Monday 30 April 2007

Halfway Point - Is it all downhill from here?

Well, lost 3lbs at today's weigh in bringing me to a 4 stone (56lb) loss since 8 January and and 4 stone shy of goal. It's taken just under 4 months to get this far and while I hope that the latter half of the journey will be as quick, I'm guessing it will take at least 6 months. In order to break the long journey up a bit, I'm trying to think in terms of mini-goals which seem to be constantly changing.

At the moment, I'm part of two challenges - one which began just after Easter and another which begins next week. The Easter Challenge goal is 13s 2 (184lbs) by 18/06/07 however, I am only 5lbs from that so will hopefully shift some more pounds beyond my 28lb goal. The new challenge, which begins on Monday is an 8-week challenge. I've set myself a goal of 12 s 5lbs by 25/06/07. That's 16lbs in 8 weeks. It would have been 14lbs to alleviate pressure, however if I shed 16lbs, I will reach my 75lb weight loss and be 30% less the woman I was at the start of the year. If I pull it off, even I will be impressed! After that, the next goal will be 10 s 8lbs (148lbs) - 40% lost. If I can get to that before my holiday in August, I will be bouncing off the walls!

Challenges are a fantastic way to keep yourself motivated - however, I am all too aware that they aren't all that one needs to keep motivated. Success at the scales each week is what keeps me going. I've found that this success and motivation extends far and beyond just the physical rewards however.

Friends and family alike have told me how my confidence seems to be soaring. My weight loss and my course at university seem to have been working together to undo years of poor self image. I know I'm still only halfway to goal, but I'm so curious as to who I'll be at the end of this journey as I've discovered so much in the last few months about myself that I chose to either ignore or neglect for years. After nearly a decade of hiding in a fat suit, I feel like I'm ready to spring forth and be the person I am. I've no need to wear the shield of lard to protect me from life's woes anymore. I'll just stand up and face whatever they throw at me.

Saturday 21 April 2007

A thirsty business


Everywhere I look, people are drinking from bottles of water. At college, in shops, at home - what is it about bottled water that has become so addictive? Surely with thirst like this, they should be considering a check for diabetes. It seems I am not alone in seeing this behaviour as slightly odd.


"If you follow your thirst, you won't go wrong," says David Perlow, MD, an Atlanta urologist. He notes that pre-modern man never ran around sipping on a water bottle. "A dry mouth indicated it was time to run to the stream for a drink."


Over the last twenty years or so, we've been educated by the media that we must have our eight glasses a day... and for the last three months, Weight Watchers have been advising me to drink more fluids to ensure a healthy weight loss each week.


Perhaps it's my guilty conscience as I only drink a pint of water a day, approximately two pints of tea and another pint of pepsi max. So, I'm left wondering, am I doing it wrong? Will my weight loss increase with an intake of this clear elixir?


Boost Your Metabolism


Weight loss is primarily the result of our liver converting stored fat into usable energy. Does increasing your water intake improve a sluggish metabolism? Dr Donnica writes: "The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (12/03/04) suggests that drinking sufficient water may actually increase the metabolic rate, or the rate at which people burn calories. While the researchers admit that the impact of their findings were small, this information could still potentially help with weight-control programs. In weight management, small daily improvements and behavioral changes can accrue for a significant long-term result. "


This German study involved reasearchers tracking caloric intake and energy expenditures among seven men and seven women who were healthy and not overweight. After drinking just over two glasses of water, subjects' metabolic rates increased by 30% for both men and women. The increases occurred within 10 minutes of water consumption and reached a maximum after about 30 to 40 minutes.


Dr Donnica notes: "Interestingly, the increase in metabolic rate differed in men and women. In men, burning more fat fueled the increase in metabolism, whereas in women, an increased breakdown of carbohydrates caused the increase in metabolism seen."


Researchers estimate that over the course of a year, those who simply increase their water intake by 1.5L a day without any other changes, will burn an extra 17,400 calories - five pounds. While further study into this is needed to confirm the findings, Dr Donnica notes: "Regardless of whether they are confirmed, drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water per day is an easy, harmless, and free first step for dieters."

Reduce your appetite

Maybe it's the appetite-quelling properties of water which cause this link. However, thirst and saiety expert Barbara Rolls, PhD points out that thirst and hunger are regulated by separate systems.


