Thursday, October 4, 2018

Even Dogs Get Prescribed CICO!

My dog is overweight. We've been told to put him on a weight loss diet immediately. So here's how the appointment went....

Vet: He needs to lose weight. Here is the exact number of calories to feed him per day to lose weight. Be very careful with weighing, get a food scale if you can. Come back in 2 months. The important thing is to stick to the number of calories.

Me: So no treats?

Vet: If one treat fits into the number of calories, sure. The important thing is to stick to the number of calories.

Me: Ok. How about more exercise?

Vet: Take him for walks because it is good for his health, but that doesn't need to be a calculation in the weight loss. The important thing is to stick to the number of calories.

Me: But if I walk him more, won't he lose more weight?

Vet: Well, possibly. But the amount you are going to walk him (he's a small toy dog) isn't going to make that much of a difference. The important thing is to stick to the number of calories.

Me: How about special foods? Are there any diet kibbles I could give him that would help?

Vet: You can give him whatever approved dog food you want, just make sure you only give him this number of calories a day. The important thing is to stick to the number of calories.

Me: What times of day should I feed him?

Vet: Whenever is convenient for you or him. The important thing is to stick to the number of calories.

I think you can see the trend here : )

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My husband finally wants to join me in my weight loss journey! This has been a struggle for too long.

I consider this a huge success, honestly. Sorry if this is long and rambly.

My husband is 6'1", and weighed in at 326.8 lbs this morning. That shocked him, and I could see the disappointment on his face. Last year he was down to under 290 thanks to the assistance of phentermine, but you can't be on appetite suppressants forever... We moved away from his doctor, phentermine went away, and of course he gained all the weight back. I've tried and tried all summer to get him to just weigh himself after I could see the weight coming back, but he wouldn't. I found out he was eating fast food every day for lunch without any idea of how many calories he was consuming.

I figured he wasn't going to start making changes on his own, so I started getting up earlier to have time to go to the gym and do my thing, come home and have time to make him a healthy breakfast and pack him a healthy lunch. We both quit drinking together, and I'm immensely proud of him for that... but, I think he (like me) assumed that cutting the wine calories would be enough to be reflected on the scale. Such is of course not the case, if you're still eating like 3000 calories a day in shit.

He watched me stop drinking juice, wine, soda, EVERYTHING except water. He watched me meal prep for myself on Sundays. He saw me getting up at 5:30 to get to the gym for C25k (I start week 4 next week!!). But I couldn't get him to at least weigh himself. His idea of a "snack" would be a peanut butter sandwich with a TON of peanut butter. That comes in at about 620 calories! No matter what I did, I could NOT get him to pay attention.

Finally, this morning, he weighed himself. He snapped at me, said he hated "that look" on my face, then disappeared to take a shower. I went into the kitchen and started to put together his lunch and wrote down every calorie that went into it. He came into the kitchen and said that he wants to start counting calories with me! I showed him the piece of paper, and told him I will help him.

We are going to do this together (thank god, so hard when a partner won't ditch unhealthy habits!). I'm going to help him with counting calories, and he's going to join me for a mile walk in the evenings (before the Wisconsin winters take over).

I want him to take accountability, because I can't lose weight for him... but this is a start!

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[Challenge] European Accountability Challenge: October 4th

Hi European loseit friends, How are you doing today? Welcome to regulars and new joiners alike. No matter where you are on your weight loss journey, I hope this accountability thread can be helpful for you.

For anyone new who wants to join today, this is a daily post where you can track your goals, keep yourself accountable, get support and have a chat with friendly people at times that are convenient for European time zones. Check in daily, weekly, or whatever works best for you. Anyone and everyone is welcome! Tell us about yourself and your goals and join us already :) And it's all more fun when you comment on each other's posts, so let's encourage each other too!

 

And on to the accountability part...how's your day going? Let us know how you're getting on with your goals, if you have any questions, need to vent, have a SV or NSV to share, etc. And feel free to just have a chat about how your day went! We got this :D

 

I’ll start: I just met with my new language buddy and she was nice so that was good. Now I need to get out of the house because I have tasted the zucchini bread (cake really) that I cooked last night. I’m already fighting off the excuses my brain is making to justify eating more. But first I will cook the rest of today’s food so that I’m not further tempted by random stuff while I’m out. Then it’s a gardening afternoon for me as I have lots to do at the allotment and it’s free exercise. Have a great day everyone!

