What I would tell my 12 year old self.

Lets first start out with this. I've been preaching in my blog about weight loss, and I use the word skinny all the time, but this morning I saw an Instagram from my college from Giuliva saying "being healthy and fit is so much more important than being skinny" and that's totally 100% true. All I want is to be healthy and in shape and along with that happening, drop some of these unwanted pounds. So, just so that you all know, I'm not trying to be Kendal Kardashian here (OMG have you SEEN how skinny she is. I mean girl eat a cheeseburger once and a while it won't kill you!) I just want to be at a healthy weight and in shape!

So, today... I wanted to give you guys an update on how much I lost so far, but I wasn't able to get to the gym yesterday to have Evie weigh me... yeah, yeah, yeah, I know.. really? Evie has to weigh you? Well, honestly, yes. The minute I look at the scale and see that dreaded number that I so very very much don't want to see, I get discouraged and want to quit. SO yeah, for now, until I've lost at LEAST 30-40 pounds, my eyes, will NOT be on a scale, and I will have to continue having Evie weigh me hahaha.... Childish, I know, but what are you going to do? I've come so far, I can't get discouraged now. So I will let you know maybe Monday whats been up - hopefully it's good! :) I want to know too!

Anyways... I've been thinking a lot on the train rides into work in the morning, and for some reason that whole idea of "What would you tell yourself if you could go back in time" came across my brain and I started thinking of some stuff as I go through this life style change that might have helped me not be as big as I am today...

Dear 12 year old Andrea......
A happy meal at McDonald's is not considered a "fully balanced meal" just because your burger has lettuce and onions on it and you're having orange hi-c doesn't mean you've hit all the food groups.

Don't stop playing basketball. The freshman 15 will hit, and you will regret not being on a collegiate sports team.

You might be bigger than all the other 12 year olds, but you are still beautiful and never forget that.

Watching the kids on saved by the bell or full house play outside on tv does not count as YOU playing outside.

That piece of candy you begged your parents to eat after each dinner WILL come back to haunt you when you are trying on prom dresses. You're hips WILL lie.

Just because you have a "double chin" doesn't mean you can't be in photos. You'll want to remember those days.

Less POG playing, more rollerblading.

Your dad WILL stop commenting on your weight. Well actually, scratch that, your 28 now and he still hasn't. :-P

No matter what you think about yourself, what you look like, how many friends you have, how many sleepovers you are invited to, or not invited to, you are a truly amazingly beautiful person and even though you aren't a size 0 at JCPennys, it doesn't matter because your life will be great and middle and high school are just a bump in the road and come college, your life will begin.

And lastly, stop eating Mario's pizza so much, yeah it's AH-MAZING but come your wedding day and after all the work you had to get to to fit into a size 8 dress, you will regret it :)

I wonder if the 12 year old me would bitch slap me and say GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF after I told her all this?!??

Happy Friday Friends!

7 simple ways to save 700 calories!

In my email this morning I found this awesome article from Eat This, Not That - and honestly, it's great!!!! Check out what I found:

"Major, life-altering changes, brought about not by dieting, but by making simple swaps. There are definitely times when I get pretty tired of spreading the word so vigorously. But when I hear stories like those, I know I must be doing something right. So I’ve collected here seven of the most mind-blowing swaps in America. Each of the simple trades will save you at least 700 calories. Do this once a day, and you’d lose 73 pounds in a year—minimum."

Eat This, Not That! Savings: 730 calories While these are both double-patty burgers with cheese, Sonic’s version weighs in nearly twice as heavy. That might sound like a bargain until you realize that it contains far more than twice as many calories. The Big Mac relies on thinner cuts of beef and uses far less sauce, making it a reasonable way to fill your double-burger craving.

EAT THIS 
McDonald’s Big Mac 540 calories 29 g fat (10 g saturated) 1,040 mg sodium VS. 


NOT THAT
Sonic SuperSonic Double Cheeseburger (w/mayo) 1,270 calories 87 g fat (34 g saturated) 1,500 mg sodium

P.F. Chang's lets the sodium-saturated sauces rain down upon most of its dishes. This is one of the worst. It contains more than two days’ worth of the salty stuff—not to mention eight times the fat of Panda Express' version.

EAT THIS 
Panda Express Broccoli Beef (with a side of mixed veggies) 165 calories 4.5 g fat (1 g saturated) 970 mg sodium VS. 


