Smart Starters
Starting your meal with a small, healthy salad of dark greens, colorful veggies, and low-calorie dressing is a quick way to get some added vitamins while also taking the edge off your hunger. Restaurant appetizers can often be deep fried or high in calories, carbs, and fat. Start with a crisp salad and you'll eat less of your entree while still getting all the vitamins you need!
Foods That Boost Your Mood
Many of us crave carbohydrate-rich food like pastas, pastry, potatoes, or candy when we're feeling blue. The good news is that doctors believe carbohydrates elevate brain levels of tryptophan and serotonin, which can improve your mood and relieve irritability. The bad news is these same foods can make us feel drowsy and sluggish! So if you're looking for some mood-boosting foods, look for ingredients rich in omega-3 oils and protein.
Find the Right Exercise for You
If you absolutely hate jogging, you probably won't look forward to a mile around the track. You can get the same benefit from rollerblading, dancing, or practicing karate -- depending on the amount of time and the level of exertion. A fun, 20-minute game of basketball can burn up around 175 calories. So find the exercise that's right for you, and then you'll want to stick to it.
Healthy Vegetarian
Cutting out the meat doesn't always cut out calories, especially when it's replaced with high-calorie, high-fat vegetarian foods like cheese and nuts. Plus, many prepackaged garden burgers and fried veggie patties have just as much fat as meat products. The trick is to balance your diet and try not to replace meat sources with other fatty foods.
Focus on Your Food
Taking time to enjoy a meal can often seem like a major inconvenience. An excellent way to moderate how much you eat is to slow down, relax, and focus on your food. If you're eating while you're driving in your car or while you're working on your computer, you're rushing through the process and potentially overeating. It takes 20 minutes for the body to start really digesting food, so take your time and enjoy your meal!
Using the Buddy System
We know it's difficult to stay motivated to exercise regularly. One great way to keep up a workout routine is to pair up with another dedicated person, or with a small group of friends. You'll be surprised how much fun it can be to have a special group for walking, running, or working out at the gym. The camaraderie and support (not to mention the healthy peer pressure) can keep you motivated and feeling positive. Plus, you'll get some necessary together time, too.
