ALL YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THANKSGIVING FOOD BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK

POINTS FOR THANKSGIVING FOODS

Entrees
Turkey, 2 oz dark or 3 oz white = 3
Ham, 2 oz slice = 3
Prime Rib, 3 oz. = 9
Salmon, 1 oz smoked = 1
Cranberry Sauce, 1/4 cup = 2

Starches, Carbohydrates, Spreads
Sweet potato, 1/2 cup = 3
Mashed potato, 1/2 cup = 2
Baked potato, 10 oz. uncooked or 8 oz cooked = 3
Stuffing, 1/2 cup = 4
Dinner roll, 2 oz. = 3
Butter, regular or whipped, 1 tsp = 1
Margarine, regular, 1 tsp = 1
Gravy, 1/4 cup = 4

Vegetable Side Dishes
Hot Dish: string beans, cream of mushroom soup, onions, 1/2 cup = 4
Tossed mixed greens salad, 1 cup = 0
Dressing, 1 tbsp. Full fat = 4, nonfat = 1
Olive, 6 large or 10 small = 1
Pickle, one medium dill =0

Beverages
Fruit punch, 4 oz (1/2 cup) = 1
Wine, 4 oz (1/2 cup) = 2
Beer, 8 oz = 3, lite 8 oz = 2
Mineral or sparkling water, 8 oz = 0

Desserts
Pumpkin Pie, 1/8 of 9" one crust = 8
Apple Pie, 1/8 of 9" two crust = 8
Meringue Pie, any type, 1/8 of 9" = 9
Mincemeat Pie, 1/8 of 9" two crust =14
Ice cream, regular, 1/2 cup - 5-7, light 1/2 cup = 3
Whipped Cream, 1/4 cup full fat =2, lite 1/4 cup = 1
Whipped topping, lite 1/4 cup = 1

Snacks
Candy/Fudge, 1 oz = 3
Cookies, 1 Spritz = 2
Cookies, Gingerbread, 2" diameter = 2
Petit Fours, 1" cube = 2
Cheese, 1" cube = 3
Salami, 1slice/1oz = 3
Saltines, 6 = 2
Guacamole or Hummus, 1/4 cup =2
Egg Roll, 3 oz pork, shrimp, or vegetable = 3
Deviled Egg, 1/2 of egg, regular mayo = 2
Pretzels, 7 twists, regular = 2, low-fat = 1
Dip, many types, 2 tablespoons = 2

THE BIGGEST LOSER

Sitting here watching The Biggest Loser, there are several things that occur to me -

1. It has to be easy to get the pounds to fall off when you're in such a controlled, artificial environment - recognizing of course that a lot of hard work is involved.

2. It's a fun show, but it's not reality TV, because there's little reality in it.

3. Coleen is ready to throw herself under a bus because she only lost 3lb, which proves the unreality of it all.

4. The show emphasizes the equation that is the bottom line of everything - burn more calories than you take in and you'll lose weight.

5. Kudos to the producers for stretching what could be a 45 minutes program into a two hour episode each week.

SUCCESS

Yep, my India strategy worked. I weighed in today and actually lost 2.8lb while I was away.

In a situation where you really have no control over what's on your plate and have to eat it or totally do without, portion control has got to be the key.

Plus, you keep exercising of course.

GOAL!

It was dull and wet when I arrived at the WW center in Selden this morning, but my day was brightened pretty soon by a member who reminded me why I do what I do.

She reached goal - 89.6lbs off - and looks like a different person.

I don't turn up every week to amuse or be the weight loss answer man, I want to see people achieve their vision, get to where they dreamed of being when they first walked in our doors. And if they're pumped by their success, then I want to make it clear, I am too.

Today I was talking about how weight loss can be compared to the game of football and I guess in that scenario I'm the coach. Most coaches used to play the game but don't any longer - their fulfilment comes from the victories of those they now encourage and inspire.

I don't play the weight loss game any longer (I play a variation called maintaining weight loss). but coaching is never more satisfying than when a member scores a win.

That happened ealy this morning and made my day.

THAT CHILI RECIPE AGAIN

Here it is for those who have asked -

http://wheresthefatguy.blogspot.com/2008/05/chili-classic.html

BACK HOME

I'm virtually brain dead at the moment after a 36 hours journey back from India that ended when I arrived home this morning at 10.00am. Then of course, there's the fact that India is 10 1/2 hours ahead of us, so my body doesn't know what time of day it is - it just wants to sleep!

Hopefully I'll be wide awake for my WW groups in the morning.

How did I do maintaining a healthy lifestyle 8,000 miles away from home? Pretty good, I think. I've been to India often enough to realize that while their food is very different, portion control is the key.

I also took my running gear, though with temperatures in the upper 80's I opted for 10K walks rather than anything more energetic.

So that's it! I'm back.

Hope you missed me!!!!!!!!!

NY MARATHON

Sitting here watching the evening news, I'm watching the NY marathon with envy. I wish I was running it!

That could just be a crazy thought, because let's face it,10K is the longest race I've run and that is less than one quarter of the distance of a marathon. But then again, four years ago anyone who every knew me would have asked you what you were smoking if you suggested I would do the 10K.

So, who knows?

There has no be a next goal - maybe a half marathon - and after that it could even be the biggie!