Laugh those pounds away!

So, it's the final stretch of our 6-Week Slim Down, and I'm walking along at a fairly brisk pace with my pal Donna, my heart beating fresh cool wintry air into my lungs, when my walking companion suddenly launches into one of her famous monologues. (She should be on the stage.)

"You know Susan," says Donna between energetic puffs, "I know the secret to losing weight. In fact, I should appear on the Ellen show as her guest fitness expert. I've just figured it all out."

I look sideways, inhale, try to stop grinning too widely, brace myself and wait to hear what she has to say.

I share with you three interesting takes on losing weight (and I bet dollars to donuts you've never heard these ones before):

1. "Visualization: Don't hold back. The melba toast crackers are actually loaves of French bread, the kind that is chewy on the inside and crusty on the outside. The water flowing from your tap. No, not water. Champagne from France. Oh, you don't feel like champagne? Fine, pop, then."

2. "Duct tape: I'm always amazed at the things you can do with duct tape. Make a dress, repair footwear, tape your mouth shut. I like to leave a small hole in it for a straw so I can still drink my water. Er, champagne, that is."

3." Breathe in, breathe out. No, not yoga. I like to stand outside a bakery, any bakery really, and just breathe in the fumes from the outside air vent. Do not under any circumstance walk inside the store and make a purchase. That is against the rules."

Half-way into our 40-minute speed-walk I am doubled over with laughter after listening to what I'm certain will form the basis of an upcoming best-seller called "Diets by Donna." And then it hit home: Of course, that's the key to exercise for me - fun, a bit of humour, enjoying the moment.

So I've resolved from now on to ensure there's a dose of laughter into each and every workout.

Of course, I'm by no means the first person to suggest that tickling the funny-bone of weight-loss is a healthy matter. Wasn't it Mae West who said: " I never worry about diets.  The only carrots that interest me are the number you get in a diamond."

Be serious about your health, but that doesn't mean you can't have fun while you're losing weight!

Here are my 5 favourite diet jokes to give you a boost:

If you don't have a Donna in your life, try one of these on for size when you need a little levity during your workout:

1. "When we lose twenty pounds...we may be losing the twenty best pounds we have!  We may be losing the pounds that contain our genius, our humanity, our love and honesty." - Woody Allen

2. "Inside some of us is a thin person struggling to get out, but they can usually be sedated with a few pieces of chocolate cake." - Author Unknown

3. "Avoid any diet that discourages the use of hot fudge." - Don Kardong

4. "I've been on a diet for two weeks and all I've lost is fourteen days." - Totie Fields

5. "I'm on a seafood diet.  I see food and I eat it." - Author Unknown

My own (serious) update: I'm down 1.3 lbs this week. A little weight-loss, a lot of laughter...it's working for me.

How's your Slim Down going?

Well, like you, we're full swing into our 6-Week Slim-Down here at the Canadian Living offices. Most of us are getting through it, but we all seem to have a few bad habits we can't seem to break. I, for instance, have a really difficult time avoiding reaching for a sugary treat at about 3 p.m. I know I'm not the only one who has this problem, so I though it was time to bring in an expert to offer some insight into why we do what we do!

This is SO what I do! I know the carrots are the right choice, but my mouth wants the cake.

Below, Tina Stewart, dietitian at Loblaw Companies Limited, answers a few of our most pressing questions about personal nutrition.

Q. We all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but how can we eat right when we're rushing out the door?

A: There are many benefits of eating breakfast regularly. Breakfast eaters are more likely to meet their daily servings from all four food groups and tend to maintain their weight as they are less likely to overindulge throughout the day.

The ideal breakfast should include both protein and fibre -- the combination will keep you feeling full until lunch time. The protein can come from eggs, nuts or dairy products such as yogurt or milk. High-fibre foods include fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

A healthy breakfast doesn't need to be extravagant or take a long time to prepare. Try something simple like a hardboiled or scrambled egg, whole grain toast and a piece of fruit or 100 per cent fruit juice.

For the days you oversleep, or are rushing to get to work on time, make sure you have breakfast-to-go items stashed in your car or desk. Low-fat cereal bars, canned or dried fruit as well as trail mix are great items to have on hand.