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Soup’s on: 16 Tasty Soup Recipes the Whole Family Will Love

Nothing warms your bones and fills your belly better on a chilly day than a piping hot bowl of tasty soup. These delicious recipes use a bounty of vegetables, lean meats and flavorful seasonings to create tasty soup to keep your taste buds happy and your diet on track.

Who doesn’t love a good bowl of tasty soup after a long day? It’s a classic dish that has the ability to warm the soul on those chilly evenings. What’s even better? Tasty soup can be packed with plenty of  healthy ingredients that allow you to be satisfied with comfort food, while being filled with vitamins and nutrients that help you stay on track with your weight loss! What more could you ask for?

Looking for some more classic comfort food? Click below to check out our Buffalo Mac and Cheese recipe!

Buffalo Mac and Cheese

Read More

Here are 16 ideas for healthy, tasty and season-approved soup recipes:


1. Simple Pumpkin Soup >

Pumpkin soup

It lives up to its name in the prep department: bring broth, pumpkin puree, ground ginger, curry powder and other yummy seasonings to a boil, simmer for a little, stir in milk, simmer some more and done. With its rich pumpkin taste and creamy texture, this no-fuss recipe is the perfect pick when you’re craving the quintessential flavors of fall. For a version with a little extra kick, try Spicy Pumpkin Soup >which works peppers, onions and the Nutrisystem White Bean Chicken Chili into the recipe. Need to grab some of the Nutrisystem White Bean Chili? Get it here! >

2. Italian Chicken and Fall Veggie Soup > 

Italian-Chicken-and-Fall-Veggie-Soup
Butternut squash and turnips—it’s in there. Carrots and kale—yup, those are in there, too—providing all their vitamins and minerals. You’ll also find shredded roasted chicken, tomato paste, red pepper flakes and tons of Italian seasoning. But wait, there’s more: whole-wheat gnocchi adds an extra Italian flair to this super healthy and hearty soup. Make this your flex lunch on a cool afternoon, and count it as one SmartCarb, one PowerFuel, one Vegetable and two Extras.

3. Zesty Tomato Soup >

tomato-soup
With a few cans of diced tomatoes, a few cups of veggie broth, onions and garlic, you can whip up a big pot of this all-time favorite to enjoy throughout the week or freeze and save for a busy day. Almond milk thickens up this soup, bay leaves enhance the flavor, and chopped basil on top serves as a tasty (and oh-so-pretty) garnish.

4. 5-Ingredient Chicken “Noodle” Soup >

5-Ingredient-Chicken-Soup-with-Squash-Noodles
The “noodle” is actually spaghetti squash, cooked and scraped into pasta-like strands to save on carbs. Low-sodium broth helps cut salt. Chicken adds protein, carrots boost nutrients, and fresh thyme brings more flavor. Five simple ingredients make for the perfect side of soup to any Nutrisystem meal. For another slimmed-down take on this comfort classic, try the Skinny Chicken Noodle Soup. >

5. Veggie Lover’s Risotto Soup >

Vegetarian-Risotto-Soup
A handful of extra veggies transforms the Nutrisystem Mushroom Risotto entrée into a delectable soup fit for fall. Zucchini, baby bell mushrooms, kale and a can of diced tomatoes mesh beautifully with the savory vegetarian sausage, shitake mushrooms, red bell peppers and pinch of parmesan to create a flavorful spin on a rice and vegetable dish. Need to grab the Nutrisystem Mushroom Risotto entrée? Grab it here! >

Crispy Sweet Potato Curly Fries

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6. Creamy Butternut Squash Soup >

butternut-squash-soup
Plan to make an extra-large batch of this one: with its smooth texture and the rich, sweet flavor of squash, your family will sample this cold-weather favorite right out of the pot. It’s creamy (without any actual cream), and the carrots and onions add flavor without any bad fat, making this a healthy meal you can enjoy all winter long. 

7. Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup >

corned-beef-and-cabbage
It’s got the traditional ingredients right down to the potatoes, cabbage, carrots and celery which all pair nicely with lean beef; and the leeks, garlic and thyme season the broth into the perfect base for this hearty—but much healthier—version of Irish pub fare.

