As our bodies move from Winter into Spring we can begin to really feel the need to "shed the winter weight". Whether we actually have weight to lose or not, this is an excellent time of year to give attention to our body's need to feel lighter. Every body is different and, as I always say, therefore not one way of eating serves everyone, but here are three general steps to physically prepare the body to move into spring.
Weight Loss ? Physical Preparation
1. Drink 8-10 glasses of water each day
For those of you who find this difficult because of a dislike for the taste or a schedule that doesn't allow you to be going to the bathroom consistently just keep this in mind: your body wants to let go of any excess weight and toxins that it has been holding over the winter, but it needs help. Just like a plant needs water to grow, so do you. Once you get started, you will begin to crave water. This is how much your body actually needs it.
To start your day, drink a glass of water before you eat. This is probably the easiest glass you will drink all day. Have it right next to your bed if your need to and drink it first thing when you get up; it will help you to remember to drink water all day long. Hey, you could even drink two!
If you really have trouble with taste of water, try using a water purifying pitcher or filter. You can also add a slice of lemon or lime to your water (or even experiment with other fruit such as oranges, cucumbers ? but no sugar or sweetener!)
2. Breakfast
Eat breakfast. Go to bed earlier so that you can get up 20 minutes earlier each morning ? do it. Breakfast is important to your health and to weight control. According to Dr. Barbara Rolls a professor of nutrition at Penn State University, "Your metabolism slows while you sleep, and it doesn't rev back up until you eat again."
Think about easy, high quality choices for the start of your day. You can always keep a couple of hard-boiled eggs in the fridge, a non-sugar yogurt or some high- fiber, low starch fruit around. (If you plan to eat fruit at all during the day, breakfast is the perfect time to do it. It cleanses the body.)
3. Eat at least 3 meals and snacks each day
I know, we are all busy.
Just like eating breakfast will increase your metabolism, so will eating high quality food, more often. (This will also help you curb your simple-carb cravings by taking care to ensure that your snacks are planned and occur regularly throughout the day.)
It does take planning, time at the grocery store and time each morning to make some healthy food choices and prepare a few healthy snacks and meals, but your body will thank you for it.
Just as we must make physical preparations for weight loss, we must take care to mentally prepare as well. There cannot be success in weight management (or anything else for that matter) if the body is doing one thing, but the mind is thinking another.
Weight Loss ? Mental Preparation
Are you taking care of yourself? What is self-care? Self-care is proper relaxation, body movement, maintaining a healthy diet, having fun doing activities you enjoy and spending time with people you love to be with. When you take good care of yourself you feel good, you look better, you enjoy life and are fully present to your whole day - everyday.
Self-care is different than being self-indulgent. It is about balance. Here are some mental preparation tips:
1. Plan something pleasurable for yourself every day (I don't mean a chai latte). Make time for at least one relaxing activity. Set aside 15 ? 20 minutes at the least to spend with yourself: read, mediate, take a walk in nature, get a massage or whatever pleases you.
2. Take time to cultivate relationships. Studies show that having friends and a social network helps reduce stress. Friends offer us opportunities to talk about our feelings and they provide us with feedback. At the same time, don't get involved with trying to solve other peoples' problems. Be supportive and listen, but don't overburden yourself. You are you; they are them.
3. Unplug. Take a day with no radio, TV, cellphone, computer or other electronic equipment. This mental respite will soar your energy and as a result, bump that metabolism.
Heather Dominick is a Holistic Nutrition Counselor accredited by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners and creator of The Energy Rich Lifestyle Program?. In addition to her nutrition services, Heather is a motivating and dynamic speaker, and Founder of Individual Health, based in NYC.
To receive bi-monthly Nutrition and Lifestyle Tips you can (a) subscribe to her free e-Newsletter at http://www.individual-health.net or (b) register for a free teleclass at http:http://www.individual-health.net
Elk Grove (east OF 53) car service from Midway .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare"I'd love to lose weight, but I don't have the... Read More
There are tons of fad diets and weight loss schemes... Read More
You may not like what I have to say, even... Read More
Ah the ever present battle to lose those unwanted pounds.... Read More
Now this is the real American Dream! I'm here to... Read More
As hoards of low-carb proponents invade the nutritional landscape, the... Read More
A new survey has found that heel pain caused by... Read More
Many women want to be slim. Maybe you're one of... Read More
Summer is about to be in full swing, and it's... Read More
If you've been on a low carb diet for any... Read More
As we look around at the current generation of children,... Read More
If you're on a weight loss program you're under constant... Read More
Students today are faced with the serious reality of unwanted... Read More
Gastric bypass patients face a great task in the following... Read More
Unfortunately, obesity is reaching epidemic proportions, with over 60% of... Read More
Diners have become more health-conscious the last few years, and... Read More
Cut the Calories, Bring Out the BikiniSummer's almost here and... Read More
Everybody you know is on the latest weight loss bandwagon:... Read More
Include in your diet things that contain more water like... Read More
With millions of people aiming for successful weight loss, many... Read More
The huge companies stealing your money by promising impossible results... Read More
A healthy pregnancy almost always involves weight gain. But now... Read More
1. Drink plenty of water. Our body needs a lot... Read More
If you are trying to lose weight, the holidays literally... Read More
The Zone Diet as a weight loss program has been... Read More
Green Oaks limo rental ..If you're on a weight loss program you're under constant... Read More
Yep, it is that time of year again! Time to... Read More
Name a diet...any diet. It doesn't work. Try to name... Read More
In this age being ignorant is like committing a crime.... Read More
Here's a letter from my email:Dear Carol,I took your teleclass... Read More
The Dr Atkins Diet has been around for ages, but... Read More
Many people want to lose a few of those annoying... Read More
Do you know someone that is obsessed with the scale?... Read More
Have you noticed since your WLS and return to regular... Read More
It's agreed that if you raise the amount of calories... Read More
If you are looking for a way to lose fifteen... Read More
To see the "low carb" diets on the way out... Read More
Many women want to be slim. Maybe you're one of... Read More
There are tons of fad diets and weight loss schemes... Read More
Well we're at it again, trying to honor our promise... Read More
Fat Burners refer to the hundreds of products on the... Read More
The cost of gastric bypass surgery and other bariatric surgical... Read More
I am so grateful that you're taking steps to take... Read More
Have you ever just felt like you were doing everything... Read More
Did you say there's a way I can eat what... Read More
America's Obesity EpidemicAs the numbers of overweight Americans continue to... Read More
Losing weight and keeping it off is much more than... Read More
Your Non-Conscious Mind is 98% of your full power.Your Inner... Read More
Hot dang! If a few hundred other folks can peddle... Read More
Well, look at you go! You keep moving closer and... Read More
Weight Loss |