Diet Myths Debunked

Ever wonder what’s the real truth to losing weight? I find that every day there is a new story out there and with so much information at our fingertips it’s hard to keep it all straight. With the click of the tv channel or thumbing through magazines I am bombarded with ways of how to lose 10 lbs over nite. Truthfully, I love knowing about a new beauty product or something to eat that will make my skin glow or what’s the the latest in running shoes that will enable me to run faster. Is it crazy that  I want how to look and feel great? No, I don’t think so. I feel energized and happy knowing that I am treating my body right. But, it is crazy to think that all it takes is a magic little pill or a good fairy to wave a magic wand and sprinkle fairy dust and that I will be transformed in an instant. The truth is that it takes daily motivation, determination and hard work (with a little sweat too!).
But, I will let you in on a little secret- there are some weight loss tricks. Here they are:
    1.    Don’t cut out all carbs! Cutting out carbs, or any food groups for that matter is not a sustainable goal for your body and may not actually help you lose weight. When we cut out entire food groups we lack certain nutrients that allow our bodies to function at their best. In addition, by doing this we may be depriving ourselves and eventually may result in binging because we can’t sustain this type of diet. So, do you really crave a bagel but heard that it’s on the “bad” list? Why not have a whole grain bagel, scoop out the inside (it will save you somewhere between 75-100 calories, the equivalent to a slice of bread) and load it with high protein meat or egg and lettuce and avocado and tomato).
    2.    Don’t skip meals- I have met many people who think that skipping a meal or two will help them lose weight fast. However what many people are not aware of, is the effects that skipping meals has on your body other than potential weight loss. These include slowing down your metabolism and overeating, which may lead to weight gain. On top of this you will probably feel lethargic and cranky as your body has no source of energy to run on.
    3.    Exercise alone will not help you to lose weight. While exercise is definitely a crucial part of a sustainable way to lose weight, it is not the ONLY part. You can exercise all you like, but if you are eating a bad diet full of fat, sugar and processed foods - it will only take you so far. The key to weight loss is moderation and balance. Don’t get into the bad habit of eating anything you like thinking you can out exercise yourself.
The truth is weight loss isn’t a quick or easy process. I will say it again- it requires patience, effort and dedication. It may take a while, but if done correctly can be sustainable for your entire life. Don’t make yourselves miserable all for a quick fix - it really isn’t worth it! Want to know what I end up doing for a quick fix? I love to buy lipsticks from CVS or Target to brighten up my face and I also love to buy myself a pretty bunch of flowers to brighten up my day!

Want to know what to eat for a great healthy way to lose weight? Here's a link for avocado toast that I recommend!

OUT OF MY ROUTINE BUT IT WAS OK!

I’ve been away with my family for the past 2 weeks- my kids had spring break and so as a result I am feeling a bit fuzzy returning to reality. Here’s why…

For the first week I traveled with my son to look at potential colleges that he has an interest in. This was fun and exhausting (we took planes, trains and automobiles), slept in a different hotel bed each night and at the end I didn’t know if we were coming or going! Living on the road and out of a carry-on started to feel “normal”!  During these travels, I had a few moments of “I can’t believe I have a child who is old enough to look at colleges! Where did the years go? I still remember touring colleges with my mom, and really it doesn’t seem like that long ago!”

The second week we met my daughter and husband and skied in Utah. This was so much fun and the spring-like snow conditions were great! Skiing as a family is a great bond that we all share and for the most part there’s no bickering!

Sounds great, right? I have to admit that even as a nutritionist, it is not always easy to eat healthy, exercise regularly and get enough sleep all while away from my normal routine. Here are some challenges that I faced and how I tried to handle them.

I packed running sneakers and exercise clothes. For the first week away, I made a point to book hotels that had a small gym. I exercised every morning before my son and I started our day.

As my 17 yr old son is in a perpetual growth spurt food is of utmost importance. We always ate a healthy breakfast usually of eggs and whole wheat toast or oatmeal and fruit. While on the roadI packed whole fruit that was portable (usually an apple or a banana) and nuts and energy bars for our midday snack. While he doesn’t mind a burger from a fast food joint, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. When he wanted an In-Out Burger, I stopped at Starbucks for a salad and fruit cup. The airports had pizza and Subway (relatively healthy options) and I always managed to find a piece of fruit (apples, bananas and oranges are always available throughout the airports) along with a yogurt and a Kind Bar.  Dinners were the easiest part. He opted for a steak and potato and usually a piece of cake while I had grilled fish, veggies and fruit. One night I took him to a vegetarian restaurant- itwasn’t the biggest hit but he was a good sport!

So, you are reading this and wondering “it doesn’t sound like she fell off the wagon”. I hadn’t- yet. It was when we all got together in Utah that I became a bit undone! I was tired and my defenses were down. It was the piping hot bread at dinner and the warm cookies at night that did me in! I should know better! Right, but even a healthy nutritionist has her weaknesses!

So, what do I do? It’s an effort. And to be honest, I am not perfect. I tried to eat healthy, but there were some temptations that I couldn’t resist. Why am I sharing this? There’s always going to be a moment where you end up out of your element and away from your normal routine. And, well, it’s ok. You do the best you can. Everyone is human.

So, today I start clean- I am back home and back to a routine. What does that mean? I went to the market with my daughter and restocked our fridge with loads of fresh foods. I had a great workout and tried to sweat out all of the toxins. I am drinking lots of water, and hot tea and eating lean proteins and plenty of fresh veggies, fruits and salads. I am staying clear of loaves of bread and sweet cookies. Vacations are great and it’s about decompressing and doing things out of your routine but there’s no place like home!

PS- click here for a great easy recipe (a one pan spring chicken with asparagus and edamame) with all the comforts of home.