Diet & Fitness Blog

Summer Workout Music Playlist!

noreply@blogger.com (Just don't call me Dor...) — Wed, 14 May 2008 15:44:00 +0000

If you're looking for the ultimate summer workout music playlist to kick your fitness routine into high gear, you've found it!

Just over an hour of heart-pumping workout songs to keep you fired up at the gym or at home. Specially designed to the beat picks up even more just when you typically need a little extra boost to get through your routine, this workout music mix will keep you pumped up for an entire hour!

Have any songs of your own you love to work out to? Suggest them by commenting below! and maybe we'll use them in our next eDiets workout music playlist!

Bonus: Check out our other playlist, eDiets Ultimate Workout Mix for more great workout songs!

Oh No! Not Cookie Monster, Too...

noreply@blogger.com (Just don't call me Dor...) — Tue, 13 May 2008 16:56:00 +0000

By Giselle Gerber
eDiets Content Manager

Last week, one of my co-workers, Mr. Blog-Champ-in-Training -- if you must know -- asked me a random question (he's full of those by the way.) The question was if the Cookie Monster is changing his name in an attempt to lead a healthier life.

The Veggie Monster? Could it really be true? Horrified, I quickly Googled this (a frequent procedure I have for answering random questions that come up). After doing some research, I learned that back in 2005, the folks at Sesame Street decided that my beloved Cookie Monster needed to clean up his act.

Apparently, the phrase "C" is for Cookie" has been replaced by "A Cookie is a Sometimes Food"... What? Scandalous, if you ask me.

Since then Sesame Street has kicked off the "Healthy Habits for Life" programming, which encourages young viewers to be more active and lead more nutritious lives. My favorite blue-furry friend also sings about fruits and vegetables and teaches kids about "sometimes" foods and "anytime" foods.

Growing up I always loved the gooogly-eyed Cookie Monster and was never influenced to mimic his sugar-indulging ways or pipe-eating antics. He was just a cool monster that had a slight weakness for cookies. Is that so bad? Does changing the Cookie Monster's image from cookie-lover to sometimes-cookie-lover help lower childhood obesity rates?

What do you think? Is Sesame Street being too overprotective or politically correct? Or is this the right step in setting a healthy example for our kids? Share your thoughts with us by commenting below.

And just for old times sake, this blog post was brought to you by the letter "C" for Cookies! Om nom nom nom!

Biggest Celebrity Shills

noreply@blogger.com (Just don't call me Dor...) — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:30:00 +0000

By Glenn Mueller
Senior Editor/Writer

Shill: n. a decoy who acts as an enthusiastic customer in order to stimulate the participation of others. Also, any number of annoying celebrities without a shred of human dignity.

Have you ever noticed that some celebrities will endorse just about anything? I mean, Krusty the Clown from The Simpsons has been doing it for years, but at least he’s only a cartoon character. When Krusty promotes cereal with “free flesh-eating bacteria in every box” or his very own “balloon-animal home angioplasty kit,” it makes me laugh. When Tiger Woods pretends to drive a Buick and use Gillette razors, it just makes me want to vomit.

Anyway, without further ado, here's a list of some of the most irritating celebrity shills out there right now. Oh, and as Krusty is fond of saying, “I heartily endorse this event or product.”

Tiger Woods: As the number one golfer in the world, it makes sense that practically everyone would want this young phenom to endorse their products. But at least his contracts with Nike and Titleist make some sort of sense. Personally, I think Buick should put the brakes on the whole Tiger campaign. Do you mean to tell me that Woods, who is arguably the most successful and internationally-recognized sports figure in the known world, would actually drive a Buick if they weren't paying him boat loads of money to do so? Here’s a better idea for those marketing wizards at Buick: Why don’t you invest your money in making better cars instead of paying celebrities to drive them?

And when exactly does Tiger need to use that OnStar navigation system of his? The guy travels with an entourage and can afford to take a limo from the clubhouse out to the first tee. I guess maybe he uses it to navigate from those posh hotels and ritzy country clubs to cheap convenience stores where they sell Gillette Fusion razor blades.

Michael Jordan: And while we're on the topic of sports legends, I have trouble believing that Tiger's buddy Michael Jordan really wears Hanes underwear. No silk boxer shorts for MJ. I guess those Hanes briefs provide all the comfort and support he needs underneath those pinstripe suits. And does he really like Hanes underwear so much that he sends some to Cuba Gooding Jr. to wear? Never in my life have I given another guy a pair of underwear!

Peter Frampton: Does it bother anyone else that one of the most innovative rock guitarists of all time in now pitching Geico car insurance? I mean, I know his old band was called Humble Pie, but I think someone fed Peter too big of a slice.

Donald Trump: As if we didn’t get to see enough of this guy on television with his stupid reality show that just won’t die, Trump also appears in television commercials. I’m so sure that Visa Check Card comes in handy for The Donald at the Super Kmart. I would like to be in charge of that ad campaign for one day, just so I could call that pompous jerk into my office, look him straight in the eye and say, “You’re fired!” The only thing more over-inflated than Trump’s bank account is his sense of self. With the possible exception of a fallen angel formerly known as Lucifer, I can’t think of anybody out there with a bigger ego. Get over yourself, Donald. Oh, and while you’re at it, get a real haircut!

Paris Hilton: What is more obscene: The fact that the Paris ad for Carl's Jr. and Hardee's borders on soft porn, or the fact that the filthy-rich heiress is promoting a chain of fast-food restaurants where she’s never once eaten. Hey Paris, I’ll bet those Hardee’s burgers taste just great with a bottle of Dom Perignon and some Beluga Caviar. Get real!

Britney Spears: She's already pitched Curious perfume, milk, roller skates, BBQ sauce, Pepsi and Proactiv. The only thing this popular singer hasn’t endorsed is sobriety or responsible parenthood.

Who do you think are the biggest celebrity shills? Cast your vote by leaving a comment below.

Rising Gas Prices: Can Anything Good Come of This?

noreply@blogger.com (Just don't call me Dor...) — Fri, 09 May 2008 18:38:00 +0000

By Dorian Wagner
eDiets Senior Copy Editor

I don't know about you, but it costs me a small fortune to fill up my tank. And by small fortune, I mean about $50. I use about a tank and half a week. You do the math… It isn't pretty.

What makes it worse is that my car needs premium gas. "Oh, that's no big deal," I told to myself as I cruised off the lot in my brand-new convertible sports car. Pfft! No big deal my butt. Premium gas averages about $4 a gallon around here in South Florida!

Gas prices just keep getting higher and higher, and it seems like Americans are just going to be a broke bunch if it keeps up. Broke… and in better shape.