8. Sour Cream & Dill Chicken Noodle Soup >

sour cream and dill chicken soup
When you’re short on time but craving comfort food, Nutrisystem has you covered with its Chicken Noodle Soup. Thick noodles and chunks of tender chicken in a tasty soup broth are ready in minutes. Then stir in non-fat sour cream and top with a pinch of dill for a new flavor in no time. Need to order some Nutrisystem Chicken Noodle Soup? Grab it here! >

9. Veggie Summer Stew >

Summer-Vegetable-Stew

Garden variety vegetables give it its name, but this stew can be enjoyed in the winter, spring and fall, too. Big chunks of zucchini and squash alongside diced carrots, tomatoes and red bell peppers give you pops of color and lots of nutrients in every spoonful. The fiber-filled white beans help satisfy your hungry belly, while onions and seasonings please your palate.

10. Cauliflower Sweet Potato Soup >

Cauliflower-Sweet-Potato-Soup
Two powerhouse veggies join forces to bring you one satisfying soup that’s high in vitamin C, low in calories and loaded with health-boosting nutrients. The cauliflower and sweet potato combo simmer in a broth with garlic, onions, paprika, coriander, cumin and ginger to create a flavorful side to your lunch or dinner. Each one-cup serving is only 127 calories.

Broccoli Cheddar Quiche with Loaded Potato Crust

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11. Easy French Onion Soup >

French Onion Soup
All the classic flavors with much fewer calories makes this a perfect flex lunch. Vidalia onions and bay leaves flavor the broth, sourdough bread sits on top, covered in melted Swiss cheese—all for 129 calories per serving. Log this recipe one SmartCarb, one PowerFuel and one Extra.

12. Black Bean Quinoa Pumpkin Soup >

Pumpkin-Black-Bean-Quinoa-Soup
Wonder how pumpkin soup could possibly get any better? Try this inspired recipe that tosses black beans, quinoa and kale into the mix. The added ingredients pump more than 12 grams of muscle-building protein into the soup, and chili powder and cayenne heat up the seasoning. Top it all with a generous sprinkle of shredded cheese and you’ve got a new, healthy twist on an autumn standard.

13. Loaded Potato Soup >

potato soup
It doesn’t get much easier than this: take a Nutrisystem Loaded Potato lunch, add some skim milk, chicken broth, spinach and spices and voila—potato soup for only 315 calories. If you’re Nutrisystem, a one-cup serving counts as one lunch, one PowerFuel and ½ Vegetable. Grab Nutrisystem Loaded Potato lunch right here! >

14. 5-Ingredient “Cheezy” Cauliflower Soup >

cauliflower-soup
Cauliflower is one of those all-around excellent vegetables. It’s got lots of potassium, vitamin C, vitamin K and folate; it’s less dense than potatoes and makes a great replacement for rice; and it’s an unlimited non-starchy vegetable on the Nutrisystem plan. In this tasty soup recipe, cauliflower cooks alongside leeks and garlic in chicken broth until tender; then it’s mixed with nutrient-packed nutritional yeast for a cheesy taste. Enjoy the soup with lean meat for a light flex lunch.

15. Kitchen Sink Veggie Soup >

soup vegetable
It’s got a little bit of everything, as the name implies—spinach and tomatoes, celery and carrots, onions and garlic. Also in there: pearl barley to add heartiness and Italian seasoning for extra flavor. Consider this comfort in a bowl.

16. Tropical Gazpacho Soup >

tropical-gazpacho
The cold, tasty soup is so packed with fresh flavors, you’ll want to dive your spoon in—no matter the weather! Pineapple, mango and colorful peppers offer up lots of vitamins, and red onions, cilantro and lime enhance the taste of this season-less soup. Want to try another slurp-worthy Gazpacho? The Creamy Green Gazpacho with Grilled Shrimp > features healthy veggies blended with yogurt, avocado and a slew of seasonings, and topped with perfectly cooked shrimp. Delish!

 

The post Soup’s on: 16 Tasty Soup Recipes the Whole Family Will Love appeared first on The Leaf.



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The 4 Worst People You Meet While Losing Weight

Time and again, research has suggested that our social relationships can have big bearing on our eating habits, physical activity and weight. According to a study published in the journal Obesity (Silver Springs) in 2014, folks who had the support of loved ones lost weight whereas those with family members who undermined their healthy habits tended to gain weight. Other studies have suggested that even coworkers can have an impact on weight-related habits. These findings suggest that if you’re trying to lose weight, you’ll want to be able to identify those people most likely to sabotage your slim-down.

