Editor's Note: We're lucky to have access to some of the best healthy lifestyle products on the market including food items, cookbooks and gear. Each Friday I'll share a review of a product I love in hopes that you'll discover new items that will work for your lifestyle and goals. As always, we encourage you to share you thoughts and pass along insights on the items you love, too.
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As many of you know, I eat almost entirely gluten-free. Some of you have been curious about this; I do not have celiac disease. I discovered gluten-free eating last October. At that time, I was feeling generally sluggish and unhappy. I had also put on about 10 extra pounds. I was open and looking for a way of eating that would help me lose weight, gain energy and also lend itself to a lifestyle I could maintain. That's when I read a book that changed the game for me -- Dr. Gundry's Diet Evolution.
I've grown to adapt a lot of what I read in the book -- namely I shoot for a plant-based diet but I still eat a fair amount of meat and fish. I also try, in accordance with the philosophies of this lifestyle, to eat clean, whole foods. As I discussed in my last post, this isn't always easy with my schedule. Sometimes (usually in the morning) I need something quick, easy, gluten-free and low in sugar. Enter think Thin bars.
No -- these clearly aren't clean, but they always work for me in a pinch. The keep me full throughout the morning and allow me to maintain my gluten-free eating plan even when I'm underprepared.
For those of you that are interested, think Thin bars come in a varitety of flavors (Creamy Peanut Butter is my favorite). think Thin bars are:
- Sugar Free
- Wheat Free
- Gluten Free
- Lactose Free
I should make it clear that these are my replacements when I can't do better. I love to plan ahead of time and make frittatas loaded with veggies or greek yogurt for breakfast. Some mornings though, as many of you know, you just need something that's easy to nosh on on-the-go. These bars allow me to maintain my gluten-free lifestyle even during the crazy days.
This product aligns well with Gundry mantra I've come to live by: "Do what you can, where you are, with what you've got."
Until next time--
Sarah (@SarahKMetz)
Juice fast. Miracle cleanse. Fat burning pills.
There are hundreds of diets that promise to be the miracle weight-loss cure. Even most traditional diets that restrict carbohydrates or fat have proven to fail. There is nothing more frustrating than following a diet perfectly and not seeing results—or even worse—gaining the weight back.
The Mediterranean Diet however, isn’t a diet at all. It’s unique because it’s a LIFESTYLE.
According to Emma-Leigh Synnott, certified fitness and nutrition expert, using the food guidelines for the Mediterranean diet, along with calorie restriction and exercise, will promote weight loss. Her advice—“Approach the diet with common sense. Enjoy yourself and make it maintainable so you can stick to it!”
Mediterranean Diet 101
During the 1950-60’s, people living in Greece, Crete, and Southern Italy had longer life spans and fewer chronic diseases. The American professor, Ancel Keys, wanted to discover why people living in that area were healthier than those in other countries. His research lead to what we now refer to as the “Mediterranean Diet”. According Synnott the staples of this diet includes:
-Ample vegetables and fruits
-Olive oil
-A moderate intake of fish/seafood
-Legumes
-Whole grains
-Dairy (mostly low-fat yogurts and cheeses)
-Limited red meats
-Healthy fats (nuts and avocado)
-Red wine
-Avoid processed foods and saturated/trans fats
She emphasizes that an active lifestyle and daily exercise—along with enjoying the social aspect of eating—is equally important as what we eat.
Love What You Eat
Eating healthier doesn’t mean you have to stop eating the things you love. However, switching to the right types of food will make you look and feel better than ever. The Mediterranean diet includes a large variety of delicious choices that are broken down into five basic components.
Eat more fruits and vegetables may sound like a broken record, but when you discover seasonal, vibrant produce you can enjoy, your body will thank you. For one, they contain micronutrients (essential vitamins and minerals) that our bodies cannot produce. They also contain fiber which regulates digestion and promotes weight-loss (because you feel fuller, longer). The recommended daily allowance (RDA) is 22-28 grams of fiber for women and 28-34 grams for men per day.
Lean proteins (fish, poultry, low-fat dairy) can help you maintain body weight because it makes you feel full and promotes lean muscle mass, according to Synnott. Our body also uses more energy to break down proteins as compared to carbohydrates. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that increasing your protein intake to 30 percent of your daily calories, increased weight-loss.
