IT HAS BEEN A LONG, LONG WAY SINCE 1925!!

I WAS READING AN ARTICLE THAT RATHER SHOCKED ME.  IT SAID THAT THE AVERAGE HOUSEWIFE IN 1925 NEEDED 2100 CALORIES A DAY TO RETAIN HER WEIGHT. IF WE WERE TO EAT THAT AMOUNT OF CALORIES NOWADAYS WE WOULD BE GAINING AT LEAST A POUND A WEEK.

                                            THE VERY SIMPLE ANSWER 

 
 1.  In 1925 the average family did not own a car and most people walked a mile or two when they went to work.  I remember walking that far in 1945 to go to the 'new place to grocery shop called a supermarket' for my mother.

Now many families of 4 own 4 cars

2.  There was no such thing as a lady who came every other week to help clean our houses.

Now, 3 out of 4 homes hire people to clean. 

3.  Most people used scrub boards that they put in a deep sink to wash their laundry.

Now, we would not know how to use one; and thankfully so.

4.  All of our clothes were dried outside on clothes lines. 

Now, I still own one that I use only for small rugs.

THE ONE PAGE AD THAT COST LISA $352

LISA, A DIET MASTERS MEMBER, LOST 16 POUNDS IN 10 WEEKS.  SHE WAS INVITED TO A WEDDING AND WAS EXCITED BY SOME MATERIAL THAT WAS SENT TO HER IN THE MAIL PROMISING HER A FAST WEIGHT LOSS.  THIS IS THE REST OF THE STORY.

                                           THE REST OF THE STORY 

She brought a full page ad that was sent to her through the mail and someone had written the following words on top of the upper right hand side: "Lisa, try this, it works." This material  looked like a friend sent it.

At the end of our meeting she took me aside and showed me that the ad promised an almost effortless way to lose 50 pounds in 3 months and told me that she had sent away for the material. She proposed to take some time off from classes and I wished her luck.

Lisa called me about one month later and confided that she had really 'been taken'.  She ended up spending $352 for shake drinks and pills that were said to reduce appetites .  The pills were dangerous.  They caused Lisa, who was a young woman, to have heart palpitations.In addition to this, she was expected to live on shakes alone. To ad insult to injury, she had stopped taking the shakes and  had regained the 5 pounds that she lost on this unhealthy diet.

1984: A VERY GOOD YEAR FOR DIETERS

I BEGAN A BUSINESS CALLED DIET MASTERS IN 1971, AND USED TO CALL NATIONAL COMPANIES TO LEARN THE CALORIES ON THEIR PRODUCTS.  SOON AFTER, THERE WAS A BOOK PUBLISHED CALLED, " THE BRAND NAME CALORIE COUNTER". ANOTHER GEM THAT I OWNED WAS "U.S. HANDBOOK NUMBER 8".

All of the information in the book was very helpful to me but many brands were not included and some of the companies that I called for calorie information were unable to help me. 

I wrote my first cook book in 1973:  "The Diet Lady's Cookbook".  There were only two diet recipe books at this time that had the calories listed at the bottom of each recipe, and I can proudly say that mine was one of them.  

                                             FAST FORWARD TO 1984 

My local newspaper and several magazines mentioned that all brands would be required to print the calorie information their products before the end of the year. This included printing the serving size on the packages and calories per serving plus.  If I recall correctly, it took a few more years for them to include the nutrition information. 

TWO POEMS ON THE 'LIGHT SIDE'

I HAD A FEW MORE REQUESTS FOR POEMS TO MAKE A RAINY DAY BRIGHT

                                           SONG OF THE DIET

Cry me a river
and sing me some blues
I've got to cut down
Got to learn to refuse. 
Got to shake my sad head
With a firm left and right
Whenever I'm offered
A fattening bite.

                                                          NOSTALGIA

 




Nostalgia's all the craze today
A fad that will not go away.
And I'm nostalgic, I might add.
About the figure I once had.

Oh, I can sigh and reminisce
And still remember my first kiss.
Nostalgia's got me in it's grip,
Though I'm now wider in the hip.

The waist that once was, is no more
Gone are the fitted things I wore.
Still here, alas, this irksome phrase,
"Give me back my yesterdays."

These two sad poems really would not make a rainy day bright, but I want anyone who reads this note to become hopeful. I gained and lost hundreds of pound during a 23 year period and I am FREE AT LAST.  In fact, anyone who reads the over 370 posts that I have written in less than 10 short months and makes notes will come with me to the land of thin...I HAVE TOLD YOU THIS BEFORE:  I WILL HELP YOU IN!!!

