tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15846292086665137822012-02-15T17:04:06.743-06:00Eating healthfully, Exercise and Education -- my learnings about weight loss and life-long healthDreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.comBlogger981100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-48835817492766695992012-02-15T15:53:00.000-06:002012-02-15T15:53:07.478-06:00

I read a lot of health blogs.  A lot.  I don't read "diet" blogs, but lots of stuff about healthy, sane weight loss, healthy food, and mostly about the current research.  It's the research that got my head spinning this time, along with the blog "Dances with Fat." Here's the thing.  The Dances with Fat theme is that it is possible to be fit and fat.  I agree with that, probably because I am fit

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-63734377051681556162012-02-07T19:08:00.000-06:002012-02-07T22:01:24.620-06:00

I like good old fashioned meatballs.  I do not like the fat.  Here is my two-day recipe for meatballs and sauce.  Don't be scared; it takes two days so you can skim the fat.  The work is short. Ground beef, extra lean (about 1.5 pounds) 1 pound extra lean pork 1 pound white meat ground turkey  Turkey Italian Sausage (about 1.5 pounds) 2 teaspoons oregano 1 cup oatmeal 1 cup grated parmesan 1

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-85895956216647594002012-02-03T21:58:00.000-06:002012-02-03T22:08:57.940-06:00

Happy Friday!  I've missed a few of these installations lately because of hot dates with my hubby but on this rainy evening pre my Color Run 5k tomorrow, I am here to share some of the week's reading with you. Here's a tip:  go for at least 5 days a week following health guidelines;  I was shocked to learn that most Americans have only 7 days a year where the meet the MyPlate guidelines.  So

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-31140259141902492792012-01-31T22:19:00.000-06:002012-02-02T08:55:26.656-06:00

A few months ago my smart friend Colleen suggested I start keeping my menus on Google Calendar, a resource I already use to pieces anyway.  It was a brillant idea and beat the heck out of my former paper and pencil system. The Google calendar allows me to repeat menu items, so something that is a big hit might get repeated in 2 weeks, whereas something else yummy, but very odd -- like smoked

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-688725884043911572012-01-27T10:36:00.001-06:002012-01-27T13:53:35.646-06:00

I made Salade Niçoise for Pepper and Dear Hubby for lunch today and it looked so wonderful, I made it for myself for breakfast.  Yes, it was 8:00 a.m., however, I did get up at 4:30.  It was just what I was craving. The base is salad greens.  We just restarted our CSA box so we got to enjoy some very fresh greens! On top of that is tuna dressed with a mustard vinegarette.  It is surrounded by

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-307197938075827572012-01-23T11:08:00.002-06:002012-01-23T12:23:46.435-06:00

It's been a crazy week.  Okay well it was actually a normal week but seemed crazy because I am not back in the mode of school and schedules yet. That said, I did manage to produce a bento lunch for the family every day but one; here are a couple: This is a mostly leftover bento.  Pepper had made a yummy Asian chicken salad in phyllo cups the night before; so here is the leftover with sauteed

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-25841708432851739182012-01-16T10:50:00.000-06:002012-01-16T10:50:31.550-06:00

At my Weight Watcher's meeting, someone mentioned the website SkinnyTastes.com; an hour later I came across a recipe on Pinterest for a dish I'd made recently, but hadn't been pleased with.  The recipe was for Bo Luc Lac (Shaking Beef), a Vietnamese Dish.  Turns out this recipe was from SkinnyTastes!  It sounded flavorful so I decided to give it one more try and if I didn't love it, I'd let it

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-24829148532972285532012-01-13T15:25:00.001-06:002012-01-13T15:25:19.904-06:00

With the return to school and work, I returned to bento making.  I enjoyed my holiday respite from the early morning cooking but the truth is, I love to make lunch for the family. I have been focusing on getting more color into the boxes, so you may see some unusual things in the next few weeks.  (Are you admiring my fine mesh strainer/steam basket at left?  Got it for Christmas!) Here are a

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-50473702360162664422012-01-13T08:32:00.000-06:002012-01-13T08:32:17.595-06:00

Slow Start to the Gym Continues My slow start to the gym seems to be working.  I have only had normal post-workout soreness and no injuries; I have not experienced that debilitating soreness that goes on for days.  Perhaps more importantly, because I've set my expectations of myself uncharacteristically low, I am meeting (and exceeding) my expectations!  Here is how my program has progressed

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-51780048596957751892012-01-10T08:54:00.000-06:002012-01-10T08:54:59.333-06:00

Last year I lost weight with a medically supervised diet.  The classes would have been great for a beginner, but it was mostly old material for me.  However, they did teach two concepts that have been really useful for me. The first concept is that of being "in the box."  It is an entirely different angle than "out of the box thinking" so you will need to let go of that methodology for the

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-76047774646677173242012-01-06T09:31:00.000-06:002012-01-06T09:34:50.095-06:00

I am still getting up at 4:40 (yes A.M.) and heading off the gym.  I missed several days over the holidays but instead of giving up because I didn't do it perfectly, I decided to just regroup and get myself back in there. The slow start is really working for me.  When I first made this commitment to my friend Colleen, I determined to do it differently.  I decided that instead of rushing in to

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-88670936102509041722011-12-30T11:43:00.000-06:002011-12-30T11:43:46.707-06:00

