April 13, 2009

Best Life Newsletter
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Bob Greene
From the Community

"Since I started the Best Life plan, I began strength training, following the exercises on this site, and I walk on my treadmill every day for 30 minutes, changing the speed and incline as I go. I also added healthy foods that I normally avoid when on a 'diet.' So far, so good: I have lost five pounds!"

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Getting Back on Track

Holidays are a treat: Passover and Easter are a time to connect with loved ones and celebrate as a family. But you know what's not so sweet? The sinking feeling that you may have overdone it with chocolate/jelly beans/Matzo balls/[insert other high-calorie indulgence here]. Don't be discouraged! A few days or even a week of less-than-perfect eating won't derail you.

Although the scale may inch up during or after a holiday, keep in mind that weight fluctuations are perfectly normal. To gain an actual pound of body fat, you'd have to consume a lot of calories: 3,500 to be exact—and this is on top of what you normally eat in a given day. And even if the number on the scale does climb, that doesn't always mean that you've gained actual body fat. When you step on a scale, you're weighing muscle, bone, body fat, water (one gallon weighs eight pounds), undigested food, and waste that your body hasn't eliminated yet.

And don't forget that some foods weigh more, even when they don't provide more calories. For example, one half cup of black beans weighs about three ounces, but one tablespoon of olive oil only weighs about one-half ounce, even though they have the same number of calories. If you eat foods that are "heavier" due to their water or fiber weight, you may weigh more on the scale until all of the food has been digested and the waste has been eliminated.

So don't stress about what or how much you ate. Instead, focus on getting back on track with your workouts and healthy-eating plan.

Getting Back on Track, and other weight-loss and fitness tips from Bob Greene, Oprah's trainer.

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For more great diet advice, join Bob Greene's TheBestLife.com. You'll get access to nutrition and fitness articles, meal plans and delicious recipes.

 
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Skip Sipping

Alcohol and weight loss don't really mix—alcohol is loaded with calories, offers no nutrients and can impair your judgment, which can lead to overeating—but sometimes, it's hard to say no. Try these tips the next time you're tempted to tipple.

Go prepared. Have plenty of water and maybe even a light meal before you leave for a party. When you're full, you'll feel less like drinking.

Be ready to say no. The faster you turn down the offer with a polite 'no thanks,' the easier it is to stick to your decision, and the less your host will insist.

Try a non-alcoholic drink. Mix seltzer with a little cranberry juice, and add a lime wedge. It's fizzy and colorful, so people won't know you’re not drinking.

Have a cup of tea. Ask for a cup of hot herbal tea, which can be very comforting.