Two of my favourite breakfast items that also happen to be quick are instant steel cut oats with chopped walnuts and a Greek yogurt parfait, made with Greek yogurt, frozen berries and high-fibre granola.

Q. Sometimes we have to hit up the food court at lunch. How do we make the healthiest choice?

A. The food court can definitely offer a lot of variety, and despite that it's "fast food," there are still some healthier options available.

Here are some general guidelines to help you choose wisely when you grabbing a quick bite to eat:
• Steer clear of the high fat items such as french fries, deep fried chicken or shrimp. These can add a lot of calories in a relatively small portion size,

• Limit or avoid extra gravies and sauces and ask for any salad dressings or dips on the side. These condiments can add a lot of calories, salt and sugar.

• Resist temptation and decline the super size and value meals which often offer larger portions or extras such as bags of chips, cookies or extra large servings of soft drinks.

• Reach for lean portions of meat, poultry or fish and pair with side salads or steamed vegetables. Some good choices could include Chicken souvlaki with salad (dressing and tzatiki on the side), or stir fried chicken with vegetables. Submarine sandwiches with lean turkey or chicken and loaded with vegetables are also a great choice when you need a quick meal.

• Choose water over soft drinks as a beverage choice. You can easily save calories when you consider than an average can of cola contains as much as 160 calories.

Q. Most of us reach for that sugary treat to bump up our energy at that mid-afternoon slump. What are some healthier ways to get our energy up?

A: Snacks are often not planned for and tend to be impulse choices. The key is to plan for snacks, focus on variety and watch your portion size. Keep some healthy items on hand at work and home and make sure you plan for snacking throughout the day. Don't forget to keep your desk, purse and car stocked with healthy options so you are prepared when hunger strikes.

My favourite energy boosting snacks contain three things: protein, fibre and a source of carbohydrates. Try to include at least two food groups with each snack and focus on variety. The protein and fibre will help keep you satisfied until your next meal and the carbohydrates will give you the energy to keep you going.

Some great snack choices include hummus and whole grain crackers, an apple and natural peanut butter or reduced fat cheese. Home-made trail mixes made with nuts, dried fruit and a small amount of dark chocolate give a great mid-afternoon energy boost.

WOW! So much great advice here. I love the tips for afternoon snacking.

Stay tuned, because I'll have a few more great tips from Tina Stewart next week. She'll let us know how we can stick to our healthy eating long after the 6-Week Slim-Down is over.

How is your 6-Week Slim Down going?

10 easy ways to burn calories - by sticking around home!

Who knew my dog could become my life and fitness coach?

Each Thursday, my colleagues Donna, Erin, Lisa and Doug each take our turn on the weight scales. We empty our pockets, step out of our shoes, and off come boots, belts and any heavy sweaters.  I worry that one day one of us will get carried away with our disrobing and shock the publisher.

This week, I was very surprised, if not puzzled, when I took my turn on the scales. My efforts in the Canadian Living Slim Down were obviously paying off:  I was down 2.3 lbs. Hooray for me...but how?

I'm very proud of slim-down achievements so far!

If you've been following my 6-Week Slim Down Blog, you'll know that I've faced some challenges when it comes to sticking to my fitness routine.  Cold weather, ice-covered walkways and too much procrastination. Then someone asked me how much walking I've been doing.  Well, yes, I do what I call a 'fitness walk' up to four times each week. Surely that can't account for my recent weight-loss success.

But then I thought about some of the other activities that fill up my day - I just don't think of them as bona fide exercise but that's where the numbers add up.  In addition to my fitness walk, I realized I do tackle a surprising number of other energy-burning tasks throughout the day, and that includes walking my dog Scooter.

There was a time just after Christmas when Scooter seemed to be in doggy doldrums: he just didn't want to go outside in the snow. Then the cold spell passed - and Scooter got a seasonal second wind. Twice in the last week he was at the front door waiting to go outside walking before I reached for my coat.

And there are other calorie-burning activities in my life that I tend to forget about - and I bet you do too!

For instance, I make a point of parking my car at the farthest end of the lot when I take my friend Annie grocery-shopping on Saturdays. By habit, I skip the elevator at work and take the stairs when I have a meeting up on the 5th floor. (It's not much, but it means I get an easy cardio work-out.) And I rely on my own two feet when I need to dart out to the corner convenience store when we're out of milk. No hopping in the car for me.

