Success!

Well, I am in to week two of our Choose to Lose Challenge. It has been an interesting path to look at everything I was eating and what I actually need to eat. Also, as I am making posters I look at some of the food and how unhealthy it is.

I have cut back food portions to a more healthy level and I am exercising regularly everyday (except Sunday). Today as I put my skirt on, there is extra room! I was so excited. I hopped on the scales and there are FIVE pounds missing! 

I know it is early and it doesn't seem like a lot. But, for me it is. It is the first time I have set a plan and stuck to it. To see results from your efforts is rewarding and to know that you can actually do it is even better.

Ogden Regional came and handed out a worksheet with some tips. I'll share some of them with you:

- Don't skip breakfast — Skipping breakfast can lower your metabolism up to 25%. Chosing high fiber foods will help give your system a kick start.

- Stay hydrated. Drink at least 8 cups of decaffeinated fluid daily — Contrary to popular diet advice, water doesn't burn fat. But without it your body cannot efficiently metabolize fat stores for energy.

- Eat your fruits and vegetables, get in at least 5 servings/day — Besides being full of nutrients, the fiber content of these foods is usually high, making them quite filling. 

1 cup raw = 1 serving

1/2 cup steamed = 1 serving

- Remember, what you drink adds calories — We don't usually think of what we drink as adding to our caloric intake. But the impact of drinks can add significant calories to your diet.

For example: a 32 oz. soda adds about 450 calories, a 20 oz. bottle of juice adds about 300 calories as do other drinks like punch, Sobee, and other "health" drinks.

- Consider taking a multi-vitamin

- Make time to eat

- Surround yourself with healthy food choices — The next time you are at the store, buy a selection of your favorite, healthful foods (i.e. fig newtons, raw vegetable, fruit, popcorn).

- Use the food pyramid as a guide (www.mypyramid.gov)

- Write it down — Many people do a lot of mindless eating throughout the day. The food diary can help in several ways. If you have it written down, you can review your intake and see where you're at. Also, studies show that people whoa re committed to keeping a food diary almost always eat healthier. Even if you never share the list with anyone else, sometimes just committing to write it down is enough to keep you eating healthy.

- Exercise, exercise, exercise! — Exercising at a moderate intensity (i.e. brisk walking, biking, swimming), 5 to 7 days per week, will put you on the road to good health.

Have fun! Take care! and keep plugging along!