Incorporating these simple tips into your routine can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep you on track towards success!
Divide your plate, conquer your weight. Fill half of your plate with veggies or salad (watch those fatty dressings!) One-quarter should be lean protein—fish, chicken or beef—grilled, baked or poached. And the last quarter should be starch—but watch the butter or oil. It’s easy to remember at home, or in a restaurant.
Feeling tired or hungry? You may just be thirsty. Make sure you get at least 6 glasses of water a day. Water helps your body transport nutrients and eliminate toxins. Get tired of all the agua? Add a cucumber or lemon slice to jazz it up!
Curb the afternoon munchies by planning ahead. Tempted to hit that vending machine? Have some string cheese, protein water or a handful of nuts at the ready to help keep you satisfied.
When you get takeout, think of it as two meals and split it with a friend or put half of it away before you even start eating. When you’re playing chef at home? Avoid serving plates or bowls; pre-portion your feast on a smaller plate instead. It will be more satisfying both to your eyes and your stomach!
Today is a beautiful day to take a positive step towards a healthy lifestyle.
Be smart when you eat out. Going to dinner tonight? Eat a balanced snack 1 to 3 hours before leaving the house: veggies with hummus, a non-fat yogurt with 1 tbsp chopped walnuts, 1 tbsp of natural peanut butter on whole wheat toast, or a piece of fresh fruit and a slice of lowfat cheese. The extra something in your belly will give you the self-control to say “no” to fatty appetizers and gigantic desserts.
Skipping meals? Do you feel weak (booo) and lightheaded (hiss)? Research shows that leaner people typically eat breakfast regularly. Many factors affect weight management. Diet and exercise are part of an overall healthy lifestyle.
Eyeball those portion sizes! Want to make sure you’re getting the right serving sizes? Use these tricks of the trade: 3 oz. of lean meat = a standard deck of cards. Half a cup of fruit, veggies or whole grains = an orange. 1 oz. of cheese = 2 dominoes.
Choose fruit over fruit juice. The real thing is more likely to have higher fiber content and make you feel fuller…so always opt for the whole fruit when you can.
Feng Shui Your Fridge. It sounds simple, but just taking your good stuff out of the crisper, cutting it up so it’s ready to go and putting it on a more visible shelf can aid in your effort to eat better. (And it doesn’t hurt to move the fattening stuff out of sight.) You'll be more likely to reach for a healthy snack if it’s front and center!
Keep a food journal noting what you eat, how much, when and where. Journaling can help keep you accountable for what you eat and help you think twice before overindulging. It can also help identify unhealthy patterns that may be inhibiting your weight loss.