About now, most of those participating on the Pound for Pound Challenge have been at it about six to eight weeks. It is that time frame where folks are either very excited about how they are doing on their healthy living and weight loss journey or they are frustrated which detour (or road block) their journey has run into. Making a plan to lose weight is a challenge for most of us. It isn’t like a road map that shows you how to get from Point A to Point B. You know the general direction you need to go, but the route isn’t clear, especially since weight loss is different for everyone.

The common thread of all weight loss is proper diet and exercise, which not only aid in weight loss, but also keep our bodies healthy. We all know this; the challenge is making a plan and following through.  Others have lost weight by following some of these simple guidelines – and you can too!

Step 1 – Set small, realistic goals. If you have a lot of weight to lose, try for 5 pounds, relax a bit and then go for 5 more.

Step 2 – Start a regular exercise program and stick with it.

Step 3 – Sneak in extra exercise in addition to your regular program. Park at the far end of the parking lot and walk; take the stairs instead of the elevator.

Step 4 – Healthy foods are an important ingredient in losing weight. Eat healthy fats from nuts, seeds and olive oil, and high-fiber foods such as vegetable salads and whole-grain pastas.

Step 5 – Choose foods that you like. Learn to prepare healthful, low-calorie foods that taste good by checking healthy cook books for new recipes. Eating well doesn’t have to mean eating dull.

Step 6 – Eat smaller, more frequent meals. This way, your body starts to increase its metabolism so that calories are burned faster. Also, mini-meals can prevent overeating.

Step 7 – Plan ahead. Keep the fridge stocked with healthful food and you’ll be less likely to run out for high-calorie, high-fat junk food.

Step 8 – Determine your favorite snack time and be sure to have plenty of healthful options available when you get hungry.

Step 9 – Keep a food diary. This will help you pinpoint where you can improve your diet.

From: eHow.com

One of the first tips you will hear is to join a group or tell a friend that you want to change your lifestyle and lose weight. It helps accountability and provides important support and feedback you need. It isn’t too late to join the Pound for Pound Challenge, or the join the Pound for Pound Challenge – Team RFBOK on Facebook. Consider joining us and sign up for the Pound for Pound Challenge today. For every pound of weight you pledge to lose, the Pound For Pound Challenge will donate 14 cents to your local food bank.

Updates:

Food Bank staff who have joined the challenge are holding steady at 81 pounds lost!

Oklahoma is still in 24^th place, with Okies pledging to lose 7,761 pounds!  That is 1,000 more pounds than this time last week!

Triple-Berry Granola Crisp

From eatbetteramerica.com

Berries are fiber giants. Just 1 cup of blackberries or raspberries gives you a whopping 8 grams of fiber, one-third of your daily fiber needs.

Prep Time: 10 min
Start to Finish: 1 hr
Makes: 9 servings

1 bag (8 oz) frozen organic blueberries
1 bag (10 oz) frozen organic strawberries
1 bag (10 oz) frozen organic raspberries
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups organic oats & honey granola
Vanilla reduced-fat ice cream or frozen yogurt, if desired

1. Heat oven to 375°F. In ungreased 8-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish, mix frozen berries, sugar and flour until fruit is coated. Bake 20 minutes.
2. Stir. Sprinkle with granola.
3. Bake 15 to 20 minutes longer or until light golden brown and bubbly. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm with ice cream.

Nutritional Information
1 Serving: Calories 130 (Calories from Fat 15); Total Fat 2g (Saturated Fat 0g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 30mg; Total Carbohydrate 27g (Dietary Fiber 4g, Sugars 14g); Protein 2g

Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 0%; Vitamin C 20%; Calcium 2%; Iron 6%

Exchanges: 1 Starch; 1/2 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Vegetable; 1/2 Fat

Carbohydrate Choices: 2

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.