HAPPY HALLOWEEN

My Skinnies!!

As a reminder...............

Candy Corn is not a vegetable,

Milky Way probably has no milk of significant value in it,

and Grape flavored Nerds or Spice Drops are not fruit.

So treat yourself responsibly. For way too many, this day could be the downward spiral to the end of the year. But not you, right?

And please do not be like the moron, yes I said moron, who several years ago realized that she was depriving herself of candy and thought today was the day to re-introduce candy back into her life. She ended up gaining 25 lbs.

However, please do play a trick or two on someone today. Or turn one; it's good for calorie burning.

WAY TO GO!!!!

Received several emails from people this morning................

They were going out to finally buy the Halloween Candy. One even commented how a neighbor asked her to pick up some extra candy - seems the neighbor had to replace what she bought earlier this month.

Well had that neighbor been reading this blog she might have been enjoying the success that many of you do. But alas, we cannot help those who do not want to help themselves.

So CONGRATULATIONS to all of you who waited and didn't add unnecessary temptation.

Now run to the store and buy a candy you don't like; there will be plenty of that kind left; most people probably don't like it.

And don't forget about Reverse Halloween (my brainchild); that's where you open your door and yell trick or treat to the little boogers on the outside. Watch their faces. It's priceless!

And for my Heavy Thoughts folks..............How are you doing? Drop a note; I'd love to hear what you're figuring out.

Rules Schmules

I broke two rules of entertaining last night.

1. I tried a new untested recipe on guests.
2. I didn't make "enough".
   

A long time ago I was told (and I read) that you should never try an untested recipe on guests. I was also told you always make more than enough.

Well here are my thoughts.....................................If Good Housekeeping is publishing the recipe I am going to make the assumption that it has been tested a few times. Secondly, making more than enough is an attitude that will do nothing but get me fat. Don't you agree? Are any of you reading this a product of not "making enough?"

So last night the restaurant owner, the food critic, the waiter, and someone who spends a lot of time in the kitchen creating amazing food creations, were all at my house for dinner. The pressure was on.

Well, they loved the Pumpkin-Potato Gnocchi. They thought the sauce was perfectly light (my own creation); which was good for an 8:30 PM dinner, and there were leftovers. The recipe said it served six, there were five of us. There were at least two servings left over

Rules were made to be broken; and in this case breaking these two rules can save your shape. Because always remember…………………. Round is a shape; but probably not one you enjoy having.

The Wurst Food Ever!

No, it's not a typo.

Last night I attended an Oktoberfest!

Well thank heaven the food was awful. Dried overcooked meat. Meat wrapped around pickles.???? Cabbage in beet juice. Bratwurst. Knockwurst.

Or should I say a meal that was in the Top 10 WURST I've ever seen/had. Didn't even have to use that strategy of Positioning.

I was tempted to stop at a drive-thru on my way home, but it was 10:00 at night and my bed seemed like a better alternative.

Maybe Italians should just stick to things they know best - cheese, sauce and bread.

Sometimes I guess we weight conscious people have someone watching over us. No damage control needed today.................

But tonight is a Halloween Party.

Calling All Lazy Office Workers!

You might be in deep doo-doo. Now your boss wants you to exercise while you work and not go to the gym!

Read this article.........

http://www.forbes.com/leadership/2007/10/25/workplace-exercise-levine-lead-innovation-cx_tw_1025walkmaster.html

Yes, You're Fat! I Like You Anyway.

No, I'm not pushing my book or audio program, but I am going to share an experience that just happened this morning; a similar experience to the one that was behind the name of that product line.

I ran into an old colleague this morning. Okay, let me start over. I ran after an old colleague this morning. She saw me and headed the other way; and you know why. Yep, she got fat.

I could care less what she looks like. She's a good person. She's a lot of fun. That's why I ran after her. I'm also not surprised she got fat. You see, I always knew the way she lost weight was never going to lead to long term weight loss. She made changes that deep down inside even she probably knew were not long term oriented. So now she's overweight and hiding from people. I don't know which is worse, being fat or getting fat again?

But let me ask you this.........................Are the changes you have been making ones that can stay in the permanent file?

Just a Few More Days. You Can Do It!

I know you're getting worried. None of the good candy will be left if you wait any longer. Halloween is just one week away. You're thinking you can do it; you won't eat any. It's just seven days. You can stay in control. And even if you have only one piece it won't be that bad.

Can't you wait just a few more days?

Let's Have 69!

Shame on you! I know damn well what you were thinking. You should be ashamed of yourself. There are children in the room.

But there are sixty-nine days left in this year (beginning tomorrow, October 24th). Sixty-nine days left for you to be successful. Sixty-nine days left for you to work on losing that butt and belly. Sixty-nine days for you to continue on your weight loss journey. Sixty-nine days for you to chart your success. Are you ready? Are you interested?

