If we think we are heavier than we want to be, we naturally are inclined to eat less food, thinking that if we skip a meal or eat less our body will burn off some of it’s fat.
This is not necessarily true. It actually makes it more difficult to lose weight when we reduce our food intake. Our bodies are designed to sustain us, even through starvation. We have a built-in mechanism to help us survive even when confronted with a lack of sustainable food.
Losing weight is not an overnight project. There is no “magic” pill that is going to make us lose weight and keep it off successfully. We must adopt a new mindset with common sense and certain guidlines. Healthy weight loss starts with a new attitude, one which allows us to think in terms of lifestyle eating changes and modifications.
Some of these modifications involve:
1. You guessed it…DRINKING WATER!
I assure you, you are not alone in your reluctance to drink the required amount of water every day (8 8 oz. glasses). I put a slice of lemon in mine to help it go down better.
2. Reduce or eliminate the consumption of Cola’s.
The taste may be enjoyable, but carbonated soda’s contain empty calories, adding pounds to our bodies.
3. Vegetables and Fruits are our friends!!
There cannot be enough said about the advantages of choosing healthy, natural meals consisting of veggies and fruits. Determine which ones you like, then be creative…put cheddar cheese on your apple, or some lemon pepper seasoning on broccoli. There are a lot of ways to spice up these natural foods.
4. Make your favorite recipes with leaner meats.
Chicken, turkey and fish are all lean meats which add less fat and cholesterol to your diet.
5. Make exercise a part of your daily routine.
Losing weight and getting fit does not have to mean a gym membership, buying a weight set or spending hours working out. Select a routine that YOU are comfortable with. Remember, walking is one of the easiest and best exercises for controlling your weight, toning your muscles and strengthening bone. It also helps release endorphins which just make you feel better.
6. Reduce carbohydrate consumption.
Carbs have gotten a bad rap lately, but they are needed for the proper daily requirements. Think quantity when you think about carbohydrates in your daily meal planning. Breads, pasta’s and potatoes all have a place in our diet’s, we just need to think on a smaller serving level.
I hope these ideas will help you in your goal to become healthier!
Darlene Schirmer
I use Strip That Fat to help me plan healthy meals and manage my weight!
