The history of Hoodia as an appetite suppressant dates back to the nomadic Sans tribe in South Africa in 1966.  The CSIR in South Africa was conducting a study of indigenous foods that their Bushmen ate and stumbled upon Hoodia.  These tribesmen, when hunting could be gone for several days and knew that taking Hoodia would help relieve their hunger and thirst. These tribesmen never had cause to question the safety of Hoodia as they had been using it medicinally for some time.

In 1997 the CSIR patented the product.  The Hoodia supplement, in the last few years has become an incredibly popular appetite suppressant.  But does it actually work?

Well there has been much controversy firstly over various Hoodia products and the most important thing to note is that genuine 100% Hoodia Gordonii doesn’t come in an extract from.  It is important to note that there are lots of fakes out there when it comes to sourcing Hoodia Gordonii capsules so the simple real is look at the packaging and you should only see the core of the Hoodia Gordonii plant and the ingredients used to make up its capsules:  gelatib.  Anything else and it isn’t the genuine article!

There are quite a few reviews done on the various Hoodia products at this site, so you may want to take a look for yourself.  http://www.fatgherkin.com/index.php/Weight-Loss/weight-loss-supplements/unique-hoodia-diet-pills.html

So does taking Hoodia work?  Well as it is an appetite suppressant it reduces your calorie intake up to 2,000 calories so that’s a great start.  As it works on suppressing your appetite you will find that snacking between meals is no longer necessary as you aren’t actually hungry.  You know in the afternoon when you hit that low point and chocolate becomes so tempting?  When your tummy starts rumbling and no matter what you do to take your mind off sweat treats you have to make your way to the vending machine. Well not anymore!

By MaryAnn Roche

Well my babies are all grown now but looking back I can remember I wanted to do this fast.  However fast is not the answer.  You need to be able to drop that baby weight safely and over time so as not to deplete your energy level in the process.  We all know that night feeding and four hourly feeding throughout the day with a healthy baby is difficult enough let alone if you have another little one or two to care for!

I don’t know that reading the latest magazines for the celebrity diets is the way to go either!  You tend to gain an unrealistic view of how this is done, and forget the help these people get with nannies and housekeepers and more!

I have come across a product that I do believe is safe and effective. I would recommend it as the best how to drop that baby weight program out there.  For these reasons:

• You get to eat more often and lose weight
• 4 tricks that will propel your weight loss
• Understanding and sticking to portion control
• What and when to eat
• Understanding the role your mind plays in dropping weight

One thing I like about this program well, TWO things actually is the PRICE and the fact that if you are not satisfied you are given a 60-day Money Back Guarantee!

You can find the program here

Remember when it comes to how to drop that baby weight, you need to relax and understand that losing weight shouldn’t be about punishing yourself, or starving yourself particularly at a time when your body is recovering from the single most traumatic and miraculous event.

Take time to lose your baby weight, get plenty of rest, follow the program and you can then tell others how to drop that baby weight!

By MaryAnn Roche

The truth is that with a bit of careful research and forward planning, you can enjoy eating out at various places from fast food outlets up to the finest restaurants and still maintain a healthy diet.

Here are some important tips to bear in mind as you continue to enjoy eating out:

 1. Look for the light options on the menu.   Not all restaurants will offer such options, but a growing number of chain restaurants are promoting light alternatives without much searching.   You may even find light options marked on the menu.   You’ll soon find that light doesn’t always mean you’ll be giving up flavor, so go ahead and try the healthy alternative.

 2. Take half your dinner home.   Meals are being served in larger and larger portions all the time. Sometimes your meal won’t be unhealthy, but the size of your portion will be.  In an effort to avoid overeating and maintain a healthy diet simply ask your restaurant staff to serve you half the meal and box up the other half for you to take home with you.

3. Grilling is Great!   One way to eat smart is to opt for your food to be grilled instead of fried.  Fried foods have so many additional calories and fat. Grilled chicken or fish make great choices because they’re lean proteins and packed full of flavor so you stay on a healthy diet regime.

 4. Avoid drinking extra calories, if you are trying to stay healthy.   If you’re watching those calories, they add up very quickly once you add alcohol.  Drinking soda products or alcoholic beverages while you’re dining out can ruin a healthy diet and eating plan very easily.

 * Choosing water as an alternative is a wise move and then you’ll only need to worry about the calorie content of your meal.

 5. Be salad wise. You can choose a salad as your main dish as a way to lessen your calorie intake. You’ll probably find that there are bigger salads on the menu, which can be very satisfying, beyond the house or side salad. Many of them contain a bigger vegetable variety or meat such as chicken, beef or prawns.


 Ask them to serve your salad dressing on the side rather than on the salad.  That way you control the amount of dressing you put on your salad.    Remember, a little bit can go a long way. Avoid the creamy dressings. That’s the fatty stuff!

 6. Appetizers can make the meal. Most restaurants serve tasty appetizers, so you can order one of these as your main dish. If that’s not enough food, you might want to order two appetizers. Many times two appetizers will still be less food than a main course selection and be very satisfying and can help you maintain a healthy diet.

 7. Choose healthy sauces.  Be aware of the sauce in the dish of your choosing.   If you’re eating Italian always choose an option with a tomato-based sauce. This will provide you with a bigger benefit than a much richer cream based alternative. This is also the case when it comes to choosing your soups; avoid the cream based ones wherever possible.

 8. Include fruits and veggies with every meal.   They are an important part of a healthy diet for everyone,  so you should continue to seek them out when you’re making your selections at a restaurant. Steamed vegetables can be a great side dish, and fruits can likely be ordered in place of a dessert item.   Often they are served very differently, therefore making them a treat to eat!

 If you find along the way you need some guidance, I recommend you go to STRIP THAT FAT website and take a look at their product offering, it may be just what you need!

Keep in the mind the same healthy information you use when cooking at home to order your meals while you’re out.   Don’t be afraid to indulge yourself occasionally, but maintain an awareness of a healthy diet and portion size and your healthy eating plan with be full of success.

By MaryAnn Roche

www.completepersonaldevelopment.com

Calorie counting. Daily diets will usually be based on some form of calorie intake. If you are looking to lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you take in. As a general rule, you can multiply your weight, to get your average calorie count. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, eating 1500 calories a day will help you to maintain you weight. If you want to lose weight, you need to eat less than that.


But daily diets are not all about losing weight, they are about eating healthy and maintaining good health. You need to eat fruit and vegetables every day. Fruits and vegetables contain the vitamins that our bodies need to grow. If we do not eat fruits and vegetables we might not get the nutrition that we need. It is a good idea to have fruits and vegetables at every meal. You may find this hard at first, but getting some color into your meals is a very good thing.

Another tip for daily diets is to eat many small meals a day, instead of eating two or three big meals. Most people say that 6 small meals a day will be beneficial for you. Eating multiple meals will keep your metabolism working  all day. It will also help you not to binge eat which you might do if you only eat one or two meals a day.

By MaryAnn Roche

Well do you?  Can you set your mind to losing weight and stick to it?  Are you ready to make the sacrifices necessary to achieve the body of your dreams?

Your biggest barrier to losing weight is quite simply your own self-discipline. Somewhere along life’s journey you have succumbed to a cycle of eating a poor diet full of carbs, fats and undoubtedly processed foods.  These foods actually make you feel tired and sleepy all the time, resulting in lethargy which results in you feeling not at all inclined to exercise!  So you end up with no willpower and you feel hopeless with your inability to change and be motivated.