A study by Rolls and colleagues at Penn State University investigated whether people who drank water with lunch took in fewer calories than those who drank other low-calorie beverages. They discovered that drinking water had minimal effect on intake of calories at the meal.


"In all of our research, we have never been able to show that water can cause weight loss," says Rolls. She points out that the only way drinking water can assist weight loss is when it is a substitute it for higher-calorie beverages and foods.

Rolls, the author of The Volumetrics Eating Plan and The Volumetrics Weight Control Plan believes that eating high water content foods can aid dieters at feeling full. Rolls explains:"When you add water to a bowl of vegetables as in soup, the soup has greater satiety than when the vegetables are eaten alone with a glass of water, when water is incorporated into food or shakes, satiety is increased and subjects ultimately eat less food."

For the dieter, foods with high water contents can assist them to goal as: foods appear larger, higher food volume pleases orally and absorption of food is slowed, allowing you to feel fuller for longer.


A soon-to-be-published study by Rolls and colleagues shows that a high-volume eating plan resulted in more weight loss than a low-fat eating plan.

If you want to lose weight, Rolls recommends an eating plan that includes plenty of high-volume foods such as fruits, vegetables, broth-based soups, and oatmeal, along with adequate fluids to satisfy your thirst.

Friday 20 April 2007

Aiming for size 10?


Walk into several high street shops and you'll soon discover that no two size 10 garments fit the same. While I long to be a perfect size 10, what sort of goal is it without standard sizing in the UK?

Earlier this year, BBC News reported that Spain is to standardise women's clothing sizes as part of a government drive to ease pressure on young girls' concerns about body size.

As in the UK, clothes currently on sale in Spain often vary in size from shop to shop, despite carrying the same size label.

Some fear the labels are confusing shoppers and that efforts to conform could be leading to eating disorders.

The move follows Spain's ban of ultra-thin models on the catwalk during Madrid fashion week last September.

British women and their Spanish counterparts often head into changing rooms with an armful of different sizes never knowing which one will fit this time or whether any will fit at all.

Spain's biggest fashion retailers have bowed to government pressure to standardise their sizes by 2008 to reflect the real size of Spain's growing population.

Under new regulations, a size 40 garment in one store will need to be at least roughly comparable to a size 40 in another shop.

The move is likely to affect women and girls all over the world as international brands such as Mango and Zara have signed up to the agreement.

In a recent interview, Colleen McLoughlin, girlfriend of footballer Wayne Rooney, said that the fit of the clothing is better to concentrate on than the fit. However, if you've struggled to from size 24 down to a size 18, it would be nice to be able to wear that over a size 22 garment.

At present, I am wearing what I believe to be size 18 - how do my measurements compare to the high street "18"?

My measurements: Bust: 43.00"--Waist: 37.00"--Hips: 46.00"

Marks & Spencer--:Bust: 40.00"--Waist: 34.00"--Hips: 42.50"
Dorothy Perkins---:Bust: 43.25"--Waist: 35.75"--Hips: 44.75"
Next---------------:Bust: 41.00"--Waist: 34.50"--Hips: 43.50"
Evans--------------:Bust: 43.00"--Waist: 36.00"--Hips: 44.00"
Tesco--------------:Bust: 42.25"--Waist:35.00"--Hips:45.00"
BhS----------------:Bust: 41.25"--Waist: 34.50"--Hips:41.25"
Debenhams--------:Bust: 41.25"--Waist: 33.25"--Hips:45.00"


This little examination of measurements shows that there is no such thing as a perfect size in the UK. With as much as a 3" difference, it would appear that in some shops, I'd find myself fitting into certain size 16's wherein others I'd be forced into a size 20.


I think, at the end of the day, perhaps we need to sway away from the concept of size and look at how we feel about ourselves when clothed in a particular garment. While I know it will be tough, I'll just have to strive for a body shape that I alone will feel comfortable with - not one that suits a high street tag.

Thursday 19 April 2007

Feeling Dippy

Working up a sweat in the garden has left me hungry - for both lunch and a way to utilise all the veggies that will be harvested in the months to come. Over the course of the next few months, I will trawl through recipe books and the net and experiment in the kitchen and post recipes worthy of being attempted again!

These dips are fabulous with toasted pitta bread and are a great way to work towards your 5-a-day!

