As a vegetarian I’m not a huge fan of the Atkins’ diet. Now to be fair there are other diets that include meat that I’m fine with however Atkins just doesn’t sit right with me. I’ll try to be a little objective. I’ll give you that Americans eat more carbohydrates than the body needs and I’ll even agree that cutting them out in favor of proteins might be helpful.
Atkins is supposed to be a temporary diet. It is not a lifestyle change and it is not something that should last overly long. I’ve known far too many people who feel that Atkins’ diet is a way of life. Ok cut some carbs and replace it with proteins and fruits and vegetables but your body uses carbohydrates to keep your energy levels high if you’re working on keeping them high. Additionally, this is not a diet for your children. I say this because children need more carbohydrates to fuel their very high metabolisms. I’ve known people who have put their children on this diet and it’s just a bad idea.
The Atkins’ diet has been proven effective in a short term way. Even for a few months. If you choose to follow this diet, I ask that you follow it to the letter. It has gradual changes to your diet so that you don’t confuse your body. Don’t put your children on this diet without consulting a doctor. It’s unlikely they need it.
So, soon comes the snow. At least hear. I’d been thinking about it and I hate the winter… it’s all cold and there’s nothing to do. I try to keep on my weight loss regiment but in the winter it always falls by the wayside. I’m convinced it happens because people once hibernated. Once upon a time cro magnum man slept all winter long waking only long enough to eat. It happened because the nights were longer and the days shorter so we didn’t have to be awake and we gained weight that we lost while we slept.
Ok not a likely theory but still why can’t I keep the weight off in the winter months? I seem to be less motivated to do much of anything. I try videos because they can keep me in the house and they only get me going so far. I tried the gym last year and found I just didn’t go. This year my plan is to brave the cold and suck it up. I’m going to play in the snow with my kids, I’m going to ski and maybe even figure skate. My theory is that if I can keep active in the winter months maybe this downfall of hibernation won’t hit me this year. Wish me luck!
Emotional eating is defined as “eating for a reason other than hunger usually associated with emotional well being.”
Maybe food has become the fallback of choice. It becomes a programmed response to stress, lonliness, boredome and sadness. Instead of dealing with a negative stressor or emotion in a solution-oriented manner, you may have learned to numb your problems with food. This is not uncommon and it is not beyond help! If you’re aflicted by this you are not alone and I don’t want you to think that you are. How many times have you seen on a sitcom where the main character is having a bad day and neeeds chocolate or ice cream? This is a common reaction to stress. The good news is that a recent research study demonstrated that 85 percent of emotion-based eating was reduced in participants when they learned how to respond to negative emotions with a positive attitude.By changing the way you look at the stressor and yourself you can affect the way you eat and over eat. Truly caring for ourselves tends to get put on the backburner for sources of immediate gratification and indulging in instant gratification can often be mistaken for taking care of yourself. I promise the Big Mac is not taking care of yourself. The bad news is that it takes some hard work—but the payoffs are huge. If they can do it, so can you!
You’ve heard that it’s a good idea to take a picture of yourself before you begin to lose weight in order to show yourself what you’re working for. When you look at your previous body while you’re transforming it you may be motivated to keep working hard. You may also be able to see the results easier if you’re looking at your pre diet/workout endeavor. Let’s think of something else though, what if you don’t get immediate results and you’re just staring at yourself not getting smaller yet. Then what? It leads to cheating on your diet and a loss of motivation. Now let’s say you put up a picture of what you’re working towards? Also loss of motivation? Sometimes when you look at a picture of what you used to weigh it can lead to loss of motivation however I want to look at a mind over matter study. A basketball training camp took 3 groups of players. They had one do nothing but practice free throws. One group did nothing but visualize free throws going in and the last group did 50/50 split of visualizing and practice. The final group improved a significant amount compared to the first two groups that improved the same amount. Think about that for a moment. Constant practice had the same affect as constant visualization. So look at a picture of you with your perfect body and you’ll find it easier to get it. Remember to visualize you’re results in order to achieve them.
Ok so as far as weight loss goes you’ve tried the classes, friends, determination and whatever other diet you could think of. When it comes to it, it’s hard to stick to it. How do we start and what can we do to make it more fun. So my son has this game system called a Wii. It’s made by Nintendo and it costs about $250.00 new. Ok so it’s super fun and keeps you active with different little games and sports and it’s cute. Then I heard about Wii Fit. Wii Fit is a cute little game that comes with a balance board. What this does is monitor your movements to make sure you’re doing the exercise right. I have never had a little game so fun and so encouraging. I work out with it every day. Now there are a few complaints that indicate it doesn’t get your heart rate to a high enough level to be effective but I do a good 30 minute workout starting with Yoga and then for the majority of time in aerobic exercises, which can be very difficult, and then end with a balance game or two I usually end with one that ends in meditation. Super fun and super motivating! I love when the little Wii board gives me a new stamp.
So you joined the team! Great! It doesn’t matter if its professional football or the volleyball team at the local Y. Playing sports gives a number of benefits many of which include the same benefits as community workouts (classes and walking with friend) and that is that you’re not alone. You’re also more likely to make your weekly exercise routine if you know that a team is depending on you. There’s also the satisfaction gained from competition and adrenaline and the camaraderie of teamwork. These will lead to lasting weight loss results and habits. Obviously aerobic activities are going to be best for weight loss purposes and the muscle toning benefits of repeated similar activity are unquestionable. When you’re practicing for a team sport you will do the same items, such as running short sprints, practicing hitting the tennis ball working your arms and back or just doing practice games. Any repeated activity that works your muscles will help tone them. I’ve been a part of Tennis, volleyball, rugby and baseball teams. The thrill of victory the practice three times a week or the actual game day, I can’t tell you which made me lose weight but I can say it helped.
Lately I’ve taken to running for my weight loss needs. Sure it sounds cliché and no fun but I’ve found that feet to open road I’m happier healthier and in need of a new pair of running shoes again. To me there’s nothing better than the sun on my face and my hair flapping in the ponytail I’ve tied it into with a book on my MP3 player enjoying time to myself in quiet reflection and contented reading. Running takes more resolve than I’m normally willing to put into an exercise routine being more the pilates, yoga, keep changing everything kinda girl. Running gives me an escape from all the cares and worries of the world. Think, no deadlines, no kids (unless you take them with you) and no co-workers. A world that is entirely your own. Lets not forget the physical benefits of running. Running obviously is a vigorous heart pounding exercise that strengthens the entire body. Financially it is one of the least expensive forms of exercise requiring no equipment or commitment to a business. But wind in your hair, music in your heart and solitude for quiet self-reflection, are some of the most rewarding activities you can find.