2 years ago I began a journey to lose weight. I lost 110 lbs. Then I moved to Mexico. I gained 38 lbs back. This is my struggle to continue my journey, and finish what I started. I have 77 .. now 69! (or so) more lbs to lose.
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In the 1990s, American obesity rates soared and became public health enemy numero uno. The answer, it seemed, was to produce a whole lot of low-fat and fat-free foods. What did food producers do to satisfy the newly health-conscious consumer? They were able to slash the fat content of food and replace it with a lot of sugar. Here we are, nearly 20 years later and obesity rates continues to soar, as do rates of diabetes and heart disease.
One of the major problems with sugar is how our body metabolizes it. If we eat too much of certain types of sugar (think high-fructose corn syrup), our liver has to work really hard to process it and will convert most of the sugar into fat. This process can lead to insulin resistance, which is a major contributor to obesity, type II diabetes, and heart disease.
Here are 3 simple tips for cutting sugar intake:
- Don’t make desserts a regular part of every meal - Save them for special occasions or weekend treats.
- Skip breakfast cereal - Most cereals are loaded with sugar, which sets you up for hunger and fatigue for the whole day. Try having fruit, yogurt, and nuts or light cheese instead.
- Say farewell to soda and fruit juice - These sugary drinks are also high in calories, so choose water flavored with fresh lemon or lime, seltzer, tea, milk, or plain water instead.
Source: HEALTHeME
This is something I really need to work on this year … my sugar addiction.
I’ve reblogged this way too many times.
Day One of “My Year of Health” starts today!
My goals for the day:
Take progress pics for January. They will happen on the first of every month!
Drink water… all 12+ glasses!
Shopping with Mom… it’s grey and a bit dismal outside, so we’ll brighten it up with New Years Day sales!
Set goals for the year and put them down on at least TWO sites (probably here and Spark). —— I need a long term goal, a mid-range goal and then goals for each month, and also each week! Setting up the proper framework for success. :)
I think I can easily manage everything on this list today. Hope everyone has a healthy, happy New Years Day!
<3
Seriously no negativity
Coming back from a hiatus. No more binge eating and I am not drinking =]
AND…
I made spaghetti squash for dinner tonight. First time ever! (I can’t seem to find it in Mexico… anyone have any idears?)
It was good. Not the texture of pasta of course, but it had a great flavor and it’s something that I really could enjoy. I think I’ll make it more often! (of course, you have to have a good knife to crack that baby open. That was the hardest part!!)
We had the squash with part-skim ricotta cheese, toasted sage, toasted pine nuts, salt and pepper. The recipe needs a bit of tweaking (needs some onions and garlic added I think) and I’ll have a lovely creamy pasta replacement. :) Next I’ll try it with a typical bolognese sauce!
Had my first training session with James today. Sooo nice to see old friends again! We took it SUPER easy because of my injury and I felt like a loser to be honest. I know I’m not. I’m hurt. But I felt fluffy and terrible and completely out of shape.
*grump*
I know it’ll come back quick and I’m usually the positive one but this has really brought me down. More and more workouts…that’s what I need to bring my positivity back. :)
I’m back in the US of A for 5 whole weeks WOOHOO! :) It’s cold and grey and cloudy but I got to go shopping IN MY OWN CAR and had a lovely day.
best part?
I GET TO SEE MY TRAINERS FOR FIVE WHOLE WEEKS.
I’m stoked.
So I realized something this morning. And I’m not sure if it’s good or bad.
I like the taste of Splenda better than the taste of regular table sugar now. Since we’re headed out of Mexico for Christmas vacation on the 12th, we’ve been using up all our groceries… and the last of my Splenda ran out two days ago. Yesterday I had my coffee at the cafe near the theater, so I had Splenda in my coffee there. But this morning I had to make it at home and all we have is table sugar.
BLECH.
I’m not sure how I feel about this. I know Splenda isn’t the best choice, and that it’s probably been helping my carb and sugar cravings along. But I can’t drink coffee without milk and sugar, and I absolutely crave coffee in the mornings … it’s a morning ritual that I love.
*sigh*
