Fishing for Weight Loss!

Fishing for Weight Loss!

”Hey, Wake up … and let’s get going! … “ that was the familiar sound of my father. I sleepily woke up stretching my limbs and rubbing my eyes. Though wanting to crawl back to sleep, I could not resist the adventure of that early morning trip to the beach. So, I hopped on the motorbike with my dad and soon we were on our way.

I loved to witness the rising sun, but that was not the reason we were there. Soon the silhouette of the fishing boats started appearing in the blue horizon and I was so excited! The boats brought in fresh caught ocean fish and that was the real prize we were after!

Born in a tiny fishing village, my diet has been blessed with a high source of fish. The fishermen have always inspired me, in a silent way. I loved to see their bare muscular bodies, their bulging forearms and their slim waistlines. Most of them had six pack abs. Even as a seven year old, I told myself I wanted that type of a body someday. Silly me … I would tell my mom when I got back home, “I want to be a fisherman!”

Almost twenty years later, I can still relive those early morning memories. They are so alive, like the winter chill of the mornings.

For years I asked myself this question, “What is it that made the fishermen so formidable and fat free?

It is their diet and the manual labor of working at sea. Pure oxygen combined with the lean protein from fish and hard work made them so slim and attractive.

I love fish, no question about that! Substituting fish in your diet during your weight loss journey is a very rewarding benefit to your overall health. So, “What is it in fish that makes them so rich in nutrition?”

Here are some reasons why you might want to be a "fishatarian"!

1. Fish are high in protein and low in cholesterol. When losing weight it is important that you build lean muscles to increase your metabolism. It will not only help you lose weight but it will help you burn the fat. So, that's Fishy Reason #1!

2. Fish are rich in vitamins and minerals. These elements are important in maintaining your body and keeping it functioning at its optimal level. It keeps you swimming like a fish!

3. Fish are low in calorie content. A 3 oz portion of fish contains 119 calories whereas a 3 oz serving of beef is 136 calories. The ratio of fat compared to protein is also better with fish. Fish is 90% protein/20% fat and beef is 70% protein/30%fat.

4. Fish are easily digested. Are you tired of processing those hard to digest red meats? Does your body have difficulty breaking down the meat protein? Well, ... there you have the Fishy Reason #4!

5. Fish are edible and never lack variety! Each kind of fish provides you with a different and unique taste. Your taste buds never get bored and your options are suddenly expanded. Suddenly you become like kid, not knowing which candy to choose!

6. Fish are one of the most important sources of calcium. The soft bones of small fish, such as sardines, smelts and canned varieties such as salmon, are especially valuable sources of calcium.

The list could go on and I could probably write a book named "The Fish and the Weight Loss Hunters! … Just Joking!

Losing weight can seem like there's an ocean of tasks “to do”. Well, may be you should turn to nature's ocean itself for the answers!

It has been all "FISH" through this article and now you’re wondering, “Should I try it?!”

Now, the only thing that could hold you back is the “fishy” smell. Don’t worry … you won't smell like a fish after your meal!

Written by Inam - Skailark on DailyStrength

To Weigh or not to Weigh? – The Dreaded Scale and the Unending Question!

To Weigh or not to Weigh? – The Dreaded Scale and the Unending Question!

How to weigh yourself

OK … so we might as well enjoy a little humor with this subject!

This is the most fascinating question and seems to generate an unbelievable amount of responses; each person fairly secure that their manner of facing the dreaded scale to measure their weight is the correct way.


I can’t believe I was doing it wrong all these years!

There seems to be a happy medium that needs to be sought and it is different for each person. While we need the scales to monitor our progress, the results seem to lead us through a range of emotions from depressed and ready to give up to being elated and motivated to continue our plan with vigor.

The truth may be that we need to be kinder and gentler to ourselves and realize that our true goal is to change to a healthier lifestyle and that if we are committed to that, day-by-day, we WILL achieve our goal! The scale is merely a tool to help us monitor our progress from time to time. The journal of our food intake, the calories and the exercise we commit ourselves to do is the real indicator of our success; the scale is the ultimate truth machine as to whether or not we’re doing that correctly.

So, just as the tortoise went slow and easy, was steady and determined, remember who one the race? Through the never-ending faith and persistence, the tortoise won the race and so can you!

Below are comments from various people who, just like you, face this question and try to make sense of it; each ultimately trying to develop a plan to monitor our weight that works positively for us. You may find your feelings somewhere below or you may have other feelings that have not yet been expressed. Please feel free to share them in the comment section at the bottom of the blog so others facing their own journeys can receive the benefit of your knowledge.

Should I weigh daily?

I weigh daily, each morning, as soon as I awake. I go to the bathroom and weigh without clothes so my true weight is recorded each day. In this manner, I can make adjustments in my eating choices for that day based on what the scale shows. I am aware that there can be a fluctuation of 1-2 pounds due to water weight so that never bothers me. It does give me immediate confirmation of my behavior and I hold myself accountable to make the appropriate adjustments swiftly for any weight outside of that so I remain on course.

It makes me absolutely crazy to get on the scale daily; it is an emotional roller coaster.

