Post 17 / Day 107 ~ The Missing Ingredient to Healthy Weight Loss

To diet or non-diet?  More importantly... WHICH DIET?!?  


THAT'S THE QUESTION!


There's the Alkaline Diet, Alli, Atkins diet, Baby Food Diet, Belly Fat Cure, Best Life Diet, Big Breakfast Diet, Biggest Loser Diet, Biggest Loser Simple Swaps, Body for Life, Brown Fat Revolution, Cabbage Soup Diet, The Carb Lovers Diet, The Caveman (Paleo) Diet, Cheater's Diet, Cinch Diet, Cookie Diet, Detox Diets, The Diet Solution, Dr. Oz Ultimate Diet, Dr. Phil's Ultimate Weight Solution, Dukan Diet, The Eat-Clean Diet, Eat More Weigh Less, Eat Right for Your Type, Eat This - Not That, Eat What You Love, Eco Atkins Diet, Fast Food Diet, Fat Smash Diet, Flat Belly Diet, Flexitarian Diet, 5 Factor Diet, Flavor Point Diet, 4 Day Diet, Fruit Flash Diet, French Women Don't Get Fat, Fresh Diet, The FullBar Diet, G Free Diet, Gene Smart Diet, Glycemic Index Diet, Grapefruit Diet, Hallelujah Diet, HGG Diet, High School Reunion Diet, The Hormone Diet, Instinct Diet, Jenny Craig, The Kind Diet, LA Weight Loss, Lemonade Diet, Living Low-Carb, Macrobiotic Diet, Martha's Vineyard Diet, Master  Your Metabolism, Mayo Clinic Diet, Medifast Diet, Mediterranean Diet, Morning Banana Diet, Naturally Thin Diet, New Atkins for a New You, New Beverly Hills Diet, NutriSystem, O2 Diet, Park Avenue Diet, Perricone Diet, Personality Type Diet, P.I.N.K. Method, Pritikin Principle, Protein Powder, Raw Food Diet, Rice Diet Solution, The 17 Day Diet, Shangri-La Diet, Skinny Vegan Diet, Slim Fast Plan, Sonoma Diet, South Beach Diet, South Beach Diet Supercharged, The Spectrum, Step Diet, Sugar Busters, Thin for Life, This Is Why You're Fat, 3 Day Diet, 3-Hour Diet, UltraMetabolism Diet, Volumetrics, What  Color is Your Diet?, The Weigh Down, Weight Loss Cure, Weight Watchers, Dr. Andrew Weil, You- On A Diet, and The Zone to name a few.  Phew!


Seriously?  I mean really!  I know that not every diet works for every person.  I realize this.  However with so many choice at hand, it's no wonder why many of us are not sticking to "our" diets, and jumping to the next.  When after so many years of dieting myself, I have come to the understanding that we have to stick to one and see it through.


... Let's not forget about EXERCISE either... 


The BEST of diets or non-diets WILL NOT work without EXERCISE!! and WATER!!


But more importantly... I think we have been missing out on one BASIC ingredient to a healthy weight loss... and that is our MENTAL HEALTH!!


Without a good  mental outlet, honestly... I really do not think that THE BEST OF THE BEST DIET will work.

Therefore... the missing ingredient is taking care of those ISSUES that had you comfort eating to begin with.


Sooo tell me ...  How's your mental health?   

Check and compare your diet.  Source:  http://www.webmd.com/diet/evaluate-latest-diets

Here's to another glass of water!  Do not over do it, please.

Stay healthy and Think Positive!

Blessings to you and yours. 

Images courtesy of google and or Bing images.  Other photographs are property of Carla Barila Karam and My LifeStyle ReDesign.  Copyright laws apply.

Post 16 / Day 100 ~ Nothing Wrong with Being a Size 10

This past week my blog reached not only its first milestone, but a second one too!!  1,000 views!!  WOoo HOoo!!  And 100 Days of My LifeStyle ReDesign!!


Well I sincerely hope that some of my collective thoughts on health, dieting, non-dieting, life style and life in general have helped you in one way or another in the past sixteen weeks.


In the near future I will be diving further into food and its consumption, aging, life's cycles and the reality of life itself.


If you have any suggestions, input, corrections (because I'm not perfect wink, wink)... please, please do not hesitate to send me an email or leave a comment.


