Did you drive here?

Went over to a play cards with some neighbors last night.

They asked me if I drove to their house? They live around the corner.

But since they opened the door............I asked why it is that they drive to my house. Now folks I am talking a three minute walk, if that.

Their answer was "We have kids."

And perhaps fat ones they will become from this type of conditioning.

A Lesson in Dining Out

The other night four of us were out celebrating a birthday (not mine; mine is 4/22 if you want to send cards and Peeps).

The choice by the birthday girl was the Brazilian steakhouse - one of these places where they just keep coming around with skewers of different types of meats. They just keep appearing until you say stop.

Knowing this, two people decided not to eat anything all day long - so they would have plenty of room. Oh c'mon, you know the strategy - I am sure at some point in your life you followed the same course.

About 11:00 that night my phone rang. "I think I have food poisoning from that food. My stomach is killing me and I've been in the bathroom for the last hour."

My response: "No, you just overate like a fat ass." I hung up and went back to bed.

I'm glad I ate breakfast and lunch that day.

So let's talk about SUPPORT

Which by the way; was the answer to the riddle.

I was out walking the dogs this morning and ran into a neighbor. We got to talking and she mentioned that she was deciding whether to join a weight loss group or attempt it through one of the online options. Although the group thing seems to make more sense for her, the main reason for the online option.....................she has four little girls and time is a factor.

My response to her was "You have a husband. I'm sure he enjoyed making the children; he can watch them for an hour once a week."

She chuckled. And agreed.

But here is my question for you today..............................We all have someone in our lives who can provide some extra support in this weight loss endeavor; who is that person in your life?

A weight related riddle today

What do a jock strap, a bra and your best friend all have in common?

This is OUR Blog!

HEY SKINNY!

Remember the Back To School; Back to Dieting piece I wrote about one month ago? Well we're coming up on the 30 day mark of that post. So how are you doing almost thirty days later? Are you still having fun? Are you still excited? Have you told two fat friends about this blog? Tell two more. I'm sure you know some.

Well during the last month I've received some interesting success/idea emails. So today I thought I would share what's working for a few others.......................

• Andrea shot me off an email tooting her own horn that she is down about forty-one pounds. Toot away Andrea. Heck, you should all Toot! Toot to me. Toot to your friends. Toot to your family. Toot! Toot!
• Chris contacted me looking for additional kick in the pants reading. I referred her to My Good Friend Scott.
• Kris started re-reading her WW program materials and started re-listening to my Yes You're Fat I Like You Anyway audio program again. Forget Back to School and Back to Dieting. How about Back to What Works?
• Carol let me know she was down 90 pounds after her weight loss surgery, but then put 20 back on. She said it finally clicked................surgery was a start............she still needs to take control of her eating and her emotions. She's going back to her support meetings this week. Awesome revelation Carol!
• Deb told me that her trainer/nutritionist (female) has less time for nonsense, excuses and pity than I do. Her weight is only down a bit, but her energy level has skyrocketed. Thanks Deb..........I guess I’ve got work to do on being a hard-ass.
• And Bill told he me has received more attention from the women at work than he could have ever imagined. 40 pounds made a difference. So naturally I asked if he has taken that attention to the next level. His response............... email me to find out; but be prepared
  

So what's your story? What are you proud of? What have you accomplished? What are you going to accomplish TODAY? This is our Blog folks. Leave comments and ideas. Or just keep sending me the emails.

It's Almost Happy Hour

It's Friday at 3:15PM. It's almost Happy Hour.

So why is it that for dieters Happy Hour has the potential of turning into Fat Friday.

If you're planning on Happy-ing for an Hour today, try doing it responsibly.

You'll feel so much better on your next visit to the scale.

Well I'm off to a Par-tini Hour at 5:00 PM. I plan on taking my own advice.

Happy Birthday Grandma!

My grandmother (mom's side; I'll leave dad's side for another day) would have been 106 today.

My grandmother never cooked with salt.
My grandmother ate lots of fresh fish.
My grandmother ate lots of fruit.
My grandmother never obtained a driver's license and walked everywhere. She also forced her grandchildren to walk everywhere when we visited.
My grandmother ate stewed prunes. She also drank hot water, milk and sliced onions???
My grandmother visited the grocery store at least three times per week.
My grandmother rarely bought cookies and other crap; but was willing to spend extra dollars on quality food items.
My grandmother was a single, factory-working parent of two; her husband vanished when my mom and uncle were in grade school. She worked 12 hours per day.
My grandmother took half her meal home from the restaurant before it became in vogue.
My grandmother visited a butcher shop.
My grandmother roller skated.
My grandmother went dancing every week at Roseland Ballroom in NYC.
My grandmother always made my favorites. Looking back.......my favorites were healthy - for the most part.
My grandmother always cooked just enough; not too much and there was never too little.
My grandmother fed us jello with raisins and peaches for dessert.


