6 Resolutions for body, mind and soul
Every year we all tend to quickly make our new year resolutions, only to have them fall by the wayside as the year starts to take its toll. The first priority for many is to go on a diet and lose weight, but dieting is not the most effective way to shed unwanted weight and get your body back in shape.
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THE BEST DIET IS A HEALTHY EATING PLAN!
No matter what you call it: the diet roller-coaster, diet yo-yo, dieting merry-go-round - it still comes down to one important fact - it doesn't work. Ask anyone who has tried fad dieting and you'll hear stories of how they lots a lot of weight in an instant only to pick it back up again.
The best diet in the world is to get your body back to eating the foods it needs and the ones that are good for body and mind.
Step 1- Be determined
It's like quitting anything - you have to be ready to do it. You have to say to yourself that this is the time.
Step 2 - Small steps
You don’t have to go overboard and immediately eliminate foods you enjoy to have a healthy diet. The long term goal is to feel good, lose excess weight and have more energy. Keep in mind that every healthy food choice you makes a difference.
Step 3 - Cure the cravings
It's human nature that not being able to have something makes you want it more. This definitely applies to foods - when you ban certain foods or food groups, it is natural to want those foods more, and then feel like a failure if you give in to temptation. If you are drawn towards sweet, salty, or unhealthy foods, start by reducing portion sizes and not eating them as often. Later you may find yourself craving them less or thinking of them as only occasional indulgences.
Step 4 - Don't starve yourself
The importance of a healthy diet is to ensure that you body gets all it needs to perform at optimum levels throughout the day. A healthy breakfast, mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack, lunch and supper are all essential to maintaining the proper levels in your body. Skipping meals doesn't do your body any good whatsoever and will not aid in achieving a healthy goal weight.
If, like me, the thought of chewing on raw veggies for a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack has no appeal whatsoever, grab a protein bar, or a packet of baked wheat crackers and a slice of cucumber and tomato.
Step 5 - Metabolism boosting
If you are on and off the diet roller-coaster, you will probably find that your metabolism is slow to start off. Don't expect to lose weight or have increased energy levels immediately - your body needs time to recover and re-balance. Even if you only do 5 minutes of exercise each day - that's already over half and hour a week and more than you did before.
For the more sedate (that's the nice way to say lazy!), an exercise ball is all you need to kick start a mild fitness program. Put on some nice music and try different positions.
Step 6 - Rehydrate and refresh
I must admit that the thought of drinking tap water makes me shiver, but you do need to increase your water intake. If you can, invest in a water purifier for the home rather than resorting to bottled water. Even a filter pot will cleanse tap water to a degree. Try to drink at least 4 - 6 glasses of water a day.
Freshen Up
If drinking water turns you off - try adding a splash of lemon juice, or a couple of slices of fresh lemon and some ice. It's good for cleansing and detox.