The Gift of Weight Loss

It's coming. Soon. Very soon. The gift of weight loss.

Your mission right now is to identify two people you wish you could give the gift of weight loss. If you could give two people the gift of weight loss, who would they be?

Stay tuned..............the details are coming.

Chocolate versus the Mango. And the winner is........

Chocolate I was craving
There was none to be found
I could go drive down to the mall
They sell it by the pound

This sweet tooth needed some relief
I cannot take no more
There is a mango rotting dead
on the refrigerator door

Chocolate would really hit the spot
Some say the mango would too!
Dark chocolate is a good choice, right?
And tomorrow I'll start anew

I grab my wallet, head to the door
The pups are looking at me
I'm just moments away from chocolate bliss
except I cannot find my car key.

I think there is a message here
So I grab a knife instead
I take that mango off the door
and peel it before it's dead.

The sweetness of that mango sure
was an unexpected treat
I did not really need that chocolate
and can celebrate the feat!

What's Your One Skinny Thing Today?

Inquiring minds want to know.

And if you're not sure what I'm talking about, keep reading the posts below. And don't tell yourself there is nothing you can do. I'll bet money on it! Lots of money.

Mine is to drink water at a dinner I am attending tonite.

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And don't forget to Read Rich's Other Blog Regularly as well

Is ice cream really what it is all about?

All summer long Carl has talked about driving to the town of Oxford, CT for the supposed best ice cream in the world. Everyone has ignored his request. I can pull out of my neighborhood and find several sources of ice cream within a 4 mile radius. I've got Dairy Queen, Pralines, Scooples, Ying Yang, the IGA, Cumberland Farms, and from the looks of some of the neighbors I am sure there is plenty of ice cream to be found in freezers nearby.

Well the other day we humored Carl; and he, Robin and I got in the car and drove 20 miles to this farm in Oxford. We arrived to a line of people about 15 deep. This is insane I thought. But it was about being with friends, not the ice cream, so I stood in line. This ice cream must be the jewel of ice cream.

I turned around at one point and the line must have been 50 deep, waiting to get to the one of three windows being operated by happy college kids who were earning tips for college, booze, pot, or gas.

So the three of us are talking and laughing and next thing I know my shoulder is being tapped and I am being yelled at by the woman behind me. I guess we weren't paying attention and we were next at the far end of the counter. We were holding up the line. Now let me just tell you that the woman behind me was not going to die if she missed ice cream or any sort of nutrition probably until 2025! But I digress.

So Robin and I share a small cake batter ice cream sundae. Yes, not cookie dough but cake batter; I didn't know there was a difference. Small could have fed the entire town of Oxford, whose population I think is about 13,000, but might swell to 1,000,000 when this place is open for the season. The line keeps extending down the gravel lot.

Cake batter was okay, just okay; not this orgasmic experience I was hoping to finally encounter. Carl threw out half of his toasted almond sundae as he is lactose intolerant. We hopped back in the car and drove home the back roads blasting disco with the top down. At least we had thirty minutes of great music.

Good friends. Good music. That's what it's all about.

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Are you reading Rich's Other Blog?

I'm watching my weight

Are you watching your weight?

Are you watching it go up? Are you watching it go down? Are you watching it like the Coney Island Cyclone, meaning it is roller coastering up and down with a start and end at the same point? Are you watching it go nowhere?

Watching means to look at, observe, or wait attentively. Not a whole lot of action going on there. Not a whole lot of weight loss at all. Unless of course you're just trying to maintain your weight. Then watching might be a good option. But I am not so sure about that either.

So for those people who are watching their weight and hoping it will miraculously jump into your next door neighbor's underwear...........Stop watching your weight. Instead, become intimately involved with your weight and get moving.

Now go take a walk, a power walk.

Calories on Menus. Nah, I have a better idea.

So I've been in NYC quite a bit over the last few weeks and eating isn't quite the same anymore. You see, the major chain type establishments, like Hard Rock Cafe and Au Bon Pain, are now required to put the calorie count on the menu items.

Well after looking at some of the calories listed on certain menu items, I think a much more fun approach would be to label things accordingly:

• Good for your ass
• Will grow your ass
• Your ass will become as wide as Texas

And considering the size of some of the hotel rooms I have been in, the last option is not advisable!

