Rehydrate!

It's January... it's cold... and lets face it all you want is a hot chocolate with some marshmallows and a biccie... now before someone gets on their high horse, lot of January grumps around at the moment, I know you can have them on the plan... everything in moderation and that, but getting your full intake of H2O is vital, especially at this time of year... we're in hibernation mode, central heating, fires, and the heaters blowing in the car and office can dehydrate us... we're more sluggish... we're not moving as much as we would in the summer... well some of us aren't... and to keep everything 'moving' and your skin clear you've just got to get it into you... so my tips... 

First up... Buy yourself a 'water' glass... something fun or cute or with a bit of bling on it... something that's not a plastic bottle! Also a fancy water bottle doesn't need to cost the earth! Keep a bottle/glass ... in ALL these places... 

Beside the kettle, whilst you're waiting for it to boil down a small glass... On your desk,  sip it throughout the day... In the car, every traffic light, take a swig...  In your gym/swim bag, the more your exercise the more you need to replenish fluids! ...  Beside your bed,  often you're thirsty not hungry, so try a glass first before you head to the fridge for a mid night feast! 

Mine are all from Homestore & More, IKEA, Dealz, TK MAXX... they all have funky glasses, large one off wine glasses and hipster jam jars! Trust me on this, you will drink more... 

Next up.. get yourself a proper water bottle... then get another one... again leave them where you regularly sit... desk, car coffee table... again out of sight out of mind... if they're there you're more likely to sip! 

Clearly I'm a big fan of the 'pink water bottle'... 

Then... make water taste better... This post from Jamie Oliver >>> HERE  <<< made me rethink how I could enjoy water more and this post from the Yummy Life >>> HERE <<< drool! I challenge you not to want to try them out... if you love fruit like I do, get out the glass jug from the back of the cupboard, chop up some oranges, melon, some kiwi, any fruit except bananas to be honest and flavour your water naturally, feck it get a cocktail glass too if it'll make you drink it! Make it the night before and it'll be full of flavour by morning! 

Load up your fruit, top tip - give everything a good squeeze on the way in 
so the natural juices can flow! 

Play around with flavours, chopped apple, chopped grapes and lemon is delicious... 

Stock up your jug with fruit... add your water and let it 'stew' for as long as you can.. 

Apple and Blueberry a new fav of mine... again make sure you squash the blueberries so you get the flavour going... 

After 10 or 15 mins you'll see it go cloudy and that's ALL flavour! 

The orange season is nearly done, so the bigger ones are super juicy right now.. 

I leave this in the fridge with my over night oats  

and its SO refreshing in the morning! 

Just so I'm down with the kids! ahem... 

Tangent - When I was a kid, if you drank out of a jam jar 
you felt like a third world citizen! Now it's THE cool think to do! 

Oh and never underestimate the power of a straw.. you'll drink loads more with one... and most of the shops do them... the pound shop / dealz do some very cool ones... IKEA have their SUPER straws coming in again soon so keep an eye out for them, bargain too! 

Other tips... When you're out for dinner place your water glass on the side of your dominant hand... you'll automatically reach for it... we're creatures of habit! Plus think of the hangover! 

First thing after you wake up, don't reach for the coffee... try a mug of hot water with a slice of lemon... it's good to kick start your liver and kidneys... sweeten it with a drop of honey if you don't like the taste... 

Eat your water... melon, celery, cucumber, soup... lots of ways to add more to your diet.. A lot of times we're not hungry we're thirsty so have a glass of water before you reach for something to eat! 

Drinking water is so good for you.. for your skin, hair, digestive system, your liver, kidneys there's nothing negative about drinking the stuff and you're 75% made of water! 

The science bit... If you need any factual back up, check out the graphic below, you can find it >>> HERE <<< I know its American based but the facts are still the same, water is good for you! 

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H to the O... yo… week 4!

a little one bed I'm thinking I should do up and live in... 

