Monday, 30 March 2020

Reasons to skip the fizzy drinks


So, the scientists can’t agree on the effects long term of fizzy drinks, (even the zero calories ones)

Regardless of not being to actually prove beyond doubt the effects, there are a number of reasons why you should get shot of the fizz….

  • Your teeth don’t like them!  Pop is acidic and can erode the dental enamel.
  • ‘Full fat’ soda drinks are loaded with calories and very little other nutrients.  So they have very little nutritional value and make it very easy to gain weight.
  • There has been research that suggests a link between fizzy drinks and developing type 2 diabetes.
  • People who drink soda pop tend to have a poorer overall diet, things such as chips and fatty foods that are associated with takeaways.
  • Be careful of the ‘Sports’ version on certain drinks….  They are packed with sugar!


What to have instead?

Try tap water…..  If that’s too bland for you, a good alternative is to add some freshly squeezed lemon or lime.  (Its cheap too!)

As a second choice you could try a fruit or herb tea or a no added sugar squash, or milk (but watch the calories)

Zero calorie versions are an interim alternative rather than going cold turkey, but there is some discussion about the health implications of artificial sweeteners, so try to moderate your intake.

Monday, 23 March 2020

Don’t be like Bill Murray, and how to avoid losing 300lbs


I’ve lost 300lbs…..   yup, really……   Let me tell you how…  and believe me, this is one to avoid.

I feel as though I’ve been battling my weight since I was a teenager, although the reality is, I was a normal UK size 12 until I hit my 20s and started a family.  I always felt as if I should be slimmer, fitter, more attractive (blame the media and teen insecurity)

Thats me on the left, aged about 14
I’ve been to every weight loss club you could choose, tried different diets… cabbage soup anyone?  Some more successful than others, but many have the same characteristic feeling that when you reach your desired goal, you can get back to your ‘normal’ eating patten….

At the moment I’m nearing the goal weight I set for myself, almost 5 years ago, having lost about 150lbs…. 

But over my adult life, I estimate that I’ve actually lost double that….   It’s the YOYO diet cycle…..  It’s a real phenomena caused by fad ‘diets’.  You shed 14lbs, lose focus or get bored of milkshakes or cabbage soup, and on it goes again….  Then you find the new amazing diet idea, and off we go again….

Diets don’’t work.

There…. I’ve said it…..    Going on a restrictive regime is ok for a short term fix, but do you want to eat cabbage soup for the rest of your life?  Of course not…. 

I’m not blaming you (or me) for trying….  When you want to lose weight and get healthy, you’ll try almost anything that promises success…. Ask me, I know….

What’s the magic formula?

This isn’t rocket science….  You need to eat less food than your body needs each day, then it will use your stored energy (fat) and you lose weight….     The ONLY way to do this in my opinion, is to change your lifestyle, permanently…..


GroundHog Day

So, don’t be like Bill Murray in GroundHog Day (great film BTW) and live through losing the same 14lbs every few months….   Change your routine, little bit at a time, and build a new healthy lifestyle for yourself.


Lin 
x


Monday, 16 March 2020

Head, shoulders knees and toes.....

I've had a bit of a revelation, which changed my attitude and my self belief....

Let me step back a bit in time to try and explain....
I used to be very active, in the 1980s BK (‘Before Kids’), but for various reasons the pounds piled on over the years….  It gets more difficult to move, to exercise, even to walk….  I felt very much as though I was being lazy (and I probably was, and I’m sure others judged me that way too) but its soooooo difficult to move your body when you are carrying around the weight of two people…..

I've been losing weight for a while..... 

(and I was very big..... more on that story another time....)  I’ve lost half my body weight, and I’m sure my body is thanking me, but I’ve also paid a price for carrying around the extra weight over those years…

I’m imagining life after I lost the extra pounds

….my knees would be normal again, I’d loose the pain of walking and be dancing around like a spring chicken….  There ARE lots benefits that I’m already gaining:
  • less strain on my heart and other organs
  • reduced blood pressure
  • less risk of diabetes, stroke and heart disease
  • ……and I feel 20 years younger!!

Damage done....

Unfortunately the years of ‘23 stone me’  (ugh, I hate saying that)  have caused damage to my knees that can’t be easily solved, and I was feeling like I’d lost the weight for nothing….  (why did I bother, I still can’t walk properly…  ☹ )

So back to the revelation….  

I’ve been travelling with friends who love walking, and I’ve been trying… I really have….  I can manage 5 miles, (which is a little different to the 100 yards I used to do) but they are very…painful…. miles, and I don’t enjoy it….

What has changed?...   

The resort I’m staying at has bikes you can borrow…..   Now you have to appreciate, the last time I was on a bike I was on my way to college after a left school….

Anyway, I’ve given it a go…. 

The first day I nearly fell off, was a bit wobbly (its quite an old bike) but I kept going.   

I’ve been doing a little bit further each day, I’m gaining in confidence and I think I’ve found a new love.  Cycling along with the breeze in my face, enjoying the scenery, saying hello to people on my route, and I can do it without pain!





What’s the point of my ramblings you’re asking….?  Well I just want to encourage you:
  • Don’t write yourself off….. its never too late to lose weight, or try something new….
  • Just take the first step.  
  • Make sure you surround yourself with people who will encourage and support (try my Live healthy with Lin Facebook group for a start)
  • …and don’t give up just because you have a rubbish day, week or even month

Whatever you are striving for ….keep going, you are amazing, you can do this….

Lin
x

PS – I’m going shopping for a bike next week…..  😊