Food! You've decided to go on a diet, and now the only thing you
can think about is FOOD! "I'm not going to think about food!" This, of
course, only makes you think even more about food. Let's consider some
ways to help get control of what you eat and why food sometimes seems to
take control of your best weight-loss intentions.
1. Food is essential. We must eat not only in order to survive, but to maintain health and stamina.
Food is energy for you emotionally, mentally, and physically. Eat at timely intervals throughout the day, but focus on healthy choices instead of eating junk. Eating several smaller meals each day will help to burn calories more efficiently. Avoid skipping meals-that only makes you want to consume more when you do eat!
2. Find a balance between all of the demands in your life. You may be juggling work, kids, sports, music lessons, and all sorts of other things along with making dinner. Leave work worries at work.
They will wait for you, and stress often makes one want to munch on something! Set aside a little time to plan and to prepare healthy meals. The whole family will benefit. If you have children, involve them in meal-planning and preparation. They can learn some valuable lessons about healthy choices and how good nutrition benefits them in school, sports, or any other activities in which they may participate.
3. Use smaller plates so that the portions look larger. Eat slowly and chew thoroughly so that you become satisfied without stuffing yourself. Sit down to eat instead of grabbing food on the go. If you have children, please be careful what you teach them about food. Whoever made the "rule" that you must clean up your plate because of the starving children in China or India or whatever country they chose to mention was not thinking clearly! Yes, kids should learn early on to take only what they think they can eat. They can understand that they may have more ham AFTER they eat the beans already on their plate and only if they are still hungry. And please don't clean up the kid's plate by eating whatever they left! If it cannot be saved for them to finish at another meal, throw it out (don't give it to the dog, either, please). Overeating does not help anyone.
4. Take a brown bag lunch to work. Not only can you save money, but you can pack nutritious choices instead of munching on stuff you get from the snack machine. If there is a refrigerator and a microwave at work, you can bring any variety of delicious and healthy leftovers that need to warmed up. Fresh fruit and veggies make great snacks for breaks, as do low-fat yogurts. Fresh fruit is also an excellent dessert choice. If you don't work, or if you work from home, try taking your lunch to the backyard or to a local park. Make mealtime fun and adventurous.
5. Get your exercise. Walking is great for fitness, and it can be done in a variety of ways. Maybe someone at work would like to take a walk with you during part of your lunch break. A brisk walk in the morning before work or before beginning you day's activities of any kind can be quite invigorating. No time in the morning? Try a walk in the evening. Be careful of the time you choose if the weather is hot or really cold to prevent heat exhaustion or hypothermia. Some folks like to walk at the local mall-just don't keep stopping to shop! If you have kids, perhaps you would like to encourage them to walk with you and see the wonders of nature. Take your dog on longer walks-three times around the block instead of just one or down a neighborhood path instead of just to the corner and back. He or she will love it, and both of you will benefit greatly.
Yes, weight loss and fitness are worthy goals that many of us want to achieve. Choose food that you enjoy and that is healthy for you. Choose exercise that you enjoy; otherwise, your exercise program will be short-lived. Please remember to take time for yourself among your busy schedule.
Most importantly, please remember that each person is different. People come in all sizes and shapes.
Some are pear-shaped while others are apple-shaped or hourglass-shaped. Your own shape is an important part of who you are. Embrace the shape that is yours and enjoy being the special individual that only you can be. Life will be a whole lot more fun!
1. Food is essential. We must eat not only in order to survive, but to maintain health and stamina.
Food is energy for you emotionally, mentally, and physically. Eat at timely intervals throughout the day, but focus on healthy choices instead of eating junk. Eating several smaller meals each day will help to burn calories more efficiently. Avoid skipping meals-that only makes you want to consume more when you do eat!
2. Find a balance between all of the demands in your life. You may be juggling work, kids, sports, music lessons, and all sorts of other things along with making dinner. Leave work worries at work.
They will wait for you, and stress often makes one want to munch on something! Set aside a little time to plan and to prepare healthy meals. The whole family will benefit. If you have children, involve them in meal-planning and preparation. They can learn some valuable lessons about healthy choices and how good nutrition benefits them in school, sports, or any other activities in which they may participate.
3. Use smaller plates so that the portions look larger. Eat slowly and chew thoroughly so that you become satisfied without stuffing yourself. Sit down to eat instead of grabbing food on the go. If you have children, please be careful what you teach them about food. Whoever made the "rule" that you must clean up your plate because of the starving children in China or India or whatever country they chose to mention was not thinking clearly! Yes, kids should learn early on to take only what they think they can eat. They can understand that they may have more ham AFTER they eat the beans already on their plate and only if they are still hungry. And please don't clean up the kid's plate by eating whatever they left! If it cannot be saved for them to finish at another meal, throw it out (don't give it to the dog, either, please). Overeating does not help anyone.
4. Take a brown bag lunch to work. Not only can you save money, but you can pack nutritious choices instead of munching on stuff you get from the snack machine. If there is a refrigerator and a microwave at work, you can bring any variety of delicious and healthy leftovers that need to warmed up. Fresh fruit and veggies make great snacks for breaks, as do low-fat yogurts. Fresh fruit is also an excellent dessert choice. If you don't work, or if you work from home, try taking your lunch to the backyard or to a local park. Make mealtime fun and adventurous.
5. Get your exercise. Walking is great for fitness, and it can be done in a variety of ways. Maybe someone at work would like to take a walk with you during part of your lunch break. A brisk walk in the morning before work or before beginning you day's activities of any kind can be quite invigorating. No time in the morning? Try a walk in the evening. Be careful of the time you choose if the weather is hot or really cold to prevent heat exhaustion or hypothermia. Some folks like to walk at the local mall-just don't keep stopping to shop! If you have kids, perhaps you would like to encourage them to walk with you and see the wonders of nature. Take your dog on longer walks-three times around the block instead of just one or down a neighborhood path instead of just to the corner and back. He or she will love it, and both of you will benefit greatly.
Yes, weight loss and fitness are worthy goals that many of us want to achieve. Choose food that you enjoy and that is healthy for you. Choose exercise that you enjoy; otherwise, your exercise program will be short-lived. Please remember to take time for yourself among your busy schedule.
Most importantly, please remember that each person is different. People come in all sizes and shapes.
Some are pear-shaped while others are apple-shaped or hourglass-shaped. Your own shape is an important part of who you are. Embrace the shape that is yours and enjoy being the special individual that only you can be. Life will be a whole lot more fun!
I hope that you enjoyed this article. If you would like more
information about foods and cooking to lose weight and build muscle,
please go to [http://www.eat4muscle.net].
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Mary_Simpson/174668
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