Time for Blog!

I am so sorry to anyone who has been following. I did warn that I would be super busy in the summer and not be able to post. I will now commit to try and keep up with this. It is not that I don't think about my weight, health, body composition, etc. every day, but sometimes it might take me a few days to gather my thoughts, so bear with me.

When I first started this blog, I divulged that one of the reasons I started exercising again after a 10 year hiatus was that experience my traditional 5 lb weight loss during my busy summer catering season. Well, this year was a banner year, and yes, I did lost that 5 lbs. In fact, almost 10 lbs. I am a petite person and most people would say I did not need to lose this weight, but I am ecstatic about it. My clothes fit better, I am back in my "skinny jeans". I can't pinch any inches on the side of my waist. I just feel good. NOW THE PROBLEM: How to maintain. First off let me say I am not depriving myself. I have been able to maintain, eating whatever I want.
LISTEN UP TO THESE TIPS on how:

THE SECRETS ARE: HAVE ONLY A LITTLE OF THE "BAD" THINGS.
You can have one glass of wine a night, but it really has to be one if you don't want to gain.
When you go out to a party on the weekend it can be two, but something else has got to go (maybe no carbs that day or something like that). If you want to indulge in one thing, try to cut out something else that you won't miss so much.

EAT SMALLER MEALS MORE OFTEN. I have heard this many times, but I am trying it really for the first time. EAT WHEN YOU ARE HUNGRY, but choose something healthy and a smallish portion. You will be amazed at how little will chase that hungry feeling away.

Exercise will firm you up, but from my point of view, IT WILL NOT HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT unless you are doing intense cardio sessions that last more than 45 minutes.
Yes, exercise is great and now that I have a bit more time, I am getting back to my weekly classes and schedule. I always feel great after I do it, and my muscles are getting firmer. But I did not exercise a lick this summer and lost 10 lbs. I was active, but more importanly, just did not eat as much. Bottom line: calorie intake is the key to weight loss.
I like to exercise, but do not like the torture of the treadmill and other boring machines. Because I will not subject myself to that, I need to take in less calories, plain and simple.

EAT UNTIL YOU ARE NO LONGER HUNGRY, NOT UNTIL YOU ARE FULL. This is a hard one for me, especially if something is delicious. I just can't stop. It is a struggle everyday. I dream that someday I can follow this rule without even thinking, but I am not there yet. One thing that makes it easier for me is knowing that I can eat the next time I am hungry. I am not going to wait to some appointed time. If I eat a sandwich, and I get full 1/4 of the way through, I know I can pick it up in an hour if I want and have some more. That is very simple, but very liberating. It works too! This is not only a weight maintenence tip, it is also a very healthy way to live, taxing your system much less than overeating.

I have also been taking Chromium Picolinate (with dinner) and another supplement that I read about (name next time). Both are supposed to help with fat metabolism. Who knows if they help.

Oh the last tip for today: WEIGH YOURSELF DAILY. It is not obsessive. It is just staying aware of where you are at. It helps me, especially not to eat at night, because I know I have to face the scale in the morning! Whatever works for you, most important tip of the day!

Hope this helps out you members of the 30-40 year old ladies who don't want to wear the elastic waistbands and holiday sweaters!