tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37085954568821515622024-02-08T07:13:00.269-08:00Tropicana DietIn here we talk about Healty Diet, Weight Reduction, Gain Mass, Low Sugar, Tips, Politic, community, opini, and ect.Sandra Lesmanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06685456747474926801noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708595456882151562.post-37670876248404686502007-11-28T00:10:00.000-08:002007-11-28T00:15:16.351-08:00Don't Go It Alone<span style="font-family: verdana;">There's an old story about a child trying to move a heavy stone while his father looks on. The child works and works, but is just not strong enough. Finally, he tells his father, "I can't do it. It's impossible." </span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">His father responds, "Of course you can. You haven't used all the strength you have available to you yet." The little boy answers that he has tried his hardest, and still can't do it, to which the father responds, "You haven't asked me to help you yet."</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><o:p></o:p>Sometimes dieting can seem like moving that heavy rock. You struggle and fight, exercise and sweat, but it's so hard to stick to a diet and exercise schedule that you give up. There comes a time to recognize that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Enlisting the aid of friends, family and a good weight loss support group can bolster </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">your efforts and help you overcome setbacks that threaten to derail your weight loss efforts. Instead of trying to go it alone, try a few of these suggestions to help you stay on track with the help of friends and family.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">1. Hook up with an exercise buddy. Making a date and a commitment to help support someone else's efforts will help you stick to yours as well. Think you don't know anyone you can exercise with? You might be surprised. Several years ago, I was commiserating with an online friend about another failed effort to lose weight when she proposed a novel idea. We each got a cell phone with the same calling plan, and every afternoon at 2, we 'met' for a walk. She did her walking in Seattle, and I did mine in Boston - but by keeping each other company, we helped each other lose 25 pounds each, and cemented a friendship that will last a lifetime.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">2. Get your family on the right page. Husbands, wives, children and siblings can offer support in unexpected ways. Something as simple as a sincere compliment at the right time can be all you need to nudge you onward. By the same token, refuse to let them sabotage your diet efforts. When you recognize it, point it out but keep in mind that they probably don't think of it as 'sabotage'. If your husband habitually brings you a bowl of ice cream when he gets one for himself, for instance, he probably thinks he's expressing his love. Let him know that you appreciate it, but you'd rather have a kiss than ice cream anytime.</p> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: verdana;">3. Join a weight loss group like Weight Watchers.<span style=""> </span>There's a lot to be said for seeking out the support of others who are fighting the same battle you are. Whatever it is that motivates you, you can find it in a weight loss support group. Healthy competition, companionship, encouragement, applause and practical, common sense advice from others who are also fighting to take off pounds can all make reforming your eating habits considerably easier.</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://technorati.com/claim/i5hu59qjtd" rel="me">Technorati Profile</a>Sandra Lesmanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06685456747474926801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708595456882151562.post-74169720264641838942007-11-26T18:43:00.000-08:002007-11-25T19:08:17.927-08:00Different Combination of Elements In the Body<span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >If these five basic elements are maintained in proper proportion in the body, a proper metabolism is ensured and the body remains healthy.<span style=""> </span>However due to heredity, eating and living habits more often than not, we disturb one or two of these elements and thus upset the metabolism and there is a predominance of three different types of combinations.<span style=""> </span>Such combination of these elements decide our types-prakrutis. Aurveda, the Indian medical therapy, has divided people into three types: <o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 0.5in; font-family: verdana;"><span style="line-height: 200%;font-size:100%;" >1) Combination through excess of Earth +Water <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 0.5in; font-family: verdana;"><span style="line-height: 200%;font-size:100%;" >2) Combination through excess of Fire + Air, and <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-indent: 0.5in; font-family: verdana;"><span style="line-height: 200%;font-size:100%;" >3) Excess of Air element<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >This therapy advocates that while treating the patients, one must keep in mind their respective types.