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
one time home cleaning Highland Park ..Plan to eat two to three hours and pack health... Read More
Millions of people spend billions of dollars, hoping to achieve... Read More
Do you know someone that is obsessed with the scale?... Read More
Low self-esteem produces a game of control. It causes a... Read More
The Liver The function of your kidneys is to filter... Read More
How do we know what we know? Often, our knowledge... Read More
I have tried many "diets" here in the USA and... Read More
You have noticed your obese friend suddenly slimmer. You want... Read More
Weight loss is a hot topic among college students today,... Read More
REDUCE YOUR WEIGHTNow you are not very far from losing... Read More
Do you tend to find your weight increases when you... Read More
I personal lost 60 pounds in 2003. Here are some... Read More
With so many diets and fads being offered on the... Read More
There's nothing more fun then being creative with food and... Read More
I had 14 weight/health-oriented newsletters in my inbox this morning.... Read More
Remember that movie with Jim Carey, "Dumb and Dumber?" And... Read More
Body Mass Index (BMI)Body Mass Index is an accurate indicator... Read More
Quick weight loss is promised by diets all the time.... Read More
I would like to introduce you to an incredible new... Read More
This is the second article in the series, Weight Loss... Read More
Many individuals these days, male or female, young or old,... Read More
As we look around at the current generation of children,... Read More
As a low carb dieter, you have probably been bombarded... Read More
Hundreds of products on the market today claim to be... Read More
Being over weight is usually being 20 percent or more... Read More
licensed cleaning services Park Ridge ..Body Mass Index (bmi) A Misleading measure of ObesityMany professionals... Read More
I know a lot of people out there would like... Read More
One Reality TV show, The Swan, thrives on makeovers. Often... Read More
Here's a letter from my email:Dear Carol,I took your teleclass... Read More
If winter hibernation tends to pack on the pounds, take... Read More
Dumping syndrome is an effective result of the gastric bypass... Read More
To continue the educational series on your health and fitness... Read More
The math is pretty simple. One pound of fat equals... Read More
Rejuvenation and the Protein Revolution in Your Kitchen?2003 Marilyn DiamondIf... Read More
Infrared Radiant Heat (IRRH) is a form of radiation that... Read More
How do we know what we know? Often, our knowledge... Read More
Quick, what's the first thought that pops into your head... Read More
As of the writing of this article, May 16, 2005,... Read More
We've entered the Twilight Zone when it comes to the... Read More
1. Increase your water intake to at least 1 gallon... Read More
A pound of fat represents approximately 3500 calories of stored... Read More
I remember back in my senior year of high school... Read More
From driving up your blood pressure and cholesterol, to increasing... Read More
Good health is an invaluable bliss and you cannot simply... Read More
Food is not simply fuel to keep you going. Nor... Read More
A frequent question brand-new gastric bypass patients ask is "How... Read More
Diners have become more health-conscious the last few years, and... Read More
"Your Eyes are Bigger Than Your Stomach""Your eyes are bigger... Read More
Getting involved in Weight Loss Program can be intimidating for... Read More
Body temperature is the result of your body generating and... Read More
Weight Loss |