REVIEW–5 DIET BUSTERS
Today I read Susan McQuillan’s above article. It caught my attention and I wanted to share it with you. Given that we are mid-way through February and some of us may be encountering challenges and road blocks to successfully achieving and or maintaining our 2012 fitness plans, the points Ms. McQuillan raises are very relevant.
Following the Wrong Diet. There is no “one size fits all” diet, so you may not be doing yourself any favors by following a diet that is too low in calories, or the latest fad diet, unless it is somewhat in line with the way you normally eat or want to eat for the rest of your life. If you choose a diet that is too restrictive, or completely eliminates foods you really enjoy, there’s little chance you’ll stick to it. The diet that will work for you is one that you can live with, as well as one that helps you lose pounds and maintain a healthy weight once you get to it.
Dieting without Exercising. If you lose weight without exercising, you may lose pounds, but some of your loss may be lean muscle tissue, which is more metabolically active than fat, which means it’s better at burning calories. So you don’t want to lose it! Exercise not only helps you burn excess calories, it helps you build up lean muscle. Keep in mind that muscle weighs more than fat, so when you do develop more muscle, you may not lose as much weight or as quickly as you hoped. But the muscle weight you are carrying is far healthier and looks better than if you don’t maintain that muscle and that always makes up for an extra couple of pounds. And according to at least one study, published by researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia, exercise is also essential for preventing further weight gain, and keeping weight off once you lose It.
Muscle burns fat so we want to maintain our muscle not lose it. If it seems too easy to be true, it probably is. We gain our weight over time and therefore should not expect to lose it overnight or in a day or two. If you slip occasionally, it is OKAY. Our goal is to stay the course and win the war and not be overcome by the loss of a battle.
Follow your plan and stay with it. Below is a free (healthy) recipe to help you stay on course.
Wishing you a healthy life.
Theresa Newell
PORK CHOPS WITH APRICOT RICE 
1 (15 oz) can unsweetened apricot halves (undrained)
6 pork chops (1/2 inch thick), trimmed of fat
1 Tbsp light margerine01/4 c celery, chopped
2 1/2 c uncooked instant rice
3/4 c hot water
1/4 c golden raisins
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp white pepper
1/4 c slivered almonds
In blender, puree the apricots until smooth; set aside. In a nonstick skillet over medium heat, brown pork chops in margerine for 2 to 3 minutes on each side; remove and keep warm.
In the same skillet, saute celery until tender. Add rice, water, raisins, ginger, salt, pepper and apricot puree; bring to a boil. Remove from the heat; stir in almonds. Pour into an ungreased 13 X 9 X 2 inch casserole. Place pork chops on top. Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes, until pork chops are no longer pink inside and the rice is tender. Yield 6 servings.
Diabetic exchanges : 3 medium fat meat, 1 starch and 1 fruit
ENJOY!!
