Archive for April, 2011

Apr 28, 2011

Stay Fit, Trim, and Healthy with Safe Exercises

exercise images

Staying active can improve your physical and mental health and extend your ability to live independently. Below are some tips for developing a beneficial exercise program and sticking to it.

Designing a Safe and Balanced Exercise Program

  1. Increase your endurance. Aerobic exercise like walking or biking is great for your heart and circulation. Swimming is especially good for seniors because you get a total body workout with low impact and little risk of injuries. Aim for about 30 minutes of moderate activity daily.
  2. Build your strength. Your muscle mass declines with age, but resistance training two to three times weekly can help offset that loss. To be safe, start off with easy exercises and progress by increasing weights and repetitions gradually. You may want to visit a local gym or take a class at a senior center. If you prefer working out at home, you can buy weights or use household items like bags of rice.
  3. Stay flexible. Stretching will keep you limber and help protect you from injury. Do it as often as possible – daily is great! Warm up with some light aerobics and then ease into a stretch gently. Hold your stretch for about 30 seconds. Repeat each movement a few times, gradually extending your range. It’s good to feel some slight tension, but if you experience any pain, stop and withdraw back to a more comfortable position.
  4. Improve your balance. Protect yourself from falls and broken bones by working on your balance. Tai Chi is another low impact activity ideal for seniors. It promotes balance and strength. Even just practicing standing on one foot can enhance your stability.

Sticking to Your Exercise Program

  1. Set realistic goals. A regular workout routine is safer and more beneficial than scattered efforts. Keep yourself motivated by establishing realistic goals. Find activities that you can easily incorporate into your daily schedule such as cutting back on TV viewing to go for a daily swim. When your favorite program is on, you can even exercise during commercials.
  2. Have fun. Think about the pastimes you love and expand upon them. When your grandkids visit, go for a long walk through the park. If you get tired of using the treadmill alone every day, sign up for a yoga class with a buddy whose company you enjoy.
  3. Make contingency plans. Life events will sometimes interrupt your normal schedule. While traveling, look for hotels with fitness centers. If it’s too cold to ride your bike outdoors, browse the public library for exercise videos for seniors.

Other Safety Tips

  1. Talk with your doctor. If you’ve been sedentary for a while, your doctor can advise you on how to get moving safely. No matter what health issues you may experience, there is usually some form of exercise that you can engage in even if you need to modify the standard positions.
  2. Learn to breathe. Proper breathing will help you maintain good form. Generally, you exhale when you exert effort and inhale when you relax. So breathe out when you lift a dumbbell and breathe in when you lower it.
  3. Drink plenty of water. Your body needs water regardless of whether you’re sweating. By the time you’re thirsty, you’ve gone too long without drinking.
  4. Wear the right shoes. You can exercise without spending a fortune on expensive equipment, but good shoes are worth the cost. Get protective footwear that’s designed for your chosen sport, whether it’s golf or tennis. If tying laces is a struggle, Velcro closures will give you a secure fit.

Exercise is a great way for older adults to stay healthy and fit. Follow simple safety precautions so you can remain active and enjoy the pastimes you love.

Apr 28, 2011

Discover Who You Truly Are: 10 Ways to Walk in Peace and Harmony

peace images

Walking in peace and harmony can sound cliché, but it’s actually important! If you’re looking for ways to cultivate peace and feel more connected, know that this experience comes from within you. Open your mind and heart and you can experience the joy and beauty you seek.

Everyone finds connection in different ways. Using the suggestions below, you can discover your own path to peace.

To Help Yourself, Focus Both Internally and Elsewhere

Whatever you pay attention to will grow. If you’re focused on your own challenges, you may miss seeing the good in the world. You also may not notice the good in yourself.

However, when you focus on others and on the world around you, you begin to see the beauty everywhere. You also see your own value, because you can help others and respond to them differently than you otherwise might.

