Week 10, "H20" Lose 20 Pounds by Halloween Challenge.

I know many of us struggle with soda ..aka.. pop. A majority of us feel the need to drink pop everyday. Due to caffeine withdrawls or something along those lines.. Here are some healthier alternatives that I found while researching.. Feel free to have a discussion about the info below..



Do you always reach for a soda when thirst hits? You may want to consider some alternatives. Not only are regular soft drinks full of empty calories, but studies have linked the consumption of both regular and diet soda to an increased risk for heart disease and diabetes. To broaden your thirst-quenching choices, here are 10 suggestions that will help you kick the soda habit and leave your taste buds satisfied.

Spruce Up Water
Flavored waters have been popping up all over the place, but many still contain sugar or artificial sweeteners. A healthier choice is natural flavoring: Just add slices of your favorite fruits and veggies — lemons, oranges, watermelon, cucumber, mint, or limes — to a pitcher of ice-cold water for a refreshing and flavorful drink. Another great option is to put chopped-up fruit in an ice cube tray, add water, and freeze. Place these colorful fruit cubes in your beverage for instant flavor and color!

Go Natural With Green Tea
Studies of green tea have shown that it may help reduce the risk of several types of cancer, heart disease, hypertension, kidney stones, and possibly even cavities. In addition to this, green tea is calorie-free (if you have it without milk or sugar) and naturally high in antioxidants. You can pick any flavor you enjoy, because green tea is available in many varieties. It can be drunk hot or iced, and if you want a little sweetening, a few drops of honey will serve you well — though most people enjoy it au nature l.

Juice + Seltzer = Jeltzer!
There's no need to purchase sugary sodas or pricey vitamin-enhanced waters, which also pack calories. Mixing 100 percent juice with seltzer yields a tastier, healthier, and less expensive drink. A thick, tart juice, such as cranberry, pomegranate, or grape, makes for a great jeltzer base in addition to supplying health benefits. Studies have shown that cranberry juice might protect against urinary tract infections and kidney stones; pomegranate juice is a great source of vitamins C and B; and grape juice has antioxidants that may help protect your brain and blood vessels. Mix one part juice with three parts seltzer to create this light and bubbly concoction.

Stir in Some Sweet Stevia
Stevia is an herb with a very sweet taste, but it has no carbs or calories. Research has also found it to be beneficial in managing obesity and glucose intolerance. Once banned in the United States because of limited research, stevia is now growing in popularity among holistic and organic food markets as a dietary supplement. It can't as yet be sold as a sweetener, though. Available in powder form, flavored stevia is inexpensive, sweet, and easily dissolves in cold water for a delicious drink that will help you forget about soda.

Tonic and Lime…Minus the Gin
Traditionally used as a mixer for alcoholic drinks, tonic has a distinct taste that makes it such a popular base. But you don't need the alcohol to enjoy tonic — simply add a few slices of lemon or lime (or both) and a sprig of fresh mint for a unique and delicious beverage. Many tonic brands contain high-fructose corn syrup or other sugars, so opt for a diet tonic, if possible.

Red Wine Is Fine
Red wine, when consumed in moderation, has been widely reported to reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease. And research on the benefits of this fermented fruit doesn't stop there — red wine may also lower your risk of a heart attack, Alzheimer's disease, and even cancer. The National Institutes of Health recommends that women limit consumption to one drink per day (4 ounces of wine), and men to two drinks per day, in order to reap the benefits. Look for wine without additives, such as sulfites, which can cause headaches and other allergic reactions.

Drink Your Vegetables!
Vegetable juice offers a quick, low-calorie way to get all the benefits of veggies. It also contains much less natural sugar than fruit juices. But vegetable juice can be high in sodium, so opt for a low-sodium version whenever possible. Better yet, make your own fresh juice easily at home with a juicer. Simply add your favorite veggies, and even a few slices of fruit if you want to sweeten your drink, to the juicer — no chopping required! If you prefer a little kick, add some black pepper and a drop of hot sauce.

