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Introduction Text Welcome and thank you for visiting my Spark page I've lost 50 pounds, reaching my WW (Weight Watchers) goal weight on July 2nd, 2004. I'll celebrate 16 YEARS OF MAINTENANCE on July 2nd, 2020 This time around , after playing (or shall we say struggling) with the "Yo-Yo" weight game for over 45 years , is the first time ever I succesfully maintain my weight loss. Why? Because this time around I've worked hard and consistenly on building new healthy habits/ behaiviors, so they can become a natural part of my new healthy life style. I also had a different mindset this time around. Yes! losing the weight and maintaining the weight loss is hard work!!! What is harder than losing the weight? Keeping the pounds off! Maintenance for me, personally, is harder than losing the weight! *********************************** IMPORTANT QUESTION! Is the journey of Maintenance different from the journey of losing the weight? Answer: NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! I still think the same way after over 16 years of experience. Maintenance requires doing exactly what I've done to lose the weight!!! If there is a small difference, it may be one additional apple (medium size! not large) a day.....smile..... And if I can do this, just imagine what YOU can do..... .................................................................................................. I'm always making changes that work for me, personally. The WW CORE plan established on August 2004. And this is the plan I’ve been following ever since with some changes of my own. ************************************************* MAINTENANCE I've reached Maintenance on July 2, 2004. 1st YEAR: July 2, 2004 - July 1, 2005 2nd YEAR: July 2, 2005 - July 1, 2006 3rd YEAR: July 2, 2006 - July 1, 2007 4th YEAR: July 2, 2007 - July 1, 2008 5th YEAR: July 2, 2008 - July 1, 2009 6th YEAR: July 2, 2009 - July 1, 2010 7th YEAR: July 2, 2010 - July 1, 2011 8th YEAR: July 2, 2011 - July 1, 2012 9th YEAR: July 2, 2012 - July 1, 2013 10th YEAR: July 2, 2013- July 1, 2014 11th YEAR: July 2, 2014- July 1, 2015 12th YEAR: July 2, 2015 - July 1, 2016 13th YEAR: July 2, 2016 - July 1, 2017 14th YEAR: July 2, 2017 - July 1, 2018 15th YEAR: July 2nd, 2018 - July 1, 2019 NEW LONG TERM GOAL: Exercise consistenly. Starting weight this time around: 205.0 WW Official Goal Weight: 164.0 Actual Weight Now: 155.0 Ultimate Goal Weight: 155.0 Total weight-loss to date: 50.0 pounds pounds still to lose: 0.0 205/164/155.0 Maintenance range: 150 - 155 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I've made a HUGE change in April 2010. I stopped counting my daily points. That means that I've followed the CORE plan as is: Not counting daily points, weekly points, activity points, or any points at all. I DO NOT COUNT ANY WW POINTS AT ALL! At this time (2019) my own plan have worked perfectly for me. I would love to see my new plan as an option in any future WW plans!!! Another HUGE change as of January 2014. I now concentrate on "MY PLATE"' Although I'm not Diabetic, I love the concept of the Diabetic association and I follow it. That means: Half of my plate is "free" vegetables. A quarter is Protein and the other quarter is Starchy veggies and Whole Grains. Also Dairy and Good Fat, as recomended. The more colors on the plate, the better it is. It is just so SIMPLE to follow it and I feel free like a bird, not counting WW points at all. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ To be a butterfly The caterpillar thought her life was over... then she turned into a beautiful butterfly! When you feel like giving up.. hope whispers try one more time... YOU CAN DO IT! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working." Pablo Picasso ****************************************************** STAYING THE COURSES You may think that once you've achieved a healthy weight, your work is done. Once you've reached you goal, staying there should be a breeze. Sorry; but that's your old diet mentality talking. It goes back to the idea that you go on a diet to lose weight, and once you lose, you go off. That kind of thinking leads to regaining weight. Been there. Done that. Not going there again. This time you're going to hold on to your hard-won victory. Maintaining weight involves the same process as losing it. You can probably add some calories to your daily intake once you reach your goal weight. Besides that, you just need to keep walking the path you're on. Whatever you employed to help you lose the weight, you'll need to use to keep it off. That's why we've been stressing the need for LIFESTYLE CHANGES. That's why it's so important to make changes you can live with over the long haul. You're already doing what you need to do. You're making healthy food choices and moving your body every day. You look good. You feel good. You're justifiably proud of yourself. Just keep on keeping on. