Start 2011 Fit and Trim With These Tips
It's that time of year again.
It's hard to believe that 2010 is over.
It seems like we were just watching the Times Square ball drop a mere few months ago.
But alas, it's time to start getting back on the diet wagon again.
It's time to stop constantly indulging, and to start eating our veggies and fruits servings every day again.
Most importantly, it's time to start the new year right, feeling good about ourselves, and full of energy and promise.
The only way we can do that is to make sure we are fit and trim, and the only way to do that is to whip our taste buds back in to shape and start hitting the gym again.
There are several tricks that will help you make this transition from indulgence back into discipline a little easier.
After all, when our bodies get used to fats, salts and sugars, they begin to "expect" that from us every day.
That's the danger in overdoing it for too long.
It's almost like withdrawing from a serious drug.
In fact, foods act much like a drug - especially the bad ones! The first thing you want to do is make hot tea and water your best friend for those first few crucial days of getting back into the swing of things.
Hot tea is one of my favorite ways to occupy my mouth since I am constantly sipping on it, and also to make my belly feel full.
Hot liquids are a great way to fill you up and also to pass the time and fulfill that need to be eating or drinking something.
Green teas, white tea and black tea are also full of antioxidants to boot.
Green tea is even known to help boost the metabolism, and has been used in weight loss supplements as an appetite suppressant.
It also gives you a great, even energy that doesn't burn out fast and hard like coffee often does.
Sometimes coffee can act like an appetite suppressant while you're drinking it, only to make you feel ravenous when it wears off.
If you can't handle too much caffeine, decaffeinated green tea is an excellent alternative.
Sweeten it with a bit of stevia (a natural sweetener with no glycemic impact), and a hint of lemon, and it's a great appetite suppressant and comforting "sipping" occupation.
While getting back to a regular exercise regimen is important, you may not want to over do it the first few days you're getting back into the habit.
Make sure you're doing some light cardio and weight work, but anything too heavy may just send your appetite through the roof.
Remember, your body is adjusting back to normal.
It's adjusting to eating foods that may be a little blander and not as full of flavor as your previously indulgent treats.
If you over do the cardio or muscle routines, then your body will really rebel and basically make you miserable from the withdrawal.
I like to practice yoga while I'm trying to get back into my diet routine.
I'm still getting some cardio, and I'm also able to center myself and really think about my body and how important it is that I start eating healthy again.
Something about yoga really does help quiet the mind and help one to reprioritize their life.
If you have a desk job, or you have a job where you otherwise sit for quite a bit of the day, try standing for longer periods of time.
Some jobs will even let you have a standing keyboard for ergonomic purposes.
It's been proven that merely standing instead of sitting for much of the day burns about 300 calories more.
Just burning that many more calories per day can help you to shed a pound every week or two weeks, depending on your starting metabolism.
Try to also take the stairs or get up and walk around as much as you can throughout the day.
This is not only good for accelerated weight loss, but it helps to keep you more alert and focused throughout the day.
Your metabolism almost shuts down when you sit for long periods of time.
By getting up and breaking this cycle, you are essentially "kick starting" your metabolism every fifteen minutes to a half hour so that it does not have a chance to slow down.
By following these simple tips and lifestyle guidelines for those transitional first few days or weeks of getting back into good eating habits, you are sure to start the new year off right!
It's hard to believe that 2010 is over.
It seems like we were just watching the Times Square ball drop a mere few months ago.
But alas, it's time to start getting back on the diet wagon again.
It's time to stop constantly indulging, and to start eating our veggies and fruits servings every day again.
Most importantly, it's time to start the new year right, feeling good about ourselves, and full of energy and promise.
The only way we can do that is to make sure we are fit and trim, and the only way to do that is to whip our taste buds back in to shape and start hitting the gym again.
There are several tricks that will help you make this transition from indulgence back into discipline a little easier.
After all, when our bodies get used to fats, salts and sugars, they begin to "expect" that from us every day.
That's the danger in overdoing it for too long.
It's almost like withdrawing from a serious drug.
In fact, foods act much like a drug - especially the bad ones! The first thing you want to do is make hot tea and water your best friend for those first few crucial days of getting back into the swing of things.
Hot tea is one of my favorite ways to occupy my mouth since I am constantly sipping on it, and also to make my belly feel full.
Hot liquids are a great way to fill you up and also to pass the time and fulfill that need to be eating or drinking something.
Green teas, white tea and black tea are also full of antioxidants to boot.
Green tea is even known to help boost the metabolism, and has been used in weight loss supplements as an appetite suppressant.
It also gives you a great, even energy that doesn't burn out fast and hard like coffee often does.
Sometimes coffee can act like an appetite suppressant while you're drinking it, only to make you feel ravenous when it wears off.
If you can't handle too much caffeine, decaffeinated green tea is an excellent alternative.
Sweeten it with a bit of stevia (a natural sweetener with no glycemic impact), and a hint of lemon, and it's a great appetite suppressant and comforting "sipping" occupation.
While getting back to a regular exercise regimen is important, you may not want to over do it the first few days you're getting back into the habit.
Make sure you're doing some light cardio and weight work, but anything too heavy may just send your appetite through the roof.
Remember, your body is adjusting back to normal.
It's adjusting to eating foods that may be a little blander and not as full of flavor as your previously indulgent treats.
If you over do the cardio or muscle routines, then your body will really rebel and basically make you miserable from the withdrawal.
I like to practice yoga while I'm trying to get back into my diet routine.
I'm still getting some cardio, and I'm also able to center myself and really think about my body and how important it is that I start eating healthy again.
Something about yoga really does help quiet the mind and help one to reprioritize their life.
If you have a desk job, or you have a job where you otherwise sit for quite a bit of the day, try standing for longer periods of time.
Some jobs will even let you have a standing keyboard for ergonomic purposes.
It's been proven that merely standing instead of sitting for much of the day burns about 300 calories more.
Just burning that many more calories per day can help you to shed a pound every week or two weeks, depending on your starting metabolism.
Try to also take the stairs or get up and walk around as much as you can throughout the day.
This is not only good for accelerated weight loss, but it helps to keep you more alert and focused throughout the day.
Your metabolism almost shuts down when you sit for long periods of time.
By getting up and breaking this cycle, you are essentially "kick starting" your metabolism every fifteen minutes to a half hour so that it does not have a chance to slow down.
By following these simple tips and lifestyle guidelines for those transitional first few days or weeks of getting back into good eating habits, you are sure to start the new year off right!
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