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The Girdle Chronicles

The Skinny on my Princess Cruise

I had been looking forward to this vacation for months. One week away, on a cruise, hitting some of the most beautiful islands in the caribbean. And then I caught a cold. Which meant the food that I was going to be enjoying on the high seas was going to be tasteless. And the strawberry margaritas I was dreaming of...again...nothing.

So here I am on our way to St. Maarten where all the women will be shopping but I will be joining my family on a beach excursion to the French side of the island on a beach offering partial nudity. Lovely. While my mom and her friends shop for diamonds and tanzanite, I'll be wincing at some topless women lounging on the beach while I cover my kids' eyes.

So the vacation. What have I enjoyed? Let's see. The Princess Cruise line offers great entertainment - from comedy shows, to bands performing in their side bars to a karaoke experience where you can sing with a band; and a piano bar called Crooners featuring a piano man who sounds like a cross between James Taylor and Billy Joel. Okay - not quite, but he is pretty awesome. What I absolutely love are the Movies under the Stars option. You get to sit on a lounge chair and cuddle up with a blanket and popcorn as you watch movies that have recently been released on DVD (This is It, Night at the Museum II, Harry Potter, Mamma Mia and many more).

As far as the food - it's not as amazing as some other ships I've been on - like Celebrity and Royal Caribbean - but then again, I do have a cold so I can't tell whether or not my taste buds would have been delighted by the culinary creations on the ship.

Things that are missing from our cruise experience - the midnight buffet. While food is plentiful, there are no ice sculptures or masterpieces in the pool area featuring mouthwatering creations. I mean seriously folks, how could there not be a chocolate fountain on board? There is a pizza and ice cream bar, two restaurants that are not part of the meal plan (we loved Sabatini's) and a dessert cafe, plus there's a wine bar with sushi and tapas and a cafe with cappucinos, latte, smoothies and tons of desserts.

I've also found that everything - except our dining room reservations, are first come first served. Which means if you don't get your butt to a lounge chair by the pool at the crack of dawn, well you're pretty much going to be sitting behind a pole in the shade for most of the cruise (that would be us).

The staterooms are very nice. While our room isn't that spacious, the kids are loving their bunk beds and I am loving the bed linens. Each bed comes with a cozy comforter with a soft duvet covering (no scratchy bedspreads). Plus, the chocolates and cookies left in the room by the steward each night aren't too shabby either.

As far as the cruise staff, let's just say that even though this is technically the "Love Boat," you will find no Captain Steubing, Doc, Issac, Gopher or Julie the cruise director on board. You will find Mark from England, a long haired girl from France whose nickname is 'Frenchie,' another guy from Australia and several more from Italy, Macedonia, Chile, Zimbabwe and many more countries around the world - I just haven't had a chance to read all the name tags. I guess Americans aren't applying for jobs aboard cruises. Instead, they're the ones lining up for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, coffee and drinks.

The girth of the passengers onboard is what truly troubles me the most about this vacation. Now don't get me wrong. After this trip, I'm hitting the nearest Weight Watchers center to shed at least 15 pounds. But the people onboard who I've encountered on a daily basis are so grossly overweight that some need to lose an entire person in order to reach their normal size. It's actually kind of ironic. During this trip, I'm reading a book called "The Power of Half" which shares the story of a family who took half of what they owned and donated it to charity. I say, if these people donate half of what they eat to the malnourished, the world would be a better place and they would be a whole lot thinner.

The other major gripe I have is that I constantly feel as if someone is trying to sell me something. It's fine when I walk off the ship and a woman comes up to me asking if I want my hair braided, but onboard, every day and night, there are options to spend more money even though this is an all inclusive trip. $30 for Bingo cards. $45 for a spa manicure. $25 for a wine tasting and another $9.50 for a follow up wine tasting. $25 for a shopping guide filled with over $400 in savings. $4 for a shot glass with limoncello in it. $6 for a tall beer glass that lights up. The only thing I have purchased which has proven to be economical is a beverage card that charges me $4.95 per day for unlimited Coca Cola beverages. And I've been using that card to quench the thirst of my entire family.