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "It's easy to say you're too tired, too stressed, too busy, too this or too that. Too bad. The only way you'll strip away the fat is to start by stripping away the excuses." -- Dr. Oz & Dr. Roizen- You on A Diet ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Quality of persisting: the mental power, energy, determination, drive, willpower. Quality of continuing steadily despite problems or difficulties. There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure. ~Colin Powell ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The 9 Healthy Guidelines (Good to review again) 1. Eat at least 5 servings of vegetables and fruits each day. 2. Choose whole-grain foods whenever possible: Whole-grain cereal, breads, pasta, rice or whole-grains. 3. Include 2 servings of milk products (low-fat [1%] or fat-free) each day. If you are a nursing mom, a teanager or over 50 years old, increase this amount to 3 servings each day. 4. Have some healthy oil (olive, canola, sunflower, safflower, or flaxseed) each day. This habit ensures that you get the essentail fatty acids and vitamin E that your body needs. Use the oil on salads, in cooking, or as an ingredient in a mixed dish. 5. Ensure that you are getting enough protein by choosing at least a serving or two of meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dried beans, or soy products each day. Many dairy products are also good sources of protein. 6. Limit your intake of sugar and alcohol. Women should have no more than 1 alcoholic beverage each day. Men 2. 7. Liquids: 6 glasses per day. All liquids: milk, juice, water, seltzer, diet soft drinks. Coffe or tea. The best choice is water. 8. Take a multiple vitamin-mineral supplement. 1 per day. Any supplement that contains no more than100% of the daily recomendation for vitamions or minerals. 9. At least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week (start with 10 minutes if you're sedentary now). All activity counts, including gardening and houseware. ****************** <em>465</em> <em>465</em> <em>465</em> <em>465</em> <em>465</em> <em>465</em> <em>465</em> <em>465</em> <em>465</em> I just updated my favorite compiled list of healthy habits. Enjoy. 217 HABITS FOR A HEALTHIER YOU! Someone wrote it so well: Habits are like Seeds Don't be tempted to put all the good practices in place right away. It takes as long as two months before a good habit becomes automatic, and trying to take on more than one will likely set you up for failure. Take it slow. Cultivating a habit is like planting a seed. It isn�t something which you can hasten and rush through. Choose a few good "seeds" that fit into your life plan and nurture them one at a time. After two months, when the new seed has grown into a sturdy young plant, proceed to the next one. In that way, you'll be ensured of a slow, but steady and constant stream of success. Note! These habits are not in any particular order. 1. Exercie/move at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week (start with 10 minutes if you're sedentary now). All activity counts, including gardening and housework. What is your daily favorite activity? 2. Slow down! You are eating too fast. Slow down your eating. Put your fork, knife, spoon, or sandwich down after every bite. It takes 20 minutes to begin to digest food so you no longer feel hunger. 3. Control your food intake (portion control) Eat a Fist Size of food - Your Personal Portion Guide. Resolve never to supersize your food portions, unless you want to supersize your clothes. 4. Taste, chew thoroughly, and swallow the food before taking another bite. This may be hard if you usually put food on your fork before swallowing the last bite. WW suggest chewing every bite around 30 times.......Mmmmm 5. Stop eating in the middle of the meal or snack and wait 2 minutes or count to 120. This gives your body more time to begin to digest food. 6. Leave the table and return after 2 minutes or have a pleasant conversation with someone for 2 minutes. 