Note:  This is a dual post to Bright Weight Loss and Bright Love Back in the 90's, when I first became "Mama," we all gave our kids juice.  We watered it down, of course.  Pepper didn't have full-strength juice until she got her first juice-box at a party when she was 3.  Kids got their 3 cups of milk and the rest of their beverages were juice.  It was an improvement over Kool-Aid or

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-18928997022919361382011-12-19T05:52:00.000-06:002011-12-19T05:52:00.616-06:00

Okay I give up, I surrender, I have officially waved the white flag.  There is no way I am going to fit 6 hours of exercise into my "waking hours" each week, especially when you add in the inevitable 30 minutes of prep time or travel each day..  I have tried a number of schemes and it just ain't happenin.'  The other day I sat down and took an objective look at what I really want to accomplish

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-42688108501483711432011-12-16T12:41:00.001-06:002011-12-16T12:53:36.532-06:00

It seems that there is always some food-borne illness in the news lately.  I have really been enjoying Food Safety's Newsletter  which helps me stay on top the issues.  In a similar vein, here another tip,  7 foods that experts think you should avoid. Are we tricking ourselves with restrictive diets?  Decide for yourself; here is NPR's take on the popular Paleo diet.  Here is a review by US

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-81167963575535112622011-12-02T08:21:00.005-06:002011-12-02T12:15:18.835-06:00

Have we been tricked into avoiding peas?  Yes, they have more calories than some other veggies, but they also have a lot to offer, like half of our vitamin K for the day, 9 grams of fiber and 9 grams of protein!  This cleverly titled article has all the facts. If you love honey for it's pollen induced benefits, I have a tip for you:  Know where your honey comes from and whenever possible, buy

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-38504764987823793922011-11-24T21:00:00.018-06:002011-11-24T21:00:03.542-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving!  I mean it sincerely -- I am thankful for you, faithful reader! Now, enough of that -- tomorrow is Black Friday my favorite shopping day of the year. Do you get hungry when you shop?  I get ravenous.  Here's a tip for you:   As you're about to make your late night turkey sando, take 5 minutes to prepare for tomorrow.  Fill a small cooler with grapes, 100 calorie packs of

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-48004120059424669192011-11-18T17:46:00.000-06:002011-11-18T17:46:57.296-06:00

A new study shows what we already know -- people don't take their kids to McDonalds for healthy food.  So maybe it's an obvious tip but my advice is this: Skip the fast food lane altogether and pop in your nearest grocer for some cheese, hummus or deli meat, whole wheat crackers, grapes and milk or yogurt.  Go to a real playground for a picnic with fresh air and everything!  You'll be a hero and

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-26739984232046698102011-11-15T08:53:00.000-06:002011-11-15T08:53:15.188-06:00

I had a breakdown Wednesday.  It wasn't the quiet, pretty kind with a single tissue and a little delicate nose blowing.  It was a full-out fit accompanied by a lot of snot and loud nose blowing.  And then I could see the light again. Last week I was already moaning.  Remember then I thought it was fear of success.  By mid-week it had become absolute hopelessness. I guess you could say I'd "

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-7279689452511358712011-11-07T06:09:00.000-06:002011-11-07T06:09:46.962-06:00

I did lose weight this week but nonetheless, it's been a tough week.  We started with Halloween then had our first spate of cold weather and ended with a softball tournament.  It was a wonderful week in the life of a family and a very challenging one in the life of weight loss.  Yesterday I ate two donuts.  I know, not the end of the world, but so very definitely not on my plan.  For me the

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-82845337914774317522011-11-04T09:22:00.015-05:002011-11-04T09:22:00.748-05:00

Welcome to November!  Are you ready for some tips, tricks and inspiration? Today's tip is based on a saying:  "Fail to plan and plan to fail!"  Try spending some time this weekend planning all your meals for next week.  I am now making use of Google calendar to plan my menus so I can have our favorite meals repeat in two weeks, three weeks or a month.    I note the calorie count/Weight Watcher

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-32397507959111156702011-10-24T07:29:00.027-05:002011-10-24T07:29:00.102-05:00

Do you know what drives me crazy? People who give me unsolicited weight loss advice like, "Just cut back on starchy foods" or "You probably aren't getting enough exercise," or my all time favorite, "It's just calories in, calories out." Duh. Come on people, I am a weight-loss expert!!   I have devoted years of my life to the study of weight loss:  What helps, what hurts, what can get in the

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-77298390570962501112011-10-21T09:40:00.011-05:002011-10-21T09:40:00.676-05:00

Today's tip comes from one of my favorite blogs, Fooducate.  We can take a lesson from our kids:  Stop eating when you are full!  And further, we need to stop making our kids eat beyond that point!  Yes, they will be hungry later.  That's good, right?  Here's the full article for your reference. The "trick" of the week is actually about avoiding a "big food "trick.  Do you know that the word, "

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-79932911726003445332011-10-17T06:58:00.000-05:002011-10-17T06:58:26.294-05:00

For the past 18 months or so, I've weighed pretty much the same.  I'm about 35 pounds down from where I started my weight loss journey in the fall of '09 and still have a good 60 pounds to lose, possibly more.  During the past 18 months, I've stuck with my calorie ranges, I've exercised, I've had extremely limited times of going off plan and those times have been rare, indeed.  I've learned to

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-59052161353377469832011-10-14T08:37:00.007-05:002011-10-14T08:37:00.429-05:00

