Celebrity chef, cook show host, cookbook author, and the owner of a restaurant and bakery, Chef Ree Drummond is a known face on television. She has whipped up uncountable lip-smacking dishes for foodies across the world, some of which are now absolute classics.
She recently took to Instagram to share her learnings from her one-year-long weight loss journey from January last year to February this year, during which, Drummond wrote in her blog, she lost 55 pounds (25 kg).
On Instagram, she talked about what motivated her to start her weight loss journey: “One year ago, on a dark and stormy night, I decided it was time for me to change a few dang habits and try to get healthier. My kid was getting married a few months later, and also…I had no spring to my step and really wanted some. So toward the end of January 2021, I jumped right in.”
Here are some key takeaways from her simple yet effective weight loss approach, minus any specialty foods or diets like keto, paleo, or intermittent fasting.
Starting out strict
Drummond shared she started out her weight loss journey on a strict calorie deficit and workout schedule, which she relaxed after five months. This discipline allowed her the freedom to not count calories of every food item in the later months.
Building a strong foundation of muscles
Drummond said building both the small and large muscles by doing lunges, squats and deadlifts helped her shed weight consistently, even if she went off track for a few days.
Training the body to eat smaller portions
She also weighed her food and counted the calories to eat smaller portions of food — one of the main pillars of weight loss. Drummond wrote that she eats all that she likes, but in lesser portions.
Alcohol in moderation
In an earlier article, we cited Dr Bhuvan Rastogi’s findings which align with Drummond’s approach to alcohol consumption — when had in moderation, alcohol doesn’t lead to weight gain. However, Drummond said she steered clear in the initial stage and when she started having it, she continued to make sure that she doesn’t consume sugary/syrupy drinks.
Moving more regularly
A recent study published in the Obesity Journal said moving more rather than structured exercise can keep the weight off. That’s the approach Drummond took as well. She wrote that she prioritised moving even when her workout routine fell off track due to other priorities. Even if you can’t get an exercise in, move more by walking around the house, taking stairs, or, like Drummond, working on a standing desk.
No banning of foods
Nutritionists have emphasised on the importance of not restricting yourself to the point of failure when it comes to a weight loss-oriented diet. Drummond, too, did the same. While she was stricter during her nascent stage, she gradually allowed herself to have everything in moderation and control while also having high protein foods such as egg whites, chicken, fish, lean beef, plain Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, Swiss cheese, and dark, leafy greens.
weight loss
weight loss
Drummond shared that she now has better understanding of portion control, and doesn’t restrict herself from eating what she craves. (Photo: Pexels)
Being more mindful about consuming wasted calories
Wasted calories, Drummond explained, are sugary soft drinks, cookies, cake, potato chips, doughnuts, etc. She shared the importance of understanding what constitutes the calories — sugary food items or lean protein that will help build muscle. While it’s completely okay to have a doughnut some days, it is also important to be mindful of it.
Perspective change as opposed to lifestyle change
Drummond argued that her weight loss journey consisted of a perspective change on her portion size, exercise, sitting vs standing, and more, but her lifestyle still remains the same. She said after weight loss she feels stronger, motivated, has more energy, is physically and mentally well-balanced, smiles more, and is comfortable to wear clothes she wasn’t before.
“Feeling good bleeds over into all aspects of my life. And that has changed my outlook,” she concluded.
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Weight Loss Tips: Are Green Leafy Vegetables Helpful in Losing Weight? Here’s What we Know
Weight Loss Tips: Are Green Leafy Vegetables Helpful in Losing Weight? Here's What we Know. Picture Credits: Unsplash© KS Swati | India.com Lifestyle Staff Weight Loss Tips: Are Green Leafy Vegetables Helpful in Losing Weight? Here's What we Know. Picture Credits: Unsplash
Green leafy vegetables are rich in fibre and essential nutrients. It includes kale, spinach, lettuce etc. Green leafy vegetables help in keeping a tab on sugar levels, good for heart patients, obesity and other health issues. Losing weight is not easy. It requires a lot of dedication and sincerity. With the right food and regular exercise, you can lose weight easily. Leafy vegetables like kale, spinach and lettuce are usually found in salads. These have a strong connection to losing weight. Along with losing weight, these also help in boosting energy levels.
According to experts, spinach helps in losing weight faster. Spinach has a low-calorie intake and can keep you full for a longer duration time. In a single 3.5 ounce serving of raw spinach, it gives 23 calories only.
Along with this, spinach is also low in carbohydrates. Carbohydrate is a macronutrient that provides energy to the body and is linked with water retention and leads to gaining weight. In a 3.5 ounce serving of spinach, only 3.6 grams of carbs are stored. According to researches, by reducing carb intake, you can also reduce weight.
Spinach helps in keeping the digestive tract clean and provide regular bowel movements as it is rich in fibre. A lot of spinach can lead to side effects like
Risk of thyroid issues
Issues in losing weight
Kidney stones
According to experts, one cup of spinach per day is filled with nutritious benefits and lesser side effects.
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Dad's weight loss after 'split second decision' saves daughter's life
A dad lost over three and a half stone after saving his daughter's life with a "split second decision."
Dave Berry, from Roby, donated his kidney to his daughter, Evelyn, after she was rushed to intensive care at Alder Hey Children's Hospital where she was put on a life support machine.
Dave said Evelyn, 16, was born with a heart condition, so when he realised he was a match for becoming a donor the "decision was already made" in his mind.
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In order to undergo the operation for the transplant, Dave lost around a stone in weight - but that was just the start of his weight loss journey.
Dave lost over three and a half stone in the space of six months© Dave Berry Dave lost over three and a half stone in the space of six months
Dave told the ECHO: "I gave my daughter a kidney in January 2020. I had to lose a bit of weight to have that operation.
"It was a split second decision, I didn't even have to think about it. The decision was already made in my mind.
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"I was a match. I was going to give her one of my kidneys.
"The operation was in the January, we got home in the February, we were still recovering and obviously we went into lockdown."
During lockdown, Dave said he put all of the weight he had lost back on after eating a diet of McDonald's and Greggs breakfasts and pizza and chippy teas.
Tipping the scales at 18st 2lbs at his heaviest, Dave took the plunge and decided to join Slimming World in May 2021.
He said: "I was struggling getting out on my bike because I was too heavy on my bike. I had an expensive bike and I was damaging it.
"I was struggling to put my socks on of a morning as well because my midriff was getting in the way."
In the space of six months of joining Slimming World, Dave managed to lose over three and a half stone, slimming down to 14st 7lbs.
He now wants to help other people with their weight loss journeys by becoming a Slimming World consultant in Wavertree, starting on March 2.
Dave said: "The difference in my health is incredible. I'm three and a half stone lighter so I feel lighter.
"I think with Slimming World it's not like a diet, it's a change of lifestyle. You're not having to measure and count and weigh everything, there's the food optimising.
"I can have as much free food as I like and still lose weight, that appealed to me."
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