Watching Rachael Ray

We jump right into it today with Bob Greene, Oprah’s fitness guru at the kitchen table, were it’s time to talk about those pesky new years resolutions about weight and what not and how to do it right. Rachael joked that all January it looks like she’s in mourning because she wears a lot of black to hide what she’s been eating over the holidays.

Bob tells us that it is the wrong way to go to cut your foods and calories start off - the best life diet (also the title of his book) is to move more. We’re not necessarily eating MORE, statistically only about 2% more, but we’re moving up to 60% less then in previous decades. If you don’t move, you’re more prone to every possible problem including headaches and stuff. Back in the day, people were walking and moving and kids were playing outside and such - but now we’re all staying inside at desks and computers and tvs. You need to move at the minimum 60 minutes a day!

The Key - Move more! take the pressure off of your eating program and move, exercise. Stairs instead of the elevator, park father away from the doors at the grocery stores, little steps. Exercise is a hard sell, but you simply have to move more! Like Oprah says - she hates exercise every day, but just make a commitment to move. Find things you enjoy and make a commitment to do it.

Next, look at your emotional eating - what do you eat and when? Late night eating is usually a sign that something is off. Try to cut off your eating at least 2 hours before bedtime. You can adjust the ‘late night’ thing to your schedule. (so it’s OK that I don’t get up till noon and eat my breakfast then. Ha!) Food that sits in your stomach overnight goes directly to your hips! So think about that.

If you’re trying to drop weight, exercise daily! To maintain, 3x a week.

Key eating rules - eat breakfast! Not the grand slam pancakes eggs and bacon, try something like a spinach fritatta which is just as filling, but only 208 calories instead of 1400 for the grand slam. Try other replacements as well, and find flavorful options that are much better for you. Once you start eating the good stuff, you’ll start to crave it instead of the fat drenched chicken parmesan.

Beverage wise - ditch the soda folks! Replace it with water or tea - Green tea has the most health improving properties. (Too bad I hate the taste of tea - but I have gone to water instead of my beloved diet crack coke.) Best time to work out is in the (your) morning, because it boosts the metabolism and you burn calories all day long, reving your engine at a higher idle.

There’s no one best food to eat - we’re meant to have a variety, so don’t stick to one thing. For breakfast, complex carbs and proteins, like eggs and eggwhites are good. Healthy fats, and the best oil is, of course, Olive oil. EVOO Baybee!

The number one way to get off of a plateau? Up you’re pace. If you’re jogging a 10 minute mile, go for a 9.5 minute and it will force your body to release body fat. It’s the number one way to get off a plateau.

Want a copy of Bob’s The Best Life Diet? Click here and try to win one!

Next up! Our buddy Jared is back with some cute and furry animals, as well as the one animal on earth that scares Jared! It’s a Kinkajou! Of all the things to frighten someone… I laughed out loud! Of course, it’s because he’s been bitten by one before as a kid and they are known as being the nastiest drunks of the animal kingdom. Ha! Jared didn’t even hold him, but had an assistant do so! Too funny! There was also a Wallaby Joey, a little fox, and an 120 year old Alligator Snapping Turtle. Awesome!

(** As an aside - is it just me, or does Jared totally have the hots for Rachael? Or does he get that close and snuggly with EVERYONE? Just sayin’. **)

Want a set of the new stainless steel pots from the Rachael Ray line? Click here!

Then, of course - what’s for dinner? Smoky Tomato Soup with mini Grilled Cheese Sammies!