I will be the first to tell you-changing your lifestyle is hard. I still struggle with it every day. My weight has been like a yo-yo for years and I have tried so many fad diets but this time I changed and you can to. You have to really want it for yourself and I have found the most important thing is to make small attainable goals that you can reach.
THREE DAYS A WEEK
It is common for people to burn themselves out when they start a diet and workout regime because they do too much too soon. If you overexert yourself when you are not used to physical exercise on a regular basis, you are more likely to quit. It is the same with dieting. Some people will try to eat nothing but salads and rice cakes when they start the diet, and then they can’t take it anymore after a week or so, and so they just give up on the diet altogether. Changing your lifestyle “cold turkey” can be a recipe for failure, so start out slow. Commit to an hour of exercise three days a week then move up when you feel ready. Do not exercise intensely seven days a week – it is really not necessary.
It is common for people to burn themselves out when they start a diet and workout regime because they do too much too soon. If you overexert yourself when you are not used to physical exercise on a regular basis, you are more likely to quit. It is the same with dieting. Some people will try to eat nothing but salads and rice cakes when they start the diet, and then they can’t take it anymore after a week or so, and so they just give up on the diet altogether. Changing your lifestyle “cold turkey” can be a recipe for failure, so start out slow. Commit to an hour of exercise three days a week then move up when you feel ready. Do not exercise intensely seven days a week – it is really not necessary.
HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES
You’re not a rabbit, so it’s not wonder that you don’t want to eat like one! Dieting is as much a psychological battle as it is a physical one, and when we see a bowl full of salad meal after meal, even if the salads are healthy and hearty, we start to feel very deprived. Variety is the spice of life. The key here is to make healthy choices when you are having a craving. If you have a hankering for raspberry layer cake, appease your craving with some fresh raspberries and a dollop of fat-free whipped cream. If you are feeling like having steak, make a strip steak stir-fry in your wok with some brown rice and fresh veggies. Instead of French fries,have sweet potato fries. Instead of a fried egg breakfast sandwich, make an egg white omelet with ham and cheese. Basically, your goal is to come up with a healthy food that is comparable to a not-so-healthy food. You should be able to satisfy your cravings without sabotaging your diet.
You’re not a rabbit, so it’s not wonder that you don’t want to eat like one! Dieting is as much a psychological battle as it is a physical one, and when we see a bowl full of salad meal after meal, even if the salads are healthy and hearty, we start to feel very deprived. Variety is the spice of life. The key here is to make healthy choices when you are having a craving. If you have a hankering for raspberry layer cake, appease your craving with some fresh raspberries and a dollop of fat-free whipped cream. If you are feeling like having steak, make a strip steak stir-fry in your wok with some brown rice and fresh veggies. Instead of French fries,have sweet potato fries. Instead of a fried egg breakfast sandwich, make an egg white omelet with ham and cheese. Basically, your goal is to come up with a healthy food that is comparable to a not-so-healthy food. You should be able to satisfy your cravings without sabotaging your diet.
THIRTY DAY PLAN
If you have more than twenty pounds to lose, it can seem like a very daunting challenge to meet. Instead of looking at your long-term weight-loss goal, set monthly goals. If you are aiming to lose a total of sixty pounds, set your first month’s goal at eight pounds. Eight is a number that will not scare you off your plan – it is merely two pounds a week. Plus, you might find that you end up losing more than eight pounds during your first month because that is when you lose weight the fastest. If you end up exceeding your expectations for the first month, you will be even more confident going into month two.
If you have more than twenty pounds to lose, it can seem like a very daunting challenge to meet. Instead of looking at your long-term weight-loss goal, set monthly goals. If you are aiming to lose a total of sixty pounds, set your first month’s goal at eight pounds. Eight is a number that will not scare you off your plan – it is merely two pounds a week. Plus, you might find that you end up losing more than eight pounds during your first month because that is when you lose weight the fastest. If you end up exceeding your expectations for the first month, you will be even more confident going into month two.
THE VEGETABLE CHALLENGE
Vegetables are your friend! Keep baggies and containers of fresh vegetables on hand so that you have an easily accessible snack when you get a case of the munchies. Challenge yourself to consume at least three cups of raw vegetables per day. Raw vegetables are very healthy, and they are also crunchy, which makes them a great alternative to potato chips when you are “vegging out” on the couch watching television.
Vegetables are your friend! Keep baggies and containers of fresh vegetables on hand so that you have an easily accessible snack when you get a case of the munchies. Challenge yourself to consume at least three cups of raw vegetables per day. Raw vegetables are very healthy, and they are also crunchy, which makes them a great alternative to potato chips when you are “vegging out” on the couch watching television.
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