Obtainable Results

I was watching the weigh-in on The Biggest Loser this week and I couldn’t help but wonder what message this was sending to everyone. Do people actually believe they can lose 11 pounds in one week? Do they know what it would take to even get close to that? And then I thought of the people I train, regular people trying to balance jobs, families and their own wellness. And how disappointed they are when they don’t get the results they see on T.V.

But you can get results. And I was reminded of this when I did a 6-week check-in with my boot camp ladies. I was thrilled when I discovered that the four ladies had lost over 24 inches!! That is an average of 6 inches per person! And though they didn’t lose 11 pounds in a week or even 6 weeks, they did see dramatic differences in the way their clothes fit and best yet, the way they felt.

So remember that you don’t have to give up your life and go live on a ranch for 3 months. You just need to make the commitment to get moving and you will see results…with or without Jillian and Bob.

Eating on the Run

This time of year is notorious for hurrying to malls, Christmas concerts, basketball games and parties. With all this running around, many of us have to eat out. Where you’re at the food court or a 5-star restaurant, there are smart choices you can make to limit the damage.

Here are a few ideas:

Plan Ahead!
Think about where you will be eating and decide what you are going to get before you get there. You can find nutritional information for many chain restaurants online. Try www.foodinfodb.com.
Limit Portions
Why not order an appetizer in place of a main course? Or choose a children’s meal at a fast food restaurant.
Special Requests
There is nothing wrong with asking for something not on the menu. Just keep it simple. For example, ask for a baked potato or side salad in place of fries; sauces on the side; etc.
Share Desserts
Order one dessert with enough forks for everyone at the table. That way you don’t feel deprived.
Split Your Order
Speaking of sharing, why not split an extra large sandwich or main course with a friend or take half home for another meal?
Build a Better Breakfast
Replace bacon or sausage with Canadian bacon or ham and order whole grain toast or English muffin.
Streamline your Sub
Sandwich shops offer low cal and low fat options, but you still can’t order anything you want. Choose lean beef, ham, turkey or chicken on whole grain bread. Ask for mustard, ketchup or low fat spreads.

The holidays are tough, but if you do some little things, you can get through it without gaining the 5-8 pound average. Stay tuned for some more helpful holiday tips.