3,500

3,500 is the number of calories in one pound. If it is your goal like it is mine to lose one pound a week. Do the math, you will need to decrease the amount of food you eat by 500 calories a day. Now if you couple that with exercise you can burn off some of that 500 calories. Walking and biking at a moderate speed for one hour will burn off 200 to 220 calories. Walking briskly will burn off 300 calories. To be healthy it is best to eat less and exercise moderately.

Buy a book that lists the number of calories in the food that you like to eat and then you will be able to see if these foods are the best choices for you. I have been on so many diets, at one time I could tell you by memory how many calories were in foods because I used to count them. You can kind of tell by instinct what you should and should not eat. If it looks really good and your conscious is saying better not than you probably shouldn't.

Here are some tips:In order to cut down on those calories I find an age old idea is just to simply take less and eat slower. Sounds simple and logical and it is. Why is it so hard?

When having salad your best choices for dressing are never the creamy ones, always chose vinaigrettes, or an Italian. Have your dressing on the side and dip your fork in it and then put on your salad. If you can stand the taste of those low fat dressings I suppose that would be best.Myself I have a strong dislike for them.

Watch those salad toppings. Too much cheese and croûtons can be bad choices.

Remember that a serving of meat should never be bigger than a deck of cards. I am not talking about those huge Old Maid decks ladies just the standard decks.

Watch those liquid calories. I just read that a Long Island Ice Tea has 400 calories!!! Most table wines have only 100 but even those can add up. Water or regular ice tea are better choices. They clock in at zero. A 12 0z can of regular pop has 150. If you are a diet pop person, that isn't always your best choice either. I am going to be doing some research on those artificial sweeteners and I will follow up in another entry.

Confession time!!! We had a very big weekend. We had a graduation party and a wedding on Saturday. I did well with food choices on that day. Sunday we had a family gathering at our daughters. We celebrated Fathers Day, and four birthdays! I didn't do well on Sunday. So much good food, it was hard to tear myself away from the buffet table. Does anyone have a plan to keep under control at a buffet table filled with good food? It so enjoyable to sit around the table with your family and their company and a good meal. I need to find a little less enjoyment in the meal and a little more with family.

I guess what we all need to remember is found in I Corinthians 10:31 Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. It all comes back to taking care of our bodies and making sure that we are bringing glory to God in all that we eat, drink and do. Take care ladies and make it a great week. I am praying for you to be less of a person. Just a little joke.

Looking for tips. If you have any please help me out and put them on the comment line or email them to me

caroline_11469@att.net