Happy Beyond Fit Sweetest Day!

This is an in the article from the October 8, 1922 edition of the Cleveland Plain Dealer explaining the importance of Sweetest Day.

From all accounts that I've researched Sweetest Day was a plan brought about by 12 Cleveland candy makers to increase chocolate sales.  The designated date is the third Saturday in October but it has yet to catch on as much as Valentines Day primarily because of the blatant promotional tactics to increase profits. 

The sentiments in the article above are beautiful and tug at your heart strings and if you wrap it up in a box of chocolate, cards, and balloons can tug at your waistline and wallet. But can't we find other ways to celebrate and honor the people we love?

Some Happy Beyond Fit ideas to celebrate Sweetest Day:

1. Sit down with your family and talk about all the people important in your lives and why they are special to you. You may learn somethhing new through a funny or interesting story!
2. Visit a local Apple Orchard or Pumpkin Patch. While there go on a hay ride or run through a corn maze.  Get some cardio in while spending time with the family.
3. Take an elderly relative or neighbor a handmade card. What could be sweeter than a visitor when you are sick and shut in on a beautiful fall day?

I read many articles that discussed Sweetest Day as being important because of the positive effects that chocolate has on the body.

                                          



While researching I found a comment on the MayoClinic's website http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/healthy-chocolate/AN02060 posted by nutritionist, Katherine Zeratsky stating some important facts regarding chocolate:

1. Chocolate has not earned health food status yet!
2. Cocoa, the main ingredient in chocolate reduces the risk of heart disease
3. Flavanols in cocoa beans reduce cell damage from heart disease, help lower blood pressure and improve vascular function.
4. Dark chocolate contain more flavanols than milk chocolate.
5. More research needs to be done

We always hear such conflicting reports about what is and isn't considered healthy .  Coming from a non-expert and non-critical position I wouldn't judge those who celebrate Sweetest Day however they want. I would want to say try to make every day Sweetest Day then the people you love will always know how much they mean to you.

Happy Sweetest Day!

                                      
                                       
                            

Plus Size Halloween....Again!

I am very proud of my accomplishments thus far in the realm of weight loss however it is very sobering to know that I am still in plus size clothing for a while longer. I will not become discouraged because the closer I get to my goals the more realistic they become.  As I 've said before as recent as four months ago I never would have imagined that I would be on this journey at all! 

Halloween is nearly here and what's a girl to wear?  Honestly, I never really realized there were so many options in larger sized Halloween costumes.  I found some good sites that offered tasteful, cost conscious looks. Now appears to be the time to get the best sales. But hurry...the size selections appear to be limited. 

My favorites from  http://www.Plussizecostumesupercenter.com:





Some favorites from http://www.LaneBryant.com/Costumes :

 

Moral to the story is you can still look good every step up the way on journey to physical fitness.  Embrace and celebrate who you are in the moment and where you plan to be!

Cheers to a Plus Size Halloween....Again!

Sweetest Thing I've Ever Known

I demand a lot from myself and I'm constantly pushing myself beyond personal limits.
I often have friends and coworkers ask me why.  Anyone who knows me, really knows, already has the answer to this question.
Learning to adequately manage this constant pressure is key for me being Happy Beyond Fit.

The sweetest thing I've ever known...being a Mommy...
My babies deserve to have me around for their proms, graduations, weddings, when they become mommies....

My sweet girls...

Madison
...for her I say no to hamburger that are easy to grab for lunch

Lauren
...for her I say no to seconds and vow to stop eating when I'm full



...for them I say yes to exercise, yes to water, yes to protein, yes to fiber,



...for them I say Thank you God for the sweetest thing I've ever known and thank you for another day and another opportunity to try to make it right. To be better. 

 What are your reasons to be Happy Beyond Fit?

The CCC: Dieters Beware!

As I await my turn in the checkout line at my local Walmart the vast array of tempting treats are enough to make the most convicted of dieters weak. The Checkout Counter Conspiracy or CCC as I like to call it is an evil plot hatched by huge corporations to keep unsuspecting shoppers like myself overweight and keep their own pockets swollen with cash.
Maybe I'm being a tad bit dramatic!
....Maybe not?
So far I've been in this line for about 10 minutes. How kind of the Walmart floor planner to put sugary drinks, chocolate, and candy in arms length as I wait my turn in line!  My empty stomach is churning and my mouth is watering from the site of the Pepperidge Farms Milano cookies and tropical flavored fruit gummies, and that beef jerky, well that beef jerky...wait a minute I don't even like beef jerky!

OK. I coined the phrase the CCC but that doesn't make it any less of a real threat. 
When going grocery shopping there are simple strategies we can adhere to help us stay true to our commitment of a healthy lifestyle:

•  NEVER GO GROCERY SHOPPING WHEN HUNGRY
• ALWAYS MAKE A LIST AND STICK TO IT
• SHOP THE PERIMETER OF THE STORE NEAR PRODUCE, DAIRY, AND FRESH
• VEGGIES
• STAY AWAY FROM THE JUNK FOOD AISLE, I.E. CHIPS, SNACKS
• TRY TO BE IN AND OUT OF STORE IN APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES
• BEWARE OF THE CCC!

Healthy Shopping!

