I recently had an enlightening moment at the Vet with my beagle. I was looking into boarding my dog at this clinic as my current (and now former) vet did not offer this service. We are going on a trip during our Spring Break and we wanted the four legged beast to receive the best of care. We were discussing the weight problem my poor baby suffers from and what exactly to do about it. He has been on a strict diet for 2 ½ of his 3 years of age.

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As promised, I am addressing the issue of water weight. Many of you have asked what it is exactly and why is it the first thing I lose on a diet? I thought these were some great questions, and so I’ve done a little homework for you. While there were several references to water weight, there wasn’t an overwhelming amount of information about why we lose it first. I hope that what I have found will help you to understand it just a little better.

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Easter dinner was great.  In keeping it simple this year there was a ham, mac-n-cheese (for the kiddos), and asparagus.  When I got the ham I said let’s not forget the asparagus.  Why?  Because it is spring I suppose, I mean all I thought of in the produce section was lettuce for my much needed salads, strawberries of course for their vitamin C…and they were on sale, and asparagus. 

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Literally folks, strawberries are trying to survive in NC. I hope they survive in FL. I just bought up a bunch of strawberries over the weekend on sale. I’m so glad. The kids love them. Strawberries are their favorite for sure. It is the number one requested fruit in our household.

The deep red color of the strawberry indicates its antioxidant properties. Containing more vitamin C than most berries, it also contains folate, vitamin B and a kick of fiber. At 55 calories per cup the strawberry is a versatile berry that should be in your fridge and freezer at all times.

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So the Easter Bunny came and left a pile of chocolate bunnies and eggs at least as big as your car. You know you really shouldn’t eat it all, but what are you going to do with it? You have a choice. You can sabotage your diet for the next few weeks or you can take control NOW.

• Save out your very favorite pieces. Then savor them over the next few days, while figuring in the calories and either eating that much less or exercising that much more. This is one way to have your chocolate and eat it too. And you won’t be upset when the scale moves in the wrong direction.

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Too often at holiday times, we find ourselves varying and straying from our diet plans. We make excuses for our dieting mishaps and blame it on whichever holiday we are about to celebrate. This is a dangerous practice that we need to overcome.

As I have spoken with different friends the past few days, there has been a general concurrence that too many of us are following an Easter diet filled with sugared candies and chocolates. We are bringing into our homes baskets of candy items and sweet treats to fill our Easter baskets. But we are instead stuffing our mouths with the items and then running back out to purchase more for Easter Sunday.

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Quick…how many of you have been influenced by a suggestion from a loved one, friend or even a television commercial? I would expect if we were being honest, then everyone would answer in the affirmative. It is extremely difficult to overcome the many suggestive forces that are all around us. Sometimes these suggestions are positive and affect us in a good way. Other times these suggestions are negative and they affect us in ways that we would rather they didn’t.

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In order to have a positive start and continued success on your diet, there are a few things that you should do consistently. Over time these small and simple things could mean the success or failure of your diet plan.

• Stick to your diet and fitness plan. Following your plan consistently and carefully. Small departures at the beginning tend to turn into bigger departures over the course of time. Work hard to ensure a great start and then to stay there.

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The Biggest Loser has been featuring Wrigley’s Extra sugar-free gum as a weight loss tool.  The Wrigley Science Institute claims it can help dieters relieve stress and stress related snacking.

Studies funded by Wrigley say that individuals choosing gum over high calorie snacks following meals consumed about 36 few calories less during snack time.  While this seems to be fewer calories saved than one cookie over time it could add up over a year. 

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This afternoon I’m running away with my family and going to a movie. I love sitting in the theater and watching a good flick. In the past, I loved the short, but expensive visit to the concession stand and the popcorn smell that filled the entire theater. I always took the extra butter and a large drink and happily munched and sipped my way through a great flick.

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