Weekly or Daily Weigh-Ins?

When on a weight loss program, one is often presented with the dilemma of whether or not to weigh-in daily.

Allow me to weigh-in on this issue.

I think that daily weigh-ins are a bad idea. Firstly, even if you are consistently losing weight every week you will not necessarily loose weight every single day. In fact you might have individual days where you actually gain weight.

If you weigh yourself daily, you will not really get a clear picture of the overall long-term trend, which is what really matters.

Secondly, I really like the idea of getting a weekly "reward" -- the good news that you get when you weigh-in at the end of the week. This gives a better idea of your overall weight-loss trend and after all, long term weight-loss is what you are seeking.

(Photo: Andreanna)

A Pizza Alternative

I was having lunch with my son in one of our regular pizzerias today, and I thought that instead of just ordering my usual corner-slice-sicilian, I would check out the menu.

One item caught my eye: The Vegetable Sandwich

I ordered it, and it was awesome.
Spinach, red and green peppers, broccoli, mushrooms and black olives, served hot on a roll.

No cheese and most likely much heather than a slice of pizza, and definitely more satisfying.

I'll be ordering it again for sure.
See if your local pizza joint has it on the menu, and if not I'm sure they can make you one.

(Photo: jslander)

Happy Thanksgiving

For those of us in the U.S., tomorrow is Thanksgiving day, traditionally one of the biggest (if not the biggest) days in the year for overeating.

For those of us trying to lose weight, I have one Thanksgiving wish for you:

Don't do it.
You don't need to.
Stay on your program, eat a nice healthy meal of moderate size and then move on to the next day.

Happy Thanksgiving!

(Photo: xybermatthew)

This Week's Results

After four weeks on the program, 3 more pounds of weight loss for a total of 12 pounds.

Again, I'm pleased with this week's results which which was the same amount of weight loss as the prior week. Given that I had very similar eating and exercise patterns to the week before, this should not have been a surprise.

I think the fact that the pounds are coming off relativity slowly (3 lbs./week average) is a good thing, and will hopefully allow me to maintain the weight loss once I hit my target weight.

(Photo: playingwithbrushes)

On Being an Overweight Vegetarian

I've been a vegetarian for a few years, but it's certainly not resulted in any weight loss when compared to my meat-eating days.

There is a simple reason for this: Too many carbs, not enough actual vegetables. I suspect this might be a common explanation for those of us vegetarians who are overweight.

Many people assume that vegetarians eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables. If only this was the case for me.

My diet contains much too much pizza, pasta, bread, etc.

The fact is, I love carbs. This is why, even at the height of its popularity, I never attempted the Atkins Diet. I would have been miserable and unsuccessful.

Since I've been on the SLD, I've been making a real effort to eat a lot more vegetables, and keep the carbs to a minimum. I still have pizza and pasta, but I'm also eating salads and stir-fried vegetables. Sometimes, I'll just have some fruit for lunch.

After being a vegetarian for years, it took the SLD to finally get me to eat healthy.

(Photo: Indigo Goat)

Connecticut Protects Me from Bad Olive Oil

As a long-time resident of the state of Connecticut, I've been the beneficiary of many of the advantages that the state has to offer: nice beaches, beautiful fall foliage, not being able to buy beer after 8:30pm, etc.

But now I enjoy a special protection of particular interest to those of us on the SLD: Connecticut is now the first state in the nation to impose quality standards for olive oil.

Even before the SLD, I would buy name-brand oil from reputable stores, so I've not had what I'm sure is the unpleasant experience of exposure to sub-standard oil. But, it's nice to know that going forward the state will be right there to protect me.

Way to go dudes in Hartford!

Link: Connecticut takes on slippery olive oil standards.

(Photo: prakhar)