Download this free excel file and begin charting your progress

The file is pretty self explanatory. But if you need help, email me.

Do this. Take the challenge. You're gonna look hot in January! Uh, I mean hotter.

And don't forget, for added motivation visit the Getting Skinny Department at Never Grow Up

It's a Wrap!

Let's see................... there's 1/2 a cucumber that needs to used up before it goes to vegetable hell. There's the remainder of the can of red beans from last night's salad. There's one whole wheat wrap left in the bag that seemed to have been endless. And there's some mayonnaise.

I wonder how a red bean, cucumber and mayo wrap would taste?

When was the last time you experimented in the kitchen?

Getting Heavy Part II

First of all, thanks to those of you who reacted so quickly to yesterday's post and already purchased You Have to Get Heavy In Order To Get Skinny. I hope you enjoyed the walk and I'm sure great mind/life changing ideas came out of the first exercise.

And for those of you who might be on the fence, or unable to climb one, let me share with you something I learned a long time ago.................Information is retained 10% of the time when we hear it, 45% of the time when we see it and 85% of the time when we write it down. And as I get older (44), I'm thinking I need to write things down 100% of the time in order to retain anything. That is why I put together this 31 Day Heavy Thought program.

You Have to Get Heavy In Order To Get Skinny is about answering some tough questions and deriving some new ideas; it's about making some tough PERMANENT changes that we all need to make in order to experience long term weight loss success.

So for those of you on day two, enjoy your "Alone" exercise. And for the rest of you, pull out a piece of paper and write a 500 word essay to this question.................... Why have I had so many unsuccessful weight loss attempts? Yes, 500 words. Paper. Pen.

If you won't do that, can you at least write down your food choices today to show some sort of commitment to yourself?

P.S. Just got back from walking the dogs. One of my neighbors was getting out of her car with two boxes of donuts and four chocolate milks. Last week she was complaining to me how fat she was and how she needs to do something about it. I guess she is doing something about it - getting fatter!Can you spell M-O-R-O-N!

Are you ready to get Heavy!

You Have to Get Heavy In Order To Get Skinny!

So if you're ready to do some work towards long term weight loss, click on the babe below!

If you're not ready, then click here

Pumpkin Ain't Just For Pie My Skinny!

How about a recipe today?

Mash up some cooked carrots and parsnips. Add some canned pumpkin to it.

Heat and serve.

Add any or all of the following before or after you heat:

sugar
sugar substitute
cloves
cinnamon
flavored extract
butter
whatever else floats your boat

You're a Liar!

So you say you've been following your diet but not losing weight (or you know someone who says this)?

You cross your heart, hope to die, stick a needle in your eye that:

• You haven't been overeating
• Your portions are never too big
• You only eat "healthy" foods
• You exercise regularly
• You never eat between meals or sneak food
• You count every little bite, lick and taste
• Your diet consists of the correct servings of fruits, veggies, dairy, protein, whole grain and healthy oil (fat) EVERY DAY
• Your diet not only consists of the above, but it is balanced EVERY DAY
• You drink the proper amount of water
• You stay absolutely in control when dining out or socializing

And you haven't lost weight in weeks?

It could be you're pregnant

or

You're A Liar!

How do I know?

I am the SCALE!!!!!!!

Are you really being truthful with yourself (and others) about your weight loss efforts?

And if this is not you, but you "know someone" who this applies to, I dare you to send them this link. Be a good friend or loved one.

What do you eat, Rich?

Okay, I keep getting asked, so here it is.............. a recent day of my eating.

Breakfast:
1 Dannon Coffee Yogurt (3)
1 Whole Wheat Pita with a Tbsp of Peanut Butter (3)
1 cup grapes (1)

Lunch:
1 package Green Giant Broccoli in low-fat cheese sauce (3) over
1 large baked potato (3)
Cucumber and tomato slices in Olive oil and vinegar (1)

Dinner:
2 cups shrimp & Broccoli (5)
1/2 cup white rice (2)
2 cups egg drop soup (2)

Snacks:
3 Marshmallow Peeps (2)
1 cup vegetarian chili (1)

So that was a sample day. For those of you who are following the Weight Watchers Flex Program, the numbers in parentheses should mean something to you.

So now that I've done it...........................how about clicking on the comments button just to the right and down and leave yours.

WHY DO I HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING!!!!!!

I'll get back to dieting....................

After the weekend.
When I get back from convention
After my vacation
After my birthday
After the holidays
After the company retreat
After the kids get out of school
After the cruise
After the marathon

or maybe

After the doctor tells you to lose some damn weight or you're going to die???????????

There is never a right time to be on a diet, but there is always a right time to eat better, move a bit more and get healthier. And that can be done.........

Before the weekend.
Before convention
Before my vacation
Before my birthday
Before the holidays
Before the company retreat
Before the kids get out of school
Before the cruise
Before the marathon

and before the doctor frightens the crap out of you.