7. Use a fork or spoon to eat everything. Do not use fingers. 8. Avoid bending over your plate. Sit up straight and bring the food to your mouth-not your mouth to the food. 9. When you get the urge to eat, try doing some activity like taking a walk. 10. Try to eat so slowly that you are the last one finished eating, without taking second helpings. 11. Use a smaller plate than you usually do and take smaller bites. 12. Leave the table as soon as you are finished eating. 13. Do something that signals the end of the meal - have a cup of coffee or tea, brush your teeth, and wash your hands. 14. Try leaving one or more bites of food on your plate. This helps reinforce the control you have over your eating habits and helps you know you do not have to eat everything placed in front of you. 15. Drink a glass of water before sitting down to eat. 16. Plan 5-6 small meals a day rather than 3 larger meals. It boosts faster metabolism. Avoid getting too hungry. 17. Never skip a meal, especially breakfast. 18. Control high calorie foods like chocolate rather than eliminate them; occasionally, save calories for your favorite foods and desserts. 19. Eat at the table (not in the car, by the TV, computer, looking at your phone, texting...etc...) 20. Hide the Scale ( I meant to say the "Evil metal Monster"). only weigh yourself on your WID. 21. Restrict Kitchen visits after dinner except for planned snacks, water and herbal tea. 22. Journal ABSOLUTLY EVERYTHING! (including BLT = bites, licks, tastes) 23. Include high, rich, healthy Proteins in your diet daily for more energy. 24. Choose a variety of grains daily, especially Whole Grains. 25. Limit Alcohol, high sugar and high fat foods. 26. Plan in advance what you're going to eat, write it in your journal, and then follow your plan. (you WRITE it, you BITE it). 27. Drink at least 48 oz of WATER each day. 28. Brush your teeth after EVERY MEAL ( AND SNACKS???). 29. Take at least 15 minutes of "ME TIME" daily. 30. Make the RIGHT HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES daily (i.e. no junk foods today). 31. Measure yourself and record it once a month. 32. Learn to say NO!!! (Politely) 33. Gone Fishing: Eat fish at least twice a week. 34. What do you do when you get the Late- Night Munchies? 35. Think about ways to reduce STRESS in your life. 36. Eat out - eat right. 37. Use a veriety of foods and colors in your diet. 38. Holiday Makeover (make healthy holiday meals}. 39. Surviving the weekend. 40. Limit your cafein intake. 41. Learn to enjoy life: Get behind the idea that your life is NOT all about your weight and food. 42. Cook Savvy - Fiber Up. 43. Use a variety of proteins in your diet. 44. Give yourself non-food rewards for doing well. 45. The Four O'clock Hour ( after work). 46. False Hunger : Learn to identify. 47. Write a note to yourself about something POSITIVE you did for YOURSELF today 48. Try a new healthy recipe. 49. Did you take your vitamins today? 50. Think about all the time you are spending thinking about your weight. Instead use that time more productively. 51. Do You Know Your Favorite foods? Design a food plan that include foods you like BEST. 52. L Add extra vegetables to entrees. 53. Go for Low Energy Density; Energy density is affected by how much water a food contains. The higher the water content, the lower the energy density.The lower the energy density, the fuller you will feel on fewer calories. 54. Make time for meals. 55. Indulge in only what you LOVE. Never DEPRIVE yourself of foods you like. Learn to incorporate them in moderation and accountability. 56. Make it a ritual. Create a ceremony (set up the table with a nice tablecloth and beautiful dishes and glassware) to revel in your favorite food pleasures. Use your best china, eat slowly and enjoy every bite. Your best China dishes are not only for guests. 57. Schedule it: Make an appointment in your calendar to exercise. 58. Sleep: Become aware of you body's sleep patterns. Notice when your body needs sleep. 59. Weigh and Measure everything you eat. 60. Procrastinators anonymous: Do something you have been putting off...Pay those bills, handle an akward situation, Balance your check book, Clean out a closet. 