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Chicago is staying fit this weekend

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If you’re in a Chicago this weekend, it’s a good time to pull out your running shoes and gym clothes.

Tomorrow is Chicago’s fifth annual Chicago Moves Day. The event is sponsored by the Mayor’s Fitness Council, and dedicates an afternoon to encouraging Chicagoans to live a healthy lifestyle.Chicago Moves Day

At the event you’ll find area fitness trainers, fitness classes for all ages, health screenings and more, or start the day with a 5k Run. The two-hour event is broken into 10 minute exercise segments, with classes like Firefighters workout with the Chicago Fire Department, Arthritis Exercise Class from the Arthritis Foundation and a Kids Cardio Kickbox.

Then, Saturday you can attend the final Self Magazine Workout in the Park. The event is similar to the one that took place in Central Park last week, just without the special appearance by Jillian (see our coverage). The cost is $25 at Lincoln Park, Grove 8, from 11am-3pm.

self magazine in the park

Whether you’re in Chicago or not, the 30 minutes of activity, 5 days a week that the Mayor’s Fitness Council recommends is an ideal way to incorporate more physical activity into your daily life. Ride a bike, take the stairs, walk the dog or swim laps- it all counts!



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Food Find: Stacy’s Pita Chips

I told you’d there would be new things happening at Diets In Review. One of which will be a new segment in the Diet Blog called “Food Finds”. These will be healthy alternatives to some of the foods we love and crave. I’ll only post them if I’ve tried them myself and they promise to be something I will eat again. I mean, if you can convince a picky eater like me to dig in to something new, you’ve probably got a winner.stacys pita chips

First up, Stacy’s Pita Chips. I’m not lying when I tell you chips are possibly my biggest vice. Nacho cheese, BBQ, plain - you name it, I can polish off a bag without even thinking twice. So I’ve been on a mission to replace these chips, or rather, that crunch that accompanies my sandwiches.

I found Stacy’s Pita Chips and I think this is where I’m going to stay. The calories and fat are both lower than regular chips, and they have more fiber. I won’t lie, not the impressive amount I’d hoped for. They also have 3 Weight Watchers Points per serving, for those of you counting.

I tried the Naked with Sea Salt and the Cinnamon Sugar. They are fantastic, super crunchy, delicious flavor and they go well with my sandwich. These pita chips are baked and proudly boast that they are all-natural.

Finishing off a whole bag still won’t do me any favors, but I can satisfy my need for crunch and not feel so bad about it.

stacys pita chips nutrition facts

Nutrition Facts from CalorieKing.com.



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Win an autographed copy of Jorge Cruise’s 12 Second Sequence

We want to share your hard work and success with everyone! Send your weight loss success story in 500 words or less along with your before and after pictures to be entered to win a signed copy of Jorge Cruise’s 12 Second Sequence.jorge cruise

We’re creating a space on DietsInReview.com to celebrate your successes, and soon you’ll find your photos and stories there. The winner will be announced in newsletter #5, June 10.

Email your success story and photos to contest@dietsinreview.com to be eligible to win!

By submitting your story and photos you are authorizing their use on DietsInReview.com.



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What’s New at DietsInReview.com

Check out this brief message from our Senior Editor about the new additions to DietsInReview.com.



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Welcome Matt! DietsInReview.com Fitness Expert

I’m really pleased to introduce you to Matt Johnson, the new resident fitness expert at DietsInReview.com. Matt joins us with a wealth of experience as a fitness professional and we’re excited about the contribution he’ll make to the site.

fitness trainerHe has been a personal trainer for six years and continues to do so. Matt has a B.S. in Exercise Science from Wichita State University, where he is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science. He is the Director of Personal Training for Genesis Health Club in Wichita and is a Certified Personal Trainer with NASM (the National Academy of Sports Medicine).

Each week, check out the Diet Blog on Monday, Wednesday and Friday to find Matt’s latest post about fitness and exercise. You’ll also find tips from Matt in the DietsInReview Newsletter. It promises to be information you can use. Also, we invite you to send Matt your questions related to fitness and exercise.

Welcome, Matt!



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Jenny Craig on the Today Show

All this week, the Today Show will be looking at some of the most popular diet programs on the market.  Each day they will highlight one, featuring a woman who has followed the weight loss plan for three months. Matt quoted a daunting statistic, 66% of American adults are overweight. It’s not a number that should surprise anyone, but make the lingering “obesity epidemic” that much more real. jenny craig

This morning, all eyes were on Jenny Craig, and the newest recruit Lisa Abbott. Lisa said she’s been struggling with her weight for more than 12 years. She gave birth to twins, life got busy, like many American women and moms, her weight took a back seat to everything else. She said that this time, she was ready to feel healthy and ready to be a positive role model for her daughters.

Lisa followed Jenny Craig for the past three months- documenting the entire experience for the Today Show. Her starting weight was 181 pounds, and on the show this morning she had lost 18 pounds, currently 163.

The Jenny Craig program in the past few years has been made very popular by stars like Kirstie Alley, Valerie Bertinelli and now Queen Latifah. Just like these divas of weight loss, Lisa Abbott also stuck exclusively to the Jenny Cuisine frozen meals. Three meals a day, perfectly portion controlled, supplemented with fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and a total daily caloric intake of 1200 calories.

