Last summer, A lady called me about her frustrating attempts at weight loss. She
said she had gone from diet to diet for over 25 years...only to end up fatter and
with a slower metabolism after each "diet".
We talked for a long time, but the gist of it was this; I told her to "dump the diets"
and start focusing on pursuing fitness and health. We talked about a few fruits
and vegetables she really liked. We talked about all the benefits we get from fruits
and vegetables and how we forget how good they really taste...because we're
bombarded with fat-laden foods day after day.
She mentioned that she reeeeeally liked tomatoes... which also happens to be a
favorite of mine. I mean I'm a tomato fanatic. I absolutely love them! I grow several
varieties in my backyard and several types of cherry tomatoes indoors when it's
too cold outside! So, we had quite a conversation about tomatoes. We talked
about her focusing her eating on some fruits and vegetables she really liked and
doing some creative things with tomatoes. I also told her to start walking EVERY
morning...even if it was only 10 or 15 minutes some mornings, but to try toget 30
to 45 minutes in every day. I also told her todo a basic weight training program at
home with dumbells.
Well, I hadn't heard from her in nine months and she called me last week. She's
lost 48 pounds in nine months. She said she focused on some fruits and
vegetables she likes, but went crazy with fresh tomatoes. She used over 10
healthy recipes that use lots of tomatoes...she even ate tomato hash browns
(without oil) and tomato sandwiches for breakfast sometimes! :) She was so
excited and said she has never felt so good in her life!
Now, I'm NOT suggesting that you only eat one or two foods, but I am suggesting
that you find the delicious fruits and vegetables that you like and a few that you
REALLY like... and focus on these wonderful foods that God has given us. These
are the REAL, naturally low fat foods that we should be eating! We've forgotten
how good so many fruits and veggies really taste...yes even without fat-laden
sauces, cheeses, butter, etc. I challenge you to re-discover the delicious fruits and
vegetables you really like.
Cook a huge pot of several veggies you like...they'll be available all week, without
alot of preparation time when your hungry. Maybe mix them with some brown rice
and squeeze some fresh lemon juice over them... there's nothing better! :)
You can do the same with fruits. Make a big fruit salad with three or four fruits you
enjoy. Keep it in the frig for quick access when you're hungry.
Here are some of my favorites (and some resources)...
1. Lemons are one of my favorites...you can do so much with them. My kids love
squeezing them for fresh juice that we use for a variety of things...salads,
vegetables, rice, to make salad dressings, lemon aid, etc.
>> FREEBIE: Sunkist publishes a fantastic free pamphlet called "150 Ways To
Use A Lemon" - you'll find some great ideas in here. Call 1-800-248-7875 Mon - Fri
8:30 - 5:00 PST. Press #2.
Grow your own lemons and other citrus indoors or out on true dwarf citrus trees.
Call Four Winds Growers for their catalog of dwarf citrus trees... 1-510-656-2591
2. Tomatoes are really high on my list...nutritious and great for salads,
sandwiches, vegetables, sauces, etc. I put tomatoes on practically everything! :)
Call these companies for their catalogs of 100's of varieties of tomato seeds you
can grow at home, some even indoors year-round...
Tomato Growers - 1-888-478-7333
Totally Tomatoes - 1-803-663-0016
3. Garlic is loaded with health benefits and can aid your weight loss efforts by
giving flavor to numerous foods! Call the Garlic Information Center for their
brochure... 1-800-330-5922.
Author and exercise Physiologist, Greg Landry
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