61. LOOKING GOOD , FEELING GOOD! ( for yourself and not for others)!!! Wear something you really like wearing that you look fantastic in it! 62. Stock your pantry, refrigirator, and freezer with healthy food items. 63. Let's switch our MEALS: make your Breakfast or Lunch the MAIN meal of your day. (the French are thin because they eat their main meal at mid day. they eat a LIGHT evening meal. It is (according to research) more healthy to eat light in the evening. 64. Ways to feel GOOD right NOW. 65. Learn to handle stress during holidays. De-Stress your holidays. 66. Meals for busy people: Make ahead healthy meals, freeze them in individual containers and use them on days you're too busy to cook. 67. Nine to five: Diet Strategies for dieting on the JOB. 68. Healthy Snacks for ROAD TRIPS 69. Things to do INSTEAD of eating. 70. How to stay on track on VACATION. 71. Surviving Happy Hour. 72. One day a week- eat vegetarian. 73. Consumed ALL your points (calories), but you still want to eat, eat, eat! What shall you do instead? 74. A week with 2-3 Dinners with Fish and Seafood. Canned tuna doesn't count. 75. What is your REAL problem? (if you think weight is the problem, you'll choose the wrong solution). 76. Eat ONLY when you are physically hungry. 77. The Core problem is: Lack of Self Love. 78. Be KIND and compassionate with Yourself. 79. Be curious, NOT critical. 80. Have endless PATIENCE! 81. LAccept and celebrate your BODY. 82. Listen to and TRUST yourself. 83. Shall I weigh myself every day, once a week, or NOT at all? (it's recomended to weigh in once a week while loosing the weight). Do what works for you? 84. Try it! You'll like it! Try something NEW: A new recipe, new exercise, you name it. 85. NO perfection. No "shoulds" or "could haves" - Just your BEST for TODAY. 86. "Worrying is like a rocking chair". Sure it gives you something to do, but in the end you never get anywhere. 87. "If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint', then by all means paint, and the voice will be silenced" - Vincent Van Gogh. 88. "Be not afraid of going slowly: Be afraid of standing still" - Chinese proverb. 89. Decide AHEAD OF TIME what to order out. 90. Go to bed earlier. 91. L " life one learns that if you don't paddle your own canoe, you don't move" - Katharine Hepburn. 92. Life has TWO rules: 1. Never quit 2. Remember rule # 1! 93. The DICTIONARY is the only place where "success" comes before "work". 94. "The good news is that the bad news can be turned into good news when you change your attitude" - Robert Schuller. 95. A journey of thousands miles begins with a single step" - Chinese proverb. 96. "If we go back to our old ways, we'll go back to our old "weighs". 97. "Some people are always grumbling because roses have throns. I am thankful that throns have roses" - Alphonse Karr. 98. The hardest part about exercise is putting on those sneakers! 99. Make a list of three things you want to accomplish this week. 100. Put a dollar bill in a jar for each ON PLAN day. Put more money for every habit you've learnt and changes for the better. 101. W.I.D.R.T- What I did right today? Focus on the POSITIVE ACTIONS. 102. Make your HEALTH a priority. Nothing taste as good as healthy feels. 103. We do NOT have to be PERFECT to make Amazing Success Happen! 104. Self Sabotage: How we fail with NO help at all! 105. Eat the rainbow colors in vegetables and fruits. 106. Serve fresh fruit for dessert. 107. Cook with olive, canola or other healthy oil instead of butter or margarine whenever you can. 108. Sit up straight to eat, and you'll eat about 10 percent less. 109. Serve food onto individual plates, and leave the extras back at the stove. Bowls of food on the table beg to be eaten, and it takes incredible will power not to dig in for seconds. Remember, it takes about 20 minutes for your mind to get the signal from your belly that you are full. 110. When dining out, make a habit to request how your food is prepared. 111. Substitute Club Soda or Sparkling Water for Soda drinks. 112. Drink green tea daily. 113. . Eat in a well-lit room to prevent Binge eating. 114. Carry a 32- ounce water bottle filled with cold water. 115. Wear a pedometer. 116. Daily deep breathing. 117. Jump rope for ten minutes and get fit quick (for those who are able to). 118. Reward yourself to help make working out a positive habit. 