MiddleAgeShed

Tips on Negative Calorie Foods

Amy Quin sent me this post on how to save calories

Here are a few of the 15 tips on negative calorie foods

1. Celery: A staple on most party veggie trays, celery (without the ranch dressing) is a crispy snack that you can enjoy without worrying about taking in any calories. It is high in sugar and sodium, but still much healthier than pigging out on brownies or salty peanuts.
2. Oranges: Before you leave for work in the morning, toss an orange into your bag for a mid-morning or late afternoon snack. An orange typically contains only 45 calories, so feel free to eat the whole thing!
3. Strawberries: Strawberries are a popular negative calorie food because of their natural sweetness and juiciness. Sprinkle a few on your breakfast cereal to give your metabolism an extra jumpstart early in the day.
4. Grapefruit: As big as it is, grapefruit –without the extra sugar on top– is a surprisingly negative calorie food. One-half of a grapefruit only contains 36 calories but a whopping 78% of your daily value of potassium.
5. Apricots: Indulge in nutrient-rich apricots for a sweet snack with negative calories. Your higher metabolism and thinning waistline will thank you.
6. Cucumbers: Your salad can’t survive on lettuce alone. Cucumbers are another negative calorie food that are great for crunching on when your mouth is getting bored. Check here for tips on growing your own cucumbers.
7. Cauliflower: Another party platter vegetable, raw cauliflower is naturally low in fat and of course, calories, so don’t be shy about piling up your cocktail napkin.
8. Zucchini: Zucchini is a versatile, negative calorie food that can be baked, steamed, fried (not recommended), or prepared in many other ways. With just 15 calories per 100g, make zucchini your new diet staple.

Thin Waists and Fat Profits

We are all that desperate to lose weight and sometimes I cannot believe how much money companies make, based on our desire to be thin. I saw this news from Glaxo

"Consumers have shelled out $60 for more than 2 million starter packages of Glaxo's Alli -- the first government-approved weight-loss drug available without a prescription--since it became available four months ago. Each package contains 90 pills. "

Apparently, 70% of users lost weight....mmmm I cannot believe that nature meant for us to diet that way..also was it just because the 70% were more committed in losing weight anyway...

Maybe I am becoming too cynical but for me...you eat less than you put in....and that does not cost $60!....Grumpy old woman I hear you shout!

Staying Accountable While Diet Buddy is Away

So with Heather away I have to stay true to the diet, I have to ensure that I stay focussed. Here is what I have been thinking

1. I know that I would not have lost weight without Heather. Heather has brought enjoyment to the process - BUT it is me that has controlled MY weight. I need to ensure that I see that Heather provides the framework but I am losing weight for me.
2. Heather may be away, but she is still there....she is coming back and I will be accountable to how I have controlled my diet.
3. I want to be slim, I love being able to fit into my clothes....I love that even more, than my diet with Heather. I wouldn't swap my friendship for anything, but that is not dependent on the diet. When Heather is away, I need to focus not on the motivation my diet buddy gives me, but on the motivation that the slimmer figure gives me.

This time, I do not feel that I can relax my eating while she is away...why? Because at the end of the day, it is me that has to look in the mirror, it is me that is tearful when I can't fit into clothes.....the weight loss is for me.