Update

Things are going well. I have adjusted my diet a bit. I am trying to eat mainly fish, shellfish, nuts and beans for my protien. Been going really well as far as that's concerned. I have increased the amount of antioxidants I have been consuming and noticed a big difference in my morning energy levels. My birthday is tomorrow and I will be going to Olive Garden so I do not expect any new break throughs until the holidays are over. But I do have the goal of maintaining what I have lost and hopefully moving foward from there. I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday season!

Stand Still

I have not been exercising and I think the weight loss really slowed because of it. I think I really need to motivate myself again. I think I will increase the amount of gogi berry juice I drink in the morning and see if that gets me moving again. On Christmas I am going to try and lay off the goodies I think as well and stay focused with Sensa. However, on my birthday I am going out to eat at Olive Garden with my husband and enjoying my 33rd birthday...Sensa or no Sensa! I have not however gained any weight back at all! Not one single pound regardless of all that cheating I did around the Thanksgiving holidays! So as far as that goes, I still feel I am making progress. We shall see though if a little exercise will speed things up a bit...if I can get my butt in gear to do it :).

The Benefits of Drinking Water

Water is such an important part of our diets. We tend to over look drinking what we need by instead drinking only when we are thirsty. The problem with that is once you start craving water you are usually already well on your way to dehydration. Water makes up almost two thirds of body weight! Our blood, muscles, brain and many other important body parts are made up mostly of water so it is important that we keep hydrated! Water can help you lose weight as well by flushing out the "junk" we don't need in our bodies and helping us to feel full the natural way. When you aren't drinking enough water, your body may be sending you signals that you are hungry when what you really need is water. It can also curb your appetite by making you feel fuller faster. It can also improve your energy levels which is helpful for those who work out or lead busy, active lives. Water can help you remain focused and increase your mental performance. Water is great for the skin too! There are endless benefits that water provides, but the point I want to make is that water can be an extremely effective weight loss tool along with all the other things you may already be doing such as using Sensa, getting your eight hours of beauty rest, exercising and/or eating better.

Sleep and Weight Loss

Did you know that not getting enough sleep at night can actually cause you to gain weight? Scientists are finding that when a person does not get enough sleep at night, that person's "hunger hormones" (Ghrelin) are usually high and the hormone that control satiety (lepton) is usually low. So, of you aren't getting enough sleep, you may have a harder time satisfying your hunger and thus overeating. Research conducted by the University of Wisconsin and Stanford University found "that people who sleep two to four hours a night are 73% more likely to be obese than those who get seven to nine hours. Those who get five or more hours of sleep a night are 50% more likely to be obese than normal sleepers. Those who sleep six hours are 23% more likely to be obese". So be sure to get your "beauty sleep"!

Does Sensa Really Work?

I think so. That being said, Sensa is a diet aid. If you are intent on eating cheeseburgers and fries everyday and expect Sensa to take away the calories you will be disappointed. Diets work on the basis that you are consuming less calories than you are burning. If you are eating high calorie, low nutrient foods you will likely not lose as much (if at all) on Sensa. The trick is to work in somewhat healthy foods. Infact, you will benefit even more by eating lower calorie foods high in nutrition...then not only will you be eating less food, you will also be getting the nutrition you need (which often leads to less cravings for the bad stuff). I have also found that Sensa completely knocked out my cravings for sweets and I also eat less than I normally do. It also intensfied the flavors of the foods I ate giving me greater satistfation (atleast for me). Use that to your advantage by "eating this, not that". One tip is to check out that link to superfoods I posted earlier, go to the world's healthiest foods, or do research to find nutrient rich foods that you already like or love. For example, I love cashews! Yes, they pack in both calories and fat...but they are good for you! In fact, studies show that eating nuts a few times a week in moderation actually helps you maintain a healthy weight and a healthy heart! So look for foods high in nutrition that you already love and resolve to eat more of it. This way when Sensa has begun curbing your appetite, you know you are still getting what you need out of what you do eat! Sensa can work wonders, you just have to work with it.

Tips for remembering to sprinkle your food with Sensa

1. Keep one Sensa container in the kitchen in a highly visable place such as on top of the microwave or beside the refrigerater. Put it someplace you'll be sure to see it when you warm up your food or grab your snacks from.

2. Keep the other shaker with you, in your purse or pocket. This way when you are at work or running errands you'll have it when you need it.

3. Put sticky notes on the refrigerater or microwave to remind you sprinkle your food.

4. Ask friends and family to remind you when you forget.

5. You can also use the age old trick of tieing a string or something similar around your finger or wrist. The brighter it is, the better. That will likely draw your attention better than a more subdued color.

I personally have forgotten a few times but since I had been taking it long enough it did not seem to make a difference. I think it is what you do the majority of the time that makes the difference. Hope this helps!

My article on ehow

I am going to begin writing articles on ehow about some of the things I talk about here. Here is a link to my how to article on Goji Berries and Sleep: http://www.ehow.com/how_4661965_use-goji-berries-better-sleep.html .

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

Sorry I have not been on lately, I had family down for the holidays. I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays as much as I did! I did not restrict myself on the types of foods I ate...in fact I went into the holidays planning to cheat. Even my sister made a comment before arriving "you're not planning on dieting while I'm there are you?". Who diets on Thanksgiving? But I did put a limit on it. When my sister left I went back on my "diet". I still hate calling it that because it doesn't feel like a diet. I am never hungry because I always eat when I am hungry. I did lose some weight amazingly. Not much, just a pound or two...but it's better than gaining! I am still eating the goji berries and taking a very small amount of acai. My energy level has not dipped at all. I will never go back. In fact I made a long list of "superfoods" and try to eat from that list as much as I can. I got it from here: http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=307 . I also added to that list goji berries, acai berries, chlorella, water (though technically not a superfood, but it should be), things like that. I have not been exercising as much lately and I really should be...I just had to go into the hospital for a week and used having no time as an excuse...now I have no excuse...but I will get back into it...eventually:). I have no complaints with Sensa to date. Anyone else have any good expeirences with it? Please comment about your expeirence, and what you have found helpful.

More Progress

My apologies for not posting sooner. This was my week to go into the hosptial to complete my yearly requirement to be on site for work. The drive is about an hour and a half, so my online presense was unfortunately non-existant. But, even after that week of being at the hospital, I still managed to lose 2 inches off my waist. No weight loss on the scale this week, however. But my goal here is to fit better in my clothes...you know...fit into clothes I haven't worn in seemingly forever.

