I wanna be a Big-Loser.

I have to tell you - I'm downright obsessed with the Biggest Loser TV show. My other-half just doesn't get it - but I'm religious about watching it and have caught every season since it came on. I don't really have a good explanation as to why it "moves" me so much. I've never been morbidly obese - but I have many friends that are - and I swear, nearly every person in America faces the same challenges those people do everyday. I love it.

It's interesting, because everyone has an opinion about the BL. (at least in my circle of friends). Some constantly ridicule the unbelievability of the show and how it's just not realistic for people to "go away" to some location for so many months and workout 6-8 hours a day. Well, of course not! The weight these people lose on a weekly basis is not meant to be the "standard" for people trying to lose weight, but in these severe cases of obsesity, it's just what they need for their reality check. These people need 100% focus and dedication to solving their problems with food and lack of exercise. I see that. Doesn't everyone understand that? (I guess not).

Anyway - my point is this... I swear, even though I've never even hit the 200-pound mark (perhaps I just never owned a scale at the point I may have hit 200 pounds)... I still find myself relating to these people. I hate hearing people say, "If you don't want to get fat, don't chose to eat the bad stuff".... yeah, the sure sounds simple... but it's not THAT easy. We all like to think that we'd know when to put down the cupcake or not order the nachos if we start creeping into obesity, but I seriously doubt these people were even remotely aware of what they were doing to themselves until someone showed them, told them their health risks, etc. America makes it so simple to make BAD choices when it comes to food. I live in NYC and it's rather convenient (and often very inexpensive) to buy carb-laden, processed, mystery foods. You think you're buying a cup of coffee, but it's really a "hot milkshake"... fast food is even-faster than ever & marketers are all over you to buy their products that are full of fat/sugar. (The vast-majority of health foods don't have those kinds of marketing budgets). **This topic will surely come up at a later date.

There was a woman on last night (Season 7 show) that made a comment that I absolutely could relate to - I think her name was Helen - and she stated that she and her daughter used to always say they were going to start their diets on "Monday" - but Monday would come and go. It wasn't until she was accepted on the show that her MONDAY came. I absolutely loved this - because it's true for SO many.

I really find that when I watch the show, morbidly obese or not, I'm motivated. I'm moved by these people. They inspire me to remember that eating is not meant to be a past-time. It's for nourishment only - and while some things are downright delicious and tempting, they need to be consumed in moderation. (DUH!) we all knew that right? Well, it's not something we remember, that's for sure. I sometimes wish this show was on every day of the week so I can feel that motivation and inspiration to follow through. The feeling of elation they show when they have their makeovers or when they lose just a few pounds is something we all need to be reminded of. No, we're not going to knock of 10-pounds in a week, (and occasionally they do), but - embracing ourselves for being human. THAT is the key.

Yeah for Fah-yeh.

In my attempt to share some of my favorite indulgences (for those attempting to eat healthy, yet-satisfying things). I had to share my favorite yogurt....

I'm not sure why this stuff is so exciting for me, I suppose because it reminds me of my childhood. My Grandfather used to make Syrian food when I was younger & one of my favorites was "Leban" (not sure if I spelled that right)... but it was like a yogurt - that I'd put on top of everything, I couldn't get enough of it.

Fage reminds me of "Leban" - only BETTER. I've seen many mixed reviews online, but for 90-little calories - this stuff gets me energized in the morning. You can add fruit to it and feel like you're splurging or eat it just plain. My Italian Aunt LOVES this stuff since I introduced her to it - but she likes to layer honey over the top. It's thick, it's creamy (after you stir it of course) and it's the first thing I look forward to after my morning gym visit. These little buggers unfortunately aren't cheap - and other brands make their own greek yogurts (Oikos by Stonyfield makes one that has only 80-calories)... any of them work. My local KeyFoods just has the Fage brand. I have used it to make a fat-free tsatziki dip in the past too - not bad... unless of course you do what I like to do and indulge in some serious loaves of bread for that "fat-free" dip. Ultimately making slightly contradictory. Ha ha... oh well - we live once right? (I certainly didn't say I was perfect).

Refreshment at it's finest.

So, I figure over time, I'll share little tips/secrets and brands that I've found that make me happy and have contributed to my staying on track these past 9-months. (I've lost about 15-pounds & am finally at a place where I feel good, I look better than I have in years & I'm finally done using the word DIET!)

