The topic for today’s weight loss weekly comes from Sunny. Sunny is focusing on losing some weight before a summer beach vacation (as in bathing suits and shorts) which is 8 weeks away. She asks: when you’re working hard towards a certain weight loss goal, what is your one unique secret weapon or trick that helps speed up your weight loss?
Before we jump into that, 
I have a new book giveaway to announce. Kim Ricketts who is organizing fabulous book events gave me a copy of a book to give to you. The book is “real food” by Nina Planck who explains about traditional foods, you know, the ones our ancestors have been eating for 10,000 to 30,000 years, if not millions of years. There’s a lot of good old food common sense in this book!
To win a copy of the book comment on any post starting today and ending on Sunday, 5/17/09. (Limited to USA and Canada. Sorry.)
Also, I’ll be posting more about the Hunger challenge from last week and my after-thoughts and tips to save money on good food later this week. If you would like to donate to United Way, click this link. The money collected goes to their Basic Needs fund, which invests the dollars in carefully-chosen community partners including food banks and large regional distributors of donated food.
Back to Weight Loss… what do we girls have to say about losing weight the fast way?
Me: The last time I wore a bikini was 6 years ago when I was 4 months pregnant. We were in Hawaii. But I do have a little secret to share with you about wearing your bathing suit again. It all began 4 years ago…
I was at a park which has a little lake with my little boy when I saw my neighbor, Tamara. She was there too with her little one. It was summer. The topic of bathing suits soon came up. I told her about how when I was thinner and weighed 18 pounds less I wasn’t happy with the way I looked in a swim suit and how I wish now that I was the same weight I had then (you still with me?). Her answer was very straightforward. She asked me “then why don’t you pretend that you weighed 18 more pounds more than you are now and you lost them, and be happy about your current weight?” Good point.
Well, I don’t believe in losing weight fast and in no magic potions/drinks/tablets/gels… I only believe in good real food and being more active (as for the latter, it’s easier said then done). And I don’t wear a bikini anymore.
With two kids around, I wear a tank top or tanktini and swim shorts. I don’t want them to miss this experience because mommy was too embarrassed to wear a swim suit ‘cos she has a soft tummy or forgot to shave her legs. I wear something comfortable and covering and focus on my kids instead of worrying what the people around me might think of how I look. I’m sure most of them don’t care anyway. OK, I do tuck my tummy when I get out of my chair and until I’m in the water… but I can’t wear a teeny tiny swim suit anyway with the kids because when we play they might pull the teeny bikini and leave me naked. Now THAT will be really embarrassing, don’t you think?
So, sorry, no secret weapon here today, only an advice – don’t torture yourself before or after a vacation. If you haven’t lost the weight so far, it won’t happen a few weeks before your vacation. Why not buy new, exciting, and complimenting new cloths instead? And while you’re on vacation, it’s no time to diet. Spend that time well and wisely, have fun with people you care about and enjoy good food and drinks. Worry about the diet later.
What do the other girls say…
Sunny: Hmm, I think my most helpful secret weapon has to do with a delicious dessert that is actually not forbidden, not even when I’m trying to speed up my weight loss… Keep reading at That Extra 20 Pounds
Joie de vivre: Secret weapons in the weight loss arsenal? Okay, I’ll dish… Read more at Joie de vivre: An amateur gourmet’s guide
Berni: When I first read Sunny’s question I thought “well this will be an easy post, short, a few words even” because I really don’t have one. My attempts at speeding up weight loss have been sad sad affairs that usually last a whole 15 min after my burst of motivation and planning. Read more over at Yo-yonomore
 Weight Loss Weekly: Shopping for Clothes |
 Weight Loss Weekly: The most ridiculous thing I’ve done |
Categories : Weight Loss/Diet
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13 Comments
Sophie
April 27th, 2009 at 1:59 am
Well written my foodie friend! I agree! It is all about resolutions & eating whole foods & less eating the wrong desserts. Now & again a simple dessert but not more then that. A lot of exercise & water drinking. When I want to loose a bit of weight, I don’t drink any alcohol!
All things in moderation!
Good luck!