And one more thing. I also sat through a shopping show with the ship's expert who could also double as a QVC host. Except here's the difference. On QVC, you usually get a ton of great deals. Not so much in the places this expert suggested we shop. I was particularly interested in checking out one of the stores because she said we'd be blown away by the prices. You could say that again. While trying on a pair of blue diamond earrings in St. Maarten, I casually asked the price and the man behind the counter grabbed his calculator and proclaimed...$995 dollars. Bargain of the century? I think not. I left the store deflated and empty handed.

Now for the burning question - would I ever go back on a Princess Cruise? Drumroll please. Probably not. While the entertainment is quite good, there are too many things that did not live up to my expectations. I also think that this ship is best for older cruisers (50 and older) not families traveling with kids. While there is a kids' camp on board, my kids opted to stay with us and attended comedy shows and watched movies under the stars. They also ate...a lot.

All in all, while the cruise was enjoyable, it was certainly not one of my favorites. I still have incredible memories from our Celebrity cruise to Bermuda and that one by far stands out as the best experience we've ever had on board a cruise ship. And while we may decide to cruise again in the future, I think we'll be giving the sea a rest for a long while. Better run - I've gotta hit the gym and work off the tire that has now comfortably settled in around my midsection.

Posted in: Blog, The Girdle Chronicles, Undercover Mom on 02/21/2010

Inside the Ladies Locker Room

I don't like working out. There, I've said it. I hate everything about it. I don't get a rush when I'm running on the treadmill (instead I get shooting pains in my side), I don't like waiting for the elliptical machine for more than 5 minutes at a time and I hate, I repeat, hate taking workout classes with women who mark their territory like they're a pack of rabid coyotes.

But there's more to my tale of workout woe. You see, last year I decided to give up my fancy gym membership so that I could save some money and join a less expensive gym about one block away. Sure at my fancy gym I never waited for a machine, the snooty women there never gave me the time of day and I never accidentally inhaled cleaning solution while I tried to faux run on the treadmill at 4 mph, but in the interests of frugality, I bit the bullet and left the comforts and perks of my top notch fitness center.

The problem with my new gym is simple. It's way too crowded and there are too many yentas. Okay - if you do not live in New York and if you are not Jewish, a yenta is someone who likes to gossip. A lot. And I've decided, they should rename my gym, the Yenta Center. Everywhere I turn, there are women chatting with each other about everything from health issues, to the guy someone caught cheating on his wife (now, I have to admit, that was a juicy story), to a loud woman engaging in a very loud conversation with her girlfriend while admiring herself in the mirror as sweat, mascara and foundation trickle down her cheeks.

As uncomfortable as I get when I have to ask a towel less woman to move over so that I can open my gym lock that I still have from junior high school, what bugs me the most when I try to place my coat and knapsack in one of the few lockers are the people who just shove their stuff inside without investing in a lock or the staffers who utilize an entire row of lockers for their cleaning supplies and towels. Isn't that what a utility closet is for?

Wait! Now that I'm in full tirade mode, the cleaning methods of this gym is what gets me absolutely batty. No matter the time of day, the cleaning crew are always vacuuming right under equipment while you are actually on the machine. And they even spray cleaning solution and wipe down machines without caring whether any of the members are inhaling their toxic fumes. But that's not all. One day, when I got incredibly annoyed over the whole lack of cleaning etiquette, I was about to hop on an elliptical machine when a woman, who I mistook for a staff member, took the cleaning spray, spritzed several times and wiped down the machine adjacent to mine. At first, I shot her a dirty look and told her she was rude because the excess spray from the cleaner nearly burned my corneas (I know I'm a bit dramatic) and rather than apologize she brusquely replied that she'd rather inhale fumes than germs. I guess I failed to mention that not only are the women at this club chatty, they also like to engage in arguments with other female members.