The goji berries I have been eating are godsent! They are even chocolate covered...and boy are they addictive. I ordered plain ones though so I can get away from the extra calories. They give me so much energy it is hard to sit still. I have pretty much settled into a routine of cleaning the house or going out and exercising after eating them since my energy level is so high. I have been sneaking goji berry juice into my daughters juicy juice when she's not looking and I have noticed a few things. First, she sleeps soundly and wakes early (we used to have to pry her kicking and screaming out of bed each morning, now she is up before we are!). She is also concentrating better in school. I got a note home from the teacher noting the change in her work habits. I've noticed it as well when I help her with her homework. I also bought some acai berry pills from an online store for my son and it totally cleared up his acne! He also seems to have a more positive outlook on life...not that there was a problem before. He just seems more happy go lucky. So I am now a big believer in antioxidants and superfoods. I see now how much it impacts our health and how we feel.

Sensa has been great as far as keeping my hunger in check. I just have to remember to sprinkle it on my food. If it is not out where I can see it, I forget.

Sense of Well-being

I don't know what it is, or if it a combination of things but I feel so good! I got another order from brazil botanicals of the acai juice and I thought I'd also try goji berry juice (which is WONDERFUL!) I like the goji berry juice so much that I am going to try dried goji berries (from a different place) and as gift my husband ordered me some dark chocolate goji berry clusters. Anyways, all of this is just doing wonders for my mood. It is more than likely a combination of things, all that good nutrition. But going into this, I think I underestimated the power of eating well! I don't think I will ever go back! I think this will be a lifetime change for me. Try it, if anything even for just a week or two...see if you don't feel better at the end of that allotted time. I know I did.

Finally Progress on the Scale

After not losing for a week or two (atleast on the scale), I woke up this morning to find I lost another three pounds. My motivation is restored! Well, I was still motivated but the scale situation was really frustrating me. I knew I was losing, I just couldn't see it on the scale. Now I am very happy. To date I have lost about 15 pounds! Saturday will be the end of week 7 for me. I can not fully express just how wonderful Sensa has been for me! I do think eating right and exercising every once and a while is speeding up the process though. I'm haven't been perfect on this diet, but most of the time I make the right choices and that's what I was aiming for. And that Acai Berry has my energy level on high most of the day, so I think that helps as well (but I have noticed no real increase in weight loss since taking it, atleast on the scale anyways). For those of you who are already taking Sensa, what has been your expeirence with it so far?

More Benefits I Am Noticing With Acai Berry

I have been taking either Acai Berry Supreme or Acai Berry Juice for Brazil Botanicals and I have noticed some more pretty amazing benefits. First my sense of well-being is just amazing. I am always in a good mood and full of energy. Also, I noticed that the healing time for skin blemishes and irritations is much faster than normal. My skin has gotten softer and so has my hair. I have also noticed that while my weight hasn't changed much, I am fitting into clothes I hadn't worn before. I am going to buy a tape measure this Saturday because I really think I am losing inches rather than pounds. I'd much rather be leaner and fit into my old "skinny jeans" than be a certain number on the scale. I think the extract and/or juice combined with Sensa and better diet has really helped me out in that regard. The Acai Berry Supreme seems to give me a bit more energy than the juice, however it also contains white tea which may be the reason why. Irregardless though, even the juice seems to be packing a powerful punch. My workouts run a bit longer and it seems to take less effort. Well, maybe not less effort but it just seems a whole lot easier to get through. In fact, I have so much energy that I want to exercise or just go out and do something active. I just feel really great! I am experiencing such positive benefits from the green tea and acai berry that I think I will explore other "super fruits" or "super foods". I hope everyone is having a good week!

Comfort Food

For Halloween this year, I will be making my kids haystacks and pumpkin shaped grilled cheese sandwiches (I have a healthier version for dieters as well). I want to make sure they get a good meal in before eating all that candy and it also had to be something quick to make. Haystacks is essentially layered corn chips, chili and shredded cheese in a bowl. The ultimate comfort food before going out and trick or treating on a cold night. If you want to know how to make these yourself, here is the directions:

Heat up a couple of cans of chili on the stove (as many cans as your family or you would need) on med-high heat (until bubbly). Fill the bottom of the bowl(s) with a layer of corn chips, then layer that with some nice hot chili and then layer that with a topping of shredded cheese (we use Cheddar, but you can use whatever cheese you prefer). For the grilled cheese you would butter two slices of bread (times however many sandwiches you'd need), put cheese (like craft slices or velveta) in between the unbuttered sides of the bread and cut with a Halloween cookie cutter (I am using pumpkins). Cook on med-low until each side nice and browned.

For a healthier version: For the Haystacks: Substitute regular chili with a meatless chili and omit the corn chips. You can also substitute regular cheese for low-fat cheese.

For the grilled cheese: Use whole wheat bread, low-fat cheese and cooking spray instead of butter.

Happy Halloween!

The Scale Can Be Deceiving

Ok, I have heard people tell me before to throw out your scale and just do all the right things and the weight will come off. But how many of us really want to know if "doing the right thing" made any difference? I can tell you, I am one of them. When I wake up each morning and greet the day...the first thing I do is weigh myself to see if "doing the right thing" did anything for me. Anyone out there the same way? Well I am here to tell you that the scale is not your friend. If you have been following my posts you should know I have been losing around 2 pounds each week. Well this week I lost zero. And I have to admitt, I was scared to get on that scale after my piece of tiramisu and dark chocolate episode this week. But I had also been riding my bike all week and doing otherwise a good job of filtering out the junk in my diet. So I began with the usual, "oh this diet isn't working anymore. It's just like everything else". But was it? I decided to try on one of my old work shirts (this sadly is the reason I starting dieting, I couldn't fit into my favorite fitted work shirt). Last week it was still a bit snug but this week...it fit! I finally made it to my first goal! The scale was lieing to me!!! The thing is, muscle weighs more than fat. Most of us know this, but still we exspect to be a certain weight to fit into a, b, and c. So when we exercise and are "burning calories", we exspect the scale to go down, not stay the same and definately not to go up! This is how I think, and I am willing to bet I am not alone. What most of us can't get our heads around is that sometimes even if you gain a few pounds you can still be losing inches due to all the activity or the change in diet. So don't lose heart if your weight stays the same or even goes up a little...you could still be making headway towards your "skinny jeans" goal!

Update

I am not noticing more weight (than what I have been losing) coming off since using the Acai Berry but I do have more energy. I usually take my daughter to the bus stop in the morning and go back to bed for an hour or so before getting ready for work. Since I have been taking the Acai Berry I have not been doing this, actually I have been waking up earlier than normal. Then after taking her to the bus I have been going on a bike ride then coming home and cleaning. It's better than coffee as far as that goes! But I do notice that I always have that "hungry" feeling since I started taking it. I hope that does not get in the way of my weight loss efforts. If it does, I will stop taking it and continue on with just the Sensa and Green Tea. I don't know how well I will be doing in terms of weight loss this week because my husband brought home some Tiramisu for me and it was too good to refuse:). I also had some dark chocolate chips, so I really need to get back on track!