NOT THAT 
P.F. Chang’s Beef with Broccoli 870 calories 36 g fat (12 g saturated) 4,719 mg sodium

California Pizza Kitchen's salad menu is, for the most part, a dangerous spot, but the Chinese Chicken option steers clear of trouble with a nutrient-rich blend of cabbage, lettuce, carrots, scallions, and cilantro. Topped with grilled chicken, this veggie-heavy meal is far superior to Applebee’s version. The “Neighborhood Bar & Grill” tosses its lettuce with crispy noodles—read: dipped in fattening oil—that not only add in a deadly level of trans fats, but also deliver an extra 20 grams of carbohydrates. Just watch your sodium intake the rest of the day. CPK has never met a salt shaker it didn't vigorously shake.

EAT THIS
California Pizza Kitchen Chinese Chicken Salad 617 calories 1 g saturated fat 2,532 mg sodium 


NOT THAT
Applebee’s Oriental Grilled Chicken Salad 1,290 calories 79 g fat (12g saturated, 2.5 g trans) 2,290 mg sodium

It's tough to tell exactly where The Cheesecake Factory’s extra calories come from. The chain doesn't provide ingredient lists. But this selection probably suffers from the same problems as the rest of the menu: excessive use of cheap oils and butter. Olive Garden bakes its crusted tilapia and plates the fish with vegetables, shaving nearly two days’ worth of saturated fat off the Factory’s numbers.

EAT THIS
Olive Garden Parmesan Crusted Tilapia 590 calories 10 g saturated fat 910 mg 


NOT THAT 
The Cheesecake Factory Herb Crusted Filet of Salmon 1,400 calories 48 g saturated fat 1,240 mg sodium

Few appetizers work as hard as guacamole. The avocados from which it's made are packed with hunger-blunting fiber and heart-healthy fats. Chili's Spinach & Artichoke dip, on the other hand, consists of mostly cream, cheese, and butter. Don't let the name fool you into thinking it's healthy.

EAT THIS
On the Border Guacamole with Chips 660 calories 23 g fat (5 g saturated) 680 mg sodium 


NOT THAT
Chili’s Hot Spinach & Artichoke Dip 1,610 calories 103 g fat (42 g saturated) 1,610 mg sodium 

It’s not like Pizza Hut’s Personal Pan Pizzas are to be idolized, but compared to Uno’s deep-dish offerings, they're paragons of nutrition. The big difference is in the depth of the crust. Pizza Hut's is reasonable, whereas Uno's can double as a mattress.

EAT THIS
Pizza Hut Pepperoni Personal Pan Pizza 610 calories 26 g fat (10 g saturated) 1,410 mg sodium 


NOT THAT
Uno Deep Dish Prima Pepperoni Pizza 1,830 calories 126 g fat (36 g saturated) 2,910 mg sodium 

It’s not hard to see the difference in these two Mexican dishes. Chipotle combines grilled chicken, fresh salsa, and a little cheese inside a corn shell. Simple. Chili’s, on the other hand, fries its chicken, doubles up on cheese, tosses in some bacon, and drizzles thick ranch dressing on top. That doesn't do your body any favors.

EAT THIS
Chipotle Crunchy Chicken Tacos 490 calories 21 g fat (8.5 g saturated) 1,050 mg 


NOT THAT
Chili’s Crispy Chicken Tacos (w/o the rice and beans side) 1,340 calories 71 g fat (20 g saturated) 3,120 mg sodium

FAT KID OUT!

Another edition of, Double-Fisted Diet Wreckers!!!

Thanks WebMD for another amazing email telling me this morning that the fast food breakfast meals that I know and LOVE are the worst things for you.... I travel A LOT and most of the trips I take start off with a stop at McDonalds, or Dunkin or Starbucks depending on my mood... NOW I know where I should and shouldn't eat, and what I should be getting instead of my usual favorites...

The article starts out with this statement...


Breakfast on the Go?
While high-fat, high-calorie breakfasts abound at the nation's fast-food restaurants, most chains offer at least one or two healthier items -- if you must fill up at a drive-through. Cruise our photo gallery of the worst offenders and better choices to fuel your day. WebMD doesn’t endorse these "better bets" for everyone, since some still may be too high in sodium or calories for your diet.



Starbucks: Worst Choice (thank god I don't like this shit. hahaha)
The Cranberry Orange Scone is one of several high-fat, sugary treats at Starbucks that probably won't keep you full until lunch, despite a hefty calorie count. Indulgences like this icing-topped scone vary in flavorings by restaurant, but any scone is a buttery affair. This one contains 490 calories, 18 g fat, 2 g fiber, and 8 g protein. Note that the saturated fat -- 9 grams -- is 45% of the daily limit.

