Many times I am asked for quick fixes on what a person needs to do in order to lose weight, lose body fat, gain energy and/or increase their fitness level.  We ARE human after all and we want fitness now, if not sooner…with a magic pill taboot!

The reality is, as you all know, but probably don’t want to acknowledge is it takes commitment, perseverance and knowledge in order to become and stay healthy!  I can help you become committed and I can encourage you to persevere, but I CAN provide you with some knowledge!  So, here are some basic quidelines to live and stay healthy!

• Know what you will and will not  order or eat before you go out to a restaurant or party
• Stay away from foods made with white flour and white sugar and replace them with whole grain options (i.e. whole grain rice, bread and soy or whole grain pasta)
• If it has a shelf life of over a month…think twice about eating it!  Instead, see if you can replace it with a fresh food like fruit, veggies, sliced turkey or beans
• Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a queen and dinner like a pauper
• Have a protein source every time you eat
• Have only 1 fat source every time you eat
• Drink at least 64 oz of water
• At dinner, load your plate with ¾ veggies and the rest a lean protein
• Switch out creamy and oily dressing and sauces with a lower calorie version such as balsamic vinegar or lemon juice.
• Exercise at least 4x a week and never let 3 days go by without doing something
• Acknowledge each moment you make a decision which involves your health, you are either heading further away from your goal, or closer to your goal
• Eat about 5x a day and never let yourself get too hungry OR too full!
• Always always always have a healthy food / snack with you!

If you can follow these “rules”…you have set a solid foundation of health for yourself! 

Tammy Parkinson

This entry was posted by Tammy Parkinson on January 28th, 2008 under Health and Wellness with keywords .

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