Did you know: a 155 lb. person walking a dog (slowly) burns 211 calories and that shoveling snow by hand  burns 400 calories on a 140 lb. person? (These stats were reported by The Society for Vascular Surgery.)

Those numbers piqued my curiosity so I turned to Calorie Count web site to check out a lit of calories burned by home-based activities.

Here's a tally of the calories burned per hour by a 150 lb person:

1. Washing windows: 204 calories
2. Carrying groceries upstairs: 510 calories
3. Making a bed: 136 calories
4. Moving furniture: 476 calories
5. Carrying small children: 204 calories
6. Putting away groceries: 170 calories
7. Vacuuming: 238 calories
8. Washing dishes: 170 calories
9. Scrubbing floors: 258 calories
10. Sweeping the garage: 272 calories

So who knew that cleaning house and doing the dishes could help me get fit? On second thought, I guess I could just walk the dog a little more often. Trust me, my dirty dishes are nowhere as cute as my little dog Scooter!

Oh, and just a reminder: remember to download our 6-Week Slim Down Tracker. It's a great way of seeing clearly what calories you're taking in - and what you're burning.

Until next week, keep walking, running, doing squats...and ironing and carrying groceries...and walking your puppy.

Susan.

The Weight Game (or is it Weight Gain?)

(Courtesy: WikiCommons)

Whenever I'd come home from high school, bounce through the kitchen door and call out to my mom, "Mom, I've got good news,  and some bad news,"  she'd invariably respond:  "Give me the bad news first."

She was a wise woman.

So, marching to the beat of my beloved late mom, here's the bad news: I gained 1.5 lbs this week. Not the end of the world, my colleagues say, but I am supposed to be slimming down.

Okay, here's the good news - and also the confusing bit:  my pants are looser.  I honestly think I've lost an inch or more around the waist. Are the bathroom scales lying to me?

Three things I did right this week:

1. I did three motor-walks in the evening, one with my dog Scooter, and two on my own. The benefit: I slept like a lamb all week and woke up energized.
2. I enjoyed healthy breakfasts every day this week. The benefit: I wasn't ravenous by mid-morning which resulted in modest lunches and dinners.
3. Skim milk replaced whole milk in my fridge at home. The benefit: the jury is out on this one. My husband isn't keen on skim in his coffee, and a caffeine-deprived spouse....

Three things I messed up on this week:

1. I had late-night snacks. They weren't always excessive or over-the-top, but eating just before bed is never a good idea. Lesson learned: just don't eat after 8 pm.
2. I didn't exercise during the daytime itself, only at night. No lunch-hour walk. No running up the stairs in our office building. My butt was glued to the desk all day. Lesson learned: move it or you don't lose it, baby.
3. I helped myself to Food Director Annabelle Waugh's leftover slow-roasted pork belly. Granted, it was just the one over-indulgence but I ate it one night around 9:30 pm. Lesson learned: Avoid the Test Kitchen for the next six weeks.

Annabelle's slow-roasted pork belly

Three things I'm going to do next week:

1. I'm going to keep better track of my progress, or lack thereof. I'm going to download our FREE slim  tracker to stay on top of my ups and downs.
2. I'm going to give some serious thought to keeping a diary. A recent health study says that women who journal stand a better chance of losing weight.
3. I'm going to watch -- and then try to do -- Pam Mazucca's Best Workout - Part 2. Watch this video and you'll be inspired. It includes the squat, the bridge, one arm row, bird dog and tree pose. I know I'll benefit!

Wish me luck for the upcoming week - and good luck to you.  Post below and tell me how you're doing. After all, we're in this together!

Yours, Susie

Congrats to tvialls! You've won the suite of fabulous health books. Tvialls said:

"I signed up for the challenge in order to getting back in shape after having my baby initially.  However I realize now that I need to stay healthy while breastfeeding and I have 2 teen daughters that are looking at me to make the right food choices.  I will be proud not only to regain my figure but to have incorporated healthy habits for my whole family."

