If you are looking for a healthy and happier you, there are some simple steps that you can take with these 10 dieting secrets. Well, they’re not really so secret, but seem to be ignored quite often. Some you may already know, others you may not. Either way, you should adhere to one or all of them to help you achieve your weight loss goals.
Stop When You’re Full
Of course this seems very simple, and it can be for some. For others who overeat, do not know when to stop. You should pay close attention to your stomach and wait for that satisfied feeling and try not to go over that limit. You should also eat slowly, so that you can allow the food to digest, which then allows you to feel when you’re full before overeating.
Quality over Quantity
You should lightly place ingredients in your food, don’t over do it. Taste the food as you place little by little to tell when there is enough. Make sure that you are not using a lot of fattening items for your meals. They shouldn’t have too much fat, but just enough carbohydrates.
Fresh Food for a Fresh You
Consuming organic foods are always recommended. They lack the chemicals that other produce contain that take away from the vitamins they provide. Try learning when each fruit and vegetable is in season, so that you can get the best out of them. You may have eaten apples when they weren’t in season and tasted how non-sweet they were. Only when grown during their true season will you be able to really enjoy them.
These fruits and vegetables are an important part of your daily diet, so make sure to stock up on them and eat them with different meals and in different ways, so that you won’t get tired of them. Fresh food also pertains to seafood and other foods. When they are fresh and untainted, more minerals and vitamins have been preserved.
Walk Around
The Italians are known for this tradition after eating meals. They walk around the streets with the group of family or friends they ate with. You should do the same. You can either do it alone or find someone to walk with. You should also try biking if you would like to go to farther places. Just don’t push yourself too hard in the beginning.
Absolutely NO FAST FOOD
Fast foods should be avoided at all costs. There is no time that they are okay because they are always fattening. Now some of the fast food restaurants are beginning to offer healthier items on their menu, such as salads. If you can go through the drive-thru (to help avoid all of those aromas) without ordering anything fattening, then go for the salad. But it’s best to avoid those types of restaurants all together.
Have Fun Exercising
Exercising doesn’t have to be a torturous ordeal. It’s necessary that you find ways to have fun while you’re exercising. For instance, you can exercise while swimming in the pool. If you are a good swimmer, try doing a couple laps every day when the weather is great. Or you can go kayaking or row a boat for some arm action.
Run or walk on the beach and see how well you are on the tough sand. If it’s a piece of cake, try walking through the water without picking up your feet above the ocean. Make sure that you stretch before doing any type of exercising, so that you won’t develop any cramps (especially during swimming). You shouldn’t eat and drink before or during exercising because this can also cause cramps.
Be Patient
It’s important that you don’t rush your goals or expect them to get here too soon. This can cause you to become discouraged when they aren’t accomplished. Losing weight takes time, so just be patient and watch the weeks and pounds roll off.
Keep a Journal and Chart
Write in your journal each day to note all the foods you have eaten and the exercising you have done or lack there of. After weeks go by, you should see progress. If not, go back to your journal and see what you did wrong. There may be a food or amount of food that you are consuming that isn’t helping. You can also weigh in each week to chart the pounds you lose. This will help you see if your diet plan is working.
Diet with a Friend
This really helps. When you have a diet buddy to help and to help you stay on track, the time spent will go by quickly. You also won’t be so timid about eating right and exercising. The two of you could really have fun! Then once the goals are met, you can celebrate together (just no eating fattening foods).
Reward Yourself
If you see that you are making great progress, treat yourself to something you enjoy or buy yourself clothes, jewelry or whatever you desire (no fatty foods!).
Get a jump start on your personal weight loss program today.
Sources:
http://www.oftwominds.com/blogjuly06/weight-loss.html
http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/italian-diet-secrets?page=3
