Go! Go! Gail! Reviews!

Always something there to remind me

If you're a visitor to my kitchen, you'll see things like this plastered all over my pantry and refrigerator door.

They're Nutrisystem success story ads that I've cut out of magazines and newspaper coupon circulars. I like them to hit me in the face before I do something I may regret later. (Yes, that is an ice cream scoop magnet.)

Celebrity photos don't motivate me. Usually they're size 2 rich people who slimmed down to a size zero with the help of a team of chefs, trainers and personal shoppers. They aren't real people living real lives and weighing real weights.

I prefer my inspiration to be real people, so I'm reminding myself that these people lost lots of weight on Nutrisystem and I can, too.

How'd I do this week? The past couple weeks I've been slammed with extra work so the blogging has been slipping by the wayside. But I've been able to come up for air this week. Yesterday I finally stepped on the scale and I liked what I saw. I'm down in the 230s, mere pounds away from pre-baby weight. (Check out my other blog post for the particulars for this week's success.)

But, yay, I feel more back on track.

Want an idea for that fruit allowance? Here's one from my penguin Bandy.

Super simple yet very tasty: Natural applesauce (no sugar added) with a liberal dash of cinnamon.

Would you like to lose weight with Nutrisystem? Visit Nutrisystem.com or call 888-853-4689.

Hooray, me! Hooray, you!

DISCLOSURE: Nutrisystem has provided its food program to me free of charge in exchange for my weekly updates. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed in this post are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Unleash your inner Biggest Loser fangirl (giveaway!)

As you may know (if you're a fan of The Biggest Loser), the show has launched a clothing line -- the BL Body activewear collection, available on HSN. I've written about the line before, but recently I got to check out a couple items.

The weather down here has been unseasonably sweltery but last week the temperature dipped low enough for me to try out the BL Body Color Blocked Hoodie in black with pink accents. The line runs very true to size and you also can feel the shaping technology -- very supportive and flattering. The jacket was long enough to cover the hips and the sleeves have thumb holes in the cuffs to keep your hands warm but able to use a smartphone. (You can fold over the cuff if you don't want to rock that look.) There also are zippered pockets, which are great for stashing your keys when you hit the track for a power walk.

But here's the super cool part -- I'm giving away a jacket (retail value $72.50).

To enter

Leave a comment below, telling me your favorite Biggest Loser contestant of all time. It can be this season or someone from seasons past. Contest deadline is Feb. 28.

When you comment, please make sure there's a way for me to contact you should you be the winner. (The comment system can be a little slow to load, so make sure you're commenting to the IntenseDebate System.) We'll choose one winner at random by pointing blindfolded at the computer screen after being spun around 50 times on the office chair. Don't worry about jacket size -- we'll deal with that after you win.

Extra entries

• Subscribe to Shrinking Sisters.
• Follow Shrinking Sister Gail on Twitter.
• Become a fan of Shrinking Sisters on Facebook.
• Tweet about this giveaway using the phrase Enter to win a Biggest Loser BL Body jacket by Feb. 28 http://goo.gl/UndON 

Disclosure: BL Body provided a sample jacket and will send an additional one for the giveaway. No other compensation was received.

Don't forget to enter our other giveaways this month

You can enter to win a Kobo ereader or a Green Giant gift pack.

A little light reading for the treadmill? (Kobo giveaway!)

We're giving away one doozy of a gift to Shrinking Sisters readers this week -- a Kobo wireless ereader, which retails for $139. Very sleek with a chic quilted back in gray.

The Kobo can fit into nearly any briefcase, handbag or gym bag. And you don't have to be at the mercy of the wrinkled, sweaty pile of old magazines at the gym. It'll also fit into that little spot on the treadmill, elliptical or exercise bike. It comes prefilled with a bunch of classic books -- everything from Jane Austen to Moby Dick.

After you purchase eBooks, Kobo lets you read them on multiple devices (Kobo, desktop apps, iOS, Blackberry and Android). It also has built-in wi-fi, 1GB memory and a slot for an additional SD memory card for even more books. And you can even borrow ebooks from your local library.