These great health books will certainly help you and your family keep on track once the Slim-Down is over. Here's a reminder of what you've won:

• Pilates Practice Companion, by Alycea Ungaro
• Carrots 'N' Cake: Healthy Living One Carrot and Cupcake at a Time, by Tina Haupert
• Eat Your Way to Sexy: Start Losing Weight in Just 7 Days!, by Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D.
AND
• The Obvious Diet, by Ed Victor

Don't forget to sign up for the 6-Week Slim-Down today. It's not too late!

Vancouver or Moose Jaw or Medicine Hat or Fredericton or Taber or Powassan or Digby...?

Well, our national broadcaster, the CBC, has done it again - or rather, is doing it again. If you participated in last year's Live Right Now campaign that resulted in Canadians losing an astounding one million pounds, I think you'll be all over their next endeavour: to find 'The Live Right Now Capital of Canada."

In other words: what's the healthiest community in our country? Maybe it's yours.

“Since the launch of Live Right Now in January, more than 50 dedicated communities across our country have joined together to improve their overall health and quality of life,” said Kirstine Stewart, Executive Vice-President, English Services, CBC. “The level of commitment and dedication we’ve seen from Canadians nationwide has been truly inspiring – it’s going to be really tough to crown only one Live Right Now Capital of Canada.”

Not to toot our own horn, but a gang of us at Canadian Living embraced the Live Right Now Challenge last year and had a blast doing it. Our lesson learned: fitness can be fun. That's when it sticks.

CBC is going to find the community that most embodies the spirit of Live Right Now. You can nominate your own community starting today, Jan. 13. So what are the hallmarks of a healthy community? Think athletic activities, impressive lifestyle changes, infectious team spirit, plus commitment and dedication to getting and staying healthy.

Of course, it's apparent many Canadian towns and cities have what it takes to be healthy. When Kingston, Ontario can boast about the Kingston RoadRunners Association, and Burnaby, British Columbia residents ski, hike and cycle to their heart's content (literally) when they join the Burnaby Outdoor Club, and youth have access to the Mount Pearl Soccer Association, then you know the country is on the right track.

To nominate your community, submit your inspirational stories, photos and/or videos online at LiveRightNow.ca, or by email at LiveRightNow@cbc.ca.

Canadians from coast to coast to coast will be joining the competition. And the winning community will be announced by Live Right Now Ambassadors Steven and Chris in Ottawa on Canada Day. Stay tuned to CBC Television’s Steven and Chris for regular updates.

Maybe you're power-walking this season with your neighbors in Digby, Nova Scotia, or organizing a jogging club in your subdivision in the south end of Calgary. Perhaps your book club in Hamilton, Ontario will close the books and strap on pedometers to exercise the body in addition to the brain. Log on, tell your story to the CBC. One of you could be named the Live Right Now Capital of the country.

Who's it going to be Canada?

Waging my war on weight loss!

Well, I hope all of you got through the New Year's all ready and eager to embrace 2012.  If you read my post a week ago, you'll know I was full of vim and vigour now that I've joined the Canadian Living 6-Week Slim-Down.

"Portion control? Got it. Protein? No problem. But what about my pizza?" Editor-in-chief embraces the 6-Week Slim Down

I even promised to share my stats this week, so here they are (PLEASE be kind to me!):

Weight: 152 lbs.

Now, for the oh-my-gosh measurements:

Arms: 11 1/2

Breasts: 35 1/2

Waist 39 (Holy Toledo, what have I been doing lately?)

Hips: 38

Thigh: 22 1/2

My initial reaction after my colleague Donna took my measurements this morning: “Oh my goodness, I’m built like a sausage!”

However, I promised I'd do the entire six weeks so I'm sticking to it. The first week got off with a bang, but I'm afraid it ended on a whimper - first from my dog Scooter and then from me.

Here goes: it was cold and stormy night... Well, maybe I exaggerate a little. But it was definitely not the sunny snow-white week I was hoping for. There I stood at the front door Wednesday night after work, in rain coat and galoshes, with leash in hand. Only Scooter was nowhere in sight. My husband found our furry little friend beneath the bed. He didn't want to go out for our nightly walk. "Too cold, mommy"  his canine eyes blinked at me.

What was I to do?  I poked my head out the door, got a lash of bitter cold air in my face, and stepped right back in. It was my turn to whimper. "I think it's a might cold out tonight," I said to my husband, Greg. "Perhaps we'll do a double walk tomorrow."

