Weight Loss and Fitness
Eat Less Later in the Day
Everyone knows, whether they want to admit it or not,
reducing calories will help you to lose weight. However,
just as you should reduce the calorie intake, you need to know
when to eat. Breakfast is the most important meal of the
day and the one meal that should not be missed. Lunch
should be healthy but a less than what you ate for
breakfast. As you approach dinner, eat healthy but
light. Avoid after dinner snacks or eating before bed!
5. Saucy
but Healthy
Eating bland
foods is boring, unsatisfying, and if that is what your diet
consists of, more than likely, you will be off it shortly after
you start. If you enjoy good tasting food, some sauces
and spices can enhance your food while not adding calories to
your food. The next you grill meat, consider using one of
these:
§ Reduced-salt Soy Sauce
§ Mustard
§ Salsa
§ Worcestershire Sauce
§ Vinegar (this comes in wonderful flavors)
§ Teriyaki Sauce
§ Tomato Sauce
§ Hot Sauce
6. Supplements and
Vitamins
While some
supplements and vitamins on the market are not worth buying and
some, such as Ephedrine, have been proven dangerous, other
sources are healthy. Most important, you need to
understand what it is you are taking, and strictly follow
dosage just as you would medication that has been
prescribed. If you are unsure, check with your physician,
a nutritionist, or a reputable health food store. Many
supplements that are good for overall health include grape seed
extract, Glucosamine, aloe vera, and Selenium. Vitamins
to consider would include Vitamin E, Vitamin C, B-12, Iron,
Magnesium, and Calcium.
7. Eliminate Stress
You have
probably heard this before. Stress is a key contributor
to poor health. Study after study has found that when a
person is stressed, the body reacts. The result of stress
could be high-blood pressure, tension headaches, upset
stomachs, poor posture, and so on. Keeping stress in
check will help you manage your overall health much
better.
8. ZZZZZZZZZZZ
Does sleep
really affect health? You bet it does. During
sleep, your body is resting and recovering from all the work is
has done throughout the day. Your serotonin levels are
brought back in line, your muscles relax, and mind is allowed
to clear itself in preparation for the next day. If you
are not getting the proper amount of sleep, you will notice it
in a physical way. While there is no magic number,
usually between six and eight hours a night is
appropriate. If you have difficulty getting to sleep,
before you climb into bed, try Yoga, listening to soft,
relaxing music, a glass of wine, or if you can talk someone
into it, a good massage.
9. Laugh it
Off
The medical
field has proven that laughter actually works with your body
toward good health. Have you ever heard the expression,
“Laughter is the best medicine”? The truth is, when you
laugh, several positive things happen. Your muscles
relax; stress hormone product is reduced; you forget about
pain; your body’s immune system is improved; high-blood
pressure is lowered; the heart and lungs are strengthened; and
overall, you feel better!
10. Nutrition
People often
confuse “dieting” with nutrition. Your body needs to have
nutrients replaced, whether through foods being eaten or
supplements. Do you remember what you learned in
elementary school about the four major food groups? As
adult, eating balanced meals from these groups still
applies. It is important to remove the “junk food” from
your diet and stick with healthy foods. If you do not
like certain things such as fruits or vegetables, be sure you
are taking a supplement to get the nutrients needed.
Another consideration is if you are a vegetarian. There
are certain benefits taken from meat such as iron and B-12 that
you should consider taking a supplement for in exchange for the
meat.
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