How Much Do You Have To Lose?

How much weight do you have to lose?

Who cares?

Recently I was trying to make a big deal and celebrate a woman's 16 lb weight loss. Her response.................

"Yes, but I still have a lot to lose."

My response..........

"Seems to me you have a lot less to lose."

Once again folks, be it actual pounds or changes in behavior, you can acknowledge how far you have come or how far you need to go.

I know which makes more sense for me. What about you??

Stop over for...................

My cell phone rang the other night as I was driving home from a client meeting. It was one of my neighbors.

Seems that she threw a last minute birthday celebration together for her husband. She asked me to stop over for a sausage and pepper grinder. (As an aside I still hate that word grinder. I grew up in NY; we called them wedges. Some call it a hero, sub or hoagie. So I digress.) They were also having pasta and cake.

I was tired. I was hungry. I didn't want to cook anything. Heck, I didn't even want to use the nuclear wave oven and wait four minutes for my leftover stew.

Decisions, Decisions.

Did you ever have one of those times when you knew that you could stay in control, but there was no way it was going to happen?

So I used the dogs as an excuse. I said I would go home and feed and walk the dogs and possibly stop over.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm................ I had an out but I also left the door open. Inner turmoil is now occurring. Should I? Shouldn't I? It's only one meal. I can stay in control. I'll do some extra exercise tomorrow? I'll just stop in to say Happy Birthday (yeah right!)

Now once again.....................

Did you ever have one of those times when you knew that you could stay in control, but there was no way it was going to happen?

Well thank heaven Luck Sing is on speed dial. I ordered egg drop soup and a small shrimp and broccoli.

I guess you really can stay in control when you want. Right?

NetFlix Your WEIGH to Skinny

Heard this idea yesterday and thought I would pass it along................

Tired of buying video/dvd programs only to stop using them?

Try NetFlix.

They have a decent selection of videos. They get delivered to your home. You can keep them for as long as you want. If you like the program then go out and buy it. If you don't like it, you return it and get something else to try.

You'll either end up with a few programs you like or find a pretty inexpensive way to get a varied exercise routine. Seems like a win-win to me.

Or a win-win for you. I hate indoor exercise. But for those who do.......................................

Let's all move to Spain!

Saw a friend's daughter last night. I couldn't believe my eyes. She must have lost about 40 pounds. She was glowing. Her hair was a bit blonder. She was smiling.

Okay, she looked hot.

So I commented on her new look and asked her what she did. What diet?

She called it the Spain Diet.

The Spain diet?

I forgot that she had been studying abroad in Spain this past summer. She had to walk wherever she needed to go. There was no car to be used. Mass transit was available but she chose to walk whenever and wherever possible.

As for her food, she said she just watched not to go overboard and she didn't do a whole lot of drinking (alcohol).

Hmm.....................The Spain Diet. Is there a component of the Spain Diet that might work for you?

Muy Bien!

Prove You Are Not Stupid

It is that time of year again; time to prove you are not an idiot; time to prove you are not stupid; time to prove you are not a moron; time to not be haunted by regret.

What ever could I be talking about?

Halloween, silly.

And if you have already purchased the Halloween candy, there is a really, really, really good chance that all of the aforementioned will apply.

But here's an idea.................

Let's create the longest list possible of non-candy tricks or treats we can give the little boogers this year. Hit the comments button and leave your idea.

Yes, I Have. Thank You.

Beth has had a very hard time accepting compliments about her 50+ pound weight loss. I myself have at times been the victim of what felt like a head chopping when I tried to acknowledge the success.

She would shush me or tell me not to jinx her or go on and on about how much more she needed to lose.

Well the other night something happened. Her success was noticed. I was sitting right there. At least ten people must have heard the comment.

Her response was........................................................

"Yes, I have. Thank You."

And that's how easy it is my friends. Take the compliment and run! They don't come too often and for some odd reason they stop at some point in time - usually when we need them most.

Just A Bit Of Fun Today

Butt

if you

are

overly

sensitive

you

should

click here


otherwise

continue

scrolling

down

to

learn

about

a man

who is

about to

die

Afterward: 2 years later she was at goal; hotter than hell; and married a stud.

Here Come the Future Fat Adults!

Here's a great way to help tackle the youth obesity epidemic and get mom and dad moving a bit more as well........................

Go back to the days when there were bus stops.

I find it absolutely absurd that a school bus will stop at every other house to pick up kids. When I was a kid we walked to a bus stop; a central place in the neighborhood. The kids in my current neighborhood walk to a central stop - and there are no sidewalks here; so don't even try the "there are no sidewalks" excuse.

So at 7:30 this morning when I watched a school bus stop at every other house I was saddened (okay I was also pissed that I was being detained). All I could think was here come the future lazy fat adults.

Go take a walk today. Everyone. And force your kids to go with you. Find out what they learned at school. After all we could all use to learn something new.