Getting Healthier - Eat, Drink and Be Merry

Okay, so I explained in my last Getting Healthier post that when your body thinks it's going to go a while without food, it stores calories away like a psychotic chipmunk.  This brings me to the next theory in the diet plan I'm following: Eating More Often.

Before I even began reading the Fat to Firm book, I saw a program on Discovery Health about a woman who weighed well over 200 pounds and how she lost weight by eating 5-6 meals a day.  She dropped down to thin and became a body builder, but that's not the point.  The point is, she eats often and by doing that, her body never feels like it has to store away anything.

Of course, this doesn't mean eating anything and everything in sight.  That's how my poundage went up in the first place.  No.  It means eating small and sensible meals and/or snacks throughout the day.  Eat a good breakfast shortly after you wake up.  About two hours after that, eat a healthy snack - yogurt, fruit, low-fat crackers, even nuts as long as you don't overdo it.  Have a good lunch at your usual lunchtime.  Two more hours and another sensible snack.  Dinner at your usual dinnertime.  And a light snack about an hour before bed.

As with any healthy eating plan, watch your fat intake and your calorie intake.  Even sensible foods can be high calorie - like nuts.  Also, watch the 'diet foods' you eat.  They can be deceptive.  For instance, diet mint patties still carry about 30 calories each (depending on the brand).  I could eat a whole package of those things, and trust me, that doesn't help you lose weight.  And remember, sugar free does not mean fat free.  Those candies over there were designed for diabetics, not dieters.

In addition to all that eating you're doing... you know, in between those meals and snacks... drink a lot.  NOT alcoholic beverages.  Not even juices, milk or diet pop - although those are okay.  Drink WATER.  If your body can't flush out what you don't use, it has to put it somewhere.  Wouldn't you rather it ends up at the waste water treatment facility than on your thighs?  I use an old 32 oz Gatorade bottle.  I try to fill it every morning and drink from it whenever I can.  They say you should drink eight 8oz glasses a day.  I'm happy if I empty the water bottle once.  64oz is the goal, though.  We're floating our way to thin.  LOL

As for being merry, I'll be planning a longer post on exercise, but I'll leave you with the one thought that was like an epiphany for me...  You can exercise anywhere, any time, and for any amount of time.  Everything you do above laying on the couch burns calories.  If you don't have time for a planned 30-minute workout, then just find some way to move your body more than you already are.  Skip to the bathroom.  Dance to the mailbox.  Personally, I do leglifts while I'm outside having a smoke.  (Yes, I know... but since I'm not quitting, at least I'm getting exercise.)  I also clean for exercise.  Try washing the kitchen floor by hand - no mops, that's cheating.  Sweep.  Rake.  Wash windows.  Anything to get those muscles moving.

Next time I'm going to post about the one thing that seems to kill every attempt I make at getting healthier - those little oops moments (like the brownie sundaes and the ultimate pepperoni pizzas) and the guilt that follows.

Disclaimer: I am not a health professional.  I don't do this for a living.  I don't have any medical training or experience - except what life has made me experience and what I've learned from being around the dieting world for... god, 27 years now.  (When my older sister first started dieting.)  I'm just talking and passing along what seems to be working for me - at this point in my life.  Please check with a health professional before starting any rigorous diet program.  Knowledge is power.  Get powerful and then get healthy.