TIP OF THE DAY - SATURDAY AUGUST 1ST

THINK ABOUT THIS..."The principle is competing against yourself.
It's about self improvement, about being
Better than you were the day before."
Steve Young

Are you doing better today than you were yesterday on your diet and exercise challenge? Are you giving it your best? Are you really trying?

Remember you are first and foremost doing this for yourself. So you can be healthy and happy. All the other rewards are just extra.

TIP OF THE DAY - FRIDAY

GIVE IN TO TEMPTATION! There's room for treats in a healthy lifestyle. Eat sensibly, budget your calories and control your portion, and there's no reason why you can't indulge in a treat from time to time. I like this tip. We have been eating right now for 7 months so we should have set some better habits for our self. Why not have a treat, such as ice cream, cookie, small slice of cake or something like that. Just not all the time and take it easy on the size.

TIP OF THE DAY - THURSDAY

BUILD A BETTER BURGER. Nix the cheese to save 50 calories and 3 grams of fat or more. Swap beef for a veggie burger, use wheat buns not white and pile on the tasty, low-cal toppings; onions, pickles, tomatoes, lettuce and mustard. I love turkey meet so a turkey burger would be even better than the beef.

TIP OF THE DAY - WEDNESDAY

BE A KID AGAIN. Choose from the children's menu when dining at a restaurant. You'll eat less and save money. This makes good sense just remember just because you are eating a kiddie portion that does not mean you can have twice as much.

WEIGH INS FOR THE FOURTH WEEK OF JULY

WE ARE DOING GREAT...It looks like life is beginning to settle down again, although it may be several weeks before we all get in a routine again. Let's just worry about this week. We really did pretty good last week and need to pat yourself on the back for a job well done. Here are the results:
Liisa down 4.5 pounds
Sarah up slightly (stress will do that)
Eileen down 1.5 pounds
Renee stayed the same
Linda down 2 pounds
Becky down 1/2 pound
Angela down 3 pounds
Yvonne down 1
Joleane down1.5 pounds
Elizabeth up slightly (overtime at will will cause this)
LET'S JUST KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK...THERE IS ONE MORE WEEK IN JULY!!!

TIP OF THE DAY - TUESDAY

MINIMIZE YOUR MEATBALLS. Meatballs at a restaurant can weigh up to 8 ounces-more than twice a serving of meat. Make your own with extra lean turkey or beef and make them the size of a die. Six should equal a 3 ounce portion. I love this tip. I love turkey meatballs using my "MRS. DASH". To think I am going to eat 6 would be a real treat no matter how small they are. But a pound of meet would make a lot of meatballs. You could make a batch that would last all week. NO COOKING.

DON'T GIVE UP...THE LOSS IS SO WORTH IT!

As everyone checked in today to let each other know how we did last week I just kept thinking, how great it is that we are all in this together. It is so much easier. I wanted to try to post something to let you all know how proud I am of each of you. Your desire to lose weight and to share your struggles and feelings with us is remarkable. I wish I had Laurie and Joleane's and Elizabeth's ability to write my feelings and emotions. I must be to old. As I was wondering just how to let you know how I have been feeling today and not just blubber to to motivate you and keep you feeling good about your progress, not matter how small I received an email from sparkpeople with this message. Hope it helps. REMEMBER YOU ARE DOING GREAT AND BEFORE OTHERS CAN REALLY BE PROUD OF YOU...YOU NEED TO BE PROUD OF YOURSELF. Go look in the mirror and tell yourself just how great you are and how great you are doing.

Going Through the Emotions
Why It's Worth the Trouble
-- By Mike Kramer, Staff Writer
The world can be a beautiful place, full of possibilities and life. You can feel invincible and in control. But it’s not always like that, is it? The world can also be a stressful, upsetting, confidence-crushing place. At times, it seems like even something as clear-cut as weight loss is harder than it really needs to be. Is it worth the trouble, you ask. Why am I banging my head against the wall? Is it really doing any good?

You’re darned right it is!

When life and your mind are full of troubles, when things seem out of control, you’ve got to take control of what you can. When confidence is low, that’s exactly when you need to be at your healthiest, your strongest, your most energetic. There’s no better time to create your own little corner of sanity and positive feeling. The best way you can do that is to stick with those small daily weight loss goals.

