Accepting Yourself, Accepting Weight loss

Last week a reader was mentioning she had a substantial amount of weight to lose and felt rather hopeless around it and wanted some ideas on loving and accepting herself.
Start with this. Every single time you hear yourself say something negative (it may be more in your subconscious mind but it’s there if you listen for it) stop, and then reframe it with a positive spin. For example, you might think something like "I’ll never look good in that," but you could say, “I’m in the process of looking better.”
Think of it this way, do you ever make some one else feel better about pointing out all her mistakes or flaws? Well it works with you in the same way. The first step is catching yourself actually thinking negative statements and then changing those thoughts to something with a more positive spin. I would suggest examining the law of attraction, particularly a book called The Law of Attraction, by Michael Losier. It’s an easy read and gives you some great insights on how to attract what you really want in life. He offers a much more effective way of doing affirmation work which actually works when practiced consistently. And, affirmations DO work, positive or negative. Hope this helps!

Adequate Nutrition while Losing Weight

The other day a reader of mine mentioned that her “biggest concern was how to maintain adequate nutrition while dieting. She said she spent a lot of time researching to stay healthy.” My answer to that is to work on consuming only real whole foods as much as possible.
Most diets fail short in nutrients by not consuming a variety of colored fresh fruits and vegetables. Most reputable health organizations are suggesting nine to eleven servings daily. Before you say that’s impossible remember the serving sizes aren’t all that big. Fruit is usually about a tennis ball size and vegetable servings are one half cup cooked or one cup raw (check http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetes-diet/da00077 for the specifics)

I usually suggest 2-3 small servings of fruit and five servings of fresh vegetables as the minimum while losing weight. Make your grains WHOLE(grains you have to actually cook, like brown rice, barley, beans, etc.) and consume sparingly. Dump all the processed cereals, soft drinks, juices and so-called protein bars. Most people are consuming too many processed foods anyway contributing to diabetes and heart disease. (Read Gary Taubes book, Good Calories, Bad Calories for the latest on this development.) Make sure you get adequate amounts of protein so you are satisfied and can control blood sugar (especially at breakfast which is where most people fall short with overall food intake).
Most people do well on a macronutrient balance of 40% total complex carbs, 30% leaner protein, and 30% fat (healthier fats preferably). Some can definitely go higher in carbs but it varies from person to person. NutritionData.com can help you figure ratios out. If you have a metabolic disorder sometimes it is even better to go higher in protein, it just depends on the person.
A broad spectrum good quality multi-mineral from a reputable health food store is also recommended.

Freedom from Overeating

I have a term called the “weekend mentality of dieting.” Actually it can be applied to special occasions, vacations, birthdays, and just about anything else. What it boils down to is an excuse for going off your eating plan. This weekend is no exception so I thought I’d better mention it because with it brings its own temptations regardless of what you are doing. When a person is out of his regular routine mistakes with food just happen. Unfortunately for most people this entire holiday means just another day off from a tedious work week, school is almost out until the fall, family vacation might be near, and of course with all this in mind, more eating to socialize around with.

So I'll give you this “food for thought”:
“Memorial Day is a day to remember why we enjoy our freedoms, which have been bought and paid for by our many veterans. Those veterans who have given their last measure of sacrifice for their country…… It has taken dedication and patriotism to make our country what it is. Although America may not be perfect, it is still the best place on earth. No other country enjoys the same freedoms we have - but it came at a great, great cost to many.” – Michael Ciric

We have to make minor sacrifices to be free from obesity and disease by making healthier food choices or at the very least not indulging with excessive amounts of unhealthy foods. Freedom from excessive eating is called quality of life and good health, free from disease and multiple daily medications. Be grateful for the freedoms we should take for granted.

Diet Mojo For Weight Loss

I’ve always liked the word mojo but what does that mean? Mojo is defined as: “the art or practice of casting magic spells; magic; voodoo.” How in the world can I claim “diet mojo for weight loss” you may be asking? Well, I can. You know why? Because each person really does have the “mojo” deep inside to lose and maintain weight loss no matter how daunting it might seem or how many times you have failed. I’m here to help you find that mojo. The key is that you really have to first "believe" you can. Without that belief it will never happen because you will never have the drive, energy, or willingness to overcome the challenge. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people have success because they really believed they could.

An example of a person who really believed in himself is Thomas Edison. They say it took him over 10,000 times before he invented the light bulb. (Other sources indicate he was the first to develop an incandescent bulb that lasted over 1500 hours, long enough to light a home.) He believed in his own ability to accomplish this amazing phenomena and if you read my other blog at Nutrition Data, at http://blog.nutritiondata.com/dieting_weight_loss_blog/2010/05/finding-peace-with-your-food.html . html Einstein had another important quality called persistence, still another crucial mojo a person needs for weight loss success. This is all part of the magic required for anyone who really wants to genuinely lose weight.

Readers what do you consider mojo for weight loss?

A Passion for Nutrition and Weight Loss

Since this is my first post here I promise you that my blogs in the future will be much shorter and contain information related specifically to diet and health. Prior to this I had been a contracted blogger for http://blog.nutritiondata.com/dieting_weight_loss_blog/blog_posts_by_elaine/ over three years while maintaining other professional nutrition consulting positions including my own nutrition business, "Weigh To Health." I just want you to know I have the qualifications and the years of experience (and was once overweight myself) to back up the information I give you.

My first experience in direct weight loss experience started in the early 1980s and in the 1990s I obtained my certifications and internship as a Diet Counselor, Nutrition Educator and Nutrition Consultant from Bauman College.

My own weight loss story literally revolved around my weight. I have maintained a 30 pound weight loss for, well, let's just say a very long time, over 20 years. My first diet was when I was as an adolescent and about 30 pounds overweight. I was just “fluffy” as a good friend termed it. The problem was, the struggle with weight issues didn’t end until I was almost 40.

I had two personalities. One was addicted to large quantities of unhealthy food, (I also had some unrecognized emotional issues which exacerbated the problem) and the other persona was the perfect dieter who measured and weighed everything, counted every calorie, ate all the “right” foods, and exercised regularly.

However, I never learned about balance to maintain my weight. It was “all or nothing.” And, it wasn’t about health, just appearance. It takes some maturity to realize just how much health really does matter.

The good news is that it is hard to diet without learning a little about nutrition. Finally I went beyond “dieting” nutrition and sought in-depth nutrition education to enhance my health.

Today, working with patients, I see the same dieting patterns over and over again, the same endless frustration, desperation, the black and white relationship with food, the desire for the weight to be gone RIGHT NOW, and of course dealing with all the misinformation pedaled by the diet industry. Being overweight is epidemic, and a concern that if not corrected frequently leads to heart disease, diabetes and a whole gamut of other proven related health conditions.

My thinking is that if I can succeed then others can do it too. I am passionately dedicated to helping others achieve not only their weight loss but all that goes with it, including optimum health. My biggest passion is helping those still struggling with the same challenge. (I am currently working for a bariatric doctor in the Silicon Valley, California.)

Readers, tell me what your weight concerns are. Later this week I'll start revealing more about "Diet Mojo for Weight Loss!"