Holiday Weight Loss: The Garter Belt Hypothesis
by PattyJames

(72 votes)

By using the words "garter belt" in my title, I wanted to grab your attention. However, over the years, I developed a theory that if I wore a garter belt, silk nylons and heels I would feel sexier and eat less.

Eventually it just took up too much time, but on occasion it still works for me. In my opinion, pantyhose are terrifically uncomfortable anyway, so why not give it a try?

It doesn't have to be the garter-belt scenario, but find something that makes you feel like you do not want to overeat.

I believe it was Sophia Loren who said she never wears anything with an elastic waist, as it's too easy to eat too much and gradually gain weight until you put on your clothes that have waistbands and find that you can't zip them. I have found this to be a good tip.

Standing up really straight also helps me to eat less, silly as that may sound.

The holiday season is renowned for being the packing-on-the-pounds season; so between the garter belt and the following tips maybe this year you can maintain or even lose weight during the season:

Chocolates in boxes are everywhere...
Don't have them on your desk or in your house. Don't put them in your freezer as that will not slow you down; they can be eaten frozen and we all know it. Give them away or if you have great self-control, limit yourself to one a day at most for up to five days per season.

When you have your one chocolate, you need to eat it after you eat a salad and do savor it. Remember, food should not be a reward. Being healthy is its own reward. Also, deprivation rarely works long term, so a few chocolates are OK!

The Buf-fat Table
Walk around the buffet table at least once to size up the selections. Are there fresh veggies and fruit? Watch out for all the cheese platters, breads, crackers and high-calorie choices. Your plate should be at least half vegetables with a small dollop of dip -- dips are usually high fat (and it's the wrong kind of fat) and high in sodium. Don't forget to select a protein source whether that is a piece of chicken or fish or a bean dish.

Calories and Sugar in a Glass
That would be alcohol. Four ounces of champagne or wine is about 100 calories. Many people have wine goblets, not glasses and it's very easy to drink much more than four ounces. And this unthinking drinking easily contributes to holiday weight gain.

Drink plenty of water, sip wine only with meals and limit your consumption. Remember in the nutrition world "support your liver" is the mantra; your liver really doesn't like alcohol.

The Bottom Line: Eat more vegetables, limit your alcohol and desserts, up your water intake and, of course, continue regular exercise.


In good health,
Patty

Patty James. M.S. is a Vital Health Educator and Nutrition Coach who founded the first certified organic cooking school and nutrition center in America.

December 21, 2009

20 Ways To Better Health & Happiness
by bethaldrich

(65 votes)

Health is more than just eating well. It's about enjoying, or learning how to Savor Your Life.

Here are 20 surefire ways to improve your health and happiness. And the good news is... they're FREE!

1. Give generously of yourself and your resources.

2. View everything and everyone you meet with gratitude.

3. Live each day happily without focusing on your problems.

4. Hum or sing a happy song every day (people will wonder what you're up to).

5. Foster a sense of humor.

6. Treat yourself to regular daily quiet time—study, pray, meditate (my favorite); recharge yourself.

7. Include exercise as part of your daily life. Experiment with an exercise style that works for you. Try yoga, Pilates, martial arts, walking, running, bicycling, rollerblading, swimming, dancing, weight lifting, or competitive sports.

8. To increase your circulation, scrub your entire body with a hot damp washcloth morning and/or night.

9. Avoid wearing synthetic or woolen clothing directly on the skin. As much as possible, wear 100% cotton clothing, especially for undergarments.

10. Avoid excessive jewelry on your fingers, wrists and neck; fewer rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and piercings allow your natural energy flow to circulate more freely.

11. Avoid chemically perfumed cosmetics. For care of the teeth, use natural toothpastes.

12. Keep your home in good order, including kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and living rooms. You are your home.

13. If possible, include large green plants in every room of your home and office to freshen and enrich the oxygen content of the air.

14. Minimize television watching, or at least keep a good distance away from the television.

15. Avoid cooking with electricity, especially microwave ovens. Convert to gas when practical.

16. Avoid water with chlorine and fluoride. Use spring water or a good quality water filter.

17. Chew your food well, 30 seconds per mouthful or more, until it becomes liquid.

18. Offer thanks before and after meals.

19. Do your best to be on good terms with people, especially your boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife, parents, children, brothers, sisters, friends and co-workers. Communicate with them regularly, either in person or via telephone or email.

20. Most of all, create a positive attitude and wonderful environment around you and enjoy the process of becoming healthier and happier every step of the way!

November 30, 2009

Negativity, Gloom & Stress Eating
by RosaSmith

(19 votes)

Bank bailouts... home foreclosures... political mudslinging...

We are being bombarded with negativity and doom and gloom. It can easily impact the nervous system leaving you feeling uneasy and anxious.

Eating due to stress is a common reason people gain weight. Let's face it, times are changing and we can't do much about the price of gas but they can enjoy a piece of chocolate.

What can you do if you are a stress eater?

First understand what is happening in your mind and body. Your brain does anxiety by focusing on a problem, putting out into the future in your MIND while vividly imagining an unfavorable outcome as if it were real. This causes your nervous system to react in a flight or fight response, to calm your nerves, you eat.

Eating fills your stomach, changing your breathing pattern which then stimulates your parasympathetic nervous system causing you to feel relaxed.

Try a new pattern. First stop reading, watching or listening to depressing news. Believe me when I tell you that anyone within five feet will keep you informed and you won't miss a thing.

Then, try breathing. It is remarkable. Close your eyes, take some deep breaths, and imagine a wave of relaxation from the top of your head to the tips of your toes. Breathing in itself will stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system.

Some ways to stop stress eating are to have an alternative in place that is seamless to reach for instead of food.

Herbal teas are good because the aroma will help you relax. Going for a walk is excellent because it changes your physiology -- motion creates emotion, shifting your focus. Listening to soothing music is great. If you have a table top water fountain, focus on the sounds of the water. The rhythmic pace will slow down your brain waves to a calmer alpha state.

When you do eat, pre-select foods that are low in calories and easy to reach for in a few minutes. Try cutting vegetables and having them with dip, or a handful of almonds, maybe a little peanut butter on some soy chips, will do the trick. The point is not to feel full but to avoid feeling deprived and binging.

Dealing with stress is a way of life. We are living in a fast-paced society with information racing towards us. Slowing things down and taking a few deep breaths is always an option.

You can choose the way you deal with stress, so pick a healthy way that doesn't result in weight gain.

Start right now. Make a new choice, one that won't add further cause you to feel anxious and want to comfort yourself with food.

You can also try this: Become a Diet.com Premium Member today and receive a FREE COPY of The Feel Good Diet by Dr. Cheryle Hart and registered dietitian Mary Kay Grossman. The book is a $24 value that's yours FREE as our way of saying thanks!

October 1, 2008