24 Feb Lose 2 Pounds in 7 Days

You know the feeling. Your waistband is getting a bit snug and you have to undo the top button of your jeans after dinner. Sometimes you just need to lose a couple of pounds (safely) and as quickly as possible.

Here is what I do when my weight starts creeping up and I want to “nip it in the bud” and get back on track.

1. Drink a glass of water (8 ounces) an hour before a meal. Studies have shown that the water can help to fill you up, so you eat less. Don’t drink a big glass of water during your meal. The water can dilute your stomach enzymes and you could have a problem digesting your meal.
2. Eat an apple 45 minutes before dinner. The apple will fill you up and help you to naturally cut back on your dinner portions.
3. Soup for dinner. Cutting back on your evening meal is an effective way to lose weight. Eat a healthy snack in the late afternoon and then have a bowl of non-cream based soup for dinner.
4. Flaxseed. If I’m feeling really hungry, I will eat a tablespoon of ground flaxseed about 30 minutes before my meal. The fiber helps to fill me up and flaxseed is full of heart healthy fat – a nice bonus!  Premium Gold is my favorite brand.
5. Eat chunky food. Studies show that when you see and eat chunky foods, it can make you feel fuller for longer. For example: Pick the chunky veggie soup instead of the clear broth.

Thinner by Thursday – Tortilla Soup:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of organic, low sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup of salsa* (I like using a spicy and chunky salsa. The more flavor in the salsa, the less seasoning you will need in the soup.)
• 1 cup of shredded rotisserie chicken
• 1 cup of rinsed, canned black or pinto beans

Preparation:

• In a medium saucepan, warm up the chicken broth
• Add the salsa, chicken and beans.
• Ladle into a bowl and enjoy

If you want to get “fancy”, add a dollop of low fat sour cream, chopped cilantro and low fat shredded cheese on top of your soup. I also add crumbled popchips (the salt & pepper flavor is my favorite) on top of my soup.

Why do I call this soup, “Thinner by Thursday?”
I eat this soup for dinner when I feel my weight starting to creep up. The soup is high in fiber and very filling. When I eat this soup, I eat less. When I eat a smaller dinner my weight naturally begins to go down and because I don’t go to bed feeling stuffed, I end up sleeping more soundly.

*I use Kirkland Signature Organic Salsa (available at Costco) or Newman’s Own Organic Salsa.