And today, after an incredibly uncomfortable locker room experience, in which I had ask at least five naked women to move their buns so that I could make a break for my locker, I decided that it might be time to get back to basics and start working out at home again. My Wii Fit is looking quite attractive these days - especially since I won't have anyone spritzing cleaning solution in my face or pouring their heart out in their birthday suit.

Posted in: Blog, The Girdle Chronicles on 02/01/2010

40 Pounds Ago

Since my daughter is now 10 and I can't blog about the specifics of what goes on in her daily life, what I can share is an earth shattering observation about her weight...and mine. You see, my daughter is now in 5th grade - the same year my weight started spiraling out of control and my parents contemplated signing me up for Weight Watchers.

My daughter, who is now 4 feet 7 inches tall, weighs 65 pounds. When I was her height and was 11, I weighed 106 pounds. Yes, you heard me the first time. Four feet, seven inches tall and one hundred and six pounds. I was forty one pounds heavier than my daughter is today.

When I turned 12 and the teasing at school became incessant, I did finally step inside that Weight Watchers Center and while I initially had to lose at least 30 pounds, I grew four inches and reduced the weight loss goal by 10 pounds. And so, while I managed to lose 20 pounds, I have to say that in hindsight, I was very fortunate that my parents decided to take the bull by the horns and guide me along my weight loss journey.

Today, when I think about kids who are struggling with obesity issues, it often takes me back to the days when I was standing in their shoes. And trust me, it was not fun. It was not fun to be teased, to be out of breath when I walked up a flight of stairs, and to feel completely self conscious since I was one of the few kids who couldn't fit into a pair of Jordache jeans or Sergio Valentes - and back in the early eighties, if you didn't own a pair, you were deemed uncool for school. With the help of supportive parents, I managed to reach my goal and while I've always struggled with weight as an adult, I've never let the scales tip too far over the line.

If you're a mom with a child struggling to lose weight, let me offer this word of advice. Take them by the hand and join a program where you can shed the pounds together. Start exercising with them - go bike riding, ice skating, play the Wii or just take a long walk. If you help your own child achieve their weight loss goals, they will never forget you for it. Just ask me. I'm forever indebted to my parents who realized I had a problem and helped me confront it head on!

So while those 40 pounds may be a thing of the past, they are a constant reminder that staying fit and healthy is truly a family affair.

Posted in: Blog, The Girdle Chronicles on 10/28/2009

Role Mommy Recipes...Weight Watchers Style!

So it's been 10 days since I kicked off Weight Watchers and I am happy to report that I am down five pounds!!! Woo hoo. Let's do the happy dance. Snaps all around.

The one thing that I've realized this time around is that when I actually plan out my meals or eat half of a heaping restaurant entree rather than the entire portion, I've still been able to shed pounds. In fact, since I started, I haven't deprived myself of anything. And so as I continue my journey on the road to sveltesvelle, I've decided to share some recipes I've discovered along the way that are low in points (and calories), taste great and are filling too! (sounds like a beer commercial).

Egg White Omelet Mexican Style

Ingredients:
Carton of Egg Beaters (1 point)
Handful of mushrooms (in the can or fresh) (0 points)
Two tablespoons of salsa (0 points)
1 Packet of Weight Watchers Cheddar Cheese (2 points)

Directions:
In a non-stick frying pan, spray with Pam. Then toss in mushrooms and salsa. Next, pour in a half cup of egg whites. Let the mixture bubble up and when its almost finished, add the cheddar cheese.

Flip with your spatula, grab a plate and eat.

Preparation time: less than five minutes.
Taste: Yummy

For more great recipes, like this Key Lime Pie creation, visit the Weight Watchers site today!

Posted in: Blog, The Girdle Chronicles on 09/20/2009

Lose for Good...Here I Come

Well, it's September and that can only mean one thing. I finally made the decision to head back to Weight Watchers. My reason was simple. None of my clothes are fitting properly, I can see the reflection of my very round posterior in store windows and when I've posed for photos with my family, my double chin is rearing it's ugly head (or should I say chin).