BLAMING EVERYDAY LIFE ON GOING OFF DIET

 SOME REASONS  PEOPLE GAVE IN CLASS FOR CHEATING ON THEIR DIETS AND GAINING WEIGHT.  

JUST EVERYDAY HAPPENINGS WE ALL HAVE TO COPE WITH FROM TIME TO TIME

                                           DON'T BE AN 'IF ONLY' PERSON.

1.  If only my car insurance didn't go up.
2.  If only gas prices would go down.
3.  If only we weren't invited to so many parties.
4.  If only the ladies' lunch yesterday was not so fattening.
5.  If only my husband did not insist on keeping ice cream
    and potato chips in the house.

WHY MY MANY DIETS FAILED FOR YEARS

MOST OF MY DIETS FAILED BEFORE I DISCOVERED DIET MASTERS BECAUSE THEY WERE CRASH DIETS AND NEVER INCLUDED FOODS THAT I ENJOYED. THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL INCLUDES SOME POSITIVE THOUGHTS AND SEVERAL HINTS.

1.  Practice these three words:  "No thank you"...NOT "I am on a diet." Even our close friends often try to coax us to eat the wrong foods that will sabotage us.  Just talk to yourself and say, "It looks wonderful, but I am really trying to lose weight and this will slow me down."

2.  Why my many diets failed:  I would often lose some weight but failed to get as trim as I wanted to, so I would tell myself,  "I don't look slim anyway, so I may as well eat this."

3.  I was always dreaming of my next feast.  I had no plans on how to keep the weight off.

4.  Serving food family style...Some of you might not know the definition of those words.  It means scooping  large amounts of of food into bowls on the table and helping ourselves  to what we want instead of putting each persons' food on a dinner plate. Many of us eat twice as much when they eat this way. 



     

A QUESTION THAT A WORRIED READER SENT

THE FOLLOWING QUESTION WAS SENT TO MY EMAIL ADDRESS AND I HAVE INCLUDED MY ANSWER

Dear Diet Lady,

I was a size 18 and lost 56 pounds in eight months on your Easy Living Diet and I now wear between a size 10 and 12. I've been at my goal weight for over two years.  I used to have a 25 inch waistline  and now it measures 27. I have tried exercising but the tape measure will not budge.  Do you have any ideas on how to correct this?

Thanks,
 

Jill R.

Dear Jill,

Do not dwell on your measurements but concentrate on how well you are looking (and feeling) since you lost all that weight. Try on several styles of clothing and start wearing things that compliment your new figure.  No one walks around with a tape measure to check on your waist size. 
Create the illusion of a smaller waist by wearing the right styles for you. A 27 inch waist is not large..Just think of how successful you have been to lose all of that weight and have kept it off for so long.

Louise, The Diet Lady

JUST SOME INTERESTING 'DIET TALK'

THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL IS FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS OF DIET MASTERS

                             GOOD FOOD DOES NOT HAVE TO BE FATTENING 

One member told us about a going to a very lovely Oriental restaurant nearby.  She ordered something that was served in layered bamboo containers...The first layer was filled with extra large steamed shrimp.  The second had wild and white rice and the third, a myriad of beautiful vegetables.  There was sauce served on the side, but the food was so delicious she barely used any.  

It would be a perfect dieters' meal if she ate less than a cup of the rice. (no, I did not ask).

        ARE YOU REQUIRED TO EAT DESSERT WHEN YOUR HOSTESS INSISTS?
 

She is serving a Key Lime Pie for dessert.  You are on a successful diet and had been very careful not to overdo when you ate the dinner she served. She may have sensed that you were dieting and commented that you did not eat the mashed sweet potatoes that she served with the meal. You just smiled and did not answer.

When our quite heavy hostess put a big slice of the pie in front of you and she asked why you were not eating any you answered that you are not really hungry and push your plate away. She  continues to coerce you by saying that 'you just have to try it'. You finally tell her that your doctor told you to watch your sugar consumption. 

The answer that the rude hostess deserved would have been:  "I have been on a diet and lost 38 pounds.  I'm looking and feeling better and want to stay that way."

AN EASY BEEF STEW RECIPE

THE NEXT POST IS A RECIPE THAT I OFTEN PREPARED FOR MY YOUNG FAMILY AS WELL AS FOR COMPANY.  IT IS  FEATURED IN MY "LIGHT FANTASTIC COOKING" BOOK THAT I SELF PUBLISHED IN 1996.

