Don’t Lose Too Much Too Fast

I know, you’re thinking now that you wish you had that problem. But it really isn’t the way to turn your weight around. If you try to change things too fast, odds are that you will get discouraged and give up. If you just stop eating all together your metabolism will slow down and when you eat (and you WILL eat) the weight comes right back. Let’s get real about how you got this way.  You’ve been eating too much, exercising too little (or not at all) and your mind is telling you that you like the sweets, snacks and the couch. But you have to start changing that NOW.

Don’t start feeling guilty about eating. You’ll just eat to console yourself. You simply have some adjusting to do, and I don’t mean letting your belt out another notch. You need a mental adjustment. You CAN get to a healthy weight. You have to believe that you can. But understand that it won’t happen because of a fad diet. It takes a mental commitment to eat good food in smaller portions and get exercise.  It’s the only way to win the battle of weight loss.

TODAY: WALK AROUND PART OF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. MAKE THAT ONE OF SEVERAL REGULAR WALKING ROUTES TO REPEAT.

Waste Not, Waist Not

At this point in the week we are dropping six or seven bites from each meal. So skip leaving them behind on your plate and simply reduce your portion size. It should be easy to judge that. It’s probably almost half of the portions you have been eating. Share it or save it but know that it won’t end up wasted or on your waist.

TODAY: TRY HALF PORTIONS.

All Those Bites Count Too

I’ve told you before that exercise counts even if it’s in small portions throughout the day. Well food does the same. Don’t fool yourself. A bite of candy here, a few chips there, it still gives you calories that you have to burn. Don’t have those things around and you won’t be tempted. You do want to eat several times a day to keep your metabolism up and burning. Just eat snacks that have high protein, low carbs, high fiber and low calories. Pay attention to what you eat don’t just open your mouth and stick in whatever is handy.

TODAY: AVOID UNNECESSARY CALORIES.

No Bun Burger

Since we’re avoiding fried food this week, you probably are thinking of some grilled burgers. They’re great even without the bun. Unless it’s a great whole grain it actually doesn’t add a whole lot of taste anyway. So the calories and starch don’t get you much. Actually a knife and fork burger with the lettuce, tomato and pickle with ketchup and hot sauce is easier to eat than the same thing on a bun. On the bun a big sandwich like that tends to make us eat faster too. You’re trying not to end up wearing it all. As I’ve told you before you need to slow down to eat less.

TODAY: SKIP THE BURGER BUN.

No Fry Week Starts Today

This week there will be no FRYday. Skip all fried food this week. I know it’s the most tempting and often the easiest thing to find on a menu but it really is not a good diet choice. It’s not just the calories it’s the high heat that maked deep fried foods bad. The coatings are mostly starch; so are potatoes (French fries). When the starches and sugars are browned in oil, they form Advanced Glycation End Products (AGE’s), that are carcinogens. So by skipping fried food this week you will do yourself good in more ways than one.

TODAY: EAT NO FRIED FOOD.

The Nagging Will Begin Again January 4th

There is no sense in trying to start a diet during the holidays. Go ahead, eat and imbibe. Sit around and watch those DVDs you get. I’ll start nagging you the Monday after the new year. THIS is going to be the year to get back in better shape! So I’m going to nag you until you back to a healthy weight. To get ready maybe ease up a little on the calories now so there is less to lose. I’ve heard we average a five pound gain over the holidays! Don’t overdo it or you’ll have that much more to lose to get back to needing to lose weight.

Try Veggie Grilling

Since I was suggesting that you get the grill going, don’t forget that veggies grill well too. Nothing extra is really necessary to have a flavorful low calorie meal. Squash, peppers, mushrooms, green beans, asparagus. Toss them on the fire and they get that great flavor and don’t cook away nutrients either. Corn on the cob isn’t really low calorie, but it’s a great treat. Soak the ears in water and then cut off the silk and put them on the top shelf of the grill. Roll them every five minutes or so and in about 15 minutes it will be done perfectly. Just take it easy on the butter.

TODAY: GRILL VEGGIES FOR DINNER.