To live a peaceful and harmonious life, it helps to discover who you truly are. To do this, explore the world as well as your own thoughts and beliefs.

Try some of these ideas:

  1. Volunteer to share your talents and time with other people in need.
  2. Spend time in prayer and meditation to see what you can do to move forward.
  3. Talk with others who are on their own journey toward greater self-knowledge.
  4. Analyze your past to see how you can use your experiences to improve the present.
  5. Spend time with people who radiate love and joy and peace.
  6. Avoid negative people who want to bring you or others down.
  7. Read about positive thinking or attend workshops for a new perspective.
  8. Seek more constructive ways to interact with the people in your life.
  9. Ask others how you can help foster better relationships with them.
  10. Tell the people in your life – including yourself – how much they are valued.

Walking in Peace Takes Practice

There are no magic answers for how you can be more peaceful. Like anything in life that’s worthwhile, desire, motivation, and effort are required. However, it’s important to stay relaxed about the process. If you agonize over how to be peaceful and harmonious, you may slow down your own progress.

When you make a conscious decision to walk in peace and harmony, it doesn’t mean that you’ll never get upset again. Life always brings challenges. There are always issues that can get you down if you let them.

If you have peace in your life, though, you’ll see a lot fewer of those upsetting times. And with more peace in your heart, you’ll perceive your challenges differently.

By learning about yourself, you’ll learn what really matters to you. You’ll be able to let go of the little issues and focus your energy elsewhere. By directing your thoughts and time toward what really counts, you’ll have a lot more harmony and peace. And although the process takes time, walking your unique path to peace adds richness and deep joy to your life.

Apr 28, 2011

Weight Loss Tips: Healthy Snacks You Can Eat and Feel Great

healthy diet foods

When you’re trying to lose weight, you may think that you’ll never be able to have another snack. The truth is, however, there are many healthy snacks you can eat to lose weight and feel great.

For any weight loss plan to be successful, you can’t feel like you’re being deprived. This means you can eat healthy snacks that make your diet work better for you rather than hindering it.

In your switchover to healthy snacks, it’s best to start by having a clean slate. Set aside a day to clean out your refrigerator and pantry to remove all non-healthy foods. This will accomplish two things:

  • You’ll remove anything that may be a temptation for you when you’re having a weak moment.
  • You’ll be able to make better choices, not only for yourself, but for the rest of your family as well.

What types of snacks can you eat that won’t derail your diet? You might be surprised at the variety of choices available:

  1. Fresh fruits and vegetables. Your healthiest snacks are going to be those that are as close to nature as possible. This means keeping fresh fruits and vegetables on hand. Why not take advantage of buying those fruits that will provide you with the sweetness and the crunch you crave? Buy fruits that are in season so you won’t pay a premium price for them. Apples, grapes, oranges, and other fruits are important for a healthy diet whether you’re trying to lose weight or not. Avocados are another great choice.
  2. Dried fruit can be a great snacking option for those trying to lose weight. Raisins, Craisins (dried cranberries), and other dried fruits will give you the feeling of eating something forbidden and yet they can be enjoyed in moderation. As with any food, if you eat too much of it you can ruin any dieting attempt.
  3. Potato chip alternatives. If one of your weaknesses is potato chips, there’s a healthy alternative that’s easy, convenient, and will give you a satisfying crunch.
    • Baby carrots or carrot sticks
    • Celery sticks
    • Broccoli
    • Cauliflower
    • Cucumber
    • Cherry or grape tomatoes

    Sometimes crunchy vegetables won’t meet your needs when you’re craving chips! You may want the salt and the crusty crunch that celery sticks just won’t satisfy.

    • Whole wheat pretzels might do the trick.
    • Dip your pretzel in peanut butter for additional taste and to bolster your metabolism.

    When you get home from the grocery store, wash and cut up the vegetables into handy snack sizes so they’ll be easy to grab when you’re seeking a quick snack.

