4 keys to a smart nutrition program

Think of the word "diet" and what is the first thing that comes to mind?  Visions of joyless eating, piles of pale lettuce, bored taste buds, more pale lettuce, meals that would starve a mouse,  and mounds of food labeled "OFF LIMITS" and locked away, never to be tasted again.  Oh, and lettuce.  In other words:


Don't
Imagine
Eating
This


Boooring!!  Deprivation diets, fad diets, taboo-food diets send the wrong message.  Our body is not an enemy that needs to be beaten and starved into submission.  Building healthy habits can and should be fun!  This is a positive thing that we are doing, making yourself healthy and happy at the same time.


Food was created for a reason.  Each food has specific benefits and potential drawbacks.  Even chocolate, in certain forms, is said to protect against high blood pressure and heart disease.  On the other hand, if you eat nothing but grapefruits you will be loading up on certain vitamins, but missing out on a lot of other very  important ingredients.  The key is balance.  Too much of anything can hurt.  But not enough of everything can hurt even more. 






How far do you think your car would go on water downed gas or without oil?  About 20 miles, probably.  You are no different.  Deprive your body of what it needs and it will break down.  The secret is to be conscious of the "grades of gas and oil" that you use.  Some are more powerful than others and will help you run longer on less fuel.  To fuel your body for optimal performance while losing weight you need to follow 4 simple strategies.


1.  control your food portions:  I mean really who needs "biggie" anything.
2.  Make smart substitutions:  Why not try mustard (11 calories) versus mayonnaise (99 calories) on that sandwich.  Who knows you may even like it better. Compare calories in your favorite foods, and learn more ways to cut calories without deprivation.
3.  Focus on "power foods": High Protein, high fiber, healthy fats and good Carbs give you the most punch for your lunch.  
4.  Watch your eating habits: mindless munching, emotional binging, and twice a day trough feedings are sneaky habits that steal momentum and leave pounds.  


There is a huge difference between knowing what we should do and actually doing it. 





There is no magic pill, no secret technique or approach that can solve this problem for you.  It will take time, hard work and persistence to get yourself where you want to be.  Diets are surface level changes, we are going for a lifestyle change. With these changes come lasting results not the temporary ones that we have seen over the years, by Yo-Yo dieting.  Do not let the daily ups and downs discourage you, stay the course and remain focused and you will change your body and your life.


I am!!!