Sustainable Diet
If you look at the mirror and see those 'love handles' and bulges of excess weight, especially in the abdominal area, how long did that take to accumulate? Surely, not a month or a few months or even a year. So what makes you think that you could lose all that weight in a month, 3 months or a year? Probably, it was those incredible, advertisements and weight loss articles that convinced you. So you rush to buy the book, the products, sign for the weight loss program - Oh Yes, you did lose a few pounds but you could not keep up with that program for long and you hungered for those foods you missed. Now you have put on more weight than you lost or your health has suffered.You are frustrated and upset.
As we have seen and heard in earlier posts, the popular diets don't work as they are not sustainable. Some of them can be even dangerous for your health. So is there a diet that is Sustainable? Yes there is. There is One for each of you according to your tastes, likes and dislikes. Are you prepared for this! - You have to plan this yourself and there is plenty of free resources out there to help you.
Are you willing to invest your effort and time to lose excess weight permanently. The dividends are self-esteem, health, energy. It is cost-effective as your medical bills will be rare.
Some Tips
1.Follow a Guide of the basic food groups - USDA Food Guide (www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/html/chapter3.htm)
For Canadians this is the link. ( www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/basics)
2. Compute your BMI or Body Mass Index here - (www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/control.htm )
They also tell you in the above link how to lose unwanted weight in the healthy way, gives recipes and serving portions as well as other pertinent information.
3. Change your behaviors and habits related to eating and foods. It is easy to tell you to make some lifestyle changes but old habits are hard to break. You need support and guidance on this if you want to keep your weight off. EFT (emotional freedom techniques) has been helpful to some in this area. Energy Medicine helps in changing certain old patterns and behaviors.
4. Weight loss goals should be 1.Realistic, 2.Specific, 3.Measurable,4. Attainable which means you take small steps to to reach your main goal. Example: You need to lose 50lbs, break it down to 4 lbs a month, then, reassess - if that is accomplished, give yourself another goal for the next month. If you lost only 2.5 lbs, give yourself a non-food treat and set the next month's goal at 3 lbs.
5.Three main meals with one or two snacks so that you do not leave your stomach empty for more than 4 hours. If you are on a 1600 calorie diet, each of the 4 meals should not be more than 400 calories and for a 2000 calorie diet, each meal should not exceed 500 calories. Do Not Skip any Meal. It is when you skip meals that you tend to overeat and indulge in second servings.
6.Read labels and be aware that "Light" does not always mean less calories. Neither does "low fat" mean you can have double the portion.
6.Drink 8 or more glasses of water and sip fluids during the day. Avoid sodas and pops. Limit your coffee and tea except for limited amounts of green tea. I've found tea and coffee to be appetite boosters.
7.Your weight loss program has to be accompanied by some activity, even stretches help. Do a fun activity several times a week,like swimming, dancing or hiking.
8.Stock your fridge and pantry with low calorie snack foods, like fruits, cucumbers, carrots and celery. Having a 1/2 cup (4oz) low fat yogurt for a snack with a medium apple is an excellent choice.
9.Enlist the support of family and friends or a weight loss group in healthy eating and exercise. Perhaps start one yourself.
10. Find other ways to boost yourself when you feel down or tired or sad, instead of eating to take your "blues" away.
Energy Medicine and Laughter therapy has contributed to some people's weight loss. Certain activities and exercises in Energy Medicine balances the Digestive System which reduces food cravings and boost the assimilation of foods, optimally. This therapy is individualized and an assessment is done to see which area of the body needs the balancing. Recently, I met a lady, who lost weight doing qigong exercises daily for about 3 months.
Laughter therapy is compared to internal jogging. So laughing 20 minutes or more daily will burn some calories. Is that not enough reason to Laugh? HaHaHa HoHoHo.You do not have to watch a comedy to laugh.
Join a laughter club or have a laughter buddy. Laugh your way to sustainable weight loss and health. Check my former post on the effects of laughter
empower-you.blogspot.com/2008/07/what-does-laughter-do-to-your-body.html
If you are wondering why I have not continued with Myths about Diets, there is a good reason. A fellow blogger, Cassandra is doing an excellent,detailed job with more than one post dedicated to it on the link given below. Thanks Cassandra.
www.trimnasium.com/?p=144
Next week will be the conclusion of this topic. All comments and questions are welcomed and if you wish a private answer, please include your e-mail.