  4. Nuts and seeds are additional healthy snacks you can eat when you’re trying to lose weight. They’re full of nutrients your body needs, and can be great choices. Be careful when eating nuts and seeds, however, as they’re high in fat content and eating too many could blow your diet for the day.
  5. Popcorn can be a great snack for someone trying to lose weight. The trick is to eat light popcorn or air popped popcorn rather than adding butter or other toppings to it.

Choosing healthy snacks rather than those laden with fat and calories will make losing weight much easier. When you feel like you need a snack, don’t deprive yourself. Choose wisely and you’ll feel great and still lose weight!

Apr 28, 2011

Lose Weight: It May Improve Your Memory And Concentration

weight loss image

Weight loss may boost brain health. The latest study is one of the first to indicate that substantial weight loss improves brain health. As the body becomes healthier, the brain would become healthier too.

Here are best 5 brain exercises to improve your concentration and focus.

When you want to strengthen your muscles, you lift weights. If you want to improve the concentration and focus of your mind, then you need to work out and exercise your brain. The correct brain exercises will improve the way your brain works and develop better focus and concentration.

As we age, we may lose the ability to concentrate, but brain exercises can improve concentration even in older people. Brain exercises are excellent tools for people of any age who would like to strengthen their mind!

Here are some great brain exercises that can help you build your brain:

  1. Do some crossword puzzles. Not only are crossword puzzles a lot of fun, but they can help improve your concentration. Relying on your long-term memory and trying to solve tough questions help stimulate the brain. Taking only 15 minutes daily to work on crossword puzzles can benefit you. To keep a fresh supply of puzzles handy, you can buy a crossword puzzle book, check your daily newspaper, or look online to find them for free.
  2. Changing your daily routine challenges your brain to do something that’s outside your comfort zone. This can strengthen your problem solving abilities. Consider changing things by taking a different route to work one morning and then finding another on your way home.
  3. Try Sudoku puzzles. These are number placement puzzles based on logic. You complete a 9×9 grid so that each row and each column only has numbers that range from 1-9. Within the grid, in each 3×3 block, a number can only be used once. Most definitely challenging. You can find Sudoku puzzles in daily newspapers, printed books, and online.
  4. Eat foods that help your brain. Your brain will stay healthy and function at its best if nourished with nutritious foods. Proteins are great for the brain, and may be found in cheeses, meats, fish, and milk. Complex carbohydrates are important as well, and these carbs come from fruits, vegetables, and grains. The brain needs some fat, so don’t shy away from healthy oils like olive oil or fish oils. Eat foods that include omega-3s, such as trout, salmon, and tuna, which are oily fish. Some nuts contain these fats as well and are healthy food for the brain.
  5. Start a new hobby. Trying a new hobby is another way to expand your interests and use your brain to learn something new. Being busy and learning new things expand the way the brain thinks and gets you out of a rut. Join a local club or take a class at a hobby store or community college.

Challenging yourself and improving brain function is something that any person can do. Young and old alike can enjoy and benefit from these great techniques. Get your whole family in on the fun!

Make just one change today to stimulate your brain. You won’t notice any drastic changes overnight, but with time and practice, eventually you’ll find that you can finish puzzles quicker, solve problems more easily, and enjoy improved concentration and focus.

Apr 28, 2011

How to Lose Weight Fast

weight loss picture

If you’ve tried to lose weight and failed, you’re probably thinking that it’s a mighty difficult task to accomplish. Do you feel like you’ve tried every diet out there and nothing works?

Don’t give up! Achieving your weight loss goals might be easier than you think!

Small Changes = Big Results

Weight loss isn’t a quick fix. You can’t go on a two-week diet, lose the weight, and then think that the weight will stay off for good. Even if you’re really good about following a diet at first, you’ll more than likely gain the weight back.

Why?

It’s because a two-week diet does nothing to alter your lifestyle. The best results come from changes that you incorporate into your daily life, and many of these changes aren’t drastically different from what you do now.

