"The Skinny"
on Weight Loss!

March 2009

If you have comments, ideas for future issues, or any kind of feedback, I'd love to hear from you. Just reply to this e-zine and tell me what you think! You can also reach me through my contact page.

34 million Americans have Irish ancestry!
As for the rest of us, we just wish we did...

• For a period of time, vow to give up "recreational eating." Plan your meals and snacks and stick to the plan! Eat with intention. Focus on your food--chew well, and savor every bite!

• Drink a weight loss shake for a meal replacement or as a snack. It's an easy and excellent way to knock out your fruit and dairy servings. In a blender, mix skim milk, fat-free plain yogurt, banana, berries or melon, and ice. Yummy!

• Too busy or tired to exercise? Walk briskly for 10 minutes, three times a day. Research shows that this can be just as effective for burning fat!

Easy Diet Labels are one of the coolest and most innovative products I've come across in a long time! They are simply a collection of colored stickers you place on the food in your own home using the FDA nutrition facts label as guidance. The stickers range from red to green, just like a traffic light, and help you instantly identify good and bad food choices. With messages such as "great snack", "low cal", "high fiber", "low carb", and "caution, high sugar", your loved ones can easily see which choices are the healthy ones.

Need help understanding Nutrition Fact Labels? See our free food label tutorial!

Shaping Your Future: Diet and Life Coach Services

Laurie Beebe is a practicing registered dietitian for over 25 years. For the past few years Laurie has had a much higher success rate with weight loss clients by using a coach approach. You won't get a diet or a list of foods to eat! Spend some time with Laurie every week and find out what easy changes you can make in your usual diet to shave off calories. With just a few great tweaks you can be on your way to losing more than 50 pounds this year. And the best part is, you'll never have to go on a diet again! Don't wait...visit her site today!

#1 Endurance athletes who practice carb-loading may have to rethink that strategy!

Recent research is blasting that 1960s mindset out of the water, with evidence that protein creates a better muscle refueling and building response! In addition, protein reduces cortisol, a hormone that breaks down muscle.

Reported in USA Today, researchers argue that "carbs do not build or repair muscle. Protein does that job." John Ivy, a kinesiologist at the University of Texas, has been one of the leading scientists reporting ideas about protein. "Immediately post-exercise, muscle is very sensitive to nutrient taken." USA Today further reports that eating within 30 minutes of a hard or prolonged workout is critical to recovery, and eating within 10 minutes is even better!

#2 Just last week, new research confirmed what most of us already know. It doesn't matter what kind of diet program you decide to follow...it's all about eating less and burning more! How can we use this information to help us lead healthier lives? Simply put, choose a weight loss program, or eating plan that appeals to you so that you'll want to stick with it "for the long haul."

Stupid Chicken
(submitted by Marian)
(4 servings)

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 (28 oz) can Italian seasoned diced tomatoes
1 envelope Lipton Recipe Secrets Herb and Garlic
Parmesan to sprinkle or shave on top

Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Mix raw chicken, tomatoes, and Liptons together, and pour into crockpot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serve over rice (brown is good!) or bow tie pasta (whole wheat, of course!).

Chicken mixture per serving: 235 calories, 5 grams of fat

Editor's Note:

This is the month for Corned Beef and Cabbage! If you love this meal but want to carve out some of the calories, try cooking your corned beef in a crock pot! Add the meat and an inch of water and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Instead of cooking your potatoes and cabbage in the same pot, boil them separately in water or reduced-sodium, fat free chicken broth and spoon a little of the meat juices over the cabbage and potatoes right before serving. This gives you quite a bit of the flavor, without having it soak up the fat. Enjoy a pint (or two) with your meal--Slainte!

Achieve Maximum Weight Loss By Eating Soup!

Lisa's Story

Before: Lisa (on the right)

Lisa's story in her own words: "Like many others, my battle with my weight has been a life long struggle. As a kid, I was able to keep it under control because I taught dancing lessons and danced with my high school marching band. However, I tried every diet, beginning at age 13. The first time I let it get out of control was soon after I married. My husband was in the Navy and I stayed home and ate.

In 1992, I was part of the Phen-Fen phenomenon and lost weight and kept if off for the rest of my 20’s. The weight began creeping back on and by 1999, I was approaching 200 pounds. The law firm I managed was experiencing tremendous growth and 12-13 hour days were normal. I lived with the weight and exercised none in the early 2000 years.

Like most serial dieters, I tried many things during this time, only to fail – one step forward, two steps backward. In 2006, I began reading about the success of gastric bypass surgery. I researched and discovered that though my weight was high enough (230 pounds – I am 5’3”), my health insurance would not pay for the surgery. I was tired of feeling tired and knew if I did not do something drastic, I would soon have serious health problems. After many discussions with my husband and a few close friends, I decided to have the surgery. I went for my first appointment in August and my surgery was scheduled for October 10, 2006.

This was a very personal decision for me and I have never advised others to make this choice. (Though I was very open about my choice and am happy to answer people’s questions.) I am very fortunate that my surgery was completely successful with no complications. It worked just like the text books said it would. It took me about a year to lose 100 pounds (my goal) and in the second year, I lost another 12 pounds.

Since the day after the surgery, I have weighed myself every day. At first this was because it was so fun to see the scale moving downward; now it is to make sure I am not slipping. I still have a sweet tooth but I have learned to control it. I have treated the surgery as a second chance – one I am so grateful to have and determined not to waste. I try to make healthy choices and exercise at least 3 days a week, though my goal is 5 days a week. My mantra is, “eat to live, not live to eat” and one philosophy that has served me well is that if something is really good, then eat it again tomorrow; I don’t have to have so much at one time."

After: Lisa today!

Congratulations, Lisa! You look fantastic! I would love to include a "Subscriber's Success Story" each month. If you would like to be featured here or if you know someone who would, please reply to this email or use my contact page. Pictures aren't imperative, but they sure are inspiring!

Did you know that smelling your food may be more satisfying, and provide a greater sense of "fullness" than actually eating the food? Research suggests that you can increase your weight loss by enjoying the aroma of good food! Now that's good news!

Thank you for subscribing, and I hope you continue to enjoy our monthly issues of "The Skinny" on Weight Loss!

Remember, if you have comments, ideas for future issues, or any kind of feedback, I'd love to hear from you. Just reply to this e-zine and tell me what you think! You can also reach me through my contact page.

For comprehensive information about weight loss and wellness, please visit, Easy Weight Loss Tips!