A recent study from Washington University in St. Louis found that for every additional $1 per gallon in gasoline prices, U.S. obesity rates will drop by 15 percent over 5 years. With the cost of driving getting so ridiculous, many Americans will look to other transportation options -- like walking or cycling.

They'll also change their eating habits, opting for leaner meals at home over richer restaurant fare. In fact, Starbucks is expecting a drop in sales and major chains like Domino's Pizza, Ruby Tuesdays, and even higher-end Ruth's Chris and Morton's steakhouses are serving fewer patrons.

I don't know if I'm ready to give up eating out sometimes, but over the past couple weeks, I've been seriously considering buying a bicycle, and have even gone so far as to try and calculate how long it would take me to bike enough miles to make the price worth it. By my calculations? Not that long.

Do you know how much healthier I'd be by then? Figure if I biked to the gym and to a couple errands a week, I'd be getting an extra 20 minutes of exercise a day easily. All those extra burned calories could really add up! Plus, if I threw in a walk or two somewhere close, I'll burn off even more.

So, when you think about it, maybe this whole rising gas prices thing isn't so bad in the long run. By driving less, we'll be getting healthier, living a little greener (you're welcome, Earth) and saving some money while we're at it.

P.S. Don’t worry, little convertible... I’m not ready to give up on you forever just yet. See you when I get out of work. :)

4 Tips to Strengthen Your Relationship with Mom

noreply@blogger.com (Just don't call me Dor...) — Wed, 07 May 2008 20:48:00 +0000

Mother's Day is a day to honor and celebrate moms. Moms are very special and they play a critical role in their children's lives. When you think about it, for most people, the first relationship they develop is the one with their mom. It's also the longest lasting relationship!

To help make your Mother's Day a good one, here are 4 simple tips for how to improve or strengthen the relationship with your mom.

1. Focus on Positive.
In any relationship there are going to be struggles and challenges. Instead of focusing on what goes wrong or your struggles, shift your attention and begin to amplify or recognize what's right (positive/good) about you and your mother. Make a list of what you love about your mom and tell her.

2. Respect and Validate Differences.
Each of you was born in a different time period, with different values and ways of living. You may not agree on everything, even the important things in life. You don't have to agree with each other -- just acknowledge and respect each other's thoughts and feelings. Some people have been angry or in a fight with their mom for years. These are wasted years. Pick up the phone and apologize or forgive her. Move on. Often times, the qualities that we dislike in our mothers, we find in ourselves as we grow older.

3. Boundaries.
Respect one another's privacy. Boundaries in what you say and tell your mother (and what she tells you) are OK. Do not look to your mother to be your best friend.

4. Time.
Often times, we don't spend enough time with our moms. What about those deep conversations that you used to have with your mother? Do you know where she would go in a crisis? Do you really know what is on her mind these days? What does she enjoy doing? Spend time strengthening your relationship and opening the lines of communication between you and your mother. Be clear about what you mean. Say what you mean.

Don't expect your mother to read your mind! When we expect others to read our minds we always get disappointed. Like any relationship, this relationship also takes work. Change cannot occur in one day or week -- but over time!

Dr. Terri Orbuch, The Love Doctor, is a psychologist, Oakland University professor, and research professor at The University of Michigan, Institute for Social Research. Dr. Orbuch's Love Doctor Relationship Segments are aired weekly on Fox TV-Detroit and radio stations across the U.S. and Canada. You can find out more about The Love Doctor® at www.drterrithelovedoctor.com.

Eat on the Cheap: Guide to Supermarket Savings

noreply@blogger.com (Just don't call me Dor...) — Mon, 05 May 2008 18:58:00 +0000

By Shawn McKee
eDiets Staff Writer

Times are tough.

That's something my dad always used to say when we would complain about eating the same leftovers repackaged as something different. And, well, times were tough. I always had enough to eat, but it got old eating so much chicken.

Times continued to be tough as I left for college. It was an amazing feat that I could live on such measly means. I worked, but $6.25 an hour doesn't go very far. Plus, most of my monthly food budget was guzzled down during late night beer runs and Saturday afternoon football games. My priorities were a little different then.

I mostly subsisted on tuna sandwiches, ramen noodles, macaroni and cheese, PB&J, pizza and beer -- primarily pizza and beer, though. It wasn't the healthiest diet, but I was in college and, like I said, my priorities were different then.

Now, as the country teeters on the edge of recession, gas prices hit astronomical numbers and food prices force me to cut the frills from my food purchasing, I find myself all grown up, living on my own and realizing how difficult it really is to make ends meet.

Times are tough.

However, I still have my health (another of my dad's favorite sayings), and I think that's crucially important to remember. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine keeps some sense of normalcy as prices spiral out of control.

Since we're all about eating healthy here at eDiets, I thought now would be the perfect time to share some terrific tips to savvy shopping. You can't just stop buying food if it gets too expensive -- that's not an option. However, if you maintain a certain level of food flexibility, you can still eat healthy, delicious meals without blowing all your dough.

"You have to be flexible when it comes to meal planning, switch things around and make substitutions to really make your dollar stretch," explains eDiets Director of Nutrition Services Pam Ofstein.

Pam recommends looking for sales on protein sources first. Substituting skinless dark meat chicken for white meat can save some money without adding too much fat to your meal. Pork can also be an inexpensive meat alternative. It is, after all, "the other white meat."

"The key with any kind of meat is trimming the fat and watching portion sizes," according to Pam, who recommends trying pork loin or a nice lean pork chop.

One area you shouldn't be flexible on is planning.

"Planning is the key. If you can plan your meals, it's much easier to eat healthy on a budget," Pam says.

So here's Pam's 5-point plan to keep your waist thin and your wallet fat:

1. The scoop on the coupon. Check the newspaper and Internet for advertised savings and specials before you make your grocery list. This is a good way to find places to cut costs and get an idea of what you want to eat for the upcoming week.

2. Plan your meals. This will let you know exactly what you're going to need, which is essential for the third step:

3. Make a list, check it twice. A list will tell you exactly what you're going to need, give you a good idea of what you will spend and keep you on track when you go to the store. If it's not on the list, it's not in the cart. This step will also help limit trips to the grocery store, which will limit your chances to make unnecessary impulse purchases -- which can account for as much as 40 percent of what you buy, according to industry insiders.

4. Generically challenged. Pam recommends trying store brands, which can be significantly cheaper. Many of the store brands are made in the same factories, by the same companies as the pricier nationally known brands. What you pay for is the branding and ad costs. Check the ingredients and you may be getting essentially the same thing for less money -- without sacrificing quality.

5. Little numbers make a big difference. Most supermarkets will display a "price per unit" on the shelf's price tag. This number gives you the exact cost of what you're paying per unit -- whether it's ounces, pounds or portions. It's the easiest way to compare prices regardless of package size. Just because you're buying in bulk doesn't mean you're necessarily saving money. In fact, if the larger portion spoils before you finish it, you're actually wasting money.