You can even continue to enjoy the foods you love as long as you do so with a wise plan!

If you make a series of small changes, one at a time, you’ll give yourself a chance to get used to them. It won’t seem like such a shock to your system when you introduce the changes gradually. Sooner than you think, you’ll lose the weight and gain the healthy body and lifestyle that you desire!

Here are five weight loss tips to implement into your new lifestyle:

  1. Use low fat milk. When you use low fat milk, you’ll still get the nutritious benefits of milk, but without all the fat grams. Try substituting skim, 1%, or soy milk in your cereal, coffee, and cooking.
  2. Cut out soda. Soda is a big offender when it comes to empty calories. The best thing you can do for your body is to replace the soda you’re drinking with water. Water is critical to your good health. It also helps fill you up and has zero calories, no matter how much you drink! If you’re having trouble kicking the soda habit, try alternating soda and water each time you go to get a drink. This will gradually get you used to less soda and increase your water intake.
  3. Start walking. If a regular exercise routine is difficult for you, strive to walk more often. Walking doesn’t feel so much like true exercise, but it is and you’ll be rewarded for it. Park farther from the store so you have to walk a little distance. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Go for an enjoyable walk with your neighbor. You can visit, catch up, and exercise all at the same time!
  4. Watch your portion sizes. Portion sizes just keep getting larger and larger. You may not even realize that you’re consuming a portion that’s much too large for you. Look up what a healthy portion size really is for the meal you’ve chosen. You might be surprised at the results. Start your meals with a full glass of water. Combat over sized portions by using smaller plates. Half your plate should be vegetables, a quarter should be protein, and the other quarter should be carbohydrates. Give yourself the correct amount of food and then refrain from seconds.
  5. Have desserts sparingly. Save desserts for special occasions or times when you deserve a nice treat. Avoid eating them every day, or you’ll be adding massive amounts of calories to your daily intake. It’s a good idea to plan ahead for occasional desserts and only buy them for those certain meals. That way, they aren’t there tempting you the rest of the time. Have plenty of healthy snacks available to curb hunger or cravings in between meals.

You can easily turn these tips into healthy habits by incorporating them into your lifestyle one at a time. Get used to one tip before you add another one. Most of them involve only small changes. However, these small changes will enable you to achieve your weight loss goals!

Apr 28, 2011

7 Top Offenders Foods to Avoid

healthy foods

There are certain health-offending foods out there that are so bad for your health that they can do some real damage, even in small quantities. While it’s true that everything is okay in moderation, you’ll be doing your body a good service by keeping some of the worst food to a minimum.

Chances are there are healthy food alternatives that you can introduce into your diet that you’ll actually enjoy. While you may still miss some of the offending foods, you can save them for special occasions and, instead, indulge in some new healthier foods.

Here is a list of some of the worst foods to avoid:

