Hi everyone, and welcome to the Get Healthy Blog Hop, hosted by Alex Cavanaugh, L. Diane Wolfe, Michael Di Gesu. The objective is to help other writers to succeed.
I think this is a very important Blog Hop as so many of us have awesome and amazing tips to pass along regarding getting and staying healthy! And we may very well pick this event up again this fall, once a month, from Halloween through the New Year.
I've always been thin, but in the past few years the pounds have been accumulating. Sitting and writing doesn't help. So I joined Weight Watchers. I can honestly say this programs works.
I've seen too many people go on programs only to lose, gain, lose, and gain weight. They are yo-yo diets. Why? Because many diets are programs and not a lifestyle that people can build their life around. No way anyone can remain on these diets for very long. And once they get off them, the pounds come right back. Examples:
Jennie Craig: Pre-packaged boxes of food that don't need refrigeration? I'm suspicious already. And these meals taste awful. People simply cannot remain on this program and be happy. They gain the pounds right back as soon as they leave.
Medifast: Powdered meals and snacks 24/7? I've seen people lose incredible amounts of weight on this program, only to gain it right back as soon as they leave.
IMHO, Weight Watchers is the only life-long program that one can put themselves on, be happy, and see consistent results. It's a lifestyle you can live with. And you can get an app and scan foods or enter them in manually and the app tracks everything so you know how you are doing through the day and make adjustments as you go along.
The Points System Works: Why? Because you can eat what you want (use good sense and eat good food). And Weight Watchers allows you to splurge one day a week and go nuts. And if you exercize, then you can add a few points to your daily total and still continue to lose wight.
So if you are in need of losing some pounds but do not want to stop eating real food and you want to splurge once a week, take a moment and check out Weight Watchers. Eat real food (I skip their packaged foods except for the chocolate protein shakes), do it online, and skip those weekly meetings.
I rock! Thanks Alex for the You Rock!
award. It's been a really tough couple of months with Google Shutting Down My Blogs and all. So I really appreciate the award!
And since this is a new blog, I would greatly appreciate hitting the FOLLOW button on my right side bar and updating your blog roll with my new URL. Thanks!
I rock! Thanks Alex for the You Rock!
award. It's been a really tough couple of months with Google Shutting Down My Blogs and all. So I really appreciate the award!And since this is a new blog, I would greatly appreciate hitting the FOLLOW button on my right side bar and updating your blog roll with my new URL. Thanks!
Question: What are some tips you can offer to get healthy and stay healthy?
Great to read I used to be thin until I started having children. I found Paul McKenna's "I Can Make You Thin " book and cd worked wonders, he also covers a whole range of health issues.
ReplyDeleteHope all goes well with your new blog.
Yvonne.
Being healthy really is a lifestyle thing, not a diet thing. Glad you found something that worked for you!
ReplyDeleteIt really does make a difference to be changing your bad habits, instead of crash dieting that can't be sustained. I've found the once a week splurge to be the key to my eating properly the rest of the week. After awhile, even the splurge doesn't seem as inviting as before. It makes me feel sluggish. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're right - diets don't work because you can't do them forever. The change must be permanent.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely rock, Stephen!
I joined weight watchers after having two kids. It worked for getting me back on track. I definitely think it's a better way to go.
ReplyDeleteOn my blogpost for tomorrow, I tell what got me back into fitness.
I agree that change must be permanent. I have done diets for many centuries and they all ended very bad, until they sent me to the hospital. Keep up with your healthy program. :)
ReplyDeleteI joined Weight Watchers in the early '70s and lost lots of weight, then I emigrated and re-joined in Canada. Eventually I got tired of it. Then I joined again and got tired of it, have been doing this off and on for years. I do agree, its a very sensible way of eating, but these days I can do that on my own. When you read my blog you will see what I'm doing.
ReplyDeleteJO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE
This is going to be a great Blog hop! I'm looking forward to all of your responses and great ideas!
ReplyDeleteHI, Stephen,
ReplyDeleteCONGRATS on the YOU ROCK award! It's so nice to be in such good company. I was so honored that Alex had nominated me as well.
