“Finally Feeling Better”

I've been sick the last week with a head cold. (Yes, you can get colds in LA.) It hasn't really affected my ability to follow the rules, but it has made exercising a bit more difficult. I just haven't been as active as I should be. (That seems to be a trend with me.)

It's official: we're halfway through the program, so it's time to really step up. I'm house-sitting this weekend, and I'll have plenty of room to run around. Maybe I'll finally get around to trying the Sgt. Ken Boot Camp DVD that Bonnie lent me. I'll let you know how it goes!

Posted by Niccole on Friday November 07 , 2008 at 4:16

“Back on track”

I have gotten my work out schedule back on track. It is so much easier in the summer when they days are long, you can always run outside when you get home if work or something else has gotten in the way of your workout. I moved a few things around so I am not getting up so early in the morning everyday. Now with the time change, I get to work out in the daylight again...for now.

All we can do is keep up the good work!

Posted by Paula on Friday November 07 , 2008 at 2:09

“Hydrogenated Fats ”

I have been doing some research on Hydrogenated Fats to be more aware of what they are and in which foods they can be found. Based on current data, the American Heart Association recommends that consumers follow these tips:

• Choose a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole-grain, high-fiber foods, and fat-free and low-fat dairy most often.


• Keep total fat intake between 25 and 35 percent of calories, with most fats coming from sources of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats such as fish, nuts, seeds and vegetable oils most often.


• Use naturally occurring, unhydrogenated vegetable oils such as canola, safflower, sunflower or olive oil most often.


• Look for processed foods made with unhydrogenated oil rather than partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated vegetable oils or saturated fat.


• Use soft margarine as a substitute for butter, and choose soft margarines (liquid or tub varieties) over harder stick forms. Look for "0 g trans fat" on the Nutrition Facts label.


• French fries, doughnuts, cookies, crackers, muffins, pies and cakes are examples of foods that are high in trans fat. Don't eat them often.


• Limit the saturated fat in your diet. If you don't eat a lot of saturated fat, you won't be consuming a lot of trans fat.


• Limit commercially fried foods and baked goods made with shortening or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. Not only are these foods very high in fat, but that fat is also likely to be very hydrogenated, meaning a lot of trans fat.


• Limited fried fast food. Commercial shortening and deep-frying fats will continue to be made by hydrogenation and will contain saturated fat and trans fat.

Posted by Urszula on Thursday November 06 , 2008 at 11:33

“It's what I didn't eat that counts...”

If your Halloween weekend was anything like mine it was filled with sugary temptations at every turn. Friday we had cake in the office and bowls filled with candy. Saturday night I went to a party and there were home made cookies and pies. Sunday I went to a luncheon at a friends that served cupcakes and brownies. Sunday night my nephews offered to share their Halloween loot with me. Even though there are no perfect scores in my log for this weekend I still feel good about my entries because I said no to the temptations more times than I said yes. For me that is progress!

Posted by Michele on Monday November 03 , 2008 at 4:14