Saturday, February 6, 2021

You Are Not Destined To Be Overweight Forever

I know, you're probably thinking you have to starve to lose weight. But nothing could be more false. For the majority of us, we were born with a healthy weight. But as we grew older we developed bad eating habits, and then learned to diet. 

Fad dieting has caused a lot of our bodies to go into survival mode. Starvation diets can cause an intense urge to consume large quantities of high calorie foods afterwards or if we fail.  

These diets have set us up to fail by causing our bodies to fight against our natural survival mode.

After starving oneself on one of these fad diets, you may end up with the tendency to overeat once you stop.........however this does not mean you're a failure. 

You're human...and quitting, or not being able to finish this type of fad diet DOES NOT.... 

*It doesn't make you A FAILURE. 
*It doesn't mean you can't START OVER with something more realistic, safe, and healthier. 
*It doesn't doom you to being OVERWEIGHT FOREVER.
*It means you did the best you could at the time.

Eating food is one of the most natural thing we as humans do so listen to your body the next time you're eating, because it knows what it needs for you to live and be your best.

You just need to listen when it tells you enough is enough. Just as your body knows how to breathe, reproduce, and heal....it knows when you need fuel, as well as when enough is enough. 

Think of a newborn or toddler.

*They sleep when tired.

*They run, jump, and play while creating havoc until they can't anymore. 

*They eat, and drink when hungry or thirsty. 

*Once they feel full, they stop, no matter the bribe.

All of these natural instincts above live in each of us as well. 

We have the born ability to take care of ourselves. We just need to listen to our bodies just as we did as little ones. 

So stop thinking of yourself as destined to be overweight forever. You are not doomed to either being overweight or to being on a fad diet. Let overeating and fad starvation diets be a thing of the past. 

Not everyone is going to be super-skinny. The everyday pressure to be super thin is a huge part of the weight problem in todays society. Some of us are destined to be soft and curvy, while others are muscular, or even stocky. There is beauty in our differences.

Embracing and loving the individuals beauty will help you to love and work with what you have been blessed with. 

Realize and understand that you can live and learn to love your ideal weight. Eating normal while listening just as you did when young, will help you to be a finisher...You got this!! 

This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or a nutritionistís recommendation. Prior to beginning any dietary program, including a low carb diet, individuals should consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or an appropriate path toward weight loss.


Monday, August 3, 2020

Keto Tips



The Keto diet has a lot of health benefits, but it is not exactly easy on the wallet. Fresh meats are some of the most expensive items in the grocery store and when you follow Keto, you'll need to purchase a lot of them. However, there are simple steps that you can take to cut costs on this low-carb plan.

First of all, be creative in your meal planning. Remember that most recipe books are written to entice readers to try new combinations of foods. The recipes within those books contain the most expensive ingredients. You don't have to cook like a professional chef in order to be able to experience the benefits of the Keto. There are many simple recipes that you can make while doing Keto that cost much less than the ones shown in most recipe books. If you modify the meal plans along with the books, you can enjoy the Keto lifestyle on a budget.

One of the most important steps to take is to buy your meats in bulk. When you stock up on large packages of ground beef, chicken and fish you cut down on your protein costs. You can separate the large packages into small freezer bags and freeze them in meal-sized portions. Two to four chicken breasts in a bag are easy to defrost and makes a good-sized meal. You can also cook ground beef in many different varieties while  freezing  the cooked portions. Try doing a portion of the meat with taco spices, another portion with hamburger spices and the third portion with Italian spices. That way you'll be able to use lots of hamburger meat and still have variety in your diet.

Also, look at less tender cuts of meat to trim costs in your grocery money. While fillet mignon may be tasty, it doesn't fit into every budget. Less tender cuts of beef and pork make excellent crock-pot meals, and using a slow cooker will help tenderize them.

Look to alternative protein sources like eggs and tofu. Both of these items pack a powerful protein punch for a fraction of the cost of meats. Nuts are a great protein source as well, but they can become expensive very quickly. Some recipes call for expensive macadamia nuts and cashews. Walnuts, peanuts and almonds contain just as much protein for a fraction of the cost.