I heard a LOT of good things about Weight Watcher and they have been around for YEARS. So they must know what they're doing.
And you are VERY wise. Food choices are so important. Stick with natural UNPROCESSED foods and that is half the battle. CHECK LAGELS. It's amazing how much sugar, sodium, and chemicals are infused in our foods. SO if you stick with real fruits, vegetables, and organic meats, the weight will come off.
Of course, one must MOVE as well. A half hour to an hour a day of exercise can do wonders for your body and MIND!
Thanks for hosting, Stephen. This is such a terrific bloghop!
I agree Steve, lifestyle changes are key. I just haven't been motivated enough yet. A lot of my co-workers have done the gastric bypass, and within 5 years have been back to their original weight, and then some.
ReplyDeleteI know me, I like certain foods (though not to excess) that are bad for my sedentary lifestyle, so I'm refusing to get anything surgically altered for a quick fix. My mom did weight watchers, and lost her weight, then indulged again, and lost the weight. She's diabetic. But, I have to say I think Weight Watchers is one I'd try sometime.
Will they let me eat as much pasta and Ruffles as I want as long as I do some sweating every day?
........dhole
I'm a Medifast victim and I don't recommend it. Change must be permanent or it won't stick.
ReplyDeleteHi Stephen .. good for you - a little regular exercise, less cakes, biscuits, dairy and lots of fruit and vegetables, as much raw as possible, with very little processed food. Thankfully I've been lucky through my life - now I need to exercise more, and get some balance back .. but generally I'm lucky I've remained positive and sensible.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with honing your bod up! Cheers Hilary
Hi Stephen, great post. For me regular exercise, avoiding too much fried and junk food and sweets keeps my weight in check. If I binge one day, then I ensure I eat healthy and light food for the next few days.
ReplyDeleteWow, I had no idea Google did that to you - and could do that to anyone. So sorry, Stephen, but you are coming back bigger, better, stronger.
ReplyDeleteI fully agree too about lifestyle changes vs fad diets.
Thanks for co-sponsoring this one.
xoRobyn
I tried the WW points system once ... we didn't get on :), but glad it's working for you. I'm on the 5:2, which is brilliant for me and it's working so well. Actually improving my day to day diet too :).
ReplyDeleteTasha's Thinkings
Congrats on the You Rock Award and I am glad that you have a site working now!
ReplyDeleteWeight Watchers is a tried and true method, but I myself have never been good with any diets.
A life-long program is what works. You can only "diet" for so long. But if the changes are permanent, then the weight will stay off.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the You Rock award.
And thank you for inviting me to co-host.
I didn't know you could do weight watchers online. I've done the diet thing two years ago, lost 20 lb in 45 days but have gained it back since. I've been watching what I eat since Christmas and exercising a little and lost 10 lb so far. Perhaps slower but I hope to keep these off long term.
ReplyDeleteHi, I think over the years I've tried all sorts of faddy diets which have short term improvements but not long term. I've also tried Weight Watchers and Slimming World which both worked, but atm I can't warrant the weekly cost so doing it on my own.
ReplyDeleteWalking and water for me are the 2 keys to helping me keep on the straight and narrow :)
Suzanne @ Suzannes Tribe
Waking up to some awesome comments! Thanks everyone for stopping by and participating in the Get Healthy blog Hop!
ReplyDeleteExercise is always important - not so much for weight loss, but maintaining it. Glad it's working for you, Stephen. And thanks for hosting this bloghop, I'm expecting to read some great tips!
ReplyDeleteStephen, CONGRATS on Weight Watchers working for you! I've tried it in the past and I know lots of other people who have tried it.
ReplyDeleteCONGRATS on the award from Alex. Totally cool!
I've done weight watchers before (twice) the point system is so much easier than counting calories
ReplyDeleteLots of great ideas and words of encouragement out there today. I'm inspired to do so much better with my health going into the summer.