You can be the hammer, making things happen, or you can be the nail that sits there and gets pummeled over and over. If you’re starting to feel like a nail, it’s up to you to keep your program moving forward. Gather yourself together, draw a line in the sand and refuse to give in to the doubts and temptation to give in or quit.

There will be good days; there will be bad days – sometimes several in a row. There will be lazy days and discouraging days. But there will also be days of revelation, days of making a breakthrough, days of being proud of who you are becoming, days of wanting to climb on top of your success and reach for the stars, because you just know that anything is possible.

These are the days that make it all worthwhile. These are the days that let you deal with those other, not-so-great days. Once you know those bad days will be there, it’s easier to accept them at face value and deal with them. But you have to keep kicking on those bad days to get to the good ones. If you’re not kicking, you’re sinking.

Don’t let the world or your own doubts take away one of the most positive things you have going for yourself – your determination to create a healthier, more energetic, more vibrant, more wonderful YOU.

TIP OF THE DAY - MONDAY

BE WASTEFUL! Faced with an oversize meal or treat we want to eat every bite. Savor a few tastes, set a limit and send the rest away. Throw it in the garbage, cover it with salt or drizzle with ketchup. NOT CHOCOLATE! Just don't eat it. Growing up we could not leave the table until our plate was empty, then when I got married and had children not only did I eat every time the kids and Calvin ate, I also had a tendency to clean up their plates, not Calvin's of course, YUK! I was taught that there were "starving children in China, who have no food", so I just couldn't waste a bite. BOLOGNA!!!If you eat out that is fine but when your food arrives immediately ask for a take home box and put at least half of your meal in it. You are not wasting anything and you have a meal for the next day, two meals for the price of one. You will be very surprised at just how good you feel when you don't clean up your plate. Another trick is to eat your meals on a salad plate, you really do feel like you are eating more.

TIP OF THE DAY - SUNDAY

FACE YOUR FEARS...When you feel strong enough, bring that temptation home. Knowing you have the strength to resist it can make you feel even more powerful. Just because the cookies are in the pantry doesn't mean you have to eat them. This is a great tip and challenge and it really works. My favorite candy bar, as everyone knows is Three Musketeers. Janet, Laurie's mom bought me for my birthday a big double bar. It has been in my fridge ever since. We are going to have a Relief Society Presidency here Monday and I am going to share it with the 3 ladies. We will each have half a bar. That should meet my candy cravings for another 6-7 months at least. It doesn't bother me to bake for others either and I feel really proud of myself when I do resist. Try it and see how good you feel too.

WATER - EXERCISE - WALKING

HOW MUCH WATER IS NEEDED BEFORE AFTER AND DURING EXERCISE? These questions have been on my mind a lot lately because I have increased my walking. Tor me at least it is an increase. I have been walking 12 blocks the last few weeks and Monday I will increase that by 2 more blocks. I see runners and walkers with water and I am wondering if I should be packing one too. I know Laurie has one when she runs, and yes I know I am not Laurie nor do I run 10-12 miles at a time. I also know I never will but if I could just get her passion and enthusiasm for walking that she has for running I would be happy and I am working on that. I know the more weight I lose the more I enjoy my early morning walks. To answer my questions about water, I sent an email off to Laurie to get the answer, someone I consider an expert. Here is her
answer, it helped me and hope it answer your questions as well:
"To my knowledge, at least when it comes to running, if you will be out for an hour or more, you should have some sort of nutrient and/or drink to replenish you. There are also factors that can affect your needs such as intensity, temperature and altitude. Here is a link to an article. http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/hydrationandfluid/a/ProperHydration.htm
Take a look at this web site. It has lots of good information.

TIP OF THE DAY - SATURDAY

FAKE THE FRIES. Swap the "fries" for some "bakes". Cut a potato (or sweet potato, or butternut squash) into wedges, sprinkle with oil and spices and bake at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 30 minutes, Flipping halfway through, Now this is a clever idea. I think I will try it for lunch tomorrow or Sunday.

