I don't follow any specific kind of diet plan. I count calories. I try to eat lean protein, fruits and vegetables as much as I can, but I still eat bread and cereal. I also still eat treats that normally wouldn't be allowed on most diets. I don't believe in denying myself something, if I really want it. I don't believe in eliminating entire food groups from my eating plan.
Here is my typical menu:
BREAKFAST: Kashi shredded wheat cereal with blueberries and skim milk, strawberries, coffee with full dairy creamer
MORNING SNACKS: reduced fat cheese, V8 juice, baby carrots, green pepper slices, cherries
LUNCH: chicken, rice, butternut squash, orange
AFTERNOON SNACK: fat free flavored Greek yogurt or Kashi cereal bar
SUPPER: homemade soup, crackers, Weight Watchers ice cream bar
Exercise is a much tougher issue. I tend to be fairly sedentary, so I try to find activities that don't feel like exercise. Right now, I get most of my exercise from:
- Walking with my hubby
- Parking further away from my destination, forcing me to walk more
- Walking up and down steps, instead of taking elevators and escalators
- Using the treadmill or stationary bike at home
- Gardening
- Raking leaves
- Shoveling snow
- Playing games with Wii Fit
- Using hand-held weights at home
- Going places on the weekend instead of sitting at home
I use LoseIt to count calories. I measure calories burned at Fitbit. I draw inspiration from Fat 2 Fit Radio. My goal isn't just to lose weight, it's to be healthy and keep the weight off. That's why I'm aiming for slow, steady weight loss.