119. Run (walk) spot run (walk) ! Workout with your pet every day. 120. Don't push the elevator button. Lose weight by taking the stairs every day. 121. Replace bad fats with good fats. 122. Take Flax every day for a healthy, trim body and lower Cholesterol. 123. Always order salad dressing on the side. 124. Substitute Soy or veggie burgers for hamburgers. 125. Always order baked potatoes plain. 126. Eat more low-fat dairy. 127. Substitute Trans-Fat Free Margarine for Trans-Fat margarines and butter. 128. Review nutrition labels. 129. Substitute Peanut or almond butter for butter and cream cheese. 130. Add just one fruit or veggie serving daily. Get comfortable with that, then add an extra serving until you reach 8 to 10 a day. 131. Drink (not alcohol......) 132. Eat at least two servings of a fruit or veggie at every meal. 133. Make eating purposeful, not mindless. Whenever you put food in your mouth, peel it, unwrap it, plate it, and sit. Engage all of the senses in the pleasure of nourishing your body. 134. Start eating a big breakfast. It helps you eat fewer total calories throughout the day. 135. Make sure your plate is half veggies and/or fruit at both lunch and dinner. 136. Eating out? Halve it, and bag the rest. A typical restaurant entree has 1,000 to 2,000 calories, not even counting the bread, appetizer, beverage, and dessert. 137. Use a salad plate instead of a dinner plate at dinner time. 138. See what you eat. Plate your food instead of eating out of the jar or bag. 139. Eat the low-cal items on your plate first, then graduate. Start with salads, veggies, and broth soups, and eat meats and starches last. By the time you get to them, you'll be full enough to be content with smaller portions of the high-calorie choices. 140. Instead of whole milk, switch to 1 percent. If you drink one 8-oz glass a day, you'll lose 5 lb in a year. 141. Juice has as many calories, ounce for ounce, as soda. Set a limit of one 8-oz glass of fruit juice a day. 142. Get calories from foods you chew, not beverages. Have fresh fruit instead of fruit juice. 143. Keep a food journal. It really works wonders. 144. Follow the Chinese saying: "Eat until you are eight-tenths full." 145. Use mustard instead of mayo. 146. Eat more soup. The noncreamy ones are filling but low-cal. 147. Cut back on or cut out caloric drinks such as soda, sweet tea, lemonade, etc. People have lost weight by making just this one change. If you have a 20-oz bottle of Coca-Cola every day, switch to Diet Coke. You should lose 25 lb in a year. 148. Take your lunch to work. 149. Sit when you eat. 150. Dilute juice with water. 151. Have mostly veggies for lunch. Don't forget that vegetable soup counts as a vegetable. 152. Eat at home. 153. Limit alcohol to weekends. 154. Have a V8 or tomato juice instead of a Diet Coke at 3 pm. 155. Mix three different cans of beans and some diet Italian dressing. Eat this three-bean salad all week. 156. Rediscover the sweet potato. 157. Use prebagged baby spinach everywhere: as "lettuce" in sandwiches, heated in soups, wilted in hot pasta, and added to salads. 158. Spend the extra few dollars to buy vegetables that are already washed and cut up. 159. Keep seven bags of your favorite frozen vegetables on hand. Mix any combination, microwave, and top with your favorite low-fat dressing. Enjoy 3 to 4 cups a day. Makes a great quick dinner. 160. Can You Give Me a Mantra that will Help Me Stick to My Diet? 161. "The best portion of high-calorie foods is the smallest one. The best portion of vegetables is the largest one. Period." 162. "I'll ride the wave. My cravings will disappear after 10 minutes if I turn my attention elsewhere." 163. "I want to be around to see my grandchildren, so I can forgo a cookie now." 164. "I am a work in progress." 165. . "It's more stressful to continue being fat than to stop overeating." 166. Skipping meals. Many healthy eaters "diet" by day and binge by night." 167. Don't "graze" yourself fat. You can easily munch 600 calories of pretzels or cereal without realizing it. 168. Eating pasta like crazy. A serving of pasta is 1 cup, but some people routinely eat 4 cups.43. Eating supersize bagels of 400 to 500 calories for snacks. 169. Ignoring "Serving Size" on the Nutrition Facts panel. 170. Snacking on bowls of nuts. Nuts are healthy but dense with calories. Put those bowls away, and use nuts as a garnish instead of a snack. 