2 more pounds down

Ok, I'll admitt this last 2 pounds came off a little slower than it has been, but as long as the trend is downward I'm still game. For some reason I feel like my body had to adjust to the new Sensa sprinkles (for this month) and now that it has it's starting to pick up in weight loss again. Actually now that I think about it, I just switched out the new shaker last Saturday. I didn't really lose any weight the 4th week (before I switched out the shaker), but this week I lost 2 more pounds so I definately think they are on to something by having you switch out the shakers each month. I will post next Saturday to let you know where I am at then. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!!

Canceling Acai Berry Orders

For those of you who posted about Acai Berry Supreme and needed to cancel, please read my response. If you call the number I posted (you'll have to keep redialing them), they will pick up. At least they did for me, twice. It is a horrible tactic they use and should not be allowed to do it but they will answer. It is one good reason I will not be doing business with them, not to mention the price they are asking. I can get a one month's supply from Dr. Tim's for 14.99, free shipping too if I order 5 bottles. Huge price difference. I will be reviewing it after I finish Acai Berry Supreme. My hope is that it is just as good or better.

Update on Acai Berry

I have tried now the Acai Berry Supreme and let me tell you I love it! It's just way overpriced! Almost 100.00 for a one month supply! But it gives me so much energy! I rode my bike with my daughter today and did not want to stop! I had so much energy to burn. I am usually a slow starter in the morning but after taking the Acai Berry I was up and moving! I love this stuff! I did order and receive Dr. Tim's Brazilian Acai Berry juice and it actually has a higher content of Acai than Acai Berry Supreme but I wanted to finish the bottle first to review it before starting the other. Acai Berry Supreme doesn't have too many extras. It does have white tea extract in it though but like I said, I loved it. I now have high hopes for the juice I bought. It's even more natural and my theory is with the higher acai content it should be even better. I have for a long time had problems with my sleeping, however users of Dr. Tim's Acai juice say they sleep better and wake up refreshed...so I am thinking I might actually be going from: ok but not for me(Pure Acai Berry) to great (Acai Berry Supreme) to hopefully even better (Dr. Tim's Acai Juice). But for now, I love Acai Berry Supreme. I will post again on it as time goes on to give a full review of my expeirence. I have 13 days left with it, then it's on to Dr. Tim's. Have a great weekend everybody!

Sensa update

I started on Shaker #2 yesterday and noticed a big difference. First, I had not realized that how much I gotten used to the sweet sprinkles until I tried the new ones. It tasted so wonderful and that was how the first month's tasted to me at first. I guess that it is true that your body gets accostumed to it. I also noticed that just before I switched out the sprinkles that my appetite was starting to come back. But after switching to month 2 I was back to not finishing my full portions. I told my husband that if I keep losing weight that all I want for christmas is new clothes. I am using that to motivate me. I love clothes...well, I do when I'm not overweight. To be able to go into a clothing department and like how the clothes looked on me would be awesome! Here in Florda they have outlets all over the place and Bealls always has this cute little silky shirts...but they are mostly made for really slender girls/women. That is my goal, to walk in there buy whatever strikes me. What are your goals?

My Thoughts so far on Pure Acai Berry

I don't think this product is right for me. For some reason green tea leaf extract makes me either gain actual weight or retain water and this product has that in it. I woke up with a 4 pound weight gain overnight, yikes! Why I don't know because drinking the actual tea works wonders for me, the extract just seems to do the opposite.

But the Acai Juice I bought (which should be here tommorrow or the next day) doesn't have all that junk, it is juice and pulp from the actaul berry with I beleive pineapple concentrate. I think the amount of actual Acai Berry is 85% of the total juice content. So I am really thinking it will have a more positive effect for me. I am not so interested in weight loss as I am about health benefits. I have been doing fine with the Sensa and green tea so far, no need to fix something thats not broke.

Pure Acai Berry

I received my Acai Berry pills today (though there is only enough there for 5 days), so we'll see how they work. For those of you who are not aware of what Acai can do for you, here are a few of the benefits that hooked me: Highest antioxidant concentration than any other fruit (even more than green tea), helps lower total cholesterol, helps fight/prevent cancer, protects you from the damage of free radicals which destroys your healthy cells and speeds up the aging process and other causes health issues such as heart disease. It also may help you loose weight by curbing your appetite and speeding up your metabolism. I read a lot of comments from people who have tried it mention that they slept better and felt refreshed in the morning. One user even said that she woke up 45 minutes earlier than normal!

One thing I am not sure I care for is the fact that the "Pure Acai Berry" has so many other ingrediants: 300% DV of B6, 600% DV of B12, "Organic Acai Berry" 200mg, green tea leaf extract 200mg, ginger root 200mg, rhubarb root 200mg. I am also testing "Acai Berry Surpreme" in pill form. I originally got upset about the trial offer of this pill as they automatically enroll you in a program to receive a monthly supply and bill your credit card that you used for the shipping of the trial bottle, however I spoke will the company who assured me I could cancel the autoship after I received it. I also outright bought Dr. Tim's Brazilian Acai Juice. It's a 32 oz bottle and 1 serving (1 oz) = 5 servings of fruit. It has no ridiculous additives or fillers, not even sugar or artificial sweetners. It has a higher concentration of Acai than other brands, look here for an example: http://brazilbotanicals.com/images/products/acai/acai_content.png .

I do really feel that the green tea and the Sensa has packed a powerful punch curbing my appetite. I probably do not need Acai Berry for that purpose at all, but the health benefits of it is too much to ignore. Anything that reduces your risk of diseases and other health problems is high on my list. Anyone have any expeirence with it?

