Posts Tagged ‘weight loss’
Fight anxiety and more with 5-HTP
5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) is an over-the-counter supplement believed to treat depression, anxiety and insomnia, as well as over-eating and headaches in some people. I have personally taken 5-HTP and definitely found it helpful in dealing with anxiety, sleeplessness and even weight loss. I found that it helped me buckle down and focus on work during the day (improved concentration) and it was tremendously helpful for winding down at night. I’ve always had trouble turning my brain ‘off’ in the evening, and the addition of 5-HTP allowed me to settle down and get to bed at the same time as my husband (a normal bedtime!).
I had great results taking 5-HTP for several months (during a very stressful time in my life) before we started a family. I haven’t taken it since before my pregnancy, and there seems to be a lot of debate on whether or not 5-HTP is safe to take while breastfeeding. If you decide to try it while pregnant or nursing, be sure to discuss it with your health care professional first. All of my insomnia and most of my generalized anxiety completely disappeared into the exhaustion of motherhood.
For even better results, I recommend taking a B vitamin as well. I find the liquid form to be especially delicious and effective.
5-HTP is known to be dangerous when combined with anti-depressants (SSRIs) and some other medications. If you are taking any medications, please consult with a physician before adding a supplement. I am not a doctor and the information in this post is simply my experience, not a replacement for real medical advice.
Product review: Slim-Fast shakes for weight loss
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Slim-Fast. All opinions are 100% mine.
This holiday season I used Slim-Fast chocolate shakes to keep my appetite in check. I am still trying to lose the last bit of weight gained during my pregnancy (SIGH) over a year ago and have been determined not to gain anything back over Christmas break. I tend to forget to eat until I get so hungry that I go crazy and binge, and Slim-Fast products are perfect for keeping me happy and satisfied. I don’t always feel full right away but 15 minutes after downing a shake it’s easy to say no to takeout or homemade desserts.
>> The Slim-Fast 3-2-1 Plan can help you lose weight by planning ahead and limiting calories without feeling hungry! Pick three snacks a day at around 100 calories each, like one of Slim-Fast’s 100 calorie snack bars. Replace two meals with a Slim-Fast meal bar or shake. Eat one balanced meal.
Slim-Fast shakes are my favorite of the products and I reviewed a pack of Royal Chocolate shakes. They taste like a mix between a milkshake and a protein drink – They taste great! I drank one in the car on the way to a holiday party to avoid over-eating. They are so tasty that my toddler demanded a drink every time I cracked open a new bottle.
Slim-Fast shakes are available in most grocery stores, including Walgreens and Fred Meyer. You can ‘like’ Slim-Fast on Facebook for more info and deals. Keep an eye out for coupons!
I want to be skinny like Diet Pepsi
I want to be skinny, and I am not afraid to admit it.
A new skinny Diet Pepsi can was unveiled at fashion week, and of course some people have to complain about it, even going as far as to claim it promotes eating disorders. Insert my giant eye roll here.
First of all, it’s a fucking soda can, obviously.
But furthermore, skinny is good. Skinny is most certainly better than fat. It used to be that overweight women were considered the standard of beauty. Back then, food was scarce and expensive. Being big was a sign of health and wealth. Today, being big is definitely NOT a sign of health or wealth. It is actually harder to eat in this country and stay thin than it is to gain weight! Being slim shows some affluence and mainly it is a physical representation of self-restraint and motivation. We are all familiar with the concept of loving yourself before others can love you. Well, taking care of your body is the ultimate act of self-love.
This all hits close to home as I battle to lose the baby weight. I expected the pounds I gained while pregnant to drop quickly as I breastfed, but it isn’t happening. Some women might accept this and embrace a 30-pounds-larger figure as just part of motherhood, but I’m not OK with that. I recently came across the term ‘Yummy Mummy’ on the Internet, referring to women who, rather than becoming M.I.L.F.s, can’t lose weight while nursing. At the moment, that’s me, but it’s a cute name for a not-cute problem.
President and CEO of the National Eating Disorders Association said, “Pepsi should be ashamed for declaring that skinny is to be celebrated.” I strongly disagree. Skinny is to be celebrated. Not anorexic, unhealthy skinny-at-all-costs for sure, but skinny as opposed to the growing social norm of “curvy” as a code word for fat and vanity sizing. And you feel the same way. Otherwise shows like “I Used to Be Fat” and “The Biggest Loser” wouldn’t be popular. No one watches those shows hoping the contestants stop dieting and learn to love their fat selves as they are.
I may never be the size I was pre-baby, but there is nothing yummy about being overweight. I won’t give up on being a healthy size, and neither should you.
* Please note that I LOVE that my body was able to carry and give birth to a baby and that a mother’s body is beautiful. Also please note that when I say overweight, I don’t mean simply weight, but rather being a size that is as unhealthy as it is unattractive.
Sunday Link Love
Gala Darling’s Betsey Johnson experience – Watch the Betsey Johnson runway show here – Very fun! Betsey Johnson is the first designer I ever new by name. As a teenager, I almost spent my entire vacation allowance on a feathered shirt at her shop in Las Vegas.
The Paleo Child: What do I feed a Paleo baby? I love this post! Baby cereal is certainly not necessary. While I don’t strictly follow any diet, the paleo/caveman (cavewoman!) way of eating is the one I most get behind.
Sarah Wilson: I’m quitting sugar! I love fruit too much to do this, but it’s right on so many counts. Kind of like the link above, touches on how the standard American food pyramid is a hot mess and so backwards. Our access to food has greatly changed but our cravings haven’t evolved.
Refinery 29: Hair Trend We’re Still Obsessing: Colored Tips This is what I want to do to my hair next, I think. I need to grow it out longer first though I think. Debating blond or colored tips. Thoughts?
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