I'll bypass the bypass. Thank you.

Today during my lunch break I participated in a brown bag "Lunch and Learn"  titled, Weight Loss and Nutrition.  It was a helpful session and scared me into thinking if I don't get my act together, I will soon be eligible for bypass surgery.

I entered the session with a huge plain bagel smothered in plain cream cheese and left with 1/4 of that same bagel the remains of which threw into the trash can.   Why did I do this, because at the session medical professionals talked about how fad diets and magical weight loss programs promise drastic results but studies show short-term dieting frequently results in weight re-gain. They presented proven strategies for long-term weight loss -- one of which included eat slower and savor your meals.

I'm used to inhaling my lunches, snacks and dinners with rapid speed, barely chewing  (whereas I eat my breakfast slower because I am barely awake enough to have the capacity to chow down before 9 a.m.).  The smart docs explained too fast eating causes us to overeat and we really should be taking 30 to 45 minutes to eat each meal because our bodies can't tell us we're full if we eat in less than 15 or 20 minutes..   Luckily they shared this advice within the first 10 minutes of the session and that way I was able to put the remainder of my bagel down.  And sure enough, 30 mins in, I was full off of my freakishly large bagel.  I stopped eating when I was "full".

These docs also went into great detail about weight loss surgery included diagrams and videos of gastric bypass surgery.   That made me lose my appetite especially since they shared that Non-Surgical obesity treatments, such as diets and medications generally suck.   Diets only yield a 6% long-term success rate whereas Medications only 12%.   

After watching a video where someone's stomach was cut down to the size of a banana, it's safe to say that I don't want to ever have to do weight loss surgery.  Sure it's effective, since most can get rid of 60 to 80% of excess weight within the first 18 months but gastric bypass is non-adjustable and requires the cutting and stapling of the stomach and the bowel.

My personal preference: I'd like to learn how to listen to my body and find it when I'm full by eating slower.  

How much does that extra bite cost you?

September already.  Wowzer.  Summer is over and my summer weight loss attempts = maintain.  I'll take it.  Maintaining is better than gaining, although obviously my aim was to lose.  No sense crying over spilled milk - time to get back on that horse, and with the half-marathon a month and a half away I have some work to do!

I've been busy counting my calories most days on MyFitnessPal.com, not feeling too bad when I go over my daily allotted calories (1,590/day) needed to lose my unwanted pounds.  But how much do those extra 100 cals in the form of coffee creamer, afternoon carb snack, etc. actually add up to?

A LOT over time.  Even 100 extra calories eaten a day, means 700 extra calories week = almost a pound of gained weight/month.

Years ago a friend shared a YouTube video (it's overly dramatic, but it gets the point across) about how eating a little more each day can be a detriment to one trying to lose weight.  Here it is, and here is why when most go over daily calorie budget, even just a little, they don't lose.  Even if it's just a little.

Men want a Size 10!

Good news ladies - men don't want skinny twigs of women! Their preference is a Size 10.  According to a study shared today on Chicago's Eric & Kathy Radio Show which involved 2,000 men, a man's ideal woman has raven hair, blue eyes and is a Size 10.

Phew!  Sigh of relief to all us ladies who will never be that skinny mini Size 2 or 4...or zero.

I don't think most men have a clue what women's sizes actually are --- but apparently the study did not ask men their preference by saying, "Here’s a size 4.  Here’s a size 12. Who looks better?"  Instead, men were shown several photos and asked which they preferred.

Size 10!

Christina Hendricks

What does a Size 10 look like?  Size 10 is probably like 36-year old Christina Hendricks from Mad Men.  A radio listener pointed her out as a close enough Size 10 example.  She looks fab by the way!   So...if men want a Size 10, then why do so many heterosexual women strive for a Size 6 and below?  Must be that our main mission is to get skinny to impress our peers --- other ladies or to impress ourselves. I guess us women have come a long way since the Mad Men era of existing to merely please men.  Of course size is not a 100% indicator of true health/attractiveness.   It depends on the person's frame (small, medium, large), height (short, medium, tall) or personal preference.


Personally, my "happy" size was the size I maintained most of college, a Size 6.  That's when I felt my absolute best.  Not too skinny, not too fat, just right.  I didn't maintain that size to lure in the opposite sex, but to feel better about myself.  To feel my best.  And even with the 50 pounds I'm fixing to lose now, I never plan to go lower than a Size 6.  If I did, I would be too skins and bones looking.  Surely I'd look like a Star Jones version (post-weight loss) bobble head of myself.  Gross.


Of course right now, with my 50 pounds to lose, it's real easy for me to get on my high horse and proclaim, "I, who am currently a Size 14, vow to NEVA dip below a Size 6".  It's very easy for me to say considering my body is not apt to dip below a Size 6.   Losing 50 pounds will put back at my Size 6 but my healthy weigh range means wearing anything between a Size 6 and Size 10.  And I guess if that range doesn't work for me,  I could always try Sears*.


Yes, I referenced Mean Girls.


Anyways, great morning radio show topic.  Also discussed: things men notice about women first.  The Top 8 (listed in reverse order --- so #1 is really #8):

1. Eyes
2. What's fake (artificial)  -- i.e. fake lashes, hair, boobs, etc.
3. Glowing skin -- hooray for bronzer and tans!
4. Hip to waist ratio
5. Pitch of voice -- Higher the better
6. Size of her "group".  This perfect size is 3.
7. A genuine smile.
8. Thickness of hair