Tip 44: Take the stairs!

When did we become so reliant on elevators? They used to only be used by the physically handicapped, injured, or people carrying very heavy things. So when did the average person decide to skip the stairs, day after day, in favor of the elevator?

I know I am guilty of it. I take the elevator in most normal situations, or the escalator. Why? I think it's because the stairs are "out of the way" and the elevators are front and center, and labeled with large signs.

Ever since I started my weight-loss journey, I have been making an effort to take the stairs as often as possible. It gets my heart pumping throughout the day, and is a calorie-torching way to tone my legs! haha

Tip 44: take the stairs!

POLL RESULTS: "How did you get to my page?"

I'm glad to see the little promoting I'm doing is working. Thanks everyone! Continue spreading the word! ROCK ON! :)

Student Saturday: Kashi Products

So, with one of my polls i learned that you guys would really like more tips for college students. That's a easy request for me, seeing as I'm a college student! :)

So, today I'm talking about Kashi products. Hopefully you guys know what company I'm talking about, seeing as i've mentioned them tons! They're a really great company, with alot of yummy and healthy food. This past weekend, I happened to run into them at the State College Arts Festival. They're currently on their "Real Tour" promoting their line of healthy food. (To see tour dates, and other info about what they're doing, click here: http://www.kashi.com/events/real_tour.)

I already love Kashi, so when i went into the tent, i'll admit it was because i was a little hungry....but i was very happy that i got to try some of their new cereals. 

I'm not someone that tries new cereals very often. I usually know what I like and can judge pretty accurately what i will and won't like. Kashi has this cereal called "Berry Blossom" and it resembles Captain Crunch, but to be honest I hate Captain Crunch, so I didn't have hopes for it. Plus, the idea of a berry-flavored cereal doesn't sound like something I would like. I was really surprised. It was amazing! So yummy, and way better than I expected. So I guess I learned not to judge a food before I try it. Haha.

Another cereal I thought was worth mentioning completely blew me away. "Cinnamon Harvest" looks like Mini-wheats without icing. While the texture was similar, the taste was incredibly different. To me it tasted like  a cinnamon bun! Bret, who is a die-hard fan of Life cereal, actually said he thought it was as good, if not better, than Life! I was looking on the site, and they have other flavors, like vanilla too. 

Kashi products mark themselves by having real ingredients. Real food, not unrecognizable chemicals and ingredients. I learned about how its not necessarily the calories that count, but what kind of calories it is. That makes complete sense, doesn't it?

Kashi products are widely available in stores, and on college campuses. Penn State, to name one, carries their cereals and granola bars in their stores on campus. I've also see it in the cafeteria as one of the morning cereal options. 

I left my blog URL on their bulletin board, and walked away with a box of cereal, and a gift bag with lots of healthy stuff :)

Kashi has lots of great options, for mornings, for snacks, and even for desserts (yummy cookies!). Definitely check them out if you haven't already!

I'm gonna go dive into a bowl of cereal. Yum! :)

Just Another Whale,

MyzzLyzz

POLL RESULTS: "What would you like to see added as a feature of the week?"

What would you like to see added to this blog as a "feature of the week?"

a healthy recipe	5 (33%)
special college/student advice	8 (53%)
a feature on my weight-loss buddy and his progress (would be monthly)	4 (26%)
an exercise or DVD (would be monthly)	4 (26%)
my frustrations from daily life while trying to lose weight and how i cope	5 (33%)
sample food diary/food plan	3 (20%)
a featured food/healthy addition to a diet	3 (20%)
Nothing! I Love Your Blog!	2 (13%)
Other- please specify in a comment on a post.	2 (13%)

So i definitly will be added some student specific advice, but some other options were also very popular. For those of you that would like me to share more personal stuff, go to my other blog "Murmurs and Monologues from MyzzLyzz" which you can get to by clicking on my profile in the about me section. Or, follow this link. But that blog is not entirely about my weight loss struggle, its more like...general topics and stuff, but feel free to check it out. :)

"BL" Week #12

I know this is coming about a week late, but i was literally unable to reach a computer for the past week. sorry! :(




LIZZ (MYZZLYZZ)
Previous Weight: 208.6 / 209.5*
Current Weight: 213
Pounds Lost: 0*
Percentage Lost: 0%* 


BRET
Previous Weight: 277/280*
Current Weight:  283
Pounds Lost: -0*
Percentage Lost: 0.%

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now, in true biggest loser fashion, we will have our finale in 6 weeks! (The contestants always have a while between the last episode on the ranch and the finale).


