion of whatever I made that night for dinner.

I hope this helps you all who are trying to lose weight, and I hope you've found some of my tips helpful in your journey to a skinner you!!

4 comments:

WantWait&Pray said...

Girl, you're my inspiration once I have these babies! I appreciate you sharing your tricks and hope to lose the weight, the healthy way, as you've done! Thanks!

The Flores Garden said...

I'm also on my own "Operation Get Skinny." I'm on the home stretch with the last 10 pounds to go but they are a stubborn 10 pounds. I appreciate these tips and am definitely going to use them. Thanks for the info!

Ann Armenta said...

I'm seriously thinking of hiring you as my diet guru lol! I am down 6 lbs so far and it has been SO HARD! I must say your a huge motivation to me girly :)

Amanda said...

These are great tips - thanks for sharing! The only thing I would say would be to use Extra Virgin Olive Oil instead of Pam, especially since you do eat clean. Pam has all kinds of funky stuff in it, and while Olive Oils can be considered "fatty", it's the good fat, and has tons of healthy benefits!!