Zero Point Roasted Veggie Dip (4 servings) Points: 0
1 med courgette, sliced
1 med yellow squash, sliced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced
1 red onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Preheat oven to 180 C.
Pop your courgette, squash, bell pepper, onion and garlic on a baking tray. Spray with nonstick spray; season with salt and cayenne.
Roast vegetables until tender - turning once. Approximately 15 mins per side.
Transfer to blender or food processor and puree.
Transfer to bowl and serve warm, or refrigerate, covered until chilled, at least 2 hours.


Spinach Dip (Serves 24) Points: 1
10-oz. frozen chopped spinach - defrosted
1 cup low-fat mayonnaise
1 cup non-fat sour cream
3 spring onions, chopped
1 pk Knorr vegetable soup mix
Drain the spinach and squeeze dry.
In a medium bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients. Add spinach and mix well.
Refrigerate 3 hours before serving.

Dill-Cucumber Dip (serves 6) Points: 1
1 large onion
2/3 cup plain fat-free yogurt
8 oz fat-free cream cheese
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
2 tsp dill, fresh or 1 tsp dried
2 large cucumbers, peeled and cut into bite-size cubes
Chop onion in a food processor or blender. Add yogurt, cream cheese, salt, pepper and dill; whirl until well combined. Fold in cucumber; chill overnight.

Wednesday 18 April 2007

Stretching my way to the body beautiful

With summer on the way and my quest for the body beautiful underway, I've been thinking about stretches...and not the exercise kind.

Stretch marks plague approximately 70% of the adult population - both men and women. They develop when the tissue under the skin is pulled by rapid growth or stretching. Although the skin is usually fairly elastic, when it's overstretched, the normal production of collagen (the major protein that makes up the connective tissue in your skin) is disrupted. The breakdown or tearing of elastin fibers which lie under the skin in its second layer, the dermis, causes the scars we call stretch marks to form. These permanent scars vary in colour and while they may fade, it seems they will always remain as there is, at present, no method of removing them.

Some believe tanning might hide these eyesores, but it is important to remember they result from damaged skin and exposure to light and its effects may cause them to become more unsightly.

Laser treatments are an option, however their effectiveness is questionable in relation to the cost they incur. While they are effective in removing, vaporizing, and breaking down tissues, they are not able to repair the torn tissue which is what stretch marks are. Lasers primarily attack the upper layer of skin, seemingly neglecting the tear.

Surgery to cut away these eyesores is a surefire way to remove stretch marks, however it is a costly option. Abdominal stretch marks occur primarily below the belly button. As much of the skin below the belly button is removed during a tummy tuck, stretch marks in this area will also be removed. However, this is not a procedure to be taken lightly - for starters there's the cost - but also a great deal of pain and a lengthy recovery time. Top that off with scars created by the tuck and the general dangers of surgery and it makes more sense to search for a more natural method.

So, what's a girl to do? While currently there is no cure, some products are believed to minimize the appearance of stretchmarks. Products containing Emu Oil, Oleic Acid, Cocoa Butter, Wheat Germ Oil, Vitamin E and Lanolin are known to strengthen the skin and daily usage should cause these scars to fade.

I'll be going au naturel when it comes to the stretch marks - I've purchased my cocoa butter and hope to smooth them away with a massage a day. Hell, even if it doesn't make them go away, a bit of pampering goes a long, long way!

Monday 16 April 2007

Going green

Is going green the way to stimulate your weight loss?

A recent study published in the January issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that people who drank a bottle of tea fortified with green tea extract every day for three months lost more body fat than those who drank a bottle of regular oolong tea.

Researchers say the results indicate that catechins, found in green tea, may trigger weight loss by stimulating the body to burn calories and lower body fat.

While a study like this may sound like green tea is the answer to your prayers, a pinch of salt and a careful eye is needed - note the results were between green and oolong tea. Over the last few years, there has been a great deal of controversy about this ancient Chinese remedy.

In her book Green Tea: The Natural Secret for a Healthier Life, Nadine Taylor states that green tea has been used as a medicine in China for over four millenia - using it to treat everything from headaches to depression.

The Kissa Yojoki, or Book of Tea, written by Zen priest Eisai (1191) describes how drinking green tea can have a positive effect on the five vital organs, particularly the heart. The book discusses tea's medicinal qualities, which include easing the effects of alcohol, acting as a stimulant, curing blotchiness, quenching thirst, eliminating indigestion, curing beriberi disease, preventing tiredness, and improving urinary and brain function.

