My tips and advice! :)

SillaWinchester
SillaWinchester Posts: 363 Member
edited January 27 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi guys!

I'd like to share the tips and advice I've learned or realized over the years when it comes to Lifestyle changes/Dieting, exercise, etc.

I am in no way an expert, these are just some things I'd like to pass on. If you don't agree with them, please respect me and I will respect you.

Anyways, here goes nothing! :)

- Do not go cold turkey with anything. For example, my weak spot is Starbucks. Especially the Fraps. I know from previous experience that I cannot just cut anything out of my diet because that will make me want it more. Take small steps to get healthier. I started with just getting a tall (Small) instead of Trenta (Extra large). Then I continued getting talls and also saying no whip on top. When I get teas, I say unsweetened or sugar free. When milk is involved I get fat free.
- Note that sometimes fat free isn't always a good thing. Like fat free ice cream, they just add extra sugar to make up for there being no fat.
- The fresher the better! All packaged foods are normally worse for you but if you get things out of the garden or you make things from scratch, it's so much healthier! I myself just started up a garden in my back yard. It's WAY cheaper than buying veggies at the store, and they are healthier because you control how they grow (no sprays, or harsh chemicals.)
- When you have a snack attack, go for something like rice chips rather than a bowl of ice cream. Rice chips are usually cheap, and they are low on cals but HIGH in taste! For days when you need sweets, you can even get caramel or chocolate flavored rice chips and they are still fairly low in cals. Even get those 50 -100 cal snack packs.
- NEVER skip a meal. That puts your brain and tummy in overdrive and will make you even more hungry than you'd be if you'd just eaten regularly and it'll make you tired and sluggish. If you don't have time to eat, grab something healthy on the go like nuts or berries.
- Drink water BEFORE you eat because it makes you feel much more full, and it also helps you get your daily water intake for those who are like me and don't like to drink much water.
- When eating salad, don't pour a bunch of dressing on the salad itself. That's where all the calories are. Instead, put the dressing in a separate bowl and dip your salad bite by bite. That way, you don't take in more calories than you need to.
- This tip is something based on personal preference, it might work for you, it might not, but here it is. Eat a small protein snack before you workout (a potato, an egg, nuts, a protein shake... etc) so you can get some energy. Workout (DRINK LOTS OF WATER), then eat a normal meal afterwards. I find that if I eat a normal meal before I workout and a small protein snack after the workout, I'll get even more hungry and will be more inclined to binge.
- When you weigh yourself, it's better to do it once a week. When you weigh yourself every day, you won't see much of a change and you'll lose motivation. There's more of a chance that you'll lose a pound or two in a week and you'll feel great about it! I weight myself and take measurements every Sunday!
- The most accurate time to weigh yourself is in the morning after you use the restroom and before you eat.
- Remember, muscle weighs more than fat... it's very likely that you'll see a difference in your measurements than on the scale.
- When working out, always have a rest day. The way you build muscle is to use them, work them up, then let them rest so they can grow.
- Everyone has bad days. If you have one, don't let it stop you from making tomorrow a good day. Just because you ate a bowl of ice cream two minutes ago doesn't mean you've automatically failed life and need to quit being healthy.
- Stay busy! When you're busy, you're not bored. When you're not bored, you won't go to the fridge every two minutes to find something to eat. I do that, and usually I'm not even hungry, just bored! Pick up a hobby if you have to. I make macrame bracelets to stay busy!
- Video games aren't a bad thing! These days, you can work up more of a sweat playing Just Dance! or Kinect! If you like video games, stick to the ones that keep you jumping around!
- Don't like working out? Pick up a Zumba DVD! SO FUN, I PROMISE. I have a Zumba DVD and it is so upbeat and fun! My friend and I love working out with Zumba because we learn some new dance moves, have tons of fun, and we really don't realize we're working out.
- Choose baked over deep fried! Baked is way more healthy and it usually tastes better!
- Choose yellow mustard over mayo or ketchup. Mayo and ketchup can get you in a lot of trouble but yellow mustard is an extra tastey alternative with ZERO calories!
- Whenever I make a sandwich or a salad, I always add alfalfa sprouts! They are so filling and at only 10 calories a CUP!

It's a lot to take in, I'm sorry. But hopefully this helps some people who don't know where to start! Comment with what you think, what you agree with or don't agree with! Comment with your own tips too!! :)

Replies

This discussion has been closed.

Categories