An Active Approach to Weight Loss

Food is much more than just fuel for our bodies! For most people food has a very emotional connection to us. We eat for enjoyment, to celebrate, to socialize or sometimes as a cure-all for stress, boredom or tiredness. If you notice I did not even mention hunger! We can sometimes add even more stress to ourselves by either depriving or overindulging - so the approach to sensible eating is one of common sense.

When our desire is to lose weight, we face a task that will stir up our emotions. This task will require change, and change is not something people generally embrace. A change to our eating habits means saying goodbye to old ways. These old eating habits may have served us for years. To let old unhealthy eating habits go can be like saying goodbye to an old friend. If we are going to go toward a goal, we need to accept that leaving behind old ways is emotionally and physically difficult.

We rarely if ever make changes in our lives without experiencing some degree of emotional, mental and physical stress. Saying goodbye to an old friend who is moving or from colleagues when you change jobs is sad and frustrating. Saying goodbye to a habit of eating late at night particularly eating junk food is emotional. There is no way to get around it, when you make changes, emotions will surface. If we are going to face the task of bringing ourselves to a place of becoming the best we can be, we need to let go of the old and incorporate the new.

You do not have to rush in to make big changes to your longstanding eating habits. I encourage you to go easy on yourself. In time you will make the changes you desires and deserve.

By following these simple guidelines, you can learn how to take control of your eating and not let your eating control you. Commit yourself to sensible eating as part of a permanent wellness lifestyle. This will add years to your life. Moreover, it will add life to your years!

Balance and Moderation is Key!

Eat daily from each food group. If you eliminate certain food groups you will be deprived of vital essential nutrients that your body needs to function properly

Portion control is key to losing and maintaining your weight

Throughout the day, balance your meals. Skipping breakfast or late night snacking will reek havoc on your metabolism

Moderate consumption of fats; the average person needs about 30 grams of fat per day, but many of us consume 2-3x that much

Minimize consumption of refined sugar which contains zero nutrients

Try to eat natural unprocessed foods

Increase consumption of fibre, an excellent internal cleanser -- at least 25g of fibre per day to help maintain a healthy digestive system.

Increase consumption of fruits and vegetables

Drink at least 8 cups of water per day

Plan ahead!

Always take a list to the grocery store – you will save money, time and ensure a more balanced diet

Keep a food journal to get a sense of your eating habits, moods and to track calories

Brown-bag it -- you can control calories, sodium, fat and save money too.

Beat those mid-afternoon munchies -- keep fruits, nuts and other healthy snacks handy for emergencies (hint: buy nuts in small quantities so that you aren't tempted to binge)

Don't allow yourself to get too hungry - that's when we tend to overeat and usually the wrong foods.

Cleanse your body twice a year. Over time, toxins build up and cause harm to your body. Research to find a cleansing program that's right for you.

Use the K.I.S.S. Principle!

Proper food combining might aid your digestion and overall health, but if food planning becomes too stressful, you won't stick with it - so keep it simple

No one nutrient makes people fat! There are literally dozens of diets that eliminate carbs, proteins or fats and yet, as a nation, we are still fat. All healthy foods have a specific role to play in the body; they are each indispensable.

Weight management is a simple formula: energy in (calories) = energy out (activity). Keep that formula balanced and you will maintain your weight.