I've tried it out and it makes for easy workout reading. There are no virtual pages to "flip" -- all you do is click the button on the lower right of the reader. And it'll keep your place on the reader, even when it's powered off. I just downloaded Janet Jackson's new book, to see how she slimmed down and keeps healthy.

So, how to win this hot little number?

To enter

Leave a comment below, telling me your favorite thing to read while exercising. Contest deadline is Feb. 28. When you comment, please make sure there's a way for me to contact you should you be the winner. (The comment system can be a little slow to load, so make sure you're commenting to the IntenseDebate System.) We'll choose one winner at random by pointing blindfolded at the computer screen after being spun around 50 times on the office chair.

Extra entries

• Subscribe to Shrinking Sisters.
• Follow Shrinking Sister Gail on Twitter.
• Become a fan of Shrinking Sisters on Facebook.
• Tweet about this giveaway using the phrase Enter to win a Kobo ereader by Feb. 28 http://goo.gl/I0VGL 
  

Disclosure: Kobo provided a sample ereader and additional one for the giveaway.

 

Shrinking Sisters checks out Green Giant boxed veggies (giveaway!)

So you're trying to lose weight and you're assuming that plain, flavorless vegetables will be your lot in life for the time being.

Not necessarily. Green Giant has more than two dozen varieties of its boxed frozen vegetables, and its Broccoli & Cheese Sauce is only 60 calories (2PointsPlus) per serving. A serving of it over a baked potato would make a great quick lunch.

Or you can do what Hungry Girl Lisa Lillien does and make a great broccoli-cheese soup with it. Her original recipe uses the Just for One! size veggies, but I doubled the recipe with the regular box of vegetables.

All it uses is a package of Green Giant Broccoli & Cheese Sauce, 1 cup light (plain) soymilk, 2 wedges Laughing Cow Light Original Swiss cheese, chopped into pieces, and salt and pepper, to taste. All you do is cook the vegetables and put them into a blender with the other ingredients -- voila!

"Like" Green Giant on Facebook or follow the Jolly Green Giant on Twitter for more information and recipe ideas, or visit greengiant.com.

And now, the giveaway

Shrinking Sisters is dishing up a Green Giant prize pack that includes a coupon for one box of Green Giant vegetables, an insulated tote bag, groovy green silicone spoon, serving bowl and a pedometer.

To enter

Leave a comment below, telling me how you're fitting more vegetables into your diet. Contest deadline is Feb. 28March 8. When you comment, please make sure there's a way for me to contact you should you be the winner. (The comment system can be a little slow to load, so make sure you're commenting to the IntenseDebate System.) We'll choose one winner at random by pointing blindfolded at the computer screen after being spun around 50 times on the office chair.

Extra entries

• Subscribe to Shrinking Sisters.
• Follow Shrinking Sister Gail on Twitter.
• Become a fan of Shrinking Sisters on Facebook.
• Tweet about this giveaway using the phrase Enter to win a Green Giant Prize Pack Giveaway by Feb. 28 http://goo.gl/xraGx #myblogspark

Disclosure: Green Giant provided a sample prize pack and information through MyBlogSpark. No other compensation was received.

It's time for the Publix Italian Days Sweepstakes

Publix is my go-to grocery store, and it's not just because it's the closest to my home. Its longtime slogan has been "Where shopping is a pleasure" and I agree.

When I lived in California, I missed Publix. When I lived in Delaware I missed it, too. They bag your groceries for you and then help you load them into your car. Who else does that anymore?

It's time for Italian Days at Publix. From Feb. 17  through March 2, visit your local Publix to take advantage of savings on General Mills brands such as Progresso, Green Giant, Pillsbury, Muir Glen and Totino’s, and save $5 when you purchase 20 participating products.

You can also enter the Publix Italian Days Sweepstakes, sponsored by General Mills, for a chance to win one of four grand prizes of $10,000 worth of free groceries or one of 200 $100 Publix gift cards.