<span style=""> </span>For those people having kapha prakruthi, milk will only create problems.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >People, therefore, having bronchitis or asthma indigestion should avoid milk.<span style=""> </span>For people with pitt prakruti, spicy food will enhance their problem.<span style=""> </span>Therefore, what is good for one type could be harmful to another.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="">Kapha Prakruti<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >It is a combination of earth and water.<span style=""> </span>These elements occupy the major portion of our body.<span style=""> </span>Sweet foods and drinks when properly digested are reduced to saline and the blood becomes alkaline.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >It sustains the body system, Increases vigor and there is a marked growth of happiness.<span style=""> </span>It lubricates the joints of bones and keeps them working properly.<span style=""> </span>However, this is possible when there is proper element of fire – heat in the body.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >However because of lack of exercise, overheating, eating between the meals when not hungry, eating more indigestible foods like concentrated sweet-fried things causes problems of indigestion and fail to produce enough heat in the body.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >This leads to increase in water content and reduction of heat in the body, resulting in problems like dullness, heaviness, increase in fats, common cold bronchitis and later on asthma, arthritis rheumatism etc.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >The best way to cure the above ailments of kapha prakruti is to reduce the intake of undesirable foods, cold drinks and foods that only aggravate the problems. They should eat only light digestible food when hungry; avoid sleeping during the day and over sex.<span style=""> </span>Even milk is harmful to them.<span style=""> </span>They should also take physical exercises.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="">Pitta Prakruti<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >It is a combination of fire+ air. Excess of heat damages the working of brain – leads to acidity – ulcer, cold due to heat, skin problems, even sexual weakness, short temper and falling of hair.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >Now, in modern times more anxiety – worries- eating more of fried and spicy foods- more exposure to sun, excessive use of antibiotics indulged in by people increases their problem.<span style=""> </span>It is, therefore essential to avoid these habits as much as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >They should take sweet fruit juice as the first thing in the morning and<span style=""> </span>have more fruits, sweet desserts after eating and drink more green juice. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="">Air Vayu Prakruti<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >This condition prevails when there is an excess of the element of air.<span style=""> </span>People belonging to this category are more talkative and have day dreams. They need more sleep and have more gas trouble.<span style=""> </span>These imbalances lead to fainting.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >The tendency to eat heavy-oily foods- like fried and foods made out of gram etc.<span style=""> </span>increases this tendency.<span style=""> </span>People in such condition should avoid constipation and sleeping during day time, have more physical exercise so as to increase heat and circulation and should avoid unsuitable foods.</span>Sandra Lesmanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06685456747474926801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708595456882151562.post-52832048057586269412007-11-25T18:16:00.000-08:002007-11-25T18:21:00.554-08:00Diet Pills A Lot Of Risk For A Little LossThere are a number of products on the market - both prescription and non-prescription - which claim to be effective weight loss aids. Many of these have been associated with serious medical risks, including heart attack, heart abnormalities, tachycardia, stroke, seizures and death. The side effects can be daunting, but how realistic are they? <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Diet pills fall into several different classes. Most are appetite suppressants of one kind or another, generally stimulants with effects similar to those of amphetamine. They are approved for treatment of obesity, where it's considered that the health risks associated with gross overweight outweigh the risks associated with the medication. