slimming is hard so we need all the help we can get
Drink lots of water have a big glass of water about half an hour before you have a meal If you
If want to reach
and maintain normal weight permanently, you have to improve your eating
habits permanently. Your mistake is to concentrate excessively on
reaching a certain weight. Try instead to concentrate on creating new
habits for the rest of your life.
If you find it
difficult to change all your habits do it one step at a time and you
will gradually find the new food natural and good. Use this new diet
when you lose weight and just go on with the same diet when you have
reached your goal.
Avoid sugar and
fat and base your meals on salads, vegetables, potatoes, roots, berries,
fruit, porridge, fish, lean meat, low fat milk products and small
amounts of olive oil.
Don’t rely on fad dieting – just make subtle, healthy changes in your diet like swapping your regular bread for New Nimble.
Don’t deprive
yourself of food that you really enjoy – just make ‘everything in
moderation’ your mantra. The odd biscuit won’t harm!
Make
sure those slimming goals are realistic and achievable. If not you set
yourself up for failure and if you comfort eat that is a disaster! Small
achievable goals that are achieved promotes self esteem. This in turn
helps motivation and feeds success.
Take time to enjoy your meals, don’t eat ‘on the go’ when you’re rushing for the bus.
Don’t
keep clothes that are too small in the hope that you’ll slim in to
them. Adopt a more healthy attitude to dieting – be comfortable and
happy with yourself.
Don’t go food shopping when you’re hungry – you’ll make unnecessary purchases!
Keep a food diary – that way you can keep track of your daily consumption.
Try and go for a brisk walk for 20-30 minutes a day.
Eat
foods that contain high amounts of fibre such as whole grains and beans
– they’ll fill you up, helping you to avoid snacking on unhealthy
options.
Include chicken and fish in your diet – it’s leaner than red meat.
Enhance
the flavour of your food with herbs and spices such as chilli to give
it more flavour, rather than adding fattening dressings
Try going for a walk after every meal.
The best time to eat is when you’re hungry so don’t skip meals!
Don’t eat your main meal late at night as you won’t have time to properly digest your food.
Grill, steam or bake your food instead of frying it.
Get a dog, or offer to walk your neighbour’s dog– the dog needs exercise and so do you!
Join an exercise group – try something new like step classes in high heels – the new craze from America!
Walk to the newsagents every morning rather than having your paper delivered.
Cycle into town rather than drive – it’ll help you keep fit and it’s kinder on the environment.
Snack on celery sticks rather than crisps or chocolate. They’re healthy and you actually burn calories eating them!
Swap your daily slice of carrot cake for raw crudités like carrots.
Don’t skip breakfast – it’s the most important meal of the day.
Use olive oil when cooking as it is good for your heart and controls cholesterol levels.
Doing 30 minutes of house work can burn nearly 200 calories – 2 jobs in one!
Take the stairs instead of the escalator whilst shopping or going in to the office.
Drink
100% fruit juice instead of a concentrated drink – it’s much healthier
and one glass can count as one portion of your daily five fruit and
vegetables per day.
Add a chopped banana to your cereal to boost energy first thing in the morning.
Drink lots of water as it is a great body cleanser (and good for your skin!)
Try swapping white rice for brown as the whole wheat is a great source of extra fibre
Snack on a handful of nuts i.e. brazils if you’re peckish in between meals as they give you extra protein.
When food shopping – use a basket rather than a trolley to carry your goods as it will help tone your arms!
Before
heating up prepared soup, keep it in the fridge so that it the fat will
rise to the top as the soup cools. Then skim it off the top in order to
reduce the overall fat content.
Try new fruits and vegetables to add variety to your diet. Eating healthily doesn’t have to be boring!
Make your own lunch and take it to work so that you won’t be tempted by the chocolates in the sandwich shop.
Clean out your wardrobe and donate clothes that don’t fit you and are too big for you.
Try and go for a swim once a week – swimming is a great all round exercise to tone the whole body.
Take your body measurements regularly so you can measure your progress as you lose those unwanted inches.
When eating out with a friend or partner– share a pudding so you can half the calories but still enjoy a treat!
If you catch the bus to work, get off a stop early and walk the rest of the way.
If
you’re eating out think about your choice – avoid ‘all-you-can’ eat
style buffets’ – you may see your willpower start to waver!
Wash
the car by hand rather than using the car wash – you’ll be saving the
pounds in your wallet, whilst helping the unwanted ones drop from your
waistline.
When you have a salad – don’t ruin it by having full fat dressing – choose a lighter vinaigrette.
Eat three healthy meals a day, snacking on fruit and nuts in between.
When you’re eating your meal, take time to enjoy it - sit and chew your food properly.
Take
time out of your daily routine to relax. Have a bath before you go to
bed as you will sleep better making you feel more refreshed in the
morning.
Enjoy
a cup of hot water with a slice of lemon first thing in the morning and
last thing at night – it is a great daily detox for your body.
Drink alcohol in moderation. A good option to save calories is to choose a slim-line mixer.
Don’t
drink alcohol on an empty stomach – you’ll only end up reaching for
salty snacks. Eat a healthy Nimble sandwich with avocado, tomato and
basil before after-work drinks.
When you’re food shopping – make a list and stick to it so you’re not tempted by the desert aisle!
In the summer months, swap full fat ice-cream for a fruity sorbet – a much lighter option.
If you can’t resist a traditional Sunday roast, swap roast potatoes for boiled and steam the vegetables for a healthier option.
Why
not try making your own smoothies – take some frozen fruit, low fat
frozen yoghurt and crushed iced and you have a delicious low calorie
treat. ( Use Meal Replacement Plus for greater benefit. )
When
embarking on a weight loss programme you should start by asking
yourself what your purpose is. Whatever your reasons, write them down
and keep them to hand, and when frustration and temptation strike,
concentrate on the benefits you will reap from being healthier and
leaner.
It
is also important to use tools that help you track your progress. Keep a
food journal and measure yourself regularly, keeping track of each inch
lost. By closely monitoring your weight loss efforts, you’ll see the
results in black and white which will help you to stay motivated.
