A "lighter" look at healthy living and weight.

What NOT to wear...

Anyone who has ever visited peopleofwalmart.com knows that there are certain things that a person just should NOT wear in public – or ever for that matter. Stretch pants and oversized sweaters spring directly to mind. They may be comfy, but the 80’s are over so let’s bury them!
Harsh I know – but it needed to be said. It’s hard to believe but you really can find clothes that flatter you at any size/shape. You just have to know what to look for.


• Warning signs - Vertical stripes and small prints are best – horizontal stripes and large floral designs are the equivalent of putting a “wide load” sign on your back
• Layer it up – things like blazers and vests can be very flattering and help even out any shape issues you may have. Look for longer , fitted pieces that won’t give you that “box” look
• Color you fashionable – don’t be afraid of color, but use it wisely. Monochromatic outfits will help you look longer and leaner. Colors like black, navy, dark brown, charcoal gray, deep purple, and burgundy all have slimming success. Pick your fav then splash it up with some cute shoes, accessories and a great purse.
• Support the girls – nothing beats a great bra. Many stores offer free bra fittings – take advantage of it and get one that fits – your clothes will thank you.
• Don’t lose your head – what is your neck line doing for you? For the most part you should avoid shirts with round or scoop necks. Stick with collar shirts and V-necks – they elongate your lines and slim you out.
• Style matters – go get your hair cut by a pro. They can talk to you about what styles are best for your face shape and give you tips on styling. It can be spendy ($25 and up), but once you know what you need you can take your new knowledge to a cheaper venue. SO WORTH IT!
• Taylor to fit – Find pieces that fit your problem areas then break out the sewing machine or call up your local seamstress.
• Posture perfection – be proud of yourself. You are fabulous and its time the world knew it.
 

Go shopping with a friend who will give you honest feedback and support. Don’t be afraid to try things on – is everything going to fit? NO. Is everything going to be a small size? NO. Use that energy positively to keep you motivated and move on to the next thing. You’ll find what you’re looking for and the rest won’t matter – because you’ll look fantastic and you’ll feel great.

So in the words of my fabulous aunt Melissa – dress to kill then stand up straight, shoulders back, chest out and you’ll be ready to take on anything.
 

Posted by: MzWit on 2/15/2010 at 4:19 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Tags: clothes, diet, fit, fitness, shopping, weight

Small Changes = Big Results

Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.
~Robert Collier

As we work to make changes in our lives and reach our goals, I think that sometimes we jump right into BIG changes. While I applaud anyone who has the will power to stick to those BIG changes, they are hard to maintain for any length of time. Then when you fall off the wagon you tend to crash and burn instead of getting right back on.

Instead of setting yourself up to fail, look at the little things that you can change that could make a big difference. For instance, how often do you go out to eat or order take-out? People tend to eat more in social settings and it’s hard to control portion sizes. Cooking at home more often will save you money and calories. How about water? Do you drink enough? Water is cheap, helps stave off food cravings, and eliminate toxins from the body. A win, win, win change!

Here are some more SMALL changes to help you down the road to health.

• Switch to whole grain bread, pasta and cereal
• Cut back on the coffee/pop/caffeine
• Eat a vegetable with every meal
• Cut back on the amount of salt and sugar you eat
• Take a 10 minute walk on your lunch break
• Watch portion sizes closely/use a smaller plate
• Plan your meals a day ahead/track what you eat
• Snack on fresh fruits, veggies, and heart healthy nuts
• Cut back on the number of alcoholic drinks you have

Now take a look at your daily routine – what SMALL changes can you make that will add up to BIG results?

There is no wrong answer here! Every step you take in the right direction is one step closer to your goal.

Have a fun and healthy week :)
 

Posted by: MzWit on 2/08/2010 at 9:02 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Tags: diet, fruit, portion, scale, veggies, water, weight loss, weight watchers

Less Is More

Even large amounts of healthy foods can keep you from losing or even make you gain weight! Believe me – I have personally tested this theory. I’ve been complaining for several months now about my lack of progress. I don’t keep junk food in my kitchen so there shouldn’t be a problem right?

How wrong I was! Many prepackaged “health” foods are disasters waiting to happen. For example, I bought some little bags of trail mix and was feeling rather superior for finding such a great snack option with just the right amount of calories, fat, fiber, etc. Well upon closer inspection each little bag contained 2.5 servings! I was not feeling quite so superior after that.

Restaurants are a major obstacle when it comes to portion size. We like to get the biggest bang for our buck, but what’s good for our bottom line isn’t always good for our waist line. Most restaurant portions are 2 to 3 times larger than they should be so a quick fix is to share an entrée or to ask for a box right away and put away half before you even start eating.

At home you can have more control. Buy a digital food scale (around $20-$25) and get some good measuring cups to help you portion out things more accurately. Another good tip is to use a salad plate instead of a dinner plate when you eat. Also, sit down with the family at the table instead of in front of the TV or computer. Studies show that people who multi-task while eating often consume more without realizing it.

Paying attention to portions is a quick fix that can really jump start your weight loss!

Have fun and stay healthy!
 

Posted by: MzWit on 2/03/2010 at 12:13 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Tags: control, diet, measure, portion, weight, weight watchers

Ho! Ho! Hold It!

Good health should be a 365 day thing so why take a holiday from it? Trust me, I do know that the holidays make it hard – emotions run high, there is food everywhere, and little time to focus on exercise. I struggle with it all too, but there is always something we can do to make things a tad easier. Here are my tips to help you through…

1. BREATHE! Don’t forget that you need to take care of yourself in the chaos.
2. DRINK! Water that is… stay well hydrated and the food will call out less to you.
3. PLAY! Break out the Wii, go for a walk, have a snowball fight, go sledding… get everyone moving and have fun!
4. TALK! Hard to talk with your mouth full so keep on yapping and stop chewing.
5. COOK! Bring healthy dishes and snacks with you whereever you go.

My favorite and best tip regarding the holidays hasn’t changed – its all about the people you love and not the food you eat!

Happy Holidays!

~Lisa
 

Posted by: MzWit on 12/21/2009 at 10:12 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Tags: diet, eating, exercise, family, friends, health, holiday, weight

Just smile and say "No Thank You"

This is the time of year when family and friends get together and you have to walk the line between being polite and sticking to your guns.

 

It is bad enough having that small voice in the back of your head begging for a cheeseburger. It’s even harder when the voice is coming from your great aunt Betty or a coworker and is telling you that just one more cookie won’t hurt anything. But then one more becomes a dozen and before you know it your day is shot. Now all your left with is the diet guilt and more pounds than when you started.

 

Remember that it’s ok to say no – you’re not being rude, just honest. Your personal goals are just that – personal. You don’t have to explain them or to make excuses about them. Stick to it! It will be worth the effort.

 

 

Have a fun and healthy week!
 

Posted by: MzWit on 12/14/2009 at 5:10 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Tags: diet, family, food, holiday eating, weight watchers

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