My favorite ‘diet’ recommendations….
I’m not really into dieting per se, but more of lifestyle changes. (I did the ‘diet’ thing in 2005-06 for bodybuilding and dropped way too low.)
Now, the lifestyle changes!
It’s been a slow process. And, since I’m doing the bodybuilding route again, this time, we’re doing it healthy and energetic the whole way.
Vegan style.
Now, I may not be 100% totally vegan yet, but I’m getting there. It’s not a lifestyle change for everyone, but I think more people could incorporate a few more vegetarian/vegan meals into their days *wink*
This morning, while I was making my smoothie I thought “hmm, what are my favorite recommendations for making lifestyle (diet) changes?” Here are my top recommendations:
- Drink more water. Drop a lemon in it or a lime if you need to add some flavor. Alternate your water consumption with green tea or Crystal Lite until you can consume only water all day long. It takes a while. You have to wean yourself off of milk, sodas and flavor. I promise, you WILL start craving water whether it be warm, luke warm or ice cold. Yes, there are a ton of studies out there on just what temperature your water should be for optimal body response. I don’t care. Just drink more of the stuff.
- Make one meal a day vegan/vegetarian. Not have meat with a meal or a snack? Yes, I’m crazy, but try it! See if you feel more energetic/lighter. You might be surprised.
- Pay attention to how you feel after a meal. Did you just have a pasta dinner? Feeling tired? Feel like your stomach is over extended? Or do you feel energetic and ready to take on the world and all your tasks? Keep a journal if you need to. I learned that chocolate coats my tongue and makes it feel icky (yes, that’s the actual word I used.) Pasta makes me sleep, so do most breads. Green smoothies keep me full IF I’ve used an avocado in them. Crystal Lite can give me a migraine if I drink too much of it. And, I start craving healthy food the more I eat healthy food.
- Don’t read food magazines late at night. They make you hungry. I’m not kidding. Try it and see.
- Turn off the lights in the kitchen after dinner. AND, along with that, only keep fresh fruits/snacks out to be seen so if you do wander back into the kitchen, you gravitate to healthy snacks, not salty or sugary ones.
- No grains after 2pm. I’ve noticed that my body slows way down in the afternoon hours. I need my grains to jump start my brain in the am, but I’ve learned to really limit them later in the evening, especially if I’m trying to lean down. If I do have some at night, it’s about a 1/2 of brown rice or something similar. Nothing too outrageous like second helpings of pasta. (Once I start that trend, it’s like an addiction…I keep going back to get MORE.)
These are my big Six. What other recommendations do you have to add? I’m sure there are others…….
