Operation Weight Loss 2011

As I mentioned before, one of my goals this year is to lose 20 lbs.  To do this, a few of my friends and I have come together to support each other through the process since alot of us have some amount of weight we want to shed.  I have decided to do the South Beach diet after my girlfriend told me she lost 15 lbs in one week!!

So today, I officially started what we have termed O.W.L. (Operation Weight Loss).  The basic premise of the South Beach diet is no carbs, sugar (my weakness), etc for the first two weeks. Basically, you can only eat meats and veggies during Phase 1.  After 2 weeks, you go to Phase 2 which starts incorporating some other things like fruits, whole wheat pasta, etc back into your diet.   You stay at Phase 2 until you reach your weight loss goal, then you go to Phase 3 which helps you maintain your new weight.   I figure doing this coupled with working out at least 4 times a week (cardio & strength training), I should reach my goal by March. So I'll def keep you all posted.

Here is my lunch for today.... chicken breast and 2 cups of collard greens.

 

I'm pretty sure I will officially be tired of chicken breast by the end of the week, but I better get used to it because I have a feeling that will one of the main meats I'll be eating on this journey! Pray for me yall! :)

By the way, if you are looking for a diet friendly sweet treat, try these:

I must say for no sugar added, they taste great and only 40 calories each!

Creative Diets - Tea Diet ...does it work?

So for pretty much all of my younger years, I was skinny and I HATED it! (See throwback pic to the left). I remember always wishing I was bigger. I even used to wear clothes underneath my clothes in high school to try to give myself a "thicker" illusion! LOL

The irony is that I find that all very funny now that Im actually trying to lose weight! I remember a time I could literally eat anything I wanted and lots of it and still had a flat stomach. Uhhhhhh those days are long gone. Now I have to work for a flat tummy! :(

But I guess thats what comes with age.....a slower metabolism.......and a harder time trying to lose weight.

Last month, I was featured in Woman's World Magazine for participating in a 7 day tea diet. I had always seen the mag at the grocery store but never picked it up but once the opportunity came to try out the diet, I jumped at it. To my surprise, I actually really lost 7 lbs and one inch off my waist in one week!! And it really wasnt too bad to do either.

FYI: you have to drink alot of tea with this diet, so you will have to go to the bathroom alot. And remember, a diet is just a way to kick off a lifestyle change. If you go back to your regular eating habits, the weight will all come back!

BEFORE YOU GET STARTED

• Measure yourself around the fullest part of each arm, your bust, your waist, your tummy, your hips, each thigh and each calf. Jot down the measurements and hang onto them.

• Weigh yourself and jot down your “starting weight”.

• Try on a too-tight pair of jeans or a dress that’s a bit snug. Jot down how it feels, where it’s tight, etc.

• Keep a food log including everything you eat each day

EXERCISE GUIDELINES

Do some form of cardio exercise, such as walking, or cycling, at least five days a week for at least 30 minutes. If you are not able to do one 30 minute session at a time, feel free to have more frequent, shorter exercise sessions that together accumulate to 30 minutes or more.

TEA REGIMEN

Always put a slice of lemon or dash of lemon juice in your tea. Lemon contains vitamin C, which has been shown to boost our absorption of the slimming compounds found in tea. No milk allowed. If you want to add sweetener, please use stevia (a natural sweetener sold in health-food stores and more large supermarkets.)

After breakfast --Drink one cup green tea

Mid-morning --Drink one cup black tea

After lunch -- Drink one cup oolong tea

Mid-afternoon --Drink one cup peppermint tea

At least three hours before bed --Drink one cup weak oolong tea

At bedtime --Drink one cup white tea

THE DIET

In addition to the tea regimen, above, drink as much water as you’d like. Tea and water are the only beverages allowed. (Definitely no diet soda permitted.) You can add any sodium-free herbs and spices you wish when preparing these meals. Sweeten fruit with stevia, if desired.

Breakfast (choose one daily)

1/4 cup whole grain cereal, 6 oz. low-fat yogurt, 1 cup berries OR

1 whole-grain English muffin, 3 Tbs. low-fat cream cheese1/2 large pink grapefruit OR

1 fried egg, 3/4 oz. cheese, 1 whole-grain English muffin3/4 cup cantaloupe

Lunch (choose one daily)

3 oz. lean deli meat, 1 oz. part-skim mozzarella, veggies to taste, 1 tsp. each mayo and mustard, 2 slices whole-grain bread1 cup strawberries OR

4 oz. cooked chicken breast, 1 cup cooked broccoli, 1 cup whole-wheat spaghetti, 1/2 cup marinara sauce 1 kiwifruit OR

1 veggie dog, 1/4 cup vegetarian chili, 1 whole-wheat bun2 1/2 cups mixed salad, 1 segmented orange, 1 Tbs. almonds, 1 Tbs. fat-free vinaigrette

Dinner (choose one daily)

5 oz. grilled salmon, 1 Tbs. teriyaki sauce 1/2 cup brown rice 2 cups broccoli OR

1 grilled chicken breast or thigh, 1 Tbs. barbecue sauce1/2 cup whole wheat couscous,1 Tbs. almonds, herbs to taste2 1/2 cups mixed salad, 1/4 cup low-fat cheese, and 1 1/2 Tbs. fat-free vinaigrette OR

1/2 cup vegetarian refried beans, 1 1/2 oz. low-fat cheese, 2 Tbs. low-fat sour cream, salsa and diced onion to taste, 20 baked tortilla chips2 cups mixed salad, 1 Tbs. fat-free vinaigrette

Snacks (choose two daily)

1 small baked potato, 1 Tbs. low-fat sour cream

1 ear grilled corn, 2 tsp. butter

1 snack bar (up to 150 cals)

12 baby carrots or celery strips,1 1/2 Tbs. ranch or blue cheese dressing

2/3 cup whole grain cereal,1/2 cup soy milk

3 wedges Laughing Cow cheese, 12 grapes

Me in mag