Thursday, 25 June 2009

  • Tips On Weight Loss and Getting Fit



    You might end up thinking, "That could not probably make enough of a difference.And I'd feel silly doing it." First, the longest journey starts with a single step. And second, would you rather feel stupid being fat and unfit or doing something about it? I thought so. Here are 7 tips to change your life.

    Diet Tip 1 : Move. Twiddle your thumbs. Squeeze one of those little exercise balls while you watch television to burn energy and tone your arms at the same time. Take that more distant parking spot. Even if you have physical restrictions, you can tailor a program to your requirements. Move whatever you can, whenever and wherever you can. And just think - laughing is good exercise. It’s like jogging on the inside.

    Diet Tip 2 : Portions and Proportions. Concentrate on portion sizes according to the eating plan you select. Use a smaller size plate – don’t supersize it! Use some of the simple guidelines like “3 oz. of protein is about the size of your palm or a deck of playing cards” or “one serving of rice is the size of a tennis ball”.

    Diet Tip 3 : Substitute low calorie Density Foods for High. Select foods with low cal density foods that have less calories relative to their weight. If you decrease the energy density of your diet, caloric intake will decline, says Barbara Rolls, professor of nutritive sciences at Pennsylvania State School and co-writer together with Robert Barnett of The Volumetrics Eating Plan. Foods like fruit and vegetables and salad greens and broth. The magic ingredient these foods possess is water! Water has zero calories, so the more volume represented by water, the less room there is for calories. Water also creates a feeling of fullness, helping one to eat less.

    Diet Tip 4 : Be conscious of What You Eat. Keep a food diary and be honest, because no one but you is going to see it. Don't forget the spoon that you licked while putting away the left-overs or the sampling ( s ) you had while changing the seasoning. It will help you determine your eating habits. Keep it long enough and patterns begin to appear.

    Diet Tip 5 : Eat More Slowly. This allows your body the several minutes it takes to signal your brain that it is full.

    Diet Tip six : Try New herbs and spices in the place of Butter and Salt. When food tastes different or more flavorsome, we have a tendency to savor it more and eat slower.

    Diet Tip 7: Add Variety. Along the same lines, The American Dietetic Association recommends increasing variety. Often adding a single new food to your diet can end boredom and increase nutrition.

    Do you have any tips you feel should be added to the above that you have successfully applied to change your health?

    Guest blog by the author of health-and-fitness-buzz.blogspot.com

Comments (11)

  • InTheThin@xanga

    Haha laughing is jogging on the inside. I thought that just sounded so cute, like your belly is taking a little run.

    I definitely use tons of spices, though. It makes things taste so much more intense, and you don't need tons of it to be satisfied.

  • justacouplemorepounds@xanga
  • sweetsweetsugarjunkie@xanga

    I boil everything. It's great! I don't need to use any oil. I lost five pounds in one week while my boyfriend was away because all I ate was boiled veggies and boiled chicken breast and I walked an hour everyday.

    But he's back now and it's harder to do that...

  • TheScaleDiaries@xanga

    I like the "add variety" tip, I've actually been eating more spinach (not canned, fresh) on sandwiches, salads and even pizza...I love that I've really gotten into this new food. That and pineapple (I've always liked it, but lately it's been my "dessert" and keeps me from craving chocolate or ice cream).

  • anythin4you@xanga

    Definately move. I try to move whenever I can. I was figeting in church the other day and the guy next to me probably thought I had ADHD or something.lol. Take the stairs instead of elevator, park far away, figet, etc. Its easy.

  • Alessia

    All your tips are excellent and up to the point! I would add two more:
    - stop drinking sodas, and substitute it with water and natural juices. Some people drink 3-4 cans of soda a day, not aware how many calories they intake this way! And it's not only because of calories; soft drinks lead to lower calcium levels and higher phosphate levels in the blood, can cause cause osteoporosis and mineral deficiencies. And no, diet coke and such drinks are no better than regular.
    -  be aware of your snacks: some people snack a lot, not even realizing it, during work hours or while watching TV. It's OK to moderately snack, but it is very important WHAT you snack! (choose fruits, nuts, yogurt..).
    Great article!

  • quarterlifecrisis@dollarish

    I really don't agree with tip #1. Everyone says it, but when was the last time someone told you, "Yeah, I lost a ton of weight and all I did was park farther away and take the stairs?" While it might help out in the short-term, your body adapts to exercise and needs to really be challenged to drop any significant amounts of weight. 

  • testubebaby@xanga

    I think it's easiest to pray to the gods and ask for an amazing metabolism

  • adept_of_chaos@xanga

    Portion size was the hardest thing for me to get a good grip on.  I couldn't see how 1 cup of rice was s'pose to be enough.  So I had to ween myself to better portions.  Cutting back a little at a time and now dinner goes on the salad plates and salad goes on the dinner plates :)

  • whyareyouweighting

    You know, all those tips are great, and most of us, if we are really honest, know what we are supposed to be doing. Yet why don't we do it? If how-to's were enough, we'd all be skinny. (and rich and non-smoking and non-nailbiting etc.)


    Why don't we just do what we're supposed to do?


    Ah, the million dollar question! It's because of our programming. Just like a computer has programming, so do people. And just like your computer will not, in a million years, ever be able to open a powerpoint presentation if you don't have the PowerPoint programming, your body is never going to be able to get and stay slim if you don't have the slim programming.


    Reprogramming yourself is not easy, but then neither is dieting and extreme exercising. I know reprogramming works, because it was the only thing that allowed me to shed 135 lbs and keep them off for many years, after a lifetime of yo yo dieting. (I shed and regained over 300 lbs before learning about reprogramming and using it. )


    Reprogramming is the missing link in just about every diet and exercise plan out there. It's the reason people don't stick with their new habits and eventually fall off the wagon. Willpower is not enough, it runs always runs out eventually. Learn more about reprogramming yourself at WhyAreYouWeighting . com

  • MauTimHoaSim@xanga

    Thank you for posting these great tips!  Several months ago, I moved away from home for medical school and got so homesick that I started eating and snacking more.  I gained about 10 pounds and beated myself up for letting myself go.  However, I've recently decided to do something about it and added pilates and walking to my normal routine.  In addition to adding those physical activities, I eliminate unhealthy snacks like cookies, ice cream, cheesecake, and chips from my diet.  It has only been two weeks but I'm seeing results.  It makes me soooo happy! =)

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