Update

I am so sorry I having been writing in the past few days. I have been working my tail off, but I made it through the week. Friday's finally here once more! I have been doing extremely well with the diet. I am not weighing in again until next week, but my clothes continue to get looser. I am hoping that next week I will see some good results. I have become addicted to green tea! The Sencha green tea is what I have been drinking and I love it. I ran out of the evolution brand yesterday, but the new stuff my husband picked up is also the Sencha variety. I am hoping to get more of that Acai Berry green tea later this weekend. I went bike riding with my daughter yesterday and I am trying to do that every other day, but really ends up being whenever I can find the time. Also, I am going to try out Acai Berry by itself in the pill form and post on the results. It is supposed to be better than green tea as far as antioxidant content. My sister can not drink green tea, so I thought if the Acai Berry works similarly or better she'd be able to use that instead. I know that this goes beyond Sensa, but my weight loss has not been any more or any less with the green tea (however, my body does seem to be slimming faster with it, aside from the weight. I mean as far as getting into my clothes). I just needed something to replace the coffee. Do I miss my coffee in the morning? Yes I do! But after the 2nd cup of green tea I have lost my taste for it. I am not saying that ditching the coffee has helped, but things are going good and why fix something that's not broke? As far as food goes, I am learning that I have to be careful to get enough calories in. Between the tea and Sensa, my appetite is really small so if I don't eat enough I get really run down. So I eat something with "good fat" and that usually does the trick. I think that you have to be aware of that because eating too little isn't healthy either. Maybe I should cut back on the tea a bit. I am drinking between 5-8 cups a day. I am finding it harder to fall asleep at night; I think I need to establish a earlier cut off time for drinking it. I will be starting on shaker #2 soon. I have not even finished the first shaker!!! I finish week 4 tomorrow and will likely change out the shakers then. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Acai Berry Scam

Ok, as I was looking up information on antioxidants levels I came across a website for "Acai Berry Supreme". It had one of those free two week trials (https://www.acaiberrysupreme.com//checkout1.aspx?bid=dec6c887-6bd6-47cd-bb51-6a9eedcc1009 ). I fell for it hook line and sinker. I had been wanting to try some because of all the antioxidants in it, but I didn't want to pay the hefty price if I didn't like it or couldn't use it. The green tea I have been drinking has worked wonders for me and if Acai is even better, why not give it a try right?

However, after signing up the infamous light bulb came on and I realized they didn't list the regular cost of this product. So I did a little digging and found out that they enroll you automatically into an autoship program. Not only do they autoship the Acai Berry Supreme($90.57 w/ shipping for a 30 day supply) they also send you "free" bottle of "total cleanse" (which I would never use) and you are auto-shipped this product as well for the "super low price" of $84.51 (shipped).

So needless to say I called the company to tell them to cancel any shipments beyond the free trial and they told me that I could not do this until I received the shipment (however your "free trial" starts the day your product ships...which begs the question, how long does it take to receive the package once it's shipped!?) Here is all the "hidden" information you'll need to know about this product: http://www.acaiberrysupreme.com/cpage.aspx?name=termsandconditions
However, Acai is the number one superfruit right now. It packs 6 times the amount of antioxidants as pomegranate which holds the number two spot and surprisingly enough each has more antioxidants than green tea. I will be posting more on antioxidants and my expeirence with them soon.

I will now be testing the Acai Berry in pill form, since I now have no choice:). I will post about my expeirence with it in future posts. This might be an option for those who can't stand green tea, or want something better than green.

I will be posting this on another blog because I would hate someone to fall in the same trap I did. I can't be the only one who has fallen for it...atleast I hope not:).

New Teas and More Progress

The new teas I bought are awesome. The Acai Green Tea definately tastes like berries but it is not overbearing. The Chocolate-Orange Green Tea, oh man! Not only does it smell exactly like Chocolate and Orange, it tastes like it too with no aftertaste IMO. I also tried a new ceral "Post Selects Great Grains". Oh my, it is so good! It only has "good fats"....though I might have overdone it this weekend with "good fats", we'll just have to see what the scale says. I will do my next weigh in on the 15th, maybe sooner just to let everyone know (I am two more pounds down this week). I put on some clothes today and they were so loose compared to last week though I have only lost two pounds. Does two pounds really make that much difference? If so, maybe I should rethink my philosophy "I only gained 2 pounds" lol. I think I am the queen of that. When I know I am being bad, I find ways to tell myself it's ok and that I can always lose it later. Oh the lies we tell ourselves when we are enjoying good food! I am so glad though that I did all this research because I still feel like I am enjoying food. Because I refused to exclude carbs, fats, ect and instead replace them with the healthier versions, my body doesn't crave them. I tell you though, before I bought this tea today I was beginning to miss my coffee. Hopefully, I'll continue to find good tasting teas as it really curbs my appetite as does Sensa. I think Sensa works, while I'm eating and the tea works between meals. I am finding that I do not need snacks as much...hopefully that's not a bad thing. We shall see.

Shopping

Just got back from doing groceries. I had been looking at some Sencha green tea from Evolution, but I thought that the asking price was a bit steep for being online. I wanted to try the Acai Green Tea and the Chocolate Orange Green Tea. If you go here you can see the prices: http://www.revolutiontea.com/green-tea/ . But today I found the same exact tea at Target for 3.99! Needless to say, I snatched up both boxes and the Chocolate Orange Green Tea smells amazing! It literally smells just like Chocolate. I am going to try both teas in the morning as I am finding that the caffiene keeps me awake at night if I drink it after 2pm.

Today went well. I had Oatmeal w/ milk, Special K Protien Water, raspberries, a glass of wine and salsa w/ avocado and 0 trans fat tortilla chips. I also had Green Tea and Water, but that's about it. I was starving by the time we got home, but there wasn't really anyplace to stop except fast food joints, so I just waited to eat at home. Next time though I think I will take snacks with me.

Let me ask you all a question for those of you who diet. Do your significant others complain about the prices of "healthy food"? My husband buys the stuff anyways because he sees that is working, but he always mentions how the food bill goes up if I am eating healthy. Do you all notice the same? In my opinion, it costs the same because cookies and cakes cost as much as the "healthy" foods. The problem is when you have 3/4's of your family eating "unhealthy" foods and snacks and one who wants to eat healthy...then it ends up being a double whammy. I am not saying that twinkies cost the same as a fillet of Salmon...but do we really need twinkies in the first place? My husband would say yes of course, maybe me too if I wasn't dieting lol. But getting twinkies, cookies, muffins ect at the same time adds up and it adds no real nutritional value. So are health foods really all that expensive? Am I wrong? Anyone have the same struggle at home?

Benefits of Avocado

Friday is finally here and I thought I would write about my favorite fatty food since being on my diet...and yes I said fatty food! When the weekend hits and everyone around me is eating pizza and party foods, I break out guacamole and some tortilla chips that are 100% free of trans fat. Believe it or not, it does such a good job of filling me up that I count it as dinner (and with the amount of calories I don't know many people who would call me unwise). I do not have to eat a lot to get full, but it satisfies that craving to eat something rich and flavorful. On the weekend many of us want to let loose and feel unrestricted. Avocado's are one of those foods that make me feel like I am being bad, but the truth is that is down right good for me. Here is why:


Avocado's are full of the "good fats" They are completely saturated with monounsaturated fats which are not only heart healthy, the also are known to speed up basal metabolic rates. They also help to reduce fat levels in the body; yes I am saying that eating a little of this fruit might actually help with your weight loss goals! This seems contradictory since the average Californian avocado packed 731 calories and 30 grams of fat! Yes I know, holy cow! But because it is full of healthy fats, it can actually be useful in weight management if eaten in moderation and in conjunction with an otherwise low-fat diet. There are several reasons why this may be. Speaking from my own experience, when I shared guacamole and chips with my husband at the cheesecake factory (appetizer), I didn't even make a dent in my actual lunch entree. More over, when I went to a planned banquet 6 hours later I barely ate a thing because I was still full. Now the food they were serving, while fantastic, was full of the wrong types of fat! Fat that makes you want to eat more, not less. So that leads me to my next possible reason which is that if you are getting satisfied eating the "right" type of fat, you may avoid more of the "wrong" type of fat overall. We all crave rich flavorful filling foods, especially when we are being deprived of them!