Hey, it's already Friday!  Time for some tips, tricks and inspiration rounded up through the week's reading! Are you a fan of juice fasts or fasting to "jumpstart" weight loss?  This week's tip may have you rethinking the process.  The tip is:  Know what is happening in your body before undergoing any fast.  It may do the opposite of what you are hoping!  Follow the link for a fascinating

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-15406627711792761952011-10-11T15:05:00.000-05:002011-10-11T15:08:28.744-05:00

Fun with bento boxes continues.  Last week we had a trip around the world, including a fun Spanish Omelet and a lovely deconstructed Salade Nicoise.  A few photos for your viewing pleasure: Friday's lunch  - a visit to the Mediterranean: Beef koftsas (little meatballs seasoned with parsley and cilantro) Baba Ganoush and hummus separated with a leaf.  It somehow looked better in person. Cucumber

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-20519001795583512232011-10-04T08:39:00.000-05:002011-10-11T15:09:08.201-05:00

Weight loss is complex.  I am famous for saying that you have to work the numbers, and that is certainly true.  If I consume more calories than I burn, I will gain weight and vice versa.  It's figuring out that "burn number" that throws the wrench in the works. Last year my internist told me that you can't account for metabolism.  You just have to keep trying until you hit the combination that

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-3905445689478380492011-09-30T11:30:00.001-05:002011-10-19T18:06:45.007-05:00

We are still rocking the bentos this week.  Next week, our bentos will feature a "trip around the world" with dishes inspired by India, the Mediterranean, Spain and France, as well as one Asian inspired meal.  This week's bentos all came from my daughter's birthday present, The Just Bento Cookbook.  This has lead to renew my love with all things pickled, so today's trick is pickling.  If, like

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-39942732827617140382011-09-26T20:50:00.085-05:002011-10-19T18:04:23.598-05:00

The other day I made a beautiful pork loin -- the simple way.  Marinated it in soy sauce, Sprite, and garlic.  Browned all sides and roasted it until done.  It was just perfect. The pork loin put me in the mood for bento boxes.  This week I was actually able to buy spinach in a bunch at the market;  I love it for the spinach knobs because the stems add a nice crunch and they make them look so

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-15704698985260680972011-09-23T07:34:00.000-05:002011-09-23T07:34:55.307-05:00

I have a new weight loss buddy and I was explaining some things to her the other day.  It occurred to me that I know a lot about weight loss.  Yet, sometimes I don't use what I know.  So the trick of the week is:  Do what you know how to do.  If you are brand new to weight loss or way too experienced, there are things you know.  Do those things this week.  As for me, I am going to drink my water.

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-31557092131642530422011-09-20T07:36:00.000-05:002011-09-19T07:38:26.200-05:00

You can't finish something you never started.   Isn't that the truth?  Wanting to find a new job won't do it.  Thinking about saving money won't save it.  Getting frustrated about the messy closet doesn't clean it.  Wishing I were thinner doesn't take the weight off. Sometimes, it helps to be reminded.  If I am going to enjoy living at goal weight, I've got to get there first.  And that means

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-16491304930165505742011-09-17T08:34:00.001-05:002011-09-17T08:38:29.881-05:00

Sometimes there really aren't enough hours in the day. Hence my Friday post is making it in on Saturday! Here my tips, tricks and inspiration for the week. Tip of the day: The Harvard Health Blog. I love this blog. This week instead of just whining about how the USDAs replacement to the food pyramid is useless, they came up with an actual improved version. Positive press - gotta

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-89115367163838225112011-09-13T14:30:00.001-05:002011-10-19T18:04:23.602-05:00

I am always looking for yummy low-fat food.  My favorite bento blogger published a recipe for some beautiful cabbage rolls.  I decided to use her technique with my favorite chicken recipe.  I make a huge recipe of the chicken filling and then use it to create 3 kinds of meals.  Any form freezes great! Yes they talk a long time, but since you are getting 24 servings, it's worth it!. The cabbage

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-68848768362234970692011-09-10T08:17:00.004-05:002011-10-19T18:04:23.606-05:00

A few years ago, I saw a Weight Watchers Online thread on bento boxes.  It raised my curiosity so (as ususal) I did some research and the Tischler love of all things bento was born.  We love them so much, one year we gave empty boxes, rice molds, egg molds and other fun things to Pepper's teachers for Christmas.  (Thought train derailed -- we have all new teachers now so maybe will re-run that

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-67189430962452538652011-08-29T14:39:00.000-05:002011-10-11T15:06:46.308-05:00

This is more a formula than a recipe. What follows is my usual way of preparing it, along with a few variations. It's low fat, meatless, high fiber but most importantly, YUMMY! Ingredients (for 4 people; our family doubles it). 1 cup brown rice (prepare according to package directions) 1 can (15 oz) black (turtle) beans, undrained (heat in saucepan) 1 package baby spinach 1

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-41588810413212098222011-08-23T21:03:00.000-05:002011-08-23T21:03:59.055-05:00

Sometimes I am just a little snarky.  And frankly, some products are just asking for it. I make homemade mac-n-cheese almost always.  I was raised on it and nothing in a box will do it for me.  Nonetheless, I have "normal" kids who also like the box stuff, so sometimes I buy it for them.  This week, I came home with the title product.  I probably would not have bought it, but I got it for free

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-85396131140450287342011-07-28T06:17:00.002-05:002011-10-11T15:06:46.311-05:00

I know, I've been quiet.  It's simple really, things got pretty busy around here and once again, I let myself fall to 7th on the list  I noticed about a week ago and course corrected.  Anyhow, still slowly dropping weight.  I'm hoping now that Sunshine done with All-Stars softball, we won't be running around so much; that plays havoc with my plans.  I am setting a goal to lose 2 pounds in the