When a “bad” number shows up, I immediately head to the kitchen to eat; it is self-defeating.

My moods are affected greatly by the numbers on the scale; I just can’t weigh daily. I had to step away from the scales.

I couldn’t stay away from the scales so I gave them to a family member and got them out of the house and removed the daily temptation to get on them. I was drawn to the scales like a moth to a flame and it was not producing good results.

Should I weigh weekly?

I weigh in weekly on the same day each week; it provides me with additional motivation. A few days prior to my weigh in I really buckle down to see some results.

I’m in Weight Watcher’s and weigh every week.

Should I weigh once a month?

I just keep doing what I know to do and then when I get weighed in a month, I can see how much I’ve lost and take pleasure in my achievement.

I try staying off the scale and it helps me to have longer periods between my weighing sessions. I don’t let the scale rule my life.

I weigh once a month. Although I remain curious and am tempted, it has helped me stay on my plan. Previously, I used the slight change in numbers to derail myself from my plan.

Should I take a hammer to the scales and throw them away?

I threw out the scales and ignore them; I go by howI feel and how my clothes fit.

I only get weighed at the doctor’s office.

I don’t weigh.

I may take a hammer to my scales once I’ve reached my goal!

What if the scales don’t change?

Give yourself a HUGE HUG and a pat on the back; you HAVE made progress! Your weight has remained constant and you have not gained!!! That is improvement over your past behavior and leads to the advancement of your understanding, which is ultimately what is needed when making a long-term lifestyle change!

Besides, the scales should change in the following week or two. Remember the tortoise; they will! :]

What if the scales go up?

A slight shift upwards could be due to the time of day; we tend to weigh heavier as the day progresses or it could be that you are wearing a heavier outfit than you weighed in last time.

If you’re exercising, muscle weighs heavier than fat and this can account for a minimal weight gain.

Journal your food intake, absolutely everything, and see how many calories you are truly consuming. Count every bite that goes in your mouth, including tasting dinner while cooking, eating a few bites from the plates of your children or grabbing a candy or two from the office candy jar; you may be surprised.

If you’re still having trouble and they continue to go up, send me your journal and how to contact you and we will discuss.


Sunshine wishes and many heartfelt hugs … always … Ranae

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Positive Thoughts from Becky …

Affirmation: I choose to be a happy person.

Truth Be Known: Don’t sweat the small stuff—it’s all small stuff.

Quotes: One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time. -- Andre Gide

I am tired of talk that comes to nothing. --Chief Joseph

Funny: I don't suffer from insanity...I enjoy every minute of it.

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BELIEVE- even when it is not rational and good things WILL happen.....

BELIEVE- even when it is not rational and good things WILL happen....

These simple words were gently given to me from a very dear friend and this statement, along with his steadfast support, unwavering friendship and total acceptance, provided the motivation and encouragement to embark on the most rewarding and enlightening journey of my life. The gift of words formed the basis of our friendship and sustained me on a journey of self-exploration, self-acceptance and a life-changing weight loss of 143 pounds to date.

Before that, I had truly given up on life. Each attempt to lose weight, no matter what program was chosen, brought a new failure to bear that inevitably culminated in an additional weight gain of 20 pounds and a step or two lower on the self-esteem scale.

At 51 years of age, I’d ballooned to 330 pounds and had finally accepted that it was better to remain there than to keep “dieting” my way “up” the scale with each resulting failure. Emotionally, my dreams had vanished and there was the realization that if I kept eating like this, I would die.

Here’s what I did and what I learned:

* You can’t care for anyone else until you learn how to care for yourself.

* You must forgive yourself and be as kind to yourself as you are to strangers.

* You must institute a lifestyle change; “diets” do not work long-term.

* You need and deserve the support of caring and supportive friends; DailyStrength is a wonderful place to find them.

* Yes, you must count calories. What goes in, minus the calories burned, equals your weight. I chose approximately 1,200 to 1,400 calories per day.

* Yes, you must exercise. You need this to be healthy and it builds self-esteem and helps you set and achieve goals.

* Persistence is the key. If you keep this up, you WILL lose weight.

* You do not have to deprive yourself, there are many healthy choices that will provide you with the flavors you are craving in a more calorie-conscious manner. (Example: 15 calorie pop sickles replace 150+ calorie ice cream, 140 calorie protein bars replace 350 calorie candy bars, grilled chicken and turkey replace deep fried chicken nuggets, etc)

* You will reach set points and you can fluctuate your calories up and/or down and change your exercise to keep your muscles in a state of confusion to get over those hurdles.

* You can eat foods you crave, in small increments, by implementing mindful eating.

* Upon reaching a 110 pound weight loss, I turned to Herbalife products to provide more protein and an alternative to having to prepare set meals; it fit my lifestyle better. I now use them in conjunction with my regular plan of counting calories.

YOU CAN DO THIS!!! It is our dream no one has a right to prevent us from reaching it, least of all us.

Eliminate the language that allows for excuse

- Not if, but when,

- Not try, but will

- Not hope,but belief

then it will not be a dream, it will be a reality.....live into it!