Pam offers one final tip to avoid impulse purchasing:

"Never go to the store hungry. You will buy things you don't need. Eat, then shop. Impulse purchases are almost never healthy and usually unnecessary and expensive."

Hopefully these tips will help you stretch your food dollar a little further, and just remember: It could be worse. Times were really tough in my grandfather's day. Not only was money tight, but he had to walk uphill, both ways, in the snow just to get to school. Now those times were really tough.

Do you have some supermarkets secrets to save money? Share your tips here and help to be healthy on a budget.

Continue to the related articles:

What's YOUR Excuse?

noreply@blogger.com (Just don't call me Dor...) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:26:00 +0000

We all know how the saying goes: Excuses are like a**ho!#s; everyone has one. And you know what? Truer (curse) words have never been spoken.

I'll start my diet next Monday because this week I have a wedding to go to... I can't stay on a diet because I don't have time to cook... I don’t have time to work out... I can't start eating healthy because my husband likes to eat steak every night for dinner...

According to our research, the top dieting excuse of all time is "I just can't resist my favorite foods." Makes sense. I personally know of at least one dieting attempt of my own that reached its breaking point over an ooey, gooey, cheesy, greasy pizza meltdown. And I'm quite sure that plenty other diets out there met their match because of cake, chocolate, Alfredo sauce or Coca-Cola.

And as far as putting off starting a diet, that's a whole other sack of excuses. Procrastination is an art form, and dieting is something that is all too easy to put off until "next week" or "next month" or "after I eat all the un-diet food in the pantry so it's not wasted."

Well, like the caring, helpful, encouraging people that we are here at eDiets, our experts are coming to your rescue! Our experts Pam (nutrition) and Raphael (fitness) are looking for the Top-10 List of Excuses you have for not starting or following through with a diet. They'll be checking this blog and compiling the most popular excuses out there, and then -- and here's where it gets good -- they're going to come up with some sure-fire solutions to bust through all of them!

So help yourself and all your fellow dieters out, and comment below with your personal dieting excuses. And don't be shy about it, because like we said at the beginning, we know you have one… :)

VIDEO: Train Like a Champion

noreply@blogger.com (Just don't call me Dor...) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:05:00 +0000

It takes hard work and dedication to achieve your goals. No one knows that more than the gang here at eDiets. So take a hilarious look at Staff Writer Shawn McKee as he trains hard and attempts to reach his ultimate dream: To be a champion.

See his grueling training routine, eating program and get a glimpse into what motivates him to strive for greatness. Inspirational, educational and perfectly ridiculous -- this is one video you absolutely must see.

Want more video content? Help Shawn reach his dreams and comment below.

The Thought that Counts? Or the Actual Gift?

noreply@blogger.com (Just don't call me Dor...) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:53:00 +0000

By Sara R Tobias
eDiets Web Production Designer

My title here at eDiets means that I’m a "creative" person, but not usually a writer. I was asked to be a guest blogger so here I am trying my hand at blogging...

The topic for my blog comes from a subject very close to my heart -- April 30 is my 2nd wedding anniversary. My husband and I are going away for our anniversary; we are scuba divers so we are heading to the Keys.

With that being said we decided to give each other presents early. I gave my husband (most useful) a watch that he’s been wanting for a while now and he gave me (smartest. gift. ever.) a housekeeper to come once a month to clean our condo. Isn’t that awesome?

And so that made me think: What the best present you've received for a special occasion (anything counts -- an anniversary, birthday, lost weight, graduation, championship, etc.). Maybe it was the silliest, funniest, craziest, sexiest, smartest or most useful kind of gift, but whatever it was... share! Trust me; you will just give people ideas for the next occasion coming up!

Happy Oatmeal Cookie Day (and a healthy recipe)!

noreply@blogger.com (Just don't call me Dor...) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:40:00 +0000

Of all the nationally recognized holidays, April 30's is my favorite. If you're one of the few who aren't "in the know," it's Oatmeal Cookie Day. It's time to celebrate!

Is there anything more comforting than a warm, soft cookie straight from the oven with a nice glass of milk? My favorite cookie flavor is oatmeal raisin. I could eat them by the dozen -- and sometimes I do. Since they're made with real oatmeal, they're healthier than regular cookies, right?

"Well, it's still a cookie," explains eDiets Director of Nutrition Services Pam Ofstein. "But it can be a better choice than, say, chocolate chip or sugar cookies."

Pam recommends this recipe for oatmeal cookies because it's made with rolled oats, egg whites and whole-wheat flour as a low-fat, low-cal cookie that won't leave you all soft and doughy in the middle.

"With a glass of low-fat milk, this oatmeal cookie is a tasty treat with wholesome ingredients to satisfy your sweet tooth. That little something special to end a healthy meal," suggests Pam.

If plain old oatmeal cookies aren't exciting enough for you, Pam recommends adding raisins or dried cranberries to add some sweetness, as well as valuable anti-oxidants. And if you're looking for something with a little more crunch, add some walnuts for an extra dose of protein and heart-healthy omega-3s.

As far as cookies go, the oatmeal cookie is a healthier selection than most, but don't go all Cookie Monster and eat the whole batch. Just grab a glass of milk and enjoy!

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 12 minutes

Ingredients
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup whole-wheat flour
1 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon grated whole nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
5 tablespoons stick margarine or butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large egg whites, beaten
2/3 cup regular oats
Cooking spray

Preparation Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium-sized bowl, mix the flour and next six ingredients (flour through cloves). Beat the sugar, margarine and vanilla in a large bowl with a mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the egg whites and beat well. Stir in flour mixture and oats. The mixture should be soft, not gooey. If needed, add more flour.

Drop by level tablespoons 3 inches apart onto baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes or until crisp. Cool on pan 2 to 3 minutes or until firm. Remove cookies from pan; cool on wire racks. Makes 24 cookies.

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: one cookie; Calories 76; Protein 1 g; Total Carbohydrate 12 g; Dietary Fiber 1 g; Sodium 61 mg; Total Fat 3 g; Saturated Fat 0 g; Cholesterol 0 mg

Weighing in on Sizeism: Fear, Self-Loathing & Our Nation's Battle of the Bulge

noreply@blogger.com (Just don't call me Dor...) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:21:00 +0000

By Glenn Mueller
eDiets Senior Writer/Editor

In case you missed it, the last issue of the UTNE Reader included an extremely provocative series of articles about America's war on obesity. In spite of the health risks associated with being overweight, the editors of this alternative publication argue that our approach to fatness is at least as unhealthy as being fat. "Sizeism remains the only truly socially acceptable form of discrimination on the planet," writes Courtney E. Martin, author of Perfect Girls, Starving Daughters: The Frightening New Normalcy of Hating Your Body.