171. Thinking all energy bars and fruit smoothies are low-cal. Not. 172. Make a smoothie made with fat-free milk, frozen fruit, and wheat germ. 173. Eat the smallest fast-food burger (with mustard and ketchup, not mayo) and a no-cal beverage. Then at home, have an apple or baby carrots. 174. Eat a peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat bread with a glass of 1 percent milk and an apple. 175. Precooked chicken strips and microwaved frozen broccoli topped with Parmesan cheese. 176. A healthy frozen entree with a salad and a glass of 1 percent milk. 177. Scramble eggs in a nonstick skillet. Pop some asparagus in the microwave, and add whole wheat toast. If your cholesterol levels are normal, you can have seven eggs a week! 178. A bag of frozen vegetables heated in the microwave, topped with 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese and 2 tablespoons of chopped nuts. 179. Prebagged salad topped with canned tuna, grape tomatoes, shredded reduced-fat cheese, and low-cal Italian dressing. 180. Keep lean sandwich fixings on hand: whole wheat bread, sliced turkey, reduced-fat cheese, tomatoes, mustard with horseradish. 181. . Heat up a can of good soup. 182. Cereal, fruit, and fat-free milk makes a good meal anytime. 183. Try a veggie sandwich from Subway. 184. Precut fruit for a salad and add yogurt. 185. Don't tell yourself, "It's okay, it's the holidays." That opens the door to 6 weeks of splurging. 186. Remember, EAT before you meet. Have this small meal before you go to any parties: a hardboiled Egg, Apple, and a Thirst quencher (water, seltzer, diet soda, tea). 187. As obvious as it sounds, don't stand near the food at parties. Make the effort, and you'll find you eat less. 188. At a buffet? Eating a little of everything guarantees high calories. Decide on three or four things, only one of which is high in calories. Save that for last so there's less chance of overeating. 193. For the duration of the holidays, wear your snuggest clothes that don't allow much room for expansion. Wearing sweats is out until January. 189. Give it away! After company leaves, give away leftover food to neighbors, doormen, or delivery people, or take it to work the next day. 190. Walk around the mall three times before you start shopping. 191. Make exercise a nonnegotiable priority. 192. Dance to music with your family in your home. One dietitian reported that when she asks her patients to do this, initially they just smile, but once they've done it, they say it is one of the easiest ways to involve the whole family in exercise. 193. Once in a while, have a lean, mean salad for lunch or dinner, and save the meal's calories for a full dessert. 194. Are you the kind of person who does better if you make up your mind to do without sweets and just not have them around? Or are you going to do better if you have a limited amount of sweets every day? One RD reported that most of her clients pick the latter and find they can avoid bingeing after a few days. 195. If your family thinks they need a very sweet treat every night, try to strike a balance between offering healthy choices but allowing them some "free will." Compromise with low-fat ice cream and fruit, or sometimes just fruit with a dollop of whipped cream. 196. Try 2 weeks without sweets. It's amazing how your cravings vanish. 197. Eat more fruit. A person who gets enough fruit in his diet doesn't have a raging sweet tooth. 198. Eat your sweets, just eat them smart! Carve out about 150 calories per day for your favorite sweet. That amounts to about an ounce of chocolate, half a modest slice of cake, or 1/2 cup of regular ice cream. 199. Try these smart little sweets: sugar-free hot cocoa, frozen red grapes, fudgsicles, sugar-free gum, Nutri-Grain chocolate fudge twists, Tootsie Rolls, and hard candy. 200. Eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The large majority of people who struggle with night eating are those who skip meals or don't eat balanced meals during the day. This is a major setup for overeating at night. 201. Eat your evening meal in the kitchen or dining room, sitting down at the table. 202. Drink cold unsweetened raspberry tea. It tastes great and keeps your mouth busy. 203. Change your nighttime schedule. It will take effort, but it will pay off. You need something that will occupy your mind and hands. 