Thursday night came, and, well, I just wasn't in the mood. It was a long day at work (my colleagues will tell you I'm an early riser), a couple-end-of day phone discussions that went on too long, then groceries on the way home from work... You get the picture?  I just didn't have the chutzpah to get out for my brisk 60-minute walk. (Experts will tell you that a fast-paced walk not only burns cardio but it's a great aerobic exercise to get the heart pumping.) One of my concerned colleagues suggested I watch one of our own online videos for some low-impact workouts for beginners.

I did however, succeed in eating better last week. I turned to our own online stash of healthy Canadian Living recipes. High-fibre, low-fat yams have become my new best friend. And - though it was a struggle, I managed to avoid 'most' of the post-Christmas cake that found its way into our office lunch-room. I also made a point of including yogurt in my breakfast (you should consider it, too, the benefits of yogurt are amazing!).

But it's the motivation I need help on: I did get a few pointers from Dr. Joey Shulman whose online article "Healthy Eating Strategies for Sticky Situations." I swear she had ME in mind when she wrote that one. You folks, I'm sure, have all been through this before. What's your secret? Help me P-L-E-A-S-E!

What I'd like your help on:

1. How do you stay faithful to your exercise when you simply 'aren't in the mood'?

2. What do you to do keep fit when it's cold outside. (You know that classic nugget, "Baby it's cold outside..."?  I'm afraid I've been singing it for the last week and my family is ready to revolt.)

3. What's your suggestion for those days when you're just plain knackered? How do you still manage to get yourself to the gym or outdoors for exercise?

4. And last but not least, how do you encourage your cute little puppy dog that leaping up onto the bed does not constitute a work-out?

I simply must put an end to the dog days of January and get back to my exercise plan.

I'm waiting for your advice. AND THANK YOU!  (And Scooter thanks you!)

I've got a great way you can meet your weight loss new year's resolutions - join Canadian Living's 6-Week Slim-Down. The program started this past Monday, but it's not too late to join so make sure you sign up today.

The Slim-Down program will become your best workout buddy and motivational coach over the next few weeks. Whether your goal is to lose weight, eat better or simply improve your overall health, we’ll help you meet it. The program runs until Tuesday, February 14, 2012.

Join the 6-Week Slim-Down today!

You could win a fantastic prize pack!
Sign up today and you’ll receive a newsletter every Monday morning with your weekly slim down plan chock-full of weight loss tips, the latest nutrition information, expert fitness advice and healthy Tested-Till-Perfect recipes. You’ll get an exclusive extra calorie burning tip with each newsletter!

Plus, everyone who signs up is automatically entered to win one of six prize packs containing a $100 President's Choice gift card, $100 worth of President's Choice Blue Menu products, and one Nike+ SportBand. Each prize pack is valued at $280. You can find more information on the prize packs here.

Also, I'm giving away a suite of 4 health books to a luck winner. Simply tell me if you've signed up for the 6-Week Slim-Down and why. You could win:
• Pilates Practice Companion, by Alycea Ungaro
• Carrots 'N' Cake: Healthy Living One Carrot and Cupcake at a Time, by Tina Haupert
• Eat Your Way to Sexy: Start Losing Weight in Just 7 Days!, by Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D.
AND
• The Obvious Diet, by Ed Victor

I'll announce the winner of these 4 books here on Friday Jan 13.

A close friend in her 40s has been telling me she’s suddenly having a big problem with nouns and names. “I keep forgetting,” she said the other day, “Someone’s name will be on the tip of my tongue and I can’t spit it out. Susie, it’s the same for, you know, things…stuff…like, what d’ya call it…yeah, the thing, you know the refrigerator – no I mean Blackberry. Yes, that’s it.”

Nouns and names? That’s nothing compared to the struggle I’m having – with numbers. They keep changing on me. What was a zero has mysteriously morphed into a 6 and without any warning that 6 became a 10. I’m talking dress sizes. My dress sizes. When did they change the numbering system? Was I left off that email? It’s like the New Math all over again. I’m completely baffled.

I know I wore that size 6 black cocktail dress at my sister-in-law’s birthday…oh…just last year. So why didn’t it fit a few weeks ago? Why did I feel like a shrink-wrapped sausage? And who stitched that double-digit 10 on the dress I wore to work today? What gives?

