It’s always the right time of year to lose the weight and feel better. But just how should we do it? Is there a magic pill we might take to accomplish our goal? Probably not. Here are a few tips I’ve gathered and I’d like to share them with you. It’s all about discipline and more of the same. There is no easy way out no matter what they say. Look to diet and exercise. And when we say diet, we mean food choices. Dieting is not good for anybody.
FOODS TO AVOID
1. No soda. Period. Nada. No sugar drinks at all. Drink water.
2. No pizza or a limited supply of it.
3. No fast food. If so, make it salad or fish. Baked potato is good.
4. No burgers. Nada. Limit the beef. Try turkey products.
5. No cake.
6. No ice cream.
7. No chocolate or sweets. Maybe the occasional piece of dark chocolate.
8. No sugar or limited amounts. Try fruits instead.
9. Limit the salt intake.
10. No bread or limited amounts.
BREAKFAST
1. Oatmeal or the occasional eggs.
2. If you’re a cereal person consider Cheerios. Maybe consider shredded wheat or a bran flake.
LUNCH
1. Chicken or turkey.
2. Greens. Try broccoli, spinach, brussel sprouts, or mustard greens.
3. Baked potato or sweet potato.
4. Black beans, pinto beans, or white beans of some type.
5. Think vegetable soup.
DINNER
1. Chicken or fish.
2. Salad.
3. Finger foods low on calories.
4. Never eat after 10:00 PM.
EXERCISE, POSITIVE THINKING, AND FIND A SUPPORT GROUP
1. Walk or jog 20 minutes a day.
2. Try lifting weights or find a hobby that includes exercise.
3. Do not watch the news. Be positive and keep it real.
4. Keep the mind occupied.
5. Find a friend to share the benefits.
6. Think sports or outdoor physical activity. Bicycling is good. Cleaning house is an exercise.
TIPS
Try to have beans or greens with every lunch setting, or at least every other setting. White beans are rich in potassium. The baked potato is also rich in potassium. Spinach is loaded with potassium. All of the orange colored foods are rich in vitamins.
Here is a good rule of thumb. Stick to the perimeter of the store. This is the vital lane. Stick to the produce aisle with fruits and vegetables. Try little or no bread, because it is loaded with sugar and toxic substances. Sugar is not your friend at all. Stay away from the candy or baked goods aisle. None of it is healthy. Remember think natural and not canned. If you can’t pronounce the ingredients it’s not a good thing.
Cheating is good, but do it in small portions. Try to avoid the mindless eating routine. We’re all guilty of it.
Drink natural water and plenty of it. Twenty minutes a day of walking is good, and a brisk walk is even better. Some sunshine does a body good. If you need electrolytes, consider the Pedialyte drink. It has more bang for the buck and is more charged with the good stuff. Don’t take my word for it. Do the research.
