I don’t think there is any “right” time to get yourself on a healthier track — anytime is a good time. But as the warm weather approaches it seems to offer some great motivation, so what better time to post some tips than now?
First, there is no big secret to being healthy. Second, I don’t think that diets work. Becoming healthy is a lifestyle change. It’s not a fad, it’s not temporary, and it’s not supposed to be a chore. It’s about changing your mindset, and teaching yourself how to start craving fruits & vegetables instead of burgers & fries.
There are two main guidelines you must follow: Eat right & Exercise. Doesn’t seem too hard, right? In theory no, it’s not hard. But with America growing more morbidly obese by the minute, it has certainly presented its challenges.
The most common excuse?
“I’m too busy. I just don’t have the time to eat right or work-out; I’m always on the go.”
Come on, people. That isn’t going to cut it anymore. Planning ahead is key! If you’re so busy then why don’t you have healthy snacks with you? You go to the market, right? So next time you’re there pickup some little things you can keep on hand to hold you over until your next meal. Two I can think of right off the top of my head are raisins & nuts. Both are good for you (in moderation, of course) and fill you up — especially nuts.
Some items to stay away from.
100 Calorie Packs. They’re a joke. People perceive them as healthy, but they’re not. How can a cookie be healthy?? If you’re trying to lose weight, stay away from these, because chances are you won’t be able to eat just one pack. Don’t temp yourself! If you don’t buy them, you won’t eat them. This is the ‘Better safe than sorry’ approach. Regular Soda & Juice. Granted there are some juices which aren’t bad for you, but for the most part they aren’t that much different than drinking straight sugar. White bread. Why would you ever eat this when you could have a slice of wheat bread? Wheat has less calories, less fat, less cards, more dietary fiber, less sugar & more protein. It’s a win-win situation.
Small tips that go a big way.
Without getting too far ahead of ourselves, here are some things you can start doing right away to get yourself on the right track, without causing too much interference in your busy life — You officially can’t use that as an excuse anymore!
1. Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day. It’s good for you, and will fill you up.
2. Have diet soda instead of regular soda or juice.
3. Limit the beer intake! Try rum & diet, or even 2 glasses of white wine instead. They both have less carbs & less calories.
4. Have wheat bread or english muffin with a *little* peanut butter instead of white bread with jelly.
5. Have a fruit or vegetable with every meal.
6. Don’t take the escalator! Use the stairs.
7. Have lunch at your desk and then walk during your lunch break.
8. Instead of making a big bacon & waffle breakfast on the weekend, go for a walk or run first! Once you exercise you’ll feel good about your body and won’t want the fatty foods. And when you are ready to eat, fruit and yogurt, granola, and eggs are a much better alternative.
9. Watch the sodium. It will just aid in retaining water, and make you feel worse about your body.
10. Out to lunch or dinner? Opt for a salad with the dressing on the side, and get chicken on it if you like meat. OR get a burger, sub something for the fries, and skip the bun, or just eat 1/2 of it.
11. LIMIT DESSERTS! If you know you’re going out to celebrate on the weekend, and cake will be involved, plan ahead for that and limit your intake of other foods during the week to balance it out.
12. If you get hungry and need a snack during the day, a Dunkin Donuts muffin isn’t the way to go. It’s an empty carb and won’t fill you up; it’s just a big lump of fat, calories, sugar & carbs. Have something on hand to fill these cravings. And, remember, sometimes your body isn’t hungry — it’d dehydrated. Go for the water first.
A HEALTHY RECIPE FOR PIZZA @ HOME!
Take 1 Joseph’s brand lavash bread, or 2 of Joseph’s brand wraps, and make your own pizza! Put on either oil, a low-sodium tomato sauce (or both) and some low-fat mozzarella cheese. Add on olives, peppers, onions, chicken – really, whatever you want. This is a great chance to use up some of those leftovers from last night. Throw it in the oven or grill, let it cook, and there you have it! A very healthy pizza.