Firstly, Apologies I'm a day late and all kinds of 'jet lagged' ... ahem ... chart will be updated on this post tomorrow... I want to go through all the comments and make sure I don't miss any body out … 

This week, week 4 (HOW did that happen so fast!) its all about water... 

The recommended intake for a healthy adult is generally a minimum of 8 to 12 glasses of water per day. Here's a  Hydration Calculator ... it's good as a guide..... 

Tap Tips… 

1. Find your source. In most places in tap water is just as good as most bottled water, so don't feel like you have to buy your water. If you do live in an area with lime or hard water or the taste of chlorine is strong then invest in a  filter jug… they're in most shops and keep it topped up… 

2. Drink and Drive!
Leave a bottle everywhere… by your desk, at the sink, beside the kettle, in the car beside your bed… there's no excuse not to have a glass or mug for your water intake so whenever you see it.. you'll drink some… its a great habit to get into!

3. How do you take it?  Cold? Get a jug for the fridge... Room temp? Leave the jug on the counter... Or drink from the tap if you like... Iced? Be sure you have some ice trays full every night... Be prepared... Flavor? Don't like plain water? If you can't stand water, try putting a slice of fresh lemon, lime, or orange in your glass. Get juicing.... Add some sugar free cordial.. whatever helps you to drink more then do it… if all else fails, just drink it and quit moaning! You'll get used to it... and feel better for it!

Freeze slices of lemon... I sound like the boy scouts but ALWAYS be prepared!

4. Every morning, first thing in your mouth before anything else, drink a glass of water. Your body WANTS it, 74% of you is water and feels so much better... Then, have a glass with every meal, it does help fill you faster and you tend to eat a bit less. Even if you are just sitting down to have ONE biscuit, have a glass of water first…  you'll snack less! Drink a glass when you *think* you are hungry or want to eat… you're not hungry.. you're thirsty!

5. Go one-for-one at happy hour... When you're enjoying a cocktail or three at happy hour, try to drink at least one glass of water (or, even just half a glass) for every alcoholic drink you take down. It's a great way to heal the hangover and munchies that come with it the next day too...

6. Drink a glass of water 30 minutes before every meal. Its not always easy to remember.. But when I do it, I notice that I don't hoover my food as fast when I sit down to eat my meal normally...

7. AND.. remember that when you exercise you need to replenish those lost fluids… all common sense!

Water increases your metabolism, flushes out toxins, gives you clearer skin, relieves tiredness, helps digestion and so much more all for ZERO calories!

New chart up tomorrow and back posting in full swing on Monday! 

From the posts I see everyones doing great!

   

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Forget about losing weight!!! Week 9!

You heard me! Forget it!

If Christmas is daunting and you're thinking about just jumping ship.. then don't put any pressure on yourself.. aim to maintain! Don't panic if you put on a pound or two! Its Christmas... and food is all part and parcel of the holiday! You can swing this three ways... either decline every party invite and eat sprouts for the week and be miserable and drag everyone else with you or give yourself free reign until January, eat a full tin of roses and gain 10lbs and head back to the wagon on Jan 3rd (sound familiar!)... or have some fun but don't go crazy and stay the same or gain a couple of pounds that won't take all year to lose! 

Plan! That's your word for the next few weeks... be strategic and plan! Every social event is a battle and you need to work out how you can enjoy it without face planting the buffet! That food will be there? What temptations will you find? How will you deal with them? No ones saying you have to be Norma no mates.. but you can have fun without over indulging and undoing all your good work! There's no need to write off 2012 because 2013 is going to be "the" year! (again familiar?!?!) 

Here's some tips I got from my leader and other members for the silly season, some of them might ring a bell with you... Some of them are great!!!

