by Barbara Berkeley, MD
As promised, here are some of the "bests" of the weight control year. In order to preserve privacy, I have not included the names of those who responded. I do, however, send many thanks to those of you who wrote in. One of the biggest lessons I've learned this year is that we have a great deal to learn from each other and we need to maintain a community to share this knowledge. It's a vital part of getting this difficult job done. I can't tell you enough how inspiring it has been to hear from you not only this year, but since this blog began. For those who did not submit their "bests", it's not too late! Use the comment section below to fill us in on the tricks, tips, sites, books or products that helped you most this year.
My Personal Bests of 2010 (note: not necessarily developed or written this year, just discovered by me this year!):
Books:
Anti-Cancer: A New Way of Life by David Servan-Schreiber, MD, PhD (Viking)
After discovering he had a brain tumor, Dr. Servan-Schreiber searched for nutritional guidance but could find none. This book describes the wealth of excellent research that supports certain dietary interventions as cancer preventatives and for use during cancer treatment. It also explains why these studies are not much discussed or referenced. A must read for those who want to give themselves the best shot to live cancer free or for those who are already struggling with the disease.
The Vegetarian Myth: Food, Justice and Sustainability by Lierre Keith (Flashpoint Press)
I am not anti-vegetarian, but I do believe that those who choose to eat a meatless diet because of concerns for our planet migh find this of interest. It is definitely a bit of a diatribe, but it describes the journey of a confirmed vegetarian who returned to being an omnivore. Her point? Vegetarianism is a destructive to the planet as meat eating given our current growing practices and, in addition, vegetarianism can be quite difficult nutritionally. If you are teetering on giving up everything but fruits and veggies, this is worth a read.
Products:
Walden Farms No Calorie honey dijon salad dressing packets. Available at www.waldenfarms.com . (look under "single servings"). Can't vouch for the other flavors, but this one is good and calorie free.
Galeo's Dressings: Low cal and low fat, but imaginative in flavor (Miso, Ginger and Wasabi anyone?). Available at Whole Foods and other specialty markets. You can also email them at info@galeoscafe.com
Hershey's Special Dark Sugar Free Chocolate Squares: At 30 calories per piece, these little candies are a wonderful way to get the anti-oxidant benefit of dark chocolate without alot of caloric damage. One or two really go a long way.
PB2: One of Lynn's very favorites, it also boasts many other devotees. PBs is a peanut butter powder that reconstitutes with water. The result is extremely peanut-butter like in flavor, but lacking fat. Check it out at www.bellplantation.com
Bests From Our Readers:
Best Work Out Videos: Cathe Friedrich: "inspirational, knowledgeable and entertaining", and in great shape herself. Also, "Spinervals": Home spinning classes
Best Gym Work Out: Bikram (Hot) Yoga: "amazing!"
Best Affordable Work Out Wear: Champion C9 Bootcut Fitted Pants at Target
Best Fitness Tech Item: Polar heart rate monitor OR Sportcount Chrono 100 (lap counter/ timer/ stopwatch)
Best Motivation: (I love this one) "Living my life on the front lines instead of the sidelines". In other words, get busy doing the things you used to just watch. Start training for that walk or race, or sign up for those tennis lessons. Get in the game!
Best Weight Control Idea: This interesting idea came from a very wise reader.
Fall Off Weight Campaign – As a successful RTR maintainer I find that having a pre-Christmas or Fall Off Weight campaign in October and November makes it so much easier to eat to maintain during the worst time of the year for gaining weight. First of all it helps correct any weight gain I might have experienced over the summer. Secondly it helps me to refocus on portion sizing and healthy choices. Finally, besides fitting beautifully into my Christmas season dresses, I get to start the New Year without the dreaded “weight-loss” goal. This year my trainer helped get my workout buddies involved in a “November to Remember” campaign that included weight-loss (or maintenance if you’re already there), performance goals, nutrition goals and other self-improvement goals. Throughout the month of November we traded recipes, workout options, and got help on things we were struggling with – overall a great way to enter into the Christmas spirit as well as the dreaded “eating season”.
