Dieting: Now take note now that I do in no way am I fit to give medical, dietary or fitness advice, but with it being January and the New Year, everyone wants to shed a couple pounds. These are just some of the things I have found that work out.
My 3 E's
- Exercise: We all dread the idea of having to squeeze into spandex shorts each day and roll into the gym. When you get to the gym you may get discouraged because others around might appear to be in better shape than yourself. Do not let this get you down. The gym is a place where a variety of people can go to get in shape and stay in shape alike. But if it is really something you are uncomfortable doing, the start off doing some work outs within your home.Some of the things I would recommend to make it fun and easy are
- Dance for an thirty minutes to an hour a day: do this in the morning, middle of the day or at night, not only will it give you the necessary cardio boost we all need to stay healthy, but it is fun!
- Sit on a yoga ball while folding laundry: this simple idea helps to strengthen your core muscles and correct your posture.
- Clean the house: No this is not always fun but blast some music and clean everything top to bottom.
- In the spring and summer don't pass up the chance to mow the lawn.
- For more easy things to do without going to the gym, click this link http://healthmad.com/fitness/10-natural-cheats-to-burn-calories-no-gym-required/
- Eating: No one really wants to give up the late night bowl of ice cream, the peanut butter sandwich, or the bag of chips you can down in one sitting. So don't! Moderation is key in anything.
- Cutting out calories can be easy as long as you give yourself limits. Make sure that before you make any serious changes to your diet you consult with your physician and see what he or she suggests as an appropriate caloric intake for you personally.
- Follow the food pyramid: http://www.mypyramid.gov/pyramid/index.html
- portion control is important, they are put on the back of food packaging by law for a reason.
- Drink 8 full glasses of water a day: When you drink more liquid your body is more able to burn calories than when you are dehydrated. This will also help you to feel more full.
- Do not cut out carbs just eat the right kind. Cutting carbs completely from one diet can very easily lead to a carbohydrate binge later on.
- Put down the candy bar and have a piece of fruit instead.
- Eat your dairy! (ice cream is not included as a daily serving of dairy, it goes under fats and oils)
- Establishing: Make sure that when you say you are going to do better, you establish a time when you are going to do it.
- Set a timeline: "I would like to lose 5 pounds in three weeks" is an example.
- Select a time of day: Whether it is 6:00 am that you are pumping the iron or 12:00 noon, set your body on a schedule that fits your daily life.
- BE REASONABLE!! You are not going to lose 30 pounds in a month! It just is not healthy, set your goals small and make them attainable. Do not just throw yourself into an unfamiliar routine, you are more likely to give up.
- Do things as a family or friends: Whether it is learning to cook healthier or going for a stroll around the neighborhood, having a support group always makes things easier.
If you are looking to lose weight for swimsuit season, start getting fit now so you have yourself a routine down by then. Go shopping over the spring break times for a few new clothing items to spruce up your wardrobe as a reward for your achievements.
Recipe: My younger sister gave me this recipe, I am not so sure where she got it from but it is a delicious low fat, low calorie rendition of the chocolate chip cookie.
16 Graham Crackers coursely crushed
1 can of fat free sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 dash of salt
3/4 a package of chocolate chips
combine the items in a mixing bowl and stir it all together until you get a cookie dough like texture. Then take little teaspoon size balls of the dough and set them 1-2 inches a apart on a greased cookie sheet(the cookies will spread out). Then place the cookies into an oven that is pre-heated to 350 degrees for about 9-11 minutes.
I know this recipe sounds odd, but you will be amazed at how good it is!
Have a good last day of January and look for February's post coming soon!