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-31303621212865743242011-07-01T09:33:00.000-05:002011-10-11T15:06:46.315-05:00

Woo-hoo!  It's Friday!  As a stay-at-home mom, weekends are pretty much like all the other days  to me except we get to see a lot more of dear hubby.  I love Fridays, though, because that's the day I share with you my week's gleaning of tips, tricks and a little inspiration for your journey! Since we are coming onto a holiday weekend in the US, we'll focus on that.  First the Tricks:  Consider

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-3523202514285649332011-06-05T20:54:00.000-05:002011-06-05T21:07:57.636-05:00

Lately I have been so puzzled by the whole "school lunch" thing.  Why wouldn't a school want to feed kids healthy fresh food?  I have assumed it was about the almighty dollar, but the info I learned from the Slow Cook blog made me mad as hell.  Yes, you heard it right. This blog explains the 10%-15% (or even 50%!) rebates that food service providers receive from the big food companies because

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-81014978741749551012011-06-02T21:32:00.001-05:002011-06-02T21:39:12.872-05:00

Woohoo, the US government (actually the USDA) has revised it's food pyramid scheme and now it's a plate.  It has gotten a little bad press but being your "look on the bright side" gal, I think it's a move in the right direction. Cut them some slack, bloggers, it's a large and slow bureaucratic machine; they're doing their best to catch up! The New York Times wrote an interesting article about

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-52522154745810637072011-05-27T07:13:00.000-05:002011-05-27T07:13:17.770-05:00

Weight loss is not a super highway.  It's more of a mountain track with detours, switchbacks and some uphill portions.  In the past 88 days, I have gained two pounds, yet I am still on the path.  I've fallen off a time or two, I've struggled with exercise, and I have been on track the vast majority of the time.  I know what it will take to speed up my loss and hit a big downhill stretch, and I

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-32568689908850462642011-05-21T09:44:00.002-05:002011-10-11T15:06:46.319-05:00

And now for something completely crazy!  If I had 2 million dollars to reform school lunch, how would I spend it?  I would hire extra staff to prepare fresh fruit, cook actual potatoes (not fries, hashbrowns or tater tots), and prepare food that is fresh and wholesome.  Here is how San Antonio Schools are spending the money!  (Thanks to Weighty Matters for the news brief!) A couple of years

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-78151510032692604002011-05-11T07:52:00.000-05:002011-05-11T07:52:54.538-05:00

I have been on this weight loss journey a long time and sometimes I get really focused on the "long time" and forget about the journey.  I am finally losing again after a long plateau followed by a small slow regain of 15 pounds.  It is so easy and so tempting to be totally focused on the goal and forget that I am in the midst of a learning process. I am learning how to eat for optimum health. 

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-2846436239443695452011-05-06T08:31:00.001-05:002011-05-06T08:33:28.302-05:00

Several weeks ago, I did a blog on the Special K diet.  Here is a well thought out blog on the same topic, including some nutrition data.  And here is some good news about a "big food" company who is going to wage battle in the war on obesity.  Although, when I read the article, I almost cried.  Finally -- not seeing the success you'd hoped for?   I came across this Spark People article

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-70260280379746710732011-02-25T12:52:00.001-06:002011-06-05T21:06:52.663-05:00

This is my first ever blog in response to a request.  A reader wants me to talk about nutrition for teenage athletes.  First, the disclaimer.  I am not a registered dietitian.  I have a degree in the humanities.  I have no certification in anything nutrition related.  What I am is a chronic researcher.  It’s in my genes or something – I just can’t stop learning. What follows are some

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-36558020050895522502011-02-18T09:57:00.000-06:002011-02-18T09:57:24.351-06:00

Today I am recapping some of my favorite tips because these are resources I depend on regularly: I continue to be inspired by the book,  The End of Overeating (Kessler).   What amazes me is that months after reading it, I am still constantly thinking about and pondering things I read there.  I have read a lot of books on nutrition -- the fact that this one made such a huge impression speaks to

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-43915015518965716692011-02-15T09:10:00.000-06:002011-06-05T21:06:52.666-05:00

(This is a "replay" of my March 19, 2009 post, edited for relevancy!) I was so proud of myself as I checked out at the grocery store tonight. In my cart were two processed foods for me: tomato soup that I occasionally eat as a treat, and sugar free/fat free pudding mix for that occasional need for dessert. It sounds kind of offbeat to be proud of my grocery cart but, oddly, I was.

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-62969751387890113732011-02-04T08:44:00.001-06:002011-02-04T09:28:13.311-06:00

In the past 6 days, 14,500 PLUS people have joined Spark People in search of support for a healthier life style!  I racked my brain but could not come up with anything more inspiring than that! SparkPeople is essentially a free weight-loss website.  Not my first.  However, I have never found a site with more helpful articles, more videos, more support, more recipes and all for free.  It includes

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-41774360181387692072011-01-31T21:22:00.000-06:002011-06-05T21:06:52.670-05:00

Well a day late and a dollar short, the USDA finally reveals it's 2010 dietary guidelines. They are good guidelines.  Actually helpful.  And simpler than in the past.  Could they simplify them more?  Yes, of course.  But all the common sense things we know from Spark or almost any reasonable plan out there, are just now coming into focus in the guidelines.  Okay -- it's never too late, right?