I read and find dozens of blogs online about dieting, exercising, and life... and this is absolutely fabulous.  They are very regimented, informational and educational.  The only difference with my blog I would have to say, is that it's all of that plus the reality of life itself combined into one.  I know that my blog is very informal... better yet, a better way to describe my blog would be an average woman (reality) vs a top runway model (a little unrealistic).


That was just an analogy to get the point across that my blog is realistic, meaning... we always do not have time to exercise, let alone a personal trainer that comes to our house and works our butts off; sometimes our diet could use a little tweeking and this is where a personal chef would be AWESOME- however, how many of us can really afford one?  


I, by no means was degrading other blogs... all the blogs I have seen and read are terrific, informative, full of what we should be doing.  Granted, I have a little of that in mine too... however, the average woman feels a little more comfortable getting motivated from a size 10 as opposed to a little intimidated from a  size 0.


If you are a size 16 or better, arriving at a size 10 for most women is a little more realistic, than ever becoming a size 0 let alone size 2.  It's doable.  It is also doable being a fit, healthy size 10.. and if you happen to get to a size 8... better yet!


... and... How about Ms. Marilyn Monroe?  She was a size 12!


Here's to another glass of water!  Do not over do it, please.

Stay healthy and Think Positive!

Blessings to you and yours. 

Images courtesy of google and or Bing images, otherwise they are the property of My LifeStyle ReDesign and Carla Barila Karam.  All copyright laws apply.

Post 9 / Day 51 ~ Taking 10,000 Steps

I haven't blogged much about exercise.  Not that I do not like doing exercise... as a matter of fact back in the day when I worked at Gold's Gym in Venice, Ca [The Mecca of Bodybuilding] arrr...arrr.. I used to work out about three to four hours per day... yes I said per day!!

The Infamous Santa Monica Stairs... boy do I know you all too well!!  I even miss having you near by  too.  Hmmmm... I think I will be venturing out in the City of El Paso in search of the perfect stairs.  All we would need then, is the beautiful climate Santa Monica has to offer, as well as the ocean breeze!  I can dream can't I?  wink, wink

How I wish I had a picture of me from back then... I was 38 and in the best shape of my life!! Yes, even better than when I was in high school or even in my twenties or thirties.  I did not have a six pack!  I HAD A TWELVE PACK!!  [Ask my husband, we were dating back then.]  I used to do about two hundred to three hundred sit ups every day.  Today... well, I'm happy to do fifty.  LOL!

I mentioned early on in my blog, that I was going to be realistic about this.  In the real world, I do not have four hours to be working out... I have a five year old little girl to care for, who is not in school, yet needs to be taken to gymnastics, play dates, etc.  Then I also have a husband I take care of, ur fur babies and our home... meals, laundry, daily house chores and the family finances.  

With all that said... I didn't even get to "me" time... is there such thing?  I don't know about you, but it is very difficult for me to take time out for "myself" when there is so much to do.  My goal is to get everything done... then comfortably take "me" time as I enjoy the fruits of my labor.

I have however taken my own advice and "take" time for myself.  The chores will always be there, as will everything else... my sanity and my health are another issue.  Therefore, I MAKE time for me.  Just as I have to take Calley places, doctor's appointments and such... I started making the same provisions for myself.

Since the start of the year, I signed up my family at the local YMCA.  Calley has her gymnastics and I have my pilates, zumba and kickboxing classes!!  Calley goes twice a week and now so do I.  

You may think that working out twice a week is nothing.  This is not true.  Not in my world.  Twice a week has made a big difference in my life.  Not to mention the endorphin rush one gets.  I am having fun, meeting other people and taking time out for "me".  

Hold on now... it does not stop here either.  There are other things I do for myself... such as, parking far from the store entrance (extra walking), taking the stairs instead of the elevator or finally how about taking the stairs instead of the escalator?  This is a good one!  Half the time they are right next to one another.  You get to the top faster too!  

Little measures like the ones I mentioned, helps me sneak in exercise without it actually being "exercise".  Almost tricking myself..   Wait and the best part of it all... my daughter is learning healthy habits!  Amen.

The point here is not to "trick" yourself into exercise per say, but to actually take healthy measures to keep your body active and healthy... so we can live healthy, happy and active lives... and live longer in a healthier state.

SO this week, make some healthy choices for yourself.  Instead of driving around the parking lot at your grocery store looking for "that" perfect spot near the front, just park your car at the end of the row and walk those extra steps.  After all it is advised to take 10,000 steps per day... and "steps" do add up after all.     Going up to the 10th floor? ... get off on the 8th and walk those last two floors.  Going to the second floor? ... Take the stairs period.  Your steps do add up!  Not to mention the great legs and posterior you will soon discover! 