Whole grains (whole-wheat bread, brown rice), unrefined cereals (oats, seeds), legumes (beans, soy), are essential in the Mediterranean diet. They are good carbohydrates and the main energy source for our bodies. Be smart—healthy carbohydrates don’t mean your meals should be loaded with breads and pastas (45-65 percent of your RDA should come from carbohydrates).
Make fats your friend, not foe. People avoid fats because they think it makes you fat—this is false. Good fats (olive oil, nuts, avocado, salmon) help our immune system, maintain cell membranes function, and help us absorb nutrients, according to Mayo Clinic. They are also more filling than carbohydrates, but be cautious of calories.
Processed foods such as: chips, cookies, frozen entrees, fried foods, and packaged snacks, etc., are not part of the Mediterranean diet. These foods contain trans fats, excess sodium, and refined sugars and should be avoided. This will help regulate blood sugar and cut out empty calories.
Keeps the Doctor Away
The Mediterranean diet digs deeper than helping you look and feel great—it can also help prevent a number of chronic diseases.
Olive oil is a heart-healthy ingredient in the Mediterranean diet. This doesn’t mean douse everything you eat with EVOO—it is a high calorie food (120cal/tbsp). But, when used as a substitution for other fats (butter, margarine) olive oil has many health benefits. It’s a rich source of Mono-unsaturated fat with one particular monounsaturated fat, ‘Oleic acid’, thought to be responsible for the majority of the health benefits, according to Synnott. She also noted that olive oil can help in the following ways:
- Improve total cholesterol levels (and lowers LDL)
- Decreased the risk of some cancers (breast, colorectal, prostate)
- Decrease cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s
- Decrease blood pressure
- Improves insulin sensitivity
- Improve endothelial function (to help maintain the ‘integrity’ of blood vessels & decrease vascular disease)
- Decrease the risk of blood clotting
Fish is a great source of protein and Omega-3 fatty acids. With the addition of Omega-3’s, fish can also help in the prevention of certain health conditions in a similar way as olive oil.
Steps Toward a Healthier You
Like any lifestyle change, a drastic approach can be a recipe for disaster. You don’t need clear out your cabinets and fill your fridge with foods you are supposed to eat. Instead start off slow, and gradually start replacing unhealthier choices with Mediterranean foods.
Remember this is a lifestyle so restricting yourself completely from all the foods you love will never last. Either find healthier alternatives to those guilty pleasures, or limit them to a special treat once in awhile.
Recipes
I have combined my love for cooking with the Mediterranean diet and created delicious, simple recipes that you will enjoy.
Mediterranean Whole Wheat Pasta Salad--I like to pair this with chicken breast or tilapia
Pepper-crusted Maple Salmon--This goes well with your favorite veggies (I like asparagus or spinach) and quinoa. Leftover salmon is yummy on top of a salad.
Tuna Cilantro Salad--I like to eat this with a toasty piece of whole wheat artisan bread.
Simple Ratatouille--I usually eat this with organic brown rice (I cheat and buy it frozen and cooked…it’s ready in 3 minutes in the microwave) and sprinkled with parmesan cheese.
-Megan Farquhar
Resources:
· Emma-Leigh Synnott certified nutrition and fitness expert
· Web MD: High-Protein Diet for Weight Loss
· MayoClinic: Healthy diet - End the guesswork with these nutrition guidelines
Report cards: for most of us they're long gone and unmissed. But could the simple act of assigning our food choices a grade daily set us up for best body success?
We took to our Facebook page last week to test the theory in real time; the response we received was overwhelming. When asked what you had for dinner and what grade rating you deserved hundreds of you shared honest, interesting and sometimes hilarious insights.
It was inspiring to watch so many of you share your dedication to smart food choices. We joined in as everyone applauded the "A's" and "B's" and swapped recipe ideas or smart cooking substitutions. The "F's" confessed their indulgences while citing their next meal as an opportunity to start again strong.
As our loyal MyPlate trackers and avid readers know, there are endless ways to use food to achieve your goals. Your diet might be geared toward getting you in peak shape for a run or challenge; you might be ready to shape up post-baby; you could be extra conscious of how nutrition plays into your overall health and longevity.
No matter what your "best you" ambitions are, smart, sustainable food choices made consistently over time have proven their power to transform. And a great way to create consistency and check your course is by assessing yourself daily.