There are other health benefits besides weight management as well. Diets that are overall low-fat that include moderate amounts of avocado and monounsaturated fats actually helps lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and raise HDL (good cholesterol). In individuals that have diabetes, it also lowers triglycerides by as much as 20%! Also Avocado's are rich in potassium, fiber, vitamin A and antioxidants. Eating foods rich in fiber and beta carotene (Vitamin A) is one way that you can help lower your risk to certain types of cancer. Antioxidants are also thought to help prevent cancer as well as help slow the process of aging and limit the negative effects of a fatty diet.

The one thing I would like to say though is that moderation is key. Eating too much calories of anything is not going to help you lose weight. Also, try to replace good fats with bad fats. Such as using guacamole instead of creamy dips or sandwiches with avocado instead of butter or mayonnaise.

So, if you are like me and are approaching this weekend with the thoughts of treating yourself. Why not search for recipes that include avocado in it's ingredients and do not include satuarated fats or trans fat. You will likely fill up quickly and feel that you have satisfied that craving for something rich, creamy and/or flavorful.

What I had today...

Here's what I had today:

Breakfast: 2 serving oatmeal with 1% milk

Lunch: 2 pieces baked chicken (skinless)

Dinner: 1 1/2 servings multi-grain pasta with 1/2 lb of shrimp (made with garlic, canola oil, cilantro, old bay seasoning, salt and pepper)

Drinks: Water
Green tea w/ vanilla soy milk (7 cups)
2 servings light vanilla soy milk

Yes I know, no vegatables or fruit or snacks at all. I was really busy today. I think I drank so much green tea I wasn't hungry...or maybe it was Sensa...who knows. Either way, it wan't intentional. Hope everyone is having a good week!

So far so good...

I know it's silly to get excited so early on, but I can't really help it. This morning I saw another pound come off (since Sat) and yes I am excited over one pound...but it's also how my clothes fit. Honestly, I think I am making more progress with the way my clothes fit than with the scale. You see, I have tried other diets before and I would lose a few pounds but then it would stop, plus I didn't really notice a difference (except with the hormone diet, that really did work...but was it healthy? I'm not so sure. It gave me blemishes and I was hungry all the time...how healthy is that?). But this diet I am experiencing no side effects and the weight is coming off. I actually feel damn good! I don't know if it's the eating healthier or the green tea, but my immune system is back to the way it should be as well. I eat whenever I am hungry and I am still losing weight. Anyway, this blog is to document the long term results and post everything I am doing and the research I have done or end up doing; I just wanted to share my excitement with it. So far I am really happy with the results.

Today's Menu

Here is what I had today:

Breakfast: Oatmeal (1 serving) and 1% milk
1 cup yogurt

Lunch (mini-meal): Salmon

Snack (mini-meal): Salad w/ creamy Italian dressing
Whole Wheat toast

Dinner: 2 pieces chicken thighs (baked, skinless, in a chicken marinade)
Multi grain pasta (1 serving) w/ garlic, I can't believe its not butter spray, and salt
Mixed vegetables

Dessert: 5 chocolate chips (dark chocolate)

Snack: Cup of warm 1% milk

Drinks: Lots of cold water
6 cups green tea

Today I was a bit hungrier than yesterday, but I ate each time I felt hungry. I also craved something sweet, so I broke down and had some dark chocolate. Overall though, I am still eating way less than I used to. Hopefully it will stay this way. About the Salmon, I buy it at Sam's Club because Walmart wants to much for it (in comparison to Sam's Club I mean). The downside, there is a lot of it. So when you see it like 50 times on here it's because of that (I am picking out something else for next week). What I should have done was to cook half the fillet and freeze the other half...or even break it up it into thirds so I can break it up a bit. O'well, next time. The oatmeal...well I just like oatmeal and it keeps me full for a long time. There are so many other choices though! It's just what I have been using and it seems to be working so far.

Mary's Rules

Ok, I made some rules for myself a little while back and wanted to post them so you can get a better idea of what I am doing. Here goes:

1. At least 3 bottles of water a day

2. Eat only seafood and poultry for meat options

3. Desserts: low fat yogurt w/ sweet sprinkles, sugar free Jello, and fruit

4. Replace beer and other high calorie alcoholic drinks with a single glass of red wine or a cup of tea and a splash of rum.

5. Try to eat 4-6 mini meals instead of the larger potions "3 meals a day" (That's been going ok, but really, I just make sure to snack every once and a while so that I am not too hungry at regular meals).

6. Fast Food if unavoidable: Grilled Chicken Sandwich , no mayo and water.

7. Add acids to carbs when possible (citrus, vinegar)

8. Eat more apples, rolled oats, beans, legumes

9. 20-30% of calories from fat

10. Plate should be filled in the following way:
1/4 lean protein
1/4 good carb(s)
1/2 vegetables/fruits

11. Low-fat or fat free Dairy should be included throughout the day to equal up to 100% Daily value as listed on packaging (ex: Fat Free or 1% milk, Non-fat or low fat yogurt, low fat cheese, fat free sour cream, fat free cottage cheese, ect.)

12. Eat Big Breakfast

13. Eat lots of low fat sources of protein (I try to include protein at every meal as it helps fill you up faster, as does "good carbs".

14. Try to eat fruits and vegetables to avoid eating too much of higher calorie foods.

15. Work in "good fats" such as avocados, nuts, fish ect. (I eat some kind of nuts or peanut butter in small potions to snack on when I am hungry. It fills me up and I am still losing weight.)

16. No cream soups

17. Sprinkle sensa on everything

18. When cravings become too much and I need something sweet I have reasoned to eat dark chocolate because of its many health benefits (but I haven't had any cravings so far).

19. Low fat or fat free dressings with vinegar in the main ingredients, used sparingly.

Now my rules about cheating:

1. Cheat once a week or once every other week in some little way (to keep me from feeling deprived. I have eaten cake and had fuzzy navels and still lost weight because 99% of the time I am eating what I should be eating. I do not recommend this if you can not do so in moderation.)

