I’m not a huge fan of the Tyra Banks show, but when I heard she was doing an episode on how she lost weight (I previously spelled this “wait”! I can’t believe I did that! Thanks to my friend for pointing it out) and maintained her curves, I just had to DVR it. I feel very knowledgeable about eating healthy and staying fit. So, I was intrigued to see if I’d learn something new.
Tyra before:
Tyra now:
Apparently, this summer, Tyra and her friends had a bet to get into shape. She hired a nutritionist named Heather Bauer and she embarked on her weight-loss journey. They did make some interesting points (I actually learned some things. Most of the time, I was just annoyed by Tyra talking about herself and interrupting the nutritionista way too much!).
The first action they recommended was to use a food diary. I keep hearing this time and time again. Sometimes, I wonder if that’s another reason why Weight Watchers is so successful, ya know? Writing down everything keeps you accountable. I decided today to buy a journal that I will use for food record keeping. Her motto was “If you bite it, write it.” Heather also said it wasn’t necessary to keep track of your calories. Instead, eat what is the most satisfying. For example, if you’re at a baseball game and you REALLY want that hot dog, then you should eat it instead of having popcorn (which is lower in calories). Most likely, you will still have the hot dog craving after the popcorn and therefore eat more calories!
They made a point to distinguish good carbs and bad carbs. I already knew the difference and she just said to avoid the bad carbs (white bread, cupcakes, etc) all together. The good carbs (whole grains) were recommended to be eaten during only one meal. In Tyra’s case, she has them during dinner only. So, for example, she will have a baked potato with her protein during dinner. This is an interesting take on carbs. I have never tried avoiding carbs. Maybe for about a week back in college, but maybe I should try. So, tonight when I went grocery shopping, I bought some meal ingredients to try this out, Tyra-Style. Here’s a sample of my new meal plan:
Breakfast:
- Low fat vanilla yogurt with high fiber cereal and cut up fruit on the side or in the yogurt.
Lunch:
- I always have salad with a ton of veggies and hard-boiled eggs (sometimes I’ll have a broth based veggie soup too)
Dinner:
- This meal will be more flexible for me. I will have a protein, a good carb, and tons of veggies.
Snack time is always the hardest for me (right before bed). Sadly, they didn’t discuss that on the show. I would have loved to hear Heather Bauer’s take on snacks She did mention that having a piece of fruit or something during the afternoon is okay.
Regarding exercise, Heather said that eating right was more vital for Tyra to lose and maintain her weight (It’s 80% eating right and 20% exercise). I’m not sure I agree but am still intrigued with the suggestion. What do you think?
One thing I did like about this episode was that Tyra’s point was embracing the curves you have and to “shape your shape.” I liked this a lot. It’s about what works best for you. Not what works best for your friends or family. I think a lot of people (me included) have difficulty losing weight because we have this ideal number in our head that isn’t realistic for us.
So, in conclusion, here are my new goals:
- Eat less carbs
- Keep a food diary
What do you guys think of Heather’s recommendations?
P.S. PLEASE keep voting for Small Angels Rescue! They are the “little rescue that could” and moving up everyday thanks to your votes!
Hi! My name is Julie. I am passionate about being happy and healthy, all while doing Bikram yoga and wearing mascara. Email me: wearingmascara {at} gmail {dot} com
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BTW, I love your blog!
Regarding this post, sort of reminds me of my daily dose of “The Biggest Loser”. Don’t tell me what happened this week because well, it’s on the TiVo in Manchester and I’m not there! However, I love little fitness tips, etc.. but did Tyra really have weight to loose? I’m 5’7″ and weigh 121/122lb and what I need/want to do is work on my healthy diet and exercise more. I’m training for a 5k in just over two weeks… so it’s tough to train and do it all!
.-= Cristina´s last blog ..I Choose. =-.
Thanks so much! I’m glad you love it!
I’m not sure how much weight she actually lost. The picture above, in her red dress, was the one she used on the show as her before picture. Good luck training for the 5k! What program are you using? I did my first one 2-3 years ago and it was amazing! You’re going to do great!
I’m not using a specific “program” for training. I did my first 5k in September for charity and this one, the Turkey Trot, has professional timing! So it’s kind of a big deal. But I’m using Yoga and combing that with run/walk.
.-= Cristina´s last blog ..I Choose. =-.
I haven’t heard the eat carbs during one meal only. Good carbs are in lots of things – veggies, fruits, beans – so it seems a little odd to avoid them all day, but was she referring to just bread or typical carb-heavy food?
I totally agree that it is more what you eat than exercise. If you are working out, but not eating well, its not going to do any good (for me at least). Everyone is different and what works for one person may not work for another, so I love the embrace your curves idea – we all shouldn’t try to meet some crazy number.