What will you do different this week?  Go ahead challenge yourself.  Don't wait until you're in your forties [or later] to get healthy... do something for yourself and do it now!

Stay healthy and Think Positive!

Blessings. 

Images courtesy of Bing images.

Post 5 / Day 23 ~ Foods That Are Your Friends

Nothing like trying to meet your goals during the holidays!  Holidays or not, we still have to eat, drink and exercise.  However, the reality is that during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season it is very hard to do certain things.  But once incorporated in your lifestyle, it will become second nature to do the right thing for yourself.

I am sure that my life is no different than most during the holidays.  If you have a big family like I do, you are just a little bit more busy.  Planning, making lists, shopping, preparing for the arrival of more family members and the cleaning that comes with it.

So, with all that said, time has become a huge commodity in my life and unfortunately stopping to exercise or even eating at times comes very difficult to me.  But, this does not mean that I did not get most of my water intake in, I stayed positive and I ate to my liking without going overboard.  Not only that but I baked cookies and made sweets, and I only tried one of each. 

Each week I try to learn something new with you when it comes to being healthy, whether it is a new exercise, recipe or even a new way of doing things to make life easier on me.  This week I came across a book that once belonged to our dear Nana... Foods That Cause You to Lose Weight ~ The Negative Calorie Effect by Neal Barnard, M.D.

In this book I have discovered a little something I would like to share with you, call it a little Christmas present from me to you... following is a list of twenty foods you can eat in virtually unlimited portions.  There's a catch though, I know isn't there always?  The catch- Enjoy these foods with no butter, margarine or oily toppings (fats are fattening):

Corn, celery, Rice, peas, potatoes, Cauliflower, Lettuce (all varieties), pineapple, Broccoli, Cabbage, carrots, apples, Kidney Beans, Black Beans, oranges, grapefruit, Spinach, Bananas, lentils, Oatmeal 

By the way, there are way more foods than what I listed too!

I will leave you this week with this thought... remember to eat healthy and to eat often.  Have a craving for sweets? Eat an apple.  It will fill you up and satisfy that need for sugars, naturally.  Don't forget to drink your water, and stay active.

Stay healthy and Think Positive!

Blessings. 

Images courtesy of Bing images

I am not a doctor or a dietitian, and am not promoting for you to follow "my lifestyle re-design."  This is for my own personal gain (or loss) and not affiliated with wii in any way.  wii is not paying me for this.  I do however advise you to consult your physician before exercise or dieting.  

All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied. All accounts herein are written by Cali-Gal/Carla B Karam. Please contact me for permission..Just ask.

Post 3 / Day 9 ~ Breakfast & Snacks Are A Must

For more than a week I have been struggling to get on the right track.  I do good for a day or two, and then before I know it ... I have gotten off track.  But not worry, I find my way back on the right track right away.

The objective here is to eat healthy, stay active, keep a positive outlook and above all make healthy choices.

All week I have implemented parking away from the store's entrance, and taking advantage of the good this does not only for me but for Calley (my five year old daughter) too.  (big smile.)  I ate breakfast two out of seven days, started carrying water everywhere I went, and barely took the time out to sit down for lunch.

Although I stayed VERY active all week long, I did not even get five minutes of cardio in!  So disappointed in myself.  The only thing that is keeping me from getting really down on myself is the fact that I did stay active each day, and that does count for something.  

SO... the goal this week?  To get in at least three days of AT LEAST a half an hour of cardio in.  I will continue to increase my intake of water to the suggested gallon per day, and EAT BREAKFAST!!  I am also going to start sharing recipes, and set up a recipe page here as well.  

When dieting, more common than not, people will cut out breakfast, along with other meals, without realizing that by doing this they are undermining their weight loss efforts.  Furthermore, what they really should be doing is eating every two and a half to three hours.  Basically what you are doing is incorporating healthy snacks in between each of your meals, and increasing your metabolism.

courtesy of recipe.com

Okay.  The plan this week is...

