What is going on with our health in America today? Why are 68% of us fat? The diet industry is making billions off of us each year, and we are getting nowhere!
We have seen it all: Low Fat, Low Carb, Atkins, South Beach, Hollywood Diet, Blah,blah,blah. Not to mention the thousands of pills on the market. I received an advertisement just yesterday that proclaimed no diet change or exercise needed, just take this magic pill for weight loss. What the.....do people actually fall for this? Obviously they do. I used to be one of them.
First of all, America is the fattest country because of what we eat. Dieting is a temporary solution. Unless you are willing to change your diet completely for good, you are setting yourself up for failure. Unfortunately, there is no "magic pill", like these money-hungry companies want you to believe. Sure, they may speed up the weight loss process, but at what cost to your health? Do you even know what you are putting into your body? Do you care? I will tell you right now 99% of diet pills are harmful to your health. I don't know why, but we are so easily sold on a fancy advertisement promising us the world, when in reality, we get ripped off , and possibly even killing ourselves. Well I got fed up. I decided to devote years into getting to the bottom of weight loss and dieting.
My findings may not be what you want to hear, but I'm not going to sugar coat it or lie to make money. I used to be fat,depressed,sick,and unmotivated. My father died from cancer, and that was the last straw for me. I decided this one chance at life we are given is too short to be miserable. These 10 guidelines will help keep it simple:
1. EVERYTHING IN MODERATION. Remember, restaurant meals are 3-4 times the portion amount you should be eating.
2. BEST CHOICES are fruits, vegetables and lean meat .
3. BAD CHOICES for sure is if it comes in a package. Anything processed, i.e. cookies,crackers,chips,ice cream,etc. Not good. All of this crap is loaded with sugars,preservatives, and empty calories.
4. FAST FOOD. We are in a world of convenience, and drive-thrus are on every corner. Avoid when you can. You are teaching your children nothing but bad habits when you give them a happy meal for lunch.
5. SOFT DRINKS. There is nothing positive at all in these. Empty calories, one of our worst enemies.
6. HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP. Yikes! This stuff should never be consumed. When you see it, run!
7. SUGAR. A person should be consuming NO MORE THAN a half a cup per day. In reality, the average american has 2-4 cups per day. (If you were properly educated on what this does to your body, you would be shocked!
8. SAUCES. Be careful...know the ingredients. Heavy creams,cheese,butter and oils should be used sparingly.
9. WATER. Love it.Your body is crying out for 8 or more glasses a day.
10. EXERCISE. The no. 1 cause of depression is lack of physical activity. There are a lot of ways to get in daily physical activity. I am not going to tell you to get a gym membership and work out 3 hours a day. Find whatever exercise regime you enjoy, and get moving! You most likely will not feel like exercising, however, you will benefit from it in more ways than you realize, so MAKE IT HAPPEN!
Thats it. Those are the basic guidelines. If you are extremely heavy and would benefit from a diet program to get you started, just make sure you do your homework and choose a healthy one. But remember, if you are not willing to make a lifetime commitment to a healthier lifestyle, the second your diet is over and you pick up your old habits, you will pick up all those pounds (and most likely more) you work so hard getting rid of.
I highly suggest getting your life going today, right now! Don't wait another second. Be the person that you want to be, do the things you want to do. Remember, misery is an option. Don't just lay around and let your precious life flutter away before your eyes.
Angela S.
www.womenshealthlife.com