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">For someone who has less than 30 pounds to lose, the risks are far less cut-and-dried. While the FDA and manufacturers closely monitor the effects of prescription weight loss medications, over the counter medications and their risks are far less well-documented. They're even less well-documented for herbal preparations, especially those whose makers don't officially make weight loss claims for them.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">While makers of pharmaceuticals must meet stringent labeling requirements and tests for safety and effectiveness, those who make weight loss 'supplements' are not regulated in the same way. As long as they don't contain a 'new' ingredient, or one that has never been marketed for weight loss purposes, they are not subject to FDA review. Instead, the manufacturer is held responsible for the safety and effectiveness of their products. Often, that means unregulated dosages, unhealthy additives and ineffective ingredients.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">In an effort to encourage improvement in the reporting standards and the pharmaceutical standards for weight loss medications, the United States Pharmacopoeia has introduced the Comprehensive Dietary Supplement Verification Program. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Currently voluntary, it involves certification by the USP of certain labeling and practice standards, including that the product contains the ingredients stated on the label in the strength declared, that they are within limits for impurities like metals, pesticides and bacteria, that the medication will be absorbed by the body according to USP criteria, and that it has been created with all safe precautions. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Until the day that all over the counter medications and herbal preparations marketed as weight loss supplements and aids are labeled and tested by impartial researchers, there are some things that you can do to lessen the risks associated with using diet pills. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Research is your best friend. There's a lot of information out there about drugs and herbs like ephedra, ephinedrine, phentermine and sibutramine. Know what you're taking and what the risks are so that you can watch for side effects.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Always talk to your doctor before you start taking any drug or herbal supplement. Many of them interact poorly with other medications, or have an adverse effect on chronic conditions.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Follow dosage instructions. Overdoses of stimulant medications, which are a component of most weight loss preparations, can be serious and severe.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Don't take any weight loss pill or supplement for more than a few weeks without it being prescribed by a doctor.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Check with your pharmacist when purchasing over the counter weight loss preparations to be sure that the ingredients don't interact with other medications you may be taking. Include both prescription and nonprescription medications in your questions. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Ideally, don't take weight loss pills. The effectiveness of most have not been proven at all. It's an awful lot of risk for such a little loss.<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>Sandra Lesmanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06685456747474926801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708595456882151562.post-1104009434704519572007-11-18T20:21:00.000-08:002007-11-13T20:27:45.158-08:00Shopping and Lifestyle Tips for Healthy Weight Loss<strong>Shopping and Lifestyle Tips for Healthy Weight Loss</strong><br />Don't you wish there was an easy-to-follow practical primer to tell you all the things you should and shouldn't do to help you lose weight? I'm not talking about food choices here - there are dozens of eating plans available. I'm referring to a simple list of do's and don'ts that you can follow in your everyday life to make it easier to stick to your diet. Here are ten tips that I've found work wonders to help avoid temptation and keep me on track.<br /><br />Shopping Tips<br /><br />1. Shop the outside aisles.<br /><br />Supermarkets are designed with the four basic food groups around the perimeter. If you stick to the outside aisles, you'll find produce, bakery, dairy and meat - exactly what you should be buying. Avoid going up and down the aisles where processed 'convenience' foods lurk to tempt you from your good intentions.<br /><br />2. Don't shop hungry.<br /><br />It's an old tip, but it works. When you're hungry, everything looks good - especially quick, empty calories. Make it a point to shop on a full stomach and you'll find yourself saving both money and calories.<br /><br />3. Buy fresh, whole and organic whenever you can.<br /><br />Processing depletes nutrients and adds calories. If you have a choice, buy fresh vegetables and fruits and whole grain products. Skip the highly processed snack foods and 'convenience' dinners.<br /><br />Setting Goals<br /><br />1. Set reasonable, attainable goals for yourself. Remember that a healthy, sustainable weight loss is about 1-2 pounds per week. Setting the goal to lose 30 pounds by next month is setting yourself up for failure.