Slow and steady wins the race

The right way to loose weight

Slow is the way to go

This article are for those who really wish to lose weight, it helps even if they can make small but significant changes in their daily life. One doesn’t necessarily have to go on a stringent diet… just being aware of what you are eating definitely helps a lot too! Here is to a healthier lifestyle, here is to a healthier you!

It is tempting when someone harps about a diet that helped them lose 10 kgs in a month. You might want to jump head on into it…but take a moment to think of what you would put your body through. Sudden and sharp weight losses are unnatural. It ruins the balance of the system and makes it prone to several illnesses. What would you rather have? A slim frame or a healthy and slim frame? Remember the Hare and the Tortoise story, slow and steady, does indeed win the race. Apart from the dietary guidelines, there a few other pointers that one must keep in mind, like:

Make change gradually

Do not try to loose weight all at once. It will take longer to lose weight when you are following a correct weight loss plan, but will be able to keep the weight off permanently. It is always better to lose weight gradually rather than drastically.

Do not eat your meals in a hurry

No matter how packed your schedule is, do not get tempted to grab a sandwich and eat on the run. Your body will absorb more nutrients if you take the time and sit down, relax and enjoy your meals.

Listen to your stomach

It pays to keep your ear open to the calls of the body. If your stomach is growing away like a caged lion, go grab a bite. Carrot sticks, bran biscuits, fruits etc. are perfect in- between meal snacks.

It is always better to chew food properly, as chewing helps in better digestion and also gives you enough time to know if you are full.

Don’t reach out for second helpings

Take healthy first servings, but that doesn’t mean you pile mountain sized helpings on your plate. Serve yourself, sit down and relish your meal. This way, you reduce temptation and monitor how much you eat.

Exercise

A planned diet and a round of exercise and you are on the way to becoming one well- toned person! When you combine a healthy diet with exercise, you increase your body’s metabolic rate, burn a lot more calories from fat and lose weight quickly…but where do we time to exercise? Simple, you

*Run up the stairs instead of using the lift.

*Walk short distances instead of taking a cab.

*Skip while the milk boils and the vegetables cook.

*Set aside time for regular exercise( aerobics, swimming etc)

Plan your weekly menu

Always plan your meals, preferably for a week so that you do not cook or buy veritable no-nos on an impulse. Also, it is a good idea to maintain a diet book of sorts where you write down about everything you have had to eat. This will help you monitor your daily dietary intake.

Reward yourself

When you achieve your short- term weight loss goal, do something special for yourself. Go for a movie, buy a new shirt, read a book, visit a friend and pamper yourself. And yes, pat yourself on the back from my side also.