This is also because Bret and I will be away for the next 6-ish weeks. We won't have access to any scale.


Our finale will be posted when we come back!


<3

make sure to cast your vote at the bottom of the page for who YOU think will be the Just Another Whale "biggest loser" competition winner!

Best of luck to both of us!WISH US LUCK! :)

Tip 43: Skip the mayo!

Bret, this tip is for you!

Bret LOVES mayo. I mean, this guy would have it all the time.

I personally HATE mayo, so this tip does not really apply to me. Haha

Today's tip is on the short side, but that doesn't mean it is any less important!

Tip 43: Skip the mayonaise!

Mayo is full of fat, calories, and theres plenty of ways to get that good taste without slathering on mayo.

Here's five easy ways to replace mayonaise!:
1. Spices! Add salt, pepper, oregano, basil, chili power, any spice you like to get more taste
2. go for a low calorie dressing or vinagrette instead
3. greek yogurt! (this is my personal fave). add a little of PLAIN greek yogurt to tuna and make tuna salad. the same goes for any other recipie that calls for mayo. it's lower calorie, more filling because its full of protein, and really yummy! you can also slather a little on break for sandwiches
4. add lettuce or tomato to sandwiches for more moisture
5. if you absolutely HAVE to have it, go for a reduced-calorie mayo, one made with healthier ingredients (such as olive oil mayo or vegganaise- which is a vegan mayo made from a plant base). Or, just put less! :)

Just Another Whale,
MyzzLyzz

Tip 42: Spring Cleaning

Okay, so I know today is the first day of SUMMER, but what better time to think about cleaning out your house, and life, and...kitchen?

Summer is a beautiful time of year, warm, sunny, and full of relaxing days spent enjoying the fruits of your labor. It's also a time of year we stress about, having to wear shorter skirts and shorts, and dresses, and of course, bathing suits.

Many people make the mistake of trying to lose weight in the summer. Any time is a good time to start your weight loss journey, BUT results are slow. They take time, patience, and dedication. If you start your diet and exercise program in summer, you won't see fantastic results until fall, which then leads you to get discouraged and give up. Please don't give up!

Today's tip is a lazy one. Because summer should be focused more on fun than on work.

Tip 42: Clean out your kitchen.

Click "read more" for an easy way to make staying on track easier.

Tip 41: yes, breakfast can do that!

Today, we're talking about my favorite meal of the day....breakfast!!

I LOVE BREAKFAST! :)

It's my favorite part of the morning, getting to eat a nice-sized meal and not feel guilty about it!

Tip 41: Eat breakfast!

Click "read more" for some great breakfast meal ideas, and a look at why it really is the most important meal of the day! :)

Tip 40: think you're too heavy to exercise? walk!

Are you over 100 pounds overweight? Or are you so heavy you have trouble moving? Does exercise seem impossible for you?

Think again.

Don't let it get you down. Think positive, and don't let yourself drown yourself deeper into an unhappy, obese hole.

With a little patience, hard work, and perseverance, you can get the exercise you need to supplement your healthy diet and get you on the road to weight loss.

Tip 40: think you're too heavy to exercise? walk!

(Note: always consult a doctor when beginning an exercise plan, and for safety reasons, if you are this new to exercise you should have a buddy with you at all time in case of injury, and for support!)

Click "read more" for a great outline on how to get walking, and get losing. :)

Tip 39: Sweet is sweet, no matter how you use it

I think we all get tempted by something sweet that adds 0 calories to our plate.

But think about it, doesn't it sound too good to be true?