You can lose the weight if you truly want to!  It comes down firstly to a simple decision. From there once you have decided you will then need to address your willpower. Don’t let life happen to you in the form of a heart attack or trauma, find the strength to make the change now!

Lets start at Step 1 – Watch your portion size! (start by giving yourself a smaller portion size) Use smaller plates if you have to trick your mind into believing its the same size!

Step 2 – allow yourself ONE cheat day per week.  As you transition to healty eating habits allowing yourself one day off will actually help you and motivate you to stick to your changes.  So go ahead and enjoy that piece of chocolate cake, really savor the flavor knowing tomorrow it is back to healty eating habits! I am sure after you have eaten the cake your willpower will begin to kick in and say no more!

Remember to take photographs of yourself.  You would be amazed how motivating this really is.  We generally dont really realize how we truly look until we see ourselves in a photo, so keep a picture of yourself always and when you feel like giving up, bring it out and remind yourself of how far you have come.  Take new photos to compare to your original so you can see your progress!

Make a food list, and write down the healthy foods you actually enjoy eating. Ensure you buy these foods to eat throughout the day. If you need help there is a great ebook/receipt book titled “EASY Veggie Meal Plans” which you can download here.  I dont know about you, but often I dont eat certain vegetables as I simply dont know how to prepare them.  So this recipe book may help.

Approach exercise initially in moderation.  Adding exercise to your routine can very often be offputting so start slow. If you attempt too much in day one, you will have a difficult time finding the motivation to return!  Start with a short walk, and increase the distance daily. Or if you cannot even manage a walk to begin with there are some great exercises to be found here – do them while you sit!

Every week set yourself a goal. Decide what you would like to achieve, and take small steps to get there. Small manageable goals such as one pound per week which is attainable.  Setting the bar too high will result in failure and a complete lack of motivation.

Always reward yourself on your achievements, and no NOT with a piece of pie! You have worked hard at losing weight and are continuing to do so, so tell yourself to be proud of your achievements and that you have mustered the willpower to succeed at weightloss so undoubtedly anything else in your life you choose to put your mind to can also be achieved.

By MaryAnn Roche.

It’s time to get out of the infomercial-driven market and realize that the real miracle diet is in natural weight loss strategies, using nature’s own miracle foods.

How many fads and crazy diets have you tried? Even though deep in your heart you know this isn’t the proper way to get rid of any extra weight, do you still hope that this one is the miracle you’ve been hoping for?

Get Info on Best Eating Practise Here – Click Me!
By incorporating natural foods and strategies, you’ll be able to lose weight you’ve been hanging onto for good.

Here are some natural foods to provide you with an upper hand in your Natural Weight Loss Strategies:

1. Eat organic and raw.

It’s always best when trying to lose weight naturally to utilize organic products as much as possible. Organic produce is free of pesticides and preservatives and raw foods retain all of their natural vitamins and minerals. By ridding your body of these dangerous chemicals, weight loss can occur that much easier.

* Visit your local farmer’s market and support your local farmer. They might also have a larger variety of organic produce than the grocery stores.

2. Water.

Water is at the top of the list for a natural weight loss strategy. It sounds pretty obvious, but the truth is, we don’t tend to drink enough water every day. Not only does water flush out toxins and impurities, but it also helps in raising the metabolism, regulating body temperature and keeping our heart and brain healthy.

* Be aware that the popular flavored waters often add some kind of sugar, artificial sweetener, or even salt to the formula, making them less healthy than plain water. Stick to the natural stuff!

3. Vegetables.

Vegetables are one of the building blocks of good nutrition, and essential to weight loss success. High in vitamins and nutrients, veggies also provide us with energy to sustain us throughout the day. Plus, they have very little sodium, so they reduce bloating and water weight gain.

* Try to incorporate veggies into your lunches and dinners every day, specifically aim for dark orange and dark green vegetables like squash, spinach, pumpkin, and romaine lettuce. A simple side salad or lettuce and tomato on a sandwich are easy ways to get started.

Get Great Info on Natural Eating Here – Click Me!
4. Choose brown rice over white rice.

Why brown rice? The answer is simple, fiber. Brown rice is loaded with fiber. Due to the simple fact that the rice’s hull is kept intact during its processing, it retains its fiber content.

* The natural fiber in brown rice allows our systems to run smoother and keeps us full for much longer than low fiber white rice.

* Brown rice can be found in any grocery store, usually next to the white rice. Throw some extra vegetables or herbs into the rice for some extra flavor and variety.

5. Choose sweet potatoes over white potatoes.

They aren’t just for Thanksgiving anymore! Sweet potatoes are high in anti-oxidants and vitamins and are absolutely delicious as well.

* Providing many more nutrients than a typical white potato, they’re low in calories and a great weight loss food choice.

* Peel and cut sweet potatoes into chips or shoestring fries and roast in the oven for a tasty and colorful treat.

6. Legumes and beans.

The benefits that beans and legumes provide are absolutely outstanding! They’re low in fat and high in fiber, making them a great choice for weight loss. They’re also extremely heart-healthy.

* You can find a multitude of recipes online that incorporate legumes and beans. Take some time to do a recipe search and your heart with thank you.

7. Fruit.

Fruit is a wonderful addition to any natural weight loss regime. It provides natural energy to make exercising easier and it’s loaded with fiber to keep us full and curb cravings.

* Fruit should be eaten raw to receive its full benefit, especially the fiber. Fruit juice doesn’t provide the same nutritional value as eating an actual piece of fruit.

* Fruit smoothies are an excellent way to start your day. Even if you’re not a breakfast person, smoothies are easy to make and take on the go. Plus if you use fresh fruits, you’ll retain the vitamin content.

Get Info on Natural Weight Loss Here – Click Me!

Final thoughts on Natural Weight Loss Strategies

Following through with your decision to lose weight can sometimes seem overwhelming. But if you approach it with a few natural tips and tricks under your belt, you’ll be that much closer to weight loss success!

Use these Natural Weight Loss Strategies to improve your health today!

By MaryAnn Roche

Ok, tell me…hows your beach body? Is the thought of other people seeing your thighs or belly a little scary? or are you buff? Read on for top tips to the perfect beach body…..

With summer here, most of us are thinking about the sandy beaches, the warm sun and how we’re going to look in our swimsuits.

Well here are some quick and easy ways to get your body ready for swimsuit season this year.

Beach Bodies are great when they are planned and monitored…..

1. Keep a diet and exercise journal.

Keeping track of how often you exercise and how much you eat will really help you see the big picture. Journaling will also help you see your progress, which can do tremendous efforts in keeping you motivated.


* A simple notebook will do, or you can use a spreadsheet program on the computer. Another alternative would be to create a weight loss blog. Having your progress available for the public eye to see is a great way to stay on track and motivated.

Start your Beach Body Journey here…..

2. Start eating smarter and healthier.

Choosing the proper foods is not only important for your looks, but it also affects how you feel. To burn fat off healthily and easily, begin eating a diet of plenty of green leafy vegetables, wholesome fruits, lean meats, and whole grain breads. A well-balanced diet helps your body function properly and helps you feel full and satisfied throughout the day.

