REDUCING ON AMERICA'S RIVERIA :p>
"Dad, when you take us to school, can you cover up that big belly?" said my 10 year old son just before school began this past September. My eight year old had been driving home the point by squeezing me around the stomach and chanting "Big, Fat Daddy." Even my five year old chimed in with innocent jabs like I reminded him of the biggest, heaviest Pokemon.
Years of restaurant reviewing, Ben & Jerry's bingeing, and basic bon vivant-ing to the point of pushing a 38 waistline had brought me to a jolly, chubby, but silly shape. And now it was embarrassing the kids. So, being a disbeliever in diets I went about reading all I could on nutrition, talked to my doctor, and came up with my own quirky diet based on a Santa Barbara lifestyle. After 3 months I am pleased to report that I dropped from 210 pounds to 180 pounds and feel great. Even the kids have changed their tune. It is still a work in progress but I wanted to share with you what I did and what I believe can work for you.
Living in Santa Barbara offers us many advantages and by tapping into those you too can shed unnecessary weight and find that slim person waiting inside. I made a bet with Peter Noone to see who could get to a target weight sooner. The bet was dinner anywhere on earth. I'm dusting off my passport! :p>
Starting:
First weigh in first thing in the morning. Write your weight down and the date. Tell your family, roommates, etc., that you are going on a diet and that you need their support. It doesn't help if they try to tempt you (especially in the first week or two) with indulgences.
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Breakfast:
(I don't like breakfast -- but I have learned that it is an important ingredient in changing one's metabolism which will produce great results).
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Hot tea or coffee (no sugar)
2 scrambled eggs
Or
2 sliced tomatoes, sliced mozzarella, drizzled with Colovita extra virgin olive oil
Or
Low Fat Cottage cheese with sugar free Jell-O (cherry or raspberry are very good)
And
Piece of fresh fruit (tangerine, banana, some grapes, melon, peach, pear, etc.)
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Midmorning Snack:
2 fresh dates (Four Apostles Ranch Medjool Dates (gold label) at the Farmer's Market are best) :p>
Lunch:
Big green salad with vinaigrette dressing (or lemon juice with some olive oil). You can add a scoop of tuna fish (no mayonnaise) or chicken salad (no mayonnaise). Piece of fruit for dessert.
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Snack:
Half dozen walnuts, peanuts or other non-fried nuts. The fresh walnuts at the Farmer's Market are excellent.
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Dinner:
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Sautéed Tofu with sesame seeds, Soya
Or
Filet, grilled
Or
Chicken breast grilled
Or
Fresh fish grilled (also lobster boiled, shrimp too)
Any of the above with Fresh vegetables (all you want but not fried and very light butter)
A big salad :p>
Piece of fruit for dessert (nuts and dates OK too)
Hot decaffeinated tea (such as chamomile or peppermint)
(Avoid breads, cereals, pastas, alcohol, sugar and fried foods)
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Eating Out:
This is a website about dining around Santa Barbara so I have to include some favorite spots that have flavorful dishes that conform to this diet: :p>
Kai – At the new State Street location try the Shabu Shabu with beef or chicken. Healthy, tasty and low in calories.
La Super Rica – The #8 (chicken and vegetables) without oil is delicious (especially with some salsa) and keeps the diet on line.
Little Alex's - Chicken and vegetable soup (I order it medium spicy) :p>
Los Arroyos – The shrimp taco is excellent (you can cheat and have a tortilla from time to time) :p>
Santa Barbara Shellfish Company – The fresh oysters, shrimp kebab, boiled lobster and boiled crab are great and keep the waistline in check. :p>
Trattoria Mollie - Ask for the grilled chicken breast with vegetables (also her filet and salad with argula and bresola is excellent) :p>
At Arigato, Azuma, Kyoto and other sushi bars, order sashimi, salad and miso soup. It all conforms to the diet and is very satisfying.
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Drinks:
Teas are wonderful (green tea, chamomile, peppermint, Earl Grey, and English Breakfast) Coffee is good and if you must sweeten them use artificial sweeteners. There are many good bottled waters and you can find a good selection at Lazy Acres. Trinity is particularly good. If you get bored with bottled water then try some diet soft drinks. Diet Coke seems palatable with a squeeze of lemon of lime in it.
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Sweet Habits: :p>
Sugar-free Jell-O should always be in the fridge to curb a sweet tooth attack. With a little low fat cottage cheese, it is a real textural treat. Sugar-free chewing gum can help over come a craving.
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Cheating:
Decadent eating is cheating but is necessary if you want to keep sane. A glass of Champagne or red wine once a week is OK. A taste of Mousse Odile’s chocolate mousse once a week is OK. Popcorn at the movies once a week is OK (but hold the butter).
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Exercise:
What is worse than a diet? Many would say exercise. If gyms are your idea of modern day torture chambers try taking advantage of Santa Barbara’s perfect location. A walk along Miramar beach (starting at San Ysidro) towards Fernald Point is a good start of the day. Rollerblading from the Bird Refuge to Leadbetter Beach and back is a great workout (and fun). Hiking up San Ysidro Trail from above the San Ysidro Ranch to the Stairway to Heaven (a series of concrete steps about 35 minutes from the start) is a great hike.
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Weighing In:
Every week weigh in and keep a log of your weight. It may take a few weeks to see results but hang in there. The rewards are great and let us know about your success.
Disclaimer:
No diet or exercise program should be initiated without proper consultation with your doctor. Make sure that you discuss these suggestions with your doctor prior to starting and that they fit your specific health needs.