And so, at 12 noon today, I took my trusty membership booklet over to a Weight Watchers center in Chelsea and soon learned that I had gained four pounds since the last time I joined. But this time dear readers, I intend to lose weight for good...and not just "for now." And lucky for me, I'll be shedding pounds for a great cause!

Weight Watchers (WTW) recently announced the start of the second annual Lose For Good campaign, created to raise awareness about two global epidemics - obesity and hunger. Between August 30th and October 17th, as Weight Watchers Members and Online subscribers lose weight, the company will donate up to $1 million to two hunger fighting organizations - Share Our Strength and Action Against Hunger. Last year, the campaign impacted more than 250,000 children and families domestically and actually represented the difference between life and death for more than 6,000 malnourished children abroad.

This year, Jenny McCarthy, a passionate activist and actress, has joined the campaign to generate awareness about this important cause. As a campaign ambassador, McCarthy will participate in media appearances and star in a public service announcement encouraging Americans to get healthier while also helping to end hunger. In addition, McCarthy helped Weight Watchers kick off Lose For Good by participating in a ceremony where the company donated a "Good Food Garden" to the Arroyo Head Start center in Altadena, CA, run by the Center for Community and Family Services, Inc. The Arroyo Head Start center serves underprivileged children in the community and until now did not have funding to build a sustainable garden for the kids to use for educational and nutritional purposes.

Even though it's my first night, I'm more determined than ever to reach my goal - especially since my mom took off more than 30 pounds on the plan and is thinner than ever! As my first Weight Watcher lecturer told us more than 28 years ago (yes, I was that young when I first joined) "Nothing tastes as good as thin feels." I hear ya sister, so hopefully I'll have some good news to report in the coming weeks!

Posted in: Blog, The Girdle Chronicles on 09/10/2009

Did I Really Eat All That?

I don't know about you, but now that every restaurant on the east coast shares the calorie counts of my favorite foods, going out to eat has become really depressing. Especially since it's September and once again I'm bigger than I was back in June when I vowed that this time, I was going to lose 10 pounds. Wishful thinking. Perhaps if I actually read those calorie counts and then didn't ignore the fact that pancakes and an omelet at IHOP is over 1000 calories, I would have been fitting back into my skinny jeans.

Why don't we take a trip down memory lane. Just as Weight Watchers says you should journal everything you eat in one day, I'm just going to capture all the yummy, bad for your butt stuff I inhaled this summer. So let's start at the very beginning...

Hot dogs
Hamburgers
S'mores - lots and lots and lots of 'smores
Pizza
Ice cream sundaes
Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream (well I was at the factory and all)
Creme Brulee
Key Lime Pie - actually that was a Weight Watchers Key Lime pie - except I ate half of it.
California Pizza Kitchen Salad - with a calorie count over 1000!!!
Anything at IHOP - did you know that Buttermilk pancakes are lower in calories than their multi-grain flapjacks. Well, you know now!
McDonald's French Fries - well we were on our way to New England and the calories don't officially count when you hit Mickey D's on a road trip.
A few of my son's Burger King french fries - I did have a salad though while he was having his sliders.
Oops, I also ate sliders
And Calamari salad with cashews (yum)
Lots of lobster...with butter
Ooh and lobster mashed potatoes
Sushi, sushi and more sushi
Pad Thai
Shrimp with Lobster Sauce (yes, I have a lobster fetish)
Chips Ahoy cookies (on road trips)
Indian Food - Nan, Tandoori Chicken, those delectable honey balls...
More pizza
Magnolia Bakery Cupcakes

There's more food where that came from, but you get the gist. Time to buckle down, start cooking again and lay off the restaurants. And hopefully, by the time I reach November, I'll be fitting into the size four jeans I had vowed I'd be squeezing into this summer. Better late than never!