In general:

I eat a lot of vegatables and protein and limit carbs. I have been eating carbs, but only good carbs. I try only to eat a few servings a day.

What I ate today

Today is not much different from yesterday:

Breakfast: Oatmeal (one serving) w/ 1%milk

Lunch: Salmon and Salad w/ fat free dressing

Snacks: Whole grain crackers and 2 pieces 50% reduced fat vermont cheddar cheese
1 medium Peach

Dinner: Shrimp (equal ratio of shrimp to pasta) and pasta (one serving)
Salad w/ fat free dressing

Snack: Warm cup of 1% milk
Non-fat plain yogurt (1 serving)

Drinks: Cup of tea with a splash of rum
7 cups green tea
lots of fresh cold water

Sensa sprinkled on everything.

Green Tea Benefits

I have heard the claims and seen the diets that are selling these days based on green tea. However, it is my belief that you can get the same or similar benefits simply by drinking green tea. I personally do not want the extras that are put into those products. Not to mention that studies that have been done claim that if you only drink green tea and change nothing else in your diet and exercise routine, you only lose up to 8 pounds a year. So although it is no magic bullet, it will aid in weight loss, that much it true. Studies show that you burn about 70 calories extra a day from drinking several cups of green tea a day.

Here are some of the health benefits you get from drinking green tea aside from those listed above:

1. Reduces (LDL) bad cholesterol levels, and also total cholesterol. It may increase good (HDL)cholesterol levels

2. Inhibits the growth of some cancers. (Green tea is not a cancer cure or treatment)

3. Helps keeps our blood sugars steady.

4. Decreases our risks for cardiovascular disease.

5. Full of healthful antioxidants (polyphenols) which has been shown to limit the effects of a fatty diet among many other health benefits.

6. May improve immune function.

7. Helps manage symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

8. Is a natural diuretic

9. Help muscles recover faster after exercise

10. Improves endurance during physical activities

11. Keeps us more alert

12. Inhibits fat absorption

13. May reduce appetite

14. Speeds up your metabolism

For more information, here are a list of resources:

http://www.colonhealth.net/weight_loss/Green_Tea_Increases_Metabolic_Weight_Loss.html

http://chinesefood.about.com/library/weekly/aa011400a.htm

http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/tea

Today's Menu

Ok so I am going to list what I had today:

Breakfast: Oatmeal (one serving) w/ 1 % milk

Lunch: Flaked Salmon Salad (I baked the Salmon w/ Garlic, Old Bay, Salt, and Pepper). The salad had tomatoes, baby spinach, Fat Free Caesar Italian and of course the Salmon (one serving).

Snack: Two pieces Vermont 50% reduced fat cheddar cheese (made with 1 1/2% milk) and whole grain crackers.

Dinner: Multi grain rotini pasta (1 serving of pasta) with Shrimp (cooked in lots of garlic, Pam, Old Bay and Pepper) and a bowl of Salad (baby spinach, fat free dressing and tomatoes).

*Note: The shrimp and pasta turned out really good, there was some juice in the pan infused with garlic. I put no sauce, but because of the little bit of garlicky liquid I did not need it. It actually tasted like that was the sauce, though it happened by accident. The juice came from cooking the shrimp (though only enough to reheat them as they were already cooked)

Snacks for tonight: 1 medium peach and most likely a mug of warmed 1% milk.

Drinks:

Lots of water
5 cups green tea

Everything except the drinks and oatmeal was sprinkled with Sensa

I am actually surprised this fills me up, because when I look at this list it sounds so small and boring. But honestly, I am not hungry (and those are the portions I should be eating but normally do not). I am completely satisfied with the food as well. To me it tastes really good. But see here is the thing, everyone has their likes and dislikes. All you have to do is look at the list of "good foods" that are out there and pick ones that you like...and try new things. I hated (and still hate) cooked spinach. But eventually I tried the uncooked version and really liked it. Try healthier choices and cook them in flavorful spices and such. My husband and I are big foodies and we love to cook and try new things. But just because you are eating healthy does not mean you have to give up taste. When I was cooking the Salmon today, the kitchen was so aromatic with the garlic and other spices that both my husband and son thought I was making some really good steaks. To me, it tasted so good, I was not at all disappointed that it wasn't steak. Also, I have found that things that I already like taste even better with Sensa for some reason. I am only saying this because I did not expect this (and the fact that I do not crave sweets). I bought Sensa merely for portion control, but it gave me a little more than that. I am still trying to see what happens in the long run. After all, it has only been two weeks.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Progress

Well this week I have lost 2 more pounds and am in a size 12 jeans. Same jeans size as last week, but they do fit a bit better. I went through my closet and found all the clothes I couldn't wear and can either now wear or need just a tad more weight loss for. Feels good. I have not had any problems. We had friends come over last night and I again had a few social drinks and for dinner had guacamole and chips. Avocado is a good fat, so not harm there. The chips had no trans fat and 1g of saturated fat. Not bad. All I can say it that I feel better and can see the weight loss in the mirror. That's enough to keep me moving forward. To me, it's not really a diet. I am still eating a lot of what I already like and I am eating till I feel full. I just kinda replaced the bad stuff with the good stuff and then sprinkled sensa on everything. I still have no cravings for sweets...don't get me wrong...I could eat them. It is just that I don't feel like I "need" them. For someone who always finished off her dinners with something sweet like cake or a handful of chocolate chips, that's huge. One thing that my sister mentioned to me over the phone was that she wanted me to write down examples of what I was eating so I thought that I would post what I ate for the day every now and then. So, today:

5 cups green tea
lots of cold drinking water
Breakfast: oatmeal with milk (ran out of bananas)
Lunch: tuna sandwich, whole grain bread and fat free mayo
Snack: two pieces of 50% reduced fat Vermont cheddar cheese and whole wheat (no trans fat) crackers, and an apple
For dinner tonight: whole grain pasta and ragu with a big bowl of salad a low fat vinaigrette dressing
Snack: either peanut butter and whole wheat crackers or warm mug of 1% milk

I know it doesn't sound like a lot...and well maybe a little "too healthy", but I swear since I have been using Sensa I have been completely satisfied. In fact, I enjoy what I am eating. Also, if you don't like green tea, what about white tea? It actually has more antioxidants than green tea, it much more mild and has a bit more caffeine. I am going to do a post about green tea soon, maybe tomorrow. I actually learned quite a bit about it in my research so I will post some of its benefits soon. Enjoy the rest of this weekend!

Good Fats, Bad Fats

To speak in general terms only, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are the "good fats" and saturated and trans fats are the "bad fats". However we should be eating at least 20-30 percent our calories from fat in our daily diet. Our bodies need fat, we just need to pay attention to how much and what types of fat we are consuming.