Lori @ RecipeGirl
April 27th, 2009 at 6:11 am
My secret for speeding it all up… cut out the wine, stay away from baking (tough for me to do!!!), and extend the exercise time. I’ve been stagnant for a while, and I’m on a mission to lose a few more before we take off on summer vacation.
I can relate to your story completely. I look at pictures of when I was much thinner, and remember that I hated the way I looked even at that much thinner weight. I guess it has to do with just growing up w/ a poor body image & never being completely comfortable w/ your body. Since I’m thinner & more fit now, I tried on bikinis this year for the first time in years. I just couldn’t do it though. Came home w/ a tankini instead!
Phoo-D
April 27th, 2009 at 7:14 am
When we work at tightening the belt, I’ll usually turn to whole grains and vegetables to increase the fiber and lower the calories in our meals. Combined with an increased amount of exercise the results can appear pretty quickly.
Nurit - 1 family. friendly. food.
April 27th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Sophie, Lori, Phoo-D, this is all great advice. OK, you have motivated me.
As for bikini versus tanktini, I go for tank because of the kids, 1) don’t feel comfortable wearing teeny bikini near them, 2) the kid grabing me by the tini bikini episode is still a risk that I don’t want to take
vicki
April 27th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Another way to a quick “apple pie filling” fat free dessert: chop a granie smith apple into chuncks,toss in a remmiken dish w/cinnamon,microwave covered for about 2 min. add some sugarfree pancake syrope and enjoy…
Jennifer Nicole
April 27th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Thanks for stopping to say hi at my site.
I definitely won’t rule out corporate stores! Conscious shopping is like healthy eating: we should do what we can to stay on the right track, but that doesn’t mean that the chocolate cakes of the world are forbidden. Besides, corporate stores and pasta are both good for you if they use healthy ingredients (like good employment practices and whole grains).
I’ve added you to my Google reader. Thanks again for being such an inspiration to stay healthy. My local farmers market opens this week and I’m excited to incorporate fresh foods into my diet (and, ahem, learn to cook).
unconfidentialcook
April 27th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Over Passover my husband lost six pounds just substituting a bit of matzoh for all the bread he eats. He also continued to eat the rest of the junk he frequently eats….It was annoying, but I do believe that white flour is BAD for weight loss.
unconfidentialcook’s last blog post..Brownie Pudding (The First Unconfidential Cooks’ Dinner)
unconfidentialcook
April 27th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
BTW, the meyer lemons make that bombe sweet and tart at the same time. I honestly only like chocolate desserts and when I made this was really making for everyone else. But like everyone else, I couldn’t get enough of it! It’s really special. I’d love to hear what you think if you do try it.
unconfidentialcook’s last blog post..Brownie Pudding (The First Unconfidential Cooks’ Dinner)
Berni
April 27th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
I also look at old pics of me and think, I thought I was fat then! It’s a bit sad really. I like the tip on buying new complimenting clothes. It makes such a huge difference when you feel good about how you look.
Berni’s last blog post..Weight Loss Weekly
Nurit - 1 family. friendly. food.
April 27th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Jennifer: an inspiration? oh, thank you. But really just trying to hold on to good old fashion common sense when it comes to food.
unconfidentialcook: yes, white flour is bad, but so addictive… Doesn’t it?
Berni: I remember that my mom used to tell me that one day I will look at these photos and realize how good I looked then… Lesson learned – enjoy the moment!
Kate
April 28th, 2009 at 8:08 am
I’d love to win the copy of Real Food. It sounds like a great read.
kat
April 28th, 2009 at 10:47 am
I think you have a great attitude about wearing something comfortable when it’s bathing suit time. I don’t know that we are ever fully comfortable with how we look – but it’s the times spent with loved ones and having fun are what’s important. I don’t know that I’ll ever be happy w/my body shape, but I sure don’t want to miss out on any of the fun – now, or later when I have kids!
Sarah
May 12th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
ok, this is my firsy try at losing weight ( I am 27). My husband and I could both lose some weight. We do have a fmaily vacation planned in 10 weeks.
I think my weight issue has come more from getting pregnant 4 times in the last 2 years (no babies).
But my question is, is a low calorie diet bad for my 10 year old active and think child?