Posted in: Blog, The Girdle Chronicles on 09/08/2009

The Girdle Chronicles

I don't know why, but every time I visit my parents in Southampton, I immediately come to the conclusion that it's time to suck it up and visit the nearest Weight Watchers center stat. Today's incident du jour involved a stroll down Job's lane and an unintentionally rude comment about my body shape by a tactless shop girl.

So let's start with the stroll. If you have never visited the Hamptons and are packing on some extra pounds, this is your alert to stay far far away from Southampton. The reason my flabby friend is simple. The place has been infiltrated by long legged models, Italian tourists and wealthy socialites with perfect knees, pouty collagen injected lips, designer sun dresses, $1000 handbags and bazillion dollar sandals. Walking along the streets of Southampton used to be relaxing. Now it's more like I've just stepped into a scene from the Real Housewives reality show.

Which leads me to the experience I'm sure I'll one day forget when I'm residing at an assisted living facility in Boca. These days, we pretty much avoid most of the shops in the area since their prices have hit the stratosphere. Sorry Ms. Snooty Store Manager. I refuse to pay $300 for the same sequined top I saw in your store last season for $49 thank you very much. But there are a few shops with decent prices and so, when a gorgeous black and white flouncy dress caught my eye, I decided to give it a shot and step inside for a closer look see. After selecting three dresses in what I thought was my size (at least it's my size at Ann Taylor), I slipped into the dressing room and then wrestled to get my body into the first outfit. At first, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't fit the dress over my thighs. And so, I decided instead to slip it over my head. Next, after I zipped it up and attempted to buckle a wide belt to complete the ensemble, I swung open the door to show my mom and then it happened.

"Oh, that dress doesn't look good on you at all. It makes you look really hippy."

Now who do you think uttered that phrase? Well, it wasn't my mom. Nor was it a middle aged sales clerk because if it had been a woman who was 10 years older than me, she would have said, "Honey, you look lovely. Now let me show you some accessories that'll accentuate your lovely neckline." But to my chagrin, there was a twentysomething rail thin salesgirl on duty who pulled no punches.

Sure, I know my hips have expanded as of late - possibly because I spend way too much time sitting on the couch typing away on my computer then taking yoga, spinning and pilates classes, but isn't there a salesgirl code of conduct or something? Are you supposed to tell your patrons when they look fat in a form fitting dress or just keep it to yourself? To make matters worse, she tried to shove another frock in my face that she thought would be perfect for my shape (Pear women of the universe unite). The only problem was, it was one size too small and it started cutting off the circulation in my jiggly arms.

And so, after trying on four dresses that pinched me around the triceps, clung to my hips and felt snug around my middle - where incidentally, I've actually never had a problem, I made a monumental decision. I will no longer shop at upscale boutiques featuring European fashions where sales girls shoot me telepathic messages to lay off the chardonnay and eat a few more carrot sticks. Instead, I'm going back to old faithful - Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft - where I'm always a size six and the saleswomen tell me I look fabulous even if I've grown a little mushy around the middle. Let's face it, flattery will get you my credit card. And brutal honesty, will send me racing for the door.

Some Great Weight Related Links of the Week
Why I am Now Cancelling my Gym Membership
Time Magazine - Why Exercise Won't Make You Thin (thanks to Jennie at Baby Name Wizard for sending this one over to me via Twitter!)

Weight Loss Guru Janice Taylor's Weight Loss Offerings
From losing weight with watermelon juice, to Seven Ways to Go from Stress to Refreshed, if you haven't visited the Our Lady of Weight Loss site and signed up for her Kick in the Tush newsletter, then you don't know what you're missing!

Motivation du Jour from The Mojo Coach
Check out Debi Silber's latest Beware of Limiting Labels Feature in our Community Pages.

Posted in: Blog, The Girdle Chronicles on 08/08/2009

Weight Watchers I Hear You Calling...

