CheekyChicago

Q: I lost 15 pounds doing Weight Watchers, but with my new job I can’t always make meetings. I’ve heard there are a few good websites that can help like WW. Any that you recommend?

KZ: Congrats on the missing lbs! Trainers, dieticians and friends all agree that programs like Weight Watchers work – because they force accountability with weigh-ins and meetings. But, if your life is too hectic or filled with fab Cheeky events, then making meetings just won’t work.

Weight Watchers has an online version – why not go with a program that’s free?!

I recently caught up with Dr. Ian Smith (you may recognize him from VH-1’s Celebrity Fit Club) and he turned me onto the State Farm 50 Million Pound Challenge.

Dr. Ian started this free program years ago to help people across the country drop pounds for free. When you go to www.50millionpounds.com you’re greeted with a diet journal, fitness tracker and a 30-day meal plan: all for free!

I think this is super cool since Dr. Ian is trusted by so many celebs as a diet guru – his book “The 4-Day Diet” is a New York Times best seller. Hello!?!? That’s, like, a free nutritionist.

While Dr. Ian does believe in de-toxing the body, he’s anti de-tox diets. His meal plan includes “normal” foods – and the best part is that he allows for “cheating.” He stands by eating clean for three days, and enjoying what you want on the fourth day.

Do the math, Cheeky gals… that’s pizza almost twice a week!

Q: With the weather finally nice, I want to skip the gym and play outside. Is it safe to say my softball games and bike rides are burning the same amount of calories as my elliptical sessions?

KZ: Debatable. Let’s say you’re a 130 pound female and you “play” for an hour. Here’s how much you’ll burn: Tennis with mom: 472 calories. Jogging on the lake: 413 calories. Waterskiing at the summer house: 354 cal. Softball with the co-workers: 295 calories. Golfing with dad: 207 calories. Sailing with the cute guy you met at Hub51: 177 calories, which burns the same amount as playing frisbee with your hipster friends from AK. And ladies – cheer up – because an hour of Cheeky dancing (tables optional) will burn you about 266 calories!

My advice is to add outdoor play to regular workouts, but if that’s not possible – get out and enjoy the sun while you burn those calories, the gym will still be around in three months.

KZ’s Bite of the Week: Panés Chicago (3002 N. Sheffield Ave.) – Order the appetizer veggie plate with fresh mozzarella and the hummus appetizer plate. Together, they are an amazing meal that won’t weigh you or your bank down.