TIP OF THE DAY - FRIDAY

START A NEW HOBBY! Many people eat when they're bored. Whether you take up knitting, table tennis, or scrapbooking, finding something to do with your hands and your mind can help you quell the urge to graze or binge. I LOVE THIS TIP... I am a grazer, I eat snacks all day and evening. With me I have to have a project I am working on to keep me out of the kitchen. For the first 6 months of 2009 it was making things and preparing for our campout and I did fine staying out of the kitchen. When the campout was over, I found myself grazing again. I have a couple of granddaughters, (and Jillian) who are into babies, (cabbage patch dolls), so I have been gathering supplies, patterns and ideas to make their babies each half a dozen outfits for Christmas. This should keep me busy and out of trouble till the first of the year. PERFECT!!
I love this tip because it refocuses my attention to something new and something fun. Today is Friday so think about it today, decide what you want to do, and make a plan and tomorrow get going on it.
You know, it doesn't have to be a craft hobby. Maybe you decide you are going to have a garage sale the end of August. Spend the next few weekends cleaning closets, drawers and garage for things for your sale. Don't forget to price them as you go. You will end up with some cash in your pocket and a clean house before winter. It's a win-win situation. Wow! This is a good idea and I think I will go suggest this very idea to Calvin.

TIP OF THE DAY - THURSDAY

SET AND THEN WRITE DOWN GOALS. Since I just wrote about this in the last post I
will just refer you all to that. Enough said for now.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE: MY GOALS - THE 5 R'S

Back in January I set goals for the entire year. They were between 6 and 10 weeks apart and with each one I was to earn a reward. I have not looked at that sheet since and when I got it out today I was surprised by several things. The first thing I noticed was that I had not reached any of my goals by the intended date. If I had I would be 20 pounds lighter. I also noticed that I have received all but one of the rewards anyway for the entire year. This proves that I did not set realistic goals and that I am spoiled rotten by Calvin. I CAN LIVE WITH BOTH. But what do I do now. I thought about this as I exercised this morning and went for my walk. This is what I came up with. The 5 R"S of goal setting that I must do now:

1) Review the goals that were set in January. Are they still goals I want to keep?

2) Reevaluate the goals. I still want to lose the same amount of weight, but now I
know it is going to take longer to do it and as long as I am doing my part that
is what counts. Maybe I need to walk a little further or longer?

3) Re-adjust and this means be realistic. While it was great back in January to say
I wanted to lose 125 pounds by next Christmas, I need to accept that it is not
going to happen that fast and that is okay.

4) Re-commit. Don't give up. It is going to happen, it is just going to take time.
Remember what everyone from doctors to family and friends tell you, "you didn't
put in on in a week and you can't expect it to come off in a week". While this
statement is true it is still not one you like.

5) Remember and Rejoice in what you have accomplished so far. I think this was my
biggest problem until the campout. I was seeing and thinking and worrying more
about what I still had to lose rather than seeing and being proud of all the hard
work I have already done. Thanks to all my sisters, friends, children, and grandchildren, although they may not even see me as fat and if they do they have never mentioned it to me, and of course Calvin for keeping me going. You make all the difference in my struggle and success.

I don't know if this makes any sense to you but for me I have now only one goal and that is to get down to 140 pounds and if that takes another year or more I am fine. My short term goals are set as I go along. I want to lose 5 pounds by August 8th for Calvin's 40 high school reunion. To accomplish this I am both exercising and walking 5 days a week. I am going to order myself something new to wear to it, but if I don't make it I will be okay in knowing that I have honestly tried my best.

Thanks again for all your love, help, support and encouragement...You are the best!

TIP OF THE DAY - WEDNESDAY

WING IT! Skip deep fried wings and cook up boneless chicken breast chunks doused in hot sauce. Make your own blue cheese dressing with low fat yogurt instead of mayo and add lots of celery for dipping. I always have a bag of chicken breast pieces cooked in the fridge. I use the ole George Foreman to grill them up. They are great for chicken salads, stir fry, pita sandwiches,or just with a little sugar free orange marmalade on them for a snack. They taste great too.

THE UPS AND DOWNS OF WEIGHT LOSS AND PICNICS

WELL WHAT TO SAY? It was very hard to diet and camp and party all at the same time
but we are all back home and back to our regular routines so now we can get back on track. Here is a look at how we did for the 3rd week of July and wow did Sarah and Joleane do great.
Liisa gained 4 pounds while in the wilderness
Sarah lost 4 pounds by staying out of the woods
Eileen gained just 1/2 a pound
Angela gained 4 pounds, she too went camping
Linda stayed the same which is always okay
Becky gained 2 pounds from attending the party
Elizabeth gained 1/2 pound by having a Pepsi weekend
Joleane lost 3 pounds with a new program called dailyburn.com
Yvonne lost 1 pound which is a miracle

Okay girls let's get back on track whether that means with sparkpeople, or dailyburn, or points, or whatever. We will all hope for losses next week.