  1. French Fries. French fries are everywhere. While some fast food places are currently offering alternatives to French fries, for the most part they’re still served as a standard. Potatoes can be healthy when cooked in certain ways, but you should avoid deep-fried potatoes, like they are in most restaurants. If you enjoy potatoes, consider eating a baked potato or opt to enjoy mashed potatoes. Also, try to have more sweet potatoes as they’re packed with even better vitamins and fiber.
  2. Donuts. Donuts can be delicious treats, but the calories and fat content add up quickly. While it’s okay to have a little treat, most people end up eating more than they should. If you’re looking for a good alternative to this popular morning treat, consider a plain whole grain bagel and some fresh fruit. You can also try banana, pumpkin, or zucchini bread.
  3. Ice Cream. Ice cream can be a popular way to end an evening, but definitely save this treat for special occasions only. The fat content is high and bedtime is the worst time of day to eat high calorie foods. The good news is that there are some healthy treats similar to ice cream that you can enjoy instead. Try some low fat alternatives like Italian Ice or Tofutti.
  4. Fruit Smoothies. Fruit smoothies make the worst offender list because they’re a health food in disguise. Sure they are made of fresh fruit, but there is often added sugar and/or cream. They’re also often served in large portions. This means that one smoothie may even eat up all of your calories for the day. You can combat this problem by making your own smoothies out of lower calorie fruits, or you can opt for smaller portions or diet smoothies.
  5. Pie. Pies are another dessert item that’s best left for a special occasion. They’re packed with extra sugar and, often, large amounts of trans fat. One slice of pecan pie can actually top the 500 calorie mark. You can attempt lower calorie pies by using more fruit and less sugar, cream and nut additives.
  6. Chocolate. Chocolate is certainly a tough one to give up! It tastes great and can even make you feel better. However, it’s high in calories and fat and, therefore, should be limited. If you must have chocolate opt for dark chocolate in small quantities because it actually has the health benefit of antioxidants.
  7. Margarine. While margarine was once advertised as a healthy alternative to butter, it’s actually not. It doesn’t contain cholesterol, but many cheaper varieties contain trans fatty acids. Data is coming back about the health risks of consuming trans fats, so they’re best avoided all together. Your best bet is to use smaller quantities of butter when necessary, or opt for margarine that is labeled as trans fat free.

Low Fat Alternatives

You’ll find that most of the offenders have lower fat alternatives. While they may not taste as good to you at first, it’s best for you and your health in the long run. Keep in mind that you can indulge yourself every once in awhile, but control eating is key.

Apr 26, 2011

Curb Appetite – How to Control Eating

curb appetite

Food is our sustenance. We eat because we need food to keep our body healthy. Rather than eating purely for pleasure, we need to keep in mind that it is one of our basic life needs. With the understanding that food has a purpose, we are able to exercise self-control when we eat.

People consume foods that are rich in nutritional value. We prefer to eat healthy foods rather than foods that taste good only because they are high in sugar and fat. Our food selection is based on our nutritional needs, rather than on our need for pleasure. The following tips will help you curb appetite and stop yourself from overeating.

At gatherings, remember to consume enough food to satisfy your hunger. If you do not feel hungry, you refrain from eating. It’s acceptable for you to try new foods, but once you have tried something new, stop yourself from overeating.

Activating your willpower gives you the strength to cease doing harmful things you may want to do. You draw on that strength to build up your self-control when you feel you might give in to temptation. The more frequently you activate my willpower, the stronger you become.

Reminding yourself of the consequences of your actions helps you to make good choices. Overeating can lead to disease, lack of energy, and obesity. When you exercise restraint in your eating, you will feel healthy, active, and strong.

Today, choose to make responsible decisions based on knowledge rather than just on what feels good. Exercise self-control in eating so you can live a healthy life without regrets. Curb your appetite without consuming large quantities of calorie food.

Read our other Weight Loss Tips: Healthy Diet While On the Go.

Apr 26, 2011

Weight Loss Tips: Healthy Diet While On the Go

healthy diet

Do you travel a lot? You can still stick to a healthy diet with a little advance planning. If you’re watching your weight, these are some easy ways for cutting calories while on the go.

Advance Planning

  1. Eat well before leaving. It’s always easier to resist fattening foods if you feel full. Enjoy a hearty meal before you set out. If you have an early flight, get up in time to enjoy a breakfast of whole-wheat toast and oatmeal with raisins.
  2. Call your hotel. Phone the concierge or the front desk at the hotel where you’ll be staying. Ask for their recommendations for nearby places where you can eat light. Research the location of the nearest grocery store. You can save money and calories by picking up fresh vegetables and fruits to snack on.
  3. Do some investigative work. Go online to find your best options at the airports and destinations you have planned. Airport websites usually list their restaurants. Search local business directories by zip code to find ethnic or vegetarian restaurants, health food stores, and farmers markets.
  4. Bring along bottled water. Bottled water is a traveler’s best friend. Staying hydrated helps keep you from feeling hungry. A frozen bottle of water can serve as a cooler to keep your snacks chilled. When it melts, you can drink the water and refill it to use as a free weight for exercising.
  5. Pack your own meals and snacks. Preparing your own meals and snacks will give you more control over your diet. Put together a trail mix of nuts, lightly sweetened cereal, and dried fruits. Fill zip lock bags with cut vegetables or peanut butter on crackers.
  6. Keep your car stocked with healthy snacks. Many people spend long hours in their cars. Always have water and healthy snacks handy like nuts, dried fruit, and low-fat energy bars.