1. eat BREAKFAST everyday                                              
2. have healthy SNACKS out or prepare a healthy snack in between meals
3. do AT LEAST a half an hour of cardio THREE DAYS
4. water, Water, WATER!
5. stay ACTIVE
6. keep POSITIVE

Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day.  ~Author Unknown

Related articles

• A Healthy Breakfast for Weight-Loss Success (everydayhealth.com)
• Boost Your Metabolism With Mini-Meals (everydayhealth.com)

Stay healthy and Think Positive!

Blessings. 

I am not a doctor or a dietitian, and am not promoting for you to follow "my lifestyle re-design."  This is for my own personal gain (or loss) and not affiliated with wii in any way.  wii is not paying me for this.  I do however advise you to consult your physician before exercise or dieting.  

All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied. All accounts herein are written by Cali-Gal/Carla B Karam. Please contact me for permission..Just ask.

Post 1 / Day 1 ~ Taking The First Step

Once My LifeStyle Re-Design gets underway and implemented... today will mark the first day of the rest of my long, healthy, and happy life.

I want to be healthy, of body, mind and soul.  I am at a point in my life (just shy of my 49th birthday) where I have come to the conclusion that I am no longer in my thirties, let alone twenties, and I hate to say it... almost finished with my forties.  There I said it!  Happy?!  (whinny tone)  wink, wink.

And like most ladies my age, I have been on diets most of my life.  The latest one was My wii Fit Plus 21-Day Challenge and I survived each day to blog about it.  This is where I challenged myself to look fifteen pounds in 21 days, with the motivation being looking great at my 30th high school reunion.  

I blogged about the challenges, exercises using my wii Fit Plus, menus and threw in a few tips along the way.  The results, I lost 8.3 pounds.  Where I failed, was being on vacation the last seven days of my challenge.  In my defense, this was a spur of the moment idea which could have worked if I would have started a week earlier.

After I finished my challenge, some time went by... I continued to think on how I could improve my weight, my health, a new sort of challenge, knowing that there needed to be a lifestyle change.   As I continued to think about it, I geared myself toward thinking about what I wanted to accomplish.

1. Live a healthy life
2. I want to be able to cook and eat delicious gourmet foods
3. I want to be able to have a glass of wine or a cocktail every so often
4. Not exercise everyday 

Bearing all this in mind, these are the things I must do...

1. Tweak my diet a tad... not much really because then ...
2. I need to exercise or at least cardio or yoga three to four times per wee (this is realistic) and I will do so implementing my wii fit plus, walking
3. Limit my drinking to maybe twice a week (not that I drink every single day, however one should limit themselves with alcohol- after all alcohol isn't the healthiest thing to consume, and one is consuming empty calories

Besides my experience with my challenge, and dozens of diets through the years, I have educated myself in nutrition and worked out for many years.  I also worked for a world know gym in Venice, California, along side world famous body builders, personal trainers and fitness models [for quite some time.]

I am going to take all the knowledge I gained and take the first step... FOLLOW MY OWN ADVICE.... You must change little things in your life.

Rule No. 1.  One can not just go on a diet for a period of time, loose weight and then go back to your life and expect to keep the weight off!  First of all, it is not just a matter of eating less calories, one MUST exercise... and more importantly IT IS A LIFESTYLE CHANGE!!  

You must change your style of life... after all, your lifestyle was what got the weight on to begin with!  Stopping for fast food, sodas, candies, pizza.... Oh my goodness!! It is all around us.

So I decided... what can I live with and what can I live with out.  For example do I eat fast food or do I have pasta and salad for dinner?  Do I have a soda pop or a glass of wine later?  These examples may not fly for everyone, but you get the picture.  Plus knowing that I love to eat and drink well, I have to make adjustments.  Making these conscious choices will bring healthy results in your life.

It's all about the life I want.  What I choose to give up in order to have what I want.  Exercise.  More importantly, I do not want to be a burden to my family later in life.  

With all that said... my commitment is to blog about the choices I decide to make in order to do the things I love, so I may live a long, healthy and happy life that I want and deserve.  I will make choices and changes that I can keep in my life... re-designing my lifestyle. 

Always try to find the positive in a negative situation.

Stay healthy and Think Positive!

Blessings. 

I am not a doctor or a dietitian, and am not promoting for you to follow "my lifestyle re-design."  I do however advise you to consult your physician before exercise or dieting.  This is for my own personal gain (or loss) and not affiliated with wii in any way.  wii is not paying me for this.

All contents herein are protected under Copyright laws and can not be used, altered or copied. All accounts herein are written by Cali-Gal/Carla B Karam. Please contact me for permission..Just ask.