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-80733760906066097072011-01-14T21:37:00.001-06:002011-01-14T22:04:27.179-06:00

Sometimes a picture truly is worth a thousand words. Here's a link to a silly video  I made during the photo shoot. And for something completely different, a couple of seconds of Bennie saying Cock-a-doodle-do.

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-4092356405120105792011-01-08T07:12:00.000-06:002011-06-05T21:06:52.672-05:00

Sometimes an idea is so weirdly cool, it just might make it to market.  Take Jello Cups, for instance.  I am not as environmentally conscious as I think I "should" be, but even so, I have a once-a-year limit on those disposable plastic cups.  They are so ridiculously unfriendly to the ecosystem.  Now a design team in New York has come up with a solution -- jello cups.  They are just what they

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-81223750458398433182010-12-29T07:51:00.000-06:002010-12-29T07:55:05.533-06:00

It's almost a New Year!  I can't believe it!  I am a resolution-ist -- my own word for people who make resolutions at the start of each year.  Unlike most of the folks I will meet at the gym, however, I actually keep most of mine.  I wrote about my six-word resolutions in my coaching blog; click those green "coaching blog" words if you'd like to read it!  I am going to get to goal in 2011.  My

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-8705244748089096972010-12-03T06:59:00.000-06:002010-12-29T07:55:54.049-06:00

Chanelle, Dreena, Allison, Gabriel, Maggie Rose, Paul, Bennie (and I can't thank them enough for the balloon to cry over!) After a brief hiatus to spend time with my parents, give thanks, and become a mom of FIVE (!),  I am back with enthusiasm. I gained 10 pounds in the 5 or 6 weeks my parents were here.  Oopsie.  So now my head is OUT of the sand and I am back on track. On to the

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-52483165327601047692010-11-12T07:24:00.000-06:002010-12-29T07:55:54.054-06:00

Good morning!  It's a balmy day here in Texas -- I heard my air conditioner kick on about 4:00 a.m. so thank you, 96% humidity!  But it is also perfect park weather so the little kids are getting lucky! I read an interesting article on running shoes -- it turns out that all that extra money may not buy you a better shoe!  Check it out!    And in case you, like me, are having trouble finding

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-43698862386854156802010-11-05T00:56:00.000-05:002010-12-29T07:55:54.057-06:00

Okay -- here is my Friday inspiration.  And I'm not going to tell you WHAT it is -- just how to get it .  If you are reading this you MUST follow these directions! ‎1. Go to Google.com  2. Type "Who's the cutest?" (don't press Enter) 3. Press "I'm feeling lucky" 4. Smile. It's true, you know! I read so many great things this week -- it's hard to narrow them down.  Here is a short primer on

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-86000330791364943132010-10-29T08:26:00.000-05:002010-12-29T07:55:54.060-06:00

Sugar is in the news this week.  It looks like our new "front of the box" food label requirements may not require sugar. Here is a comparison of our favorite sugar to hate:   Corn syrup.  This article compares the high-fructose version with regular corn syrup.  To me the real danger in corn syrup is not the corn syrup but that as a nation, we've become acclimated to so much of our food being

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-83225488218150099402010-10-22T09:03:00.002-05:002010-12-29T07:55:31.209-06:00

Today's inspiration comes from a cool blog on celebrating the small things. I'm constantly inspired by my dear hubby, who is maintaining his 70 pound loss since May.  Recently we talked about how much fat you really need and found this great article to advise us. On a personal front, my parents have just arrived with their RV for a visit of several weeks.  Traditionally, I throw my health plans

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-65113552340707480012010-10-14T23:05:00.001-05:002010-12-29T07:55:54.063-06:00

Without further ado, here is my weekly check-in which I have decided to resume: Current Weight: 207.6 Weight Last Week: 209.3  Weight loss since last week: 1.7 pound These are Weight Watcher's numbers;  my scale weighs me at almost 5 POUNDS less!  This says to me that I need to get there every week at least to weigh in -- I have been letting family things get in my weigh -- er way -- lately

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-76215789300893572382010-10-13T11:12:00.000-05:002010-12-29T07:55:54.065-06:00

Yesterday I woke up unhappy because my Wii was out of commission.  I love the Wii -- it entertains "The Littles" so well while I exercise.  So I logged into my favorite weight loss site asked for help for creative ideas to burn the 800 calories I needed to make up for what I didn't finish the day before! I got 10 or 11 responses and  I decided to use almost all the suggestions. I figured out how

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-18558216172830379192010-10-08T06:59:00.000-05:002010-12-29T07:55:54.068-06:00

Woo-hoo another weekend!  Good for the soul -- but will it be good for the body?  My "default" weekend plan is to stay the course but I recently heard an idea that is now in my "back-up plan bag."  Consider maintaining for the weekend, particularly if you have some type of social event or on holiday weekends.  Why?  Most of us have had the experience of going into the weekend with a vague

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-69947938911712591572010-10-02T08:26:00.000-05:002010-12-29T07:55:54.071-06:00

Lately I have been struggling with my weight loss.  Weight Watchers, says that 90% of plateaus aren't caused by metabolic problems or "water weight"  90% of plateaus are caused by lessened effort.  I am sure that is true of me -- sometimes I wait too long to eat and then just grab whatever is fastest, within reason, of course.  But I knew that I have not been lax often enough to account for this

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-78579893427112935232010-09-29T14:54:00.003-05:002010-12-29T07:55:54.074-06:00

