You need time to fill up when you eat your meals, so eat with friends and start talking. If you’re talking you can’t be eating. Unless you have no manners and talk with your mouth full. That 20 minutes you need to feel full will come around and you will have eaten less. So carry on a good conversation to carry around less weight.
TODAY: SLOW DOWN YOUR MEALS.
Add spices to your food to add more flavor. It can help you feel satisfied. It will stimulate your taste buds so you won’t eat as much.
Intense sweets can do the same thing. Those little sugar-free Altoids and other powerful candies can do the same to curb cravings. Those and a hot cup of coffee can keep you going till you can have a protein filled snack or meal.
TODAY: KEEP UP THE FASTER PACE WHEN WALKING
It’s amazing that our parents ever survived without carrying bottles of water everywhere. Actually, my father would have laughed himself silly if I had suggested to him that people would actually pay more for a bottle of water than for soft drinks or even beer! I don’t carry any. I’ve found that it’s available pretty much everywhere thanks to a plumbing system invented during the Roman Empire.
You’ve heard it many times before. Water is a dieters friend. It helps fill you up. Just don’t overdo it. There are those rare cases of water intoxication. In unusually high amounts it can dilute the electrolytes in your body and cause severe problems. Just drink a big glass a few times a day. If you’re on Atkins it’s necessary to purge your body of excess protein. It will also keep you regular. As a bonus, all that hand washing in the restroom will probably fend off a few colds too!
TODAY: TAKE THE STAIRS.
I’ve found that by planning my meals the day before gives me a chance to really enjoy them more. And research has shown that enjoying food makes it more filling and satisfying. I’ve been on the Atkins diet and I have an egg breakfast every day. By planning how to prepare those eggs, what meat to have (like leftovers from dinner) and even what condiments to use makes that breakfast an event. It’s like setting a goal and reaching it. So I start the day with a diet victory. As a bonus, I often get to try new things. Have you ever tried a barbecue omelet?
Dieting is a life extending change. So plan your diet menu for tomorrow today and you’ll have more today’s to plan too.
TODAY: PLAN YOUR MEALS FOR TOMORROW. THINK ABOUT THEM WHILE YOU’RE WALKING.
You may have some spare bites left in the fridge from eating less at each meal. Today is the day for you to have a smorgesboard of bites. It will give you a nice variety and a cheap meal. Actually, don’t let those leftovers go to waste at any time. A diet is a great way to save money and those hunks of meat and portions of veggies that you didn’t eat because you were reducing portions can be mixed together into a nice hash. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations. It’s a great opportunity to experiment because if it doesn’t taste good… it’s no big loss! I find that a good spicy hot sauce, with little or no added calories, gives a nice boost and tickles your taste-buds with a new experience as well.
TODAY: MAKE A MEAL OF LEFTOVERS.
I’ve told you before that exercise counts even if it’s in small portions throughout the day. Well food does the same. Don’t fool yourself. A bite of candy here, a few chips there, it still gives you calories that you have to burn. Don’t have those things around and you won’t be tempted. You do want to eat several times a day to keep your metabolism up and burning. Just eat snacks that have high protein, low carbs, high fiber and low calories. Pay attention to what you eat don’t just open your mouth and stick in whatever is handy.
TODAY: AVOID UNNECESSARY CALORIES.
A study by the US Department of Agriculture found that people who spend more time planning, shopping for and preparing food are less likely to be over or under weight. They think it has something to do with being around the food so much. Of course those little tastes may also help you eat less too. Though I’ve seen my share of fat cooks. So don’t overdo the samples, unless you also reduce your portions when the meal is done.
TODAY: GET OUT AND WALK. NO FOOLING!