Starbucks: Better Choice (isn't my first choice, I love the Reduced Fat Turkey Bacon sandwich, which is just as healthy as this wrap below)

The Egg White, Spinach, and Feta Wrap caters nicely to health-conscious commuters in a hurry. It's easy to eat out of hand and contains just 280 calories, 10 g fat, and 3.5 g of saturated fat. Ample protein (18 g) and fiber (6 g) help keep you full. Oatmeal with a Nut Medley Topping is another good choice at 240 calories. Or try the Greek Yogurt Honey Parfait with 290 calories.

Dunkin’ Donuts: Worst Choices (I'm sure the Bacon Egg and Cheese is just as bad :(, is it better if it's on a bagel?!?!) 

Stay away from the high fat Sausage Egg and Cheese Croissant (690 calories, 48 g fat, 19 g saturated fat, 1,340 mg sodium), as well as the Sausage Egg and Cheese Bagel (690 calories, 35 g fat, 13 g saturated fat, and 1,650 mg sodium). 

Dunkin' Donuts: Better Bets (skip the meat??? BOOOOO)

The Egg and Cheese on an English Muffin  sandwich comes in at 320 calories, 15 g fat, 5 g saturated fat, 14 g protein, 1 g fiber, and 820 mg of sodium. The protein will help will keep you going strong through the morning. Choose a wheat bagel to bump up the fiber to 5 grams.

McDonald's: Worst Choice (boo, I love myself a BIG BREAKFAST... I can do without the hot cakes, but still, this is seriously fattening) 

Take a pass on McDonald's Big Breakfast with Hot Cakes. It'll weigh you down with 1,090 calories, 56 g fat, and 19 g saturated fat -- close to the daily limit for this unhealthy fat. Even the biscuit is loaded with saturated fat, topping even the sausage patty or eggs. The sodium hits 2,150 mg, nearly the daily limit.

McDonald's: Better Bet (I can deal.)

The Egg McMuffin is a better choice under the golden arches at 300 calories, 12 g fat, 5 g saturated fat, and 2 g fiber. Lean Canadian bacon offers protein and a meaty taste with very little fat. In any restaurant, ask for the nutrition information. Items with some fiber and protein will keep you satisfied for hours.  Sodium watchers take note: the Egg McMuffin has 820 mg.

 


And last but not least, my serious guilty pleasure that makes me basically go into cardiac arrest every time I eat it, and not to mention I feel like a large blob of sludge and I don't really move much the day I eat the thing.....

Burger King: Worst Choice (my favorite, but ditch the sausage, add MORE BACON!)
Skip the Double Croissan’wich with Double Sausage, which comes in at 700 calories, 49 g fat, 18 g saturated fat, and 1,510 mg sodium. Burger King stacks two sausage patties, double cheese, and fried eggs on a giant buttery croissant bun. This high-calorie, high-fat sandwich contains almost a day’s worth of total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol.

Burger King: Better Bet (again, no meat?? suck it.)
The Egg and Cheese Croissan’wich offers fast-food taste at a nutritional cost that many people can afford: 320 calories, 16 g fat, and 7 g of saturated fat. The sodium content may be a tough fit for restricted diets at 690 mg. Eleven grams of protein will help keep you feeling full until lunch.

Basically, IN CONCLUSION, if you want something for breakfast, you are better off eating this.... 

One egg and one piece of wheat bread. KILL ME. 

Happy Breakfast Hunting!

FAT KID OUT (maybe to burger king for a Double Croissan'wich ;))

Double-Fisted Diet Wreckers

So the other day I opened my inbox and saw that I had an email from WebMd --- Best and Worst.. now I always open these type of emails because I love to see whats on there and what I'm eating and where it fares.. well. this time I was kind of pissed... haha - I found out (not that I really thought my favorite things were super healthy) that most of the stuff I liked to eat was totally on the worst list.... (go figure, right?)

Here are some of the comparisons --- (we'll start with my favorite WORST BET) haha


Wendy's: Best Bet
Wendy’s Ultimate Chicken Grill Sandwich boasts only 360 calories, 7 g fat, 1.5 g saturated fat, and 1,110 mg of sodium. This simple yet satisfying sandwich of grilled chicken, lettuce, and tomato is topped off with tangy honey mustard instead of slathered with high-fat mayo -- for a dietitian's delight.

Wendy's: Worst Bet (take away the tomato and it's sex in your MOUTH!)

The Asiago Ranch Chicken Club Sandwich can turn a quick lunch into a fatty affair that lingers on your hips.  Wendy's tops their breaded, fried filet with 3 strips of bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayo for  660 calories, 33 g fat, 9 g saturated fat, and 1,650 mg of sodium. If you swap the mayo for honey mustard and go grilled, you can slim down this club sandwich to about 510 calories.

