Stay Healthy, Stay Thin

The number one New Year’s resolution for most people is losing weight. The only problem is that we tend to set our goals too high, and when they are not attained, we get discouraged. We all know the best way to keep the pounds off is to work out and eat healthy. But, somehow these two things seem so hard to accomplish. The former can be achieved in several ways. Instead of promising yourself hours in the gym every day, try setting goals that are more reasonable. Remember, when you’re taking out the trash, walking the dog, or shopping, you’re exercising. So, think about it next time you cringe at the idea of household chores. Try combining working out with your daily activities; For example, instead of walking from the kitchen to living room, try lunging. Lunges are a great exercise because they work one of the largest muscle groups in our body and burn a lot of fat. If you are too tired to hit the gym after work every day, try bringing the gym to work. Men, put a set of 5-pound dumbbells in your drawer at the office. Before you go out to lunch, do three sets of five basic bicep curls. Bulging biceps are always in style. Ladies love the guns, fellas. Ladies, we are always worried about our legs and thighs. Tone them while you’re on a call using a Lex Loops exercise band that is designed specifically for leg extensions. Do one set of 10 extensions per call for three calls a day. You’ll have Gisele legs in no time. The band fits in your handbag and is very light. Some other great, easy exercises that you can do anywhere are sit-ups and push-ups and they are great for both men and women. Ladies, if you need to do the half push-ups on your knees, that’s ok too. If you can’t stand exercising at home and need extra motivation, sign up for classes at your local gym. Exercise can actually be fun. Spinning, yoga and salsa dance are terrific exercise and a good way to meet new people. DON’T get discouraged if you still haven’t gotten used to the Cabbage Soup Diet. Remember, the most important thing is to listen to your own body. Are you really hungry, or are you overeating? When eating a meal, slow it down. The slower you eat, the less you eat. It takes about 20 minutes for the stomach to realize it is full. Also, be aware of what you are eating. Don’t go crazy calculating calories, but do realize that cheese and chocolate have far more fat calories than a big green salad. Another easy way to keep weight off is to get rid of sugar. Replace sodas and juice with water and low calorie ice-tea mixes. Water has 0 calories and also flushes out your system to keep your body healthy and clean. Water is good for hydration, skin quality, and digestion. If you drink enough water, you feel full. Drinking alcohol doesn’t help control weight either. Alcohol contains empty calories. One martini, for example, has approximately 300 calories! That’s the same as a Snickers bar! Indulge yourself occasionally so you can keep motivated, but don’t go overboard. Lastly, and most importantly, REMEMBER your goals. Be reasonable. Don’t lose sight of what you want, but also realize that you won’t go from a size 10 to 2 in a couple months. Half the battle of losing weight is knowing where you want to go but also having some patience getting there.