<br /><br />2. Break your goals down if you have to. The thought of losing 100 pounds can be daunting. Instead, make it your goal to lose 10 pounds this month, or to get through the week without cheating on your diet.<br /><br />3. Reward yourself! There's nothing more motivating than promising yourself a special treat when you reach a goal - but don't keep rewards just for big milestones. Make a list of positive reinforcers that you can dip into whenever you avoid temptation or need a little boost.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.lifejacket-online.com/">Measuring and Weighing</a><br /><br />1. Measure your progress by dress size instead of pounds. Why? One of the by-products of eating healthy and exercising daily is converting fat to muscle. Muscle is denser, and weighs more than fat - but you're still getting smaller, and your clothing will tell you the truth.<br /><br />2. Measure your food for the first month. Our concept of portion size has been greatly distorted by restaurants, magazine ads and our own eating habits. Invest a month in learning what a real portion looks like - weigh or measure everything.<br /><br />3. Measure your day in steps - steps walked, that is. Counting the steps you walk each day and aiming to increase them to 10,000 steps daily is a great way to add exercise to your diet. (Hint: Invest in a<br />pedometer!)<br /><br />Attitude<br /><br />1. Treat yourself well! Losing weight is something you're doing because you love yourself. Remember to reinforce yourself regularly for your hard work.<br /><br />2. Focus on your health, not your weight. Eat healthy, exercise sensibly, and put in some 'me time' every day.<br /><br />3. If you slip, forgive yourself and start again. Every day is a new day, and every day brings you closer to the new you.Sandra Lesmanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06685456747474926801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708595456882151562.post-8293191423436521092007-11-17T20:17:00.000-08:002007-11-13T20:28:22.716-08:00Losing Weight After Pregnancy<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Losing Weight After Pregnancy</strong><br />You could be lucky. I was - just once. When my middle daughter was born I actually weighed 10 pounds less than I had when I'd conceived her. That's not something you can count on, though, and I can tell you that from experience as well. Most women start their lives as a new mom with an extra 8 to 15 pounds that they didn't have pre-baby.<br /><br />There's a very good reason for that. God designed our bodies with nurture in mind. Part of that weight that you put on during pregnancy was meant to nurture your baby AFTER birth.<br /><br />While your body requires an extra 300 calories a day to keep up with the <a href="http://www.tropicanaslim.com/">nutritional demands </a>of your baby during pregnancy, a breastfeeding mother requires at least 500 extra calories a day to produce enough milk and remain healthy. Your body stores up a little extra nutrition for after the birth just in case there isn't enough food for its needs when it's time to feed the new little critter.<br /><br />If you're breastfeeding, that's part of the good news. You'll automatically be burning an extra five hundred calories a day - which will make it considerably easier for you to lose the extra weight. In fact, you may not need to do anything special at all to lose weight. Just focus on eating a normal, healthy, well-balanced diet. If you're not breastfeeding, you won't find it quite as easy. Your focus should still be on healthy eating, with moderate exercise to burn extra calories.<br /><br />Here's more good news for new mothers. Exercising is easier. Actually, that's not quite right. Burning more calories is easier. Walking alone for an hour burns 200 calories. Walking while pushing a stroller ups that figure considerably. Push a stroller uphill, and it's even higher. You'll get extra duty out of things you never thought of like lifting the stroller and car seat in and out of the car, carrying the baby up and down stairs and just plain carrying the baby.<br /><br />Still. If you find yourself with stubborn pounds that simply won't come off, exercise and a moderate reduction in calories is the way to go. Just like pregnancy isn't the time for weight loss, just after pregnancy isn't the time to stress your body further with severe dietary restrictions. Aim for losing about a pound a week, though chances are you'll find it coming off faster than that. Being a mom is a high-energy proposition!<br /></span>Sandra Lesmanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06685456747474926801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708595456882151562.post-52751897931291685002007-11-16T20:12:00.000-08:002007-11-13T20:14:03.163-08:00How Much Weight Should You Gain During Pregnancy<strong>How Much Weight Should You Gain During Pregnancy</strong><br /> If you're pregnant, you're very likely concerned about the amount of weight you're gaining, the effect it has on your body, even how difficult it will be to take off after your pregnancy. Your OB/GYN or <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">midwife</span> is your best source of advice about healthy weight gain during pregnancy, but there are general guidelines.