The Oaks at Ojai
Have you seen the advertisements on the Internet that shout: Lose Weight While You Sleep. Yes, I've laughed about that too, but in truth the body does burn calories while we're sleeping when your hearts, lungs and internal organs are working. Get real.
This brought to mind other weight-loss hoaxes, such as dangerous diet pills, very low calorie diets that rob our bodies of important nutrients and fluids, and gadgets that only work well for the already fit and trim models that demonstrate them on television.
Fitness and health should be a twenty-four hour concern. We must care for our bodies to stay youthful, flexible and strong. Sure it's a fulltime job, but since I never want you to lose sleep over anything, including losing weight, here are some tricks of the fitness trade that you can put to use before you go to sleep tonight.
*Read the fine print and do a search in the Internet about any pills, diet plan or fitness equipment that seems too good to be true. Speaking of dieting, using "miracle" drinks and pills that severely limited caloric intake means the weight will come straight back when you quit. Regardless of our age, dieting triggers a feast or famine function within our bodies and brains. There's been quite a bit of research on this aspect of dieting, but the truth is, eating low-fat, healthful foods are the only way for safe and long term weight loss.
*Easy does it best. Sharing food, going out for pizza and pie, snacks with the soccer team-there are always occasions for food. If you're trimming down and do overeat, don't berate yourself. It happens to everyone. Instead think of it as a detour from a healthy weight reduction program. Don't make one detour the end of your journey to better health.
*Give yourself credit. Praise yourself when you've lost weight or selected a healthy snack over a high-sugar one. You're probably the only one who will notice, but it's your body and health that's important. It takes time, about six weeks, to start a healthier eating habit. For some people, it can even take longer. If you've managed to trim down a few pounds, celebrate it with a non-food treat.
*Watch the trigger. Be alert for food stressors. If you're under tension at work, the children or grandkids are not well and the car has decided to squeak when you start it to go to work, it may be tougher to stay on a healthy trimming program. A chocolate bar could be the first stress-release you turn to unless you already have a plan designed You can beat this by keeping sweet, natural treats available. Yes, keep them in the desk drawer, your purse, and the glove compartment of the car or a handy closet. I happen to love unusual dried fruits and vegetable chips. Stock up on these treats before the next tension attack happens. Do you have youngsters in your life? If you're striving to keep them trimmer and healthier, just have great healthy treats around the house. Healthy habits start young.
*Plan them out and schedule your treats. If you can't shake the craving for a huge bowl of thick Texas chili, honey-laced corn bread and a frosty beer, then give in. Yes, I said it. It's okay to give in to your urges. When you're going to indulge or know that it'll be tough to say "no" to a treat, just eat lightly (but with health in mind) throughout the day. Never skip meals to indulge in favorite foods. What happens is that you'll overeat when the treat arrives and may even give up on weight loss goals.
*"Thanks but I'm going to pass," may be the most powerful words for those of us determined to stay trim. Learn to say it. Calories do count, even with fat-free or low-carb foods.
*Stay well fed. Don't starve yourself ever. It's not necessary and will definitely not make you a better person or more popular at the office, at school or with the club members. Going hungry will, however deplete energy, interrupt sleep patterns, reduce libido and may even bring on headaches.
*Stay active for activities and move as much as you can. Take the stairs. Do a few stomach crunches when you get out of bed. Move your exercise machine in front of the television and use it. Join a gym or get a friend to walk with you during lunchtime. Take a health holiday at a resort or sport's camp.
*Be sure to share your new values and healthy food ideas with the family. If there are lots of unhealthy foods around your house, your family probably isn't eating well either. Don't just dump everything they have been munching in the trash. They'll probably revolt if you do. Rather, transition in the good for the body choices. Be a role model and offer fresh fruits, vegetables, whole-grain cookies and flavorful rice cakes. You'll have to be creative to get them to give up greasy, fatty snacks, but you'll also be helping your family to change to a beneficial, life-long eating pattern.
*Take it to heart. With the incredible rise in Type 2 diabetes for children and adults, weight control is a life or death issue. Give up the tricks and fads. They're a waste of money and often dangerous. It takes time and common sense (along with the advice of your doctor) to reach and maintain a comfortable weight. No, it will not happen by tomorrow afternoon at 4 PM, but within just seven days, you will feel better. Realistically, it'll take about a month or perhaps two of using the suggestions in the column to help you trim down. Start now and make it a goal to stay fit for life.
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