I know what you are thinking:
What has she been smoking to say this?
In recent years we have become used to the instant gratification that comes with technology and advances in science and medical research and we have tried to use this to advance our weight loss efforts – often to be disappointed. We look from one fad diet to the next new low-cal / sugar-free alternative, but all we really do is replace one bad food choice with the other.
It is time for us to change our perspective and adopt some healthy lifestyle changes that will result in long term, natural weight loss.
Here are some tips:
1. Get in touch with your body from the inside out
The only time when some of us become aware of the inside of our bodies, is when something goes wrong – when we pull a muscle, when an organ is hurting or when there some other type of dysfunction. On the outside we pamper our skin, scrub our cellulite, paint our nails and have our hair done.
Ignoring our organs and inside mechanics of our bodies over such prolonged periods could result in all types of conditions such as heart disease, cancer or diabetes. Stop neglecting your body. However, by being body-conscious (internally, not aesthetically) you will be able to feel if something does not feel right and you can have it seen to.
Take deep breaths and feel how the oxygen reaches the deepest recesses of your lungs. I love the feeling of how the blood pumps all the way to my toes when I take deep breaths.
Breast exams, stretching and exercise are all great ways to get in touch with your “inner self”.
2. Savor every meal and snack
Food lovers generally tend to indulge in comfort eating, but there is much more to it than that. When trying to eat to fill an emotional need, food often becomes an enemy to the obsessive eater wanting to lose weight. Short-sighted goals, avoiding certain foods and sneaking food when they really shouldn’t or on the flipside – consuming too little food to feed their bodies optimally, result in several severe health issues.
Your body NEEDS dietary fats, protein, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, fibre and other nutrients.
Rather see each meal as an opportunity to benefit your body. Learn more about your unique body and your unique needs and learn which foods will be best for your health and weightloss goals based on any health conditions and how certain food choices make you feel emotionally and physically.
Your meals should be guilt-free (no matter what you eat). Click here to find out how to do that.
3. Make better food choices
That said, when your body becomes healthier as the result of better nutrition, you will gravitate towards healthier food types.
Over the last month or two I have developed a taste for better food and it has been so easy and natural that I have no desire for certain foods that I used to love.
For instance, while the family eats steak rolls, I have my steak with roast vegetables or salad instead – by choice and I feel so good while I eat it. When they want fried chicken, I bake mine with fresh herbs, chillies and masala spices.
I have noticed how wheat makes me feel bloated – something I previously taken as par for the cause of being overweight. However, I have now discovered how light I feel when I am not bloated and that I don’t have to feel bloated all the time. If avoiding wheat is helping me to feel lighter and taking away the nausea and discomfort, then I am avoiding wheat.
Replace commercial foods that promise low calories with natural whole foods. Many frozen foods contain dangerous chemicals that over-stimulate the nervous system as well as MSG. You will end up over-eating, thereby destroying your good intentions. The same applies to diet sodas that promise low / no calories, but still cause sudden blood sugar spikes.
4. Keeping healthy snacks on hand
Protein is great for keeping hunger pangs at bay and it’s even better to have 5-6 small meals a day.
Eat nuts, dried fruits, a boiled egg, fresh fruit or raw vegetables, high protein / low calorie Gourmet Tomato Soup, Bulgarian yogurt with added protein powder, Formula 1 bars, strawberries or a half-portion Formula 1 shake.
5. Focus on feeling healthier, not looking thinner
When you feel good, you will naturally start to lose weight. Therefore, shift your focus to feeling healthy, relaxed, energized, more flexible and improving certain conditions that you are experiencing.
You will find that this approach to weight loss is a lot easier to manage and it will help prevent the yo-yo dieting effect. Additionally, you will gain a great new attitude towards weight loss and good health.
Focus on your mood, not on your food!
[...] know you are thinking that this is an exaggeration, but it is not. Your body is precious and you should care for it every day to ensure that you can make ‘old [...]