Ingredients-
Half a mango
100g yoghurt
passionfruit
a bit of milk (depending on how thick you like your drinks)
Method
Throw together and blend until smooth
It's like a tropical holiday in a glass. Could there be a better way to start the day?
Friday, January 11, 2013
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Ignoring the "Rules"
As I leave the year heavier than I entered it, it is blatantly obvious that whatever I've been doing hasn't worked. So this coming year I'm doing something different. I am going to ignore all the received dieting wisdom and break every "rule" I'm aware of.
If I am not at my goal weight by December 31 2013 I will settle for remaining steady at whatever weight I am on that date. One way or another this year is the end of my struggle with weight.
- I will not count calories.
- I will not limit fat
- I will not exercise regularly
- I will not keep a food diary
- I will not drink copious amounts of water
- I will weigh myself daily
- If the mood strikes me I will attempt a rapid loss (ie crash) diet
If I am not at my goal weight by December 31 2013 I will settle for remaining steady at whatever weight I am on that date. One way or another this year is the end of my struggle with weight.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
It's Gotta Be More Than Simple Maths
The experts tell us that losing weight is basic maths.
Calories in < calories out = weight loss.
Really? That's the whole of it?
A calorie is a calorie is a calorie.
I call bullshit!
That's not to say this simple formula doesn't work. It does. I've used it dozen's of times and I've lost weight with it dozens of times: for a while. And then...it stops working.
In dieting circles it's called a plateau. Suddenly the maths stops adding up (or in this case down). Every time I've lost weight I get to a certain point where my body stops responding and I start trying to make it fall back into line. I've followed advice such as eat more, eat less, eat different foods, exercise more, exercise less, exercise differently, get more sleep, focus the mind. On and on it goes. But nothing I've ever done has gotten the weight much lower than this "set point".
It's beyond frustrating-it's infuriating. I'm doing all the "right"things month after month and the results aren't forthcoming. There is no reward for all the effort.
If the maths worked I'd have been back at my prepregnancy weight well before my children hit their teens. And my guess is I'm not alone there.
I've been tempted lately to just give up and accept that I'm a fat, unfit, middle aged housewife and let myself slide into menopause and age gracefully if chubbily. But part of me refuses to accept that fate and a larger part of me knows with my caring responsibilities it's not an option anyway.
Losing weight and gaining fitness is a long, hard and, let's be honest, self indulgent, process. I wish I had the unlimited time to focus on nothing but my own needs. But I can't keep at it indefinitely, particularly if there is little progress to be seen. I find it discouraging and the support of those around me wanes as nothing seems to change-which must be due to my lack of effort: after all it's simple maths and I'm an intelligent woman.
There's got to be more to it than basic maths, experience tells me it's not that simple.
Calories in < calories out = weight loss.
Really? That's the whole of it?
A calorie is a calorie is a calorie.
I call bullshit!
That's not to say this simple formula doesn't work. It does. I've used it dozen's of times and I've lost weight with it dozens of times: for a while. And then...it stops working.
In dieting circles it's called a plateau. Suddenly the maths stops adding up (or in this case down). Every time I've lost weight I get to a certain point where my body stops responding and I start trying to make it fall back into line. I've followed advice such as eat more, eat less, eat different foods, exercise more, exercise less, exercise differently, get more sleep, focus the mind. On and on it goes. But nothing I've ever done has gotten the weight much lower than this "set point".
It's beyond frustrating-it's infuriating. I'm doing all the "right"things month after month and the results aren't forthcoming. There is no reward for all the effort.
If the maths worked I'd have been back at my prepregnancy weight well before my children hit their teens. And my guess is I'm not alone there.
I've been tempted lately to just give up and accept that I'm a fat, unfit, middle aged housewife and let myself slide into menopause and age gracefully if chubbily. But part of me refuses to accept that fate and a larger part of me knows with my caring responsibilities it's not an option anyway.
Losing weight and gaining fitness is a long, hard and, let's be honest, self indulgent, process. I wish I had the unlimited time to focus on nothing but my own needs. But I can't keep at it indefinitely, particularly if there is little progress to be seen. I find it discouraging and the support of those around me wanes as nothing seems to change-which must be due to my lack of effort: after all it's simple maths and I'm an intelligent woman.
