Author Archives: Lashell Hoover

Lose Weight: Increase the Flavor of Your Meals

The one thing I won’t give up, when dieting, is flavor. I recently read a diet book that claimed emphasizing food flavor could result in weight loss. “The Flavor Point Diet” was written by Dr. David L. Katz, Director of the Yale Prevention Research Center, with his wife, Catherine S. Katz, PhD. The diet has three phases. In the first phase, daily meals follow a specific flavor theme, such as: apple, lemon, spinach, or onion. According to the book, consuming a repeated flavor, like lemon, in each meal will tell your brain that you’re full. When you reach the second … Continue reading →

Keeping Motivated While Reaching Your Goal

If you’ve had a setback, reached a plateau, or have a craving, it’s okay. It’s normal; most of us who have struggled with weight loss have had the same issues. Don’t get stuck on the negative. You are your biggest cheerleader because you have something to gain. Some of us want better health, a better self-image, or to look fabulous for some event. Whatever the reason you’ve chosen to lose, keep that image with you at all times. You want that image to keep you on the right track, but don’t stress or beat yourself up, when things are not … Continue reading →

Diet Sabotage

It’s happened again and I’m frustrated. I went to the store this morning to pick up a few things for dinner. I always forget one odd item (even with a list). Anyway, I strolled down the dairy isle to get some Parmesan cheese and that’s when I saw it. There it was, in a 24.2 oz container, with a sunny yellow lid…Kraft, Philadelphia, Ready-to-Eat, Cheesecake Filling. I groaned. Here we go again. It was too early in my commitment to consider “cheating”, but I did. My willpower deserted me, after seeing the simple illustration of a spatula smoothing the creamy … Continue reading →

Macrobiotic Eating

The experience of losing weight is truly individualistic, what works for one person may not work for another. Each of us must choose the food plan and exercise routine that will fit the way we currently live. For example, Jared Fogle lost weight eating at Subway. He has maintained that weight loss for several years. It worked for him and those he inspired, but not everyone can adhere to his way of eating. There are so many choices available for those looking for meal options. To name a few, there is Weight Watchers, Nutrisystem, and Jenny Craig. The choice is … Continue reading →

Motivated to Lose

I’ve been overweight for seventeen years. At my heaviest, I was 315 pounds. I’ve tried the shakes, the supplements, and the diets, but nothing lasted for more than a few months. Even when I could see the results, I would stumble, regaining every pound and a few tag-a-longs. However, it’s a new year and I’m optimistic that this will be the year that I lose one hundred pounds. That’s my goal, a hundred pounds by this time next year. Honestly, fifty pounds would make a huge difference on my joints. I’ve never been skinny, so I’ll still have curves and … Continue reading →