Eight hundred years later,Western medical research indicates that there are health benefits in the brew. It is reputed to be helpful with many ailments including: rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease and impaired immune function. The Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1994) published the results of an epidemiological study indicating that drinking green tea reduced the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly sixty percent. University of Purdue researchers recently concluded that a compound in green tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells. Research also indicates that drinking green tea lowers cholesterol levels as well as improving the ratio of good (HDL) to bad (LDL) cholesterol.

In recent years, green tea has become associated with weight loss for it's magical fat burning properties. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Nov. 1999) reported the findings of a Swiss Study at the University of Geneva. Researchers found that men who were given a combination of caffeine and green tea extract burned more calories than those given only caffeine or a placebo.

Japanese researchers claim if you drink five cups of green tea a day, you'll burn 70 to 80 extra calories. Dr. Nicholas Perricone , an anti-aging specialist, appearing on the Oprah Winfrey show, assured viewers that by swapping their coffee for green tea, they could lose 10lbs in 6 weeks. However, one must take into account that swapping a coffee laden with cream and sugar for a zero-calorie cup of green tea on its own would cause weight loss.

There are seemingly no drawbacks for overconsumption of green tea aside from insomnia as it contains caffeine. However this is unlikely to occur as the average serving only contains 20mg of caffeine.

However, as a miracle weight-loss drug, I just don't think there's enough REAL research out there to back up these weight-loss claims. Teas in general have anti-oxidant properties as well as diuretic ones - so I think I'll stick with Monkey and drink my PG Tips.

Loosening Up

Last month on a trip to the GP, my son, who is obsessed with gadgets asked if we could get a body fat monitor. At £2.99, I have to say I was intrigued.

Taking it home and entering in my weight details, I was mortified to get a reading of 54%. Surely this just isn't possible...but hey ho, I'll go with it. Re-taking the test and updating my details, it gave a reading of 47.1% on Monday. At least I know I am losing something!

While I am determined to lose my excess weight and am aware that it WILL happen, one of my fears is that of loose abdominal skin and excess skin on my arms. While I know stretchmarks are unavoidable - they can be reduced in appearance with regular applications of cocoa butter. However, one of my little fantasies is to wear a bikini one day in the not-so-distant future...how could I do that with an apron of loose skin hanging beneath my bust?

My answer? Tummy Tuck. Perhaps I've seen far too many Extreme Makeovers, but it seemed to be the only choice.

However, fitness instructor Ron Brown believes that such extreme measures are not necessary. The author of the Body Fat Guide feels that natural weight loss may be the solution.

Ron asks: "Is "loose skin" really unavoidable and inevitable after substantial weight loss? I believe the answer is no!The human integumentary system (skin) is not a passive layer of tissue that remains stretched out like an empty plastic bag after losing large amounts of bodyweight. Rather, it is a living organ, actively adapting to the body's internal and external environments."

While many resort to the surgeon's knife to remove these folds of what they consider only skin, Brown believes that the skin is not so much loose as it is flabby due to excess body fat.

As for the drooping folds, Ron adds: "In my opinion the droopy appearance of folds of skin is most probably caused by crash diets that sacrifice large amounts of supporting lean body mass. Even less severe diets can result in a substantial amount of muscle loss over time. "

By improving your body's composition and increasing lean muscle mass, Brown believes that it is possible to non-surgically remove this "loose" skin. He writes: "What is required to assist one in doing all this is an easy method to measure changes in one's body composition (muscle and body fat levels), and a method to monitor and modify one's energy balance, which is the balance between the calories one eats and burns each day."

Reading information like this makes me realise just how much we are manipulated into believing that the surgeon's knife can easily replace hard work. So rather than looking forward to a tummy tuck and its scarring in two years, I'll try a more natural option and grab an exercise dvd and work on replacing lean muscle mass while on my weight loss journey.

Who knows, I may get on the beach in that bikini much sooner than expected!

Fast Track Dieting

Since re-starting Weight Watchers on January 8th, I've lost in excess of 3 1/2lbs per week. According to the company's website, losing more than 1-2 lbs per week on average after the third week may be dangerous for long-term weight loss.

