Lose It For The Last Time 2nd Edition by Amy Newman Shapiro Book Tour, Guest Post & Giveaway! {Ends 7/1/23}

Review By LAWonder10:

Whether you are trying to lose weight or just want to stay healthy, this book is for you!

For all those who have been discouraged in attempting weight loss, this is an inspiring book to aid in your endeavors. In the pages of the book, one will discover the importance of journaling, changing one’s mindset and misdirected ideas concerning eating and drinking.

The author encourages a meter but if you do not have one, she has provided examples of how your journaling and logs should be made. It will take a little effort on your part, but it will be worth it.

Within these pages are ways to determine your own caloric need and how to effectively accomplish it.

The author offers weekly Goals, sample menus, exercise ideas, and other helpful ways to accomplish your goals. She also offers several ideas for healthy, low-calorie snacks.

We each have broken links in our “Chain”. Within this book is a way to discover them and remove the broken links.

This is a very inspiring book and has direct simple processes. The only negatives are(a) too repetitive and (b) it is very generalized.  It does not take in many health reasons why one may not accomplish the goal. It is still a great book and very informative.

I offer a Four Stars rating for this book.

*This book was gifted me with no pressure to post a positive review. This is my honest review.

Ditch the Deprivation: 

Here are ten tips to lose weight without dieting.
Replace a habit or two by practicing a new behavior until it is automatic.

1.  Fill half your plate at lunch and dinner with vegetables and fruits. This leaves a quarter of the plate for the protein and one quarter for the starch. You will be eating the same volume of food you usually do but consume fewer calories.

2.   Make your own single-serving snack packs. As soon as you purchase snack foods whether it is pretzels, cookies or nuts, break down the larger container into individual servings and store in small zip seal bags or plastic containers. If you rely on your “handful” being an appropriate portion, stopping at one especially when you are hungry, you may be eating more than you ought to. Healthy or not, extra calories pack on pounds.

3.  Slow down. If you are always the first one at the table who finishes everything on the plate or often experience indigestion or bloating/gas following a meal, you are eating too fast for proper digestion and to be able to feel when you have had enough food to satisfy your hunger. Eat with a smaller fork, put the fork or sandwich down between bites, or eat with your non-dominant hand.

4.  Food amnesia? If you find you can’t remember eating or how much you already consumed, leave the wrappers and dirty plates in plain sight.

5.  Eat only when you are hungry. Ask yourself why before you reach for the food. If you are feeling bored, stressed or any other emotion, choose another activity. You may want to prepare a list of ideas to relax or distract you. Some people find phoning a friend, doing a household chore like cleaning a closet or going for a walk does both.

6.  Use smaller plates and don’t go back for seconds. Plates have gotten bigger in the past 50 years and so have our waistlines. If you are a member of the clean-your-plate-club use the salad plate from your set or purchase a 7-8 inch plate to use. You should eat until your hunger is gone, not until you are full.

7.  Make more of your own meals. Restaurants and take-out foods are most often full of calories whether it is that the portion served is large, or the foods are laden with hidden fats and sugars. Consider the convenience of fast foods such as frozen cooked shrimp, fresh pre-chopped stir-fry vegetables, and quick-cooking grains like rice and quinoa, dinner is on the table in 15 minutes (double it and you don’t have to cook at all the following evening).

8.  Pay attention to your food (and your dining companions). All too often people are dashboard and desk dining these days. Turn off all electronics at least once a day and experience your food with all your senses. Experiencing the texture, taste and aroma of foods increases satiety and our enjoyment of the food reducing the need for quantity.

9.  Think before you drink. We do not reduce our food intake when we consume calories from beverages. The 150 calories from the soda, sweetened iced tea and juice are add-ons. Also, drink containers often look like one serving but when you check the label nutrition facts you may discover it is two 150-calorie servings. Water and flavored seltzer are calorie-free and important for proper hydration.

10.  Move more. Physical activity is important for your heart and brain as well as your waistline. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week. Find something you will enjoy or someone to enjoy it with and you are more likely to do it. You don’t have to join a gym, try walking, dancing, pickle ball or yoga. Be realistic. If you are starting out, choose an activity that is doable and avoid the frustration of not completing your goal. If you are short on time or stamina, break up the activity throughout the day. A ten-minute walk, three times a day, is a good strategy.