getting healthy

[Fitswimmer]

I could still use to drop a few pounds, but these are a few tricks that I've found to be helpful.

I swear by cooked oatmeal for breakfast every day. I put frozen blueberries on it with a little skim milk and I'm good for 5 hours!!

I also started getting up an hour earlier and going to the Y in the morning after breakfast on my way to work. I do 30 minutes on the treadmill and weights two days a week, 3 days a week I swim laps for 30 minutes. If I'm feeling really ambitious, I'll go back to the Y on the way home from work on swimming days and do the treadmill and weights too. Not only does it help me maintain my weight, it helps my attitude and energy level. I've been doing it for over 10 years now,and it's really an important part of my life. Yes, the first two months were killers, and I have to readjust after every vacation-but it is SO worth it.

The other trick I've learned is watching portions. I was eating WAY too much at meals and snacks, excusing it because I exercise every day. I eat half the sandwich I used to make and I measure out pasta and rice every time. When I go out to eat, I usually bring home at least half of what I'm given. I love the 100 calorie packs, they really help me keep my snacks measured.

 

[WeirdEyes]

Fitswimmer ~ Another great tip!! I also cut my restaurant portions and half and immediately request a "go" box.

 

[momrek06]

I could still use to drop a few pounds, but these are a few tricks that I've found to be helpful.

I swear by cooked oatmeal for breakfast every day. I put frozen blueberries on it with a little skim milk and I'm good for 5 hours!! I also started getting up an hour earlier and going to the Y in the morning after breakfast on my way to work. I do 30 minutes on the treadmill and weights two days a week, 3 days a week I swim laps for 30 minutes. If I'm feeling really ambitious, I'll go back to the Y on the way home from work on swimming days and do the treadmill and weights too. Not only does it help me maintain my weight, it helps my attitude and energy level. I've been doing it for over 10 years now,and it's really an important part of my life. Yes, the first two months were killers, and I have to readjust after every vacation-but it is SO worth it.

The other trick I've learned is watching portions. I was eating WAY too much at meals and snacks, excusing it because I exercise every day. I eat half the sandwich I used to make and I measure out pasta and rice every time. When I go out to eat, I usually bring home at least half of what I'm given. I love the 100 calorie packs, they really help me keep my snacks measured.

WOW...great great working out!!! The oatmeal is so fabulous. Keep up the good work!!!

 

[Catananche]

Let me give you a big secret about walking. If you don't already have one, get yourself a small MP3 player. QUOTE]

I completely agree! I walk faster, and for longer, with my MP3 player, and my pedometer helped to reach my daily goals (6000 steps per day initially, now 20000 on days off).

And the five or six veggies can seem like a lot, but if, for example, you have some berries on your breakfast cereal, carrot sticks for mid-morning munchies, veggie soup for lunch (I cram my minestrone full of them), apple mid-afternoon, and more veggies with your dinner, then you can get there pretty easily. Snacking healthily when hungry, instead of ignoring hunger pangs, may keep your metabolism up.

Good luck!

P.S. "Shake Your Groove Thing" is such a good song to walk to!

 

[Fitswimmer]

Here's another trick I've learned. Reward yourself with something other than food. Many of us grew up getting a cookie for good behavior or a lollypop after a shot. That food as reward pattern is a killer and really needs to be broken.

I got an IPOD to exercise with and I reward myself for exercise and good eating habits with new music or video. My friend buys new shoes or something to wear when she works out.

 

[Tiggeroo]

great tips. I"m going to do the oatmeal for breakfast. I have some serious stomach problems. This is one of the reasons for the change. I need to up the fiber and cut out as much processed stuff as possible. I'm working on the water. I just went to the store. Got alot of good fruits and veggies, black beans, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, etc. Tomorrow will be serious.

 

[Honu]

I've gone from a size 20W to a size 8 by changing my way of eating (NOT dieting) and exercising. YOU CAN DO IT also!!!

Cut out all of the sugar you eat now. Add whole grains instead of processed whites (rice, white bread, pasta, white flour, etc.). Try to eat some fruits and veggies during the day. Add some low-fat yogurt to your diet. Make sure you eat breakfast every day within one hour of waking.

Exercise! Exercise! Exercise!! even if you only walk 30 minutes a day to begin with.

Be patient. You didn't gain it overnight so you won't lose it overnight.

Good luck!!!!

Very good advice. The thing I always try to remember, although it's corny, is that I am what I eat. Garbage that goes in, stays in for awhile.

Many, if not most, of the manufactured "diet" foods contain saturated fats, refined sugar, enriched flour and way too much sodium. Because the calories are low though, people think they are doing something good for their body. Read those labels. If you can't pronounce it and don't know what it is, don't eat it.

 

[crazelion]

Great tips. I just start a workout program myself. I proud of myself for not dropping out of the class.

 

[miss missy]

you can do it. Just adding YES to water too. And also flax seed everyday is good. Whole grain not whole wheat.

 

[momrek06]

great tips. I"m going to do the oatmeal for breakfast. I have some serious stomach problems. This is one of the reasons for the change. I need to up the fiber and cut out as much processed stuff as possible. I'm working on the water. I just went to the store. Got alot of good fruits and veggies, black beans, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, etc. Tomorrow will be serious.

TIGGEROO...wwwoooooo....take it SLOW....do not bulk up on too much fiber too quickly...you want to increase your fiber slowly working up to a comfortable about amount...something like 21-38 grams daily....but work up to it...going to quickly and too much can cause a bloated feeling and possibly some abdominal cramps...start SLOW and increase daily...and DRINK WATER.

Make this a "new" lifestyle challenge and change for YOU!!!

 

[TheGoofster]

Very good advice. The thing I always try to remember, although it's corny, is that I am what I eat. Garbage that goes in, stays in for awhile.

Another nice little slogan that helps is:
What did I do to my body today, or what did I do for my body today.