So What Do You Eat? Seven Things To Keep In Mind!

My previous posts on weight control have seemed to create a lot of interest. I am pumped up that so many readers have decided to hit this issue head on.

One of the questions that has been asked of me is, “What do you eat?” Let me say right up front that I am NOT a medical expert and that the following advice has worked for me…but it may not work for everyone. I HIGHLY recommend consulting a physician and/or a nutritionist. (For those who have asked–you should receive an email within the next 48 hours with several recommendations.)

Let me handle the eating deal first…here are a few things I did/still do…

#1 - I began drinking water with all my meals.

This change alone allowed me to drop around five pounds in two weeks! Most people don’t realize that drinking sweet tea and/or soft drinks are doing nothing except adding “empty calories” to their meal. So, if you pound out four glasses of soda and such…that is around 500 calories per meal, possibly around 1,000 per day that you could shed if you simply drank water.

AND…please don’t ask, “What about diet drinks?” Ditch them! Drink water, trust me…you feel a lot better…and water actually helps keep you feeling full. How much water should you drink? Ask your doctor/nutritionist! :-)

#2 - I “reward” myself

When I was in “extreme” weight loss mode I would allow myself one cheat day per week. Now, I didn’t go flippin’ crazy and eat a gallon of ice cream…but I would eat a cheeseburger, maybe get dessert, have some fries…whatever. The thing this did was to help keep me focused…because, in most cases if you swing to the obsessive side and begin eating bean sprouts and almonds…you will get frustrated and eventually swing back to the other side…HARD…and the results will just not be good.

#3 - I don’t “snack” after dinner.

Just imagine anything that you eat after about 6:30 or 7:00 pretty much goes straight to the gut (men) or the hips (women!) So…a late night pizza or bowl of ice cream…not good! Personally…supper is the last meal I eat that day.

#4 - Eat Breakfast (every meal for that matter!)

I know WAY too many people who skip breakfast…which is NOT a good idea at all! You’ve got to give your body some “fuel” to begin the day with. And…you can’t skip meals throughout the day and expect to lose weight because, when you do eat, your body will be in panic mode and automatically begin storing all of the food it takes in as fat! Trust me…if you want to lose weight…you’ve got to eat.

#5 - When I’m Full–I STOP!

One of the things I used to do is clean my plate–no matter how much food was on it. Now…when I’m full, I stop! Too many people feel like they need to clean their plate…not true! I know your grandmother told you opposite…but, she’s wrong! :-)

And…for me…when I am through I usually push the plate away OR remove it from in front of me completely! If it’s not in front of me…it’s not a temptation!

#6 - I eat normal stuff!

I am not a fat free, sugar free, organic type of guy! I eat what “normal” people eat…I just make wise choices. For example–instead of fries as a side with my chicken sandwich I might choose a salad (with VERY LITTLE DRESSING!!!) Or, when Lucretia and I get dessert we usually split it! You don’t have to begin eating tofu!

#7 - Stop Making Excuses!!!

I hear people say that it’s hard to eat “right” if you are traveling/on the go. I completely disagree! When you are in a restaurant…get grilled chicken or fish (NOT FRIED) with a baked potato (yes, you can have a LITTLE butter) and maybe bypass the bread. You can get that at just about any restaurant!

And then there are parents who are feeding their kids fast food and watching them balloon up at alarming rates…and then blaming the fast food companies. Uh…can we stay STUPID anyone? Yes, it’s tough to be on the go all the time…but being on the go does not negate the fact that we still need to make wise choices instead of convenient ones!

Other excuses are, “I can’t help myself!” THEN GET HELP! “I don’t realize how much I am eating.” THEN KEEP A JOURNAL! “I have to have this type of food.” NO YOU DON’T! “My kids won’t eat anything except for…” IT’S AMAZING…IF YOUR KIDS GET HUNGRY…THEY WILL EAT JUST ABOUT ANYTHING!

Those are a few of the steps I take. Currently, I eat anything I want. Seriously…if I want a cheeseburger, I get it! Ice cream…DONE! But…honestly, because I work so hard at taking care of myself I usually do not “crave” the bad things as often.

I hope this helps/answers questions