Making the decision to living a healthy lifestyle by reducing your weight is not something to rush by reducing your food intake drastically. It’s not healthy and it’s not something you can sustain for long. It makes you destined to fail and even head back up the yoyo string.
Moderation is our method. Eat less, exercise more is carved in the hieroglyphics of our food pyramid.
TODAY: EAT LESS, EXERCISE MORE.
Dieting by denying yourself the things you really love to eat will get tedious and make it impossible to continue for a long period of time. Reducing portions without eliminating them will be good for the long term lifestyle change that will benefit you most. But you may still find that you are in an eating rut. Do you have a lot of the same foods day after day? Do you eat in the same restaurants over and over? Well take this weekend to make things more interesting. Eat something new or different. Have a meal that you have not had in a while. You’ll find that the enjoyment you get will satisfy you more and give you the fortitude to stick with your diet.
There was even a study that showed that food that you really enjoy is digested better. Even eating in a place with great atmosphere helps. So try something really good, in an enjoyable location. Just eat portions in moderation.
TODAY: EAT SOME NEW AND DIFFERENT FOOD.
We’re creatures of habit. Chances are that you have a daily schedule that is within minutes of being the same every single day. The same wake-up time, meals, relaxation, computer, even sitting in the same place to do it all. Well now you need to add another scheduled time. Schedule a specific time to walk every day. Morning, noon, after dinner, whatever will work for you. Morning is most likely the best because you can adjust your existing schedule for it easier. You also will be less likely to skip it because you are tired, too busy, or just lazy.
Start by walking the neighborhood route I suggested yesterday. Walk that same route every day at the same time, every day for a week. Then alternate with another route for a week. Then the magic happens. Studies show that doing something for 14 days will imprint the action on your brain. You will then do it as your routine and actually miss it if you change it. You will also begin to get a lot of satisfaction out of your dedicated success.
Beginning today, start every day on the right foot.
TODAY: SCHEDULE YOUR WALKING TIME AND WALK THE NEIGHBORHOOD
But take it easy on the high calorie, high carb food. You can have or go to the cookout but have a nice big cool salad to start. (Easy on the dressings.) Fresh veggies are great snacks. It will keep you munching without the consequences. Try some lime with ice water and some Splenda for a great lite drink. Or any number of those Crystal Lite beverage mixes. Go ahead and have a lite beer or two too. Don’t deprive yourself, just don’t overdo it.
TODAY: START THE SUMMER COOKOUT SEASON WITHOUT A LOT OF CALORIES.
Spring has sprung. Now’s the time to get out and take advantage of it. This weekend get out and pick a spot for a garden. Clear the space, turn the soil, get down on your hands and knees and plant some veggies. Salad greens, radishes, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, carrots, eggplant, whatever you feel like or have room for. Taking care of the garden will give you exercise, and eating the veggies will be good for you and your food budget too.
They were once called “victory gardens”. It can be your “diet victory”.
TODAY: START YOUR GARDEN.
You can skip carbs and and still enjoy “spaghetti”. Face it. It’s the meat sauce that you really taste. Skip the gluten and carb filled wheat sticks soaked in water. You won’t miss it at all. I’ve suggested this dish before. It’s one of my favorites. A nice meat sauce ladled over a plate of steamed broccoli is actually much more flavorful and definitely better for you.
No wheat and veggies too. It’s a solid double play.
TODAY: SKIP EATING PROCESSED FLOUR FOODS.
By now, if there’s any left, the Halloween candy at the stores is marked down to about 75% off. I know the temptation is hard to resist and the savings are fantastic, but walk on by the display and congratulate yourself for your control. Besides, all the good stuff is gone now anyway. (How much candy corn does anybody really eat?) The temptation is the real trick of the season that will not treat your waistline well.
TODAY: DON’T BUY BARGAIN CANDY… OR ANY OTHER CANDY!
Daily Nag, Healthy Recipes | Diet Nag | 
July 14, 2010 6:25 am | 
Comments (0) 
Subscribe