With that in mind, here are the four worst people you come across while you’re losing weight—and how to deal:

The Pusher
This is the person who just won’t take “no” for an answer—the aunt who baked those cookies “just for you,” the coworker who made your “favorite casserole,” or the friend who slaved over that pie all night just so you could split it. This person constantly threatens to sabotage your efforts by pushing fatty foods or bad habits on you. But fighting the dessert devil on your shoulder is hard enough! Why let someone else win that battle? The next time that pusher gets going, push back by explaining that you’re working really hard to reclaim your health and happiness, and while you appreciate the offer, you’re going to have to pass. Although the first few times you refuse the food may be uncomfortable, if you stay consistent, your refusal will become routine and the pushers are likely to stop pushing. Don’t think the straight shooter approach will do the trick? Ask for a doggy-bag then sneak the food to someone who else who would appreciate the leftovers.

How To Get Your Family to Support Your New Lifestyle

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The Negative Nancy
This one doesn’t need too much explanation. This is the person in your life who has nothing positive to say about your efforts to get healthier. She might tell you that your diet won’t work. She might claim that you’ll gain the weight back anyway, so there’s no point in trying. Or she might point to the fact that your whole family is overweight so you must be doomed to a lifetime of carrying extra pounds. You can choose to spend your time arguing with this person or trying to convince her of your future success. But we think there’s only one good way to deal with this doubter: Ignore her. You’ve got this; you don’t need her support. Besides, once you’re done losing weight, the results will speak for themselves.

The Jealous Judy
Sadly, not everyone will be jumping for joy with every pound you lose. There will always be that friend, relative or acquaintance who gets a little green with envy. It’s important to know that deep down, this person may actually be happy for you. But that happiness may be overshadowed by his or her desire to become healthy and happy, too. Being jealous may cause this person to make cruel statements like “I can’t really tell you lost weight.” Or, “You looked better with a few extra pounds on you.” You’re working too hard to have to be subjected to this kind of talk. So how do you deal? Easy! You help this person discover how good getting healthy can feel. Bring her in on your lunchtime walks or ask her to accompany you to that Zumba class you’ve been wanting to try. Propose a healthy recipe swap or ask her to join you for a trip to the local farmer’s market to grab some fresh fruit and veggies. Keep in mind that this person is likely just unhappy with her own lifestyle and by enlisting her to help you succeed, you’ll secretly help get her started on her own path to healthy. As soon as she starts feeling good and seeing results, she’ll probably start looking a lot less green!

29 Things Never to Say to Someone on a Diet

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The Bad-for-You Buddy
The bad-for-you buddy is hard to spot because she is always in your corner. The last thing this pal wants is to derail your progress. This person truly loves you and wants to support you. But unfortunately, she doesn’t always realize that she can be a bad influence. The bad-for-you buddy might use statements like, “But you’ve had such a rough day—you deserve dessert!” Or, “I haven’t seen you in so long, let’s skip the gym and catch up over drinks?” Since this person cares about you, and you clearly care about her, the best fix is to sit her down for a heart-to-heart. Explain to her what getting healthy means to you and why you’re doing it. Then discuss some fun things you can do together that won’t derail your progress. If she’s a friend, she will be open to new things, and supportive of your new lifestyle.

The post The 4 Worst People You Meet While Losing Weight appeared first on The Leaf.



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7 Simple Stir-Fry Recipes That Are Anything but Boring  

Stir frying, which is a Chinese cooking technique that involves cooking food in hot oil—traditionally in a wok—has become very popular in American culture. After all, it’s an easy way to prepare home-made meals that the whole family will enjoy. Of course, as with any dish or cooking style, the ingredients that you choose make all the difference in the health factor of your meal. While you may think that healthy stir-fry recipes might be lacking in flavor and creativity, we have created some that are anything but boring!

Here are seven stir-fry recipes that you have to try:

 1. Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry >

chicken-and-broccoli-stir-fry

One of our favorite stir-fry recipes, Chicken and Broccoli is always going to be a classic. And our version is simple to make and will easily become a go-to recipe in your family. With a simple Asian-style sauce, juicy, bite-sized pieces of chicken and a nutritious blend of broccoli, bell peppers and onions, this is a complete meal that everyone will gobble up. Served with fiber-rich brown rice, it’ll also keep you feeling full and satisfied.

Easy One Pan Recipes for Busy Weeknights

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2. Steak Stir-Fry with Grilled Peppers and Onions >

steak stir fry

Trimmed flank steak marinated in a delicious sauce combined with crisp peppers and onions makes this a yummy stir-fry that will be sure to please. Plus, it has a lot of great nutrition. Bell peppers are loaded with vitamins, including vitamins A and C, as well as potassium and folic acid. Meanwhile, onions are a good source of vitamins C and B6 as well as iron and folate. Together, these veggies help make this meal a nutritional powerhouse—all served atop fiber-filled brown rice!

