Posted by
KristinMcTuesday, November 29, 2011
Let’s talk about why crash diets or fad diets don’t work…
You decide you want to lose weight, and you know that if you cut calories so that you eat less than you burn, that is the key. Well if cutting 200 calories a day is good, isn’t cutting 1000 great?? No! If you don’t consume enough calories for daily functions, then your body thinks it is starving and prepares for famine by slowing metabolism and storing fat. Now you’re not eating AND you’re not losing weight!
How about those fad diets – it seems like there is a new one every month, doesn’t it? One program tells you to eat only protein (even if that protein is bacon!), another says to eat only grapefruit until sundown, and yet another says you can eat X as long as it’s eaten with Y. Frequently, these diets appear to work… while you’re on them. But then as soon as you stop the weight quickly comes back on, often with some additional pounds. Sound familiar? This is because these diets generally dehydrate your system – those first few pounds are water. Then your body loses muscle mass with any fat loss. No one benefits from a loss of muscle mass, but if you have a spinal injury, you really do not want to risk this!
With both cases, you quickly regain the weight because you did not lose the unhealthy fat that you were hoping to. Make healthy changes and lose weight the healthy way.
Have you ever noticed that when you workout, you make healthier choices when you eat? There is a study that proves there is a link!
Exercise improves your awareness of being full, so you are less likely to overeat. Over time, this will change your relationship with food – you’ll better recognize what portion size is appropriate for you. Like I mentioned, diet is the key to losing weight. However, exercise compliments this and makes it easier to stick to your healthier way of eating.
Also, exercise will improve your ability to resist temptations. There are actually changes in the brain that will help suppress urges! Isn’t that fantastic? How many times do we blame a lack of will power as the cause for our inability to lose weight? Well, exercise can improve that will power!
I can help you figure out how to get more exercise. Visit my site scitotalfitness.com
Posted by
KristinMcTuesday, November 22, 2011
The holidays are upon us, and I know it is easy to overeat at Thanksgiving dinner. Trust me, I can eat like a champ! Did you know the average Thanksgiving dinner has 2000 calories?!?
Here are some tips to get through the day while watching your waistline:
- Do not eat the skin on the turkey! Save some fat and cholesterol with one simple step ☺
- Watch your portion size. Try a little bit of the dishes your want, and don’t go back for seconds.
- Stay hydrated with calorie-free water. Limit the alcohol intake; it’s high calorie and dehydrating. Not to mention it tends to makes us pay less attention to what we’re eating.
- Don’t go to dinner hungry – this usually results in eating more than you need. Then eat slowly to give yourself time to feel full.
I hope following these simple steps don’t leave you feeling deprived, but also help you from feeling like the stuffed turkey. Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted by
KristinMcThursday, November 17, 2011
Have you stopped drinking soda? Your body will thank you :) Here is another simple change you can make, one that people often fail to see as the diet sabotager that it is: Don’t buy in the “light/fat-free/low fat” market!
Too frequently these words really mean more sugar, more sodium, and/or more artificial flavors. These have their own diet pitfalls, and contribute to health risks. The added sugar increases the risk of diabetes, and the increased sodium contribute to high blood pressure. If you have the "real" version of whatever food you're craving, just watch your portion size, and how often you eat it.
Also, people who choose these “diet versions” of foods frequently eat larger portions than they would if they were eating the regular versions, and therefore end up taking in more calories. Just like diet soda, these supposedly “healthy choice” foods can lead to weight gain.
Now this tip does NOT include choosing fat-free milk and cheese made from skim milk. When it comes to dairy, skim milk is not “diet” and it is healthier! This would be a good choice.
Posted by
KristinMcSaturday, November 12, 2011
There are exciting things happening with research for a cure; advances are being made every day! So I ask you, if a cure was announced tomorrow – would you be ready??
If nerves begin to regenerate and muscles start to work, there is still a lot of work to do to build strength in those muscles that have not worked in months or years. Do you have the drive to put in that hard work? The muscles that are functioning now are still going to have to do a ton of work while these new muscles are growing – are they strong enough?? Are you carrying around extra weight that is going to put even more strain on these new muscles???
You should be in your top shape for your health today, your wellbeing tomorrow, and for the possibilities of the future. This means to get on a diet and exercise regimen today to get to the optimal you. This lifestyle will promote that work ethic, strengthen those muscles that are working, and drop that excess weight.
I know it is not easy to eat right and exercise regularly. It’s much easier to buy processed foods, and skip your workout. But it is not going to be easy to gain any benefits from stem cells or other scientific break throughs! It will be like the rehab you went through when you were first injured – lots of work! Those people who are in the best shape will be the most prepared, and perhaps see the best results.
It is never too late to start working toward a healthier you! And never too early to start preparing for a cure!!
Posted by
KristinMcSaturday, November 05, 2011
If I could give one piece of advice to change your diet immediately, it would be "Stop drinking soda!" Diet or regular, soda is just bad for you. It is empty calories that causes spikes in your insulin, and contributes to both weight gain and Type 2 diabetes.
Most people know that regular soda has these health risks, but I often hear people say “but I drink diet soda, which is sugar free and low (or no) calorie!” Here is the problem with artificial sweetener (besides the fact that artificial is even in it’s title!) when the brain is told that something sweet is entering it’s system, it prepares for a large amount of calories. When this is not delivered, the brain is thrown off and the systems are already running, and it results in the body storing fat. Diet soda is actually sabotaging your ability to lose weight!
Weight loss is simply taking in less calories than your exert. Are you willing to waste some of those calories in on what you drink? So give up soda, and drink more water or unsweetened iced tea. If quitting is too difficult, start by drinking 2 cups of water for each cup of soda you drink. Increase to 3 cups, and so on. This is an easy way to cut down on your calories.
