How much do we weigh….how much weight do we need to lose? Our society is all about numbers. Seeing things in black and white gives us something to gage our success/failure. A recent study done by Stanford University, shows using a pedometer will make people walk more. People increase their steps by about 2,000 steps per day according to Dr Dena Bravata, a research scientist at Stanford. In turn, more exercise will lead to increased weight loss.

The American Medical Association did an analysis of 26 studies concluding that using a pedometer is a motivator in increasing physical acivity. They found the more sedetary a person is, the more effective a pedometer is in motivating her/him.

My favorite pedometer is the Omron JH-112. I’ve been using this one for about couple of years. It has a 7 day memory and is easy to use. They are reasonable priced and can be purchased at most local retail stores.

Many things can help motivate you on your weight loss journey. A pedometer is just one of them. Give it a try. (Remember to keep track of your steps in a journal so you can measue your weight loss success.)

Original post by Chris

I think most people are competitive at some level. I believe a person’s competitive spirit can be a motivating factor. It can be applied to all area’s in a person’s life. Today, I’m focusing on the success of competition in a weight loss program.

There are many ways in which a person can compete in their own weight loss journey. A few weight loss competitive methods are:
1. Self vs. family member/friend
2. One group vs. another group (neighborhood/gym)
3. Self vs. online friend/group
4. Self vs. me (do better than the previous week/month)

If you decide to try one of these on your weight loss journey, document your day. It makes it so much easier to see how and why you succeeded/failed when it is down in black and white.

A new competative weight loss site just popped up. Two brothers are competing against each other to lose weight/body fat. I’m going to track their success. You can check their site out here.

Original post by Chris

Every year I ring in the new year, I am close to celebrating another birthday. Eight more days and I add another digit. I’m going to be 57 years old.

As I sit and reflect on the past years, an array of events have been swirling through my head. I think about the joys, and sorrows experienced by family, friends, and nations during the past year. I reflect on the things I have done/not done to make things better.

I am an optomist and look forward to the new year. For me, the new year is all about, strengthening family ties….making new friends….. experiencing new adventures and helping people in my community. I don’t call these my new year resolutions. They are my plans to my little part of the world a better place to live.

Life……..I love it!!!!

Original post by Chris

Tomorrow we start writing 2008. I don’t know where the time has gone. I just got use to writing 2007. With the New Year comes resolutions…things such as: weight loss, eating healthy, exercising, saving money, spending more time with loved ones, or just spending more time pampering yourself.

I think very often people make the same resolutions they made the previous year. Weight loss is a big one. The number of obese/overweight people in the world is still on the rise. It only makes sense more people are going to make resolutions to get those extra pounds off.

For those that have tried and have had little or know success, take a look a what you have tried in the past. You know what hasn’t worked. Try something new. Four things I feel that will make a weight loss journey successful is:
1. Document what you eat/drink and the time. You may be a “clock” eater.
You may be a “tv” eater. (EX: A certain time or show comes on and it
triggers you to eat.)
2. Increase your water intake. Drink 8/10 glasses of water per
day. (It helps to flush your system and gives you a full
feeling.)
3. Set short and long term goals for yourself. (EX: Start by
walking 15 minutes a day and increase it to two 15 minute
walks per day.)
4. Have a good support system. (EX: Include family, friends,
weight loss enthusiasts, and other weight loss bloggers.)
Many will join you on your journey…good healthy competion
is always a good motivator.

Whether you have 10 pounds or a 100 pounds to lose, incorporate these four things into your program and you will be successful. Remember, a healthy weight loss is 1-2 pounds per week.

Original post by Chris

In the past few days, I’ve had a lot of comments left regarding the closings of Pure Weight Loss Centers on a previous article I wrote. It appears many are closing effective January 4, 2008.

With so many people making New Year’s Resolutions to lose weight, I would have thought business would have picked up in January.

I went to the Pure Weight Loss Center website. When I tried to talk with someone, I kept getting, “All circuits are busy now. Try your call later.” I then decided to try the choice that asking you if you’re interesting in joining. Like magic…I got through. I called 1-800-331-4035. They must be able to monitor where the calls come from as this girl immediately told me she had two Pure Weight Loss centers in Memphis and one in Southhaven, TN. Since I live two hours from either of those towns, I asked her about a center in Jackson, TN. The phone number for that Pure Weight Loss Center is 1-731-661-9002. (Today 01/03/08, I checked and the website no longer exists.)
I called the office located in Jackson, TN and asked her if that center was closing down. She told me no!! She stated it was the CORPORATE Pure Weight Loss Centers that were closing. All the FRANCHISE Pure Weight Loss Centers are still going to be in operation.

Maybe if you call the 1-800-331-4035, they can direct you to a Pure Weight Loss Center which is a franchise in your area. Since each of them are independently owned, I’m sure the answers will vary somewhat with each business.

Original post by Chris

It may sound backwards, but you need to eat to lose weight. There isn’t any magic pill or food that will melt the fat off. According to an article in this month’s issue of Woman’s Day, the following 20 foods/drinks, can help to jump-start your metabolism. They will fill you up and lower your body fat percentage.