ReplyDeleteMy sis-in-law swears by Weightwatchers but uses it to slim down for holidays then goes back to normal. Not sure if that's how it's supposed to work? I do love their chips though. :D
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering why you made another blog with Blogger (Googles blogging platform) when they shut you down? That must have been a complete nightmare? Glad you're back up and running. You might want to consider getting your one blog domain hosted and backed up to avoid it happening again. No, I'm not an affiliate :)
Shah X
http://bit.ly/13Y93DV
Weight Watchers sounds like a good deal. I like your tips on making it easier too. Congratulations on your award. I know it must have been frustrating and difficult dealing with so many hassles on your blog and all.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely rock!!!
ReplyDeleteI've participated in the WW program before with great success. The only drawback for me and my weird personality is I start to hyper-focus on food-- what and when I can eat and how much. It's a weirdness particular to me and past eating disorder stuff. I'm really trying to find a peace and truce with eating food and my body. Great post, thanks Stephen for sponsoring the hop.
ReplyDeleteI love the WW app. Just scan foods at the store or input manually and you have instant information. And information is the power to change.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures of their food always look good. :) Thanks for co-hosting the hop!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about weight watchers, or any custom program that focuses on lifestyle rather than weight loss. It's the only way to go long term. Thanks for hosting this blogfest.
ReplyDeleteRhonda @Laugh-Quotes.com
You are right it is about lifestyle changes. Glad you have found something that works for you. Thanks for co-hosting this great hop and I've clicked the follow button!
ReplyDeleteGlad you are up and running again, Stephen, with your blog! Thanks for co-hosting the blog hop. I've heard good things about Weight Watchers but, fortunately, have never needed to try any of them.
ReplyDeleteMary Montague Sikes
Your blog looks gorgeous! Love the colors~
ReplyDeleteThank you for starting this Stephen!
I too have noticed a few pounds creep on and I know it is from sitting, too much! A wonderful idea to do this perhaps seasonally!
Congrats on promoting a health lifestyle. Real food always rocks!
Yes, lifestyle and making small changes leads to big results.
I love when the premise here we can lose and win!
:D
Cherie, and they taste great too!
ReplyDeleteRhonda, this is the best Blog Hop so far I think.
Suzanne, thanks for following!
Mary, great that you never needed WW!
Ella, lose to win. I like that!
Hi Stephen, I'm here from the hop, and that follow button has been hit :D
ReplyDeleteI have not tried WW... I have heard good things about it, though, and I'm glad it worked for you. I don't join any programs where I have to pay anything so I resort to old fashioned exercise and portion control, unfortunately... I'm not always good at the portion control aspect of it lol That being said, if ever there was a program I would joing, it would be WW. Nice meeting you through the hop!
I've seen weight watchers work for a lot of people, but it wouldn't work for someone with my history...all that counting and calculating would send me over the edge again. I'm doing the Paleo diet, and have lost 35 pounds in two and a half months. Absolutely amazing. No counting, no points, no apps, just better food choices. So in that, we're on the same page!
ReplyDeleteGlad you got your blog up and running again. You're already updated in my sidebar. I'll check if I followed here or not...it was nuts during the challenge.
Congrats on rocking it!
Tina @ Life is Good
You hit the nail on the head, Stephen....they have to be 'lifestyle changes' and not 'diets'...diets always fail.
ReplyDeleteGlad you found something that works for you and congrats on the award...you -do- rock :)
Thanks for hosting this event!
Steve, it's all about changing your lifestyle with healthy things you can stick with.
ReplyDeleteIMO, fad diets are bad for you. I can see medifast for those grossly overweight--for a specified time. Then it's finding healthy food plan that works to bring the rest of the weight off.
I like Weight Watchers for the reasons you mentioned. My husband and I have always been more careful what we eat during the week and we allow a day on the weekend to eat other things we love but need to keep to sparing use.
What works for me is high protein (which is more than just meat) low carbs. Pretty much all my carbs are fruits and veggies. Having an Italian husband who grew up with pasta makes it a bit problematic. But I now create complex carbs when I use pasta and since I can't eat wheat (except in very small increments on rare occasions) I've learned to make pasta from other things.
Sia McKye OVER COFFEE
Set a goal that you tell others about. That keeps you moving.
ReplyDeleteI neglected to mention eating is one of the great pleasures of life. That's why WW is so successful. You can still eat the foods you like, but within reason.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting, Stephen! Exercise has been my means of maintaining sanity and keeping slim. When I exercise religiously, I don't feel badly in eating an occasional indulgent dessert.
