I shop at Farmers Markets as much as possible to support the local farmers and small businesses but these markets are not available to everyone across the country. The market for organic products is growing and what used to be a “specialty” area is becoming more mainstream and big stores are stocking more of these products. So, then the question might be about buying the conventional product produced locally vs. buying an organic product from another part of the country or outside the country.

I am not familiar with localharvest.org. Thanks for the link.

Would be curious which is greener, buying organic or buying local (aka sustainable)….?

What is your thought on localharvest? (http://www.localharvest.org/)

Thank you so much for writing. Losing weight is not easy, and you have many things going on in your life that create additional challenges for you. This is a very complex problem and I can make some general recommendations, but I think you would really benefit from consulting with someone who can assess your current nutritional status and eating habits. You can find a Registered Dietitian that specializes in wellness and weight management near you by going to the American Dietetic Association website, http://www.eatright.org, and clicking on “Find a Nutrition Professional” in the upper left corner, or by going to http://www.scandpg.org and clicking on the “Find a SCAN RD” map on the left. A dietitian can help you fine tune your calorie level and balance it with your activity level, and can help you with a meal plan that is individualized for your preferences and lifestyle, yet will still provide the nutrients you need. Alternatively, there are reputable programs such as Weight Watchers and TOPS that provide support and information. There are also some websites that also provide good information. One is http://www.mypyramid.gov which has a wealth of information on healthy eating, as well as interactive tools for meal planning and tracking what you eat. This is one way to see how much you are actually eating, and whether you are meeting your nutrient needs.

Here are some general recommendations for you.

It is always a good idea to check with your doctor before you start a weight loss and/or exercise program. Your doctor can evaluate whether there are medical reasons why losing weight is difficult.

Be patient with yourself. Your baby is only 6 months old, and although you have stopped breastfeeding, your body is still re-adjusting. Try to get enough rest. Adequate sleep will help you in your efforts to lose weight.

You might want to try a good multivitamin with minerals to ensure that you are meeting your needs for these nutrients.

You are eating good foods, but I question if you are getting adequate protein. You should aim for about 1/2 gram of protein per pound of body weight per day. Combining protein and carbohydrate in your snacks and meals will help keep you from getting hungry so quickly. Also, remember that it is important to have some healthy fats in your diet. They help you to feel satisfied, but they also carry some important nutrients as well as flavor. It is also important to enjoy your food.

You might try keeping a food diary. Writing down everything you eat can be a very useful tool when trying to lose weight.

I’m very glad to see that you are eating breakfast. Please keep it up—it is one of the healthiest habits you can cultivate. It doesn’t have to be traditional breakfast foods—left-overs, soup, sandwiches are all perfectly good foods to eat in the morning if you enjoy them more than traditional choices.

You are drinking lots of water, and exercising, and that is great! While you are doing your cardio workout, be sure you are maintaining your heart rate within the aerobic target range. If you are working too hard (or not hard enough) your workout won’t be as effective in promoting weight loss.

One last thought: Try to eat many different foods, especially fruits and vegetables. Food should be fun, and beautiful, and delicious. Eating is an important part of our lives, and should be a source of joy, as well as the source of nutrients our bodies need.

Stephanie, I hope this is helpful for you. I wish you success in your efforts to lose weight and be healthy.

Janis