Lisa admitted to being hungry in the first few weeks, as the calories were far below her usual. She said in time, that went away. Her stomach is now much smaller and even if she wanted to eat a larger portion, she said she just can’t do it. She expressed her surprise at how good the Jenny Craig meals were, saying they were “very good and very tasty.”

In addition to the Jenny Craig diet, Lisa has a consistent exercise regimen, working out at 24 hour Fitness (also known as the Biggest Loser gym).

Tomorrow, tune in to the Today Show as they follow one woman on Weight Watchers, the 40+ year weight loss giant.

For more information, read our reviews for Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers.



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Jillian Michaels in Central Park

If you plan on being near Central Park tomorrow, then swing by to see Jillian Michaels at the Self Magazine Workout in the Park event. It’s the 15th year for this fitness event - where you can spend four hours in the park working out and learning more about staying fit through inspiring sessions like:

- BLT- Butt, Legs and Thighs

- Latino Grooves- A salsa and mambo-inspired dance workout

- Third Eye Yoga- A traditional yoga session while you’re blindfolded

- Cardio Tai Box- A tough tai-bo boxing class for some serious cardio

Self’s Workout in the Park, featuring Biggest Loser’s Jillian Michaels, is tomorrow- so don’t miss it if you can.

Saturday, May 10
11am - 3 pm
Central Park, Rumsey Playfield at the 72nd & 5th entrance
Cost is $25, you’ll receive a one-year subscription to Self, and 100% benefits Susan G. Komen



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Low Carb Breakfast in Bed

Don’t forget to pamper mom on Sunday! Start Mother’s Day with these delicious low-carb waffles with homemade low-carb syrup. They’re super easy to make and taste fantastic- and you won’t jeopardize all the hard work she’s put into her diet.

Low Carb Waffles

Ingredients

  • 4 large eggs, separated
  • 4 Tbs. butter
  • 1/4 cup oat flour
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp. salt

Instructions

1. Beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until they form soft peaks
2. Set aside
3. In another bowl, cream the butter until fluffy and beat in the egg yolks one at a time
4. Add the oat flour and sour cream and mix well
5. Add a little water, if needed, to reach desired consistency
6. Stir in the vanilla and salt
7. Fold in the egg whites
8. Bake in a preheated waffle iron
9. Serve with blackberry syrup, maple butter or low carb maple syrup



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Healthy Recipes for Cinco de Mayo

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Do yourself a favor- don’t sit back and watch everyone else have all the fun today just because you’re on a diet. Be sure to make a healthier choice than babysitting the queso bowl or going for thirds on fried tacos and sopapillas. Try one of the many recipes that offer lower calories, fat, carbs and even Weight Watchers Points for many Mexican food favorites.

These are the top Cinco de Mayo recipe picks at DietsInReview.com.

Low-Carb and Weight Watchers Margaritas

Margarita Chicken - with 3 Weight Watchers Points, 1g Carbs, 1g Fat, and 128 calories

Chicken and Red Chili Tamales - No guilt here, just 2 Weight Watchers Points, 9g Protein, low calories and low fat.

Fajita Breakfast Burritos - Only 5g of Carbs!

breakfast burrito

Ingredients

  • 2 tsp. each vinegar and soy sauce
  • Cubed cooked chicken or turkey sausage
  • 1/8 cup onion, diced
  • 1/4 cup green pepper, cut into strips
  • Dash of cumin and garlic powder
  • 1/8 cup light cream
  • 1/4 cup cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 2 Tbs. salsa

Instructions

1. In skillet, heat vinegar and soy sauce
2. Add chicken, onions and green peppers
3. Season to taste with cumin and garlic powder
4. Let cook for 3-4 minutes
5. Combine eggs and cream
6. In another skillet, cook half of egg mixture
7. Tilt pan to distribute evenly across pan
8. Let one side set and carefully turn over
9. Repeat with remaining egg mixture
10. Divide ingredients between both egg “tortillas”
11. Top with sour cream and salsa



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Low-Carb and Weight Watchers Margaritas

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo without crashing your diet. No fiesta is complete without an icy cold margarita, and these two recipes will give everyone a reason to say cheers! You can serve this low-carb or Weight Watchers margarita alongside any of our delicious Mexican recipes with a healthier spin.

low carb margarita recipeLow-Carb Margarita
This classic margarita has less than 2.5 grams of carbs.

Ingredients

  • 1 jigger (1.5 oz) tequila
  • 2 Tbs. (1 oz) lime juice - fresh or bottled
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 tsp. orange extract
  • 1 Tbs. artificial sweetener (i.e. a liquid, carb-free brand)
  • Ice - small handful
  • Margarita salt or kosher salt

Instructions

  • Wet the rim of the glass and dip into a small plate of salt.
  • Combine all ingredients
  • You can either serve it over ice, strained into the glass, or blended in a blender

weight watchers margaritaWeight Watchers Raspberry Margarita

A refreshing twist on this Mexican cocktail has only 4 Weight Watchers Points.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sorbet, margarita- or lime-flavored
  • 3/4 cup seltzer, lemon-lime
  • 1/3 cups raspberries
  • Shot of tequila

Instructions

  • In a blender, combine all the ingredients
  • Puree until smooth
  • Pour into a tall, chilled glass