There's got to be more to it than basic maths, experience tells me it's not that simple.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Challenge Completed
Just a quick fly by to report that I did finish the 50 day sugar free challenge. Since then a bit of sugar has returned to my diet though it wasn't the result of desperate sweet cravings, more a lessening of vigilance on my part. Interestingly in the week or so since I've been back on sugar I have noticed a slight increase in lethargy, a general acheyness and decrease in hunger signals. So I've decided to make low/no sugar a lifestyle.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
No Sugar Challenge-Half Way
It's day 25 of the no sugar challenge-I'm officially half way through and it's been a lot easier than I thought it would.
While I still miss my condiments, the sugar cravings I thought would come, haven't eventuated. Don't get me wrong. I still fancy the occasional sugary food but resistance is easy. The desire for sugar is a simple mmm...I wouldn't mind a bit of that, rather than a mind obsessing craving for something, anything, sweet.
An interesting side effect-
In the last couple of days I've begun to feel hungry. Not often but definitely. This is something that hasn't happened in years. It has been a bit strange in as much as it doesn't creep up on me. It's just like one minute I'm not hungry or thinking of food and the next I'm starving fit to gnaw my own arm off. And it stays with me until I eat something. I'm really pleased. Once this settles down it will be a lot easier to follow the intuitive eating philosophy.
While the point of this challenge isn't weight loss it has been a pleasant side effect. I'm satisfied to be able to report that my weight has stabilized and started to, very slowly, reduce.
While I still miss my condiments, the sugar cravings I thought would come, haven't eventuated. Don't get me wrong. I still fancy the occasional sugary food but resistance is easy. The desire for sugar is a simple mmm...I wouldn't mind a bit of that, rather than a mind obsessing craving for something, anything, sweet.
An interesting side effect-
In the last couple of days I've begun to feel hungry. Not often but definitely. This is something that hasn't happened in years. It has been a bit strange in as much as it doesn't creep up on me. It's just like one minute I'm not hungry or thinking of food and the next I'm starving fit to gnaw my own arm off. And it stays with me until I eat something. I'm really pleased. Once this settles down it will be a lot easier to follow the intuitive eating philosophy.
While the point of this challenge isn't weight loss it has been a pleasant side effect. I'm satisfied to be able to report that my weight has stabilized and started to, very slowly, reduce.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
No Sugar Challenge-10 Days Down
It's been ten days since I started the no sugar challenge and so far, so good.
I was off to a rough start when the end of the first day saw the temptation of baked lemon tart. I passed on it but it was quite the trial. I really thought about going for it and starting the challenge the following morning but I reminded myself that there would always be something sugary on offer and I would probably regret the action as soon as it was over. So often things aren't anywhere near as nice as you think they'll be. Having cleared that hurdle I've not had any trouble resisting temptation since. The only food I really miss are condiments and I'm getting used to going without or using sugar free substitutes (usually vinegar or gravy).
The initial struggle has been worth it-I have stopped that creeping weight gain.
Only 40 days to go.
I was off to a rough start when the end of the first day saw the temptation of baked lemon tart. I passed on it but it was quite the trial. I really thought about going for it and starting the challenge the following morning but I reminded myself that there would always be something sugary on offer and I would probably regret the action as soon as it was over. So often things aren't anywhere near as nice as you think they'll be. Having cleared that hurdle I've not had any trouble resisting temptation since. The only food I really miss are condiments and I'm getting used to going without or using sugar free substitutes (usually vinegar or gravy).
The initial struggle has been worth it-I have stopped that creeping weight gain.
Only 40 days to go.
Friday, June 29, 2012
No Sugar Challenge
I come from a long line of type 2 diabetics. (Cheers, forebears) Knowing my age and weight increase my chances of inheriting the family legacy last year I significantly reduced my sugar intake.
Things were going well but lately stress has seen sugar and refined carbs creep back into my diet...in some cases explode back would be a more accurate phrase.
In an attempt to get things back on track I have decided to join Natalie Carter's No Sugar Challenge.
50 days sugar free sounds like a hard slog but my experience was that hunting down the hidden sugar in food was more difficult than not the loss of sweetness.
Why not join me and give it a go.-Lynn
Things were going well but lately stress has seen sugar and refined carbs creep back into my diet...in some cases explode back would be a more accurate phrase.
In an attempt to get things back on track I have decided to join Natalie Carter's No Sugar Challenge.
50 days sugar free sounds like a hard slog but my experience was that hunting down the hidden sugar in food was more difficult than not the loss of sweetness.
Why not join me and give it a go.-Lynn
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