While the authors make some alarming generalizations about the dieting industry as a whole, they definitely bring up an insightful point about our cultural bias against fat. "To be fat in our culture is to be labeled not only a glutton, but also a vessel of disease," writes associate editor, Hannah Lobel.

"Short of burning obese people in effigy, it's hard to imagine how we could stigmatize fat more in this culture. Body hatred is regarded as a feminine virtue."

Now, I have worked at eDiets for over five years, and I honestly believe we provide a valuable public service. We help countless numbers of people to transform their lives. But the most important reason to eat nutritious foods and exercise is to protect your own health. It is really all about looking and feeling your personal best-- not trying to meet some unrealistic expectation.

The magazine cites a poll of 10,000 ELLEgirl readers, in which 30 percent said they would rather be thin than healthy. That's downright disturbing! In our superficial culture that often values form over substance, I don't doubt that people are often discriminated against because of their size and appearance. However, I hope that doesn't deter people making the ever-important decision to exercise and adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Do you agree that we have an unfair bias against fat in this culture? Have you ever felt discriminated against because of your size? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

Do You Hear What I Hear? Misheard Lyrics!

noreply@blogger.com (Just don't call me Dor...) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:21:00 +0000

By Garry Messick
eDiets Contributor

One of the things that distinguishes the pop music of our grandparents from the post-rock and roll pop music we grew up with is the fact that all the Sinatras, Bing Crosbys, Andrews Sisters and the like used to E-NUN-CI-ATE when they sang. There was no mistaking the words to "My Funny Valentine" when Tony Bennett performed it. But for better or worse, with the transition to rock, the emphasis shifted to raw emotion over nuanced crooning, and pretty soon whatever the heck people were singing on the radio was anybody's guess.

The classic early example is 1963's "Louie Louie" by the Kingsmen. A few words are discernible, but in terms of what the ear hears, the first verse can be rendered as follows:

Louie, Louie, oh baby
Get a way da low.
Yah yah yah yah yah
Louie, Louie, woah baby
me gonna bo
Ah yah yah yah yah

After that, much of the tune is sung so mush-mouthed that it can barely be represented phonetically. Some say it's a result of releasing what was meant as a rehearsal run-through and braces on the lead singer's teeth. The best I can do is:

A fah, a fonah, a bah foh ba ga

But that's an extreme case. Much more common are tunes that are largely understandable, but with key phrases that can be easily misconstrued, sometimes in very amusing ways. Let's take a look at some of the best examples...

"Purple Haze" by Jimi Hendrix
Real lyric: 'Scuse me while I kiss the sky
Commonly misheard as: 'Scuse me while I kiss this guy
(This is the classic misheard lyric, so I got it out of the way first. The list wouldn't be complete
without it.)

"Beast of Burden" by the Rolling Stones
Real lyric: I'll never be your beast of burden
Misheard as: I'll never leave your pizza burning
(Mick's heartfelt promise to Jerry Hall, a frozen pizza aficionado, no doubt. Moving, to be sure.
Unfortunately, he didn't promise not to toss her aside eventually like a worn-out toothbrush, though.)

"Born a Rebel" by Tom Petty
Real Lyric: Hey, hey, hey, I was born a rebel
Misheard as: Hey, hey, hey, I was Barney Rubble
(Barney Rubble was Fred Flintstone's sidekick, in case you need reminding.)

"Like a Virgin" by Madonna
Real lyric: Like a virgin, touched for the very first time
Misheard as: Like a virgin, touched for the 31st time
(Doesn't the misheard version seem more appropriate? This is Madonna we're talking about, after all.)

"Little Red Corvette" by Prince
Real lyric: Little red Corvette
Misheard as: Pay the rent, Claudette
(Prince hasn't needed anyone else to pay his rent from at least since this song came out. More's the irony.)

"Mrs. Robinson" by Simon and Garfunkel
Real lyric: Hide it in a hiding place where no one ever goes/put it in the pantry with your cupcakes
Misheard as: Hide it in a hiding place where no one ever goes/put it in your pants between your cupcakes
(It's good to know I'm not the only one who stores snacks in his trousers to keep them handy, not to mention warm and moist!)

"Lady Marmalade" by Christina Aguilera (or the Pointer Sisters)
Real lyric: Voulez vous coucher avec moi ce soir?
Misheard as: Woolly bear could share a Big Mac, for sure!
(French and pop music just don't mix.)

"You're the One that I Want" by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
Real lyric: I've got chills, they're multiplyin'/And I'm losing control
Misheard as: I've got shoes, they're made of plywood/And I'm losing my soles
(Grease may be the word, but apparently that's the only one we can be sure of.)

"Losing My Religion" by R.E.M.
Real lyric: That's me in the corner/That's me in the spotlight, losing my religion
Misheard as: That's me in the corner/That's me in the spotlight, losing my erection
(Why hasn't Cialis or Viagra picked up on this one for a commercial jingle yet?)

"Bad Moon Rising" by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Real lyric: Don't go out tonight, it's bound to take your life/There's a bad moon on the rise
Misheard as: Don't go out tonight, it's bound to take your life/There's a bathroom on the right
(You're laughing at the idea of a lethal lavatory? Check out any service station or convenience store restroom if you doubt such a thing is possible.)

"Bennie and the Jets" by Elton John
Real Lyric: She's got electric boots, a mohair suit
Misheard as: She's got electric boobs, her mom has, too

Have any other "sing-along wrong" lyrics to add to the list? Join in on the fun and fess up!

Oops, is that Mustard on Your X-Ray or Are You Dying?

noreply@blogger.com (Just don't call me Dor...) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:47:00 +0000

By Alex Lieber
eDiets Director of Content

It was just about a year ago today I was told that I might die at any moment.

A CAT scan of my chest showed something in my right lung -- a blood clot. In medical parlance, that's called a pulmonary embolism. In real life, that can mean an express ticket to the netherworld.

Obviously, it didn't kill me. And I won't keep you in suspense: it wasn't an embolism. I think, in fact, it was a gob of mustard, dropped from the doctor's sandwich onto the X-ray film as he was examining my innards. That's my theory to explain my two days of medically sanctioned torture.

How did this happen? I went to the hospital to get a pain in my chest checked out -- on the OTHER SIDE of my chest. I had banged it, and it was a little painful to breathe. I knew what it was. I figured they'd give me something to reduce the swelling and I'd be on my way.

To spell it out, I had a pain on the LEFT side I wanted checked out. The doctor said I had an embolism on the RIGHT side. (Guess which hand was holding the sandwich?)

He flew back to me, still chewing his sandwich, and blurted that I had to be admitted RIGHT NOW! Bits of turkey flew from his mouth to punctuate his seriousness.