.-= Julianne´s last blog ..I Break Stuff =-.
I was confused with what she was saying on the good carbs thing too. I think they were referring to the bread/carby food. It wasn’t the BEST show… it could have been done better, ya know? It was good information mixed in with Tyra’s annoyingness I think.
snacks:
cheese snacks
jello (helps w sweet teeeeeeth)
prunes
zone perfect bars (like one out of the 4 GOOD ‘bars’ out there these days)
I’ve also heard and follow “green is good” meaning the more food you have that is green the better, my favs are snap peas, salads, green peppers, broccoli,etc…also lots of people eat oatmeal (instant) which is good bc it has fiber however the more instant it is the worst it really is for you..go for steal cut oats-REAL OATS!….the quicker anything is to heat up (microwave) the worst it is-the fastest means the more processed if that makes sense..
….i can go on….i went to a food/nutritional seminar the other week and learned/obsessed about lots!
Good luck!
.-= Jennifer Lantro´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday =-.
Oooo I need to hit up that seminar! How cool! Thanks for the suggestions. I’m ALWAYS looking for something new. However, I don’t know if I could get on the “prune wagon”
I never did like them (or raisins). I’ll have to try those Zone bars!!
Almost forgot, try greek yogurt as well!! yea prunes ick but they are surprisingly sweet which helps me stay away from chocolate (sometimes!)
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday =-.
I have been voting every single day. I put the link in my favorites and I think I’ve only missed a day or two. Seriously, I’m kinda awesome. (I feel this intense pressure to live up to my last most awesome comment… it’s killing my creativity, yo!)
But, back to the weight thing.
I tried SO hard to do a food journal at the beginning of the summer…. and I failed miserably. I am one of those sickly/weak types that eats constantly – even if it’s just a few carrots or a small cup of juice or SOMETHING… I’m eating constantly. So it was hard to keep up with myself.
Then I got busy and was out and about a lot… and that didn’t help at all. I would get behind by a meal or a snack and then quit for the day. Bad me.
I have been semi-consciously avoiding carbs for a while. When I eat at home, I never eat a hot dog or hamburger or BBQ pork on a bun. I eat most any meat foods plain. And honestly, I don’t even miss the bun (and I’m a carbaholic, so that’s saying something).
If I’m really craving carbs or comfort food, I eat the bread or toast by itself – it stands out a lot more and I enjoy it more.
Can’t wait to hear how your food experiment goes. I agree with you that weight is probably more related to exercise than food – which is why I’m attempting to jump back on the Shred bandwagon here.. tomorrowish.
.-= ClassyFabSarah´s last blog ..Mom, I Miss You. =-.
That’s interesting what you said to have carbs in isolation and then you enjoy them more. I’m sorry a food journal didn’t work out for you. Hopefully, mine does but I worry that I’ll have the same problem you did! I eat ALL the time.
I love your long comments! Hahahaha
Girl did you read my WWW post today. I actually put on there to keep a food journal and write down EVERYTHING!!! I’ve been doing this since I started and I find that I do make better choices because of it. Tonight not so much but that’s okay because I worked extra hard at the gym. I’m excited to hear how the new diet goes. If all goes well for you maybe I’ll try it since we seem to be the same in body types and issues.
Good luck sweetie!!! XOXO
.-= Gwen´s last blog ..Weight Watchers Wednesday =-.
I think our minds are alike. I wrote this post and then popped over to your blog (to see your daily purse activities!) and saw what you wrote. Such a conscience and I’m so proud of you for losing weight this week! You go girl!!!! (wow, did I just comment about your blog on my blog?)
In January 2008 I started keeping a food journal online and I lost 25 pounds. The weight just seemed to fall off. Before then I wasn’t very knowledgeable about calories and portion control so just being AWARE of what I was eating made a huge difference for me.
Now, almost TWO years later, I still keep a food journal. It’s become a habit that’s ingrained in me and if I don’t record my food I tend to eat badly and feel anxious about my day.
Anyways, I think keeping a food diary is a wonderful idea for anyone and I would totally recommend it. But you just have to be careful not to become TOO obsessed
That’s so awesome! Do you record calories and all? Or just the food intake?
i meant to watch that and missed it. i think it’s all very basic. eat correctly and exercise – and it will come to you.
i gave up carbs only 2 times in my life – senior year of college before spring break, and the 2 weeks before my wedding. In both instances, I ate no carbs for about 2 weeks, and lost almost 14 lbs. Granted, I was exercising a fair amount, but still – it does work if you can stand it. It’s not for me – I love my carbs!