TIP OF THE DAY - TUESDAY

WRITE IT DOWN...Trying to weigh the pros and cons of a decision is tough. Make a list, then start counting: How many pros and how many cons? The answer should be evident to you. WHAT IN THE WORLD DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH WEIGHT LOSS? I have no idea.

TIP OF THE DAY - MONDAY

MAKE TIME FOR TEA...Herbal and flavored teas pack plenty of flavor with few to no calories. Choose a sweet fruity variety to curb the afternoon munchies. Tea is packed with antioxidants too. Not all teas have caffeine so read the labels and save money. No caffeine teas are usually cheaper and healthier as well.

TIP OF THE DAY -SUNDAY

ENVISION THE CONSEQUENCES. What will this indulgence do to your plan? How far will it set you back? Will you be able to bounce back quickly, or will it take weeks of work> Next time you are tempted to eat that 1 slice of cake, or drink that milkshake, or stop by your "OLD" favorite fast food joint ask these questions and then decide if you really want to mess up your progress. Think twice then pass it by.

TIP OF THE DAY - PART 2 SATURDAY

I RECEIVED THIS ARTICLE WITH MY BIRTHDAY MESSAGE FROM SPARKPEOPLE. It goes well with my tip of the day today that I thought I would share it with you. It is a great reminder of "putting our self first", after all if we don't take care of our self who will?
Put Yourself First
Reach Other Goals by Starting With Your Self-- By Rebecca Pratt, Staff Writer
You’re a parent, school volunteer, and trusted assistant to your boss. You’ve been up since 6 a.m., made breakfast, packed lunches, cleaned the house, helped with homework, and read bedtime stories. It’s 11:30.You’re exhausted. And, in about six-and-a-half hours you’ll begin the whole 24-hour cycle…again.

If you find yourself saying ‘Stop the merry-go-round, I want to get off!’ you’re not alone. Most of us—especially women, but men too (hey, there are reasons that men die younger than women)—have at some time found ourselves at the bottom of the heap when it comes to taking care of our needs.

The problem with that is that if we don’t take care of ourselves, sooner or later we won’t be of much use to anyone else—or to ourselves. Just as the airline attendant tells you to put on your own oxygen mask in an emergency before helping a child with theirs, you must take care of your own basic needs before you can attend to the needs of others. What’s more, being busy is not necessarily the same as being productive with meaningful activity.

If “putting yourself first” (a common admonition) sounds too selfish or too hard, try something simpler: put yourself on an equal footing with those you love and tend to. Do you insist that they get enough sleep? Start making that a priority for yourself too. Do you give them time for fun and socializing with friends? Then you do the same! Since most of us already know that we should take care of ourselves—but often have trouble figuring out how to do it, here are some guidelines for getting there:
• Preserve your physical health with adequate sleep, exercise, and nutrition.
• Value your emotional health as much as the physical, with a support system of friends and a willingness to laugh—especially at yourself.
• Schedule fun activities on a regular basis—it’s just as important to plan pleasure as it is to plan work.
• Identify “busy behaviors” (or people) that drain your time and energy but aren’t really important, then dump ‘em, or at least minimize their hold on you.
• Try to look at the problems in your life with new eyes to find solutions. If you’re a new mom, for instance, see if you can trade childcare with another new mom to get some time for yourself.
• Learn to say “No!” Your “yes” is valuable and should not be automatic. Instead, reserve it for the things that are most important to you.
• Don’t try to change every problem area in your life all at once. Start with one or two items, then expand as you get things under control.
Your life should be like a checking account, balancing out on a regular basis so that you always have assets to draw upon. By making even small deposits—taking care of yourself with a 10-minute walk or a nutritious meal—you’ll be amazed at the interest you’ll reap.