Then the fun began.

He told a nurse to inject a blood thinner directly into my stomach. The nurse had dragon tattoos on her arm. I remember them vividly, because I clutched those tattoos as I went through the 10 most physically painful minutes of my life.

I was told I didn't have to worry about getting another shot for at least 24 hours.

All night long, all I could think about was that next shot. Not that I was allowed to sleep. Doctors mysteriously came and went during the night, asking strange questions. One remarked that I had rather large breasts for a man. Was I taking hormones, he asked.

I didn't realize it at the time, but each of these questions had a direct consequence for me. My breast-admiring doctor had ordered a test meant for women -- to see if I had female breast tissue. The nurses were giggling over that one while they did the test.

Test after test came back negative. The following day, one of the few sane doctors I talked to said he frankly didn't know why I was even in the hospital. I explained my mustard gob theory. I wish I could tell you he dismissed it on the spot -- but he just smiled as if to say he's heard stranger things happen.

Then Nurse Dragon Tattoo came in with my shot.

I was now in full revolt. Forget the shot. In fact, I was checking myself out. I gave them a deadline to remove the IV line from my arm or I'd do it myself right at the nurses' station. They complied, and I left the hospital with my story to tell about a phantom blood clot and a real mustard gob.

As I ponder the anniversary of this event, how many people out there have similar stories to tell?

My So-Called, Off-Scheduled Life

noreply@blogger.com (Just don't call me Dor...) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:15:00 +0000

By Dorian Wagner
eDiets Senior Copy Editor

How many of us are actually where we thought we'd be at this point in our lives?

Personally, I'm what I like to call "off schedule." And with my birthday coming up (April 30, if you'd like to send presents -- thanks!), I can't help but think about things...

I say I'm off schedule because if you asked me 10 years ago where I'd be right now (turning 28), I would have told you I'd be married, planning kids, living somewhere in a lovely house -- that my husband and I own, of course -- with a cat or two and a dog.

I would have told you that my plan was to have kids by 30 (don't want to be an old mom), but that I wanted at least two years to enjoy married life and my husband before bringing children into the mix. And considering most people date for at least a year before getting engaged, and then there's the whole wedding-planning fiasco… I figure that in order to hit my "kids by 30" goal, I'd have to start that whole process by… oh, TWO YEARS AGO. Heh.

And, honestly, if I want to be married for two years before having kids, I'd have to get married by next Wednesday. Vegas, anyone?

Reality check: Still single; no ring in sight. No ring and no one thinking about buying me one. My mom actually made cardboard cutouts of "virtual grandchildren" last time I went over for a holiday at my parents' house. These virtual grandkids even sat at the dinner table with us. I guess it's as close as she figures she's going to get anytime soon.

But there's also a trade-off. Although I don't have a hubby or a little mini-me running around, I am doing better career-wise than I thought I would be at this point. So, that's a good thing. Not that I wouldn't mind sitting at home or shopping all day with my husband's credit card while he works to support me… But still, it'll be nice to contribute equally when (if?) I ever get back on schedule.

And all this got me wondering. How many of us are actually "on schedule?" Not just with marriage and kids, but with careers, life goals and personal accomplishments? How many people are actually what they wanted to "when I grow up?" I'd bet that although things don't normally go as planned, they usually work out for the best.

Things happen for a reason, they say, and I've come to believe that. After all, good things come to those who wait, right?

Useless Weight-Loss Gadgets!

noreply@blogger.com (Just don't call me Dor...) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:00:00 +0000

By Glenn Mueller
eDiets Senior Writer/Editor

It doesn't seem to be mentioned in the hit song from the early '80s, but maybe the real reason Corey Hart wears his sunglasses at night is to keep his appetite under control. If you've been following the latest headlines, you'll know that a Japanese company is currently marketing a special line of sunglasses to help dieters lose weight. (As the popular humorist Dave Barry is fond of saying, "I am NOT making this up!")

The Japanese company, Yumetai, claims their magic glasses work in two ways:

Since the lenses are blue, they make food look extremely unappetizing. The company claims that the color blue suppresses the appetite sensors in the brain.
The lenses also block red light, which is said to stimulate the appetite center in the brain.

And to think, all this time I thought the secret to losing weight was to burn off more calories than you take in. I have been wasting valuable time trying to follow a healthy meal plan and get to the gym, when all I really have to do is wear blue sunglasses. Where do I sign up?! I'll wear two pairs at the same time... that way, I'll be sure to lose twice as much weight.

Oh well. In a culture obsessed with instant gratification, I guess it is not surprising that companies keep marketing absurd diet gadgets. After all, they wouldn't keep creating them unless people were buying them. As the great P.T. Barnum once said, "There's a sucker born every minute."

Now, I'm tempted to say that weight-loss sunglasses are the most ridiculous weight-loss product of all time, but I know they have stiff competition. There have been slippers, earrings, patches and even insoles for shoes that were marketed to help people lose weight. Not to mention sauna suits, soaps, stimulating electrodes and vibrating belts.

What do you think is the most useless weight loss gadget of all time? Place your vote by leaving a comment below.

Poll: Size Matters?

noreply@blogger.com (Just don't call me Dor...) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:42:00 +0000

By Shawn McKee
Staff Writer

Does size matter?

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear that question? For most people, their mind wanders below the belt and a naughty grin creeps across their face. They know what the question is in reference to without any further explanation.

My swelling inbox is overflowing with emails geared toward increasing my manhood, satisfying my lover and "opening new possibilities to my penis." My penis loves new possibilities, but I hadn't really considered enlarging my member until I received an email with a sexually graphic photo that said, in no uncertain terms:

"Having a small package isn't a problem, not doing anything about it IS!! If you don't soon do something, then she will be getting from someone else, maybe a friend, your brother or a neighbor."

It got me thinking, does what a man packs in his pants matter more to his lover, or does it matter more to him?

According to one survey of 200 women, 82 percent were satisfied with what they considered an average size penis -- about 6 inches. But it's difficult to know the average penis size for men since most tend to exaggerate their size -- one way or the other.

Three separate studies done in laboratory settings found that the average erect penis length for men ranged from 5-6 inches, which is a bit of a contrast from what the emails I'm getting are telling me.

"Many, possibly most, statistics you read are not from legitimate research, but from marketing companies who want you to feel bad about your penis size (so you'll buy their product)," according to Cory Silverberg, AASECT certified sex educator.

One email I received seemed to follow this hypothesis:

"You hate your penis." (I do?) "Love it with Penis Enlarge Patch. Get a monstrous penis with Penis Enlarge Patch."

Would advertisers lie to me to play on insecurity that can only be quelled by purchasing their products for a "monstrous penis?" I had to find out.

