In celebration of National Women’s Health Week, I wanted to share my Top 10 Tips to for Losing Weight and Living More.
1. Feed Your Soul with Primary Food. The concept of Primary Food comes from Joshua Rosenthal, founder of the Institute of Integrated Nutrition. Primary food is friends, family, physical activity, spirituality and job satisfaction. Lack of primary food creates an over
2. Avoid Dieting. Diets don’t work and most people who lose weight on a diet end up gaining it back and then some. Create a sustainable meal plan that incorporates a variety of healthy foods.
3. Consider Tracking Your Intake. Consider using a tracking system to determine your daily caloric intake. Most people are actually surprised at how many calories they consuming when they start tracking their food intake.
4. Proper Hydration. Most people are chronically dehydrated, mistaking thirst for hunger. Consider drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day, and eliminating or reducing soda and juices.
5. Eat More Fresh Fruits and Vegetables. It’s well documented that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help you lose weight while providing essential nutrients. .
6. Reduce Your Intake of Processed Foods. Avoid eating pre-packaged foods. Prepackaged foods often contain added salt, sugar and other chemicals. Cook meals at home and brown bag lunch whenever possible.
7. Eat breakfast. Skipping meals causes your blood sugar levels to peak and dip, affecting your energy and moods. It can also cause overeating later on because you’re so hungry.
8. Eat mindfully. Stop eating in the car, on the subway or at your desk. Take the time out to sit down and savor the food you are eating with no distractions.
9. Get moving. Take a break from sitting at your desk and get up and stretch or walk around. Take a walk during your lunch hour. Do some type physical activity every day – it does not necessarily mean hours at the gym. Exercise is important for your body so find something you enjoy doing and schedule it into your daily routine.
10. Sleep, rest and relax. When you are sleep-deprived or stressed, your body will crave energy, causing cravings for sugary snacks and caffeine as an energy boost. Schedule time for rest, relaxation and participation in activities that you enjoy.