It's funny. Every time the weekend rolls around and I indulge in one too many things that wind up adding a few more lbs. on my digital scale, I find myself back to square one. The only thing that's ever going to really get my butt in gear is my old faithful - Weight Watchers. Lucky for me, they're actually one of the sponsors of this Thursday's Swiffer SocialLuxe Lounge so maybe I'll get the inside scoop on their latest program and hopefully, they'll have a few of those smart ones desserts on hand so I don't partake in the delicacies Jenn at Hostess with Mostess has ordered for the blogger partay of the year!

Incidentally, I recently tried one of the latest Weight Watcher Smart Ones creations - the peanut butter sundae. Let's just say it has now become one of my top three Smart Ones desserts, followed closely by the brownie sundae and cookie dough sundae. And lets not forget about those ice creams - love the ice cream cones, chocolate sandwiches, mint chocolate chip and turtle fudge sundae packs too!

Okay - maybe I've discovered the root of my problem. I have a bit of a sweet tooth...ya think?

Posted in: Blog, TV, The Girdle Chronicles on 07/20/2009

Get in Shape with The Mojo Coach!

In our never ending quest to lose "the last 10 pounds" we're pleased to announce a brand new contributor to Role Mommy and our blog, The Girdle Chronicles, dietician, fitness guru, best-selling author and whole health coach, Debi Silber...better known as The Mojo Coach!

Today, Debi is tackling a topic that I struggle with all the time. What is the perfect workout that will get me motivated to burn calories and lose weight!

What does your perfect workout mean? Is it a stroll in the park, taking a class, a rigorous hour of tennis, or using the Stairmaster during your favorite TV show? Maybe it means focusing on your breath in a yoga class, stretching your muscles with Pilates or running to your favorite songs. While any of these workouts benefit your body, mind and soul, many moms don't exercise at all. In fact, the only exercise their getting is when they exercise their right...not to exercise.

If this sounds like you, it's time to find your perfect workout. But what if you haven't worked out in weeks, months, even years? What matters is that you find something that you can enjoy. What also matters is that you begin at a level that's only slightly more challenging than what you feel you can do. This way, you don't scare yourself off from beginning and sticking with a new routine. It's also a great way to build confidence in yourself. By setting a goal that's reasonable, then achieving that goal, you gain the confidence to keep trying. It's an empowering feeling to take back the reins and know that your fitness, health and priorities are up to you.

Now like many moms, let's say you haven't exercised in an embarrassingly long time. You're never ending to-do list got the best of you and the only way you could get everything done was by cutting your own self care right off your list. So unfortunately, your exercise was one of the first things to go. This may have worked for a while but at some point, you began to feel sluggish, lethargic and unfit. Maybe you noticed that your clothes weren't fitting as well as they used to. You may have realized that while you used to sprint up the steps, now you're huffing and puffing as you near the top. Whatever caused you to see that you need exercise in your life doesn't matter, as long as you use that information to get going. So, where do you begin?

You can always start with walking. You know how to do it, you don't need to be exceptionally coordinated and all you need is a properly fitting pair of walking shoes. Just by getting outside, looking at the changing leaves or noticing the beauty that surrounds you may be enough to keep you motivated to walk. If that's not enough, you can bring an ipod or MP3 player to listen to your favorite music. There are also some great services which enable you to download workouts according to your workout level and needs. You can even download podcasts of programs you enjoy or just use the time as an opportunity to clear your head.

Now it doesn't matter if you work outside the home, have a newborn, whatever. You can justify or make excuses for anything you don't want to do. The idea is to find a way to get it done so you can feel good again. For example, if you leave early in the morning and head off to work, you can have a gym bag packed and head to the gym before you come home. If you feel too guilty to try it maybe realizing that the happier mom is, the better she is for everyone else is enough to change your mind. You can also try exercising during your lunch break, taking a short walking break every hour or find an exercise buddy you can walk with and be accountable to.

If you have young children, there are some other strategies you may want to try. Get on that treadmill in your home, use tapes, DVD's or just tune into your local exercise channel. Just simply put your baby in an area safely nearby. Your baby may even get a real kick out of watching his or her mommy working out. If not, he or she can use the time to sleep, snack or play. If your children are a little older, give them a special activity that they only get to do while mommy works out. They'll look forward to the activity while you get your workout in.