You may most enjoy tracking your meals on MyPlate and measuring your progress by staying under that calorie goal. Or perhaps you're more concerned with your daily servings of veggies or water consumption. Whatever you're measuring, we encourage you to actually measure! Give yourself a grade, or find a friend or coworker with similar goals and grade each other. This could become a personal habit you make for yourself or something you share with your whole family. This simple act is one way to get serious about your diet -- but it can also be fun!
Every meal or day won't be an "A." And maybe dessert is part of your perfect "A" day of eating. It's all about what works for your lifestyle given where you are now and where you want to be. One of my favorite quotes from my diet guru Dr. Gundry is, "Do what you can, when you can, with what you've got."
As always, we're here to provide the tools and resources for you to create those best grade days, months and years.
What grade will you reward yourself with today?
-- Sarah Metzger (@SarahKMetz)
You don’t need much to create an incredible meal. I have a knack for whipping up some of my best dishes with little preparation and just using whatever I have on hand. I owe this skill to my mom, Charlotte, who is an amazing cook. I never remember an empty refrigerator or pantry growing up. When she asked us what we wanted for dinner it miraculously appeared within minutes, or so it seemed. Looking back now, I realize she had an arsenal of ingredients ready at a moment’s notice to make delicious meals out of nothing.
I learned by osmosis. It is so much easier to have ingredients on hand and work forward from there. Fitness and food are my life. I look forward to dinner: Creating, preparing and, of course, consuming. I won’t lie—I love coming home from work and putting together my dinner puzzle. Making dinner is one of my most favorite times of day. I relax, open up the pantry and the creative process begins.
This is actually a fairly simple talent to teach yourself; you just need to have a few staples in your kitchen that will enable you to turn any food into something special.
Here is my list of kitchen basics (let’s call them “must haves”) that allow me to whip up amazing creations in the blink of an eye.
Olive Oil –Make sure you grab two types. Olive oil is perfect for cooking and extra virgin olive oils, which are more expensive and flavorful, are great on salads or for bread.
Vinegar – I have, rice wine, red wine, white wine, sherry and balsamic. I know also only invest in really good balsamic, I promise you it is worth the investment. Drizzle balsamic on vegetables before you roast them. I put rice wine vinegar on everything; steamed vegetables, salads, lettuce wraps – try it, it will change your life.
Nuts /Seeds – these are great to add to any salad or veggie creation. My staples: Pumpkin Seeds, Almonds, Hazelnuts, Macadamia Nuts, Walnuts – they are dense in calories so you only need 1-2 Tbsp.
Crumbled /Shaved Cheese – Just a sprinkle adds a punch of flavor: Parmesan, Feta, Goat, Blue – you only need 1 -2 Tbsp.
Marinara Sauce – Always have at least 3 jars of low sodium in my pantry, you can quickly sauté up any vegetables mix in the marinara and you’ve got a delicious healthy primavera sauce in no time.
Vegetables – I stock up when I am at the farmers market – I buy everything I like and without a doubt nothing goes to waste. Asparagus, peppers, broccoli, kale, green beans, leeks…the list goes on.
Extras…bread crumbs, panko crumbs, apricot jam, cocktail sauce, honey, lemons, low sodium vegetable broth, brown rice pasta, frozen veggie burgers, frozen chicken breasts and frozen uncooked jumbo shrimp.
Cut to last night, and I really did not want to go to the market. I knew there had to be something in my vegetable bin that I could work into a tasty salad.
Voila!
Warm Green Bean Salad with Feta and Cherry Tomatoes.
Enjoy!
Memorial Day is the unofficial commencement of BBQ season—but it doesn’t also have to be the end of your healthy eating strategy. That’s why we consulted Chris and Kara Mohr, nutritionists and fitness consultants who own Mohr Results. Use their tips to navigate a flavorful Memorial Day weekend, without any of the guilt.
Healthy Slaw
Coleslaw is a BBQ staple, but it’s usually loaded with fat and calories. Instead, try a “naked” slaw: Rather than adding mayo, swap it out and go for a fresher recipe. Here’s what you do:
Shred about 4 cups of red and green cabbage (total), shred 1 cup carrots, added about 1-2 tsp fresh ginger, 2 TBS soy sauce, 2 TBS sesame oil, 2-3 TBS rice vinegar, a pinch of salt and cracked black pepper. Then add a dash of red pepper and voila! Sweet and spicy slaw without the heavy fat and calories.