Move Over, Milk — Time for Soy
Soy beverages are naturally sweet and are now offered in a variety of flavors, including almond and vanilla. They are a great alternative to milk for those who are lactose intolerant or those who don't consume dairy. Studies on soy's benefits show that soymilk may reduce your risk for heart disease and osteoporosis. Look for low-fat, unsweetened soy beverages to reduce calories while enjoying a healthy, great-tasting beverage! Also, pick soymilk that has been fortified with nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D, especially if you're drinking it as a substitute for milk.

Let Loose With a Tea Infuser
Loose tea is a low-calorie option that allows you to get tea's health benefits and flavor from the actual tea leaf, without any additives. Brewing loose tea in an infuser, a device that holds tea leaves in a mesh chamber that you submerge in water, works wonderfully to bring out the flavor of your tea of choice. Enjoying a hot cup of loose tea — such as white, green, oolong, or black—is a relaxing pleasure that's also great for your health.

Java-licious
More and more evidence is showing that coffee in moderation can be a healthy part of your diet. Without cream or sugar, coffee contains zero fat and only a couple of calories. What's more, coffee drinkers may have a lower risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. And — as if you didn't know it already — coffee's caffeine can help with mental alertness and physical performance, as long as you don't overdo it. Too much caffeine can leave you jittery and anxious, so dietitians generally recommend that you drink no more than three cups a day (depending on the way it's prepared). That said, some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others. Pregnant women and those trying to become pregnant may want to avoid it, though research on this is mixed.

source:http://www.everydayhealth.com

Let me know what you think about the quick research I did.. Do we want more informative posts in the future?

Lately, Ive had a feeling I cant shake and I think I figured what it was..

This morning I got a call from my husband telling me that they found his boss non responsive with blood coming out his nose and mouth. They had to call and ambulance. Hes not doing well. Suffered from a Double stroke and hes no life support.

Ive had a sense that something bad was going to happen but I didnt know what. I thought it was me being depressed because my birthday is around the corner and missing my dad. Or thinking about our baby that we lost 7 years ago.. but after all that has happened.. The feeling has subsided.. Right now I feel so helpless. my husband is extremely upset. hes known his boss since he was born. I hate seeing him like this..

i weighed myself half way thru the day.. I am up to 295 again.. Im not recording it. Just gonna do my end total on the 31st.. Hoping to lose some weight this week.. TOM is around the corner. Thinking of maybe taking some water pills for a couple days again. Maybe it will help out.

Hope everyones week is going well..

So we gotta get this next challenge figured out.. Saturday is creeping up on us.. HELP!

Well, its back to work I go everyone.. Hope you all have a good day.. Husbands boss is still hanging on.. Dunno what for. Probably because they have him on life support. Soo not looking forward to whats to come.. Not good at all!! hope everyones doing good.. I took some water pills today.. I think im retaining water.. Kind a bloated today..

Everyone is doing soo well.. WAY TO GO H20!!!

Bru.. you are right.. No matter how much weight its been weve done soo well.. Thanks for reminding us..

FOUR more days everyone!!! THREE more until the next challenge.. Keep up the hard work.. My week didnt start out the greatest. My nerves were soo horrible yesterday with all that was going on with walts boss.. He passed away at 130 yesterday. His boss dying is what was up with me. I had this feeling that I couldnt seem to shake, but I finally did once I fould out he was in the hospital.. Then yesterday I knew he was going to die and I had a feel he had died.. Because my nerves were horrible up until a couple hours into my shift. Im not feeling as bad.. just sad that he passed away.. he was a GREAT man.. always helped my husband out if we needed help. Kinda stressed about what may happen with walts job..

TEAM H20.. WE HAVE SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF.. in EIGHT weeks we have lost a total of 450 pounds..

We currently have 63 active members.. Which equals to over 7 pounds as an average.. which i know some have lost more and some have lost less.. WAY to go.. EVEN if you didnt hit the 20 pound mark we DO have something to be proud of..

I have the H20 12 Pounds of Christmas challenge up.. although it doesnt start until Saturday..