10 Ways To Lose 10 Pounds

There's a party goin' on right here
A celebration to last throughout the years
So bring your good times and your laughter too
We gonna celebrate your party with you
           Kool & The Gang


It was either that or Dora the Explorer singing "We did it."  I'd prefer Celebration, don't you think?

I have lost over 10 lbs.  I lost 6 lbs. in the first two weeks, and it took seven weeks to lose the next 4 lbs.  Seriously. 

Google "Lose 10 pounds" and see what articles pop up.  It's mind boggling to me.  Everything from a generic article on how to do it, to a promise to lose 10 lbs. in 3 days.  That's right, 3 days.  I can't see how that would be healthy for anyone.  I also can't see where any of the quick fixes can possibly be a permanent solution.  We all need some wiggle room.  And let's face it.  In order to lose weight, we have to find that formula that works for US.  We are individuals.  Our body chemistry is different.  In many ways we know what will work for us and what won't - so the key is to figure out what makes sense for our own lives.  So how did I do it?

1)  Water.  I'd have to say this was the biggest change for me, and the one that I would give the gold star to.  I drank water.  Almost only water.   Lots of it.  In conjunction with that I stopped drinking soda.  Mind you, I rarely drank regular soda anyway, but I think giving up even the diet stuff did wonders for my system. 

2)  Better meat choices.  I've become a white meat/seafood eater.  The occasional red meat splurge is lean.  Very lean.

3)  White flour is bad.  I severely cut down on white bread.  It's wheat or multi grain 99% of the time.  Added bonus - we found a multi grain bread that even my husband likes.

4)  Sugar is bad too.  I've cut back, but I can't say I've been as good about this one.  Ice cream is still very tasty.

5)  Much less alcohol.  I don't want to say that I was a lush, but drinking is part of my social network.  I eliminated hard liquor, and now only drink wine and light beer in very limited quantities.  Not only am I not packing on the extra useless calories, but the willpower not to indulge in bad foods stays strong.

6)  Eat at home.  We stay home a lot more than we use to for meals.  Now if we go out to eat it has to be for a special occasion - or at least a gosh darn good reason.  Stopping at a restaurant to finally have a late dinner after spending hours in the emergency room with my mom IS a good reason to eat out.  Just because one is too tired to cook is not.  Added bonus - it saves a lot of money.

7)  Blog about it.  Hold yourself accountable.  Many times I'd eye a piece of cake and the thought of having to admit to my readers that I didn't lose any weight that week kept me on track.

8)  Potato Chips and French Fries.  I have not had fries in 9 weeks.  I've had a few chips, but probably not even a bag full over the same period.  Fries are considered one of the worst foods to eat ever.  Potato chips are also on pretty much every list for foods that make you add pounds.

9)  Meditate.  Keeps the stress down, and therefore, no need for stressful eating.

10)  Reading.  If I'm reading, I'm not eating.  I checked out several books from the library and am really enjoying getting back to one of my favorite pastimes.

Now for the next 10!

Weight Lost This Week - 0.6 lbs.
Total Weight Lost -        10.4 lbs.