Weight Loss And Candybars

For more tips on nutrition and weight loss, visit www.seniorskeepingfit.com.

I do my best to eat a healthy diet...I limit my fat intake, I try to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, and yes, I even try to drink as much water as I can. But you know, there's just those times when I want a candybar, or a HoHo, or a big bowl of ice cream drenched in chocolate syrup. We all have our crosses to bear....

You can give in to your temptations every once in a while. Life's too short not to have chocolate syrup drippings on your chin. You can do this if you eat well the remainder of the day. Here are some tips for things you can do to eat healthy so you won't feel as guilty as you enjoy that delicious snack cake.

Eat the correct calories. In a previous post, I wrote about setting up a weight loss program by maintaining the calories that you eat now, just increase your physical activity. Summer is just around the corner, so you have a motivation.

Drink water. Our bodies are made up of mostly water, and you need to replenish it or you can begin to have problems with dehydration which can lead to a host of other health issues. A good way to do this is track the number of ounces you drink daily. I measure it by the number of 20 oz bottles of water I drink. Water helps you to feel full.

Normal size portions. Serving sizes have exploded over the last decade. Everything seems to be supersized. To keep a good perspective, eat a salad before dinner. This will reduce the hunger pangs, and will help fill you before the entree arrives. Another strategy is to eat only half of your meal, and take the rest home.

Lighten up. Sweets and "forbidden foods" are ok in moderation. Just make sure you get out and engage in some activities to burn the extra calories.

Load up with fruits and vegetables. These are low in calories, contain complex carbohydrates, and will make you feel fuller longer. Substitute a banana or apple once a day for a snack instead of a HoHo.

Reduce sugary foods. This is a tough one for me. I love a chocolate snack cake after supper, but I've committed to keeping them to a minimum. Set a goal, and once you reach it, use this to reward yourself.

Get moving. It's the old "calories in versus calories out" equation. By taking a 20 minute walk 3-5 times a week, you can burn more than 25,000 extra calories in a year. That's worth a bowl of ice cream!

Many people who have a sincere desire to lose weight keep a diary and eat breakfast everyday. Keeping a diary makes you consciously think about what you're eating which comes as a big surprise to most people. Eating breakfast jumpstarts your body to begin burning calories after a full night of fasting.

To learn more about weight loss, visit our website at www.seniorskeepingfit.com.