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Rule #1 STOP
CALLING IT A DIET!
It's been said
that the biggest problem with the word diet is the first
three letters. Anytime we feel like we are depriving
ourselves, we set ourselves up for failure. Instead,
consider this an opportunity to try something different;
after all, the way you were doing it wasn't working
RIGHT?
My rule of thumb
to my Personal training clients is always to see opportunity;
it translates into a positive change that brings a positive
result. Saddle bags, love handles, bra overhang, all
areas of opportunity; this also applies to what goes
in your mouth. And that doesn't have to be some foreign
root or mush disguised as Sunday dinner.
Rule #2,
Make it simple. Force feeding is not necessary! Choose
foods you know you'll eat, and don't cook twice. As my mom
would say, don't become a short order cook. If you are cooking
for more than yourself, prepare healthy meals for you and
your family. Find healthier ways to make your favorite meals
healthier. Now that more people making nutrition a priority,
resources for savvy shopping, cooking and tracking healthier
foods are easily accessible.
Calorie King, a web based health
and nutrition tool, claims to help reverse
the continuing unhealthy American trend toward obesity, diabetes
and other undesirable health conditions. The user
friendly database provides nutritional information, healthier
recipe alternatives and several tools for guiding you through
your healthy journey and your hunger.
Speaking of which, a
favorite site of mine is www.hungry-girl.com.
HG as she respectfully calls herself, gives subscribers
the top ate list a rating on favorite foods, and
the clever Chew
on This column which makes note worthy news of
wacky food holidays like hot fudge brownie day. She even gives
you a healthier alternative for the celebration. HG makes
the disclaimer that she's not a nutritionist just a girl who's
hungry. Amen sister!
Rule #3, EAT
MORE. No, you haven't set into some form of deliria as
a result of lower calorie intake. You read this right, EAT!
I use the analogy of a physician prescribing medication for
the flu or respiratory infection. The doctor gives you the
proper dosage to cure your ailment. If you decide that you
will write your own prescription and take your recommended
dosage, you will never get better, in fact, you may get worse.
Food is your prescribed
medication for a healthy body. The more you eat, of the foods
you need, the healthier you are, the better you feel and the
less likelihood of you binging on the foods you don't need.
When you begin to crash diet and eliminate eating all together
as your solution to weight loss, your insulin levels begin
to slide and you start to crave sugar, which eventually starts
the vicious cycle of "yo-yo-ing" all over again.
Rule #4 Stay off the
scale. Most people begin eating properly as a support
to a fitness regimen. More than 75% of the results you will
see will come from what you eat. However, understand that
you are burning more calories, thus your body requires refueling.
As you begin losing fat and toning muscle, the scale can become
your enemy; the muscle you are building weighs more, therefore
the scale may not change for the time being. Do not fret!
Grab a tape measure instead and your favorite pair of jeans.
Use these handy tools to let yourself know that you're doing
well. Even better find a friend that will be honest with you,
help you to keep things in perspective and not let you become
a fanatic. By the way, if you are sticking to your program
at least 80% of the time, by all means go easy on yourself
and treat yourself moderately. Don't go undoing what you've
done in one sitting ie: an entire container of ice cream is
not a treat! Again I say tips & tricks for hungry chicks
is only a click away www.hungry-girl.com
Rule #5 THE GOLDEN
RULE. Be SMART when setting your goals.
- Specific: What
exactly are you trying to achieve? Better heath, weight loss,
body fat percentage, etc.
- Measurable (renamed Moderation) How much? How many?
Is enough?
- Attainable: If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
Set your goals and know what you plan to do to get there.
- Realistic: It is as realistic as you believe it to
be.
- Tangible: Tangible is evidence. We walk by faith and
not by sight but the word tells us that we will be known by
our fruits.
In the meantime, enjoy
life, live boldly and prosperity will find you.
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