Rapid weight loss is usually followed by rapid regaining of the weight - something I hope to avoid. While Weight Watchers is by no means a faddy quick fix diet wonder, very low-calorie diets can be dangerous to your health. People who have medical problems caused by obesity might choose to try to lose weight rapidly under a doctor's supervision, but for most people it's not advised.

Many believe that in losing weight they are losing fat. While fat is lost, so is muscle. While fat contains roughly 50% water and muscle tissue is made up of approximately 70% water. With rapid weight loss can come rapid water loss. The consequences of this can be devastating. Electrolyte disturbances may occur - the consequences of which may be fatal. Severe dehydration can cause renal failure. On a more minor and superficial note, dehydration can cause dryness of skin and hair.

Starvation to achieve weight loss can alter hormone status - stopping the menstrual cycle, cause pancreatitis and reduce muscle mass. Over a long term, irrepairable damage can be caused.

Another issued raised by Weight Watchers is that the loser will be more likely to have issue with loose skin. With my many gains and losses as well as pregnancy in the past 20 years, I'm not sure whether this is avoidable...but I think that might be another blog entry entirely...infact, it will.

My points count has reduced again to 22 points per day. I have decided that, in an effort to avoid nasty health problems, I will do my best to eat all of my points each day as well as my water to see if it slows me down to a steady 2lb loss per week. The website advises eating all bonus points as well - however, I prefer not to simply as I'm usually full by the end of my points allowance. I have by no means been an angel since January when it comes to the diet - particularly over the last 2 weeks, so I am clueless as to why the loss has been high on average...but I'll do my best to keep it steady and keep it healthy.

Sunday 15 April 2007

Week 14 Weigh In

And another great loss! I'm now officially 80% the person I used to be with a loss now in excess of 50lbs! I didn't have much of a loss last week, so I guess my body made up for it this week. I did a bit of shopping yesterday and purchased loads of size 16's and most of them fit - albeit on the snug side. I'm feeling quite determined now to shift the pounds and know I will get to goal one way or another. I don't think I've ever felt quite so determined - the weight obsession has my complete attention now! Am dancing a quiet jig of joy from this end and looking forward to getting into the 180's soon!

Tuesday 10 April 2007

Week 13 Weigh-In

Whoops...forgot to do an entry yesterday! I've had a loss of 1lb this week despite an increase in exercise...although I must confess there was an increase in food as well. I did a quick peak at the scales this morning and it had me a few pounds lighter, so I'll strive to get myself in the 13 stones this week.

I read an article in one of the papers on Sunday about how gardening is great for keeping fit, so I just might throw myself out in the garden for a few sessions this week. My plan? To turn over a patch of land which I tried to make into a vegetable garden last year - the only difference is this year, I will produce something more than parsley! So far, I have tomato and pepper seedlings on the go, a strawberry pot in place and hope to get some potatoes, onions, carrots and more out there. The way I see it, it will not only get me fit but have me eating my 5 a day. No more using that excuse of "I haven't got any veg in the house" as a way to eat junk!

Thursday 5 April 2007

Get Fit, Get Laid

What better way to spring into spring than with a romp in the sack to shake off winter indulgence! We often think that something that feels good can’t possibly be good for us. Now it’s time to re-think that mantra ‘No pain. No gain.’

The latest research suggests that not only will getting in shape get us more sex but better sex at that by following a sensible exercise routine.

“Sexual function is affected by general health so the more you can do to improve your health with physical activity, the betíter your sex life can be,” says Dr Cedric Bryant, chief exercise physiologist for the American Council on Exercise. “A growing body of evidence supports the notion that regular exercise may enhance sexuality through a variety of mechanisms that affect the mind and body,” he says.

While I've often said there's nothing better than sexercise as a way to get fit, it seems now there's a pool of researchers backing me up! Keeping active positively affects your mind and in turn your libido. Dr Bryant adds: “Exercise has psychological benefits too, such as stress reduction, improved self-esteem, elevated mood and increased confidence. Each of these can contribute to a more enriched sex life.”

Improved sense of smell
After sex, production of the hormone prolactin surges. This in turn causes stem cells in the brain to develop new neurons in the brain's olfactory bulb, its smell centre.

Reduced risk of heart disease
A 2001 Queens University study which examined cardiovascular health found that by having sex three or more times a week, men reduced their risk of heart attack or stroke by half.

