If you want this year to be different, you have to do something different.
New
Years resolutions, most of us make them, and most of us break them, but
we start with good intentions. One reason we fail to keep those
resolutions is because they are just too extreme. I want to lose 20
pounds, but even with all the good intentions I may lose 10 pounds and
then fall off the wagon, I get discouraged easily because I expect too
much. We all want something and most of us want it NOW and we get
discouraged or frustrated if we don't reach our goals right away. We are
a "want it now" generation, because we have been so accustomed to
getting what we want when we want it and that is not such a bad thing,
but when it comes to setting goals it is bad to think that way. The
number of people that resolve to lose weight for the new year is
astounding, but if we change the way we think it makes it a little
easier. First of all, don't think of "losing weight" just think healthy!
We all want to be healthy and live longer and feel good and look good
so that is a better long term goal. Now here are some short term goals
to help you reach that "healthy goal".
1. Eat more!
Whoa,
you did not see that coming or maybe you did if you have been reading up
on all the latest health trends. You should eat a minimum of 5 or 6
meals a day. Now that doesn't mean BIG meals, it means healthy foods
like veggies or fish or chicken, preferably a high protein diet. Modern
medicine is finally waking up to the health benefits of this approach.
Diabetes experts just this year found that high-protein dieting really
does lead to lower fat stores and more lean muscle. They are looking at
it as a way to prevent or even reverse the effects of diabetes.
2.
Always eat breakfast! I know we have heard all our lives "you need to
eat a healthy breakfast". Yes Mom, you were right. Oatmeal, unsweetened
cereal or eggs are best for a good breakfast, but I know we never have
much time in the mornings so even some fruit, whole grain toast or bagel
is better than nothing and always eat within an hour of waking. Now we
have started a great day. Now about mid-morning have a snack, preferably
some nice crisp veggies, fruit or nuts. For lunch have a healthy
sandwich, such as chicken or tuna salad, etc. Another snack
mid-afternoon, same choices as mid-morning and a healthy dinner and you
may have another "healthy" snack before bedtime. Now once a week reward
yourself with something you really like, some dark chocolate or ice
cream, etc. but just eat less than you normally would and eat it slow,
savoring every bite.
3. Exercise Less! Wow, yes you heard that
right. The reason is simple: your body was not designed for long,
repetitive exercise. What your physiology really evolved to handle is
short, intense periods of exertion, followed by rest. So what you want
to do is ride a bike, dance or walk for 2 minutes at a face pace, then
slow down for 2 minutes, fast 2, slow 2, follow that for 4 or 5 reps for
a total of 15 to 25 minutes, at least 3 days a week. Let's say you
pedal as fast as you can on a bike for 15 seconds. When you stop, you
continue to pant. This is the kind of high-output challenge I'm talking
about. The most up-to-date research on high-intensity, low-duration
workouts also supports my point about exercise. In a matter of weeks you
can: · Lose pounds of belly fat · Build functional new muscle· Reverse
heart disease · Build energy reserves available on demand · Strengthen
your immune system · Reverse many of the changes of aging.
4.
Stress Less! Millions of American's are dealing with unusually high
levels of stress that threaten not just their emotional health, but
their over all health and well being too. The effects of stress on the
body are well documented and stress management can reduce the risk of a
number of diseases, including heart-related problems. Stress is also a
huge aspect of emotional health problems. Breathing exercises,
relaxation exercises and meditation exercises can all be useful in
managing stress. Find new techniques that can help you manage stress in
your life. Breathing exercises are easy and you can do them anywhere.
First breathe deep into your stomach with a count of 10, hold for a
second and think about the headache or neck ache you have and
concentrating on the part of your body that is feeling the stress most,
slowly breathe out on a count of 10. You can do this several times or
several times a day, in your car while waiting in traffic, at work or at
home. It is always good to do this at bedtime to release the stress of
the day. It will help you sleep better and get to sleep sooner.
5. Looking Good!
OK
now we are on our way to getting healthy now lets go a step farther and
work on looking good. First I cannot stress this enough, just because
something is in style doesn't mean it will look good on you and that
goes for make up as well as fashions. If you are short, wear clothes
that make you look taller, skinny jeans and skirts and heels. If you
have a short neck wear low neck or v-neck shirts (never turtlenecks). If
you are tall with a long neck be thankful. Also wear your hair to match
your face shape. If you have a round baby face do not wear a short bob
wear your hair longer and straight around your face. If you have a long
forehead or chin wear your hair shorter around the face. We all have our
imperfections, we just need to learn how to make them less noticeable
and love ourselves. Loving yourself is so important. If you feel good
about yourself it shows, you look confident and happy and people want to
be around you. We all want youthful, flawless skin, but it takes work.
You need to care for your skin regularly and use good products,
preferably natural, botanical products, such as, Colose' or Great Skin
and one of my favorites for anti-aging is Frownies. These 3 companies
all have great skin care products.
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