Fitness Unlimited July 04, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Don't let vacations derail you!
Food for Thought
By Ginger Hoffman, RD, LDN
Registered Dietitian for Fitness Unlimited
Healthclub for Women
Milton, Massachusetts USA
My favorite part of blogging is writing after I've been on vacation.   There's something about being out of my usual routine that surprises me, even though my brain knows it shouldn't.  So since I've written last I've taken 2 trips: 1 skiing in NY and 1 visiting family in the South.  Let's start with skiing.
First of all, I like to be in control of my food.  I think my profession warrants that, but I'm also a Taurus: practical, logical and enjoy routine.  This has to go out the window when you're someone's guest, of course!  Skiiing was great-  nice and cold and plenty of snow.  And then... the lodge.  How can you avoid hot chocolate when EVERYONE around you is ordering steaming hot cups of it, dripping with whipped cream?  Me.  I've looked up the calorie & fat content of many cups of cocoa for clients that I knew it wasn't worth it.  Instead: coffee w/a shot of Bailey's Irish Cream.  Coffee has ~nil calories and Bailey's is 95 per 1oz.  Hit the spot!
 
Then, my trip to Alabama to visit family.  Sonic is a very popular drive-in fast food joint, very prevalent in the South, and I've never been to one.  My brother wants to stop in for a cherry limeade.  Sounds tasty, until I get home and look up the nutrition facts: large size has 340 calories and 88 grams of sugar.  That's equal to nearly 1/2 cup sugar, almost as much as a cookie recipe calls for!  I'm glad I only had a sip!  I won't tell you about the large chocolate shake from McDonald's at 1160 calories, 27 grams of fat and 168 grams of sugars that also found it's way into our rental car:(
But after all the pizza, pasta, sandwiches and snacking, I was ready to be home eating my fruits, veggies, humus, veggie burgers and yogurt again.  Vacations are really nice for a change of pace, but I like how I feel when I eat simpler foods. 
 
Got questions, comments, kudos?  Send me an email: ghoffman@fitnessunlimited.com
Posted by Fitness Unlimited @ 07:54 am
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Successful Losers
Food for Thought
By Ginger Hoffman, RD, LDN
Registered Dietitian for Fitness Unlimited
Healthclub for Women
Milton, Massachusetts USA
 
To my devoted blog-friends and fellow weight-losers-
If you weren't able to make it to my weight loss panel discussion last week, here's what my client-experts had to say:
 
**"Surrender" to the process... meaning, when you are ready to make a lifestyle change, be prepared to give up some lifestyle habits, not just foods.
 
**Journal, journal, journal.  All 3 of my successful losers did it in some capacity.  Research shows people who journal double their weight loss.  Free internet sites I like are www.fitday.com and www.livestrong.com/thedailyplate.
 
**Exercise and move.  The goal is to accrue 200-300 minutes of cardiovascular exercise per week, which includes things like aerobics classes, elliptical work or fast walking.  Get in strength training 2-3 times/week.  AND be active in your daily activities.  This is where you burn the majority of your calories.
 
**Get help.  See me or another Registered Dietitian.  (No gym membership required to see me).  Hire a personal trainer.  Use a therapist or lifecoach.  It's hard doing it on your own, so take advantage of the experts.
 
**Figure out why you're overweight.  The simple answer is eating too much and not exercising.  Dig deeper than that-- that's where your key is to change.
 
So take these tips and add your own.  Just remember, the "Biggest Loser" is a game; a TV show for entertainment purposes.  Your life isn't.
 
Posted by Fitness Unlimited @ 12:59 pm
 
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