You just can’t reinvent the wheel. Want to lose weight? Try these simple, old as dirt, tips. Use a smaller plate. Eat more slowly, chew your food A LOT of times. Drink a big (or even 2) glass of water before your meals. Fill more of your plate with veggies. Pile lettuce, tomato and onions on your sandwiches to make them bigger and more satisfying. Instead of reclining-sit…instead of sitting-stand…instead of standing-walk. Walk more. Use spices instead of salt. Stop wearing clothes with elastic (or NO waistband!). Eat your bulk of high carb foods in the earlier hours of the day. In fact, eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a queen and dinner like a pauper. Get ample sleep. COUNT YOUR CALORIES! Write them down. Move your body every day. Eat like they do in one of the blue zones–until you are 80% full. That one is hard for me, but makes so much sense! You will not only cut calories, but feel that you can move after your meal. Carry snacks that you know the calorie and nutritional content of. My mid morning snack has been a few almonds, a few cashews and a couple of dates. Eating a little protein with every meal/snack helps keep you full. Take deep breaths and be grateful.
On this Vegan Feast Thursday, may I also suggest trading in some meat for some veggies. Veggies are almost free calories. Rarely do we see people getting fat because they ate too much broccoli…right Shelli?
Above all else, dump the word diet and substitute for “way of life.” Time and time again, we see that diets are only temporary. If you can’t live endlessly the way you are eating, something isn’t right.
What are some of the tried and true tips that are working for you?
If – WHEN you eat out, ask for a “to go” box at the start of the meal. Ask the server to ask the chef to cook without butter or oil. Decline the offer of a bread basket on the table. Ask for all sauces and/or dressings on the side. Servers don’t mind any of this, as long as you’re nice about it.
Remove sugar from your diet to the best of your ability!!
Whenever I eat out, I visually divide the portion in half and eat that amount. There are even times when the portion is so huge, that I divide it into thirds! I have been doing this technique my entire adult life. It really works. I am satisfied with the portion and I have another meal to enjoy. My brain is fooled and my tummy is full. 🙂