Well, it is.

Tip 39: Whether you use sugar or a sugar substitute, the effects are still the same (if not worse)

Click "read more" to see 5 big reasons why splenda, artificial sweeteners, diet soda, and 0-calorie flavored water can do more harm than good to your waistline. 

"BL" Week #10

LIZZ (MYZZLYZZ)
Previous Weight: 209 / 209.4
Current Weight: 208.6
Pounds Lost: -0.4
Percentage Lost: 0.001...%

BRET
Previous Weight: 277.4
Current Weight:  277.0
Pounds Lost: -0.4
Percentage Lost: 0.001...%




THIS WEEK'S WINNER IS: TIE!


Okay, so at least I'm a little caught up! haha. Good job Bret, hopefully next week i'll be the winner! :)


Just a few quick notes about my blog:

• I created a formspring page, you can see it here! You can go and ask me questions about whatever topic you want, and can scroll through and see questions that other people have asked me. :) [there is also a link on the right-hand side of the page under "important links"]

• Just a reminder, please become a fan on facebook if you haven't already. You'll receive updates every time I post. :) Become a fan here! [there is also a link on the right-hand side of the page under "important links"]

Thanks so much for being fans! I've reached over 5,000 page views! :D

Tip 38: Go outside and play!

Yay! Its Summer!  Although it's not my personal favorite season, summer is great for a lot of reasons: days off from work/school, nice weather, and plenty of fun outdoor activities!

Summer is the season that we all work hard for during the year. For some that means fitting into that bikini that you hung on your kitchen wall to keep you motivated (and away from the cookies). For others, its being able to walk on the beach as a lighter person, and feeling less sweaty and gross when its hot outside.

Summer is also the season of barbecues, parties, and other indulgence into sweet food.

To stay fit this summer, you should....


Tip 38: Go outside and play!

Click "read more" for some great ideas on how to get outside and get moving to have fun and burn calories at the same time!

"BL" Week #9

LIZZ (MYZZLYZZ)
Previous Weight: 209 / 211.8*
Current Weight: 209.4
Pounds Lost: 0*
Percentage Lost: 0%* 


*on biggest loser they go by the lightest previous weight and not necessarily the previous week's weight. 



BRET
Previous Weight: 277.4
Current Weight:  277.4
Pounds Lost: 0*
Percentage Lost: 0%






Ugh i was so close! :( That just means that I've caught up a little....so next week, Bret - you better watch out!!! 

Tip 37: slow and steady wins the race

Fast weight loss. Its what we all strive for because we are just so sick of feeling heavy - inside and out.

But did you know that going crazy with exercise and restrictive eating can do more harm than good - even if you're able to stick with it?

My advice? Take the route of the turtle not the hare. Slow and steady wins the race!!

Tip 37: Slow and steady wins the race; aim to lose 2-4 lbs a week maximum

Click "read more" to see why fast results can do more harm than good...

Tip 36: Diet pills are a big no-no

Okay, we've all seen the advertisements. In magazines, on TV, on billboards.

Some take the approach of a medical doctor, using chart and "double blind" studies to sway you into thinking they're a safe (and sure) bet to lose your unwanted belly fat.

Others go the sex-sells route, and flash images of the perfect body - a tight toned stomach and stick thin arms and legs - and get you to imagine yourself looking like those models, and thinking that the only way you could ever look like that is to buy their product.

Still others are more sneaky, with eye-catching and interesting commercials that confuse you but make you remember their product.

The point is that the diet pills and drinks are a multi-billion dollar industry. We keep buying and buying their products.

But did you ever stop to think about it for a minute? If some company had actually found the magic pill for weight loss, all other companies would be out of business, everyone would be thin, and EVERYONE would know about it.

For those of you that have tried the pills, did they really work? I'm going to take a guess and say they didn't.

Tip 38: Diet pills are a big no-no


Click "read more" for more insight as to why these "quick fixes" are complete crap! 

