SHOCK & AWE

I am trying once again for the zillionth time in my life to lose weight. However, I feel like my life is waaaaayyyy too busy to follow a strict portion measuring, calorie counting, you can eat berries but not mango kind of program. So, I'm trying to work out at my gym and put smart things into my pie hole. This book is so shocking and amazing. You need to go to Target or Borders or Barnes & Noble or wherever and buy it instantly. It takes all the places you eat, the foods you buy and tells you to eat this not that. Example: Did you know that by ordering a 2 scoop hot fudge sundae w/vanilla and chocolate ice cream, whipped cream and a cherry that you will SAVE 130 Calories, 10 grams of fat and 5 grams of sugar than if you ordered a 2 scoop cone of french vanilla and peanut butter n chocolate ice cream? Why on EARTH would I think a sundae would be better? Now, let's keep it real...neither are good for you OR should be consumed on a diet, but every once in awhile, you are going to go get ice cream with your kids, your husband, by yourself in a disguise so the store employees won't recognize you from earlier in the day. So you should know what is BETTER (not best) to order. Another example: did you know a venti strawberry and creme frapucino has as much sugar and calories as 5 Hagan Daz Bars? Did you know P.F. Chang's Pork Lo Mein has 127 grams of fat??? I DID NOT. The fish sandwiches at the fast food chains are worse than the burgers. An entree sized Chinese Chicken Salad at any sit down joint averages 60 grams of fat and more salt than you should have in like 3 days. And get this....at Ruby Tuesday's the TURKEY BURGER has 1,171 calories and 58 grams of fat while the steak, sauteed mushrooms and green beans only has 484 calories and 24 grams of fat. THE TURKEY BURGER IS WORSE THAN A STEAK. And what should you order when you cruise on through the drive through window on the way to work for breakfast? An egg mcmuffin baby. Only 300 calories and 12 grams of fat vs. a multigrain bagel w/LITE cream cheese at 500 calories and 15 grams of fat. I know I know....the world has gone CRAZY. A pessimistic relative of mine scoffed at the book and said...."well, I don't eat out so this doesn't help me." Well, they take you aisle by aisle through the grocery store too. Did you know there were gigantic differences in luncheon meats, yogurts, breads and condiments? Even soups, spaghetti sauces and frozen pepperoni pizzas differ greatly in calories and fat by brand. And the ultimate shocker???? Regular Oscar Meyer Bacon is BETTER FOR YOU than Oscar Meyer Turkey Bacon. For 2 pieces it has the same calories, same grams of fat and the turkey bacon has more salt and additives. Here are the 10 worst foods in America:

• 20. Chicken Selects Breast Strips from McDonald's 5 pieces (830 calories, 55g fat, 48 carbs)
• 19. Jamba Juice Chocolate Moo'd Power Smoothie (900 cal,10g fat, 183 carbs, 166g sugar)
• 18. Pepperidge Farm Chicken Pot Pie (1,020 cal, 64g fat, 86 carbs)
• 17. Ruby Tuesday's Bella Turkey Burger (1,145 cal, 71 g fat, 58 carbs)
• 16. Chipotle Mexican Grilled Chicken Burrito (1,107 cal, 44g fat, 113 carbs, 2,656 sodium)
• 15. Macaroni Grill Double Macaroni n Cheese (1,210 cal, 62 g fat, 3,450 mg sodium)
• 14. Quizno's Chicken Carbonara Sandwich (1,510 cal, 82 g fat, 106 carbs, 3,750 sodium
• 13. On The Border Grande Taco Salad w/ Beef (1,450 cal, 102g fat, 78 carbs, 2,410 sodium)
• 12. Carl's Jr/Hardees Double 6 dollar burger (1520 cal, 111g fat)
• 11. Lonestar T-bone steak (1,540 calories, 124 g fat)
• 10. Bob Evans Caramel Banana Pecan Cream Stacked and Stuffed Hotcakes (If you even would think of ordering this believing it MIGHT not be bad for you, you are in big trouble)
• 9. Chili's Chocolate Chip Paradise Pie w/ice cream (1,600 cal, 78 fat, 215 carbs)
• 8. P.F Chang's Pork Lo Mein (1820 cal, 127 g fat, 95 carbs)
• 7. Chili's Honey Chipotle Crispers w/Chipotle Sauce (2,040 cal, 99g fat, 240 g carbs)
• 6. On the Border Dos XX Fish Tacos w/ Rice&Beans (2100 cal, 130 g fat, 169 carbs, 4,750 g sodium)
• 5. Uno Chicago Grill Chicago Classic Personal Sized Deep Dish Pizza (2,310 cal, 162 g fat, 123 g carbs, 4,470 sodium)
• 4. Macaroni Grill Spaghetti and Meatballs w/Meat Sauce (2430 cal, 128 g fat, 207 carbs, 5,290 sodium)
• 3. On the Border Stacked Border Nachos (2,740 Cal, 166 fat, 191 carbs, 5280 sodium)
• 2. Chili's Awesome Blossom (2710 cal, 203 fat, 194 g carbs, 6, 360 sodium)
• 1. Outback Steakhouse Aussie Cheese Fries w/ Ranch Dressing ( 2,900 calories, 182 g fat, 240 g carbs) If you are a gal trying to lose weight this is 2 days of calories people for an order of fries. Come ON.