We’re through that “in like a lion” part of March. So, now we can make use of the improving weather and start doing some marching of our own. I know I nag about this. But hey… it’s my job.
The shocking truth is that less than half of us do enough exercise to get any health or fitness benefits from it. So walking is maybe the easiest and best place to start. I know, I know, you’ve heard this before. Well… you’ll hear it again. Each day in the coming week I’ll talk about our march to better health.
TODAY: CHECK YOUR CLOSET FOR WALKING SHOES. I’M SURE YOU HAVE A PAIR YOU CAN DUST OFF.
It’s Monday, weigh-in day. You need to do this every week. Chart your weight but don’t obsess about small daily changes. Look at the big picture. (no pun intended) Weighing yourself just once a week is sufficient. If you can lose just 1 - 2 pounds a week you’re on your way to a weight you can live with. You might not lose weight every week. That’s normal. Just stick with it and the scales will tip in your favor.
TODAY: TAKE A GOOD WALK (IT IS “MARCH” AFTER ALL) TO THE MARKET AND BUY VEGGIES TO CUT UP FOR SNACKS.
Yesterday I told you to exercise in the morning. Now today I’m suggesting that you exercise at the end of the day. I know your thinking what the hell? Can’t you make up your mind? Well the truth is I’m trying to make up yours!
Just like the morning exercise gets you pumping, exercise late in your day will get rid of all the tension that has built up. A good brisk walk, or spinning on the exercise bike, or simply doing several reps of exercises will clear your head, warm your muscles and get you ready for a nice hot shower. It will curb your appetite some while relaxing you for when you go to bed for a good solid sleep. So you can get up early… and exercise!
TODAY: GET SOME EXERCISE BEFORE DINNER.
Don’t deprive yourself of your favorites just because you’re dieting. You can eat anything you want. Just do it every now and then rather than all the time. Keep the portions reasonable too. No huge bowls of ice cream with chocolate sauce every night! A scoop or so every now and then is okay. If you deny yourself all the time you’ll end up resenting your healthier lifestyle. Just continue to eat les and exercise more and it will all work out. So go ahead, have a treat this weekend, and even during the week sometimes. Make sure you enjoy it. You may find it better than you remember when you were having it all the time.
TODAY: DO JUST A LITTLE MORE WALKING THAN YESTERDAY.
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.
There are a lot of snack bars and other expensive options for diet snacks. Don’t overlook the simple things in your pantry. One of my favorite standbys is Fiber One cereal. Not any of the new offerings from them. Just the basic, original sticks. I discovered Fiber One the first time I ever tried the Atkins diet. It was before Atkins came out with their own food line and to stay on the diet you had to read labels on food religiously. It was a real learning experience. After having a craving for cereal I spent quite a bit of time in the cereal aisle one night and finally got to Fiber One. It is perhaps the perfect low carb, low calorie cereal. If you are really on the Atkins diet have it with real cream as a moist cereal. It’s decadent, and still on your diet! But for the healthy lifestyle diet (where we promote eating less and exercising more) use the dry cereal as a snack. It’s naturally sweet with a satisfying crunch. Toss in a few nuts and raisins every now and then for variety. Top it off with a big glass of water and you’re doing yourself and your colon good. To steal another cereal slogan… It’s Grrrreat!
TODAY: NO JOKE. HAVE SOME FIBER ONE TO BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE.
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.
Daily Nag, Exercise | Diet Nag | 
March 9, 2010 6:04 am | 
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