3. Tofu Stir-Fry with Savory Tahini Soy Sauce >

tofu-stir-fry

Your meatless stir-fry will be anything but boring when you use a flavor-filled sauce like our savory tahini soy sauce to spice it up. Tofu is the perfect lean protein for this delicious dish as it soaks up all the yummy flavors of our tasty sauce which is made from a blend of soy sauce, corn starch, garlic, ginger and—of course—tahini. In addition to being flavorful, tahini, which is made from ground sesame seeds, has many health benefits, including the fact that it is high in healthy fats and amino acids, and that it packs in magnesium, copper, iron and zinc, among other essential vitamins and minerals.

4. Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Pasta >

shrimp-scampi

Often a restaurant favorite, Shrimp Scampi sounds like a lot of work to make at home. Well, that’s not the case at all with this simple one-pan meal we’ve put together. And since our version uses zucchini noodles instead of traditional pasta, it’s a lot healthier for you, too. After all, zucchini is incredibly low in calories, while also being rich in filling fiber. And, you may be surprised to learn that zucchini actually has more potassium than a banana. This is a recipe that you can only whip up in a pinch and can feel good about eating.

12 Easy Chicken Recipes You Need to Try

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5. Cauliflower Fried Rice with Shrimp >

Cauliflower-Fried-Rice

If you love fried rice but don’t want to load up on calories, then we’ve got the perfect substitution for you—Cauliflower Fried Rice with Shrimp. You may be skeptical, but trust us, it has all the flavor of delicious fried rice but is a whole lot better for you. Combined with mixed veggies, egg and shrimp, there is so much flavor in this meal that you’ll hardly realize you swapped out the rice for vitamin-rich cauliflower.

6. Asian Salmon Bowl with Cauliflower Rice >

stir-fry recipes

This Asian-style dish combines heart-healthy salmon with delicious veggies like cucumber, green onion and carrots. Plus, it’s all served over a bed of healthy cauliflower rice as opposed to the starchy white rice traditionally used in Asian meals. It’s a great choice if you’re craving take-out but don’t want to get bogged down by all the fat and calories that come with it. Plus, you’ll feel good about whipping up this home-made dish on your own.

7. Sesame Garlic Shrimp Stir-Fry >

Sesame-Garlic-Shrimp-Stir-Fry

If you like shrimp, this might be your favorite of our stir-fry recipes, as it combines the succulent seafood with the rich flavors of garlic, sesame seeds, soy sauce and ginger. It’s easy to make and sure to become a family favorite in your household. And, when prepared in a healthy way, as this recipe is, shrimp can actually be quite good for you. This lean protein contains a variety of nutrients that people tend to lack including selenium, copper and niacin. It’s low in calories and tasty, too

The post 7 Simple Stir-Fry Recipes That Are Anything but Boring   appeared first on The Leaf.



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God, I love data. I thought tracking would make me obsessive, but it’s just the opposite.

I’ve gained 4.5 lbs in two days. 🎉😂

In the past, I accepted the oft quoted advice to weigh in once a week so you don’t get obsessed with the scale, and I was super reluctant to use MFP because I didn’t want to get obsessed with calorie tracking. This now seems like weird advice when I think about it because it’s not like I only check my speedometer once a trip so I don’t get obsessed with speed, or only use my rear view mirror once so I don’t get obsessed with what’s behind me. For me, having more info only makes me more confident.

I know staring down a 4.5 lb gain would have made me insane if I had less data. But I know that I’m at a 3800 calorie deficit for the past seven days. And I just started vinyasa yoga again and I’m so sore right now. So this is just a normal, healthy blip. It’s not 4.5 lbs of fat, and I am not broken. It’s a sign that my body is healthy and it’s retaining water to repair all those muscles that haven’t been used in a while. It’ll fall right back off in a few days.

With weight loss, there’s so much advice out there: track, don’t track, weigh daily, scales are evil, carbs are good, carbs are bad, start running, eat kale, go vegan, try Jenny Craig. Keto. IF. MFP!

Don’t be afraid to play around. I was trying to avoid obsessing and it made me more crazy. For me, data is a godsend. It might make you feel awful. The point isn’t that you need to keep a big spreadsheet (although I do love my spreadsheet people!). But you probably do need a willingness to try a few things and figure out what feels healthy and sustainable. Find something that makes you feel as at peace with this process as a spreadsheet does for me.

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