Losing It

Just thought I'd update everyone on my new healthy lifestyle program. I have lost nine pounds and I'm feeling great!.

So what am I doing right?

Eating healthier foods and less processed foods. I'm learning that processed foods are toxic to our bodies. Just take a look at the list of ingredients on a processed food. So many chemicals and additives. Better to make your meals fresh and from scratch. For example, instead of eating a bowl of canned chili, make it yourself. It is healthier and you know exactly what's in it.

Making sure I get enough exercise and doing different kids of exercises that I enjoy.

Getting used to eating normal portions. After all, I'm not a lumberjack burning 10,000 calories a day.

I'm still enjoying special treats, but choosing lower calorie versions (a fudgesicle at 100 calories vs a cup of vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce with peanuts at 600 calories)

Experimenting with foods I've never tried before like quinoa and couscous. I made a delicious quinoa dish the other day with fresh red bell pepper, garlic, onion, parsley and olive oil.

Not letting myself get into starvation mode which can lead to over eating. I eat small meals throughout the day.

Planning my splurges. When I go to the movies, I plan for my small popcorn and small Pepsi (550 calories).

Knowledge about how many calories are in the foods I'm eating. When I found out that the small dessert shooters at Applebees were 360 calories each, it was pretty easy to say "No, thank you!"