Weight loss, overall fitness
Sex, if nothing else, is exercise. A vigorous bout burns some 200 calories-about the same as running 15 minutes on a treadmill or playing a spirited game of squash. The pulse rate, in a person aroused, rises from about 70 beats per minute to 150, the same as that of an athlete putting forth maximum effort.

British researchers have determined that the equivalent of six Big Macs can be worked off by having sex three times a week for a year. Muscular contractions during intercourse work the pelvis, thighs, buttocks, arms, neck and thorax. Regular sessions can not only firm a woman’s tummy and buttocks, but also improve her posture.

Sex also boosts production of testosterone, which leads to stronger bones and muscles.
Magazine Men's Health actually went as far as to declare the bed the single greatest piece of exercise equipment ever invented.

Reduced depression
Such was the implication of a 2002 study of 293 women. American psychologist Gordon Gallup reported that sexually active participants whose male partners did not use condoms were less subject to depression than those whose partners did.

This could be down to the hormone prostoglandin, found only in semen, which may be absorbed in the female genital tract, thus calming female hormones. Paracaetamol-free pain-relief
Immediately before orgasm, levels of the hormone oxytocin surge to five times their normal level. This in turn releases endorphins, which alleviate the pain of everything from headache to arthritis to even migraine.

In women, sex also prompts production and release of oestrogen into the bloodstream, which can reduce the pain of PMS. The chemical promotes feelings of affection and triggers that nurturing instinct.

Live Longer
An active sex life may extend our life expectancy. Secrets of the Superyoung author Dr. David Weeks, a clinical neuropsychologist at Scotland’s Royal Edinburgh Hospital, conducted a study of 3,500 people ranging in age from 18 to 102. Weeks concluded that sex actually slows the aging process.

In one of the most credible studies correlating overall health with sexual frequency, Queens University in Belfast tracked the mortality of about 1,000 middle-aged men over the course of a decade. The study was designed to compare persons of comparable circumstances, age and health. Its 1997 findings, published in the British Medical Journal, were that men who reported the highest frequency of orgasm enjoyed a death rate half that of the laggards.

Immunity against winter nasties
Paul Pearsall, Ph.D., author of Superimmunity maintains that sex in a loving relationship helps the immune system by increasing the flow of certain chemicals in the body.
Wilkes University in Pennsylvania says individuals who have sex once or twice a week show 30% higher levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin A, which is known to boost the immune system.

In men, sex encourages the flow of testosterone, which strengthens bones and muscles and helps transport DHEA, a hormone that may be important in the function of the body’s immune system.

Fitter Bladders
Heard of Kegel exercises? You do them, whether you know it or not, every time you stem your flow of urine. The same set of muscles is worked during sex.

Pearlier Whites
Seminal plasma contains zinc, calcium and other minerals shown to retard tooth decay. I will assume most of our readers understand the unique mineral delivery system involved. Suffice it to say that it could be a far richer, more complex and more satisfying experience than squeezing a tube of toothpaste. Researchers also noted, that sexual etiquette usually demands the brushing of one's teeth before and/or after intimacy, which, by itself, would help promote better oral hygiene.

Harder, Harder, Harder!
Dr. J. Francois Eid, of Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York Presbyterian Hospital, observed that erectile dysfunction is an extension of vascular system. A lethargic member may be telling you that you have diseased blood vessels elsewhere in your body.
The urologist said: "It could be a first sign of hypertension or diabetes or increased cholesterol levels. It's a red flag that you should see your doctor." Treatment and exercise, says Dr. Eid, can have things looking up again.He says: "Men who exercise and have a good heart and low heart rate, and who are cardio-fit, have firmer erections. There very definitely is a relationship."

Sexual therapists remind us that frequent sex is a form of exercise. And feeling secure in a relationship leads to feeling happier, which could lead to greater health…and a younger look.

In fact, these studies indicate that intimacy plays a key role in the health benefits of sex. A promiscuous sexual relationship may actually produce an opposite effect by introducing a sense of anxiety and fear.

In spite of all these health benefits and the sheer pleasure of the act, many still need a boost. At least one-third of American couples report “inhibited sexual desire,” according to The Masters and Johnson Institute.

Sex therapists say sex acts on the principal of “use it or lose it.” So, for your heart, mind, and soul, the best advice may be to "Just do it."

Can healthy be unhealthy?