Saturated fats when eaten in excess can cause a rise in our LDL Cholesterol (the bad Cholesterol) and of course weight gain, as will trans fat. However, saturated fat is better than trans fat. Saturated fat comes from mostly from animal products but it is widely accepted that meals that have below 10% of calories coming from saturated fat is OK. Saturated fat is found in meat, dairy, eggs and seafood; all good sources of protein! So you don't have to cut it completely out of your diet, you just have to watch how much of it you consume.

Trans fat on the other hand should be avoided at all costs! It comes from hydrogenated oils. They were developed to give food products a longer shelf life and hold up better during production. Trans fats can often be found in packaged foods (especially baked goods), fast food restaurants, regular restaurants, vegetable shortening, and many other sources. Check nutrition labels and also look at the ingredients for partially hydrogenated oils when checking for trans fat.

Monounsaturated fats (MUFAs) actually lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. It will also increase HDL cholesterol, which is the good cholesterol. Sources include: nuts, avocado, canola oil, grape seed oil, peanut oil, flax seed oil, cereal, oatmeal, whole grain wheat, popcorn, olive oil, ect. MUFAs have been shown to aid in weight loss, especially in body fat. However, bear in mind that all fats contain about twice the calories of both protein and carbs. It is important not to eat over 30 percent of your calories from fat if you are trying to lose or maintain your weight.

Polyunsaturated fats also have been shown to lower total cholesterol and LDL Cholesterol. Omega 3 fatty acids belong to this group. You can find these types of fats in fish, and most other seafood, sunflower oil, corn, soy, and nuts.

In summary, we need fats! But eating the right kinds in the right amounts is key. As you can see, some fats can actually aid in weight loss.

Ok, enough research for now...

Ok, I will be posting more research later in the week, such as "good fats, bad fats" however, I want to write more about my progress with Sensa. My expeirment with the non-fat yogurt, bananas and sensa sort of failed I am afraid to say. I didn't like the taste at all. No fault of sensa, I just hate plain yogurt and sensa didn't help that. However, some foods I have found to be better tasting with sensa...it doesn't alter the taste...just enhances it. For example, I ate cheese and crackers today for a snack and sprinkled the salty side on. It tasted wonderful and I was satisfied with just two pieces. That to me is worth it. I really do feel that is helping me with portion control. Another thing that I have mentioned before, but am still excited about is the fact that I don't crave sweets. This is huge for me because I have a sweet tooth. Again, I realize that I am not evaulating Sensa by itself, but I can't get my head around spending all that money and not atleast trying to eat healthy. I am doing this to lose weight after all and not just that...to be a healthier me. I can honestly say I do feel better. I really do hope this works (and it looks like it is), as only one other diet has worked for me since I had my daughter(now 6) and it left me feeling deprived. Until next time!

Good Carbs, Bad Carbs

Our bodies need carbohydrates! It supplies us with much needed energy, especially for those who are athletic. But eat the wrong kinds and amounts of carbs and you can end up breaking your scale! I love carbs! Who doesn't? Most comfort foods are high in carbohydrates. But we need to eat the right kinds and not overload our bodies with carbs (unless you plan on running a marathon). The Glycemic Index, which I recently posted on is interconnected with good carbs and bad carbs. Generally speaking, carbs that are low on the glycemic index are "good carbs" and those that are high and nutritionally deficient are "bad carbs". "Bad carbs" are what experts think is the leading cause of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, high-cholesterol and among other health issues. Eating the wrong kinds of carbs and too much of them can have a contradicting effect, leaving you sluggish and low on energy. Eating carbs that are closer to nature, such as unprocessed grains are a much healthier choice and have tons of benefits! Fruits and vegetables are the best kind of carbs. Closely following are beans, legumes, nuts (on a side note, nuts are also on the "good fats" list) and seeds. Whole grain foods such as oatmeal, bran flakes, whole grain bread, whole grain pastas, brown rice, and so on are also considered "good carbs". Most good carbs are high in fiber, low on the GI, high in nutrients, stimulate and supports metabolism and provide energy. "Bad carbs" are things like cakes, cookies, pies (basically baked goods made with white flour and/or sugar), candies, non-diet sodas, white flour products, most potatoes, white pasta, ect. Cutting out bad carbs and incorporating good carbs will likely make you feel better, give you more energy, and help you lose excess body fat.

Recommendations:

1. Eat a serving of beans or legumes at least 1-2 time per day

2. Keep on hand a variety of your favorite fruits and veggies to snack on. Do not limit yourself to these. More often than not, we are not eating enough of them. Try to load up half your plate with them at meals, especially salads with low-fat vinaigrette.

3. Nuts are a great take along snack as long as they aren't a trail mix loaded with salt and candies.

4. Limit refined flour goods such as white bread, cakes, cookies, doughnuts, cupcakes, brownies (all the good stuff).

5. Choose "whole grain" products

Basically, choosing products and produce that are closer to nature and avoiding processed foods whenever possible is your best bet.

The Glycemic Index

The glycemic index is a ranking of carbohydrates on a scale of 0-100. A score of 55 and under is considered low on the GI, a score of 56-69 is medium and 70 and above high on the GI. High GI carbs cause insulin spikes and effects our blood glucose levels. That's bad because lots of insulin tells are body that we have lots of energy and need to store the rest away as fat. Whats worse is when it your levels come crashing down and you start reaching for more carbs, sugar and/or fat. Low glycemic carbs keep your blood levels more balanced and promotes slower digestion which will keep you feeling full a lot longer. Here is some of the benefits of a low GI diet:

1. Helps you lose weight and maintain it

2. Reduces the risk of heart disease

3. Reduces blood cholesterol levels

4. Maintains blood glucose levels

5. Reduces hunger and makes you feel full for much longer

6. Increases intervals of physical endurance

Switching to a low GI diet is pretty easy. I did it just this week and haven't had any complaints so far. Switching over to cereals with little or no sugar and primarily based on oats (like oatmeal), barley or bran. Personally, I find Oatmeal the most filling so that is what I am using now. Instead of using sugar I use mashed up bananas and milk. Also you can switch out your breads for whole grains, sourdough or anything mad with stone ground flour. Eating more fruits and vegetables will also help, as will eating brown or converted rice instead of white. Pasta can be bought that is made with whole grain. I switched to that and my husband, son and daughter could not tell the difference. I could but probably because I'm the one who bought it. Quinoa is a wonderful whole grain, Chef Emeril Lagasse used it in one of his segments on green planet found here: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/emerils-quinoa.html. I am hoping to find a place that sells it here at a reasonable price and using his recipe. The picture listed there is completely different looking from what they showed on the show. It looked more like brown rice. Also, eating sweet potatoes or new potatoes instead of regular potatoes is another good way to switch over. But do things gradually or it will give you gas and other problems. You can look up foods on the GI here: http://www.nutricoach.net/low_gi_foods.html.

