There is no magic pill for weight loss. The best magic for weight management is weight maintenance. That can be a hard sell over the winter. On cold days, it can be hard to convince ourselves that we would rather have a carrot than a piece of organic chocolate cake.
Moderation is the key. Here are 5 tips for moderation to help kick-start your spring health goals:
1. Do some type of exercise every day… preferably every morning
Don’t think about it. Just pull yourself out of bed the second the alarm goes off. Autopilot over to the clothes you left out the night before, open the door, and start walking. By the time your brain catches up, you will already have done 10 minutes.
The effect? Elevated metabolism, increased energy, appetite control, and a big plus in your feel-good column for the day. You are more likely to make healthy food choices when you start your day off with some exercise.
2. Have lots of healthy foods available
It is much easier to make a healthy food choice when there are some healthy choices available! Make a big fruit salad to keep in the fridge for when you need a snack. Have some of your favorite veggies ready to eat when you are hungry. Make an extra-large salad at night and eat the leftovers for lunch the next day. Just leave the salad dressing on the side, otherwise your salad gets soggy.
3. Limit alcohol
Alcohol has a lot of empty calories, depresses your metabolism, and stimulates your appetite.
4. Make exercise fun
Take walks with friends and family. Invite them to your gym to workout and visit with you. Many gyms offer free passes for friends and family, anywhere from a single-use pass to a week-long pass. Take advantage! Wrap up warm and go for a bike ride. Be active.
5. Eat breakfast
When you don’t eat breakfast, you go from dinner the night before until lunch the next day without food. That’s about 12-14 hours without food. Your body may interpret such a long stretch without food as starvation, and it may slow your metabolism as a safety mechanism.
>>To learn more about holistic nutrition for personal health and wellness, check out the American College of Healthcare Sciences HLTH 101 Personal & Community Health Online course here!
*This information has not been reviewed by the FDA. This information has been provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. Consult with your primary care physician, naturopathic doctor, or holistic nutritionist before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine.