Eat a huge bowl of porridge for breakfast to line the stomach, sets you up for the day!
Bring Zero Point soup for lunch/late afternoon so you'll feel full before you go... 
Check if there's a menu and go for the veggie option!
Alternate Boozy drinks with water!
If you're tempted with more food.. get up and dance!!! 
Volunteer to be the designated driver...
Practice saying.. that was delish but I'll pass on seconds thanks... 
At a family lunch - get out for a walk.. bring dogs, kids and grandad!
Exercise as a family! Do the Turkey Trot! 
At the buffet fill your plate once!
Tighten your belt a notch! The discomfort will make you not want to eat till you burst!
Don't eat to please others... you're not obliged to eat Auntie Marys Fruit cake!
Stay hydrated! A pint of water before the party will give you that 'full' feeling! 
       (and help the hangover!)
Recycle tins of sweets and biscuits that you get... don't open them!!
Don't over stock! There's not a nuclear war planned.. its one day! 
Shops will be open on the 27th! If you buy them early.. you'll eat them early!
Meet people at your house.. that way you control the food and portions!
Send leftovers home with your guests!
Play with the children and they're new toys! Its all exercise...
Ask for Sporty pressies! New trainers... a bike.. workout DVD.. I've just got Strictlys!!! 
       (cha cha cha!)
Swap crisps and peanuts for breadsticks!
Remove the marzipan and icing from your slice of Christmas cake.. 
If you have pushy friends... develop an allergy!
Use low fat hummus and creme fraiche with garlic as dips...
Buy low fat versions of food.. hide the packets and they'll never know!



But remember.. Christmas is meant to be enjoyed and a happy time to spend with friends and family.. part of that includes food so there's no need to deny yourself.. all yourself some indulgent days... The key is balance and having a 'bad' day can be balanced out with some 'good' days... December is a dangerous time so give yourself, Christmas eve and Christmas day, New Years eve and maybe you're work party day to just enjoy .. and the other days.. be more mindful of what you eat...  Doll xxx

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Water water everywhere...

No secret here that I follow the Weight Watchers ProPoints programme... It's all counting and it works for me and many others .. I don't work for weight watchers nor do I advocate their products... Yes, I have some of their ready meals hiding in the depths of my freezer for 'emergencies' but as most of you know I'm a 'cook it from scratch' kinda gal... To me a meal that's gonna last till 2014 really shouldn't be going into my body... All the additives and 'E' numbers are not good for your system... But hey neither is gin but I'm not giving that up! My body is a temple and all that... Ahem... 

Still weight watchers bring out products and I try them out because some followers ask my opinion and to be honest I like to try them out in case I might just like one of them ... although I did over dose on Ocean Pie... And the latest thing they have brought out are flavoured waters, (I tried out SLIM WATER too) .. Now I love water, some people struggle with it.. not me .. I love boiling water with lemon first thing and if I'm feeling a bit crazy or bored I'll add a dash of sugar free cordial to change things up... Wild huh!? But as long as you keep drinking it, its all good... 

These flavoured waters are ok... They do taste lovely, and the flavours are yummy... But they are pricey, you'd get a large bottle of the clear stuff for the same price ... All are zero ProPoints ... But you're paying for a brand... And the additives just make try entire process redundant in my opinion... anything that contains sucrose is going to mess with your sugar levels... and that's not good when you're just thirsty...  Water helps you lose weight and its great for everything, headaches, your skin, your digestion... Additives don't! ... Here's  < one of my more popular posts on how much you should be drinking for your body weight...  Certainly these drinks are miles better than a can of fizzy pop/diet coke/fanta etc, but if you want to do your body good.. Turn on the tap, chuck in a few ice cubes and a slice of lemon, use a cocktail glass... g'wan be a diva!  

Doll x

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Its not in the fridge! Week 3...

I know I'm great at preaching the .. 'there's no such thing as ONLY a half pound' .. but this week I sighed getting off the scales... Down a half and still not happy... My new mantra this week... 'its not in the fridge!' Whatever problem I've got.. and on the world scale they don't even register.. the answer.. no matter how hard I look... isn't in the fridge!

