10 Ways to Become a Real Winner
(In the Battle of the Bulge, That Is!)
by Darlene Cah
As fast food restaurants dot our landscape and frozen and convenience foods take over supermarkets, it’s no wonder that America is fat. In an article that appeared in theJanuary/February 2007 issue of Back to theGarden, Hallelujah Acres Foundation Director Michael Donaldson, Ph.D. wrote, “If you are in the USA and between the ages of 45 to 75, you have a 75% chance of being overweight. Why the cut-off at age 75? There are fewer people over the age of 75 who are overweight...being overweight is directly linked to a shorter life.”
Whether you’ve struggled with weight issues since childhood, or you’ve put on a few extra pounds over the years, achieving a healthy weight and maintaining it can vastly improve your well-being and quality of life.
For many, the way to healthy and permanent weight loss is through the Hallelujah Diet & Lifestyle. Again from Michael Donaldson’s article, “[The Hallelujah Diet & Lifestyle] isn’t a fad diet. It is a new way of eating and thinking about food. You do have to reprogram your mind and reeducate yourself on what is good food. The Hallelujah Diet works because it feeds the body the nutrients it desperately needs without excess calories...The raw foods also give you energy and vitality that isn’t found in cooked foods...You can drink and eat freely of the fresh vegetable juice, raw fruits, and vegetables.”
Here are 10 tips and techniques to help you step up your weight loss program — whether or not you’ve committed fully to the Hallelujah Diet & Lifestyle.
Learn everything you can about nutrition. Hallelujah Acres offers a wealth of resource materials to guide you. Reading Back to the Garden is a great first step. Also, visit
www.hacres.com for more information.
Seems obvious, but if you’ve taken the
Get Healthy! Stay Balanced course, you know exercise is a major component of the Hallelujah Diet &Lifestyle. So, couch potatoes, listen up - exercise increases the metabolism, so you can burn more fat! You don’t have to get all decked out in sweats, and hit the treadmill to exercise, though it’s a good idea. Fit in three 10-minute walks a day. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park farther from your destination. Even house cleaning or gardening counts.
Lots of it! Water is a naturalappetite suppressant. Your brain doesn’tknow the difference between hunger andthirst. So when you think you’re hungry,drink pure water. Add a twist of lemon, ifyou like. Drinking water between mealsassists in digestion and absorption of food,so you get the most out of the nutrientsyou eat.
Losing weight can be a slow, tedious process. If you think only about being thin, it’s easier to give up. You’re less likely to tear open that bag of potato chips if your first concern is health. Choose fresh, nutritious fruits, vegetables, or a handful of nuts for snacks.
Chew each bite of food completely. Really taste what you’re eating. When you eat slowly, you can actually decrease your appetite. You give your brain time to realize you’re not hungry anymore.
That’s right, write! Write a shopping list before you hit the supermarket, and stick to it. Plan your family’s meals in advance, and purchase only what you need to prepare them. Keep a journal of everything you eat — from the three almonds you ate as a snack to the pasta and salad you had for dinner.
Committing to a diet and lifestyle change is easier when you have support. So find a “diet buddy,” a “workout buddy,” or a support group where you can share your experiences and be accountable.
Know when you’re truly hungry, and eat only when you’re hungry. Many times, “hunger” is triggered by emotions. We’re bored, sad, or stressed out, so we reach for comfort in a box of doughnuts.
These are old tricks, but they work. Instead of using a dinner plate for your meal, use a dessert plate, and don’t fill it up. Keep your salad dressing on the side, and dip the tip of your fork into it for each bite of salad.
Attitude affects how we see ourselves and our world. So find joy in your life, and take each day at a time. Never criticize your body or your thoughts. Set realistic goals. Focus on the good things you did today. Let go of past failures. And most of all - have faith.
Make sure you consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any diet or exercise program.
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