Lose Weight Without Dieting!

I was recently approached by a writer to comment on “no-diet” ways to lose weight in the New Year.  What did I come up with?  I’ll give you just a few of my ideas that will help you stay on track with any resolutions for 2011!

• Drink enough water! Although research varies on the subject, men and women need about 2 liters per day.

• Downsize plates so eating is a visual experience.

• Try new things and make sure to have a diet full of variety.

• Eat quality foods and less processed snacks, meals, and drinks.

• Watch your salt intake.  Research shows that eating excessive salt causes weight gain.

• Also, watch your sugar intake, as most people indulge their sweet tooth too frequently.

• Get enough electrolytes in your diet.  Boost your potassium! Foods rich in this nutrient include bananas, potatoes, and dried apricots.  Other low-calorie, high potassium foods include carrots, peppers, and brussel sprouts.  Increase your levels of magnesium!  This electrolyte is involved in more than 300 essential metabolic reactions and plays an important role in energy production, specifically ATP.

• Consume more calcium.  Calcium-rich foods include milk, yogurt, spinach, kale, and sesame seeds.  Calcium supports nerve and muscle functions, which is critical to keeping your body on the weight loss track.  Also, getting enough Vitamin D in your diet from fatty fish, mushrooms, eggs, and meat may lead to a greater weight loss.

• Protein rich foods contain valuable amino acids that are linked with weight loss, increased energy, and lower fat levels.

• Exercise programs are well fueled by eating breakfast.  Breakfast is still the most important meal of the day.

• Sleep deprivation causes fatigue, clumsiness, and weight gain.  Getting enough sleep is crucial to proper cognitive function as well as controlling hunger.

• Find ways to deal with stress.  When we feel that we’ve lost control of events, we tend to overeat and use food as an outlet to our problems.

• Make time for relaxation.  Stress less, enjoy living, and you will see a change in your body.

• Adding simple exercises such as walking and yoga will help burn calories and calm your senses.

• Make these sayings your mantra or find a personal one that works for you:
• “I will not use food to mask my emotional needs”
• “I love the body I have”
• “I will make peace with my body and treat it with respect”