Weight Loss and Swimming

I think I have discovered the be all end all for firming and weight loss - swimming! For years I would never swim (although I knew it would help me with my weight loss desires) as I looked so awful in a swimsuit. Is that a catch 22 or what?My friend had been begging me for a while to go with her. I finally consented because I thought this could really take me to the next level in my weight loss.

Last week I went and I loved it! My body was sore but really in a good way, not painfully. Plus, the movements made me realize how weak my right leg had become from the MS (see my blog at www.mylifewithms.com).This is not only a great workout to lose weight, but it is also a wonderful way to improve my cardio vascular and my mobility. I like to think that I am on my way to developing long, lean muscles. Plus, it is really shaking up my workout routine.

If you stay stagnant on your workout plan, you are not pushing yourself and your not encouraging your weight loss efforts.You should give it a try.

What do you have to lose? I am sorry that I waited so long to get started!

Weight Loss and Water!

There was this neat story on the news last week pertaining to weight loss. This gentleman lost 70 pounds over the course of several months with one primary focus for his weight loss agenda.

He drank one glass of water before a meal, one glass of water during the meal and one glass of water after a meal.

I thought that this was way too easy to incorporate into my weight loss strategy and therefore it couldn't work. So I tried it just to prove him wrong.

I did it during a company lunch one day where we had a smorgasboard of goodies. I was stuffed and couldn't even finish my plate (nevermind the second helping that usually accompanies these lunches). I couldn't believe it. I was very satisfied and really could not look at another bite.

If I could adopt this strategy during every lunch and most dinners, I would lose the weight I want and lose the weight with a minimum of effort. I am very excited.

The only drawback is the number of times you have to go to the bathroom...

Weight Loss and Oatmeal

I have read about the power of weight loss and oatmeal but never went with it because it takes too much time in the morning to make the good stuff and I am not eating the sugary, processed version of packaged oatmeal. Weight loss tactics have to be convenient, right?

Well, I read this week that even the traditional packaged version is better than no oatmeal at all. So I thought I'd investigate further as I will try anything that is good for me and will help me lose weight!

I happened to be in Costco the other day and I saw that under the "Optimum" brand they now offer packaged oatmeal that has no preservatives and is full of quality ingredients. I bought a giant box with reckless abandon. Weight loss, here I come.

Oatmeal is so fantastic:
- it has fiber
- it naturally helps eliminate cholesterol from the blood stream
- it helps prevent all kinds of diseases because it is full of vitamins and antioxidants
- and it helps keeps you fuller longer with a smaller quantity

This last reason is particularly beneficial for weight loss. I cook it in the microwave with milk instead of water and that makes it a creamy treat. It is so delicious that I am considering it for my evening meal occasionally...it will help me to feel full at night and stop that anti-weight loss snacking!

Argh this weight loss drama!!!

Okay, last night I had a little sweet tooth and we ate lunch very late so I was hungry before I went to bed (never a good thing for weight loss!).

I pounded quite a few M and M's (this is on your weight loss agenda, isn't it). When I woke up this morning, I felt terrible and my right leg was really bothering me (particularly the knee). This is one of the areas that my multiple sclerosis causes to be weak (isn't multiple sclerosis grand???). So in addition to the yuckiness I felt already due to both the multiple sclerosis and the eating of the poor quality food...the artificial-product-filled chocolates made my multiple sclerosis worse for a day (and did not contribute positively to my weight loss efforts) . Does that stink or what?

So I am gaining weight and feeling gross and I have MS. Where is the goodness in this world? So, my newest vow (I have so many that I have to date them) is to quit eating crappy food as it affects me so much more than the average person because I do have multiple sclerosis. Just say no to poor quality chocolates!!! You never know, I just may lose weight in the process.

I am starting some very dangerous weight loss (ha) behavior!

I am just eating like mad. It is predominately in the evenings and it is just that I don't seem to care and have losing weight as the farthest thing from my mind. Everyone gets tired in the evenings and stops being focused. Unfortunately, I think I might suffer more from this lack of interest in losing weight at night for a health reason.

I have Multiple Sclerosis (see my blog at www.mylifewithms.com) and fatigue is one of the things I deal with everyday. I have never had fatigue and just thought it means you are really tired. It mean something else entirely. I can not move another step (with the exception of putting that Cheeto in my mouth...fatigue doesn't seem to disrupt weight loss (or lack of weight loss) efforts!) or think another thought.

So put this together with my huge desire to lose weight. I am tired at night and I struggle my good quality food decisions. My body and my brain are so exhausted, I am just making the "right now" decision and as a result eating lots of junk food.

I need to disrupt this behavior as I am putting on the pounds and I will need to change the focus of this web site from losing weight to gaining weight!

For today I will focus on making the right decision and not the right now decision in my weight loss efforts!

Weight Loss and Organic Foods

In your quest to lose weight, no doubt you will be trying to eat more fruits, vegetables, dairy and good quality proteins. I heard this interesting piece on the Today Show the other day. They discussed where you should put your money for the best bang for organic foods (particularly since they are so expensive). Buy organic:

- strawberries
- grapes
- apples
- peaches
- apricots
- spinach
- potatoes
- bell peppers

They also noted, when you can't buy organic you should peel the fruit/veggies. These are all things you have probably increased in your diet if you are trying to lose weight. Injesting the pesticides is extremely toxic to your health and can give you problems later. You want to lose weight and be healthy at the same time.

Weight loss and blood work!

My stomach is getting flatter...I have a weight loss strategy of late that seems to be working. I am having blood work tomorrow morning. I have to prepare by not eating too much sugar, fatty foods and alcohol. I also need to drink a lot of water. Hmmm. Aren't these all things we need to do for weight loss?

Yesterday it nearly killed me not to eat after dinner but surprisingly, I feel great this morning. Wow, maybe there is something to this eating quality food for my bloodwork. Could this be another weight loss secret?

My tests are in 24 hours so I have to be focused for another day. I am going to concentrate on good eating (what I should be doing to lose weight anyway) and let's hope my results are good. Maybe I should actually eat good quality food, not eat after dinner and eat lots of fruits and veggies. Hmmm, maybe I will lose weight and get healthy!

Weight loss - it is a daily challenge

Every day, I have forgotten my enthusiasm and spirit for weight loss that I felt wholeheartedly the day before. Hmmm. So the whole idea for weight loss flys in my brain one day and the next day (or the next bite) it flys out. That could be because I have MS (see mylifewithms.com) and my memory is lacking greatly!

However, while I can't remember what committments I made to myself yesterday or the day before about my weight loss plans...I actually can remember I suggested that before I have one more massage or pedicure or before I buy myself one more piece of clothing or makeup, I need to earn it by sticking with my weight loss goals (i.e. stay focussed on good eating or something similar).

While I have eaten terribly this holiday weekend, I have not treated myself at all and I am working out 5-6 days a week really hard. That in itself is an achievement. However, I learned in my Weight Watcher days that you can not lose weight by working out alone. You must significantly cut your calories. That is tough for everyone, I know. So hang tight, I will get all my ducks in a row and I will lose weight!