I always considered myself a health conscious guy. The thing is I ate junk food, started getting over-weight, didn’t exercise much, and lived pretty much an unhealthy lifestyle. I never saw real results when I did quit eating junk. I ate the right foods and continued to yo-yo with my weight. I exercised, yet the results were minimal.
It wasn’t until I started focusing on specifics that I began to see results. And the results were drastic. I also acquired knowledge through such experts as Dr. Oz. You should bookmark his site and check it daily. It has needed information, tools and resources you need to change your lifestyle and become healthier.
My first demon was soda. I was a soda fanatic and drank only soda. I thought ginger ale was the healthiest, but all sodas are unhealthy. I defeated this by turning to club sodas, seltzers and sparkling waters. It worked, I eventually gave up soda.
My next demon was Italian bread, which I consumed at least a loaf a day. It was a struggle but eventually I switched to ‘whole’ wheat bread. I even found a local supermarket that makes a whole wheat version of the Italian bread. A loaf of wheat lasts me at least 3 days and is more filling and contains more fiber. Between you and me, I believe fiber is the key ingredient to losing weight naturally!
The pizza demon was a challenge, but it is manageable. I found a substitute. Make my own with a whole wheat crust and veggie ingredients. Works for me!
Through discipline, substitution, experimentation, knowledge, my lifestyle is changing. I am eating healthier which gives me the energy I need to exercise, move, and just live!
I learned to eat every 2 hours, and limit my portions. Combined with the right foods, this keeps you feeling full and cravings are at a minimum.
I cut my main demon and that would be sugar. Instead of 2-3 tsp. of sugar in each cup of coffee, I adjusted to 1 or half or none. I actually enjoy coffee with no sugar, but when I crave it I limit it to one at the most.
Chocolate is a demon we all have. Switch to a 75% Cacao and limit it to a small portion each day and you’ll be set. Cacao is a healthier chocolate with antioxidants!
I still have a portion control problem. But it is in the process of correction.
After reaching a weight plateau of 220 lbs., I am finally moving towards 2
The one thing I will never trust are the quick fixes that are out there.
From the article:
“A popular type of weight-loss product, heavily promoted on the Internet, is fraudulent and illegal, Food and Drug Administration officials say.
HCG weight-loss products that promise dramatic results and claim to be homeopathic are sold as drops, pellets and sprays on the Web, in drugstores and at General Nutrition Centers. They are supposed to be used in combination with a very low-calorie diet of 500 calories a day.”
500 calories a day!!! The weight loss, if any, is due to starvation. You should maintain at least a 2000 calorie a day diet if you don’t want to gain everything back and more!
Make your food count by using food that will give the right nutrients to your body. Real Simple magazine has a list of 30 healthy foods to start eating. A major player that I would like to add is BEETS!
I gotta do this again sometime!
