In order to feel good, look good, and be healthy, you have to pay
attention to what you eat. Now that doesn't mean depriving yourself
of the food you love! Just be conscious of what you eat, how much
you eat, and also why you eat and you will be taking a giant step
towards looking and feeling great.
Are you happy with the way you look and how much you weigh? Then
don't read any further. If you feel you need to make changes in
your life, first decide if changing your eating and exercising habits
is really going to make you feel better. I know that I've dieted
and exercised many times, even reaching my ideal weight and fitness
level, to be totally disappointed because I don't feel any different!
I soon go back to my old ways, and the cycle begins all over again.
Ever since I've started putting my life into perspective and finding
the things in life that truly make me happy, I've noticed that my
eating habits have changed. Do you ever reach for a snack when you're
feeling a little down, or even bored? I know I do! I've tried to
replace those kinds of habits with other things that will distract
me for awhile, like going out to work in the garden or reading a
good book, and I've noticed lately that I haven't been eating so
much.
I've tried all kinds of diets, and none of them have ever worked
for me. I'd lose a little weight, and then gain back even more.
Now I have to be honest with you and tell you that I've never had
a serious weight problem, but no one likes it when their clothes
start getting too tight and you have to make the decision to either
buy a bigger clothing size or lose a little weight. As soon as you
start that diet, you are feeling deprived once again. I'm not in
the medical profession, and I don't claim to be able to give anyone
medical advice, but I do know what works for me. So take my advice
with a grain of salt and do what's best for you. I'm sure many people
may disagree with my reasoning, but I assure you that this is what
has worked for me.
If you want to lose weight you have to reduce the amount of calories
you consume. Now that doesn't necessarily mean changing what you
eat, just eating less of it (assuming you normally eat a fairly
well-balanced diet). It's that simple. The good news is that after
you have lost the weight you want to lose, you won't have to restrict
the amount of food you eat as much to keep the weight off. When
you're losing weight, just reduce your calories until you are losing
1-2 pounds a week. After you lose the unwanted pounds, just gradually
add a few calories back until your weight maintains. After you get
used to eating the amount of food that allows your body to maintain
your ideal weight, just continue eating the same way, and you won't
gain the weight back! I promise! If you do start gaining weight
again, it's because you've let some kind of food (a comfort food
perhaps) sneak back into your life once again. If you see yourself
starting to gain again, then just cut back a little. It really does
work. You can't gain 20 pounds overnight. If you take the necessary
steps as soon as you see your weight creeping back, you won't ever
gain that 20 pounds again. If it means that much to you won't let
it happen again.
Most diets don't work because they expect you to eat differently
than the rest of your family. So what happens when you're off the
diet? Of course you're back to eating the way you used to. The key
is to modify your current eating habits to help you lose weight
and maintain it, while also enjoying the same foods your family
eats. Don't deprive yourself. Deprivation is the first step towards
sabotaging yourself and your weight loss plan. Try following these
general guidelines and don't give up!
- Use low-fat substitutes when possible.
- Drink lots of water (I'm still working on this one!)
- Eat only one large meal a day and at least two smaller ones. I
enjoy a large evening meal with my family every day.
- Limit caffeine and Nutrasweet. They can actually stimulate your
appetite.
- Limit sugar when possible. It has a lot of calories, makes you
hungry, and causes mood swings.
- Cut down on the number of snacks you eat, but make sure to enjoy
your favorites, even if fattening, once in awhile (maybe once a
week.)
- Exercise every day. Even if it's just walking to the mail box
or working in the yard. I have found roller blading with my daughter
to be very enjoyable.
Originally
published at Suite
101. Rachel Paxton is
a freelance writer and mom who is the author of What's for Dinner?,
an e-cookbook containing more than 250 quick easy dinner ideas.
For recipes, tips to organize your home, home decorating, crafts,
holiday hints, and more, visitCreative
Homemaking at http://www.creativehomemaking.com.
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