As I write, the smell of Swiss Steak slowly simmering in the crock pot is wafting through the house. I have been on a cooking jag. In the past 3 days, I have cooked $600 worth of food and put it in the freezer for my family. Cooking is my creative outlet -- some folks paint, I cook! Of course, it's not just about me. I really want to know what my loved ones are putting in their mouths. It's

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-45941213904373315682010-09-06T07:30:00.009-05:002010-12-29T07:55:54.077-06:00

At first glance, this is not going to look like a weight loss blog! And I suppose, on the face of it, it's not. It is about meeting two main objectives in my journey: 1) Giving my kids a good start in nutritional health (aka helping them avoid the addictions and dangers of highly processed foods). Instead of corn syrup, fillers and preservatives, they are getting intact foods like fruits,

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-44012426419718416682010-07-30T08:29:00.003-05:002010-12-29T07:55:31.231-06:00

Today I need some inspiration, so I decided to assemble in one place some of my favorite tips and tricks. Maybe they will inspire you too! (The colored phrases are clickable links)There are lots of useful reminders in Weight Watchers "25 Little Tips for Big Weight Loss" The End of Overeating (Kessler). A fascinating story of what makes a craving tick and how "big food" is contributing by

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-61110025624609791192010-07-11T19:04:00.008-05:002010-12-29T07:55:54.080-06:00

I love swimming. I never thought I would. I loved it as a kid but as an adult --I felt clumsy and it seemed inconvenient. However, 18 months ago, I challenged myself to swim because I was trying to mix up my cardio. Holy cow! In a very short time, I was hooked! It's fun, it's efficient, it's cheap, it's cool.Now I am on a mission to recruit more swimmers! Hence, my top 10 reasons to

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-90186836554642982112010-04-14T06:22:00.002-05:002010-12-29T07:55:54.083-06:00

Spring has sprung. My heart is lifted. I don't know why it is but spring definitely puts a bounce in my step. So here in crazy-land, life is a little brighter. I'm back on the horse -- working my program, committed to exercise, keeping my health a high priority.Our three little foster kids are settling in well. We are getting each other's "number" so to speak so we are all happier more of

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-53595558926257832302010-01-30T11:09:00.001-06:002010-12-29T07:55:54.086-06:00

Today's post is actually a link to my other blog, Bright Life Living! Thanks for reading!

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-87948729378833393832010-01-23T20:13:00.002-06:002010-12-29T07:55:54.089-06:00

In 2007, my dear friend Martha Edgemon told me that her daughter-in-law, Karson Beaty, had breast cancer. Karson was 30 years old when diagnosed. I clearly remember the exact moment Martha said the word, "cancer." I remember how my heart felt heavy and I had a queasy feeling in my stomach. What can I do?," I wondered, "How can I help?"As I followed Karson's journey over the next many months,

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-78623475888450093572009-12-31T06:56:00.003-06:002010-12-29T07:55:54.091-06:00

I weighed in yesterday. Since November 13, I've lost 22 pounds and 9%. How about that? I am officially more than 25% of the way to my goal. I am going to see if I can find my old Weight Watcher cards to see how long it's been since I've been at this weight. It was hard for me to choose the medically supervised program, even though my doctor felt it was my last sensible option. It felt like "

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-74824003710712946822009-11-13T10:23:00.009-06:002010-12-29T07:55:54.098-06:00

Today is my "Strong Start Today." Today I begin the medically supervised weight loss program. I'm actually still quite surprised to find myself here. This is not where I thought my "looking at all the options" would land me! And I am very grateful for the way in which More to Life has trained me to be a more open-minded person. And very, VERY grateful to Margaret for going with me to the

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-75869893004515723032009-10-03T13:09:00.002-05:002010-12-29T07:55:54.101-06:00

I saw my internist yesterday. There were a few surprises in the visit.The first is that my average weight loss over the last several months is 1/2 pound a week. That's a pretty slow rate of loss. My thyroid level will be rechecked next week, but there is no reason to think it is not being well controlled by medication.I am eating 1000-1200 calories a day; most days closer to 1,000. I'm

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-70742004745928851252009-09-23T14:43:00.002-05:002010-12-29T07:55:54.104-06:00

I read lots of blogs by people who have always been chubby. And I often think genetics may have a big role to play in their struggles. However, that is not my story.As a child I was stick thin. And as a teenager, the boys called me "toothpick" and told me not to turn sideways because they couldn't see me. I had few boyfriends. Older men liked me , unfortunately; I think it was the "Lolita" factor

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-41156726335519123672009-09-20T13:25:00.004-05:002010-12-29T07:55:54.106-06:00

I admit it. We're not race people. But today, with a little grumbling, I packed up the family (at 6:30 a.m!) and headed out for the CASA of Travis County 5K. I originally signed us up because it's such a great cause. But in the end, it was a great idea all around.We joined up with a couple of friends from Marywood, our foster care agency. Our oldest daughter, Allison (13), ran the 5K with

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-10665839058410296132009-09-18T14:19:00.002-05:002010-10-02T09:08:24.820-05:00

Have you ever noticed that no matter how carefully you script and plan your life, someone ELSE seems to be in charge? Hmm. I will make the long story short; Plan: Go to England, exercise a lot, eat little, come home, jump in with both feet.Reality: Go to Idaho (mom sick), fix comfort food for her, eat moderately, exercise moderately, come home to REAL life (kids in school, sickness, household

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-15933604134891126802009-08-12T10:39:00.004-05:002010-10-02T09:08:24.823-05:00

