I’m not a diet, go to the gym kind of girl. I much prefer trying to be all French. A couple of years ago I lost 20 pounds after reading French Women Don’t Get Fat. I can’t even say I followed that to a T. See following something 100% is never my thing. What I did do was walk everyday (30 minutes). I didn’t even bother to put on workout clothes because sometimes that was even too much of a bother and then I wouldn’t do it. To be sure I stayed true to the American in me I did light weights 2 times a week. I’ve found that when I work out like crazy I eat like crazy. Makes sense. Walking leaves room for cutting back on the calories without starving.
As for food I basically used portion control. I ate what I liked and made little trade off’s here and there. Cut everything in half. Eat on a smaller plate. One really good piece of chocolate rather than a whole Hershey bar. If I want a brownie at lunch, skip the chips and so on. I also tried to limit certain treats to once a week (like a Starbucks drink or a coke from McDonald’s).
Right now my biggest dilemas are that there is no way to sit down and enjoy the food I’m eating (4 kids does that to you) and I find that when you can’t pay attention to your meal than you always eat more. And secondly I’m running on empty and always wanting a fizzy coke. I’ve created a bad little habit to break.
These are just a few of my little tricks (well besides doing leg lifts while I blow dry my hair). And I’m so needing to get back on track. Do you have any little tricks or tracks that you need to get back on?
Would love to get the discussion going.
PS – Isn’t her (above) hair beyond gorgeous. Like perfection.
images | Pinterest |
Elle
Commented on August 8th, 2011 at 3:26pm
French Girls Don’t Get Fat sounds like something I might just have to get. I’m trying to shed a few pounds myself. I’m trying to watch my portion controls especially since I love to snack. I’ve traded chips and that for veggies with a light dip or lots of fresh fruit. I find it the easiest to cut it all up at once and then put them in single serving containers. I hate exercising as well but walking 30 minutes a day sounds like a feasible thing.
Sherry (BTLover2)
Commented on August 8th, 2011 at 3:58pm
Congrats on losing those 20 lbs! I, too, made small adjustments in how I ate (never did I say I was on a diet because I am not a diet girl either) and I lost about 30 lbs. It took a long time — over a year, maybe even two as I didn’t track anything. I cut way back on carbs like pasta, rice and bread. I don’t drink soda anymore either. I try to eat whole foods but I don’t restrict myself at all. I drink wine on the weekends and indulge in goodies. I started exercising (just walking on a treadmill or outdoors when the weather permitted) and now I belong to a gym. I mostly walk/run and use weights too. People I haven’t seen in a while are always shocked when they see me and it suprises me every time. The loss was gradual and healthy. Now I just do all the same things and am careful but not super strict. I think it’s the best way to live! Good luck to you and everyone trying to be more healthy!!
PS: Yes, her hair is lovely!!!
Leah G
Commented on August 8th, 2011 at 4:07pm
I like this idea too as the moment I get too regimented, I want to throw in the towel. I have been trying to do a yoga dvd in the mornings before all my littles get up. Even the instructor uses a quieter, gentler voice. Something about starting my day with this makes me feel more balanced all day. I try to treat pop/Starbucks as a treat, but would do better to follow your once-a-week idea as once a day tends to be my treat mentality:) And yes, her hair is like perfect.
gia
Commented on August 8th, 2011 at 5:42pm
I agree that walking is key. If I’m trying to lose weight I try to eat a ton of veggies as snacks and sometimes as dinner if it’s a whole tray of roasted brussel sprouts, maybe with a little feta for protein… and I also really love walking to the park and then doing jogging workouts on the grass, a soccer field works well. It’s easy on your joints and you have privacy from cars and you can get into a zone where you know how hard you are working (could still keep it at the 30 minute mark not including or including the walking). If there is a hill at the park I walk up it a few times to finish it off. I just got done with an injury so I am so relieved to be back at exercising. :)
Mary
Commented on August 8th, 2011 at 7:18pm
I’m totally with you. I’m not a dieter either. I fit in exercise when I can – a walk with my boys, a yoga session after their bedtime or early early morning, maybe an exercise video when I can find the time. Mostly, it’s just playing with my kids – I try to get out there and play with them whenever I can, as opposed to just watching them. Portion control is huge. I eat smaller portions throughout the day. No soda, and I’ve tried to cut out all sugary drinks – no lemonade, etc – just water, the weekend beer/wine, and maybe a morning juice. Being mindful is huge though. Tons of veggies and fruits. And yes, her hair is perfection!
Brandi {not your average ordinary}
Commented on August 8th, 2011 at 7:23pm
Ooh, I like all these little tricks and use several of them already. One thing that’s been a big help to me lately is eating mostly vegan, gluten-free and only going off that for something REALLY good, like a bit of bread from the best bakery in NYC. It’s encouraged me to eat more greens and salads and, overall, to make every meal more special.
Genni (fundamental fitness)
Commented on August 8th, 2011 at 7:48pm
Leg lifts while drying hair is a great idea, Multi-tasking mom skills for sure! Hunger with increased activity is usually a sign your body needs more fuel, which is a good thing, which is related to metabolism. I think portion control is soo important, but think about how nutrient rich your food is. Keep a food log, (even at the end of the day) so you can see what’s you given your body over the day. When we stop looking at food as the enemy and start looking at it as nourishment for our body and soul we end up healthy, and happy :)
MizNovember
Commented on August 8th, 2011 at 8:47pm
I’m just like you. I believe in “everything in moderation”. It works the best for me. However, it is always a challenge to live healthy. I try to work out regularly. It makes me feel better and gives me more energy and clarity. I’ll tell ya, I’ve started buying lots of veggies and chopping them up as soon as I get home. I put them in plastic containers and stick them in the crisper. Now the hubby and I will grab a pile of broccoli, carrots and celery when we watch a movie, instead of chips or a soda. Making it easy is the biggest help. Of course, the best thing to do is not buy any cruddy food to begin with. But sometimes you just need a Pepsi. Not for the body, but for the soul. Haha. ;)
Kelly
Commented on August 8th, 2011 at 8:52pm
I like the walking idea. I think just staying active as much as possible helps – running with the kids in the yard, taking everyone for a long walk, etc.
I also try not to drink any calories. Um, except some alcohol. ;)
Bryan
Commented on August 9th, 2011 at 1:41am
My biggest problem is working a bit too much to have the time for much else, and I sit behind a computer most of the day. After a 10 hour day, I don’t want to go to the gym, I want to go home and see my wife.
Portion control has helped, as has cutting out soda. I try to maximize time on the weekends to walk more, do some yardwork, etc, but its also the time when most people want to go out and indulge. I’m a chubby cheater on the weekends more often than I’m disciplined.
Not making excuses, just trying to also find some tips for keeping on track when you have so very little time.
Paula
Commented on August 9th, 2011 at 2:08pm
Yes, her hair is beyond gorgeous.
My little trick that I really need to get back on is eating big platefuls of vegetables (steamed or roasted in the oven with a little bit of olive oil). The more varieties and colors the better. Keeps me interested and full. I add either some lean protein or a vegetarian option (sweet potato or brown rice + beans or legumes). I’ll often do veggies in a big batch — especially if I’m roasting them or making some kind of marinated vegetable salad (yesterday I made a raw kale salad, later in the week I’m going to make a wax bean, green bean, edamame and tomato salad). That way it’s easy to prepare in the middle of my busy day (just put it on a plate and warm it if it needs that!).