McDonald's: Best Bet (good thing I actually like their snack wraps haha)

The Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken Wrap pleases the palate without plumping your waistline. Each flour tortilla contains grilled chicken, shredded cheese, and lettuce for 250 calories, 8 g fat, 3.5 g saturated fat, and 650 mg sodium. Ranch or chipotle versions have just a few more calories. Add a fruit and walnut salad, chock full of apples, for 210 calories and a meal under 500 calories.

McDonald's: Worst Bet

The Crispy Chicken ClubSandwich is about what you'd expect from a restaurant better known for burgers and fries. Fried chicken, bacon, and mayo push this to 620 calories, 29 g fat, 7 g saturated fat, and 1,200 mg of sodium.  The honey wheat roll, lettuce, and tomato are healthful touches. Get grilled chicken, instead of fried; mustard instead of mayo, and this becomes a better choice from this fast-food giant.

Subway: Best Bets

Keep your personal calorie count low with the 6" Black Forest Ham Sandwich or one of Subway's many other 6-inch sandwiches with 6 grams of fat or less. The restaurant shines in low-calorie choices: roast chicken, roast beef, club, turkey breast, turkey breast and ham, veggie delight, or sweet onion chicken teriyaki.  Top them with lots of veggies to keep them in the range of 230 - 380 calories. 

Subway: Worst Bet (this one makes me pooh anyways, so I don't go near it hahaha)

The 6" Double Meatball Marinara with Cheese sandwich is a fatty choice at a restaurant better-known for its healthy choices and its weight-conscious spokesperson, Jared.  This 6-inch sub weighs in at an enormous 860 calories, 42 g fat, 18 g saturated fat, and 2,480 mg sodium.  And don't let the occasional $5 foot-long special at Subway tempt you into overeating any of their sandwiches.

Panera: Best Bet (I hate mayo, so this one totally is my favorite healthy choice)

Smoked Turkey on Whole Grain Bread is a better choice at Panera. The restaurant uses 99% fat-free turkey and adds lettuce, tomato, mayo, and mustard for 560 calories, 17 g fat, 2.5 g sat.fat, and 1,960 mg sodium. Get this sandwich below 500 by holding the mayo.  Hats off to Panera for offering an apple or fruit salad as a side dish instead of bread or chips.

Panera: Worst Bet (yum yum yummmmm this is totally one of my favorites, now I can't have it anymore :(

The Signature Chipotle Chicken on Artisan French Bread contains 830 calories, 37 g fat, 12 g saturated fat, and 2,180 mg of sodium.  That's the daily sodium limit for healthy adults. The special sauce, bacon, and cheddar help turn chicken, a lean type of protein, into a calorie bomb. Unfortunately,  many of the hot panini, signature, and café sandwiches hit the 700-900 calorie range.

So there you have it folks --- what to eat, and what NOT to eat... hope this is helpful when you go to have lunch today, some of the things you think might be SEMI healthy, really aren't.. now I need to go find a completely set of favorite things to eat.... FML! 

FAT KID OUT!

Thanks mom....

As much as I don't want to blame my mom for my weight... I kind of do. HAHA... Well, my mom and my dad... well more my dad then my mom. My mom is SUCH a picky eater, and that's what I find hardest about losing weight... I really really hate a lot of things... and I don't like trying new things... and all of the healthy things taste like shit... I really need some good recipes that involve simple ingredients that I can make at home.

Why do I blame my mom you ask? Probably because as a kid I grew up on McDonalds plain hamburgers, steak, potatoes, and fried foods. I love you to death mom, but that's not the best diet. HAHA. I should have been eating all these fancy dishes that exposed my palette to new things.... HAHA, wait, I did grow up in upstate NY, and if anyone knows the area, it's basically the steak and potato capital of the world... haha...

Why do I blame my dad? He always used NEGATIVE criticism growing up... not, hey andrea, you might be gaining weight, let's do this together to work on it... more like ANDREA, you are getting fat. Enough said. Ahhhh, my father, how I love thee. I think that made me just want to stay fat forever... And ps, I know using the word "fat" is bad, but get over it, I use it all the time.

Why do I blame myself? I grew up playing sports, that for sure, but I always used the excuse that I was big boned and I was born this way, to never try and lose any weight... I mean if you look at my sister, she is a twig, (I wish I looked like her when I was 14)... and I know it's genetics, but I could have worked harder at it, and now I am paying for that... It def is MUCH harder to lose weight at this age than it is at 18. Ahh freshman 30, how you KILLED ME.