I'm mad at myself, but no longer pouting. And to be fair to myself, unhappy as I was, I didn't EAT anything while I was mad. I gained BACK the pound I lost last week. Yep. Here are the stats:Current Weight: 232.8 Weight Last Week: 231.8 Since last week: 1 pound gainedEating 3Exercise 5Motivation 4Total weight loss this RIVAS: 0 poundsOn Thursday and Friday last week, I did not keep to my

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-30463520056846882772009-08-09T10:34:00.005-05:002010-10-02T09:08:24.826-05:00

Okay, I admit it. I am having a heck of a time getting motivated to exercise. There are two things going on: the first is minor, I'm recovering from a cold. Today I feel fine, but for several days, I haven't. If I can get to the point of exercising even when I don't feel well, that will be a big break through.Second, and this is the real issue, I just don't want to. It's in my head. Here

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-90033814538564575902009-08-05T11:09:00.004-05:002010-10-02T09:08:24.828-05:00

Without further ado, here is my weekly check-in:Current Weight: 231.8 Weight Last Week: 232.8 Weight loss since last week: 1 pound to the pennyOn a scale of 1 to 5 with "5" being perfect, here's how I rate my week:Eating 4Exercise 4Motivation 4I struggled some this week. My theme for the week is: Patterns. When do I want to overeat? What is going on around me? Who is around me? What am I

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-83738219662734914072009-08-03T21:30:00.005-05:002010-10-02T09:08:24.831-05:00

In the last few years, I have acquired a lot of "book learnin" about nutrition, exercise and certainly weight loss. Even so, I read tons of nutrition news every week and found 7 Keys to Weight Loos by Johns Hopkins pretty useful. None of these tips were news to me but I find being reminded about what I know can often motivate me and help me stay on track.#7 is a good one: "Emphasize What You

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-41397711865586389582009-07-24T08:18:00.007-05:002010-10-02T09:08:24.837-05:00

Last weekend I became a mentor for a small-group course, Power of Connection. One of the things we talk about in the course is keeping an eye on the three-legged stool of self, others and context.I've written about this before; when time is short, I keep my eye on "others" and "context" but tend to give that "self" circle short shrift. Of course, practically, I know that in the end, me not

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-65258298895761028002009-07-07T08:49:00.003-05:002010-10-02T09:08:24.839-05:00

Reader, it's been several weeks since my last blog. I feel like I'm in the confessional. I got very focused on work in May and June and let go of my health goals. I'm not happy about it, but there it is.My commitment is to my long-term health, not only to weight loss. But weight loss is a major (if not crucial) part of that commitment. So what happened?One more time, I sold myself down the

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-82905625784558856802009-04-17T07:30:00.006-05:002010-10-02T09:08:24.843-05:00

Yesterday I was listening to the Livin' La Vida Low Carb Show podcast archives and heard a very inspiring interview with Shauna Reid, blogger, and author of The Amazing Adventures of Diet Girl. Among other things, she reminded me why I am writing this blog. I wanted a way to record my learnings on this journey in a more interactive and interesting way than a document stored on my hard drive.

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-68162240834574034352009-04-09T21:48:00.004-05:002010-10-02T09:08:24.846-05:00

I admit it. These last two days have been heart-wrenching ones. Nothing actually bad has happened; just lots of potential for things to go south. Yesterday was no problem, eating-wise. I actually took the girls -- albeit unexpectedly -- out for breakfast. I had amazing self-control. I am owning that! I ate half of a breakfast sandwich and focused on drinking my water and coffee. It must

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-46080901657186619132009-04-06T22:15:00.005-05:002009-04-06T22:57:58.424-05:00

So . . . did I ever mention my reason for starting this blog? I started it because I wanted to record my learnings on this journey and a blog was so much more interactive than a WORD document. I knew from the past 3 years that there is a lot to learn so guess what? I'm still learning.I saw my doctor this week, one Dr. Fung. He's great. He hears my struggles and he is committed to walking

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-24374838022969777672009-04-04T07:17:00.002-05:002009-04-04T07:20:45.053-05:00

I was just about to give up on the Get Fit Slowly blog when lo and behold, they surprised me. Here's a lighthearted but inspiring guest post on a "plus-size" woman who begins regularly going to the gym. Enjoy!Gym Guy

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-24790141710328180902009-03-29T22:53:00.004-05:002009-03-29T23:28:06.104-05:00

I have to say, while the formula is a simple one -- calories in vs. calories out -- there is obviously a bit more to this weight business than math. For simplicity's sake, I'll start with the check in.Current Weight: 239 Weight Last Week: 240 Weight loss since last week: 1 pound loss Total weight loss this year: 3.8 pounds(Starting weight, 242.8)My food choices: 5 of 10 I was rushed, often, and

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-34175073961074038822009-03-19T13:30:00.008-05:002009-03-19T14:20:18.374-05:00

Today I invested 2-1/2 hours in what my Grandma called, "setting stores." There is something really reassuring for me in having an ample supply of healthy, quick food on hand. This post is actually a shout out to my stellar support partner Roberta, who reminded me of how helpful it is for me to have an amply supply of "better choices" to hand. Here's what I put together today:4 pints refried

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-39317324458741095152009-03-18T22:34:00.007-05:002009-03-18T23:46:45.983-05:00