So I did some, um, research and watched some adult films to check some stats. (I thought this would be safer than checking men's equipment in the locker room of my gym.) The adult film stars tended to skew on the larger side, I suddenly felt inferior again.

Then I got to sit down with Jenna Haze, the charming and frank star of more than 100 adult films, who told me that most of those men are chosen because they are unusually large.

I felt a little better -- partially because she touched my leg during the interview! Then, I found some useful information that eased my mind on WebMD:

"The most sensitive part of the vagina is the part that is closest to the outside of a woman's body. Four inches will cover that," reported the article, which continued: "About three-quarters of women don't reach orgasm by intercourse unless they have simultaneous clitoral stimulation -- no matter what the size of the inserting body part."

So I learned that size isn't necessarily as important as skill, men are probably more concerned with their penis size than their partners and most emails from penis enlargement companies will be poorly written.

As long as a man does his duties to please his partner -- and he's about average -- then he shouldn't worry about purchasing pumps, pills or patches that probably won't work anyway.

So men, celebrate your penises! Women, tell your man his size is super, and maybe we can get over this size-ist behavior perpetrated by unscrupulous advertisers. But I want to know what you think, does size matter?

Shawn McKee graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a BA in Journalism and has written for The Broward and Miami New Times. He's returning his penis patch for a full refund because using it only caused a rash, and not a "monstrous penis" as promised.

Are We Killing Our Pets?

noreply@blogger.com (Just don't call me Dor...) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:06:00 +0000

By Dorian Wagner
eDiets Senior Copy Editor

You know you want to lose weight. You know you want your kids to be a healthy weight. But what about your pets? Think a little pudge on your pet is cute? I think it's time we take a look at pet obesity as a serious problem.

How do we show our pets love? We give them treats. How do we make them do anything? Treats. Good boys get treats! And who isn't guilty of slipping Fido or Fluffy a little nibble of whatever's for dinner?

I'll be the first to admit I’m not helping the problem. My cat (and I use that term loosely; he's really the size of a medium dog) is overweight. Pimp has weighed in at a whopping 22 pounds at vet visits, and I often find myself comparing him to small dogs and saying, "My cat would eat your dog."

Luckily, I've never fed Pimp a small dog, but since he eats any and everything I give him, I have no doubt he'd probably try if I gave one to him. Good boys get small dogs!

Did you know the average weight of an adult cat is 7 to 12 pounds?! The vet told me to put him on "diet" food, which I did. But that hasn't stopped me from filling up his bowl probably too often, showering him with treats and giving him some of everything I eat. He just looks at me with those eyes…

So the realization becomes: It’s not our pets' fault that they're fat. It's not their fault that all our "love" puts them at a higher risk for weight-related conditions. They don't know that a serving of treats is only four pieces, or that they should run around the house for 30 minutes a day to keep their heart healthy.

Sure, a yummy treat or a bite of your juicy steak may make your pet happy at that minute. But are their fattened purrs and tail wags worth it in the long run? Not so much.

I know I've said it before, but I'm serious this time: Pimp's going on a diet. And I know he may yell and cry and wake me up 20 times a night because he thinks he's hungry, but in the end, Mommy knows best -- and I want him around for as long as possible.

Do you have a fat pet, or know someone who does? Have you tried to put them on a diet or do you think they're pleasantly plump? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.

Your Last Meal?

noreply@blogger.com (Just don't call me Dor...) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:05:00 +0000

By Glenn Mueller
eDiets Senior Writer/Editor

OK, I admit it! I am fascinated by death row cuisine. Although it is difficult to determine exactly where the concept of giving a prisoner condemned to death a final meal request originally began, the ancient Greeks, Egyptians and Romans all practiced this tradition.

And, like it or not, last meals have become part of modern pop culture. In fact, artist Julie Green paints porcelain plates depicting the final meal requests of death row inmates in the United States for her ongoing series entitled "The Last Supper."

Now, here's an interesting piece of trivia: According to the best-selling book Eat This -- Not That, menu items from KFC are the most popularly requested entrees for the last meals of inmates on death row. For the life of me, I can't imagine why the Colonel hasn't promoted this in an advertising campaign yet. You know, maybe something like: "People are dying to try our new popcorn chicken."

Anyway, I couldn't help wondering if John Wayne Gacy started the whole trend. After all, the former serial killer from Illinois once managed a KFC. You'd think he would have had his fill of the finger-lickin’-good fast food. But, according to an intriguing Web site called "Dead Man Eating," Gacy requested a final meal consisting of Kentucky Fried Chicken, fried shrimp, French fries, strawberries and Diet Coke.

Evidently, Timothy McVeigh skipped the main course and went right to dessert. His last meal consisted of two pints of mint chocolate chip ice cream. I guess he didn't have to worry about working off that sugar rush.

Thomas Grasso of Oklahoma eagerly devoured a dozen steamed mussels, a Burger King double cheeseburger with mustard, mayonnaise, lettuce and tomato, a can of Franco-American spaghetti with meatballs, a mango, half a pumpkin pie with whipped cream and a strawberry milkshake. Nobody could accuse him of being executed on an empty stomach.

A couple other interesting last meals reported on the Dead Man Eating Web site include:

-- Before his execution in Arizona in 1999, Walter Lagrand requested a last meal consisting of six fried eggs, 16 strips of bacon, one large serving of hash browns, a pint of pineapple sherbet, a breakfast steak, a cup of ice, 7-Up, Dr Pepper, Coke, hot sauce, coffee and two sugar packs. Not surprisingly, he followed this meal up with four Rolaids.

-- John Washington Hightower, who was executed in Georgia last year, consumed a final meal consisting of four fried pork chops, collard greens with boiled okra and "boiling meat," fried corn, fried fatback, fried green tomatoes, cornbread, lemonade, one pint of strawberry ice cream and three glazed donuts.

Now I certainly hope and pray that I will never end up on death row. But just for the record, my final meal would consist of broiled lobster, a baked potato, steamed vegetables… and beer (although I guess in prison, it would have to be contraband beer)!

What would you choose for your last meal? Let us know by posting a comment below. As we used to say at the tabloids, "Enquiring minds want to know."

Breaking News: Diet Found to Reduce Heart Attacks

noreply@blogger.com (Just don't call me Dor...) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:20:00 +0000

By Glenn Mueller
eDiets Senior Writer/Editor

According to the results of a recent study, following a diet that is high in fruits and vegetables and low in fat really does protect your heart. If you are following a meal plan like this, you'll love the latest breaking headlines: You may be less likely to have a heart attack or stroke.

