Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Garbage in, Garbage out (Waist Management)

Did you know that there are roughly 3500 calories to a pound? If you take in 3500 more calories more than you work off, you will gain one pound. Any dieter knows it is a lot easier to put it in than take it off.

When you are trying to lose weight, keep in mind the fat content and fiber content as they also have an effect on waist management. The program I am in, Weight Watchers, uses these three things when figuring out how many points something has.

One point = (calories/50) + (fat grams/12) - (min{r, 4}/5)

Don't even try to figure that out on your own, go to a meeting and get a calculator and learn to read labels. Keep the calories and fat low and keep the fiber high. Fat grams should be in the single digits per serving. Fiber up to four grams per serving is used in calculating points. Many foods have more, but beyond four it doesn't affect the score, but don't let that stop you from eating more fiber; it is good to eat a lot of fiber and it makes you feel fuller longer. Believe me, your body will tell you when you've had enough fiber!

Bottom line: Know the true cost of what you are putting into your body. Ask yourself, "Is it worth it?" Eat good wholesome foods and lots of fresh veggies, watch the portion size and limit your fat and calories and you will lose weight. I lost .8 lbs this week. Not the big 4.4 like last week, but I kept it off and am making strides.

Only 6 pounds to goal!!!