Posted by admin | Posted in Fitness | Posted on 22-04-2011
Tags: Afternoon Snack, Chat With Friends, Cup Of Tea, Drink More Water, Floss, Glass Of Water, Healthier Eating, Healthy Alternatives, Help Team, Losing Weight, Mid Morning, Nutrition Experts, Plant Compounds, Rich Golds, Sedentary Lifestyle, Single Day, Small Steps, Unhealthy Eating Habits, Weight Loss Nutrition, Whole Grain Cereal
When it comes to losing weight and living healthier, rather than trying overhaul your unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyle in a single day, why not make your resolution one to get healthy in a way that’s less dramatic and far more successful this year? With small, measured steps.
Truth is, you don’t need to make major, life shaking changes all at once to succeed at weight loss. Nutrition experts point out that you’re far more likely to stick to a change if it’s small and manageable. Here are five easy changes that anyone can make (and stick with)…
1) Take small steps to healthier eating – add a piece of fruit to your lunch, choose a day of the week as “no meat” day, or package up your whole grain cereal as a mid morning, or afternoon snack. Focus on choosing healthy alternatives whenever you get the chance.
2) Drink more water – resolve to drink a single cup more water today than yesterday, or add a splash of your favorite beverage to water and you’ll be painlessly on your way to giving your body the fluid it so desperately needs. You might even try drinking water at specific times of day… first thing in the morning, with snacks or at lunch.
3) Look for color in your produce – all those rich golds, reds and purples signal foods that are packed with good-for-you plant compounds. You might try making one day of the week a particular color… yellow Mondays, for example, and eat grapefruit, bananas or corn. Or you might add good-for-you greens to pizza, or commit to trying a new to you fruit or veggie each week.
4) Fight mindless munching – by popping a piece of gum or a sugar-free mint in your mouth instead, brush and floss your teeth after you eat, and try to pay attention to each piece of food you’re putting in your mouth as you watch TV or chat with friends. You can also keep your hands busy with a glass of water, a cup of tea or just picking up after everyone else.
5) Reach out for help – team up with a friend or family member who also has diet/weight loss resolutions and share ideas, fitness plans and (of course) your successes as often as you can. Leave tempting treats at the store and promise instead that you’ll give in to one serving of a treat, only when you’re out, never at home. Avoid food centered events and look for other activities you and friends/loved ones can enjoy – an outing in the park, a hike in the woods or get together at a club for dancing – all places where you’ll tend to be more active and less likely to munch away at the same time.
Remember, slow but steady always wins the race. The body likes leisurely changes when it comes to food and exercise. Crash diets and gruelling workouts won’t serve you well in the long term. What you’re after is to have your body naturally use up those stores of fat.
Beyond our five slow but steady suggestions, you may also want to try and help by adding some additional new year diet resolutions…Get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. Schedule that physical or routine tests you may have been putting off; this helps you keep your body in shape, and gives your doctor the chance to spot (and deal with) any problems before they get too big. And remember, we’ve heard a lot of late about the value of good quality sleep, so be sure that you get enough so that you can recharge and cope more effectively with stress.