TIP OF THE DAY - SATURDAY

THIS IS OUR 300TH POST. We are doing so good on this diet and exercise challenge this year and I think for me it is because of this blog in part. It is so great to have the support of family because this is hard. Not just to diet and exercise but to not get discouraged and give up, which would be so easy to do some days. So for today's tip it is to give yourself a big pat on the back and tell yourself you can do it. I have struggled with believing I could really lose 100 plus pounds but just as the camping trip ended, Renee was standing behind me and pull some of the extra fabric of my green jumper to the back while Eileen took a picture and do you know what? I think I am losing the weight I want and I now know I can do it. I wanted to be down at least 80 pounds by my birthday and was only down 59 pounds so I was very discouraged but then after Renee and Eileen's little boost and while on the way home we stopped in Glide and got a chicken sub to share, I went in the bathroom and looked in the mirror and pulled the dress back myself and DO YOU KNOW WHAT? 59 pounds it a lot of weight and I did it and I can lose the rest of the weight. I am over half way there now. So give yourself a pat on the back and praise yourself for what you have done and know, YOU CAN DO IT!!!

WEIGH INS FOR THE SECOND WEEK OF JULY

WE ARE ALL STILL ON TRACK AND STILL TRYING...I think considering that it is summer and very hot, and a time for barbecues, shakes, and chilling and no real exercise, I think we are are doing great. Here are the numbers for the second week of July:
Liisa lost 1.2 pounds
Angela lost 2 pounds
Sarah lost 2 pounds
Eileen lost 1/2 pound
Linda added 1/2 a pound (She has lost 11 pounds since April so she is doing great)
Elizabeth lost 1 pound
Yvonne lost 1/2 pound and
Joleane and Becky stayed the same.

GREAT JOB LADIES...

TOP OF THE DAY - FRIDAY

DRINK WATER...Thirst is often mistaken for hunger. When you feel an overwhelming urge to snack, drink a glass of water and wait 20 minutes. Your "hunger" pangs will likely recede. I like this idea and with 90 plus degree weather water is just refreshing.

TIP OF THE DAY - THURSDAY

SPRITZ IT UP. The next time you go out for cocktails, ask the bartender to cut your drink with seltzer or club soda. You'll save calories and the bubbles add a festive touch. Okay I know nothing about this one so you are on your own.

TIP OF THE DAY - WEDNESDAY

DISTANCE YOURSELF...When you're feeling the pull of something verboten, move away. don't sit next to the buffet table, find something to do with your hands at cocktail parties and don't let co-workers leave doughnuts near your next.

TIP OF THE DAY - TUESDAY

BRUSH YOUR TEETH. a mouthful of minty freshness will wipe away any memory of your craving. If it doesn't. take a bite. Toothpaste is a sure way to make any food taste bad. Your pearly whites will thank you. A good idea we all hate to eat right after we brush too.

TIP OF THE DAY - MONDAY

BRING ON A BETTER BANANA SPLIT'''Split a banana, add three "scoops of watermelon and top with strawberries, chopped nuts and a drizzle of vanilla yogurt. Don't forget the cherry on top. Now this is a clever idea.

TIP OF THE DAY - SUNDAY

DON'T CAMP IN THE RAIN!!!!

Saturday - Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Mom! Sorry I couldn't be at the party, I was really looking forward to it. It sounded like everyone was having a great time. Once again, I'm sure you've out done yourself. We love you and hope to see you soon.

TIP OF THE DAY - SATURDAY

OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND. If something tempts you, get rid of it or avoid it. That might mean ridding the pantry of junk food, changing the channel to avoid fast-food ads, or taking an alternate route so you don't walk or drive past a bakery. I know this sounds hard but it is easier than you might think. I love chocolate donuts. Whenever Emme has a sleepover Papa always makes sure there are chocolate donuts for her breakfast the next day. It does not bother me at all and she loves her treat and I love the fact that I am doing all I can to insure that we will have sleepovers for years to come.

TIP OF THE DAY - FRIDAY

TRACK YOUR CALORIES...Knowing you have to log that candy bar, extra large fries or second can of soda means you'll think twice before chowing down. Look up calories counts of junk foods to help discourage cravings. I love Sparkpeople for this very reason and use it all day everyday. Thanks Sarah.

TIP OF THE DAY - THURSDAY

CRAVING SOMETHING CREAMY. Go for Greek style yogurt. Even the fat-free varieties are thick, rich and creamy-with a bit of tang for extra flavor. Use it to top tacos, mix it into smoothies, or lightly sweeten and put a dollop on fruit. NOT ME...if I eat yogurt I have to stand by the sink because I will gag. That is by far the worst tasting and smelling stuff in the world. Thanks but no thanks.