Twelve weeks into my WW journey and I'm realising that things aren't quite what they seem... Prior to WW, I looked at certain foods or food types as 'healthy' without really having a clue of whether they were or weren't. I simply went by reputation...I'm learning that rep isn't everything.

As a single parent, I've been lucky on this attempt (3rd and final) at WW - my son's supportive and he's adopted a lot of the foods that I am using on my journey. While I wouldn't necessarily prepare the same meals for him, I use the same principles. It's benefitted both of us immensely!

My nephews have been staying here each day this week and I must confess that I felt quite annoyed when yesterday I was told that I was 'giving too much junk' to them. It wasn't their mum saying this - but them! While I do relax the necessity for vegetables a touch when they're around, I definitely would not let them exist purely on junk. They're old enough to accept or reject what's placed before them, so I let them choose our lunch yesterday (I opted out...you'll see why).

The lunch I prepared on Tuesday was homemade wholewheat pizza dough and homemade tomato sauce topped with their choice of reduced-fat cheddar, mozzarella, pineapple chunks and lean home-cooked ham. For dessert, I made some cookies earlier using half-sugar and a very low fat margerine. I don't cook using anything other than flora diet for butter and I kept the salt purely to the dough (1tsp).

So, what did they choose for lunch? They selected frozen chicken and vegetable pies. I declined as the saturated fat content was massive thanks to the pastry. I decided I would keep it healthy for them and made some potato and broccoli mash to accompany. Oh, and some spinach too but didn't offer it to them as they retched at the utterance of its name. While the nephews ate ALL of the pie, they didn't touch the mash which, in my opinion, was the healthiest part of that meal! I actually felt quite proud of my son as he cleared all of his plate - apart from the pastry which he said tasted 'weird'. Children appear to be confused by the media and reputation into believing what's good for them. Yes, the cheese on the pizza was high in fat, but it didn't even compare to the fat in the pastry.

Today's lunch? Swamp soup (cream of potato and spinach) with homemade bread...but I don't expect them to eat much of it! So I have the wok on standby!

While kids can be founts of wisdom, I've learned it is probably best not to rely on them for healthy eating advice! Innocently, they absorb and believe the advertising companies slogans of foods like cereals being "wholesome" and "healthy". Perhaps instead of banning junk food advertising on TV or running healthy eating programmes in schools, there should be a focus on educating children and adults about being media-smart as well as getting their nutritional advice from professionals...and not of the ad sort!

Monday 2 April 2007

Week 12 Weigh-in

Another 3lbs down this week which is surprising for a few reasons:
  • Points have decreased to 23points (even more difficult as I've been thinking it was 22points all week!)
  • An army of Easter eggs seems to have taken over my house

I gave into my easter egg on Saturday, but luckily I had done enough point saving and exercise to balance it out and still lose weight. Phew! While it did taste lovely to have pure, undiluted and completely indulgent REAL chocolate, it is something I know I will have to think carefully about before having in future. You see, it's a slippery slope.

What amazes me is that it has been 3 months since I started this journey and not only have I lost 40-plus pounds, but I think I am finally learning the way forward. With only 68lbs to go, I know that the end is in the distance, but it's in sight...and I know I can do it!

I'm nearing the 200lb mark - 1lb shy now - and I can safely say that it's been approximately 3 years since I've been below it. If I get to it, it will be a milestone by itself! The next few months will take me on a trip down memory lane as I revisit weights of previous years....Here's my best recollection:

  • 200lb - 2004
  • 187lb - August 1999 (just after returning from hospital after giving birth to my son)
  • 150lb -October 1998 (just before falling pregnant with my son..after a LONG stint on Atkins)
  • 140lb - 1993

So, maybe the next few months will see me turning back the hands of time...returning to the physical health of my 20's with the wisdom that a decade and a half has given me...if only wisdom related to healthy eating - it isnt like I'm a sage or something!

Returning to college combined with the weight loss has left me feeling rejuvenated and in the words of a friend 'irritatingly peppy'...let's hope it continues and I never fall into lethargic again!

This week will have its obstacles - I am home with my son all week as well my nephews each morning. Also, my boyfriend's staying for a couple weeks. I've had unsupportive boyfriends but Andy's fantastic about it and actually seems to be enjoying it. He's incredibly supportive and doesn't seem to do anything that could sabotage my plans! He's lovely! So, I should be ok! Fingers crossed!