Mixed vegetable salads will make a large portion of your daily daily meals. While it may be tempting to buy bagged salad that is already chopped, you are going to be paying $2 to $3 per bag. You can buy three heads of different types of lettuce for the same cost and make the equivalent of six bags of prepackaged salad. Also, consider investing in a salad spinner. This handy device will make homemade salads crispy and satisfying.

Be creative with your menus and use produce and meats that are on sale. If youíve got a recipe that calls for chicken breasts and turkey happens to be on sale, go ahead and substitute the week. Make sure to carry an acceptable food list with you to the grocery store so you can tell whether a sale food is an okay substitution on the Keto plan.

When you go to the store, you can also cut costs by limiting your purchase of low-carb packaged foods. These items are really expensive, and sometimes full of harmful chemicals. They may also contain hidden carbs which can stall your weight loss efforts. The Keto diet can be effectively followed without using any of these products. Unless itís a special occasion, skip them all together.

Finally, its best to plan your meals and your shopping trips so you can buy your groceries in an effective manner. Going to the grocery store unprepared or, even worse, hungry can spell disaster for your budget. Plan each week's menu out ahead and time and then buy what you need to make those meals.

This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or a nutritionists recommendation. Prior to beginning any dietary program, including a low carb diet, individuals should consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or an appropriate path toward weight loss.


Thursday, July 30, 2020

Keto And Carb Cravings

Carbs are everywhere you look and they might pop up in some surprising places. Most of us have a national love for carbs. Even if you don't eat a lot of delicious carb treats you may still experience intense carb cravings in the first few weeks of trying Keto. So many healthy carbohydrate foods have hidden sugars in them, so your body may start to experience withdrawal after deleting them over a period.

The problem with carbs, and sugar is that your blood sugar is tied into your energy levels and your overall health. When your blood sugar is too low, you will experience intense cravings. High blood sugar is a result of eating high-sugar meals. When you eat carbs with a lot of concentrated sugar, your blood sugar will raise to high levels. 

Your pancreas thinks there is something wrong and then it secretes insulin to lower the blood sugar. As this happens more, you can create pre-diabetic conditions in your body as your pancreas becomes worn out and eventually cannot secrete insulin.

Fortunately, getting started on a Keto plan can put a stop to this cycle. However, this doesn't mean that sugar cravings go away automatically. Carbs, and sugar products are everywhere and temptation is sometimes hard to fight.

The best way to approach these cravings is with planning. If you maintain a balance of protein, fat and fiber in your daily diet you will prevent blood sugar drops that lead to cravings. Also, do not go too long between meals without eating. Snacks are an important part of keeping your blood sugar stable. Have some handy snacks like cheese, nuts, seeds and boiled eggs on hand with you so you can quickly stabilize your blood sugar without turning to sweet treats.

Sugar cravings can also be a sign of a nutritional deficiency. When you are low on magnesium, you will crave chocolate and other sweets. Zinc and chromium can also stave off sugar cravings. If you aren't taking a good multivitamin supplement with these minerals, start immediately. If you are and you are still experiencing cravings, consider trying additional supplements of these nutrients.

Another tactic is to brush your teeth. Many Keto dieters have told me that brushing their teeth or using Listerine breath strips can help with cravings. Both methods will numb your mouth and prevent you from wanting to eat. Drinking two large glasses of water can also help eliminate cravings. If your stomach is full, then you'll be less likely to reach for a sugary treat.

Sometimes out of sight, out of mind is the best approach. If you find yourself overcome with carb, or sugar cravings while you are at home, get outside and take a walk. The distraction will have you forgetting your craving in no time. 

Calling a friend for support or going online and reading a great wellness blog article for support can also go a long way toward preventing you from succumbing to your cravings.

Having a low-carb, or low-sugar version of your favorite treat is another good idea. You are less likely to feel deprived if you can have a satisfying treat. There are a wide variety of low-carb, or low-sugar products available on the market that can beat your sweet tooth. 

Both types of cravings are a reality of following a Keto plan, but the previous tips will help you overcome them and stay committed to your weight loss efforts.

This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or a nutritionistís recommendation. Prior to beginning any dietary program, including a low carb diet, individuals should consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or an appropriate path toward weight loss.