Simple Alternatives

One of the biggest and most common mistake people make everyday, making weight less harder than it has to be, is mistaking thirst for hunger.  Naturally, our brain assumes that whenever we feel there is extra space, it must be filled with food.  When in actually, drinks do the trick just as well if not better.  This is why my favorite weight loss tip is drinking more water everyday.  If a person drinks one cup of cold water before snacking or eating a meal, they tend to eat less because their brain is signaling the fullness quicker.  As should in this study on CNN, people who drank 16 ounces of water before eating lost an average of 15.5 lbs as opposed to the control group that lost 11. This is considered one of the safest ways to encourage weight loss.  So be sure to eat healthy and drink plenty of water before every meal and throughout the day.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/08/23/drink.water.lose.weight/index.html

Simple Steps to Success!

There are some simple steps we can incorporate to our daily routines that will make a huge difference.  First, we can start by parking further away from the entrance to the grocery store.  Finding a parking spot in the back of the lot is much easier anyways!  Once you walk into the grocery store you can start off by purchasing more fruits and veggies instead of candies and carbs.  make sure you have plenty of food at home so you can pack food to bring to school or work rather than blowing money and needless calories on a meal that you actually have no idea what it is composed of.  Make small alternatives to some of your favorite activities.  Maybe instead of watching television for hours after getting home from work, you can go on walk and listen to music.  Instead of stressing at night before going to sleep, take a couple deep breathes, count your blessings, and close your eyes.

Your outcome is solely dependent on your attitude and how much you want it. Your physical, mental, and emotional health are all made up of what you let affect you.  Hence, you are what you eat!  After you notice the difference in how you feel and your outlook on the progress you have made, you will gain the constant motivation to achieve your goals.

The Hardest Part: Getting Started!

Undoubtedly, the most difficult part of starting a healthy lifestyle is finding the motivation.  This motivation can not just last a day either.  In order to stay healthy and happy we have to continually remind ourselves of the results we are seeking.  Recently I have decided to eat healthier and workout more. I am not doing this to lose weight but just to feel better.  the first thing I noticed is just how hard it is to not cave in.  It isn't that I completely punish myself and not allow myself to eat unhealthy but I definitely eat unhealthier foods in moderation now.  the most affective move I have made is drinking more water to prevent myself from mistaking thirst for hunger.  It is amazing how many times I would skip a bottle of water and replace it with extra food.

Like I said before, it is a strenuous process that challenges us more mentally than physically. Therefore, we should set goals that can be reached and treat ourselves once we reach them.  Who knows, as time goes on we may no longer feel the need to reward ourselves. Being healthy might become second nature!