photo credit: Kellogg's advertisement1. Keep making small changes. Choose one and add another when it becomes a lifestyle. Someday you will look back and realize you've made choices all along the way and feel good about them. Some suggestions: Eat breakfast. Walk the kids to school or go for a quick 20 minute walk at lunch. If you have to snack, eat fruit, a few nuts or a small piece of cheese. Avoid putting potato chips in your grocery cart. Choose the stairs over the escalator. Choose family/date activities such a bike riding, bowling or hiking. Take sodas drinks out of your diet.
2. Eat out as little as possible. Help those around you eat healthy by planning and preparing tasty homemade foods for mealtimes, so that everyone is satisfied and mealtimes are a time everyone looks forward to. Shop for cereals that have fiber and reduce the sweetness gradually. Use eggs, cheese, fish or peanut butter on sandwiches more often than processed meats. Use a variety of lean cut meats, chicken and fish, as well as several vegetable options to fill the plate. Let your kids see that you enjoy all kinds of vegetables. You may not have liked the yam casserole your aunt made, but maybe you’d like them roasted with Italian seasonings. Try different options to learn how to enjoy good food.
3. Exercise. You knew I’d say it. I’m not a gym person either. For some of us exercise is especially difficult to stick to when we try to do it alone. So ask a friend to go with you and choose an activity that works for you. I can’t believe I have a friend who has walked with me for over 20 years now. I wake up on a cold, windy, rainy day and know that if it were not for the fact that she is waiting for me I would not get up but, in the end, I’m always glad I did. Some options are: speed walking, swimming laps after the kids are in bed, going for a 20 minute run, meeting a friend at curves for half an hour or running a Pilates video workout in your own family room. It’s interesting that the notion to exercise makes us feel tired at first, but in the end it gives us more energy.
4. Whatever your weakness, be it desserts, sweet breads, candy, chocolate or ice cream – enjoy it, but in moderation. It would drive me crazy if someone told me I could never have dessert, but just knowing I ‘can’ have some on a somewhat regular basis, helps me not to crave it. Sometimes it’s as easy as having half a serving, one scoop of ice cream rather than two or making my favorite drink a tall-skinny-half-sweet
5. Get rid of over-sized clothes. Don’t keep them as a back door and don’t wear them around the house on a lazy day.
6. Give thanks to God for food and nature to enjoy.
10 comments:
This all makes a lot of sense Anneliese. My first step right now is increasing my daily activity. I want to make my heart pump hard once every day :0)
Lots of common sense advice here. Going to the cardiologist today which should show if I've made some progress. Both hubby and I know that it is the lack of more strenuous exercise that has us plateaued. It's hard to do though, if one's arthritic pain increases every time - and yet we must keep moving - move it, move it, move it, LOL!
could agree more! I'm having the HARDEST time with water consumption lately, so I'd have to add that to my list of things to learn (or re-learn) because it's not just about being hydrated, but it's good for digestion and my skin as well!
These are very practical and user friendly tips. Thanks!
Great sensible, do-able pointers!
It all makes sense, Anneliese.
I read both your posts. Well written. It's so much fun to have a walking partner. It's always good to keep that common sense mode...
It's fun to cook and bake but I am realizing it's more fun to give it away...then eating it myself.
Keeping a healthy balance is the key.
I'm always working at the Battle of the Bulge...
To me it is all about balance. I think you hit all the points really well. It is true that to some this list would seem overwhelming. .but if they start one step at a time. .they 'll make life changes that last forever.
One thing that I would add. .eat only until you are full. Sometimes this is hard. .but if you eat slow. . and think about what you are eating instead of shovelling the food in ..you will enjoy it more. .it will last longer on your plate. .and you might be surprised to find you are satisfied at the end of the meal.
At times I am more sucessful at this than other times. .but I always go back to this method.
Hey Annaliese,
I'm finally back on your blog after moving away from China (where Blogger was blocked), and loved this post of yours.
Keep 'em coming!
~Coirnna
Loved this, Anneliese. Simple and good.
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