Improving on last weeks food choices

Ok, so this week I included whole grain pastas, rice, and bread on my shopping list since they qualified as "good carbs" (more on that later). I also included oatmeal (another good carb). I will be eating either Oatmeal with mashed up bananas and skim milk or eggs, whole wheat toast and fruit for breakfast. For snacks I bought nuts and non-fat plain yogurt (I'll add in my own fruit) instead of the low-fat but sugar loaded version. Again, my thought process is that the sweet sprinkles will help me to accept this healthier version as I am not at all fond of non-fat plain yogurt. I'd rather buy key lime pie or mixed berry whips :). Everything else that I included for last weeks snacks will remain the same. I bought more Salmon. At home I have plenty of chicken and also shrimp, beans and so on for protien. I am eating some form of low-fat protien for every meal since it is supposed to fill you up. I also bought a bunch of green tea. I am planning to drink between 5-7 cups each day. I will post on how that is going throughout the week as well as more information on all the research I have been doing.

My Research

Ok, so before receiving Sensa I did a lot research on the web about good carbs, bad carbs; good fats, bad fats, ect. I also researched about the glycemic index and how it relates to weight loss and weight gain. I found out what my plate should look like in general (for example, half should be filled with fruits and vegetables), what foods help you lose weight and a wealth of dieting tips so I will be posting about those results and their respective benefits in subsequent posts. For now, I am going to tell you what I ate last week. As I was doing research I found that white bread, white rice, white flour and white pasta all cause significant insulin spikes which que your body into a fat storage mode. So, I did eat white rice but only in small portions and with either kidney beans or black beans and put some kind of low fat vinaigrette on it (acids such as lemon, vinegar and so on can lower the GI of food by up to 30%). I also ate huge portions of either fresh fruits (morning) or fresh vegetables (lunch and dinner). I had at least one serving of lean protein (fish, beans, chicken, ect) and lots of water. All of it was sprinkled with Sensa. For breakfast I either ate Special K with the sweet sprinkles and fruit or eggs cooked with Pam and a couple serving of fruit. For snacks I tried to include protein so that I kept full until regular meals. I ate things like whole wheat crackers and low fat cheese, low fat yogurt, peanut butter and whole wheat crackers, or a small portion of nuts with a serving of fruit. It worked like a charm. I shopped yesterday for foods that would improve on this even more for next week, I will post that later. I drank lots and lots of water, green tea and 1% milk and for those nights that I wanted a nightcap I had a cup of green tea with a little bit of rum. A glass of red wine might also be something I'd choose, due to the level of antioxidants and for the fact that research suggests that red wine limits the negative effects of a fatty diet (more on that later).

Great Weekend

Well, week one is down and I am very impressed with the results so far. I lost 7 pounds, I am 187. But let me be perfectly honest...I have been eating healthy while at the same time using Sensa. I did not entirely eat healthy however. This weekend our family went to friends houses. I had birthday cake at one friends house along with rice and Spanish style pork and then nibbled on a piece of coffee cake at my other friends house. I also drank fuzzy navel's and had a great time. What I noticed is that I did not have a desire for the cake and I ate smaller portions. Don't get me wrong, the cake was great...but I could have said no. And I noted absolutely no weight gain from my social eating so I do think the fact that I am eating smaller portions helps. I have replaced my coffee with green tea. That too is more healthy. Coffee spikes your insulin levels while green tea helps regulate it. Many studies have shown that green tea actually raises your metabolism and blocks the storage of fat to some extent. It also gives you energy, not to mention all those healthy benefits from the high levels of antioxidants. I thought it would be much harder than it was. I am an avid coffee drinker. We have a Delonghi espresso maker. I can not tell you how many cups I had in the morning and how wonderful they are! But the switch (while admitably was not as tasty) was a huge difference. My morning appetite came back (which eating a hearty breakfast each morning actually aids in weight loss) and my energy level was even higher than when I drank coffee. I can not tell you how good I feel after this week, not only because of the weight loss but because I feel better. Also to note, the pants I could not wear two weeks ago (and was I literally crying about on our vacation) not only did I fit into, but are loose. Much, much better. I'd like to also point out that I do not lose weight easily. To be seeing results so soon is extremely encouraging to me. So I will describe in my next post what I have been eating and the reasoning behind it. I will also be posting some nutritional facts and information that I have found useful in subsequent posts.

What it's like

Well I can say this for it already, it is satisfying. I am a food lover however, so flavors with naturally tend to satisfy me. But when I put the sweet sprinkles in my yogurt it tasted like a decadent dessert. On Chocolate? Chalky. I completely have no desire for desserts, which by the way I love. Fruit tastes like fruit, but better somehow. I could never eat fat free dressing and I do now. It's not that I don't like fully flavored ranch much better, it's just now I am satisfied with the fat free. So why not? I mix white rice (which I plan on changing to either converted rice or brown rice later on), kidney beans and salad together with the sprinkles and I am actually satisfied with it. Everyone is going to have there own tastes and likes, but I will tell you this, I am more satisfied with my food and eating healthy so far has been no problem. I try to incorporate protein in every meal. I am a big carnivore, but I have been eating less of it since using the sprinkles. Some users say that it takes a while before their portions change, others right away. Mine did. It does make you gassy though if you put too much on your food, but that easily counterbalanced with OTC products. I personally am happy so far with it. But we shall see as time goes on...

Purpose

The purpose of this blog is to log my success or failure with Sensa. However, since I believe that eating well and in a nutritionally sound way is the best way to live, I will also be adopting these habits with the help of Sensa. My theory is that since Sensa supposed to create pleasant smells and taste to aid in satifation, I should have no problem eating healthy food and being satisfied with it. Provided it works. Sensa is designed to help curb your appetite and cravings while you eat the foods you already enjoy. The website states that "Sprinkling Tastants (the flavored sprinkles mix) on your food makes you feel fuller faster by stimulating the part of your brain that tells your body it’s time to stop eating." It tested over 1436 study participants who changed nothing in there diet, just sprinkled this mix on their foods and lost an average of 30.5 pounds in six months. True, thats not fast weight loss. However, fast weight loss is not healthy and if this is a sustained weight loss over a six month period, that's just fine in my book. However, bear in mind that if you make other lifestyle changes, such as healthy eating and regular exercise, your results will likely be much higher. That is what I plan to find out. My start weight on Saturday, September 13 2008 was 190 (I am already losing, but I will post weights at the end of each week.