3. Reduce your portions and eat less.

Portion control, or lack thereof, is probably the biggest factor in weight gain in today’s society. For some reason the majority of the population has come to think that we’re supposed to eat enormous amounts of food in order to feel satisfied, but the opposite is true.

Get Info on Best Eating Practise Here – Click Me!

* When you reduce the amount of food you eat in one sitting and wait a few minutes, you’ll notice you more full than you think. This is because it takes your body 20 minutes to tell your brain that you’re full.


* Here’s another tip:
Eat six small meals a day, as opposed to the 3 larger meals that you’re accustomed to, and you’re more likely to lose weight. By eating smaller, more frequent meals, you’re keeping your metabolism going. It doesn’t slow down or stop then have to work so hard to restart itself.

Beach Bodies need Exercise….

4. Start a regular exercise program.

This isn’t a revolutionary idea, but you can target the problem areas by doing exercises specifically for your belly, thighs, upper arms and love handles:

* Crunches for your abs
* Arm rolls and pushups for your upper arms
* Leg lifts and squats for your thighs
* Bending at the side while standing for love handles

Those are just a few suggestions of exercises you can do at home that target those specific areas. Other exercises you can do to get your beach body in swimsuit shape are:

* Swimming at your local community center or public pool
* Jogging
* Walking around your neighborhood with a friend or relative
* Biking
* Hiking on trails or in other naturally scenic areas
* Inline skating at a local arena or in your neighborhood
* Nintendo Wii fitness games

5. Stay active by incorporating regular exercise into your daily routines.

* Whenever you can, take the stairs.
* Park farther out when going to the store or appointments.
* Walk wherever you can instead of driving.
* If you sit behind a desk all day, get up and move around every hour for 5 – 10 minutes.

Get Info on Best Eating Practise Here – Click Me!

Getting your body ready for the beach doesn’t have to be difficult or take up extra time that you don’t have, but it can be done. By taking action with the suggestions above, you’ll begin to see the results you want and have the perfect beach body you deserve! Hurry up too! or before you know it Summer will be over!

Do you have a good body image? Do you like your female body the way it is? With the media today focusing on super skinny women, it’s hard to think that you could possibly be desirable if you don’t look like the women on TV and in magazines. The reality is, the average woman in America weighs 164 lbs. and is a size 14.

A positive self-image is one of the top things most women struggle with. So, how can you learn to love your body the way it is?

First of all, you need to focus on what you do like about your body.

Here are some questions to get you thinking about the things you DO like about yourself:

* What areas do you get complimented on the most? What do others notice about you first when you walk into a room?

* Are you shapely with a larger busts and hips? Do you have a womanly figure?

* Do you have nice legs? Are they thin and long? Are they muscular and strong?

* Do people comment on how pretty you are or often say that you have beautiful eyes?

* Do you like to show off your feet with pretty sandals or open toed shoes?

* Is your hair shiny and beautiful? Do you like to touch it or play with it?

Instead of being overly critical and negative, be grateful for the body and health you do have. So give yourself permission to see and accept the good!


Loving Your Female Body Image with the Perfect Clothing

Learning to love your body is important because having a good self-image empowers you in many ways. When you love the way you look, you feel more confident and confidence gives you the ability to do anything you set your mind to.

Dressing for your body type also plays a big part in how you look and see yourself, so it’s important to know what color, style, shape and material of clothing looks best on you. If your closet is full of worn out t-shirts and old faded blue jeans, it’s time for a wardrobe makeover.

Take a good, honest friend or family member shopping with you to help you choose clothes that fit well and colors that look best on you. Updating your wardrobe doesn’t have to be expensive either. Begin by shopping resale stores. Oftentimes you can find brand name, never worn clothes at prices greatly below retail. However, don’t settle for less than the best for your body type. If you can’t find the perfect items for your body, then don’t buy the clothes just because they’re cheap.

Top Female Body Image wardrobe from the bottom up, starting with the basic necessities:

* Black dress pants for work or an evening out
* One dressy blouse for work or an evening out
* One power suit for job interviews or business
* A black skirt
* Camisoles in a variety of colors for layering
* A well fitting pair of blue jeans for casual days
* 2 to 3 casual tops (by casual I’m not talking t-shirts either)
* 2 pair of shoes: 1 for dress and 1 for casual

When you’ve got the basic necessities, then you can build your wardrobe up from there by adding dressy blouses or tops in different colors and styles, more skirts in various styles and colors and so on.

Once you start loving your body by recognizing what you do like about it and dressing to fit your body type, you’ll gain a whole new confidence like you’ve never felt before and other people will take notice too. You may notice others reacting somewhat differently toward you as they respond to your new confidence. Heck, you might even get a raise!

So start learning to love your female body now. You’re beautiful!

A positive self or body image is essential to all around happiness – after all you have to live in that body – it will work better for the both of you if you like each other…lol

Whatever shape or size you are – love yourself and your female body!

]]> http://www.completepersonaldevelopment.com/1424/body-image-and-loving-the-female-body/feed/ 0 http://www.completepersonaldevelopment.com/1406/mytop-5-energy-boosters/ http://www.completepersonaldevelopment.com/1406/mytop-5-energy-boosters/#comments Sat, 11 Jul 2009 02:45:59 +0000 Maryann http://www.completepersonaldevelopment.com/?p=1406 My Top 5 Energy Boosters

Do you need more energy? most of us do at times. Read on to find my Top 5 Energy Boosters, you will probably find them all in your pantry right now!

With so many ads about which super foods are best, it can be confusing to decipher what’s a scam and what’s the truth. That’s why I compiled a list of the top five energy boosting foods that will give you true, lasting energy to keep you hopping all day!

Best Energy Boosters….

Now lets start with my favourite food of all – and Im not kidding this genuinely makes the list……

Chocolate

Studies show that chocolate can elevate your energy levels by way of certain bioactive compounds such as tyramine and phenylethylamine. Chocolate has also been claimed to improve anemia, awaken the appetite, aid in digestion, and improve longevity. Chocolate contains sugar and caffeine along with fat and calories so consume in moderation. When possible, opt for dark chocolate or raw cacao for the highest source of antioxidants.

Oatmeal

Oats contain the energizing and stress-lowering B vitamin family, which helps transform carbs into usable energy. Oats are also low on the glycemic index because they have a lot of fiber. That means that your body gets a steady stream of energy, as opposed to a short-term spike, because the carbohydrates gradually flow into your bloodstream.

The key here is to look for high-fiber oatmeal, like oat bran. For the best nutrition kick, avoid instant oatmeal and stick with more natural varieties, then add your own sweetness.

Lentils

Beans are a great source of fiber, which translates to a slow release of glucose, as well as B vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, calcium and copper. Lentils provide both carbohydrates and protein, making them a great addition to any meal. Lentils help reduce your cholesterol and blood pressure, and they’re low in fat and calories to boot.

Bananas

Bananas provide a lot of potassium, an electrolyte that helps maintain normal nerve and muscle function. Unlike some nutrients, the body doesn’t store potassium for long periods of time. This means that your potassium level can drop during times of stress or during strenuous exercise when the nutrient is lost through excessive sweating. The sugar in bananas is an easily digested form of carbohydrate.

Other fruits such as apples, grapes, peaches and pineapples also make great energizing and refreshing snacks. We all know we need to be eating more fruits in our diet!

