| Posted by msese
Jan 12, 2007 11:33 pm |
Do you remember when the clock struck twelve last year, signaling the beginning of 2006 and you promised yourself that you will lose weight, eat healthier and have better eating habits?
Did you achieve the results that you had in terms of living a healthier lifestyle? If your answer to the question is that old habits die hard, do not lose hope because you can still start afresh and begin making changes to your diet.
2007 is as good a year as any to improve your health by eating a balanced diet and putting some effort into shedding off those extra pounds that you gained during the Holiday season, when it was pretty difficult to resist sampling a lot of rich and fattening foods.
For the New Year, it will be good to have a different perspective when it comes to changing your eating habits. Instead of it being a chore, consider the task as a challenge and the results as a reward, turning it into something that you can look forward to instead of something that you dread.
Take a look at the following simple tasks that you can undertake to start the year right and begin working towards a healthier you:
1. Charge up with whole grain cereals in the morning.
Breakfast being the most important meal of the day is not a mere saying, but studies do show that this is the best way to start your day right and fuel your body with the energy to spend throughout the day.
The healthier alternative to the usual meal that you take for breakfast is eating whole grain cereals like whole rye, whole wheat, rice, oats, corn and other whole grains.
Some of the benefits of taking whole grain cereals are:
- reduced risks of heart disease
- helps maintain the ideal body weight
2. Follow the 'low fat' rule.
Milk and other dairy products do not just give you the calcium that your body needs, but they also are a recommended part of your diet. When drinking milk to supply your body with calcium, take the low-fat route so that you can avoid the extra calories and cholesterol which can be bad for your health.
3. Make sure that your diet includes an adequate dosage of vitamin D.
To help your body absorb calcium, you need an adequate amount of vitamin D on your diet. Milk, salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel and mushrooms are just some vitamin D food sources that you can add to your daily menu.
4. Boost up your body's immune system with antioxidants.
Fruits and vegetables are a great source of antioxidants. Aside from providing the necessary nutrients that your body needs, they also decrease the risks of heart disease.
5. Add more fish, and lessen the fat in your diet.
Research shows that the omega-3 acid found in tuna and salmon is good for the heart. If you love red meat, you can definitely try getting used to the distinct taste of fish and regularly add it to your everyday meals. Having fish for dinner is ideal, and as long as it is included with your daily food consumption, you're good to go.
6. Sweat it out.
Not everyone has the discipline, time and patience to regularly go to the gym to exercise. However, physical exertion is good for your heart and body. It will not just be beneficial for you in terms of losing weight, but it will also help you feel a lot better about yourself.
If you cannot allot time to 'formally' exercise, you can at least walk a few blocks when going home or running errands. If not everyday, you can exert some effort into shedding off a few pounds by sweating it out on the gym during weekends.
If, in 2006, you have been lax in watching your food intake, you can do a lot better this year. These easy to follow tips would help a great deal in improving and balancing your diet. With a more healthy lifestyle, you will not just look good but feel good as well as the New Year turns, so that you can look forward to a new, better and healthier you. Comments :
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