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So what's your Skinny Thing today? I'm doing a watermelon smoothie for breakfast instead of my oatmeal pancakes.

OneThing ---------------> Fat Thing ----------> Skinny Thing

if you live here in CT you might be familiar with Governor Rell's One Thing energy campaign. She is encouraging people to do one thing each to day to save money, save energy and protect the environment.

A couple of days ago I heard someone call someone else a Fat Thing and suggested all she needed to do was give up one cookie per day and she'd see a difference.

Well this got me thinking

So from this day forward I am going to ask you to take such an approach with your weight loss.............Take the Skinny Thing approach. What Skinny Thing can you do each day in the name of better health or weight management.

Are you ready for the challenge?

I just grabbed a container of raspberries instead of a few crackers.

Size Matters!

Hey it's true................Size Matters.

Size of your vegetables that is?

I seemed to have come upon something when it comes to people who grow their own veggies this time of year.

It seems that the veggies which are the size of the State of California end up with no taste and in the garbage disposal (and then we eat cake) while the veggies which are the size of Rhode Island are flavorful and delicious.

So yes, size does matter. Your zucchini does not have to be the size of the Washington Monument.

Fiber in Yogurt? Oh, please!

I don't know about the rest of you but I have been questioning the "fiber" in yogurt, ice cream and what appear to be fiberless products for a long time; well before that ridiculous commercial with the woman eating all those yogurts to get her daily dose of fiber.

I knew it had to be a ploy. Well it just might be. It's called chemicals - as I just finished reading in the latest action of Nutrition Action Newsletter. Yep, it seems that the "fiber" in your favorite ice cream may very well have no health benefits at all, probably does not act/react the way real fiber does, but it sure as hell is giving people the impression that they're doing something good for themselves. Once again, the cat is out of the bag.

So if you really want fiber, real fiber that is; fiber that absolutely has the benefits we're looking for...................Eat a piece of fruit or some whole grains for Pete's Sake!

I Know What I Need To Do

I Know What I Need To Do
A twenty-step simple weight loss formula- By Rich DiGirolamo

I need to:

1. Make better choices (almost all the time)
2. Keep a piece of fruit with me at all times
3. Take a walk with my best friend(s) today
4. Shop for Better Foods; regularly
5. Dress to feel proud
6. Eat at home more often
7. Buy fruit, not fruit fillings
8. Take an exercise class or exercise with a group
9. Keep myself hydrated
10. Read about nutrition
11. Ask for help
12. Hire a coach
13. Form a support group
14. Drink less alcohol
15. Learn to cook; experiment with food
16. Get off the damn computer already and go have some fun
17. Quit looking for the easy way out
18. Say No
19. Stop telling people how fat you are
20. Love and respect myself

That's it. It's simple. Can you do it?

What happened to the cookies?

Sunday was the family (and a few assorted neighbors) picnic. What I love about the family picnic is they descend, eat, make a lot of noise, make a huge mess, clean up and leave. It is great.

Well this time they did not do such a great job cleaning up. They left me a container of homemade chocolate chip cookies.

Yesterday my neighbor popped in; looking for a cookie. They were nowhere to be found.

"Where are the cookies?" he asked.

I just looked at him.

So........................

1. Did I eat them?
2. Did I toss them?
3. What would you have done?

I tossed them. My attitude is that they were not there seven hours earlier; life was okay without them; life will be fine if I toss them. What I do know is life will be crappy if I eat them............ that old guilt shame and disgust thing kicks in.

Are you with me?

Anything in your home need to be given the ole heave-ho right now. Go do it!

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What a difference a day makes?

Saturday I'm eating barbecued pork loin, lemon pepper chicken, salad, salmon, chicken sausage, corn, fruit, hummus, brownies, and grilled green and yellow squash. Okay, I am not eating all of that, but those are my choices.

Sunday my choices are hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage patties, all kinds of mayonnaise salads, taco salad-dip surprise, cupcakes that could feed six, chips, chips, chips and dips.

I like it much better when I am in control of the menu. Makes it so much easier to stay in control.

Don't you agree?

Asking TO Help

Please note the title of this post - asking TO help, not asking for help.

Yesterday I was hosting a picnic for a professional group to which I belong. Twenty-sex of my colleagues were here to network, socialize and of course, eat. It was a great day.