The Low-Cal Burger
Swap out your burger bun for a portabello mushroom. Simply remove the “gills” from the mushroom, brush it lightly with canola oil, toss them on the grill to cook them down a bit and in about 3 minutes, remove them and use the mushrooms as your bun! Loaded with nutrition, yet light on calories.
The Other Meat
Try grilling some chicken breasts instead of the traditional burgers and dogs. It’s a lot lower in fat and calories, yet high in protein and tasty! And spice it up -- rather than traditional BBQ, try marinating it in a balsamic vinaigrette!
Go Green
Slice a variety of veggies, like squash, bell peppers, onions and any others you like -- toss them with some vinaigrette and throw them on the grill. Just a few minutes each side and you’ll have a side that will surely be a crowd pleaser!
A Better Meat
Use leaner cuts of beef when making a hamburger. A 4 ounce patty of 80/20 “chuck” will pack in around 280 calories and 18 grams of fat, whereas a 95/5 ground meat slashes almost 100 calories and cuts that fat down to about 8. Just be careful when cooking. Leaner cut cook more quickly. For added flavor, toss on some spices, like a pinch of chili powder, crack blacked pepper and a pinch of salt to add more flavor since a lot of the fat is gone.
Circuit Works is an intense aerobic and anaerobic workout jammed into 50 minutes. The transitions are quick and you have to pay attention.
I was confused initially as to how the class would work. This is an indoor work out in a small space.
There are treadmills and spin bikes for the cardio portion along with twelve different body part stations; no doubt this insures a full body workout!
Here’s the scoop according to Circuit Works:
Our classes switch from an Aerobic Cardiovascular exercise to an Anaerobic Resistance exercise every 60 Seconds, keeping the body from choosing the energy expenditure system it's going to use. This forces the body into a state of confusion, that we call the Zig Zag Theory.
Instructors review the class procedure and briefly describe how each machine/station is operated. They will be monitoring the class and correcting form, adjusting resistance and keeping track of the time so that the group hits the next resistance station/cardio station in 60-90 seconds.
During my Circuit Works session, the top of the studio has numbered monitors with a streaming video of the exercise you were to perform at each location. With sixteen athletes in class, the instructors could not give us constant individual attention. The monitors were a great help.
I am accustomed to outdoor workouts. Being inside was a change for me especially at this level of intensity. We split into an “A” group and a “B” group and kept the treadmills going at all times to keep the class on time that made me so nervous - I have hard enough time getting on and off the treadmill when I am starting and stopping it!
The instructors kept us on pace. This was tough. My endurance and stamina are strong, however, mixing in the intense weights/resistance stations for 60-90 seconds each was definitely a challenge.
My legs and back were on fire. I loved it. This is a fun workout to incorporate in to your current routine.
You can find out more about Circuit Works here.
Hello and welcome to MyPlate 101!
I’ll use this series to deliver the best tips and tricks for using our tools most effectively.
Having used MyPlate since it was the Daily Plate; I have an arsenal of info to share.
Today, I’m going to walk you through using our Quick Tools.
Using Quick Tools
Quick Tools is located directly on your MyPlate.
Once you click on QT, a box appears that has 4 options: Create a Meal, Copy to Another Day, Move to Another Day and Delete.
Here is how it works Use the tool once you have items tracked for the day. I use it to create meals from items I eat together.
Step 1
Click on Quick Tools and a pop up box appears as well as smaller boxes by each of your tracked items.
Step 2
Select the items that you will be grouping together.
Step 3
Now choose your action. I created a meal. I give my meal a title and can adjust the quantity/servings if need be. I can also add more items if I choose. Select the blue Create Meal button and that’s it.
If you choose to copy or move your items to another day, the calendar pops up for you to select dates from.
Stay Tuned for MyPlate 101 Lesson 2.
Happy tracking,
-Susy
You mean other than the mirror? Everyone has some specific goals in mind when they start a workout, but it’s easy to become discouraged when you don’t see results fast. “Success is not found solely through hard work, but smart work,” says Martin Rooney, C.S.C.S., the creator of trainingforwarriors.com. That’s why Rooney suggests the 80-20 rule for exercise (based on the Pareto Principle), which suggests that 80 percent of your results will come from 20 percent of your work. In order to help narrow your focus and figure out what exercises are right for you, Rooney offers four common signs to determine if you’re using your time efficiently. If you find yourself in any of these situations, Rooney recommends that you try something different to get back on track.