A report published in the April 14th issue of Archives of Internal Medicine provides compelling evidence that sticking to a meal plan similar to the one the government already recommends for lowering blood pressure can help reduce your risk for having a heart attack or stroke. The team of researchers, led by Teresa T. Fung, Sc.D., of Simmons College in Boston, monitored more than 88,000 healthy women between the ages of 34 and 59 for almost 25 years. Subjects kept track of the foods they ate during that time period and were given scores based on how closely their eating habits resembled the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) meal plan recommended by the government.

The so-called DASH scores increased for fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes and low-fat dairy products. Points were subtracted from the scores for red and processed meats, sweetened beverages and sodium. Ultimately, the women with the highest DASH scores were found to be 24 percent less likely to develop heart disease and 18 percent less likely to have a stroke.

Though Fung's study tracked women and their eating habits rather than randomly assigning different diets to members of the sampling population, the research findings may provide the best evidence yet of the benefits of so-called heart friendly diets due to the size of the sampling population. According to statistics from the American Heart Association, heart disease kills 32 percent of our nation's female population -- making it the leading cause of death for American women. And, as if those numbers aren’t alarming enough, the fact is 8 million women are currently living with heart disease.

"This study helps to reinforce how important it is to avoid saturated fats, lower sodium intake, and keep our blood glucose levels in check," says eDiets Director of Nutrition Services Pam Ofstein. "Following such a meal plan can help prevent many health problems, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease."

Pam notes that the eDiets Heart Smart plan resembles the DASH diet and includes whole grains, poultry, fish and nuts. All the meals are low in fat and saturated fat but include healthy monounsaturated fat in olive oil and small servings of nuts and avocado.

"These research findings help members of the public see that making small changes over your lifespan can improve your health," Pam says.

Boob Tube: Could You Live Without TV?

noreply@blogger.com (Just don't call me Dor...) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 20:58:00 +0000

By Shawn McKee
eDiets Staff Writer

How much time do you spend watching television? Seriously, think about it. Got a number in mind? An hour per day? Two hours? More?

I inadvertently didn't watch a single minute of TV over this past weekend because I was moving and: A) didn't time to watch; B) didn't have a place to sit and C) didn't have a TV to tune in to. It was the single most productive weekend I've ever had.

But it took this perfect storm of circumstances to keep me away from my regularly scheduled programming. It got me thinking about how much time I waste in front of the tube.

If you answered that you watch 2 hours of TV a day, you're well under the national average. The average American watches more than 4 hours of television a day, according to the global marketing firm AC Nielson.

That adds up to 28 hours per week. Over the course of a year we're talking about 2 full months spent watching the boob tube. By the time you turn 65, you've spent 9 years of your life channel surfing on the couch.

The numbers are staggering. If you're like me, you feel like there's never enough time in the day to get things done, but who knew TV's to blame? I watch a couple of hours at the end of my day, probably 2-3 hours. It's my unwinding time, my turn off my brain time -- decompression time.

But not watching TV for an entire weekend and seeing how it affected my productivity levels was a real wake-up call. Do you think you could give up TV for 48 hours? I dare you to try it.

What would you do with an extra 10, 20 or 30 hours per week? Would you have time to workout? Could you do those home repairs you've been planning? Finish reading the book you started last year? There are a million things on your "to do" list; here's the time to do some of them.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to bring you this emergency movement message. Turn off your TV, get off the couch and go do something fun!

How are you going to spend your extra hours? Let us know how it goes. Good luck!

Shawn McKee graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a BA in Journalism and has written for The Broward and Miami New Times. He misses TV and his couch dearly, but thinks they will understand.

Poll – What’s the Strangest, Craziest or Worst Diet You’ve Been On?

noreply@blogger.com (Just don't call me Dor...) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:18:00 +0000

By Jim Gilbert
eDiets Director of Marketing

It seems to me that many of us have tried some very odd ways to lose weight. And we all have diet horror stories.

Me. I’ve done some stupid things to lose weight. I’ve been struggling with my weight since I stopped playing hockey when I got out of school. Since then, I’ve tried just about every diet under the sun looking for that magic bullet to get my weight off.

While I know that, rationally, no magic diet exists, I’m constantly hearing horror stories. People tell me about all sorts of diets they have done.

Sometimes the conversations go like...

“Oh! OK, I get it now. You mean all I have to do is go to the Amazon Jungle, jump in the river, get covered in blood sucking leeches... and then I lose weight?”

“I got it!”

“You mean I drink three fruit and veggie juice boxes a day... and then I lose weight?”

“Right!”

“So what you do is eat a bowl of rice and a banana 3 times a day... and then you lose weight?”

“I can do that!”

In truth, two of the three diets above I actually did (guess which one I didn’t?).

By far, the worst diet I went on went like this...

“You mean I drink this liquid protein from a bottle that looks like a shampoo bottle... and then I lose weight?” (NOTE to readers: it tasted like shampoo, too!) That one actually landed me in the hospital suffering from dehydration.

Twenty-six years later, what I learned comes down to this (sounds easy right?):

1. Eat less calories than you burn!

2. Exercise!

3. Get your head on straight!

So let’s play a little game. What’s the weirdest, silliest or just plain stupidest diet you have ever done? What’s the craziest diet you’ve heard about? We want to hear your experience.

Go ahead. Share...

Post it below, in the style with “… and then you lose weight?” at the end for bonus points!

Jim

My name is Jim Gilbert and I approve this message!

If Meds Caused Weight Gain, Would You Take Them?

noreply@blogger.com (eDiets) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:41:00 +0000

By Dorian Wagner
eDiets Senior Copy Editor

If you had to choose between your life and your weight, which would you choose? It's a tough question, but one that some people find themselves facing...

A 2004 study in General Hospital Psychiatry showed that 5 percent of patients surveyed would never take medication that caused weight gain… even if it was for a life-threatening condition.

It really made me think. In our world, a huge amount of emphasis is put on how people look -- oftentimes, I think, too much. Because, when it comes down to it, I personally would rather be alive and breathing than thin and dead. But apparently, some people disagree.

The choice seems simple to me, but what do YOU think? If a medication you needed would cause you to gain weight, would you take it? Comment here and share your view.

Chocoholic on a Diet?

noreply@blogger.com (eDiets) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:06:00 +0000

If you love chocolate – and who doesn’t – then you know how over indulging in the sweet treat can wreak havoc on your diet and your waistline. When you get a craving for a quick cocoa fix, you need something sweet to silence your lust for chocolate. Don’t worry, eDiets’ Director of Nutrition Services, Pamela Ofstein, is here to offer advice to your tortured, dark-chocolate soul.

When you’re sweet tooth starts aching for something (anything!) chocolate, you can try these tasty tips for quelling your cravings with sweet snacks that won’t derail your diet. It’s not about giving up the things you love to lose weight; it’s all about making smart choices and managing your cravings for sugary snacks. Pam answers all the tough questions about a treat that used to be considered contraband when weight loss is the goal. Is it possible to keep the sweets and still lose weight? Watch the video to find out.