My husband, ever so vigilant and considerate of my health, gently suggested the other day, with a little nervous laugh, whether my issues was with numbers or nachos? I can’t imagine what he was referring to. (What’s a little late-night snack while watching the news. A girl’s gotta eat.)

Instead of a night course in math, I’m embracing another lesson plan: Canadian Living’s 6-week slim down. Now, 6, that’s a number I can handle, especially when it promises a solution to my problems.

My problems? Well, granted, I’ve put on a few extra pounds, and I just don’t have that oomph in the morning these days. And, quite frankly, it’s been getting me down a bit. And that’s what this Slim Down program is going to help me with: smaller waist, fewer worries, more energy. It’s important to feel good about yourself and, of course, that often starts with looking good – in your own eyes.

And here’s another number I’m loving: 5.

5 easy ways I’m going to start living healthier today!
1. Exercise – girls just want to have fun! No earnest drills for me. I’m choosing some cardio work-outs that are easy to follow and enjoyable.

2. Better screen time: Sure I’m going to watch my fave movies (Cher was amazing in “Moonstruck”) but I’m also going to pop a few video workouts into the DVD player from time to time. And I’m going to invite a girlfriend over to join me.

3. Nix the noodles and nachos – get more greens! I’m cutting back on carbs and starch and filling up my plate with more fruits and veggies. And this Warm Mixed Vegetable Salad will be the way to go:

4. Walk the talk: No one loves a kaffee klatch more than I do, but who says I can’t talk to my best girlfriends – and get a little walking in at the same time. Each Sunday my pal Donna and I are going to hit the walking paths near my house in west-end Toronto. Friendship, some laughs and a little gossip will make the exercise all the more enticing!

5. 100 and counting! Getting back to my problem with numbers, I’m going to tackle another one. I’m going to cut 100 calories in 10 different ways! You can too. Check out “How to trim 100 calories and effortlessly lose unwanted pounds.

I’ll be updating along the way so please check in with me – I can’t wait to hear about your experiences, as well. I look forward to talking to you!

The big reveal: In my next post, I'm going to post my after-holiday weight.

Have you signed up for the 6-Week Slim-Down yet?

How long are you willing to wait for an elevator?

According to a recent study by a team of doctors in Saskatchewan you could save up to 15 minutes a day by taking the stairs instead. The research was published in the “Holiday Readings” section of the Canadian Medical Association Journal, an annual segment reserved for “quirky research, humorous satires and witty musings.”

Four staffers at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon took a total of 56 walking trips and 336 elevator trips. The results? It took twice as long – 37.5 seconds – to get to the chosen floor by elevator versus the stairs.

While the study does have its limitations – only four participants; a 7-storey hospital is quite different than a 50-floor office building – it also makes a good point: sometimes it’s just easier to walk.

Here are 5 more reasons why you should hit the stairwell:

• It’s a free workout. With no special equipment required, it’s the cheapest way to burn off some calories. And it's an easy way to sneak some exercise into your day.

• It can be a full-body workout. Last year the Globe and Mail reported on a study from Italy that showed how to amp up your climb:

“Among the notable insights of the Italian study is that using the handrails to haul yourself up turns the activity into a full-body workout much like rowing, resulting in a “global, maximal effort.” About 80 per cent of the power you exert goes to raising your body against the force of gravity; 5 per cent goes to whipping your limbs back and forth, and the remaining 15 per cent goes toward running tiny semi-circles at each landing."

• It can prolong your life. According to a three-month-long British study published in 2008, volunteers who regularly used the stairs instead of the elevator showed improved lung capacity, blood pressure and cholesterol readings. Their weight, body fat and waist measurements also dropped. What does that all mean? Researchers suggested these improvements decrease a person's chances of dying young by 15 per cent.

• It’s good for your HDL Yep, active stair climbers can improve their amount of “good” cholesterol.

• It’s a calorie killer. Check this stat out: by walking up stairs you burn almost 700 per cent the number of calories you'd burn twiddling your thumbs in an elevator.

Do you make it a habit of choosing the stairs over the elevator? And what is your stairs threshold – how many flights are you willing to walk up or down instead of taking the elevator?