Hahaha me too! So much which is why I think I should try limiting them. Ah who knows. Hopefully this helps me a little! xoxo
LOL!!! Glad I could help, dear! Good luck with your food journal! I know that works for a lot of people, and WW was the only thing my mom could ever get to really work for her. Just remember, there is no one universal diet. Every body is different, and everyone needs her own meal plan to work the way her body needs is. That whole goose-gander saying does NOT apply here.
Tyra Banks looked pretty fit before she lost the weight… but that’s just me.
I don’t talk about dieting often… but I have lost over a hundred lbs in the last two years and have learned a few tricks.
For breakfast: I try to eat something that will keep me full for a while. I usually do either oatmeal with fruit, a boiled egg, or a low fat protein shake with fresh fruit.
For lunch: This meal sucks for me. I am never satisfied, especially when I have to see everyone in the office eating whatever they want. I usually bring a chicken breast with fruit, a piece of fish with veggies, or tuna.
Dinner: I’m also a little more flexible. I just stay away from carbs for the most part. When I can’t resist, I either have brown rice or a corn tortilla. I also eat edamame and miso soup with most meals to get a healthy full.
For snacks I eat an orange (or some other fruit) every day, and (sometimes) up to four string cheeses a day. I can’t resist. When I am really craving something bad, I go for rice bread with organic peanut butter…
As for exercise, I really think this is the key (i don’t know what tyra is talking about.) I pretty much just do cardio 5 times a week, and weights maybe 3. I can really feel a difference if I don’t work out. If nothing else, when I work out- I don’t want to ruin my effort with eating bad.
Sorry for the long comment! I didn’t realize I had so much to say about this!
.-= Carissajaded´s last blog ..SUCK IT, Chad Kroeger. =-.
The eating vs. exercise thing is so true. The weeks where I stick to my WW points really well I lose big no matter whether I exercise or not. Then the weeks where I go a little over my daily points but exercise alot, I don’t lose at all. I think exercise mostly helps you look better faster more than it helps you actually lose the weight. I could be way off on that though…
Great healthy body . Every one loves to have thin and healthy body. Even this can be achieved by yoga.
Vikas
I also totally wanted to watch the show yesterday and I am not a big fan of Tyra. Thanks for posting about it.
I’ve also heard it’s mostly about what you eat and less about exercise. Which is hard to wrap my head around.
I wish I could cut about carbs but being a veggie makes that hard for me.
Very interesting. I know that tracking what I eat has made a big difference for me.
The carb thing really is key – I try to avoid anything highly processed & eat whole grains, etc.
I think a lot of people put too much stock in exercise & don’t change their eating patterns. If you don’t change what/how you eat then exercise typically won’t make up that difference.
.-= Mrs. Potts´s last blog ..Oh MOTY… =-.
Thanks for this post! I can’t watch Tyra anymore since living in the UK but it looked like it was a good episode…she looks fantastic!
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Holy lashes! Lash serum review: =-.
I agree about the food diary. This is what helped me, along with exercising. I kept track of everything I ate for a week, then analyzed it and made changes. I’m a big calorie counter, but I’m also a believer in eating what satisfies you. I agree that if you really want a hot dog with everything but eat popcorn, you’ll just keep thinking about the hotdog!
.-= Practically Perfect…´s last blog ..Truly Lovely =-.
Try wearing wearable weights like “Body Togs” anatomically designed weighted sleeves worn on your arms & legs under your clothes. Put them on in the morning and you literally forget you have them on while increasing your calorie burn, muscle tone & bone density! Weighted vests work great too!
You must try http://www.thedailyplate.com, even if for only a week. And if you can, read Eat to Live by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. For me, exercising is the key to my sanity and my body.
.-= Brandi´s last blog ..Getting Real =-.
I absolutely love WeightWatchers and it worked for me 2 years ago. I’ve fallen off the wagon and I’m determined to get back on especially with the Holidays coming up.
.-= steph anne´s last blog ..The Green Pill on The School Bus =-.
I am a 27 year old who has always tried loosing weight in vain since 2005. My biggest limitation is equipments. As now am 150 pounds and am 5.5 ft tall. I expecially want to loose my tammy and make my breasts firm. Please give me some suggestions on how I can work on those.
Am a Kenyan living in a small town. All I do is Jong for 20 minutes four days a week. When I started the jonging I was 10 pounds lighter but the more I jog the more I add weight.
Please help me on how to lose the 14 pounds and maintain it. I always find myself just eating and am sruggling to stay away from cravings.
I watched a programme where tyra said she is a vegetarian three days a week. Please just give me suggestions on the portions of protein, starch,etc am supposed to take.
Thanks,
Silvia.
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