204. If you're eating at night due to emotions, you need to focus on getting in touch with what's going on and taking care of yourself in a way that really works. Find a nonfood method of coping with your stress. 205. Put a sign on the kitchen and refrigerator doors: "Closed after Dinner." 206. Brush your teeth right after dinner to remind you: No more food. 207. Eat without engaging in any other simultaneous activity. No reading, watching TV, or sitting at the computer. 208. Eating late at night won't itself cause weight gain. It's how many calories�not when you eat them�that counts. 209. Fat-free isn't always your best bet. Research has found that none of the lycopene or alpha- or beta-carotene that fight cancer and heart disease is absorbed from salads with fat-free dressing. Only slightly more is absorbed with reduced-fat dressing; the most is absorbed with full-fat dressing. But remember, use your dressing in moderate amounts. 210. Skipping breakfast will leave you tired and craving naughty foods by midmorning. To fill up healthfully and tastefully, try this sweet, fruity breakfast full of antioxidants. In a blender, process 1 c nonfat plain or vanilla yogurt, 1 1/3 c frozen strawberries (no added sugar), 1 peeled kiwi, and 1 peeled banana. Pulse until mixture is to your likening. 211. Add just one fruit or veggie serving daily. 212. Walk 10,000 steps a day. 213. Add Omega-3 fats to your "diet". 214. Get free, all natural vitamin D by being in the sun for fifteen minutes each day. 215. Set your own deadline for each week. 216. Go through your goals. 217. Watch less TV. Here are the WW 9 health guidelines. I added # 10. Enjoy and do your best to follow them every day. THE TEN ( AND NOT NINE) HEALTH GUIDELINES 1. Eat at least 5 servings of vegetables and fruits each day. 2. Choose whole-grain foods whenever possible: Whole-grain cereal, breads, pasta, rice or whole-grains. 3. Include 2 servings of milk products (low-fat [1%] or fat-free) each day. If you are a nursing mom, a teanager or over 50 years old, increase this amount to 3 servings each day. 4. Have some healthy oil (olive, canola, sunflower, safflower, or flaxseed) each day. This habit ensures that you get the essentail fatty acids and vitamin E that your body needs. Use the oil on salads, in cooking, or as an ingredient in a mixed dish. 5. Ensure that you are getting enough protein by choosing at least a serving or two of meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dried beans, or soy products each day. Many dairy products are also good sources of protein. 6. Limit your intake of sugar and alcohol. Women should have no more than 1 alcoholic beverage each day. Men 2. 7. Liquids: 6 glasses per day. All liquids: milk, juice, water, seltzer, diet soft drinks. Coffe or tea. The best choice is water. 8. Take a multiple vitamin-mineral supplement. 1 per day. Any supplement that contains no more than100% of the daily recomendation for vitamions or minerals. 9. At least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week (start with 10 minutes if you're sedentary now). All activity counts, including gardening and houseware. 10. Stay within your daily, weekly and activity points (or calories) (I added this guideline) @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Enter a summary of your goals, or just a few you would like to share. To live a healthy lifestyle.

Give an overview of what you are doing to meet your goals. 1. Eating healthy from all food groups every day 2. Exercise 5-6 days each week 3. gratitude - 4. Attending weekly Weight-Watchers meetings And weigh-in every week 5. Patience! 6. Persistence! Not Perfection! 7. Perseverance! 8. Commitment! 9. HARD WORK!!! Yes. It is still hard work! 10. Determination! 11. Planning !!!!! That includes occasional treats/splurges without any guilt. Most of the time I plan my food splurges 12. Never give up!!!!!!! 13. STICK TO THE NEW HEALTHY HABITS I'VE LEARNT AND CONTINUE TO LEARN AND ADAPT MORE AND MORE NEW HEALTHY HABITS! 14. NEVER GIVE UP !!! (It worth repeating it twice...)

I'll celebrate 16 years of maintenance on July 2nd, 2020



Add a Link I'll celebrate 16 years of Maintenance on July 2nd, 2020 Leader of W8watchers superb healthy recipes <link>www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/groups_individual.asp?gid=10495</link>
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