That being said, one of my new favorites - Snapple has answered my thirst quenched prayers. (As if). I never used to be a big Snapple fan, but I have fallen victim to this one. Trust me - it's delicious. When I first saw "Lime Green Tea" I was a little afraid, was actually certain I wasn't going to like it. But- I was wrong. I admit, I was WAY-OFF. This stuff is delightful. I've actually found myself leaving the gym in the morning thinking of nothing other than getting one of these at the little bodega (Yes, I live in NYC) and guzzling it before I make my way to the subway station. I've done this more times than I'd like to admit.

I like to have them in my desk at the office just in case - and I get mad when the stores don't have them. No other snapple will suffice for me. Zero calories, only 10 mg. of sodium per serving (2-per bottle). This is what I lean on when I really want dessert, but must resist.

Introducing.... ME.

Ok - so I was slightly nudged by an old friend of mine to get on the blog-bandwagon and share my knowledge. I'm certainly no expert in the food/diet world, but figured if anything, I can help those like myself, who've been challenged & lured by food for their entire lives. As an Italian, my world has always revolved around food. My family has always empasized the importance/excitement about a good meal & conversations often revolve around food. That's not a bad thing - however, as I've gotten older, I've learned the importance of staying aware and in control when it comes to food. Sounds simple right??? Well - little did I know, it was going to become my passion to not only conquer the battle for me, but to help others along the way.

Who am I?
I should tell you a little about me & my own challenge/struggle with weight. I suppose my challenges/awareness started when I was back in college (about 10+ years ago). I had heard of the "freshman 15" in terms of weight-gain, but I probably gained about 40 pounds in my first year of college. (Buffet lines in the dining hall were not my waist-line friend). I didn't even care back then ... I ate loads of pasta, french fries and poptarts - and I wasn't really "active" either. Upon graduation, I started to realize what I'd done. When I got my first real-job - and was married at the ripe age of 23, my food challenges began. As a young wife, I tried to cook for my husband & do all of the right things - but I had no idea what I was doing. Again, not active, I ate a lot of processed, pre-packaged foods, indulged in plenty of desserts and found having MONEY allowed me to eat out more frequently - (I ballooned in my first year of marriage).

After being married for a little over a year, I opted to join Weight Watchers (on my own) - my husband didn't really care either way. He never called me fat or suggested I needed it, but I decided to do it on my own. After nearly 9-months, I lost about 40-pounds. I attributed the loss to the small support group I had in Davidson, NC (Weight-Watchers) - and my next challenge began shortly after making "lifetime".... My husband left me. That's a long, irrelevant story, but he woke up one Monday morning and decided he didn't love me anymore. Little did I know, this was going to be the BEST thing that ever happened to me. Through my separation/divorce year - I dropped about 20-more pounds and plummeted to an alltime low. I used to be what I considered to be an "emotional eater" - but clearly, not during a life changing situation like divorce. I had a group of girlfriends at the time that swooped in to 'rescue' me from myself - and I found that my stress, anxiety, etc. allowed me to be able to eat or do anything - I didn't even realize I'd lost that much weight until my size 12 pants were literally falling off of me.

I was regularly reminded that I didn't look healthy anymore - and needed to gain some back or stay aware of what I was eating/doing. Over time, I did get back on my feet and some of the weight started to come back. Shortly after my divorce was final, I met an incredible guy and found myself going back to my old eating habits... I realized after a few years with him that I need to take the reigns and as I was getting older, I wanted to really do it for health-reasons. Who isnt' discouraged by news reports talking about how FAT Americans are getting? I really loved this new man in my life - and wanted to spend a LONG time with him - without having health issues for either of us to worry about.

Now - this being said, I feel the need to share with you that I'm not, nor have I ever been morbidly obese. I have no desire to be a toothpick supermodel, I don't (nor have I ever) had an eating disorder, but I really find myself relating whole-heartedly to people that have. I've joked that I never had the "willpower" to be anorexic - and I can absolutely understand every contestant on "Biggest Loser"!

So why blog?
Because I know there are more like me out there. I know there are hundreds of thousands of solutions, tips, blogs-to-follow, ideas, diets, etc. out there - and I've read many of them..... I feel that even with that - I can offer some highlights, tips & tricks that have worked for me. In addition to the support I can offer others through sharing ... I'm going to continue to stay focused on my own goal to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I'm happy to say the guy that I met shortly after my divorce has been a remarkable companion for me - and we're getting married this year. (After spending nearly 5-years together, I'm confident that I've found my Mr. Right this time)! So - while he's been in-it with me these past 12-months, I figure I can share our secrets. Feel free to contribute your own thoughts/tricks/tips, etc. as we're all in this TOGETHER!