BL Week #8

LIZZ (MYZZLYZZ)
Previous Weight: 209 / 212*
Current Weight: 211.8
Pounds Lost: 0*
Percentage Lost: 0%* 


*on biggest loser they go by the lightest previous weight and not necessarily the previous week's weight. 

BRET
Previous Weight: 280.0
Current Weight:  277.4
Pounds Lost: -2.2
Percentage Lost: 0.99%


THIS WEEK'S WINNER: BRET!


Although I'm still running behind, I am not losing motivation. I took a page out of Jay's book for this upcoming week and will write "209" in pen on my wrist every morning until next weigh-in day. He is from this season's Biggest Loser and was known for writing his goal weight for the week on his forearm each day in big black marker. It kept him so motivated and focused throughout the competition, that for the finale, he got a tattoo with an encouraging quote on his forearm. 


My goal is to get back to my lightest weigh-in weight for this competition by next week, and now that I'm fully able to jump and run around as usual instead of wearing a stupid ankle brace, Bret- you better watch out!! :P


I would also like to send a big shout-out to the all-female finalists from the Biggest Loser - you all look so great!! :) And congrats, of course, to Olivia! The winner! :)

POLL RESULTS: Now that you've seen this blog, you will...

Yay more poll results! :)
Now that you’ve seen this blog, you will… 
become a follower = 5 (33%)
check back periodically- 1x a week or less = 3 (20%)
check back often- 2+ times per week = 5 (33%)
never visit this blog again = 2 (13%)
(15 total votes)

I think its cool that so many of you are supportive. I really enjoy seeing my number of followers go up, and my page views. It really makes me smile! :)

As far as the people who voted never to come back...thanks for trying to darken my sky, but it makes me giggle to think you disliked my blog enough to not come back, but yet you took time to vote in my poll. Thats a little strange to me. Haha

As always, thanks for voting! New polls are up! :)

POLL RESULTS: I would like more advice about...

Time for poll results! :)

I would like more advice about...
causes of weight gain = 7 (53%)
exercise tips = 5 (38%)
diet tips = 8 (61%)
how to deal with "real-life" situations = 5 (38%)

(25 total responses)

I know those percentages aren't adding up but for whatever reason the blog site isn't fixing them....and at the second im too lazy to calculate, so I'll probably fix it later. haha

Overall, it was pretty evenly spread out between all those categories. But I definitely will try to mention more causes of weight gain and more diet tips.

Thanks for voting! Make sure you have your voice heard - the polls are at the bottom of the page. I appreciate your input! :)

"BL" Week #7

Okay, so heres how this works since we this competition got sidelined because of finals. First, let me mention that this competition will be 12 weeks, not 8. Second, at the start of our summer, both me and bret weighed ourselves. That number is the bolded number after "previous weight." The other number is our lowest weigh-in for this competition. In addition, it is important to note that our rule concerning percentage lost stays the same. This means we will be going off of the not-bolded number for that, or the pounds lost count either. Furthermore, the weekly rewards have been done away with because bret and i cannot see each other every weekend, which makes most rewards (like back rubs, cooking for each other, etc.) impossible to execute. 


LIZZ (MYZZLYZZ)
Previous Weight: 209 / 217*
Current Weight: 212
Pounds Lost: 0
Percentage Lost: 0%* 


*on biggest loser they go by the lightest previous weight and not necessarily the previous week's weight. so, although my starting weight for the summer was 217, i'm still going off of 209 for the percentages and pounds lost because that was the lower number i logged in for the competition.


BRET
Previous Weight: 285.4 / 287*
Current Weight:  280.0
Pounds Lost: -5.4
Percentage Lost: 0.98%


THIS WEEK'S WINNER: BRET!


I would like to send out a huge congratulations to Bret at this weigh-in because he is now 50 pounds lighter than he started! Congrats baby! You've worked hard the past two years and you really earned it!! :)


As far as my weigh-in goes, I'm just happy I didn't gain anything! Haha, being stuck in a chair for two weeks while healing could have really made me gain weight. I guess I have my willpower to stick to my diet and my mother's healthy cooking to thank for that minus 3 pounds! Haha!