Does anyone else find that fighting the cravings becomes worse than the cravings?!?! This won't turn into a landslide... I've come too far to let it all fall apart... just a week with a brain overload... and experience has taught me that filling my tummy doesn't remove that knot of discomfort that was already there... it just moves over... creating a rock and a hard place just below the waist of my jeans.. I know the solution... care more about yourself first.. treat yourself self like you treat others... and know that looking after yourself .. in the long term.. you are looking after everyone else!

Great losses this week!!! It appears Mr. Quinlivan will be the first stone of the challenge unless anyone .. ahem... Rachel... can catch him next week!

I've recorded the losses from last weeks post... If I've missed you out let me know.. and anyone can join along the way... I've added your names so pressure is on!

Have a great week....

Mini challenge this week.. is drink 1 extra glass of water a day... this weather predisposes us to pop the kettle on.. and who can have tea without a biccie?!?! You'll feel better for it.. I promise!

Doll xxx

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WATER!

Water water everywhere…

Water is an essential nutrient you need to burn body fat! Us humans are made up of roughly 75% water - that’s quite a lot! its needed for chemical reactions and processes in all kinds of places but also to burn fat and flush out toxins. When you’re dehydrated and there isn't enough water to dilute the body's waste products, kidney stones may form. Then the liver has to step in to help the kidney. This is really bad for weight loss because one of the major functions of the liver is to burn fat. Its a big deal… so sorry kids.. ya gotta drink it!

Here's a calculator to let you know exactly how much water you should be drinking! http://mynewbody.com.au/nutrition/calculators/calculator/fluids


Now WHY do we have to drink water… well…

Now WHY do we have to drink water… well…

1. It actually helps you lose weight..
A recent study showed that people who drank and average of 6.5 cups of water a day consumed 200 fewer calories, 200 per day means 73,000 per year, and 3500 calories is a pound of fat, which means you can lose 20lbs a year! They also drank less fizzy drinks and ate less junk food! AND its gretIts all good!


2. Drinking water doesn't mean water retention!!!
Water retention is caused by increased sodium levels, and bless us girls… our hormones.. a common myth is drinking too much water bloats them but the opposite is true! The more water you drink, the more water and waste products your body will flush out! it helps rid you of toxins, makes you feel less bloated and over time lose more weight!

3. It makes you less hungry! 
What more do you need to know!! AND a lot of the time when you think you are actually hungry, when really you're thirsty!

4. Being dehydrated can be bad when your exercising.. 
Water is stored in your muscles, if you're dehydrated your muscles with tire quicker, so next time you're working out and you're feeling a bit knackered… burning calories creates toxins (think of a car exhaust!) .. water will help flush them out… plus your muscles won't ache so much … drink up!

5. How do you know you're dehydrated… 
Here's some tell tale signs…

•    Your mouth is constantly dry
•    Your urine is dark or you're not producing enough
•    You can feel dizzy when you are working out
•    You get cramps

6. So how much do I need to drink to lose weight?
The experts say up to 12 cups but for most 8 glasses is more realistic.  The heavier you weigh the more your body needs… Nature is pretty good at letting you know if you're doing it right .. Your urine should be a pale yellow, although anyone taking supplements and antibiotics can rule that out… B12 will turn it bright yellow!! Google the online calculator and enter your details, its very personal... eg: if you exercise loads then you'll need more...

7. How do I drink more..
Drinking other liquids also help with the water intake, but remember coffee is a diuretic so you need to drink even more if you're a caffeine junkie! When you're having an alcoholic bevvie, drink water as well, (I know.. buzz kill!) but its helps with the hangover and headache etc etc.. I'm not gonna preach it! When you feel thirsty you're already dehydrated, so get on top of it before that happens..
Start your day with a glass, every time you boil the kettle have a little glass, bring one to bed! Sneak it into your routine…


Take it one step at a time until you're used to it..

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