Everyone talks about how they want to lose weight, eat healthier, be more health conscious. Well, my response to that is, GREAT! First step…eat! The worst thing you can do is start starving yourself. Bottom line, our bodies are like cars. They need fuel to do their job. So here are a few tips on beginning your healthy lifestyle.
- Eat within 45 minutes of waking up. When we wake up in the morning our bodies have been fasting for 8 hours or more. Our bodies need fuel and they need it fast. For me this is especially difficult because I work out first thing in the morning when I wake up and I don’t feel like eating. However, my metabolism is trying to get going for the day, just like the rest of my body, but it needs calories to make it go. Grab a quick snack. You don’t have to eat your full breakfast right then. Eat a piece of fruit, healthy breakfast bar, granola, yogurt…ANYTHING! Trust me, you are going to need it, and when you do eat it, you will start to notice a difference in how your body feel and responds to the prompt attention.
- Eat a good hearty breakfast. I tend to have a protein shake and some oatmeal for my breakfast. I keep the oatmeal low sugar, but the oats are a good source of longer lasting carbohydrates that will sustain me until the protein from my shake kicks in. I know a lot of people feel like they are too busy, too rushed or don’t have time for breakfast, but let me ask you this. Would you allow your children to go to school without eating something first? You know how important it is that they be alert so they can be actively engaged in their education. Don’t you think you deserve that same kind of consideration? First step to getting that energy is eating a good breakfast. So go ahead, and in the famous words of Nike: Just Do It!
- Eat every 2 ½ to 3 hours throughout the day. Never, never, never, go more than four hours during the day without eating. Your metabolism runs at a certain level of efficiency throughout the day. If you do not feed it and feed it often it will drop your metabolic rate and it cannot get back up till your body has completed its next circadian rhythm cycle. So, even if you have to eat something that you don’t consider to be “healthy” it is better than nothing. Some people may say, “Well, I can’t do that! I will eat too many calories if I do that!” Here’s the deal. By consuming calories, you are allowing your body the necessary fuel to burn more calories at a higher rate. Remember, if calories are a concern for you, you can always choose snacks that are lower in calories such as fresh fruits and vegetables. They have great nutritional value and lots of fiber to keep you regular.
- Drink, drink, drink. You have to consume water. Your body’s cells are made up of water. If your cells are dehydrated then your cells can’t utilize the nutrients you give them and therefore, you can’t gain the benefits of eating all this good food. Some people like to put sweeteners, flavors or additives in their water because they think water is boring. What I have to say about that is: if that is the only way you are going to drink water, then do it. But I much prefer unadulterated water, pure and clear. It tastes good going down and it feels good as well. The profound effects pure water can have on your body are unimaginable. Energy, cleansing, lightness, hydration. All good things.
So there you go. The moral of the story is…eat. It’s that simple. Eat soon, eat hearty, eat often.
Ashley Hull