Practical Tips – Eating Away From Home

  1. Control your portion sizes. You can enjoy dining out and still eat like a thin person. Make a meal out of a couple of appetizers instead of a full size entree. Cut your entree in half and take the leftovers back to your hotel for breakfast. Split a dessert with your travel companion.
  2. Eat slowly. Slowing down is a simple and effective way to consume fewer calories. You’ll recognize when you’re full instead of overeating. Put your fork down in between bites.
  3. Learn to read menus. Wherever you eat, there are some common terms that usually indicate dishes low in fat and calories. Look for red sauces rather than creamy white sauces, steamed mussels rather than deep fried fish, and pizza with vegetable toppings rather than extra cheese or sausage.
  4. Fill up on healthy side dishes. If you’ve already consumed a lot of calories for the day, skip the French fries. Order a green salad with low fat dressing on the side. By putting the dressing on your own salad, you can control the quantity and therefore the calories.
  5. Avoid high calorie drinks. Soft drinks, shakes, and many cocktails can add on a lot of calories. Drink water with your meals. At the bar, order a small glass of white wine instead of a White Russian.
  6. Ask for slimmed-down dishes. Many restaurants offer lighter dishes for the health conscious. You can also ask for sauces on the side or substitute another vegetable for the potatoes.

It can be challenging to eat right when you’re away from home. Planning ahead will help you avoid being tempted by fast food. A nutritious diet will give you the energy you need to enjoy your travels and return home without any excess baggage.

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Implement these easy activities into your daily routines to protect your physical health.

Apr 26, 2011

Five Daily Activities to Protect Your Physical Health

healthy food

Does your body ever feel stiff or pain? As we go through the motions of our daily activities, it is very easy to forget that our bodies need attention too. With just a little conscious thought, you can increase your physical well being start from today. Implement these easy activities into your daily routines to help keep your body healthy.

  1. Stand up and stretch. Whether you’re home watching TV or at work behind your desk, sitting for long periods can really take its toll, especially on your back. To ensure that you stay healthy and flexible:
    • Avoid slouching in the chair or couch if you have to sit for long periods.
    • Take a 1-minute break every 30 minutes to walk around and stretch your legs and back muscles.
    • Support your back. Perhaps you would be more comfortable in different chair. You may also find that a lumbar cushion or back brace would be helpful.
  2. Avoid spending hours at the computer. Your job may require you to work at a computer all day. However, no matter how busy you are, you can take a moment or two every hour to rest your eyes. Here are some suggestions to ease your eyes:
    • Use an anti-glare screen to decrease contrast.
    • Take frequent breaks and rest your gaze out a window or at far-away object. Relaxing your eyes will help you avoid eyestrain.
    • Make sure you have good lighting; there should be light around your monitor, and behind it. Do not using the computer in the dark.
    • Minimize the amount of clutter around your monitor. Your eyes have more work to do when there are excess items in your frame of vision.
  3. Lift with your legs. As we go through “the motions” on a daily basis, we often overlook the impact small things can have on our physical health. For example: how we lift. Like most of us, you may forget sometimes that lifting with your back can cause damage. Try to remain conscious of this fact to protect your body.
    • Bend at the knees, not at the waist to take the pressure off your sensitive back muscles and prevent unnecessary damage.
    • Avoid lifting things that are overly heavy. You might feel like you can manage it but you may be putting excess strain on your muscles.
  4. Eat frequently. Sometimes you may get caught up with work and other activities, and forget to eat. However, there is absolutely no positive gain from skipping meals, whether intentionally or mistakenly. Eating every 3-4 hours helps keep your digestive system healthy.
  5. Get plenty of rest. To function, two of your bodies’ most primary needs are food and rest. A good night’s sleep will help you be at your best. Rest periods give your systems a chance to regenerate and become ready for the next day’s physical challenges.
    • Set your bedtime and try to stick to it.
    • Take a break from work if you notice your body is showing signs of weariness.
    • Relaxation is another form of rest; a little leisure time can effectively help your body to regain lost energy.