Almonds

These little guys are great if you’re looking to improve your focus and mental clarity. Monounsaturated fats such as almonds provide essential fatty acids, known as omega-3s and omega-6s that produce an alert mental state.

Healthy Fats

Other healthy fats to include in your diet are avocados, seeds, nuts, olive oil, and fish oil. Of course, you’ll want to check with your health practitioner before making drastic changes to your diet.

Incorporating these foods into your daily menu takes some planning, so here are some ideas you can use to ensure you’ll have all the energy you need every day.

Energy Boosting from the Start of the Day

Breakfast

* Smoothies: For breakfast, a banana fruit smoothie is a quick and easy way to get the potassium your body requires for normal function. In a blender, combine a small banana, some frozen berries of your choice, ice, 1/2 cup low fat milk, and a teaspoon of vanilla. You can also add a tablespoon of peanut butter or some raw cacao powder as well.

* Oatmeal: If you need a quick breakfast, you may not always think of oatmeal, or you may think of instant oatmeal, which isn’t as nutritious. Some companies are making instant oatmeal healthier by not adding as much sugar and artificial flavoring, but you’ll always want to compare the sugar and fiber amounts across a few different brands to find the most nourishing oatmeal.

* Cereals: Another great alternative to a bowl of hot oatmeal is bran and muesli cereals. They contain a lot of the energy boosting nutrients of oatmeal, and often contain healthy nuts and dried fruits as well.

Snacks

* Almonds: These nuts are perfect as a mid afternoon snack. Grab a handful and take them to work with you in a snack cup or baggie.

* Dark Chocolate: When you’re feeling sluggish, a small dark chocolate bar is all you need for a great pick me up that will last longer than an hour or two.

Dinner Side Dishes

* Beans: Lentils are a great side dish to enhance many dinner entrees such as tacos and burgers. You can also make lentils a main dish by combining several types into one dish as a bean soup or bean casserole served with cornbread. Another way to eat lentils is to add some pepper and melted shredded cheese as part of a healthy lunch.

Get Your Energy, Easy Energy Boosters!

Working these naturally energizing foods into your daily routine doesn’t have to be difficult. With a little imagination and effort, you can have all the energy you need to stay awake and alert throughout the entire day!

Try some of these top 5 Energy Boosters today and get more out of life!

]]> http://www.completepersonaldevelopment.com/1406/mytop-5-energy-boosters/feed/ 0 http://www.completepersonaldevelopment.com/1396/heres-how-you-can-lose-5-pounds/ http://www.completepersonaldevelopment.com/1396/heres-how-you-can-lose-5-pounds/#comments Thu, 09 Jul 2009 03:31:24 +0000 Maryann http://www.completepersonaldevelopment.com/?p=1396 Here’s How You Can Lose 5 Pounds

I’ve been on a weight loss binge latelyand here’s what I learned to get rid of a few pounds really quick!

How many times have you heard someone say that they want to lose five pounds? And how many times have you heard that the diet starts tomorrow?

Tomorrow? Why not right now? Tomorrow never comes!

The truth is, losing a mere five pounds is very realistic and it can be a great kick-start to your metabolism and energy levels. Plus, it can help you fit into that little black dress or suit for that upcoming wedding, reunion, or vacation. But you have to make the commitment to start now, not tomorrow, not Monday, but right now!

Below is a healthy weight loss plan to help you shed 5 pounds quickly, easily and most importantly, the healthy way. As with all diets, check with your doctor before starting any weight loss or exercise plan.

1. Begin by drinking more water.

Your body requires water to function properly and with the right amount of water, your digestive system will work more efficiently. Plus, by filling your stomach with water, you’ll eat less and feel full faster.


* Water helps flush your body of toxins and water weight. Yes, more water actually helps your body get rid of excess water.


* The daily minimum intake of water is 64 ounces (or almost 2 liters).

If you’re like most people, your current intake of water is probably less than half of the recommended amount, so drink up!

2. Get off the couch and get active.

When you move your body you build muscle, which burns fat. There are so many activities that you can engage in that don’t cost money or require expensive gym equipment to help you get fit and lose weight. Here are some ideas:

* Walking around your neighborhood or in a local park
* Biking
* Hiking
* Swimming
* Throwing a ball with your kids or spouse
* Frisbee
* Volleyball
* Tennis
* Inline skating (with the proper safety equipment of course)

3. Make healthier food choices.

To effectively boost your calorie and fat burning processes, eat healthier foods like leafy green vegetables, fruits and lean meats.


* You’ll also want to limit your intake of red meat, high calorie and fat dressings, gravies and sauces and avoid sugary drinks, candy or other foods with lots of sugar.


* Sugar causes you to put on weight, so when you eliminate sugar, you help eliminate weight gain. Also, try to choose natural or organic foods in order to avoid consuming chemicals that may actually cause you to retain weight.

4. Use portion control to limit the amount of food you consume.

Studies show that reducing the amount of food you eat actually produces the quickest weight loss. Obviously you want to do this in a healthy manner, not obsessively or out of control. 


* Eating 6 small meals a day, as opposed to the three larger meals you’re probably accustomed to, has been shown to be healthier, help reduce fat stores and to increase metabolism.


* If you’re wondering what a healthy portion looks like, it’s all in the hands. In other words, a healthy portion or serving size is about the size of your fist, palm, or hand, depending on what food you’re eating.


* Close your fist. That’s a healthy portion size for a serving of rice, pasta or other side dish.


* Open your hand and look at the size of your palm. This is the perfect amount of chicken breast, pork or other types of meat. It should be about the size and thickness of a deck of cards.


* The size of your entire open hand is the perfect size for veggies.

5. Replace unhealthy snacks with nuts, raw veggies or fruit.

Here are a few examples to help you choose healthier snack options:

* When you’re craving chips or other salty, crunchy snacks, grab a handful of nuts instead. They are healthier for you and satisfy the craving for salt or crunchiness. Also, try to buy nuts with less salt. Natural or raw varieties will help to reduce your salt intake too.

* When you want something sweet, grab a piece of fruit like an apple, banana, orange, or melon. The natural sugar is way better for you than eating a bowl of ice cream or a handful (or two) of cookies.

* Have the munchies in general? Nibble on some raw carrots, celery or broccoli.

Whether it’s to kick-start your weight loss plan or to fit into that little black party dress, taking off 5 pounds is a step in the right direction to a healthier, more fit you. It begins now!

Losing 5 pounds can be fun and make you feel so much better about yourself. Probably the best part is that it can be done quickly, in as little time as a week or two, depending on your specific circumstances.

Let me know if you have some great weight loss tips and I will add them here! Good luck on your journey!

How does healthy eating affect your nutrition and body and mind?

Your brain is a system of chemical connections firing off at each other so fast that it’s almost impossible to fathom. Well, the food you eat affects the chemical make up of your brain, altering how it acts and works.

Feelings and emotions also affect your brain. Obviously feelings are born in the brain, and, depending on the emotion, they can alter the brain chemistry. For example, some people with mental health issues do not produce certain chemicals in their brain, which radically changes their behavior patterns.

There are things you can do to regulate this chemical reaction on a daily basis, and it’s simpler than you may think! Eating certain foods can specifically affect different functions of the body, the chemicals in your brain, and your emotions.

* The food you put into your body has an effect on your physical appearance, energy levels, bodily processes and how well your brain functions.