<br /><br />Depending on your weight at the start of your pregnancy, your doctor may tell you that a healthy weight gain for you is anywhere between 15 and 40 pounds. If you're underweight to start (a BMI of less than 18.5), 25 to 40 pounds is a reasonable weight gain during pregnancy. If you're overweight, he or she may suggest you stick closer to 15 to 25 pounds. Of that weight, 6 to 8 pounds of it is the baby.<br /><br />The rest is amniotic fluid, extra tissue and blood to nourish the baby (including the placenta), and the increased size of your breasts and placenta. You'll lose as much as 15 pounds of it WITH the birth (amniotic fluid, placenta and baby).<br />Any doctor will tell you that pregnancy is NOT the time to go on a diet. Your body AND your baby need the nutrients of an adequate, balanced diet to keep you both healthy. This doesn't mean that you should throw all your restraint to the winds and 'eat for two', though.<br /><br />Your body needs approximately an extra 300 calories a day to build a healthy baby. Those 300 calories should come from the same healthy variety of foods that your normal diet gives you. (You were eating a healthy, balanced diet, weren't you? If not, pregnancy is a great time to start.)<br /><br />You can expect to gain weight along a fairly predictable pattern. In the first three months, you'll gain 2-4 pounds altogether. During the second trimester, you can expect to gain between 3-4 pounds a month (about a pound per week). During the last three months, you'll gain an additional 8-10 pounds. Your doctor or midwife will weigh you regularly, and may express concern over a deviation from this pattern. A sudden sharp weight gain, for instance, can indicate pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes.<br /><br />If your doctor advises you to try to limit your weight gain during your pregnancy, be sure to choose a healthy diet that provides all the necessary daily requirements for vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Remember that a 'diet' during pregnancy isn't meant to help you LOSE weight, but rather to limit the amount of weight gained.<br />Regular exercise is also good for both you and your baby. You can maintain most of your daily activities, and if regular workouts were a part of your daily routine, then by all means keep them up. You'll feel better, and your body will be less likely to protest the extra weight with aches and pains.<br /><br />Do keep in mind that exercise during pregnancy shouldn't be overly strenuous, and that you should avoid activities with a risk of falling or injury. Also remember that your center of balance is different - it may feel awkward to do the things you usually do while you're carrying your little bundle of joy.<br /><br />For specifics with regard to your own situation, speak with your doctor or midwife. If you're concerned about gaining weight, or feel that you're gaining too much, you can ask for a consultation with a nutritionist to help you design a healthy eating plan that will make sure the baby is well-nourished, and your concerns about your weight are met.Sandra Lesmanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06685456747474926801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708595456882151562.post-18372602535354571142007-11-15T20:06:00.000-08:002007-11-13T20:16:00.527-08:00Five Things to Reach for Instead of a Snack<strong>Five Things to Reach for Instead of a Snack</strong><br />We all do it. When we're bored, lonely, frustrated, uncomfortable - just about any negative feeling at all - we reach for a snack. It may be habit, it may be 'socially acceptable' or it may be the result of <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">years</span> of conditioning, but there it is. We've grown to equate food with<br />comfort. There are some situations that are more likely to provoke us to reach for a snack - can you watch a movie without popcorn, for instance? Recognizing some of them in advance and heading them off can take a little planning, but you CAN reprogram the conditioning that has you reaching for a candy bar when someone hurts your feelings. Here are five situations that almost scream for a snack - and things you can do instead.<br /><br />Instead of popcorn at the movies, reach for your date's hand. He'll never guess that you're holding his hand to keep yours out of the popcorn.<br />Always reach for a bag of chips midmorning at your desk? Your body does need a mid-morning pick-me-up to keep you going, but chips aren't the way to go. Instead of a walk to the candy machine, grab the mail and walk to the post office, or take a walk to the copy machine. A brisk walk does wonders for your energy level, and if you can get outside that’s all the better.