Just saying the word “diet” can sound daunting. It may be what’s holding you back from changing your bad eating habits. So don’t go on a “diet”. Change just one little thing at a time so you can feel like you’re accomplishing something. What you will find is that you will actually accomplish something. Just use the tips I send you each day as a starting point. Each of those little goals will work a little. That’s the idea. They aren’t meant to be the single think you do to improve your health. Give it a try. Hey… even deciding to do that is reaching a small goal.
TODAY: DRINK MORE WATER.
The next time you are in the grocery, head to the produce department and pick up a five pound sack of potatoes. Then carry it around the rest of the time you’re shopping. Don’t put it in the cart. Carry it. You’ll find that five pounds takes a surprising amount of effort to carry for a while. Now imagine that you’re carrying that around from the time you get up until you go to bed at night. That’s what you are doing when you are just five pounds overweight.
The point is that with just a little effort, you should be able to drop five pounds in a couple of weeks. Eat a litle less, skip the snacks and high calorie deserts and go walk a little. It will come off. You will be amazed at the extra energy you will have by dropping just five pounds. So make the first step dropping the potatoes. The ones you eat. Then take the next step out the door. Believe me. It’s not a half-baked idea.
TODAY: SET A GOAL TO LOSE FIVE POUNDS IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.
If you are on a low carb diet like Atkins, you may start having leg cramps at night. I always seem to notice them after about a week. It usually signals that the diet is working. It’s caused by low calcium or potassium. With me, it seems to be calcium and taking a supplement usually stops them. Some people also say that drinking diet tonic water helps. Since vodka has zero carbs, you can have a nice cocktail before bed to really relax your muscles.
TODAY: DO SOME STRETCHING EXERCISES AND TRY A COUPLE OF SIT UPS THEN GET OUT FOR A BRISK WALK
It’s the weekend. A chance to catch up on things. A chance to relax and recharge. While you’re relaxing go ahead and take a nap. After all you can’t eat when you’re asleep!
TODAY: TAKE IT EASY BUT DO A LITLE EXERCISE TOO.
An idle mind is the diet’s playground. Boredom often leads you to food. Sitting, mindlessly stuffing snacks in your face doesn’t really satisfy your needs. You may even end up feeling guilty later and that will depress you and you’ll eat some more to feel better. Get busy! I’m sure you’ve had those days when you simply forget to eat, or grab something quick. Make sure when that happens that you eat high quality protein. It will recharge your brain and boost your metabolism. Evenings? Take up a hobby, clean the house, even search the internet. It will keep your hands doing something besides reaching in a bag of calories.
TODAY: KEEP BUSY MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY.
Okay, let’s say you’re being good all day. You watch how much you eat, keep the calories and carbs low, drink lots of water and even… wait for it… EXERCISE! But then it gets to be evening time and you get hungry and blow it. Well, maybe it has to do with when you eat dinner. Those early-bird specials are great but… they’re EARLY. If you stay up till the late news you have a third of your day to go. Even if you eat right after work, there is a lot of time till bed. That’s why you get hungry. So shift your dinner a bit later and you’ll be less tempted. Of course, don’t get too hungry before dinner. Have a hand-full of almonds or macadamias and a big glass of water. It will take the edge off and keep you from wanting bigger portions later. So eat late but don’t over eat.
TODAY: EAT DINNER A LITTLE LATER.
You’re going to be tempted by all the grocery sales leading up to Sunday. Take this time to step back, evaluate what’s in the pantry and tackle changing the way you eat. Do you still have treats left over from Christmas? I bet if you even look closely you’ll find some candy corn and Easter eggs in the stash. It’s time to purge the high calorie stuff. I know, I know, it’s painful. But think of the pain in your knees and start replacing things in your diet that have lead you to putting on the pounds. You don’t have to give up things entirely. Just enjoy less of it. Don’t let snacks be a meal. Fill up on protein and raw veggies, then give yourself a much smaller treat that you can enjoy without guilt or remorse. With just a few changes you will be able take your diet all.. the… way!
TODAY: CLEAR YOUR PANTRY OF LEFTOVER SNACKS.
Daily Nag, Tips & Tricks | Diet Nag | 
February 24, 2010 6:40 am | 
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