Written Works

by Judy Weitzman I have been avoiding the scale knowing that I have been eating more than usual but nothing too extreme. So I made myself get on the scale this morning. I almost had heart failure. I have been staying in my maintenance range of 123 to 127 forever. Then out of know where it is at 129. OMG OMG OMG!!!! I do the “scale dance” – you know, where you get on and off the scale at least four or five times to see if the number changes and this time it held steady. No fluke. OY. First instinct, I can’t eat. Panic sets in and nerves are a flutter. Get calm and make a plan. But first I need to figure out how the scale jumped up so high so I know what to fix. I have not been overeating at meals. They have all been portion … Read More

By Judy Weitzman Once upon a baseball season, I discovered a way to cut a few calories by simply ordering from the right person. There are so many culinary speed bumps at stadiums but there are ways to enjoy the games without expanding your waistline. When my husband and I go to Cubs games at Wrigley Field, I usually come prepared with either Tootsie Roll pops or See’s suckers. They both last a long time and keep my taste buds happy. They also keep me from indulging in the typical stadium fare like hot dogs, big fat pretzels, cotton candy, peanuts or beer. It boggles my mind how fast the calories and fat grams add up while you are watching a game. It can be any sport, at any stadium, the treats are pretty much same across the board. For the record, a stadium hot dog rings in at 488 … Read More

By Judy Weitzman You did it! Congratulations on reaching your weight loss goal. No doubt, you are determined to maintain this new weight forever. Unfortunately it is easier said than done. Did you know that approximately 95% of people who lose weight, gain it back? The goal is to be in the 5% that maintains their weight long term. Life will always get in the way. Stress, inadequate sleep, and living in a world that is filled with food driven situations all wreak havoc on weight management. As the pounds have come off, you have been receiving compliments, which can give you a false sense of security. In other words, don’t feel like you are alone when you start to exercise a little less, and eat a little more without even realizing it. Your body’s ‘set-point’ can work against you too. Even though you have lost weight and you love … Read More

We are finally seeing glimpses of spring – Woohoo!! After one of the longest and most brutal winters on record, we are getting ready to shed all those layers of clothing and change our closets for summer. Will those waistlines be a little tight? The winter blues may have caused some extra pounds to sneak up on us. Are you looking for the “magic pill” that will get you into your skinny jeans? If you are looking to lose a few pounds this spring….beware of fad diets. There will always be the latest and greatest quick fix that many will try. It seems like every year there is a new group of miracle products that are going to make losing weight easy and permanent. How we wish it were true. If any of these “quick fixes” really worked, we would not have the obesity problems that exist today. Sorry to … Read More

By Judy Weitzman Has emotional eating taken over your life? Are you eating because you are hungry or to fill a void? The first step to identifying why you are eating is to decide if you are really hungry. Often times we are stressed out or over-tired and other times we are simply thirsty. By paying close attention to your behaviors, you will be able to modify your eating habits and lose weight. Are you hungry? Is your stomach making embarrassing noises? To make sure you are really hungry, walk away from the kitchen (or whatever food source is nearby) and think about what you are craving. After you identify it, wait 15-20 minutes. If you are still craving it and feel hungry, go for it. If you cannot identify what you are craving, you are not hungry. You are probably just tired or thirsty. Drink a glass of water … Read More