How To Gain Weight Or Not

I gained about 7 lbs. about 2 weeks ago after slacking on my use of discipline to maintain my goal weight. It took me 2 weeks to lose it and get back on track.  My metabolism has changed over the years and any extra bit of calories can tip me past my goal.  When I look at brownies I think I gain 5 lbs. right off the bat.  LOL!  Here's my list of what I did that caused me to gain weight.

How To gain weight:

1. Eat several servings of dessert.  Remember just one small cookie can contain 156 calories.  I typically have at least 2-3 when I'm in my "enjoy desserts mode around birthdays and holidays".

2.  Eat salty foods, which can lead to water retention.  Potato chips just aren't my friend, unless I limit myself to 1 serving.

3.  Don't exercise, walk, or get at least 8,000-10,000 steps in daily.  I can usually maintain my weight when I get at least 8,000 steps, even though it's recommended to get 10,000.

4.  Eat over your daily caloric intake.  My food tracker Lose It adjusts my calories based on my weight and goal weight daily.

5.  Indulge in emotional eating.  On these days, there's no tracking and no limits.

6.  Drink lattes daily.  I love vanilla lattes and I declare I gain weight when having them daily for a week, even with soy and low-fat syrup.  Even though lattes are just so dog gone good,  those specialty drinks are full of calories.

7.  Eat take-out 2-3 days or more in a week.  Take out food is more than likely cooked with more salt and fat than you would typically add during a health conscious cooking session.

8. Drink 16 ozs. of water a day instead of 64 ozs.  Water keeps you hydrated and full.

9.  Don't use measuring cups to gather portions for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.  Measuring servings so that I can track portions works for me.

10.  Eat late, which for me it's after 9:00 p.m. The kicker is when I start saying 9:30 is the latest tonight, naw 10:00.

........ Or not gain weight by doing the opposite of everything mentioned above, find healthy foods with flavors that you enjoy, and then.........

Pull hair up into a bun and wear a 2" heel and wallah, you appear 5 lbs. thinner. 

*Maintaining my weight pulled me off of a blood pressure medication and avoided the start of a cholesterol medication.  For that I'm grateful!

What habits do you have that make you gain weight or not?

Hey read some of my previous articles on exercise and weight maintenance by clicking the links below:

My curls and my bike

My New Workout Routine- Ready Roll

How I Lost 12 lbs. in 3 Weeks And Kept It Off

Home Made Veggie Burger