                                              
                                                  BUSY LADY BEEF STEW
                                               (Fork Tender And (Delicious)

1 pound lean stew beef, cut into cubes
1 cup onions, sliced
2 tablespoons corn starch mixed with 12 ounce can of V-8 juice
1 cup celery, sliced, horizontally
1 cup carrots, sliced
1 large potato, peeled and cubed
1 teaspoon beef bouillon granules

Put meat into a 1-1/2 quart casserole. Place onions over meat and add beef bouillon granules to V-8 juice /cornstarch mixture. Add remaining vegetables.  Bake in preheated 275 degree oven, covered, for 3 hours or at 350 degrees oven for 2 hours.

Serves 4, about 300 calories per serving. 
Hint:  If you would like a larger portions, make it int 3 servings which would bring it to 400 calories for you meal.

UPBEAT THINKING AND HINTS TO LOSE WEIGHT

THE FOLLOWING HINTS ARE SIMILAR TO THE MATERIAL THAT I TEACH MY 

DIET MASTERS STUDENTS. 

                                  FILL YOUR MIND WITH POSITIVE  THOUGHTS

1.  I can control snacking.
2.  I will not overeat or eat the wrong foods when I go to restaurants.
3.  I am going to keep the weight off this time.

                                             WORDS OF WISDOM

1.Don't overload your cabinets and refrigerator with fattening tempting snacks.
If they are there, they start talking to you and coaxing you to eat them.

2.  Do not force yourself to choose foods in restaurants that you dislike just
because they are extremely low in calories such as steamed fish with a dry salad. 
You soon will become frustrated and start cheating on your diet.   

More Advice From Louise:

If you are new to this Blog, or missed some earlier posts,

check out the helpful hints on ordering restaurant meals I gave on 

June 15-17 of this year!

      

                                   

HOW TO HANDLE BUFFETS AND OTHER HINTS

                                                     HOW TO HANDLE BUFFETS

If it is a fairly short buffet, walk back and forth and study your choices. If most of the salads that are on display have dressing on them, choose one without dressing and if there are no small plates to put the dressing on the side, ask the waiter for one.(be certain to dip your fork in the dressing.  Do not pour it onto your salad.

Try to avoid food that is swimming in gravy or sauces or mixed with mayonnaise  or deep fat fried.  My most important advice is to pretend that 'Louise is watching you' with tears in her eyes if you begin to put fattening foods on your plate.

                         HOW TO MAKE GRAPES LOWER IN CALORIES

Freeze them and put one grape at a time into your mouth and let it slightly melt before eating it. This way, you will take much more time to eat a small amount .

                                                         HOOK A RUG

I am certain that I am the first person you ever heard of giving you a hint like this to diet successfully. 

When my daughter was about a year old I was on yet another diet without success.  I bought material to hook a rug and it took 45 minutes to hook one 4 foot row.  This kept my hands busy and I would also make a deal with myself that after I hooked 2 rows I could eat. By then, it was time to make dinner so I eliminated snacking.

It took me over 3 months to complete the beautiful green rug with flowers and I lost 15 pounds without exercising during that time.  My daughter enjoyed having the rug in her room for many years.

THE CALORIES FOR A STEAK DINNER

YOU CAN GO TO THE SAME RESTAURANT AND ORDER THE SAME MEAL AND THE CALORIES OFTEN VARY GREATLY

                                       THE 'I OWE IT TO MYSELF' DINER

1 petite Fillet Mignon (6 ounces)............300 calories
1 large baked potato..............................300 calories
4 tablespoons butter..............................400 calories
1 salad...................................................  75 calories
1/4 cup blue cheese dressing................320 calories
2 rolls dripping with melted butter..........300 calories
steamed vegetables................................75 calories

total calories.......................................1,770 calories

******************************************************************************************

                     THE 'I LEARNED THIS AT DIET MASTERS' DINER

1 petite Fillet Mignon (6 ounces) took part of it home.............175 calories
1 large baked potato (ate half)................................................150 calories
2 tablespoons sour cream.........................................................60 calories
1 salad.......................................................................................75 calories
dressing on the side (dipped their empty fork in dressing)........50 calories
rolls (ate none as they dislike them dripping in butter)................0 calories
steamed vegetables..................................................................75 calories

total calories............................................................................ 585 calories 

Just think:  The second diner not only enjoyed a delicious low calorie 
dinner: He or she also takes home enough delicious food in an insulated 
bag to enjoy a lovely meal the next day.

CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW MANY MORE CALORIES THAT 'I OWE IT TO
MYSELF' WOULD HAVE DEVOURED IF HE OR SHE HAD SUCCUMBED
TO ORDERING THE 700 CALORIE 6 LAYER CAKE?

CAN YOU READ VERY SMALL PRINT?

MOST OF US ARE UNABLE TO READ VERY SMALL PRINT.  THAT IS WHY ADS FOR EXPENSIVE DIETS OR WEIGHT LOSS PRODUCTS ARE WRITTEN IN TINY PRINT. EVEN IF THE PRINT IS NOT SMALL YOU CAN SURMISE THAT MANY OF THE ADS ARE BUILT ON LIES.

(1)              LOSE 30 POUNDS IN 30 DAYS FOR $30

Many of us have seen this ad in newspapers or even on television.  If you take out a magnifying glass you will see that  the price does not include the cost of supplements. You should also be aware that a 30 pound weight loss in 30 days is unrealistic or not healthy unless you weigh about 250 pounds to start with.

(2)                                  ADS THAT SHOW CELEBRATES RAVING

I have tried the food from one of the companies that mail you their food.  Did it taste fair?  It might rate a C- if you were starving and had not eaten for three days. The ad featured a man whose career paid him over a million dollars a year.  Maybe his cook/housekeeper is a terrible cook so anything tastes edible.

Other misleading information:  You often see the words, "INDIVIDUAL SHOWN HAS BEEN ENUMERATED...or CAREFULLY READ ENTIRE LABEL BEFORE USE...REGULAR EXERCISE AND PROPER NUTRITION ARE ESSENTIAL FOR ACHIEVING WEIGHT LOSS."

THE STORY OF THE GREEN KNIT DRESS

WHEN I WAS WORKING IN AN OFFICE IN THE EARLY 50'S, I BOUGHT A GREEN KNIT TWO PIECE DRESS THAT FITTED PERFECTLY.

I had just finished a rigid diet and was at my slimmest and was thrilled with the way this dress looked on me.  Soon there was a problem.  I gained 15 pounds within 3 weeks and the dress was very tight.  I went to the department store and purchased my  first and last girdle. Not only was it uncomfortable, it made my body look like a round sausage and I could barely breath. 

Did I learn from that experience?  Not really. I went on yet another diet and purchased a great pair of black slacks that I wore with a wide, tight belt and a tucked-in knit top. After a short while, my body did not do justice to that sleek outfit.  How long did it take to learn from my mistakes? I must admit that it took slightly over 20 years. 

                                              PERPETUAL DIETER 

Definition: One who always is, or seems to be, dieting.(that was me)

                                               TRIGGER FOOD

Definition: Some types of food that are usually salty or sweet that effect your taste buds the following way: Once you begin to eat them you can't seem to stop. Examples:  Ice cream, cookies, cakes and potato chips. (I would eat HUGE amounts of this type of food.)              

REACHING YOUR GOAL IS HALF THE BATTLE

I KNOW MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST WEIGHT AND REACHED THEIR GOALS,  ONLY TO REGAIN IT AS FAST OR FASTER THAN IT TOOK THEM TO LOSE IT.

                                         REASONS WHY THIS HAPPENS

Many people go on very strict diets that do not include foods that they enjoy and breath a sigh of relief  when they reach their goals.  They soon go back to their 'old way of eating' that put the weight on in the first place.

I was one of these individuals for 23 years.  It never dawned on me that I was losing weight to keep it off.  I promptly began to inhale all the wrong foods thinking that it was my reward for all the struggling I went through to stay on my diet.

Overeating is a condition that can be cured.  Believe in yourself:  I know that you can do it.
Read and re-read my posts that are filled with hints and ideas.  LET ME HELP YOU.

QUESTION:  How can 'this new slim you' go to a buffet and not regain weight back?

Answer:  Pretend that I am standing by your side and watching you.

QUESTION:  Are there any foods that you should not eat?

Answer:  Anything that you cannot control that is beginning to cause you to gain the weight back.

QUESTION:  How can you get out of the habit of snacking on food while you are cooking, taking samples at Costco or at cocktail parties? 

Answer:  Make a rule for yourself not to eat anything standing up.  Most of us have that habit.

FROZEN DINNER: I FOUND A WINNER. YEAH!!!