TIP OF THE DAY - WEDNESDAY

MOVE YOUR ALARM CLOCK! Do you hit snooze a few times before getting out of bed? Is waking up for morning workouts a struggle? Place your alarm clock on the other side of the room to break the snooze habit. I wish I had an alarm clock with a snooze button. But Calvin just won't shut-up and go back to sleep no matter how many times I thump him on the head.

TIP OF THE DAY - TUESDAY

PHONE A FRIEND...When you want to blow your calorie bank, quit your gym membership or eat a tube of cookie dough, tell a supportive friend. He or she will distract you until the urge passes. This is a great tip and I should have thought of it before. Any of you are welcomed to call me anytime.

WEIGH INS FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF JULY

WE ARE PLUGGING RIGHT ALONG. I know it seems like the weight will never come off at least it feels that way to me, but if we will just stick to it we will see some positive results. Not as fast as we want of course, but we are also learning some patience. So here is how we did last week.
Liisa lost 1.2 pounds
Sarah lost 1.5 pounds
Eileen lost 1/2 pound
Becky had an off week and gained 2 pounds
Yvonne and Joleane each lost a pound and
Elizabeth stayed the same.

KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK AND WE WILL SEE MOST OF YOU THIS WEEKEND...
I CAN'T WAIT...

TIP OF THE DAY - MONDAY

START WITH SOUP. Research has found that eating a broth based soup at the beginning of a meal can help prevent overeating. Soups are high-volume foods but often low in calories. Choose low-sodium varieties or make your own. A big glass of water (2 cup size) fills me us just the same. I do love a good tomato soup with a grilled cheese sandwich or homemade bean or chicken noodle (wheat noodles of course) soup so this is a good tip if you are wise in your choices.

TIP OF THE DAY - SUNDAY

MIX UP SOME MILK. If you're craving creamy chocolate treats and nothing else will do, mix up a cup of lowfat milk with some chocolate syrup, then slowly savor each rich, sweet sip. Bonus: You'll get a boost of calcium. Now this is a tip for me. Another great treat with only 60 calories is fat free, sugar free chocolate pudding.

TIP OF THE DAY - SATURDAY

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY...ENJOY. Take a break and enjoy the day. Just be wise in what you are eating. if you have a few minutes today with nothing to do why not make a list of what needs to be brought to the campout. It is a week from today. I talked with Linda last night and she and Lee and Ivan will be there. I think she is going to try to stay at the same motel as Becky and Eileen. I also talked to Renee and she will be coming as well. I am going to try to get a hold of everyone this weekend so I can order the cake by Tuesday so give me a call if you have a minute. BUT ENJOY THE HOLIDAY AND THE FREEDOMS WE ALL ARE BLESSED WITH.

JUNE WEIGH INS

A MONTH OF UPS AND DOWNS, BUT WE ARE STILL AT IT AND THAT IS WHAT COUNTS.
I think just knowing we have attempted to stay with a diet and exercise program for over six months is a great accomplishment. Just look how far we have come and how much better we are doing than last year at this same time. The important thing to remember, I think, is that even if we falter we pick our self up, and begin again. That alone shows we mean what we do and say about losing this extra, unhealthy weight.
Here are our results for June:
Liisa lost a total of 2.4 pounds
Sarah lost a total of 2 pounds
Eileen lost a total of 1/2 pounds
Becky lost a total of 1 1/2 pounds and
Yvonne lost a total of 2 pounds
Joleane and Elizabeth are still getting used to summer foods and no school so
we will just look for their losses next month.

TIP OF THE DAY - FRIDAY

DOWNSIZE. Instead of buying-and ultimately eating-an entire pint of ice cream, buy a box of low-calorie frozen treats. They're instantly portion controlled, and you'll feel like you're spoiling yourself. Another idea and the one I use is that I buy extra packages of sugar free chocolate pudding cups, only 60 calories and freeze them. They make a great treat when I really need one.

TIP OF THE DAY - THURSDAY

PERK UP YOUR PIZZA. Ask for light cheese, plenty of veggies, and lean protein. Blot the grease, don't eat the crust and stop after one or two slices. Better yet; Make your own pie at home with wheat crust (you can use premade crusts). They just took all the joy and fun out of pizza didn't they. Might as well eat the delivery box or be like me at least for a while and just skip pizza all together.