Here are some healthy foods you can eat to help optimize both your body and mind:

1. Antioxidants.

We all recognize the health benefits of antioxidants in fighting diseases, but did you know a cup of hot cocoa has a higher concentration of antioxidants in it than either red wine or green tea? It’s true – as long as you use a dark chocolate.

* Serve a cup of rich dark hot cocoa after dinner, and know you’re actually taking good care of your health!

2. Green Tea.

Have a glass of green tea every day to help keep the cognitive functions of your brain in tiptop shape. Studies have shown 70% of people who drank green tea showed an improvement in the functions of the brain.

Eating foods high in Omega-3s has a great deal of health benefits, including improving your brain’s development and functions. The Omega-3 fatty acid, DHA, is an important polyunsaturated fat found in the brain.

* Fish is a great source of Omega-3 Fatty acids, including DHA.

4. Cranberry Juice.

This beverage is not only good for your body, specifically, kidney and urinary functions, but it can also help prevent a stroke. Cranberry juice has also been shown to help reduce brain cell damage after a stroke.

5. Choline.

Choline is a chemical building block of every cell in your body. Choline has also been shown to help with retaining information in your memory. The more choline your lifetime diet includes, the less likely you’ll be to face extreme memory loss as you grow older.

* Eggs yolks have a high concentration of choline in them.

Can You use these simple Healthy Eating and Nutrition suggestions?

By taking simple steps to optimize your nutrition, you’ll also optimize your mind and body. Start making healthy, nutritious food choices today and enjoy looking, feeling, and thinking better.

Eating a well balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, protein, and some fat is the best way to nourish both the body and mind. Our bodies are highly complicated machines requiring many different things to function properly, and what we eat determines how it functions.

So, what’s it going to be? do you think you can include these healthy eating and nutrition tips in your diet to get your best body and mind?

My regular readers know I love the power of affirmations – today Im going to talk about positive affirrmations you can use when dealing with food and nutrition.

When everyone around you at the office is indulging in burgers, fries, and sugary drinks, it’s awfully tempting to join in, isn’t it?

But what if you could stop that temptation in its tracks and actually choose to make a healthy choice? You don’t need me to tell you that fatty and sugary choices are not the kinds of food that your body needs – you need to tell yourself!

When you have “convenience” food bombarding you from every direction, it can be difficult to choose options that give your body the nourishment it needs.

However, if you have daily reminders and effective tools at your disposal, you just may find that eating the right foods and feeding your body the best fuels becomes a lot easier.

Of course, there will always be temptation, but when you equip yourself with anti-temptation tools, you will be able to quickly re-focus your mind on your greater goal of getting healthy!

Using Affirmations to Make the Healthy Food and Nutrition Choices

It can be hard in moments of temptation to make the right choice, but with the help of positive affirmations, you can re-train your brain to replace the desire for junk food with healthy choices.

Affirmations can help you stick to your diet, say no to temptation, and eat nourishing and satisfying foods. How? By replacing the negative spiral of thoughts in your mind with powerful, positive ones.

But first you have to believe that it is possible to gain control over your thirsts, desires, and cravings. The first step in making a lasting change in your life is to make the commitment to success. Are you committed? Do you believe that you can overcome your cravings?

Once you’ve set your commitment in stone, you’re ready to learn the top 10 affirmations to get you through moments of weakness.

Top 10 Food and Nutrition Affirmations

Before reading the list below, you should know that affirmations are most successful when you internalize the saying and repeat it frequently. Whether you’re having a good or bad day, you need to be constantly repeating these positive statements in your mind. Temptation will strike when you least expect it, so it’s better to be prepared!

1. I am proud to reach out to my support network instead of leaning on food for comfort.

2. I can neutralize bad habits with good food, exercise, and healthy living.


3. I set aside time just for me.

4. My good health and productivity are the rewards for the nourishing foods I eat.


5. I am losing weight for me because I love me.


6. Weight gain happens over time, so my weight loss equally requires time, patience, and lifestyle changes.


7. I am firmly committed to staying active and healthy

8. I use self-care, not self-control.


9. I deserve a healthy body and mind.

10. The more I take care of myself, the better I feel.


But remember, you must first believe you can change. Once you make the commitment to your success, you will change your attitudes about food and you’ll be thankful you did!

When you look at these nutrition and food affirmations, they may seem like ideals – behaviors and thoughts that you only wish you could have – but each time you reaffirm them by saying them aloud, you’re slowly changing your mindset. Over time, these ideals will become a reality through your thoughts and actions.

Orange fruits and vegetables contain beta-carotene, a form of Vitamin A, which is great for eyesight and eliminating free radicals. The beta-carotene gives the vegetable its orange color.
Fruits and vegetables are an important staple in any diet. While a diet containing a variety of fruits and vegetables is best, orange is one of the healthiest colors you can look for.

Some of the healthiest orange fruits and vegetables are sweet potatoes, squash, pumpkin, carrots, mangos, oranges and papaya. These fruits and vegetables are great sources of nutrients and usually have a sweet flavor, making them ideal for satisfying those cravings for sweets.

Let’s look at why these top 7 orange fruits and vegetables are so incredibly healthy:

Carrots.

A great food for eyesight, are the richest vegetable source for beta-carotene. Carrots reduce cholesterol and the risk of heart disease, help prevent macular degeneration, and help control insulin levels to those with diabetes.


* While cooking foods typically removes some of their nutrients, this isn’t so with carrots. Lightly cooking them actually helps to release the carotenes, which are otherwise trapped.

Sweet Potatoes.

One of the best orange foods. Part of the root family, they have huge amounts of beta-carotene, manganese, copper, fiber, B6, potassium, iron and just about anything else you think you could possibly pack into a small potato-like case.

Here are some interesting facts you might not know about sweet potatoes:

* Sweet potatoes are known to help stomach ulcers and inflamed conditions of the colon.

* Sweet potatoes appear to play a part in preventing cancer in certain organs and glands due to its high Vitamin A content.

* Due to the high content of Vitamins A and C, sweet potatoes help remove free radicals which damage cells.

* Sweet potatoes are great for people with diabetes because they help stabilize blood sugar levels.

Squash & Pumpkin.

These two foods are closely related, and actually come from the same family of vegetables, known as squash. They’re loaded with fiber as well as beta-carotene.

* The squash family of vegetables is great at fighting off cancer, especially lung cancer, reducing the risk of heart disease and aiding in fighting against type-2 diabetes.

* Pumpkins specifically are great for urinary tract support and aid in the function of the kidneys. Years ago, pumpkin seed oil was even used to treat burns and wounds.

Some of your favorite fruits are also some of the healthiest out there:

Mangos are high in iron and help fight against anemia and reduce kidney problems, fever, and respiratory problems. They can even relieve clogged pores of the skin.

Oranges, the typical orange fruit, is not so typical when you take a closer look.

* Because of the vitamins and antioxidants in an orange, they’ve been proven to help with asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, prevention of kidney stones, high blood pressure, arthritis and diabetes.


* Oranges eaten in larger amounts can even decrease a runny nose.

Papaya contains digestive enzymes, which help break down some of the more difficult foods in our stomach, such as beans, dairy, and even meat. Due to the high fiber content, papaya also helps with constipation and even upset stomach.

* The one thing papaya has been known for around the world is its ability to prevent nausea, including morning and motion sickness if taken in the juice form.

