Did you start the New Year with a restrictive diet plan to lose weight, only to find you’ve completely lost motivation now we are into February?
Use my 5 quick rules to help get you back on track.
1. Eat more!
Yes, actually eat more – more vegetables, fruit, salads, soups and stews. All these foods are full of nutrients and will help to make you feel full without being high in calories.
2. Reduce portion sizes of bread, rice, pasta and potatoes
You still need these foods, but make sure you cut down the amounts you eat and try to go for wholegrain varieties of bread, pasta and rice.
3. Cut back on obvious sugars
We all know it’s a nightmare searching food labels to see how much sugar is in an item. So, just start by avoiding as much obvious sugars as you can. This means reducing or eliminating biscuits, cakes, sweets, chocolate bars, sugary breakfast cereals, fizzy drinks and puddings. I know – tough love! but see point 5 below.
4. Cut back on alcohol
Not what you want to hear, I’m sure, but alcohol just gives you empty calories so try to cut right back. The occasional small glass is fine but most of us drink supersized glasses of wine and are racking up the calories as a result.
5. Think about what you are eating
Firstly, focus on the type of foods you are eating. Then focus on the food once it is in your mouth. Take your time savouring each mouthful instead of mindlessly shovelling it in!. If you do this, then you can have the occasional indulgence and really enjoy and remember it. This stops you feeling deprived all the time when you are applying trick 3 and 4.
Remember every small step you take can really help in the fight against weight gain and is much more sustainable than a radical change in your eating habits.
Let me know whether you think these steps have helped you get back on track for a healthy 2017 and please like and share my post.
