Good morning everyone and happy MLK day. I hope all you lucky people have the day off, cuz I don't....
I got in 3.42 miles yesterday. It was slow going and a lot of work but at least I did something. We have 12" of fresh powder. I think I was doing the wrong kind of skiing!!!
Here is the last week of tips for the Jump Start program I have been giving you. This one is called "Think Yourself Thin"....if it were only possible....
1. Flatter yourself. Women who see themselves as heavier than they are have a harder time maintaining weight loss after a yaer. Everytime you catch yourself saying something negative about your body today, write down a compliment and repeat it 10 times instead.
2. Find a release valve. Stress can mess with the scale in 2 powerful ways. Tension and anxiety activate your body's fight or flight response raising levels of cortisol. At the same time, you seek out high-fat and high-calorie foods for their soothing effects on the brain. Rely on a strategy you can employ at any time to tame tension. Take a walk, breathe deeply, listen to your favorite song, call a pal, watch a zany
YouTube clip or laught at a post on a funny blog instead of stewing and snacking.
3. Catch some shut-eye. People who get 5 or fewer hours of sleep per night are 55% more likely to be obese than those who log 89 straight according to a review of 45 studies published in the journal Sleep. Sleep deprivation may increase your output of hunger hormones, turn off your fullness hormones and bring on cravings for foods such as sugary carbs, whic perk you up.
4. Slow it down. It takes about 20 minutes for satiety signals to set in. Eat your meals in courses and keep the serving dishes in the kitchen or away from where you dine. (The bariatric center where I work instructs people to always eat your protein first--just another tip).
5. Lose the guilt. Eating is not an exercise in morality nor should it mark your success or failure. Let go of "good" and "bad" foods and separate eating from emotions. You'll be happier and healthier. Try not to judge your choices. Instead, pamper yourself wtih a movie or a manicure.
6. Put bargains on ice. Cash may be tight but avoid trimming from the grocery budget. People who spend more on food tend to weigh less because nutrient-rich veggies, fruit and lean meat cost more then empty-calorie choices. To save cash and eat well, fill your freezer with healthy bargains. Stock up on frozen veggies and fruit, they cost less than fresh but pack as many nutrients.
7. CELEBRATE. You did it. Congrats. your mission today, revel in what brings you joy. Have a fun night out, get tickets to a concert, or treat your new body to a spa day or beach vacation. You deserve a little reword for doing right by....you!!!
I hope these have been helpful to you. If you can pull just one little thing from them that works it will be worth all this typing!!! I know I have learned a lot. It said in the beginning that these changes weekly along with adding in strength and cardio every other day (alternating the two) you could drop 8 pounds in the 4 weeks. I have lost 4 so I call that a win!!! I hope some of you have benefitted too!!
My treat....I am going to the Rock N Roll Virginia Beach half marathon in September and besides my running clothes, I am packing 2 bikinis....yep traveling light!!!!