<br /><br />Can't watch television in the evening without snacking on whatever's handy? Give your hands something to do. Take up knitting or crocheting. It can keep your hands to busy to dip into the snack bowl. Added bonus? A new sweater, afghan or a very special gift for a favorite niece.<br />What's a carnival without fried dough? Less fattening! Instead of the cotton candy and popcorn, reach for more fun. Head for the nearest ride you've been afraid to climb aboard.<br /><br />Are late-night snacks your downfall? If you find yourself craving food in the middle of the night when no one else is around, you may just need a little company. Try an online game or chat room to keep your mind busy till you're sleepy enough to head for bed.<br /><br />Do you reach for a candy bar or the tub of ice cream when you're feeling hurt or angry? Instead, reach for the DVDs. Pull out your favorite tear-jerker and have yourself a good cry. Even better - instead of sublimating, face your anger. Reach for a pen and write a nasty letter, or spill it all to your LJ.<br /><br />Finally, don't forget that sometimes, when your body wants a snack it's because it needs a snack. Keep a variety of healthy snack foods around so that when the cravings hit, you can fill up on something healthy.Sandra Lesmanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06685456747474926801noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3708595456882151562.post-42241620117875240152007-11-14T19:44:00.000-08:002007-11-13T20:17:16.393-08:0010 Real Life Diet Tips<p align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>10 Real Life Diet Tips<br /></strong>Are you tired of diet tips handed out by someone with apparently unlimited income and time? For some of us, it may just not be practical to spend half of our Sunday preparing carefully portioned meals for the rest of the week, or financially feasible to buy all our meals prepackaged in just the right portions. And there are those of us who cringe at the thought of weighing food to achieve 'optimal portion sizes'. Here are ten real life diet tips for the rest of us. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />1. Eating out? Restaurant portions tend to be enormous, and if it's on the plate, we tend to eat it. If it's possible, order from the kid’s menu, where portions are more reasonably sized.<br />2. Keep healthy snacks around and easily accessible. A bowl of fruit on the kitchen table, a container of celery or carrot sticks in the refrigerator, or a couple of pop-open cans of fruit salad in your desk at work will help you grab for something healthy when those first hunger pains begin. In other words, you'll be more likely to grab <a href="http://tropicanaslim.com/">something low-calorie</a> and good for you if it's easy to eat.<br />3. Substitute frozen vegetables for canned. Canned veggies tend to be high in sodium, which you don't need, and low in real nutrition, which you do. Buy economy size bags with zip closures to make it easy to pour out a single serving for a meal.<br />4. Buy a vegetable steamer. Steaming is one of the healthiest ways to cook vegetables. The food retains nearly all of its natural nutrients instead of leaching it out into the cooking water. Even better, it makes your veggies taste great - which means you'll be more likely to eat them instead of filling up on fatty foods that pack on weight.<br />5. Never eat standing up. One of the easiest ways to sabotage your diet is to 'eat without thinking'. Treat eating with the respect that it deserves. Fix yourself a plate. Sit down and eat properly. You'll be less likely to just pop food into your mouth without paying attention.<br />6. Spread your meals out. When you eat three meals a day, your body tends to store whatever it doesn't need right that moment. By adopting a 'grazing' habit, you'll keep your metabolism working throughout the day. Have a small breakfast, a piece of fruit with crackers or toast at mid-morning, a light lunch and an 'after school snack' mid-afternoon. Just remember that you're breaking up the same amount of food into smaller meals, not ADDING more food into your daily diet.<br />7. Grab a fruit juice or flavored water instead of soda. Soda is nothing but empty calories. No nutrients, lots of sugar. Instead, grab a bottle of 100% fruit juice, or water flavored with a spritz of fruit.<br />8. Drink water. Even the FDA recommends at least 8 full 8 ounce glasses of water a day to keep your body working right. When you're dieting, you should drink even more. It's not just that full feeling - water helps your body digest foods properly and cleans out your system.<br />9. Can't afford a gym membership? Make a pact with friends to exercise together. Make a date at least three times a week to play volleyball, take a walk or spend half an hour doing something active.<br />10. Skip the potato chips. Fatty snacks fried in hydrogenated oil like potato chips contribute fat and calories and not much else. Instead, grab a handful of dried fruit or a cup of yogurt for the same amount of calories and a lot more nutritional benefit.</span></p>Sandra Lesmanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06685456747474926801noreply@blogger.com0