Now normally when I play host I do not accept help, but it was one of those days; I was a bit overwhelmed; I think a couple of people realized it. So this time, when people asked TO help, I stepped completely out of my character - and said yes.

I mean let's face it, we have all been offered help and should have taken it, but our pride or some other ridiculous insecurity or self-righteous attitude turned it down. Stupid us, huh? I realized yesterday that people asking to help means they want to ensure success, be it for you, the group or the situation.

So next time someone asks to help you in your journey to thinner thighs, say yes instead of telling them you've got it under control. Yesterday I did not have it under control; I realized it the minute I looked at the number of people standing on my deck and how twenty-six people were waiting for food that needed to be cooked on one grill.

I remember when I was losing my weight all those years ago, some people asked to help me; my attitude was I had to do it myself. Yes, you do have to do it yourself, but perhaps it is time to start thinking how doing it yourself means allowing others in to ensure your success.

Next opportunity someone gives you, figure out a way for them to help you! Deal?

and speaking of help.......................................

Do you have a home office? A friend/colleague of mine is offering to help you make that space someplace you look forward to being - and she is doing it for free. I bought Linda's services a few years ago and after doing a little Feng Shui of my office I had one of the most productive work periods in a long time. What she is offering is not about Feng Shui, but something much cooler - and again it is Free; so check out what Linda Varone is offering by clicking here. I am planning on being there!

While out walking the dogs..............

While out walking the dogs this morning a neighbor pulled up alongside of me. We where chit-chatting for a few minutes. She asked if I lost more weight. "Nope, still the same" I answered.

She started telling me she needed to do something about her weight, none of her clothes fit any longer.

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

"We have had this conversation once too many times. When are you going to do something about it instead of talking about doing something about it?"

She said I know and told me to have a great day.

How about you...........Do you think people are tired of hearing what you need to do and would love to see you do it already?

So what's the first step you can take right now, a step that makes sense for you, not what others think you should do?

Is it a walk with the dogs?
A healthy meal?
Pack your lunch?
Dress to the nines so you feel like a million bucks?

What's it gonna be?

I think I'll be a good neighbor and drop a copy of My New Self-Help Book in her mailbox today.

Junior's Cheesecake........The Best!

So there I was at the Marriott Marquis for 6 nights. Directly across the street is Junior's. Junior's has by far some of the best cheesecake on the planet.

Thursday: Arrive NY. I eat dinner, go see the Dark Knight, and on the way back to the hotel Steve asks if I want my cheesecake. I wasn't hungry. I passed. I still have 5 nights.

Friday, lunch at Junior's. Dessert is offered. Well considering the potato pancake I had for lunch was the size of a Frisbee, I declined. I still have 4 nights.

Saturday day no cheesecake. Saturday night no cheesecake. 3 nights; plenty of time.

Sunday: Attending convention all day; never left building. Dinner out with colleagues. I don't order dessert; I'm going to Junior's. I end up in stimulating conversation and a walk that didn't end until 1:00AM. Junior's had closed. I've still got time.

Monday: Never walked out of hotel as convention activities and "networking" (drinking) was too much fun. Friends are asking me if I want cheesecake. I'll get it tomorrow; or after the formal banquet tonight. Formal banquet leads to dancing. Yep, no cheesecake.

Tuesday: Convention ends. Spend the rest of the afternoon with Scott and Jess doing one of my favorite things in NY - shoe shopping on 8th street. Got a great new pair. Shopping becomes dinner; dinner becomes coffee in Chelsea. I'll stop at Junior's on the way back. Arrive back at hotel; forgot about Junior's. I'll get it on the way to bus station tomorrow.

Wednesday: Time to go home. I head over to pick up a slice for the bus ride. Client calls as I am walking to Port Authority to discuss employee program I am delivering next month. Time is ticking away. She is rambling; I am stalling my walk. She is rambling. I am going to miss my bus if I want this cheesecake.

Do I hang up?
Do I take the next bus two hours later?
How do I get this chick off the phone?

Six nights later, with cheesecake literally in my reach, not one piece. AARRGHHH!!!

Or maybe it is just not important any longer???

How about you..............Any old favorites less important in your world? I sure hope so.

Sometimes things are just too beautiful to eat

And if you believe that!