1) You perform exercises that don’t contribute to your goals
If your goal is losing fat, you probably should be focusing more on some sort of resistance training. If you want to be a marathon runner, you should be setting up a schedule to increase mileage. The key point is that in order to know what exercises you should perform you need to have a concise goal. Once you experience success, then you can set a new goal and take on new exercise challenges. Trying 100 different exercises spread across 6 different goals might seem like a great way to add variety, but it will only lead to frustration and a high likelihood of failure.
2) You perform exercises that you don’t believe will work for you
The mind is an important part of any exercise program. You need to believe in your program and what you’re doing, or else it will be hard to remain focused and see results. So if you have doubts, be confident and ask questions about why you’re doing certain exercises to make sure they’re right for your goals. Just make sure you don’t confuse “what’s right” with “what’s difficult.” Exercise is meant to be hard, so you should expect to struggle and not always make instant progress.
3) Exercises are taking too much time and energy to learn
While you can’t expect instant results, you should make general progress with time. After all, the goal of a good workout is to make some progress every week. So if you’re struggling with the same exercise for months, or not becoming stronger or improving your endurance, it probably means you’re doing an exercise (or training plan) that’s too difficult. Taking a step back to master a more basic movement will pay off in the long run. Remember, mastery of anything means that you’re making progress, which is the sign of a good program.
4) You find yourself in a negative mindset when training
This might be the most overlooked aspect of exercise. Your workouts—whether they involve running, walking, lifting weights, or playing sports—should be fun. If you’re not enjoying the process, then you won’t remain consistent and won’t see long-term results. Your end goal should be focused on living an active lifestyle. While you’re bound to have bad days when you don’t feel like doing an activity, you should generally enjoy the process and look forward to exercise.
It is said that the only thing that can stop you is yourself. For most people, this is interpreted as an overrated motivational non-sequitur; a blind statement that underscores the variability and uncontrollable nature of every day and every situation. But it’s also an accurate assessment of what it takes to be successful. Life is unscripted, which means you’re guaranteed to be thrust into situations that are mentally and emotionally challenging.
These are what I call pulse moments. They represent who you are at your core and they vary from important decisions to small lifestyle choices. They are, quite simply, a test of your heart and desire.
My most recent pulse moment happened this morning. After three days out of the country, I returned to my normal routine of 5 am workouts. As I found myself in the gym, my mind was still in bed and my body was lacking motivation. And yet I still made sure to continue my workout and become a little better. The surroundings might have been different, but it was a choice we all face: Push on or go home. Eat better or slip up. Dream of a promotion or settle for something less.
In isolation, the decision to go easy isn’t the problem. Missing this morning’s workout wouldn’t have turned me into a pile of mush. Just as adding dessert won’t destroy your diet or taking a day doesn’t represent a lack of ambition. But if you’re hitting cruise control every time a moment becomes difficult, then you are stopping yourself.
I encourage you to embrace pulse moments and even create them. If we’ve learned anything from our amazing success stories, like
Angel Hall, your mindset is the secret to achieving your best body ever. It’s also what helped our editor, Sarah Metzger, change her eating habits and
create a new lifestylethat motivates others to be healthy.
At some point, you have to become tired of using life as an excuse. Sure, it won’t be easy. Your heart rate might elevate, you’ll feel anxious, nervous or even frustrated. But these are the raw human emotions that will lead you to push a little harder. Focus a little more. And claw towards something you didn’t think was possible.
So tell me: What’s your most recent pulse moment? And what are you doing about it? Confronting your challenge is the first step to becoming unstoppable.
“The final straw came not very long after the photo was taken- after the passing of my father, when he died from a heart attack. He also had diabetes, and was desperately trying to turn his dietary habits around, but it was too late. I knew what I had to do at that point- I thought maybe it wasn’t too late for me.”
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Through MyPlate, I have finally been able to lose 60 pounds- and still going! I tried dieting, I even tried various metabolism booster pills, and even exercises--sometimes.
The turning point for me was in the very photo I’ve sent in. We took a team photo at work and there I am, trying to stand ¾ turn, hoping to mask as much “backside encore” as I could. People have told me that they couldn’t believe I ever weighed 215, I guess I masked it well, but the problem with that was I couldn’t mask it from myself. I knew my weight was getting out of hand, and pictures don’t lie. The final straw came not very long after the photo was taken- after the passing of my father, when he died from a heart attack. He also had diabetes, and was desperately trying to turn his dietary habits around, but it was too late. I knew what I had to do at that point- I thought maybe it wasn’t too late for me.