Orange fruits and vegetables are a great way to battle off illness and disease. Combine them with a few servings of dark green vegetables and you have yourself a winning combination.

You can read about the healthiest green vegetables under this healthy eating category also!
Get Healthy and ensure that you are eating the best orange fruits and vegetables right away!

There was a time I thought there were no healthy green vegetables, but as I grew I found this to be very wrong! It was just I hated them – especially brussel sprouts! Take a look at Popeye and his special green leafy vegetables – spinach. He would down a can and practically lift a car. Impressive wasn’t it? Maybe the general idea isn’t so far fetched.

Remember when your parents used to load your plate up with the dreaded green vegetable! and not let you have any dessert until you finished every last bit? They just might have been onto something with all those green vegetables.

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Five of the most healthy green vegetables include broccoli, kale, spinach, romaine lettuce and Swiss chard. These vegetables, identified by their dark green color, are rich in antioxidants and usually have large amounts of phytochemicals like Vitamin C.

Many foods tend to lose nutrients when cooked. The great thing about these green vegetables is that you can find them easily in your grocery store and they taste great with little or no cooking, leaving much of their nutrients intact.

If you’ve turned on the television in the past three years, antioxidants have been all over the news. They’ve been proven to help reduce the risk of cancer and strengthen the immune system.

Here is some important information about these green vegetables:

Kale.

Kale is a slightly bitter, leafy green vegetable with a huge amount of folic acid and potassium. Try some kale in your stir-fry. You may just find yourself thoroughly impressed.

* The folic acid found in kale is a great addition to your diet if you suffer from poor hair, skin and nails.

* In addition, the potassium helps to promote the breakdown of lactic acid in muscles after a workout, and is a great food to help prevent muscle soreness in the recovery process.

Broccoli.

Broccoli is a fun vegetable for kids because it feels like you’re eating a small tree. In fact, the little buds are actually tiny flourettes that contain more than twice the amount of Vitamin C of an orange.

Some facts about broccoli you may not already know include:

* Broccoli is a great source of fibre, both soluble and insoluble. It not only meets both types of fibre needs, but it’s also a rich source to add to your diet.

* Broccoli also helps restore sun-damaged skin, reduces the risk of heart disease, and boosts the immune system. At the same time, it also promotes healthy bone growth due to its massive amounts of calcium.

* Research has shown indole-3-carbinol – found in the phytonutrients of broccoli – actually deactivates a metabolite which can become cancerous.

Swiss Chard.

Swiss chard is a green leafy vegetable similar to spinach, with a little more of an earthy undertone. Rich in Vitamins C and K, as well as calcium, Swiss chard is a great addition to salads.

* Vitamin K helps promote healthy eye and brain function. The next time you have to spend hours staring at a computer screen or studying for that big exam, try some Swiss chard and let your mind be at ease knowing your brain is getting the nutrients it needs.

Spinach.

Spinach is a lean mean green antioxidant-packing machine, rich in flavor and in Vitamins A and C, and iron.

* Next time you have a salad, try it with spinach instead of lettuce for a little variety and a big explosion of taste.

* Spinach is loaded with important vitamins and minerals to promote healthy brain function as well as strong bones and muscles.

Lettuce.

Lettuce may be the last thing that comes to mind when you picture dark green vegetables. While many of the lighter shades of lettuce, such as iceberg, have very little nutritional value, the darker the color, the more they have to hide.

Romaine lettuce, while still made up mostly of water, is packed with antioxidants and fibre.

Even though lettuce seems so simple, look at some of its complex attributes:

* Lettuce is great for diets since it’s very low in calories.

* Magnesium, found in romaine lettuce, does wonders in revitalizing muscular tissues, the brain and the nerves.

* The chlorophyll-packed juice in lettuce is very helpful in maintaining normal hair color.

* Lettuce may help in treating insomnia, acid indigestion, colitis, constipation, gout, stress and many other diseases as well.

* Lettuce is high in iron, which helps the formation of red blood cells.

Here is a great recipe book for you -click Here!

The darker green the leaf, the more folic acid is present, which prevents heart disease.

While you might have been forced to eat your green leafy vegetables as a kid, now you know why it was so important. Even today, your green vegetables are vital to your health and well-being. Try these healthy green vegetables in some new recipes; you just might surprise yourself and actually enjoy it!

I still hate brussel sprouts…lol

Mary-Ann Roche

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxBgG7nn_ac]
Watch the Video here or read the article below!

Losing weight can be challenging because we all want to shed the extra pounds just in time for Gina’s wedding or next weekend’s beach trip.

Its funny how us humans think! Even though it took time to put on the weight, somehow we want it to magically disappear instantly. The reality is that losing weight takes time for everyone. You’re not alone!

What is the hardest thing you have ever tried to do? If you ask 100 people from all walks of life, I’d bet the majority would mention losing weight. It doesn’t matter how many diet tips you have heard or read if you can’t keep on track!

Here’s a book that might interest you! – Click Here!

Unfortunately, weight doesn’t just fall off our bodies, and that’s why most of us find it difficult to stay focused on our weight loss goals. Fortunately, there’s a solution and it all begins with a positive mindset.

Defeating Self-Defeating Thoughts

We all want to think we have the self-control needed to lose weight. However, when the weight loss takes more work or time than we expected it’s easy to get discouraged and give in. The problem is that when we get frustrated or impatient, we lose sight of why we initially started on the journey.

If you decide to give up or are tempted by a forbidden food, you can pull up your list of affirmations and use them to combat the self-defeating thoughts and attitudes.

When you are about to quit and get that bucket of ice cream, you can tell yourself, for example, “If I stumble, it’s okay! I have already made the conscious decision that I will not revert to old habits.”

When you say this aloud, you are taking power back from the negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones. Taking back this power is a key step in re-establishing control over your negative actions. Besides, it’s okay to stumble along the way. Overcoming obstacles only makes your victory even sweeter!

Part of my diet tips is to create and use your own wieght loss affirmations!
Weight Loss Affirmations and You

The problem that many of us have is that when the weight doesn’t disappear right away, we get frustrated or discouraged, and then we easily give into temptation. We have all had those, “Nothing’s ever going to work so I might as well just eat” thoughts that set us back when we are just getting started in the weight loss process.

Instead of allowing these thoughts to plant a seed in your mind, you can use affirmations to positively react to negative thoughts. Doing so will also serve as a reminder of your goal. Weight loss affirmations can help you shed pounds by encouraging you to stay focused and motivated, even in times of struggle and disappointment.

The greatest thing about affirmations is that they can be used any time of the day or night. After all, they will become embedded into your subconscious! The more you use them, the more your behavior and decisions will change, and the more power you will have over self-defeating thoughts.

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When you use weight loss affirmations, you will suddenly realize the power of words. Affirmations help you replace negative thoughts and actions so you can combat the cravings and deal with frustrations and pain directly without resorting to food.

I’m a big believer in affirmations. You can read more about how they work, how you can make your own and how to best utilize them under the affirmations category in the menu.

Make up some weight loss affirmations now!
You can consider this information part of my diet tips series because sometimes we need tips on how to stay on track, and for me, that’s especially relevant when I’m thinking about how to stay focused on losing weight!

As you know – I have been on a health kick…so today I’ve got some tips for making healthy food chioces to help you on your road to a better life!