My grandmother weighed all of about 110 pounds (5'0" tall) and lived until the ripe ole age of 91; and for the most part was healthy for 88 of those 91 years.

Is there a lesson or two or three for you to pull out here?

I'd love to hear about them; leave your comments.

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Okay Bicyclists, it is time. I need your money if you’re taking the Retreat from Your Weight Loss bike trip in a few weeks. Contact me today, so I can give you all the details.

And here is exciting news (well exciting news for me)………………the Town of Newington, CT is getting behind this project and has committed marketing four similar events over the next year – hiking, biking, snow shoeing and kayaking – think of this as a seasonal getaway with like minded people to kinda, sorta forget about your weight and the crazy emphasis you put on it. But don’t worry, even though thousands of people will be hearing about this I’ll always make slots available early for my loyal Blog readers.

And the answer is.................

Food?

Food is not the answer. It never is. And just in case you need a constant reminder………………..download, print this and perhaps pass it along.

And here's a little quote for you..............

"Food is energy. Food is fuel. Food is fun. But it is not an answer." - Rich DiGirolamo

Now try repeating the above over and over.

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Okay Bicyclists, it is time. I need your money if you’re taking the Retreat from Your Weight Loss bike trip in a few weeks. Contact me today, so I can give you all the details.

And here is exciting news (well exciting news for me)………………the Town of Newington, CT is getting behind this project and has committed marketing four similar events over the next year – hiking, biking, snow shoeing and kayaking – think of this as a seasonal getaway with like minded people to kinda, sorta forget about your weight and the crazy emphasis you put on it. But don’t worry, even though thousands of people will be hearing about this I’ll always make slots available early for my loyal Blog readers.

I didn't get to meet Suzy Hot Sauce

I didn't get to meet Suzy Hot Sauce the other day. There was an obstacle in my way.

The obstacle was about 5'9" tall. He was about as wide!!! It was not muscle. He was not a bouncer. Suzy Hot Sauce was not a porn star.

I entered Suzy Hot Sauce (the store) hoping to find something that would pep up some of my future meals. There were samples of hot sauces, hot dips and hot jams for the testing.

Well it seemed that one person decided it was lunch time and he just blocked the tasting table as he tasted and tasted and tested and tested.

People were watching him in horror, in disbelief, in disgust. I was embarrassed for the man; I was also pissed that he was just feeding not only his face, but the stereotype.

People are looking at you my friends. People are saying not so nice things. Don't ever forget that the next time you have a little pigfest in public.

Common Denominator?

What do green squash, yellow squash, sliced onions, barley, ground turkey, canned tomatoes, some water and some spices have in common?

a. They are healthy
b. They all fit into a slow cooker
c. They might taste good when cooked together
d. They might taste like crap when cooked together
e. They are a follow-up to Rich's post of yesterday
f. They might help lead you to a smaller butt?
g. All of the above
h. None of the above
i. Hooray, Rich gave me a recipe
k. Crap, I need to go grocery shopping
l. So much for macaroni and cheese tonight
m. Oh my god, that could feed me for a week
n. My family might like that one
o. It's moron proofed; anyone can use a slow cooker
p. You won't have to; there's not that much water in it.
q. It's quick
r. It'll be ready when you get home if you use the slow cooker
s. It's safe to leave a slow cooker on all day
t. It might be tasty
u. You might use the slow cooker again
v. It'll be a victory
w. I can have it again this week
x. If I eat healthy I might not need x-rays of my organs
y. Yesterday I promised to make a new recipe this week
z. Maybe this will help me get into a size zero

I've Got Two Words For You

I was staring at a restaurant menu yesterday when two words jumped out at me................

COMFORT FOODS!

You know what they are. We all have our favorites. Macaroni & Cheese is one of mine and was on that menu.

Well this morning I offer you two other words...........................

SLOW COOKER!

If you don't have one, go get one. As we enter slow cooker season here in the Northeast it's a great way to cook some healthy comfort meals and keep that beach body from becoming a beach ball body.

And as summer winds down I am curious.............................

Did you Skinny Dip or Chunky Dunk?

A Slight Chance of Being Thin

Several posts back I asked about your shape and as to whether it was round or pear. Well on Wednesday I learned a new term as it refers to our shape...................

I spent the day in Burbank California with a bunch of actors filming a video project. The actors were all about 22 years old. They also weighed all of about 22 pounds.

Well when the pizza was brought in for lunch they started razzing each other about their "slight" figures - and how they better not eat too much.

Slight!

I was afraid to shake their hands for fear of breaking them. And when I patted one on the back for his creativity and ingenuity, I felt I was touching that skeleton that we had in the corner of my sceince class back in middle school.

Slight!

Gaunt was more like it. Unhealthy looking possibly? I just hope the camera really does add ten pounds. There were six people at this filming. There were two pizzas brought in. There were leftovers!!!!!

I just hope this "slight" attitude stays in Hollywood. I don't think it is good.