To ensure your lifelong health, start by focusing on a few simple actions like these every day. Now that you know how easy it is to enhance your health, you can start your journey to vibrant health today.

Also, follow our three easy weight loss tips to help you lose weight before summertime.

Apr 26, 2011

Easy Weight Loss Tips for Summer Without Heavy Dieting or A Gym

weight loss tips

Follow these simple weight loss tips to help you shed those last 10 pounds before summertime. You can lose weight in just a few months for summer without a gym or heavy dieting.

  1. Become more active. Your goal should develop healthy habits. By practicing these, you can burn calories without being tied to an elliptical machine.
    • Choose habits that are simple to maintain, enjoyable, and productive. Walk the dog rather than letting him out into the yard. Instead of stopping at the coffee shop in your car every morning, wake up fifteen minutes earlier to jog there before getting ready for work.
    • Choose activities that are relevant to your personalities. Then, you’ll feel a commitment to the task. The dog needs to be walked, no matter what. And you definitely want your morning coffee! When you feel dedicated, your efforts are less likely to become static.
    • Get your friends involved. Getting an easygoing workout friend is a great way to keep activity levels up. Ask your neighbor to join you walking to the park every day. When at the park, sit on the swings or walk the trails while enjoying conversation. Then – of course – walk home. You’ll be amazed at how many calories you’ll burn!
  2. Eat summery meals. Summery meals are characterized by being refreshing, simple, tasty, and healthy. Although summer is only peeking through the clouds right now, try to adapt to a summery diet of fruit bowls, spinach salads, grilled salmon, vegetable kebabs and other fresh options.
    • It’s best to feed your sweet tooth now to avoid a binge later. It’s okay to crave sugary foods, but some choices are better than others. Sweet treats like watermelon, frozen yogurt, and grape tomatoes all make for summery, healthy, and satisfying snacks.
    • Use the grill. If you’re making a Chicken Caesar salad, grill the chicken rather than simply baking or cooking in a pan. This adds visual interest and a nice smoky taste. You can also grill almost any vegetables that are going into the salad.
    • Prep your meals in advance. Dishes like salads and fruits are easy to prepare ahead and store in an airtight container. Marinate your meat and fish rather than cooking it ahead because it can lose its moisture once cooked.
  3. Wear your swim wear. Wearing your bikini or swim trunks underneath your clothing is a simple and effective way to motivate yourself to stick to any diet, fitness, and weight loss goals you’ve set. Alternately, you can just try it on every day.
    • If you’re not seeing the results you want to see, you’ll be fire with enthusiasm to work harder. But, if you are seeing results, you’ll be encouraged to increase your efforts because you like what you see and want more of it!
    • If you’re uncomfortable wearing a bikini, choose the next best thing. Wear your thin summer clothes. Or purchase your ideal summer outfit in a realistic target size. Use this outfit as inspiration. The goal is to fit into it comfortably by the start of summertime.
    • Window-shopping is also a good motivator. Head to your favorite website and check out their summer look book. Then, fill your shopping cart with items that will look fabulous on your smoking hot summer body! You can pretend-spend as much as you want without shelling out a dime.

Losing weight is rarely a quick task, but it is easy. By breaking it down into manageable slices of effort, your goals are more attainable. And when summer arrives, you’ll have the leaner, healthier body you deserve!