The list in no particular order:
1. Salmon——excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids
2. Coffee——loaded with antioxidants(lattes & cappucchinos use skim milk)
3. Yogurt——high in protein
4. Eggs——–high in protein and vitamins B & D
5. Walnuts—–high in protein, omega-3 & monounsaturated fats
6. Bison/buffalo—similar to beef but lower in fat, cholesterol & calories
7. Grapefruit–a 12 week study was basis for this food selection
8. Green tea—may raise metabolism
9. Water——-keeping hydrated prevents you from mistaking thirst for hunger
10. Chili peppers—increase metabolism
11. Beans——-high in fiber & protein & low-calories & low in fat
12. Tofu & Edamame—low calorie for vegetarians
13. Apples——improves blood sugar levels
14. Avocados—-keeps you satiated and helps prevent disease
15. Blackberries—rich in water & fiber and high antioxidants
16. Quinoa——vegetarian grain high in protein, fiber & good fat
17. Oatmeal—–full of fiber
18. Flaxseed—-contains phytoestrogens, helps improve blood sugar control
19. Broccoli—-tons of fiber and very low in calories
20. Soup——–Based on a study done by Penn State

Understanding why a food/drink is good or bad for you, will help you in planning your family menus. Whether you are trying to lose weight, maintain your weight, or have a healthy lifestyle, knowing the benefits of your food choices will help you be successful.

To read the entire article, click here.

Original post by Chris

I bought a used book, Eating Disorders,(a new approach to treating anorexia, bulimia,and overeating) by Gregory Jantz, PH.D.. Each chapter has a section where you have questions and various writing exercises in which you are to express how you feel about such things as people, food, and feelings.

As I got into the question section of chapter one, I saw someone had already written in the book. Reading the responses, it was obvious this person was attempting to lose weight.

I could sense the despair, loneliness and isolation of this person in their writing. She/he wrote about their fear of certain foods and their obsession with others. This person constantly thought about weight loss but felt helpless.

I flipped through the rest of the book to see if their outlook had changed. Hoping to see a glimmer of self-worth expressed. This person never went past chapter 2.

I could see this person had more issues to deal with than just weight loss. Wishing I could give them a hug and tell her/him they are not alone.

I sit here wondering….where is this person today? How do they feel about themselves? Are they working on their issues? Are they experiencing success on their weight loss journey?

I’ll say a prayer for them and have comfort knowing they are in God’s Hands.

Original post by Chris

I found a cute site in which you can select animated characters and various backgrounds to make a movie. You can create their dialogue. It is even possible to forward it to friends. It’s fun and easy. Click here to go to the site.

Original post by Chris

I got an email from my sister. She said she had been thinking of dad and his bean soup. She wanted me to get the recipe from mom and send it to her.

After talking to mom, I called sis yesterday with dad’s famous bean soup recipe (as mom remembered it). Dad never used an actual recipe……….he would use a pinch of this and a dab of that. DAD’S BEAN SOUP RECIPE:

* 1 bag of great northern beans
* diced onions
* salt and pepper to taste
* ketchup (add until you get the color you want)
* ham bone
* pinch of rosemary (crushed)
* 2-3 quarts of water

Cook all this together bringing it to a boil and then turning it down to simmer. Take the ham bone out and shred the meat off the bone when it is starting to fall of the bone. Put the ham back in the soup. When the soup is about done, use a potato masher and mash about half of the beans in the pan. That’s all there is to it.

I got an email from her last night. She didn’t think one bag of beans looked like enough so she cooked two. Rut Roh!!! Needless to say, the beans grew in the pan. She had to throw half of them away so she could get her ham bone in the pan.

She said her soup was smelling pretty good. I’m waiting for the follow-up email to see how it tasted.

If you’re dieting and looking for fiber food, bean soup is a good source. I estimate the calories to be about 250 per bowl. There is nothing like a bowl of home made bean soup on a cold fall night. It tastes good and it’s good for you.

Original post by Chris

When I was in high school, I took Biology class. On our field trips, our teacher would point out the various poisonous plants. I don’t know why I thought after 40 years, I knew what poison ivy and poison oak looked like. It’s funny how are our thoughts can get skewed over the years. I found a great site that shows what poison ivy looks like in all 4 seasons.

I haven’t posted to my blog lately because I have a bad case of poison ivy/oak. My face is covered and my right eye is so swollen. I have it all over my chest, arms and hands. It’s hard to type because I just want to scratch everywhere. It’s so itchy.

What is the best medicine for poison ivy/oak? How do I get rid of poison ivy.oak? What is the best treatment for poison ivy/oak? These are the things I thought about when I started breaking out.

I had gone to the doctor a couple of years ago and he gave me a prescription for predisone. I took it for a week and still was so bad I had to get another prescription. I decided I’d doctor myself for a week and see if it gets any better.

I’ve been enjoying working in the wooded area behind our back yard. It’s such a great way to build muscles and lose weight while enjoying nature. I leery about going back in there.

I’m trying all kinds of things to help relieve the itching as well as trying to get the blisters to dry up. The various products I’ve been trying the past few days is Caladryl, Calamine Lotion, Anti-itch cream and antihistamine pills. I’m going to add vitamin C. I found a site in which people posted what has helped them get rid of poison ivy. Many people swear by vitamin C.

I’m off to apply some more anti-itch cream. (This is worse than my experiences with the fire ants.)

Original post by Chris