If you want to workout outside, there are great exercise joggers that allow you to walk, jog or run with your child safely strapped in. You can also wear your baby in a Baby Bjorn or baby backpack. This adds weighted resistance to your workout while taking away any excuse you may have! Your baby will also love the special time feeling close to you while getting some fresh air. Another option is to join a class for moms and their kids. If that doesn't work for you, many health clubs offer babysitting for a small fee. Lastly, you can hire a babysitter or find a friend that is willing to take turns babysitting each others children so you can both make the time for much needed self care.

It doesn't matter what you do, as long as you do something. The key is to find a way to incorporate exercise back into your life. If you do nothing now and exercise for fifteen minutes tomorrow, you're moving in the right direction. What's most important is that you give your body, mind and soul what it so rightfully deserves. And as you begin to feel better about your body and your commitment to take better care of yourself, your body will kindly respond by slowly getting back to being the finely tuned machine it had been long ago. Then at some point, you may see the beauty in you that everyone else does.

Debi Silber, MS, RD, WHC The Mojo Coach™ is a Registered Dietitian with a Master's degree in Nutrition Science. She's a Certified Personal Trainer, Whole Health Coach, Lifestyle Expert - just for moms, speaker and the author of The Lifestyle Fitness Program: A Six Part Plan So Every Mom Can Look, Feel and Live Her Best and From Mom To Wow: Your Ultimate Body, Mind and Life Makeover Guide. Debi's been branded The Mojo Coach™ because for nearly 20 years she's motivated overweight, overwhelmed and unfit moms to "get their mojo back" through gradual, lifestyle change. Sign up for a free report, 52 weeks of weekly tips and a subscription to Debi's newsletter Mojo Moments at www.TheMojoCoach.com

Posted in: Blog, The Girdle Chronicles on 06/26/2009

Weight Loss Tips du Jour

We just learned an exciting piece of news that may help us shed the last 10 pounds we've been trying to lose this year. In a study that will be published next month in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers in Australia found that drinking fat free milk in the morning helped increase a feeling of fullness, and led to decreased calorie intake at the next meal, as compared with a fruit drink.

The milk drinkers ate about 50 fewer calories (or nearly 9% less food) at lunch. While experts are increasingly focused on small behavior changes for weight loss, a calorie decrease as little as 50 calories per day can add up in the long run.

Good thing I ordered that hazelnut with skim milk and splenda every morning. And for some more summer diet tips for yourself and your kids, we've got two interviews that we just featured on Blog Talk Radio. The first is an interview with Dr. Michael Kaplan at the Center for Medical Weight Loss. Next, we spoke with Regina Luttrell, the founder of Snacker Tracker - a nutritional monitoring system for kids.

Find out how to tackle the final 10 pounds with Dr. Michael Kaplan

Listen in to our interview with Regina Luttrell, founder of Snacker Tracker, an innovative solution that'll help get your kids to eat sensibly.

Posted in: Blog, Blog Talk Radio, The Girdle Chronicles on 06/17/2009

Older Entries

05/27/2009: The Girdle Chronicles

04/19/2009: I'm Joining the Weight Watchers Walk-It Challenge!

04/11/2009: I Was a Chubby Bubbie

04/07/2009: A Woman's World...Latest Episode

04/02/2009: Does this Remind You of You?

03/08/2009: Why Can't My Arms Be More Like Michelle's?

02/04/2009: New Fitness Program from Weight Watchers!

01/31/2009: Check out Wii Fit Mommies Julie Maloney!

01/19/2009: I Have a Dream...With a Twist

01/12/2009: Mango Salsa Swordfish for Dummies

01/06/2009: 13 Ways to Transform Your Life

01/06/2009: Are Your Friends Making You Fat?

01/05/2009: Shedding LBS. With My Weight Loss Coach

01/04/2009: Day 3 - The Girdle Chronicles

01/03/2009: The Girdle Chronicles