Comments on: A very realistic plan to lose a pound (or how to banish your Christmas ‘food baby’ in 5 steps)

By: Dia

Dia — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 07:25:22 +0000

This is a good approach!
Loved the comment that folks don’t put on as much holiday weight as they think, they just don’t get it off!
I’ll always remember the Doc’s advice to my mom when she was in her 50s, & needed to loose some weight – he suggested she take special occ. & holidays into account & ‘budget’ for them, eating a bit less BEFORE, then taking some of everything she wanted to – but slightly smaller portions: & AFTER eat less for a few days, never considering it ‘blowing’ her diet!
He told her that he saw that as the main issue – that folks think ‘oh, well! I broke my diet anyway – I might as well have . . . ‘
I am a butter & coconut oil gal myself! I tend to eat more rice cakes, or Gluten free bread – my fav. spread is probably tahini (sesame butter) w a bit of coconut oil.
Thanks for visiting ‘the Vale,’ it will be interesting to see how the okahijiki does! I plan to use some kelp on it, (in the ground) & perhaps a tich of salt!

By: chelsea

chelsea — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:01:28 +0000

Thank you! This is a great post – it’s so helpful to see those swaps. I hate to be a calorie-counter, too, but it’s good to have a rough idea and to see the potential effect of making these small changes.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:14:28 +0000

Hmmmm, think I was the thick one and didn’t put the link in. Thanks, Sophie!

By: Helen

Helen — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 21:40:31 +0000

A very measured and sensible answer to my frantic comment in defence of butter!
“Amazingly I do see quite a few people who (gasp) aren’t really all that bothered what their food tastes like. ”
Oh yes, I forgot about that ;)

By: Sophie

Sophie — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 20:09:03 +0000

Helen, your comment re. the low fat spread made me laugh!
The advice I give people regarding spread varies a lot depending on the circumstances. My personal preference is the same as Wendy’s – I’ll have real butter if the bread is the star of show, then olive oil spread on sandwiches. But I see a lot people with my hospital dietitian hat on who either have a lot of weight to lose or very high cholesterol levels. I’ll usually weigh up all of the pros and cons with them and let them make up their own mind e.g stick with real butter and have less of it, change to an olive oil based spread (not less calories but arguably better on the cholesterol), or try a low fat spread.
For people who want to lose weight but eat a lot of bread (e.g toast for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch), the low-fat spread sometimes wins. Amazingly I do see quite a few people who (gasp) aren’t really all that bothered what their food tastes like.
I think the URL wendy posted got gobbled up. I’ll try posting it again here:
http://www.kathrynelliott.com.au/blog/2009/07/02/butter-or-margarine

By: Helen

Helen — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 18:04:47 +0000

Sorry Wendy, I’m being a bit thick – where is the thread?

By: Wendy

Wendy — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:24:35 +0000

Helen – Kathyn raised this subject a few months ago and I thought you might like to read the thread. Some strong feelings!
Me – I use low fat marg as a moistener on filled sandwiches and on toast IF I’m using jam too. But if the spread is the star of the show then it’s butter. :)

By: Helen

Helen — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 20:05:08 +0000

Hello! Long time no comment..
Ok so you know I am a fan of your blog and your advice as ever, is sound but, do you really advise people to eat low fat spread? To me, low fat spread is a hideous manufactured product. I don’t understand why anyone would ever eat it. Why not eat 1 less slice of toast with the glorious natural product that is butter?

By: Wendy

Wendy — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 08:07:16 +0000

Your article has made me realise I should probably reduce my calorie in take. I eat well but am used to exercising a lot and weather is making it sooooo difficult to do that! It’s so icy I can’t go running or get my car into the gym car park. Making do with Wii Fit and (very cautious) doggy walks for the moment.
Ought to implement some of these tips too.

By: kathryn

kathryn — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 02:15:37 +0000

Great post Sophie and a very sensible approach. It’s always good to be reminded of the facts and figures involved in weight loss.
You really show how often it isn’t necessary to change *everything* when trying to lose weight. Instead it’s a matter of shaving a few kilojoules off here and there.
I do find cutting down on alcohol is a hard but useful step for many. I see many people who regularly drink 2+ glasses of wine a night. And cutting out one or more of those goes a long way towards achieving the kilojoule deficit you need.