A Little Help From My Friends

An article in today's Sacramento Bee offers a bevy of weight loss tips from experts. While I don’t agree with all of their tips (who can cut 500 calories a day? Ridiculous!), I have chosen one tip from each expert that I hope to try and accomplish until the New Year.

Karen Brokken, in-patient clinical dietitian at Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center, says. “Cutting alcohol is a great way to slash calories. At the very least, drink in moderation if you want to drop weight.”
This tip is a great way, even if it’s a little difficult. Calories from alcohol can really add up!

Personal trainer Alan Harris says, “Avoid foods that are high in sugar…”
I try to consume mostly low-calorie foods and beverages. Everyone’s got to splurge every once in awhile but in general, low-calorie sweeteners allow consumers to consume delicious products with a lot less calories.

Charles Stuart Platkin, syndicated health-fitness-nutrition columnist, says, "Conduct a food audit. Take an honest look at what you’re eating.”
I recently started keeping a food diary and I couldn’t believe how much I was underestimating the calories I was consuming. Apparently, counting calories isn’t really my thing. The food diary helps keep me honest with myself, even when I don’t want to be.