For more fun and useful tips like this, check out our video partner, IGot2Know.com!

How to Lose Over 100 Pounds

noreply@blogger.com (eDiets) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:30:00 +0000

A lot of us have that one defining moment when we realize that we have to do something about our weight. Maybe it's a picture, an embarrassing situation, chronic health concerns, a comment from a stranger, or worse… a loved one. For Jon, his moment of truth came one day when not one, but all of these circumstances came into play at once.

Jon was disgusted by some recent photos he saw, he was having unexplained pains throughout his body, he was denied individual health insurance because of his weight and comments around the Thanksgiving table from a family member all made him realize that something HAD to be done!

Jon had to face the hard truth: He was only in his 20s and he weighed 335 pounds. Even at a strong 5'11, the extra weight was too much for his body to handle. His eating habits were awful -- the pizza, chips, beer and partying had taken its toll.

That's when he came across an eDiets.com ad on the Internet encouraging him to take a Free Diet Profile. Jon followed the link and explored the eDiets Web site and was encouraged by the idea of having his very own customized fitness program! At that time, the meal plan was a nice bonus, but Jon was most interested in the fitness aspect, to get back to his sporty high school roots! Jon selected the Atkins meal plan and got down to business!

With the first several weeks following the plan, Jon lost quickly (about 4 pounds per week), which provided him with some excellent motivation to start. He advises, "Keep it simple: Some fish or chicken or other lean protein and some veggies or a salad is all you need." Jon goes on to say, "It's so simple. I don't have to think, I don't have to count calories and I only have to worry about carbohydrates. For me, it's just so easy, that's the best thing!"

Even though the customized fitness plan is what initially drew Jon to the site, he says he did not begin to incorporate exercise into his daily routine until very recently. He strength-trains with weights three times each week for about an hour at a time, and does an additional three to four days each week of cardio, for about an hour each time as well. He mixes it up between walking and jogging, using the rowing machine and using fitness DVDs from home.

Jon's also a big believer in the Support Boards within the eDiets online community! When we asked him what tool has helped him be most successful, without hesitation he told us, "the Support Boards!" Jon found instant feedback from other members whenever he had a question, and he says, "They gave me cheers for my accomplishments and support and help on all the dieting questions I had. They helped me through the tough times."

Jon recalls one such time when he had been plateaued for some time. He couldn't figure out what had changed and what was causing the plateau, until he realized that the Support Board he had been most connected to had somewhat dissolved, and he had been without a Support Board home for that time. He said, "STARTING a diet isn't hard, it's staying on it that's hard. I realized that without that support and accountability to help me stay on track, I wasn't losing the weight!" Jon started losing again as soon as he became active with a new Support Board.

It's amazing how Jon's life has changed since dropping 105 lbs with eDiets. "It's really like night and day!" he says. "It's all of the little things that happen every day: the airplane seatbelt not having to be extended as far as it goes or the tray table lying flat in your lap. I don't take up all the room in my driver's seat anymore!" He even says that sometimes needs to get help or advice to find clothes that actually fit these days! He finds it difficult to shop for clothing, naturally still gravitating towards larger, baggier clothes. Of course, a nice side effect of the weight loss is a lot more attention from the ladies… Something that's a nice adjustment to make, no doubt!

Jon's current goals are twofold. First, he'd like to continue to improve his jogging, and get to the point where he can run continuously for an hour. Second, he's focused on continuing his weight loss until he reaches his ultimate goal, which he believes will be around 185-190 pounds.

His biggest challenge, he says? "Football season!" Jon admits this is one of the most difficult times of the year for him. He says with confidence though, "I've learned how to handle going out with friends and being social and still being successful on plan." Jon says it wasn't always easy to learn how to make the right choices, but eDiets and the support of friends, family and fellow dieters has certainly made the difference.

Jon doesn't do it alone, and you don't have to either! Start now with a FREE DIET PROFILE (like Jon did!) and join him and all the other successful losers today!

You may also enjoy these articles:
"Fat and Flubby" to Fashionable, Fit & Fabulous!
Victoria Found Success, Delivered to Her Doorstep!

What’s Your Guiltiest Pleasure?

noreply@blogger.com (eDiets) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:53:00 +0000

Every rose has its thorn,
Just like every night has its dawn.
Just like every cowboy sings his sad, sad song
Every rose has its thorn.

I get home late and the house is dark. No one is home. I lock the doors, throw a pizza in the oven and unfold onto my couch after a long, hard day. I can now indulge in my favorite guilty pleasure. I grab the remote, bang the buttons and my "reality TV" fix begins…

My name is Shawn, and I have a reality TV problem.

I saw Brett "Bandana" Michaels in concert this past weekend after a baseball game. I'm not ashamed to admit I was a big Poison fan back in the day. I am, however, ashamed to admit that I'm also a big Rock of Love fan.

If you're not familiar with the program, then you're probably doing something constructive with your free time. ROL -- as I like to call it -- is one of many shows in the VH1 catalog that brings stars from my childhood into the reality TV arena of today -- well past their expiration dates. The premise is that a dozen or so scantily-clad, booze-friendly women compete to be Brett's lover and rock his world.

Sound silly? A little bit.

Who cares about a 44-year-old rocker's love life? I do (for some strange reason). I'm not proud that I like this seemingly mindless show, but I'm also not alone. According to Brett, the program is the number-one rated show in VH1 history.

I'm not sure how I came to this affinity for watching massively made-up vixens being overly dramatic as they vie for the love of someone long past his prime… and I wonder, "Am I sick? Why am I watching this?"

I guess on some level I watch for the train-wreck aspect of it. Or maybe I just like to turn my brain off after a long day. Then again, maybe I like to watch the show to feel better about myself. Or maybe it's nostalgia? I'm not really sure why I do it, but I do it.

There I am, week in and week out, following the trials and tribulations of these strange characters trying to fall in love on TV. Will it work? Probably not, but I keep tuning in and hoping…

I hear the front door opening and quickly flip the channel to ESPN, so as not to give away my dirty little secret. I follow up my dating-game decadence by eating an entire cheese pizza -- another guilty pleasure.

I know it's not heroin, but watching these shows can't be doing much for my mind and it brings me back to a great question posed by oft-quoted pop culture professor, Robert Thompson:

"Why do smart people watch dumb TV?"

It is a question scholars will ponder for centuries to come…

What's your guiltiest pleasure? Do you find yourself planted on the couch when it's time to escape reality? Do you have a show you're ashamed to tell anyone you watch? It feels good to come clean, so tell us your guilty pleasures!

Shawn McKee graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a BA in Journalism and has written for The Broward and Miami New Times. Please don't tell anyone he watches Rock of Love, it would ruin his street cred.