Ah the fad diet. America always has the latest and greatest ways to lose weight as people buy the books, the CD’s, the supplements and the other products seeking timeless health and beauty. Yet nearly 2/3’s of Americans are overweight, and nearly half of them are obese.
If you’ve had enough of this nonsense and would like an easy to use approach to help you attain your goals, I have some simple tips that could make a big difference for you. And I have nothing to sell you. These Tips come from my heart to you.
The 7-Simple Tips:
1) Take A Walk. 45-minutes a day, 4-days a week could make a huge difference in your health, in your weight and in your self-esteem, as you burn calories, release stress and tone your muscles. But maybe your schedule won’t always allow 45-minutes at once. If so, then walk 15-minutes, 3-times a day. Consider it a health and sanity break.
If you’re not in condition to do this, start with a shorter walk, and then each week, add 2-minutes a walk. If you are physically unable to walk, try swimming, as it will gently exercise your muscles as it gives you the aerobic exercise your body needs.
2) Eat A Little More Wisely. Fad diets are popular partly because they take away your choices as you do what they tell you. They seldom work because after awhile, they become boring and when you return to normal eating habits, whatever weight loss, if any, they brought is soon gone.
Instead, apply a little practical sense. You already know burgers, fries and many other fast foods are unhealthy and loaded with fat, cholesterol and calories. So be more selective. Enjoy what you like among the fatty foods but eat less of it, as you substitute salads, lean meats and other foods that are lower in calories and higher in nutrition.
If you enjoy beer, cola, chips, nuts, hot dogs, ice cream, pastries and other high calorie foods use a little discretion and have less of it, or have it less often. Your body will thank you.
3) View It As A Gradual Lifestyle Change. Shakespeare didn’t write “Romeo and Juliet” in a day, it took him nearly two years to finish that masterpiece. So unless your Doctor says your situation is dire and you must change immediately, give yourself time but commit yourself to starting now and to making regular progress.
Begin by posting these tips where you will see them and then act on them each day.
4) Look In The Mirror. If you don’t like what you see, do something about it, starting today a few calories and a short walk at a time.
5) Motivation. Use it in its positive or its negative form, whichever you prefer. On the positive side, step on the scale each week and measure your progress. As the weight comes off and stays off, you’ll look better, you’ll feel better and it will encourage you to keep going.
On the negative side, visit a hospital to see what misery may await you if you don’t improve your health and trim excess weight. You’ll see a wide range of horrific and painful ills, life threatening in some cases brought on by people who wish they could have another chance.
6) Don’t Smoke. That nicotine is a deadly, heavily addicting drug has been commonly known for 50-years and it will risk your health. Few people can quit cold-turkey, but numerous programs are available to help you. You’ll be thankful you took this step and so will those who love you.
7) Reward Yourself. You deserve it. Once a week, give yourself a special treat as a pat on the back for the progress you’re making in becoming healthier and trimmer.
Each Saturday night, I eat all the French fries and cashews or peanuts I want. These are foods I love but are much too high in calories to eat in large quantities regularly. I enjoy them even more and they make a wonderful reward, which I look forward to. So will you, and you’ll feel good about yourself as well.