There are three ways to enter for a chance to win the sweepstakes:

1. Click: Stay up to date with the latest General Mills promotions happening at Publix by visiting ClickCallMail.com. Once you’re registered and logged in, you can participate in any current promotions. You also can download coupons from General Mills brands.


2. Call: If you’d prefer to enter the sweepstakes and participate in other promotions via telephone, feel free to call the General Mills/Publix hotline, at 1.800.627.6059, and be sure to say that you want to enter the Publix Italian Days Sweepstakes. Please be sure to provide your complete contact information (Full name/address/zip code/phone #).


3. Mail: If you prefer to participate via mail-in entry, print and mail your complete contact information (Full Name/address/zip code/phone #) to P.O. Box 43425 Atlanta, GA 30336 and be sure to write “Publix Italian Days Sweepstakes” on the outside of the envelope.

Disclosure: General Mills gave me a Publix gift card as part of the MyBlogSpark program.

Eating like a football player

I have finally broken the 20lb barrier in my weight loss journey on Nutrisystem foods. I haven't increased my activity and I've never been hungry while dining on the plan's foods.

I have previously mentioned how easy and convenient being on Nutrisystem has been. That goes without saying. The food, fantastic. The weight leaving steadily. I've always preached, "slow and steady" -- "I didn't gain 100lbs overnight, I won't lose 100lbs overnight."

and then I met the new Athletic Director at the school I work at.   Former NFL football player, Jeff Dellenbach, who was recently featured on our local news, about former football players dying from complications of obesity after leaving the gridiron.

View more videos at: http://www.nbcmiami.com.

I spoke to Coach Dellenbach the day after the piece aired, always interested in how people are successful on their weight loss journey. I asked him how he lost his weight (over 100lbs).  Eating 6 small meals or protein shakes a day, he dropped his weight in 5 months... which makes me crazy that boys can lose weight so much faster than girls. But aside from that, he inspired me to keep on keeping on with my Nutrisystem plan.  My convo with Coach happened to coincide with the day that I finally broke that 20lb mark.

And with that success, will come more success. I'm tweaking my Nutrisystem eating, by eating, like Coach Dellenbach, small meals throughout my day.  Instead of eating my yogurt (dairy serving) WITH my breakfast entree, I'll space the two apart.  I'll eat my salad after I eat my lunch entree...  I'll mix things up and see what happens.  I tried it today and I felt great -- no dip in my energy level, no feeling "stuffed" after lunch...

I'll let you know how things go -- here's another clip from my Coach...

View more videos at: http://www.nbcmiami.com.

DISCLOSURE:  Nutrisystem has provided their food program to me free of charge in exchange for my weekly updates. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed in this post are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Non-scale victory over the ice cream monster

I haven't weighed myself this week because, frankly, I don't feel like it. Instead, I've been focusing on fixing things that are broken in my relationship with food. And the past couple weeks I've had a HUGE NSV -- Non-Scale Victory.

Two -- count 'em two -- pints of superpremium chocolate ice cream have come and gone into our house without me jamming a spoon into either one.

People, that is huge -- I'll frequently tunnel through a fudge ribbon or extract brownie chunks or scrape the melty stuff around the edges until an ice cream island forms in the middle of the carton.

But not this time. My kid got to enjoy nearly two weeks of uninterrupted ice cream without me making it disappear prematurely.

I have my own stash of after-dinner Nutrisystem ice cream bars, sandwiches and sundaes, or candy bars, cakes and cookies to satisfy my dessert desires. Knowing that I can have a caramel sundae or a peppermint cookie patty (at left) keeps me away from his stuff.

And I don't snarf those treats down. I slowly savor them because it's a portion-controlled finite amount of food, unlike that bottomless pint of ice cream.

Could it be that I have finally tamed the ice cream monster? That'd be major.

So, back to the scale. I tend to place far too much self worth on what the number says. Here's the thing -- my jeans are feeling looser and I'm feeling more in control in the evenings. Right at this moment, that is more important than what the scale says. But I'll check this coming Sunday just to see.

DISCLOSURE: Nutrisystem has provided its food program to me free of charge in exchange for my weekly updates. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed in this post are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.