Tip 35: Don't let injury injure your progress!

So I know I've been behind on my blogging schedule due to school, so I apologize that the posts are a little out of order, but I felt this tip really needed to be written today.

Injury is a scary thing. It brings pain, fear, hopelessness, and restlessness. When you get hurt and are confined to resting for several days or more, it can be really damaging to any weight loss progress. Not only do you not have an outlet to burn calories, you're often bored which can lead to eating more. Then after you start to heal, getting back into cardio excercise is often slow due to fear of re-injury. Getting hurt while on a mission to lose weight can really de-rail you. But don't let that de-railment be permanent!

I have been sitting on the couch for almost four days with only the TV to entertain me (I don't currently have my laptop with me). This week was suposed to be the start of my summer vacation, a week for me to concentrate on working out, eating healthy, and getting back into the swing of things. Unfortunatly I sprained my ankle while hiking, and recieved a prognosis of 3-5 days rest, 5-7 days on crutches, and 2-4 weeks of wearing an aircast and "taking it easy." Needless to say, I'm pretty grim about my chances of winning our Biggest Loser competition, especially since I know Bret has been working out at least an hour a day, and has been watching his diet like a hawk. Putting my competitive side on hold, I'm pretty discouraged about my inability to exercise. I love food! So when I'm exercising I can let myself have a little more because I know I'll be burning it off. And exercise distracts me from feeling hungry all the time. In general, being up and active and moving around all day keeps me from sitting on the couch and scarfing down all the food in my house. Haha.

Boredom is enemy #1 to me. It fuels my emotional eating. And because all I'm doing is sitting around all day, my body gets confused. It mistakes boredom and restlessness for hunger. This majorly sucks for me! I'm lucky enough that I have people who are staying with me at home to care for me, but it also makes things difficult. I can't cook for myself. I can only tell people what I want and have them make it for me. And in thier defense, my mother (who is on her weight loss journey as well) is doing very well with portion sizes and adding in plenty of fruits and veggies. But without any activity on my part, I'm still eating more than I should be.

So today's tip is for anyone who gets injured and gets discouraged, or has a longer-term injury or inability to engage in much exercise. At that moment, thats me too!

Tip 35: Exercising with injury

Click "read more" to see some awesome tips to keep active while injured, and some diet tips to keep from overeating while resting up.

J.A.W. Announcement!

Hey guys!

Sorry I haven't written or updated recently, but I've been swamped with work and stress surrounding college finals. So now that my summer has officically started, keep on the lookout for new posts!

Also, the "Biggest Loser" competition will resume next thursday!

Thanks for understanding!

Just Another Whale,
MyzzLyzz

BL Week #6

LIZZ (MYZZLYZZ)

Previous Weight: 209 / 213*

Current Weight: 213

Pounds Lost: 0

Percentage Lost: 0%

* on biggest loser they go by the lightest previous weight and not necessarily the previous week's weight. so, although my last week's weight was 212, i'm still going off of 209 for the percentages and pounds lost.

BRET

Previous Weight: 285.4*

Current Weight:  285.8

Pounds Lost: +0.4

Percentage Lost:0%

THIS WEEK'S WINNER: NOBODY !!

Tip 34: Get Tech Savvy

Happy Tuesday! Today I am announcing a new feature of my blog!:

I will be writing up a new blog segment, which I will post on tuesdays once or twice a month. I'm calling it "Techie Tuesday" and it will examine a specific program, website, mobile phone app, or other technological device that can help with your weight loss journey. I will cover things such as Nike plus, pedometers, heart monitors, online fitness planners, calorie counting mobile phone apps, etc.

In our everyday lives, technology plays a big part. Computers, smartphones, tablets, iPods, email, the internet, the list goes on and on!

So today's tip focuses on making your technology work for you...

Tip 34: Get tech savvy!

iPods are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to using technology to make keeping up with a healthy lifestyle easier. Click "read more" for some neat suggestions on how to make your life healthier (and better) with technology, and a list of ten pretty awesome gadgets!