You’ll be pleased to discover that a hectic life doesn’t mean that every meal has to be fast food on the run! Sometimes it’s difficult to make healthy changes, but with a little planning and know-how, it can be done.

You already know how important it is to make healthy food choices for you and your family. But how can you fit the best choices into your busy life?

Here are some strategies to help you and your family make healthy choices:

1. Make dinner time a social experience.

Dinner should be about enjoying your company and taking pleasure in the foods you’re eating.

Dinner becomes a great experience when you’re able to enjoy healthy foods together. Take time to eat as a family and enjoy a real conversation with each other. Talking will naturally slow down your eating pace, while also reconnecting you with your family members.

When you begin to look at mealtime as a social experience, it becomes easier to make the right choices about healthy foods. Suddenly you aren’t so worried about rushing through and making it quick.

2. Avoid temptation.

It’s so easy to walk into the store with good intent, but walk out with bags full of unhealthy foods. Unfortunately, our wills are weak, especially if we’ve trained ourselves over the years to buy junk foods.

* Think of healthier alternatives to your family’s favorite unhealthy foods. Rather than high calorie chips, try trail mixes or rice cakes. Low calorie puddings or frozen yogurts are better alternatives to higher fat ice creams.

* Never shop when you’re hungry. This way you won’t pick out unhealthy choices because they look good at the moment.


* Get rid of the unhealthy foods in your home. If they aren’t around, you won’t be tempted to eat them.

3. Eat fast and healthy meals at home.

When you’re tired at the end of the day and you realize you still have to feed the family, it’s easy to go to a fast food chain and throw fast food on the table. It may save some time, but it won’t save your health – or your pocket book!

* Look online for quick and easy recipes made with all natural ingredients. Many recipes can be made in 30 minutes or less and only have 5 ingredients. Taking the time to do some recipe research will save your sanity in the long run. Then once you find a “hit” with the family, store the recipe in a book or on your computer.


* The great thing is that there are many easy, fast, and healthy foods you can make at home. This takes some planning, but you’ll be more satisfied, save money, and be healthier as well.

* When you cook, make large batches and freeze the leftovers. This way, you’ll already have meals in the freezer that you can just thaw, heat, and serve. No mess, no fuss! This is the opportune way to enjoy “fast” food at home.

4. Eat Slower.

Since the brain takes about 20 minutes to get the signal that the stomach is full, if you eat too fast you’ll pack in a lot more food than you need. When you’re still thinking you’re hungry, it’s easy to make the wrong choices about food. If you slow down while you’re eating, you’ll eat less and you’ll still feel full.

* Set a calming mood before sitting down for a meal. Avoid having the television on or eating as you’re rushing the kids out the door to another activity. Sitting calmly at the table will allow everyone to relax and enjoy their meal.

Using these techniques will bring all kinds of healthy benefits to your family and teach your children a healthy lifestyle. Healthy food choices are a possibility in your busy life if you take the time to plan ahead and make dinner time a priority in your home.

I’ll keep you up to dat on my health kick and the benefits I am receiving for making the effort to chooses healthy food.

I would love to hear about what you are doing to improve your health and how you are going with your efforts in making healthy food choices – let me know

Most people can lose weight if they really try, but how do you keep it off? Well, I’m in the losing weight category now and time will tell as to whether I keep it off or not…lol

Here is what I have found in researching this topic from other’s who have lost their weight and managed to stay slim!

Why do some dieters suffer the endless frustration of losing and then gaining weight again and again, while others lose weight and keep it off forever?

And wouldn’t you like to belong to the latter group instead of the former?

Here are some surprisingly easy things that successful dieters do – and you can easily adapt these good habits while you are trying to lose weight and keep it off!

1.) Write down everything that you eat.
The mere act of writing down everything that you eat is a motivator that helps keep you on track and makes you less likely to binge, so fitness experts say.

2.) Plan ahead.
If you are going out to dinner with friends or to a holiday office party or even to the movies, what are you going to do when hunger pangs hit? Make sure that you’ve eaten a filling, non fattening snack or meal beforehand and decide what, if anything, you will eat at the party, movies, or whatever, before you go

3.)Ditch that old conventional wisdom!
“The scale doesn’t matter when you’re dieting”? For a long time experts scorned the idea of frequent weigh ins, pointing out that the scale can be inaccurate because of fluctuations caused by water weight.

However, it turns out that weighing yourself every day is actually an excellent motivator for dieters. A study in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that dieters who weighed themselves every day lost the most weight, and kept it off more successfully, compared to a group of dieters who did not weigh themselves regularly.

4.) Schedule the occasional indulgence.
If you know that you get to eat a small ice cream sundae once a week, or one brownie, or half a cup of pasta, or whatever you are craving, you are much less likely to binge. You can also make sure that’s a day when you add in some extra exercise and you will still lose weight!

5.) Find an exercise that you like.
Even if it’s just taking your dog for a mile long walk, or bicycling, or tennis or whatever – just as long as it’s something- and do it at least a few times a week. It will speed up your weight loss, make you healthier, and dieters who also exercise are the most successful at keeping the weight off.

Here’s a great little book that might help you!

As you can see, these are not hard things to do and will definately help you lose weight!

If you want to lose weight and keep it off, give my suggestions a try!

Now, that’s a good question and one I have had to find the answer to, as I am currently dieting and have been quite hungry – up until now! Has hunger struck you down in your tracks whilst dieting? I’m hearing you!

One of the main reasons that people cheat on their dieting plan or just give up altogether is that simply, they’re hungry.

Being hungry all the time is difficult to live with for a day, much less for weeks on end. There are some solutions so you can avoid hunger and I’m going to share them with you today!

Here are some tips to make sure that hunger pangs don’t derail all of your hard work.

Whatever you do, don’t skip breakfast, or you will starving and cranky by mid-morning. A breakfast with complex carbs and low fat protein will help stave off hunger and snack attacks.

Eat sufficient protein when you are dieting. Scientific studies show that protein leaves people feeling full longer than carbohydrates does.

Make sure that you have some fat included in your diet – you need some. Choose healthy fats, like olive oil. Mediterranean people include a lot of olive oil in their cooking and they have famously low rates of obesity and heart disease.

Plan ahead. Make sure that you have low calorie snacks and drinks with you. Drink plenty of water and eat snacks like celery or apple slices.

Stay away from sugary snacks and simple carbohydrates like sticky buns, cake and donuts. If you eat them your blood sugar will soar, and then it will crash and you will find yourself irritable, jittery and famished. Munchie moments follow quickly!

Take note of what times of day your hunger really kicks in and plan your meals and snacks accordingly. If you always cave in around 4 p.m., schedule a snack for 3:30 and drink a big glass of water too.

Don’t cut your calories too drastically when trying to lose weight. It will make your metabolism slow down and cause you to be plagued with hunger all of the time.

Eat several servings of bulky low calorie foods a day. Broccoli, cauliflower, salads, most vegetables…these will fill you up and help stave off hunger.

Eat complex carbohydrates half an hour to an hour before exercising to fuel your workout session and also so you don’t end up feeling absolutely ravenous afterwards.

Good luck on your dieting mission! Avoid hunger and you will be far more likely to stick to your weight reduction plan. If you follow the above tips you will find it’s pretty easy to avoid hunger whilst you are dieting! Let me know how you go

If losing weight has become a drag, you need to rethink your strategy.