Should we walk or drive?

If you're asking that question it only means one thing...................

It is close enough to walk.

Don't be lazy.

I'll have The Berries and Cream

The service was horrible. Sat down for dinner at 7:30. Got salad at 8:30; dinner arrived at 9:20.

Hostess was apologetic and told us dessert was on the house. None us has had planned on dessert - BUT NOW IT WAS FREE!!!

There was peanut butter pie, mint pie, chocolate flourless cake, caramel apple pie, cheesecake and berries with cream.

I'll have................................................

nothing.

Well that's what I wanted to say. But then the inner struggle started. I didn't want anything. (Yes I did.) I don't need it. (I know but you want it.) You'll have dessert tomorrow night (But this is free.) What's wrong with me; why I am I so weak? (You're not weak; you're human.)

I can't stand this.
It is all the restaurant's fault.
Order first before the others order and change your mind.
You know what is the best option here.
C'mon, you can do it.

I'll have the berries and cream.

The cream sucked; but at least I made the better choice.

There's always another choice. Always. Don't forget it.

Can You At Least Make Believe You're Skinny?

I just got home from a meeting of my professional association. It was a great day being with other entrepreneurs and professional speakers.

A good friend of mine was sharing with us a process he goes through with creativity. He said when you wake up tomorrow, pretend you are someone else.

Now this is not the first time I have heard of this little exercise, but I thought, maybe it is an exercise that you can actually include in your life - TOMORROW.

So here is my challenge to you……………….

Wake up tomorrow and pretend you are a Skinny, Healthy or Fit person that you know and admire. Live their life as you see it.

I'll bet you'll end up seeing less of yourself.

My plan was to...............

go out for an early morning bike ride today.........................

But I had computer problems last night and I had a prospective client waiting for a proposal for a professional development keynote for their company holiday party.

So I didn't get out on my bike today. And now it is 9:00 and I have a conference call at 10:30; so no bike ride.

My day is ruined.
My day is off to a bad start.

Has this happened to you? Has a little wrench in your day ever derailed your weight loss efforts? First no exercise, then poor food choices, then who knows what?

Are you with me? Has the plan ever been shot to hell and you felt so frustrated that.................................

Well get off the pity train........................

A long time ago I learned there is always another choice. So maybe it is a short kayak ride at lunch time (I’m fortunate to live on a lake) or maybe I’ll take my Trikke around the block a few times or maybe the walk with the dogs can be extended.

There’s always another choice. Right?

So next time you’ve got a wrench tossed into your day; take the choice of least expansion to your waist line!

Come sit with us and..................

Last night I was looking back on the summer and thinking about all the social events I attended. There were parties, picnics, a wedding, and some last minute unplanned impromptu gatherings.

How about you?

At any of these events did you hear the words...................."Come sit with us and talk."

That's the problem, no one wanted to talk. It was more like come sit with us and stuff your hands into bags of chips and popcorn. It was come sit with us and stuff your mouth with alcoholic beverages. Bottom line it was come sit with us and GET FAT!!

Unfortunately, getting fat is what most of those people did this summer - I've got pictures to prove it.

How about come take a walk with me and talk?
How about come take a bike ride with me and talk?
How about come take a canoe ride with me and talk?

Come sit with you! I think not.

Come move with me. You need it.

______________________

And speaking of moving......................,get ready to ride by clicking here.

Should you take it to work?

It's the Tuesday morning after a long weekend for many. Was it a weekend of food, fun and family?

And what about the leftovers? Did you throw them out? Or is the plan to bring them to work? And if the plan is to bring them to work, does the plan also include you having just one more piece of that fat, sugar or cheese laden decadence? Be honest?

And if you're not going to eat them why are you bringing them to work? To get them out of your house, right? Well do you realize you're also giving your co-workers just one more opportunity to complain to you how fat they are getting!

So do your part for the world's obesity epidemic; toss it in the garbage can this time! Perhaps others in your office will take your cue and start doing the same.

Just a thought for this Tuesday morning.

Surrender Dorothy!

Did you ever feel that way? The tempting food is overwhelming. There will never be enough fresh fruits and vegetables to keep you from tasting, picking, wanting, nibbling and eating!

What's a boy to do?

Robin arrived last night. She arrived with cheesecake, muffins, and fresh loaves of bread in hand. She arrived with cheese and bakery cookies. She arrived with food to cook us a gourmet dinner tonight. She loves olive oil and butter.

What's a boy to do?

What would you do?

Well right now this boy needs to get on his bicycle and get 35 - 40 miles on these legs. That should help a little bit - very little. I know this is a last hurrah weekend for some of you. Don't forget to include some extra movement in between these eating event days. (Walking back and forth to the cooler does not count.)

Thank heaven she goes home Monday.

Hey, and speaking of bicycles; going once going twice. If you're serious about the Retreat From Your Weight Loss. i need to know by Monday. And I can promise you that Robin will not be cooking that weekend.