Weight Loss Blog
The Weight Loss Blog offers news and information about nutrition and fitness as well as actual weight loss success stories as told by students at Wellspring Academies, formerly Academy of the Sierras, the first boarding school for overweight teens. WSA is part of Wellspring, which also runs Wellspring weight loss camps.
The Blog started with entries by 15-year-old Jahcobie who graduated from WSA after losing 176 pounds in seven months. Then Brooke, a 17-year-old from Prescott, Arizona, took over. Our latest student blogger was Melissa, a 17-year-old from Orange County, California. Melissa recently graduated and we wish her success and she continues down her path as a "long-term weight controller."
Andy D. a 17-year-old student at Wellspring Academy spent a few months sharing his adventures in weight loss, healthy eating, and fitness fun with us before he graduated the program in June.
Now we'll continue to update you with news and information about weight lose, healthy living, and childhood obesity. We'll have a new WSA student share their stories with us beginning in the Fall.
Wellspring programs are the most effective weight loss solutions for teens available today. But don't let us tell you. Let Andy, Melissa, Brooke, and Jahcobie tell you. Read about their journeys toward successful weight management in their own words.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Key Components of Accountability in Weight Control
In the world today, many people provide accountability in our society. The government's purpose is to interpret and enforce the rules and regulations that allow society to run smoothly. In essence these people help provide accountability to the citizens of our country. Similarly, it is vital for a successful long term weight controller to have a system of accountability in his program.
Generally, there are two key components of accountability in weight control: monitoring weight and monitoring food intake. A weight controller may eat 2000 calories a day and assume that he will lose weight, but until he steps on the scale, he will have no way of knowing for sure. Over the long run, weighing oneself regularly is a good way of tracking success in weight control. If a weight controller sees that he has gained 30 pounds over the course of year, he knows that he has to make some adjustments to his healthy obsession program.
The other important aspect of accountability in weight control is daily self-monitoring of food intake. Just as stepping on a scale will provide weekly feedback to a weight controller, self-monitoring will provide daily feedback. By writing down everything that he consumes during a day, a weight controller will know if he is eating too much, too little, or the appropriate amount for his ideal calorie range.
Labels: accountability, feedback, self-monitoring
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Choosing a Lifestyle Over a Diet
Before arriving at AOS, I tried many diets. I was on Atkins, Weight Watchers, limited my portions of carbohydrates and proteins per meal, and went to numerous professionals for ideas. However, up to this date, no 'diet' has worked for me.
To me the idea of a diet implies depriving myself. For instance when I was on the Atkins diet, I did lose weight, but it was difficult for me to keep off because I felt deprived of a basic food group: carbohydrates. I began to crave bread, fruit, and vegetables. So, after a few days, I strayed from the diet. Weight Watchers worked okay for a while, but eventually I found that too restrictive, and too diet-like. After my arrival here at AOS, I think I may have found a healthy eating plan that may work. The main thing is that I view my new way of eating as a lifestyle choice, not a diet. Also, with this new lifestyle choice, it is important that I not feel deprived of any food. I have found that I can substitute applesauce for butter in brownies, and cooking spray for oil. For me, this new lifestyle, a lifestyle that requires definite internal control, but is manageable, is the way I plan to live the rest of my life to keep my body happy and healthy.
Labels: choices, dieting, substitutions
Friday, May 11, 2007
Finding Your Routine and Being Honest with Yourself
After practicing for a while, every weight controller will eventually find a routine that suits him. Whether it be having one Jolly Rancher a day to take care of a sugar craving, or having a fat free fudge bar to take the edge off that chocolate craving, all successful weight controllers eventually find healthy ways to keep their unhealthy food cravings under control.
Similarly, weight controllers must learn to structure their time in order to support their weight control habits. I know that in order to be successful, I must have a very busy schedule, as to dissuade snacking out of boredom. So, as the summer is quickly upcoming, I have found myself looking for ways to keep busy. I plan on working six days a week and establishing a routine. After I wake up and go to work, I will work out, watch my baseball game, and go to bed. I know for me to be successful, all of my time has to be highly structured. Other weight controllers can have more flexible schedules. The key is for people to be honest with themselves and choose a schedule that suits their individual needs so that they can have the most success in weight control as possible.
Labels: control, cravings, weight_controllers
Thursday, May 03, 2007
It's What Makes You Happy
For those who have read my past blog entries, you will know that I am very passionate about sports. I love my Giants, 49ers, Sharks, and Warriors. I also love to play baseball, football, hockey (except I waddle when I attempt to ice skate), and basketball. In the past, when I would be feeling sad, or had a lapse in my weight control, I knew that I could have a good run, or play a hard game of basketball, and that I would feel much better. However, two years ago, I injured my knee, and have been battling pretty severe patella tendonitis ever since. I have been to four physical therapists, three knee doctors, and have had numerous MRI's and X-rays, yet the discomfort continues. I am not able to enjoy the activities that I used to be love.
So, I have been forced to find alternative ways to get the physical activity that my body needs. Although it has been a challenge, I have found a couple of suitable coping mechanisms. For one, I have developed a like for competitive power walking. As crazy as it sounds, on our daily morning walks, I walk as fast as I can, and count the number of people that I pass. Not to be cocky or anything, but I consider myself a pretty darn good competitive power walker. Also, although it is not the same as going 100% in a game of basketball, football, or baseball, I have become the best sport power walker ever. I am now able to maneuver my way around a basketball court or baseball diamond without putting excessive pressure on my knee while still getting activity. Getting activity even with limitations - it's good stuff.
Labels: activity, determination, exercising
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Fat Does Not Necessarily Equal Flavor
This morning our wonderful Culinary II class made two zesty low fat dips - a bean and hummus dip. We cook every class period, but this particular Wednesday was different because our teacher didn't give us as much hands-on assistance as she usually does.
Chef Erin, as we call her, gave us the recipes and let us prepare everything from start to finish. It was a really interesting experience, and it really made me realize how many foods that are stereotypically high fat and high calorie can be taste just as good without all of the extra calories. Take the hummus, for instance. When you think of hummus, you usually think of a layer of garbanzo beans, garlic, and a lot of olive oil mixed together. In our case, we substituted an array of seasonings and spices to make up for any lost flavor. For the bean dip, we used lower fat refried beans, and once again substituted adding fat with spices and seasonings. Today's culinary class really showed me how easy it can be for foods to taste very good without being very bad for you.
Labels: cooking, low_fat_foods, nutrition
