April is usually the month when I try to shed the pounds accumulated during winter with its irresistible 'comfort food' and holiday treats. If I don't do that, my knees will start 'screaming' and my mobility will get affected.
We all know that we gain weight quickly but lose it slowly and gradually. The interesting thing with me is that no moderate sport activity is of any help in carrying out this annual project. So, I could be lying on the coach all day doing nothing, but if I eat a carefully planned low calorie menu and sleep the recommended 7-8 hours, I will achieve my goal in approximately 4-6 weeks, depending on how many pounds I have to get rid of.
This time of the year, usually reminds me of a famous israeli chef , once an overweight person who gradually became a slim guy. He used to tell anyone interested in his metamorphosis, that it was his intensive gym workout behind it.
One day, the police arrested a drug dealer. The latter 'blew the whistle' on his celebrity clients, our chef being among them. The chef got away without punishment as he managed to prove minimal purchase of marijuana for personal use only (meant to maintain his normal body weight, according to his claim).
Judging by his slim figure, he probably uses marijuana to this day. Well, if he's got the money for it, and is not afraid of addiction, so be it. However, I remember feeling a bit angry at him for somehow misleading people sweating at the gym in an effort to lose weight. (He could not, of course, be honest about his own way, as marijuana was considered then illegal stuff).
Is marijuana no longer illegal? This past November here in Arizona it got voted in not to be illegal if one is over 21 years of age.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your efforts to reduce your weight! January is my month where I "reset." I don't drink any alcohol that month and really watch what I eat. This year it resulted in a 9 pound weight loss :)
betty
In some countries it's legal, in others not. I'm not familiar with the law and its implementation. In Israel it used to be illegal. Now, things are changed, methink.
DeleteJanuary is still cold and I eat 'comfort food'. End of March - April is for me the best time for as you say 'reset'.
Weight is an issue with so many people and a few extra kilos are viewed differently from society to society. As for exercise, however, there are proven benefits from a cardio-pulmonary standpoint, and there is a certain euphoria that accompanies even modest activity. So, I am happy for you that you have found the mix of food that works for you in shedding the extra weight gained during the winter, but lying on the couch is not a good way to spend your time, Duta!
ReplyDelete'lying on the couch' is just a figure of speech. I wish to emphasize the fact, that at least in my case, only adequate nutrition, low-caloric - helps, nothing else, not even modest sport activity.
DeleteSport has its big health benefits , especially in our times when people are either in cars, sitting in front of the TV,computer,or lying on the couch reading books.
Me, thank God, I am active, not the couch lying type, but others that do that also report that sport won't help them slim. Even if they sit all day, they'll still drop the pounds if they eat the right food.
It's terrible when you find out how some of these celbs are really losing weight and it's not the workout they are selling that's making it true. I hope the diet works out for you. Stay healthy.
ReplyDeleteThe body is their working tool, and they'll do anything to keep it in shape.
DeleteThat's a known secret.
Workout is important, but probably not enough to preserve good physical appearance.
I hope you are finding some favorite recipes for your diet. I have found that I really like Almond Yogurt..or maybe it's my stomach. If feels better. I am finding I am lactose intollerant.
DeleteI'm not looking for anything in particular. Every year, the same low-calorie stuff.Yogurt is also part of my menu.a boiled egg too. Things that are rich in protein but low in calories (protein helps burning the calories). Thanks for asking.
DeleteI'm glad you are eating good protein. Definitely essential. Boiled eggs are always a good choice. Sometimes, I feel like all I eat is salad, but having a plant based diet with essential protein is the best way to go.
DeleteI forgot to mention 'fish'; it also has good protein and is low in calories. I usually buy frozen pollock fillets.I eat, of course, veggies too.
DeleteGreat to hear you are eating your veggies and fish. Hope you are having a good weekend. A very windy day here, but warm.
DeleteThe best way to lose weight is also the most boring. Eat fewer calories than you burn.
ReplyDeleteן'm afraid it is not only the best way, but also the only way. At least, in my experience.
DeleteGood story, now it is legal here but I can't do that haha.
ReplyDeleteLegal or not, it always carries with it the risk of addiction. Any addiction is dangerous.
DeleteI have a constant battle with my weight and it only got worse during COVID hibernation. But I know it's my own fault, making excuses to not take walks, definitely something that was ok to do this past year. My mom is a sweetaholic. She has to have cookies and cakes and candy everywhere. Before when I was going to work in an office it didn't bother me much, but since working from home I've really been bad with eating sweets, they are just so available. Good luck with your reset, I know you will be successful!
ReplyDeleteWalkies, and all kinds of moderate sport activity may perhaps avoid weight gain , which is also important, but, based on my own experience, I doubt it helps losing weight.
DeleteThank you for your good wishes.
The chef sounds like a classic hypocrite to me. Best not to listen to the celebs, I guess. Marijuana is legal here now but that's one addiction I don't need. We've definitely gained weight this last year and are struggling to get it off. I'm not into exercising any more at this old age but do take walks, weather permitting. Good luck in your weight loss and take care.