My support in this project falls squarely on MyPlate. I could say family, friends, and co-workers, but in reality, they fuel the fire with verbal compliments, encouragement, and sometimes a little patience. The real drive to this engine is being able to make weight loss so EASY that there’s simply no excuse not to be doing MyPlate. I’m convinced that I would not have been able to succeed without it! My only other key element to this is Lost Trail Diet Root Beer, which I limit myself to one a day, but it satisfies my soda cravings without tasting like a diet drink. Giving up sodas was a huge step to success- but only because I’ve been able to replace it realistically with something that allows me to ease off of them. I still have a soda from time to time- but now I treat it more like a ‘dessert’ – and I really can just stop at 1 soda every few days as opposed to sodas all day long like before. MyPlate gave me the knowledge of just how many calories and sugars I was really eating every day, and when I started MyPlate, I honestly had NO IDEA it was that bad! It helped me treat calories like a bank account, with so many “calorie dollars” allowed per day, to every time I was eating something, I was “spending” them. To make more “calorie money”, I needed to get some activity time logged in. By the end of the day, any calories left over is “profit”. As a small business owner, I understand that concept clearly- so it clicked!
The biggest challenges I’ve found has been two things: First, the ability to be honest with myself- about EVERYTHING. Not just by ‘saying’, “I need to eat better”- but actually ‘DOING’ it. Facing the fact that the only person who can take the weight off is yourself is crucial to making the choice to do something about it. It is important not to blame—but even more important to take responsibility and step up to do the right thing towards changes for the better. It may start within, but it does affect others around you too. Secondly, plateaus are going to happen (Yes, they are annoying!) I’ve had a plateau going for nearly a month now- and I’ve tried a few changes here and there to see if I can break it, but it’s been quite difficult. Accept this kind of challenge gracefully, but giving up is not an option. It will happen!
People say that the three sweetest words ever spoken is “I Love You” – but I think “You’ve Lost Weight!” easily trumps it. Success in weight loss is a tremendous victory, even if it’s just a few pounds to tens of pounds. The secret to all of it is the success itself. It may seem difficult at first- (oh I had terrible headaches after giving up soda!) – but after the pounds started coming off, my pants were baggy. I didn’t notice how badly the loose clothing looked until someone commented at work about it. What an interesting and motivating change it was to go from “looking unhealthy” because I was too big – to “looking sloppy” because I was getting too small! It was an exhilarating feeling to walk into the office the next week with proper fitting clothes- and EVERYONE noticed! I don’t ever want to go back to eating the way I did before, because it is simply not worth it to me anymore. The doughnut never made me feel as good as slipping into a jean size that I hadn’t worn since High School! Success, even a small one- will feed the desire for MORE success, but before you take a bite of that cheesecake, chip, cookie, or fry- ask yourself, “will this do for me what a smaller size can?” I’ve found myself putting down the fast food, and opting for veggies more and more with that very question.
MyPlate is probably the most wonderful thing that I’ve ever encountered. It has succeeded where other diet plans failed miserably. I’m eating whatever I want- whenever I want, but I’m able to keep myself in check, and people tell me I’m looking better every day. I can’t say enough wonderful things about The MyPlate- in fact, I’ve turned others onto it as well. The results are very real, and more importantly- Real LIFE. The iPhone App has made the process so incredibly EASY that there’s simply no excuse NOT to be on MyPlate. When I tell others about how I did it, and they can too- the biggest point I make to them is, “You know how I *know* they really care about people getting healthy and fit? It’s FREE. They would rather you save your pennies for better foods that will really work for you, than some monthly fee that you’ll end up cancelling anyway. Greed is what strings people along month to month for outrageous fees that they already know people won’t stick to.” After they’ve given it some careful thought, I’ll see them again in a few days and they’ll tell me they’ve signed up. I have one friend who has already lost over 40 pounds since April and another friend who tried another calorie tracker App, and felt she liked MyPlate better--and dropped the other tracker. She’s lost nearly 50 pounds now! Another co-worker of mine just started on her journey- she’s already lost her first 10 pounds so far. I thank you--we ALL thank you. Anyone who is willing to be honest with themselves and really make the choice to want to be fit finally has a REAL, legitimate place to turn- LIVESTRONG.COM!