I RECENTLY PURCHASED 2 BRANDS OF FROZEN BEEF DINNERS TO COMPARE THEIR QUALITY.  THE FIRST ONE THAT I TRIED WAS TERRIBLE.  I GAVE IT SUCH A POOR REPORT ON A PREVIOUS POST THAT I DID NOT NAME NAMES FOR FEAR OF A LAWSUIT. THEY BOTH CONTAIN THE SAME THREE MAIN INGREDIENTS: BEEF, ROASTED POTATOES AND GREEN BEANS.

                            THE WINNER: LEAN CUISINE STEAK TIPS DIJON
                                                      (market collection)

The meat was 'fork tender' unlike the other brand that had the word tender on the cover but was  difficult to cut, never mind chew.  The flavor and the amount of gravy was just right. The words 'no preservatives' were printed on the box. It is amazing how many preservatives are in most other frozen meals.  I counted 16 lines of ingredients in tiny print on one of them. 

I plan to go grocery shopping today and will purchase a chicken or fried fish meal from Lean Cuisine market collection..  

A DELICIOUS STUFFED POTATO RECIPE

MOST OF US CAN'T VISUALIZE HOW A STUFFED POTATO CAN BE LOW IN CALORIES AND DELICIOUS AND BE SERVED AS A MAIN COURSE.  

                           SIZZLED HAM, PEPPERS AND ONION STUFFED POTATOES

2      8 ounce potatoes, baked
1/2   cup onions, chopped
3/4   cup red peppers, chopped
6      ounces lean sliced ham, diced
1/2   cup shredded low fat cheddar cheese

Cook onions and peppers in microwave until soft.  Drain liquid if any.  Saute peppers, onions and ham in a spray coated pan until slightly browned.  Split potatoes and mash mixture in with potatoes.  Place cheese over potatoes and bake in 400 degree oven for about 15 minutes. 

Serves 2, about 285 calories per serving

Hint:  If you want to save calories, use fat free cheese and spray the top of the cheese with Pam-type spray before putting into oven.. Fat free cheese does not melt easily. You will save about 40 calories per serving by using the fat free cheese.

Variation:  Sauteed mushrooms and roast beef is an interesting substitute for the ham. That recipe was in an August post on my blog.

A REQUEST FOR MORE POEMS

MY READERS LOVE THE POSTS THAT I PUBLISH FROM A BOOK THAT I CO-WROTE CALLED 'POEMS TO LOSE WEIGHT BY'.  HAPPY READING!!

                                                    GOOD OLD MEDIEVAL DAYS 

Peter Paul Rubens painted 'em plump.

Each of his gals had a well-rounded rump,

I'd have been right in fashion back then,

But the standard today is based upon "10"

                                                          THREE WISHES

A genie, once he said to me,
"I will give you wishes three."
So then I wished, as well I should,
I'd never had a chance so good.
A handsome price, both rich and fine,
Who'd forever be my Valentine.
And a palace grand, both large and rare,
And chocolates!  Lots!  Beyond compare.
                                                That third wish is the one I rue,
                                                Sad is the tale I now tell you --
                                                I grew so large around the rear --
                                                My handsome prince did disappear. 

I'M SO HAPPY, OH SO HAPPY

IN MY SEMI RETIREMENT, I AM GOING TO SOME ONE'S NEARBY HOME TEACHING TWO LOVELY PEOPLE HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT ON MY PROGRAM.   

                                THEIR NAMES ARE RETHA AND BRIAN

Retha had been on a very strict dieting program and lost 50 pounds, but regained it quicker than she had lost it, as soon as she stopped attending the class because she disliked the required food. At this point, she is not exercising but plans to begin again soon. 

Brian is a young man who is very active, but his downfall is his career as a chef. He plans to change his way of overeating and learn how to resist temptation.  

Retha was feeling low after her first week of  dieting after following my regular program and losing 1 1/2 pounds. The second week she lost the same for a total of 3 pounds.  I reminded her that she had been enjoying the food on my program and if she lost even on pound each week  she would lose a total of 54 pounds a year while she was eating foods that she enjoyed.

Brian wanted to lose a total of 20 to 25 pounds.  The first week he lost 8 pounds  followed by 1 pound the second week.

                                   VERY HAPPY ENDING FOR THE THREE OF US

I decided to give them an interesting diet that I devised called  "THE PIED PIPER DIET".  It has several rules and regulations which many people can relate to; but it also has many meal choices and is well balanced.  I EVEN HAND THEM A CONTRACT THAT THEY SIGN FOR THE FIRST TWO WEEKS.

Retha was thrilled with the 6 1/2 pound loss on the third week without exercising, for a total of 9 pounds.

Brian lost 4 1/2 pounds on the third week for a total of 13 1/2 pounds.