ReplyDeleteן believe walks are mainly preventive of weight gain,not much helping with losing weight.That's my conclusion. I walk a lot (don't drive a car), but if I wish to get rid of some pounds , only low-calorie diet will do the trick.
Deletei cross my fingers that you will loose your weight;)
ReplyDeleteHow kind of you! Hope it helps. Thank you, Kathy.
DeleteYeah he should have been honest.
ReplyDeleteI agree. He could have said something honest without divulging the fact of his breaking the law.
DeleteHere, weight is the least of our issues!
ReplyDeleteן know, there's Covid, and JB's treatment. Covid is still almost everywhere, and as I understand from your blog JB is in good hands. Still weight is crucial for my knees and mobility, and I have to give it priority.
DeleteI find if I eat less and walk more I can shed a few pounds. Hope you can, too.
ReplyDeleteThat seems to be the right formula.More precisely, the eating has to be of the low-calorie kind, and walking should be seen as preventing weight gain.
DeleteYou are great in manage your weight, Duta!
ReplyDeleteThe chef should not mislead his fans.
Have a good one, Duta!
Thank you, Evi. I hope you're right.
DeleteWell, after the drug dealer's arrest people came to know about the chef's key to success. He cannot mislead anyone any more.
It seems the only way to lose weight is by eating far less. Of course, we all know about the benefits of exercise for our health and mental attitude. I am glad for better weather to be outdoors walking instead if being indoors on a treadmill. For one thing, the sights are nicer.
ReplyDeleteExactly.It's not easy,especially in winter, but it's possible. They say running does help losing weight, but at my age I'm not taking the risk of running. I have to focus on the diet.
DeleteWatching my weight has been a lifelong obsession. I gained 5 lbs over this year, so that is not at all impossible.
ReplyDeleteKudos to you! 5 lbs is not much and can be easily eliminated.
DeleteIndeed, watching one's weight is not impossible.
My weight is and always has been an issue. I'm not awesome with exercise but I did lose 15 pounds during Covid that have so far stayed off. I know part of it is medication. Part is lack of exercise. Part is indulgence. One needs discipline and sometimes I lack it!
ReplyDeleteLosing 15 pounds is quite an achievement! Indulgence is usually the cause to weight gain.
DeleteAccording to general belief - without discipline there's nothing.
I've never been to a gym...not once..and, I have no intention of doing so presently or in the future. My cranky old bones would have a fit if I did! :)
ReplyDeleteI should lose a few pounds...I wish I could find a few dollars!! :)
I wonder how the chef coped with the munchies! :)
The latest I know is that running is considered mostly efficient when it comes to losing weight.
DeleteWell, I'm afraid running is for neither of us. Even sweating at the gym is a bit too much for us.
Hi Duta, all the best to you in your spring conditioning!! There are bible verses that can help us in our attitudes towards our bodies and caring for them that makes having a healthy lifestyle something we want to do to give Glory to God and to honor the life and the body that He has given us. Its different from the `world`s` view of dieting.
ReplyDeleteThis verse comes to mind,
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” 1corinthians 6:19~20 Much love and blessings!
DeleteI suppose you're right, Shayndel. The Bible, encourages respect for our body by advising to practice a healthy life style. By giving respect to the body, one respects God - the Creator of life and spirit in that body,
I walk and walk and walk. We have an app called "Ommetje". That is so good. It is helping me to walk every day :-) i think "ommetje" in Engels is "stroll". Take a little stroll every day.
ReplyDeleteStrolling daily is good for both the soul and the body. I don't do it everyday, but I do it on most days.
DeleteI was just remembering today there was a time I lost 14 pounds in 19 days without any exercise. Of course I was in the hospital, had open heart surgery and during the surgery in trying to sew a bypass on a block artery in the back of my heart a tear happened in the system behind my heart. That s why I had to stay 19 day, to heal the tear I had to go on a drastic low fat diet. I did , it worked and I got to come home, 14 pounds lighter. I am house bound due to my health and like everyone the weight has come so fast. so I a looking at a low fat diet that is doable to do at home. Thank you, your post encouraged me.
ReplyDeleteYou've undergone quite a lot. Thank God you're home now, home sweet home. At home, you"ll be able to focus on your health and on your weight.The two are related. A low fat, low carb diet is certainly doable , helpful, and efficient.
DeleteI use marijuana for my anxiety and depression. It has really proven to help. It is legal here, and I need a prescription to claim it on my income taxes.
ReplyDeleteIt seems marijuana helps to a lot of health conditions. It has become legal in many countries and that's, of course, good news.
DeleteIt is. They even have a discount for compassionate reasons. I take oil. Just before bed. It's a wonderful local factory, too, employing hundreds of people.
DeleteI'm really glad for you. It pleases me that the factory provides work for hundreds of people.
DeleteI think many people have gained a few pounds since the pandemic and its many lockdowns.
ReplyDeleteThe Spring time is often a good time to loose a little weight.
All the best Jan
Indeed, the pandemic and its lockdowns have definitely added to our weight. However, every year I gain some weight during Winter, and in Spring I try to lose it as it affects my mobility (knee trouble). It's never an easy process, but necessary and possible.
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