I was so proud of myself as I checked out at the grocery store tonight. In my cart were two processed foods for me: tomato soup that I occasionally eat as a treat, and sugar free/fat free pudding mix for that occasional need for dessert. It sounds kind of offbeat to be proud of my grocery cart but, oddly, I was. Because with the exception of the aforementioned extravagences, everything in

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-46331555711576251752009-03-16T20:05:00.004-05:002009-03-16T21:08:11.431-05:00

I am a day late posting my check-in and tips for the week. I have a couple of great sites to recommend this week! The first is a great place to see how you are doing not only calorie-wise but also to track your macronutrients: NutritionData - Know What You Eat.The second tip of the week is for a podcast that I really enjoy: Fat 2 Fit Radio. Episode 57 has a lot of great information in it

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-50203834090163724312009-03-15T00:10:00.008-05:002009-03-15T07:29:03.816-05:00

Apparently, you can teach an old dog new tricks! On Wednesday, I had my first swimming session with my coach, Terri. It was amazing. I kid you not! That said, I haven't taken in that much water since the time the Sunfish capsized and I got my foot caught in the rigging!After being racked with self-doubt about my swimming ability for the last 40 years, I finally got some instruction! It was

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-85753184994632261592009-03-12T15:13:00.003-05:002009-03-12T15:34:43.591-05:00

Kim O'Donnel, Washington Post columnist, is mid-way through a week-long challenge called, "Eating Down the Fridge." This fits well with my retro theme from World War II, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without." It has to do with my personal take on the recession -- namely that the "hard times" are serving to remind us what is truly important and encouraging us to live within our

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-23607916094700781712009-03-09T15:05:00.005-05:002009-03-09T15:45:32.293-05:00

Need a great site to help you count your calories? CalorieLab is the answer. It's quick, it's easy and you don't have to "join." They also have a "news" tab with research and information in a pithy, friendly format. Finally, they have "calories burned" - more on that in a moment. Anyway, check it out -- I'm sure you'll find something of use.Here are my stats:Current Weight: 239.6Weight Last

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-64479743129969133182009-03-02T20:05:00.012-06:002009-03-02T23:36:43.241-06:00

It could be good or bad news -- depending on your point of view -- and it is everywhere in the medical and weight-loss news fronts this week: It's not how you lose weight, it's how many calories you cut. Most of us who are or have been engaged in long weight battles instinctively knew this, but it's nice to have it confirmed!In a 811-subject study published in The New England Journal of

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-12622417173067971332009-03-02T12:49:00.007-06:002009-03-02T13:15:58.012-06:00

This is National Nutrition month. The dietetic association has a website on the topic, which, on the whole, is fairly uninteresting. However, I was fascinated by the time-line of fad diets. I really want to know about the "vinegar and water" diet from the 19th century attributed to Lord Byron; I wonder if that's the one that enjoyed a revival a few years ago. You put a tablespoon of

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-80256383319785101032009-03-01T15:56:00.007-06:002009-03-01T18:04:57.278-06:00

Let's start with the fun topic - my tips of the week.Weight Watchers posted "25 Little Tips for Big Weight Loss" - I found some helpful reminders there. One of my favorite blogs, Fooducate, posts great info about what's really in what we eat. I told my darling Chanelle that her long love affair with ketchup is over, it's on it's way back to condiment status at our house!Here are my stats:

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-40250030816270422092009-02-26T22:54:00.000-06:002009-02-26T23:09:24.558-06:00

This morning I was speaking to my friend Roberta and we were discussing possible causes of my slight gain last week. I ran all my theories by her and then recommitted to waiting for this week's weigh in before I started obsessing over the possible fixes.But tonight, as I was entering the day's food into my spreadsheet, I noticed something did not look right. As I scanned the day's calories,

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-26079600283693587732009-02-22T10:49:00.000-06:002009-02-22T11:56:01.104-06:00

Each week I will be posting a tip of the week - a great resource or tip I've picked up in the past few days. This week I have an online PBS documentary, Fat, What No One is Telling You. It's very thought provoking and full of news from research, but don't watch it if you're feeling hopeless. It's food for thought but not edited in an encouraging manner. Therefore, I'm recommending it with

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-18491836947485839442009-02-20T18:58:00.000-06:002009-02-20T20:00:42.211-06:00

I thought it might happen eventually and on Wednesday, it did. It started with about 1/4 cup of butter cream frosting (a lick at a time of course) and then when the sugar crash came, I followed up with a snack bag of chips/crisps to "wake me up." Then I decided to make brownies for the kids after school and of course, they didn't come out of the pan that well, so I managed about a

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-64398168772434050642009-02-16T15:33:00.000-06:002009-02-16T16:54:50.079-06:00

I have tried lots of gimmicks to lose weight -- and I'll bet you have too. The gimmick that worked best for me was Weight Watchers points because after a while it's easy to count the points. However, I'm on a no-gimmick eating plan.Basically, I sat down and asked myself what foods I really wanted to eat. This was so liberating! For probably the first time since I started gaining weight, I was

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1584629208666513782.post-23559447718964862702009-02-15T22:59:00.000-06:002009-02-16T09:46:52.154-06:00

Welcome to my new weight loss blog. I am about two weeks into my latest (and last!) attempt to lose the excess 80 pounds I've been packing around for the last 13 years. You read that correctly -- it's eighty. But I haven't had it all for the whole 13 years; in point of fact, I put it on a pound at a time over the first 10 years and have spent the last three trying to get rid of it.I am

Dreena M. Tischlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13605622867015752171noreply@blogger.com2