DIET MASTERS

DIETMASTERS


MY YEARS AS A FOOD ADDICT

I was a heavy eater by the time I was 5 years old, only it was called a "healthy appetite" in those days, and they called me cute and chubby. By the time I was 18 I was a compulsive overeater. At 5'6", my weight ranged between 125 to 149, but only because I spent part of almost every month on some diet or another. I must have gained and lost more than 500 pounds on various crash diets before I turned 40.I could eat 3 half gallons of ice cream a week and 3 candy bars at the movies. At my favorite Oriental buffet I would start with 6 egg rolls and fill my plate (and myself) so much that the owners lost money. No matter what diet I tried, I dreamed of my next “fix”… boxes of cookies, bags of potato chips or maybe a whole pizza.I’ve always been an upbeat person with a good marriage, two children, and close friends, but on my 40th birthday I was feeling depressed. I took a walk on the beach and realized that my compulsive eating had to stop. I decided that I wanted peace more than pizza and vowed to put my extensive dieting knowledge to work. I re-read all of my material on the subject and designed a way of eating that would satisfy me and finally curb my appetite. My determination paid off in spades and changed my life. The numbers on the scale remained below 130 and before I knew it, I was helping curious friends and neighbors. That was the beginning of a long and exciting career founding and directing Diet Masters, teaching dieting classes and low calorie cooking and even self publishing 6 dieting books. Best of all, my weight has been stable between 124 and 129 for 39 years while I eat food that I enjoy.

THIS BLOG WILL BE EVEN MORE INTERESTING WITH INPUT FROM MY READERS. EMAIL ME WITH YOUR QUESTIONS OR SUBJECTS YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO COVER AT: ADVICE@LOSEWITHLOUISE.COM, AND I WILL ANSWER SOME OF THEM HERE.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

IS LOW CALORIE EATING ALWAYS HEALTHY?




Surprise: The answer is NO. I'm telling this story because a lovely, slender friend of mine was not eating enough calories. The following scenario will explain how dangerous it can be to eat that way on a regular basis.

'Brenda' explained that she hadn't felt like spending time cooking, and
found it easy to have the following menu at least five days a week.

Breakfast: One slice of 40 calorie toast with diet margarine and a cup of coffee
Lunch: Cereal with skim milk and a half of a banana
Dinner: A grilled cheese, using fat free cheese and 2 slices of white 40 calorie bread

I went into detail explaining what an uninteresting and dangerous way it was to be eating that way, and that it never should be 'only about calories'. If she was not my dear longtime friend I would not have told it like it is, but I want to see her have many healthy years ahead.

I suggested that we go shopping and pointed out that certain cereals were much healthier and higher in fiber than what she had been using. I suggested that she start her breakfast by putting the half banana and skim milk in with her cereal. Maybe even add a small half grapefruit or a small orange too.

Lunch would be two ounces of deli sliced turkey or chicken in a sandwich made with 1 slice of my favorite health nut bread, low fat mayo, lettuce and tomatoes and rinsed coleslaw or salad on the side. Maybe have some iced tea or even a fruit smoothie for 100 calories.

Dinner: Some nice frozen fish, or fresh cooked shrimp. (Costco has about the best fresh shrimp). While we were there, I pointed out some of their very wonderful fresh spinach that takes seconds to prepare, but she could just buy any frozen or fresh vegetable she prefers. And adding a half cup of prepared wild and brown rice takes only a minute in the microwave. Another choice would be to go to the deli at her neighborhood super market and buy a fourth of a roasted chicken or even splurge calorie wise on one piece of 'fried' chicken breast and eat the skin once in a while if she enjoys it.


If your weight is where you want it to be, this, along with careful eating will not add on the pounds.

The way she had been eating totaled under 600 unhealthy calories a day. The menu that I planned for her was about 1300 calories and quite nutritious. Are we still friends after my overbearing advice? You better believe it! I invited her to my home three times the first week for lunch and I let her beat me at Rummy Q.

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