Other Bests Suggested by Readers:
Women, Food and God, Master Your Metabolism and Naturally Thin (books), No More Trouble Zones fitness DVD by Jillian Michaels (good but not overwhelming for beginners), Eating plain organic yogurt with nu-stevia, cinammon, berries and nuts, Using BPA-free containers and water bottles, Activity and calorie tracking equipment from Body Bugg at www.bodybugg.com
Please add to this list and give all of us a gift for the New Year!
by Barbara Berkeley, MD
As promised, here are some of the "bests" of the weight control year. In order to preserve privacy, I have not included the names of those who responded. I do, however, send many thanks to those of you who wrote in. One of the biggest lessons I've learned this year is that we have a great deal to learn from each other and we need to maintain a community to share this knowledge. It's a vital part of getting this difficult job done. I can't tell you enough how inspiring it has been to hear from you not only this year, but since this blog began. For those who did not submit their "bests", it's not too late! Use the comment section below to fill us in on the tricks, tips, sites, books or products that helped you most this year.
My Personal Bests of 2010 (note: not necessarily developed or written this year, just discovered by me this year!):
Books:
Anti-Cancer: A New Way of Life by David Servan-Schreiber, MD, PhD (Viking)
After discovering he had a brain tumor, Dr. Servan-Schreiber searched for nutritional guidance but could find none. This book describes the wealth of excellent research that supports certain dietary interventions as cancer preventatives and for use during cancer treatment. It also explains why these studies are not much discussed or referenced. A must read for those who want to give themselves the best shot to live cancer free or for those who are already struggling with the disease.
The Vegetarian Myth: Food, Justice and Sustainability by Lierre Keith (Flashpoint Press)
I am not anti-vegetarian, but I do believe that those who choose to eat a meatless diet because of concerns for our planet migh find this of interest. It is definitely a bit of a diatribe, but it describes the journey of a confirmed vegetarian who returned to being an omnivore. Her point? Vegetarianism is a destructive to the planet as meat eating given our current growing practices and, in addition, vegetarianism can be quite difficult nutritionally. If you are teetering on giving up everything but fruits and veggies, this is worth a read.
Products:
Walden Farms No Calorie honey dijon salad dressing packets. Available at www.waldenfarms.com . (look under "single servings"). Can't vouch for the other flavors, but this one is good and calorie free.
Galeo's Dressings: Low cal and low fat, but imaginative in flavor (Miso, Ginger and Wasabi anyone?). Available at Whole Foods and other specialty markets. You can also email them at info@galeoscafe.com
Hershey's Special Dark Sugar Free Chocolate Squares: At 30 calories per piece, these little candies are a wonderful way to get the anti-oxidant benefit of dark chocolate without alot of caloric damage. One or two really go a long way.
PB2: One of Lynn's very favorites, it also boasts many other devotees. PBs is a peanut butter powder that reconstitutes with water. The result is extremely peanut-butter like in flavor, but lacking fat. Check it out at www.bellplantation.com
Bests From Our Readers:
Best Work Out Videos: Cathe Friedrich: "inspirational, knowledgeable and entertaining", and in great shape herself. Also, "Spinervals": Home spinning classes
Best Gym Work Out: Bikram (Hot) Yoga: "amazing!"
Best Affordable Work Out Wear: Champion C9 Bootcut Fitted Pants at Target
Best Fitness Tech Item: Polar heart rate monitor OR Sportcount Chrono 100 (lap counter/ timer/ stopwatch)
Best Motivation: (I love this one) "Living my life on the front lines instead of the sidelines". In other words, get busy doing the things you used to just watch. Start training for that walk or race, or sign up for those tennis lessons. Get in the game!
Best Weight Control Idea: This interesting idea came from a very wise reader.
Fall Off Weight Campaign – As a successful RTR maintainer I find that having a pre-Christmas or Fall Off Weight campaign in October and November makes it so much easier to eat to maintain during the worst time of the year for gaining weight. First of all it helps correct any weight gain I might have experienced over the summer. Secondly it helps me to refocus on portion sizing and healthy choices. Finally, besides fitting beautifully into my Christmas season dresses, I get to start the New Year without the dreaded “weight-loss” goal. This year my trainer helped get my workout buddies involved in a “November to Remember” campaign that included weight-loss (or maintenance if you’re already there), performance goals, nutrition goals and other self-improvement goals. Throughout the month of November we traded recipes, workout options, and got help on things we were struggling with – overall a great way to enter into the Christmas spirit as well as the dreaded “eating season”.
Other Bests Suggested by Readers:
Women, Food and God, Master Your Metabolism and Naturally Thin (books), No More Trouble Zones fitness DVD by Jillian Michaels (good but not overwhelming for beginners), Eating plain organic yogurt with nu-stevia, cinammon, berries and nuts, Using BPA-free containers and water bottles, Activity and calorie tracking equipment from Body Bugg at www.bodybugg.com
Please add to this list and give all of us a gift for the New Year!