Are you who moans and groans when you think of trying to lose weight and exercise? Most of us do! Unfortunately, for so many, the very idea of losing weight breeds negative thoughts and feelings. You may even feel as if it’s an impossible challenge.

After all, who wants to think of climbing on those machines in the gym for 30 minutes to take off the pounds? Or even worse, doing sit-ups at home. Yuck!

I’m sure you’ll be glad to discover that you don’t need to go to the gym to reduce weight and get the body you want!

Here are five simple activities that will help you get healthy and reduce weight while having a blast:

1. Go for a walk with your friends.
A great way to get active and improve your health is to start walking with friends. Meet during the week to take a brisk walk together, either in the morning before your day begins, during lunch, or in the evening after work.

* Schedule your walk into your day as social time. While you’re walking, take time to catch up and chat with each other. This way it feels more like a social experience instead of exercise.

2. Beautify your yard or cultivate a garden.
Gardening and yard work are both activities that burn calories so you can reduce weight and be productive! Planting flowers or vegetables, pulling weeds, raking, hauling dirt, and doing other gardening chores can really help you get in shape.

* When you’re squatting, bending, and yanking out those weeds, you’ll be working muscles you didn’t even know you had….lol!

3. Dance.
Dancing is another great way to burn off mega calories while you have a great time. You’ll get your heart pumping, and you’ll enjoy an awesome total workout!

* Take a dance class.
* Go out to a nightclub where you can dance the night away.
* Get some dance videos so you can dance at home(I taught my self hip hop this way – the kids think I’m totally cool )

4. Play with your family.
Even something as simple as playtime outdoors with the family can help you lose some pounds and stay healthy. Whether it’s running, Frisbee, or playing tag together, just having fun with the family can give you some much needed activity.

* Visit a park and go hiking on the trails.
* Climb a tree in your backyard.
* Go swimming or skiing.

5. Play group sports.
One great idea to reduce weight the fun way is to play group sports. Next time, instead of dragging yourself to the gym and those dreaded machines, check out the recreation center in your area.

* Start playing soccer, softball, volleyball, or basketball. With these activities, you’ll be burning off the calories while enjoying yourself at the same time!

The possibilities are endless! You’ll have fun spending quality time with your family and friends, and teaching your children a healthy lifestyle as well.

Although these activities are fun, regular activity and eating a healthy diet go hand in hand when you want to reduce weight. You can’t count one weekend of gardening as your exercise for the week. Vary your activities for more fun, and do something to get moving every day.

Consistency is the key to reaching your weight loss goal.

As I am sure you can see, exercising and getting in shape don’t have to be ‘moan and groan time’. There are plenty of easy activities you can do to reduce weight, improve your health, and have fun!

The best thing about having lost weight, is that you look and feel better and you gain so much extra energy! From there, your outlook will have changed altogether and you will see exactly how I can put ‘reduce weight‘ and ‘have fun’ in the same sentence! – Enjoy!

What are your eating habits like? good or bad?
Have you been struggling to keep your motivation to eat healthy, nutritious foods? Once you’ve set a goal to maintain healthy eating habits, how do you go about actually achieving that goal?

I find eating quite a hassle and Yes, I admit it – I have been known to struggle with my weight in the past, but not anymore!
The good news is that once you do something consistently for only a few weeks, it becomes a habit.

I thought I would write about a few simple techniques to help you avoid those tempting junk foods, so you can make wise and healthy food decisions in your daily routine, and get and maintain healthy eating habits!

Top Tips to Avoid Temptation:

1. Water, water, and more water. Drink a lot of water each day. Not only is this good for your whole body (both inside and out), it can actually make you feel full. Also, lots of times when you think you’re hungry, your body is actually thirsty, so keep yourself well hydrated.

2. Am I actually really hungry? Ask yourself if you’re really hungry or if you’re eating out of convenience or emotion or simple bad habit. Many times you probably aren’t as hungry as you think, so try to get involved in a different activity instead of snacking.

3. Divert your energy. Instead of putting all your energy into making two grilled cheese sandwiches with bacon, try taking a walk or doing something that requires you to use your hands, like knitting(?) or woodworking. It’s pretty hard to do these sorts of activities and eat at the same time.

4. Allow yourself snack time. Choose healthy snacks instead of chips and salsa or chocolate bars. For snack time, try eating celery, popcorn without butter, fruits, or a make-your-own trail mix with raisins, nuts, and dried fruits.

* A good hint for snacking is to have healthy snacks readily available in your home, and unhealthy snacks completely out of the house; that way, the healthy stuff is easy to grab.

5. Try chewing gum. Putting something in your mouth like gum or hard, sugar-free candy can help convince your brain that you’re eating! ( I do this one all the time – it really works!)

How about tips to Choose Healthy Foods?

The next time you go food shopping, use these tips to help you choose the right foods and steer clear of the unhealthy stuff. These will definately help your quest to maintain healthy eating habits!

1. Buy fresh fruits and do some research on how to tell when fruits are at their freshest and when they’re in season. Try some of those exotic fruits you’ve always looked at but never purchased. Make your own fruit drinks and smoothies for a healthy, delicious treat. (try apricot nectar and ice cream, blend and YUM!)

2. Healthy eating includes buying lots of fresh vegetables that you can use to make up a quick and healthy stir-fry with chicken, brown rice, or even soy products. Buy easy to make salads where the lettuce and other veggies are already washed. These are easy, quick, healthy, and they taste good. The key is to choose vegetables that are dark green or orange or red in color.

3. Use the Food Pyramid. The recommended food pyramid from the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gears you toward whole foods and minimal sweets. Get a copy from the FDA and make your grocery list by following their guidelines. Lots of products now have this guide on their packaging too!

4. Stay away from preservatives. You don’t need that Twinkie that can outlast any environmental disaster! When you learn to read nutrition labels and ingredient lists, you’ll find that there are many snacks that are full of preservatives. You probably shouldn’t buy the food when the ingredient list contains more than a handful of items. Plus, if the expiry date isn’t until two years from now, it’s being heavily preserved.

Need some more top grocery store tips?

1. Always eat before you go! That way you are not hungry and are less likely to binge buy rubbish!

2. Make a list! This technique is a tried and true method to avoid buying foods that aren’t healthy. Stick to your list and, for fun, seek out healthy foods you haven’t tried before to tempt your taste buds.

3. Go alone. Leave your children in good hands and go alone to the grocery store. This way you can concentrate on getting only the healthy foods you desire without being pressured into buying junk. Alternatively, if you do bring your children, be prepared to spend extra time teaching them how to spot healthy foods.

4. Shop in a circle. Many nutritionists will tell you to shop the perimeter of the store. Grocery stores are usually set up with their fresh foods, fruits, vegetables, fish, and breads all around the perimeter. Preservative-laced foods are in the center and at the ends of each aisle.

Before long, you’ll be choosing healthy foods without a second thought, and those unhealthy foods you used to eat will no longer tempt you. Once you discover the benefits and better taste of fresh and healthy foods, you’ll never want to go back!

With some determination and strategies to maintain healthy eating habits in place, you can achieve your goal to eat healthy! By incorporating healthy changes into your diet one by one, you’re slowly creating a new habit.

It wont take long until you actually enjoy your new healthy eating outlook! You will feel and look better and have more energy too!

Use my tips on how you can maintain healthy eating habits and enjoy your new fresh outlook on life!