ReplyDeleteNice to hear of another WW success story!
ReplyDeleteHealthy sometimes seems like a four letter word. I mean in my younger days I could eat what I wanted and nothing negative happened. What's up with that?
ReplyDeleteEveryone says Weight Watchers is the only diet that consistently keeps people on track. My in-laws do it, but I've never tried it...I may give it a look-see if my current plan doesn't work.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip and the blog hop!
I know at least one person who's successfully lost weight after hypnosis. I've also heard good things about Weight Watchers. The rest of the diet products/regimens I've seen seem unrealistic with their promises and goals. I'm particularly leery right off the bat if they promise you can fit back into clothes you haven't worn since you were 18. Why are you trying to fit into clothes that must be at least 20 years old? Haven't you moved on in your life?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found a program that's sustainable and therefore maintainable. Still, it's very tough work maintaining weight loss so I wish you the best!
ReplyDeleteI've been contemplating Weight Watchers. I do like the life time aspect of it. Seems really workable in the real world.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great bloghop. I wouldn't be opposed to a monthly check in.
I am following you on Bloglovin.
Congrats on the "You Rock" award! Over the years, I've heard lots of positive things about WW.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting the Bloghop.
Writer In Transit
WW is the only program that has worked over the years, plus it trains you to make better food choices after the program ends. It's still hard if you are the type who easily gains weight.
ReplyDeleteWeight Watchers seems to be a smart way to do weight loss and be healthy.
ReplyDeleteHey Stephan,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to tell you I nominated you for the Liebster Award:
http://goingvegan1.blogspot.com/2013/05/finally-back-update-and-liebster-award.html
It's always great to hear testimonials from people who've found something that works for them. They just started a weight watcher's program at my work so people can go to the meetings and do their weigh-ins without having to schedule in an extra activity. I've known a lot of people who've done well with this program, it's a good thing to keep in mind.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for hosting this blog hop, by the way! I've had a ball today!
Jennie Craig food sounds delightful. Weight Watchers sounds not only tasty, but also good for you. Some of the fad diets are downright scary. I know. I tried a few of them in university.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog hop, thanks for hosting. learning a lot from the individual journeys!
ReplyDeleteHave you joined the The Healthy Writer Club?
Stay healthy!
Wow! I've learned much from visiting different blogs. This is a great way to kick off summer!
ReplyDeleteI've tried loads of diets over the years and only ONE thing works. Counting Calories, eating balanced meals and exercising! There is no short cut!
ReplyDeleteGoogle has been so sneaky lately! They've stopped filtering the spam, don't update some peoples blog rolls and are trying to force us to change our comments over to Google+. I think we should all start a rebellion platform!
ReplyDeleteBut yay for the award and healthy suggestions. I've never joined WW - also a skinny kid turned tubby in recent years. I like the idea of online. I think I'd get too depressed going along to meetings. They'd probably frown at me bringing my own large caramel hot chocolate and glazed cinnamon scroll. They're funny like that.
Good to have you back in blog land!
I've gotten some of the Weight Watchers frozen meals when they were on sale. I don't really count calories. If I'm hungry I eat and I eat what's on hand or what sounds good. Probably a bad plan.
ReplyDeleteLee
A Faraway View
An A to Z Co-host blog
Never thought about any of the programs, I did not like the regimentation of it and I can never seem to keep track of points. :) Sounds like Weight Watchers would be a good thing, with no irregular foods to eat, just normal ones you eat every day, it would be simple. Great tip! And thanks for this blogfest, very encouraging. :)
ReplyDeleteI have been a Weight Watchers member for quite a while now and am closing in on a 25 pound loss. The hard part for me was learning to eat lots less now that I'm lots older. So annoying.
ReplyDeleteI encourage WW even on healthy people so that they do not gain weight as the years ago by. Time can be a trickster and we don;t see it coming.
ReplyDeleteI like Weight Watchers for the reasons you mentioned. My husband and I have always been more careful what we eat during the week and we allow a day on the weekend to eat other things we love but need to keep to sparing use
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