The Amazing Yo-Yo Dieter: A Spooky Tale

As I continue to shed pounds (41 by the way) in the back of my mind there is a constant fear of gaining the weight back.  The most ridiculous part is that I haven't even reached my weight loss goal of 100lbs by 40.  Excuse me but I'm having a moment..I thought this many times since I began this journey but this is the first time I've said it aloud or put it in print so once again...my final weight loss goal is to drop 100lbs by 40 years of age which gives me fewer than ten months to get fit. Another goal that is equally important is keeping the weight off which is why I named my blog Happy Beyond Fit.  I want to really get to the root of what's eating me so that I don't turn into the Amazing Yo-Yo Dieter.

No one does yo-yo dieting better than the beautiful Kirstie Alley. Recently, Ms. Alley is back in the news for losing 100lbs at the tender age of 60 and looking more fabulous than ever! She has gained and lost twice as much weight over the years in the public eye and this time may be no more than a publicity stunt to market her Organic Liaison supplement but the damage she must be doing to her body is frightening to think about.

All this talk brings to mind celebrities that have been yo-yo dieters and met untimely demise. Although none of the deaths have ever been blamed on yo-yo dieting it makes me wonder... What all was going on with Anna Nicole Smith?....The late Luther Vandross?....He was one of the most soulful crooners of our time and one of my personal favorites candidly admitted to losing over 100lbs 13 times in his life!

                

                                                            
                                       

We must not forget about our beloved gems that are still in the spotlight yet infamous yo-yo dieters....Janet Jackson....

...or the queen Oprah herself...
                                         

                                           

Experts vary on their opinion regarding the extent of harm that yo yo dieting causes.  Most agree however that the emotional impact as well as some serious cardiovascular implications are real.                                                        

An article in www.fittoday.com lists several  possible negative effects of yo yo dieting:

1. The weight loss is temporary
2. Inevitable re-gaining of weight may result in depression, stress and eating disorders.
3. Fluctuating weight can also result in a higher risk of developing cancer and heart disease. 
4. Hair loss and osteoporosis
5. Fatigue and difficulty concentrating.                                                 

                                           

                                                                                                             

                                                          

                                                             

My goal is to remain steadfast, learn from others mistakes... and never ever under any circumstance become...

...the Amazing Yo-Yo Dieter....Blah -ha-ha-ha!

                                                               

Low Fat Recipe from EatingWell.com

Sweet Potato Pudding Cake

Ingredients

Cake

• 1 cup raisins

• 2 tablespoons dark or light rum
• 1 cup 1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour (see Note)
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 pound sweet potato (about 1 large), cooked (see Tip) and peeled
• 3 large eggs
• 1 14-ounce can “lite” coconut milk
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Topping

• 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray.
2. To prepare cake: Toss raisins and rum in a small bowl and let stand. Whisk flour, nutmeg and salt in another bowl.
3. Mash sweet potato in a large bowl (you should have about 1 3/4 cups). Add eggs; beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined. Add coconut milk, 1 cup brown sugar and butter; beat until combined. Stir in the dry ingredients until evenly moistened. Stir in the raisins and any remaining rum. Spread the batter in the prepared pan.
4. To prepare topping: Combine coconut, 2 tablespoons brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle on top of the cake.
5. Bake the cake until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean, 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the pan and gently remove the side ring. Let cool at room temperature for 1 hour, then refrigerate until cold, about 3 hours.

Nutrition

Per serving : 274 Calories; 8 g Fat; 5 g Sat; 1 g Mono; 58 mg Cholesterol; 47 g Carbohydrates; 5 g Protein; 3 g Fiber; 145 mg Sodium; 333 mg Potassium
3 Carbohydrate Serving
Exchanges: 3 other carbohydrates, 2 fat

Tips & Notes

• Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. | Equipment: 9-inch springform pan

• Ingredient note: Whole-wheat pastry flour, lower in protein than regular whole-wheat flour, has less gluten-forming potential, making it a better choice for tender baked goods. You can find it in the natural-foods section of large supermarkets and natural-foods stores. Store in the freezer.
• Tip: To cook whole sweet potatoes, pierce the skin in several places with a fork. Bake on a baking sheet at 400°F for 45 minutes to 1 hour or microwave on High for 12 to 15 minutes.

Exercise, exercise wherefore art thou?

Three months ago you could not have convinced me that I would ever miss exercise. The aching and the burning, the sweating and the breathlessness...but now as I sit in my office at work destined to get home after 9 pm I find myself yearning for the heart pumping, leg cramping, hot mess of a hair situation that is mine and exercise! Our relationship has been very strong recently although we have had our ups and downs in the past. This Monday morning I got up late and did not have time to jog and sadly I won't be able to after work either. 
Don't feel too sorry for me because happily due to my new found commitment to my relationship with exercise we have a date with the Wii System and two cans of green beans for weights!
...Moral to the story--don't let excuses like time of day stand in between you and your exercise. I did this for years and now everyday is a struggle to heal my body from the pain of our breakup.
....No matter what you do...
Keep Moving!


5 Methods to Exercise Using Items From Your House
1. Use Rolled Up Bath Towels to Increase Stretching

2. Fill Up Socks with Soup or Vegetable Cans for Muscle Toning
3. Use Tennis Balls to Strengthen Grip
4. Use Your Couch for Crunches and Dips
5. Use Your Broom for Squats, Bends and Balance