The Secret to Losing Weight!

Many people have a distorted perception of what constitutes a healthy body weight and lead a healthy lifestlye. It’s hard to estimate the line between being thin, for example, and being healthy. There is a difference. With these tips you can recognise that difference, and apply it to yourself!

The first step to leading a healthy lifestyle is to forget unrealistic targets. Not only do these promote unrealistic ideals, but they demand a mentality of instant attainment. When you don’t instantly lose several stone, you may become depressed and lapse into bad habits again.

If you follow the guidelines below, you’ll be living a healthy lifestyle, and your body will change accordingly. You may not look like Kate Moss, but you shouldn’t expect to: the weight you lose will suit your own unique body shape far more than aspiring to re-create hers.

With the added benefits of exercise and healthy eating you’ll feel fantastic in yourself, too. And with beneficial vitamins and nutrients, your skin, hair and overall appearance will improve.

1) Movement/Exercise

We know it’s good for us but avoid it like the plague: either because we’re used to being sedentary or afraid that exercise has to be vigorous to be worth our time. The truth is, movement is movement and the more you do, the healthier you’ll be. Even moderate activities like chores, gardening and walking can make a difference.

Just adding a little movement to your life can:

• Reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes
• Improve joint stability
• Increase and improve range of movement
• Help maintain flexibility as you age
• Maintain bone mass
• Prevent osteoporosis and fractures
• Improve mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression
• Enhance self esteem
• Improve memory in elderly people
• Reduce stress

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How to get more exercise into your life

• Turn off the TV. Once a week, turn off the TV and do something a little more physical with your family. Play games, take a walk…almost anything will be more active than sitting on the couch.
• Walk more. Look for small ways to walk more. When you get the mail, take a walk around the block, take the dog for an extra outing each day or walk on your treadmill for 5 minutes before getting ready for work.
• Do some chores. Shoveling snow, working in the garden, raking leaves, sweeping the floor…these kinds of activities may not be ‘vigorous’ exercise, but they can keep you moving while getting your house in order.
• Pace while you talk. When you’re on the phone, pace around or even do some cleaning while gabbing. This is a great way to stay moving while doing something you enjoy.

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2) Food and nutrition

Eating a healthy diet is another part of the healthy lifestyle. Not only can a clean diet help with weight management, it can also improve your health and quality of life as you get older. Start making small changes like these:

• Eat fruit. Add it to your cereal, your salads or even your dinners
• Sneak in more veggies. Add them wherever you can–a tomato on your sandwich, peppers on your pizza, or extra veggies in your pasta sauce. Keep pre-cut or canned/frozen veggies ready for quick snacks.
• Switch your salad dressing. If you eat full-fat dressing, switch to something lighter and you’ll automatically eat less calories.
• Eat low-fat or fat-free dairy. Switching to skim milk or fat free yogurt is another simple way to eat less calories without having to change too much in your diet.
• Make some substitutes. Look through your cabinets or fridge and pick 3 foods you eat every day. Write down the nutritional content and, the next time you’re at the store, find lower-calorie substitutes for just those 3 items.

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Nutritional guidelines

You should always involve the following food in your diet, regardless of your age, sex, or body shape:

• Bread, other cereals and potatoes – these starchy foods, which also include pasta and rice, provide energy, fibre, vitamins and minerals
• Fruit and vegetables – these provide fibre, vitamins and minerals and are a source of antioxidants
• Milk and dairy foods – these provide calcium for healthy bones and teeth, protein for growth, plus vitamins and minerals
• Meat, fish and alternatives – these foods, which include eggs and pulses, provide protein and vitamins and minerals, especially iron. Pulses also contain fibre.

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3) Respect your body

Now for those obvious, nagging things that everyone knows they ‘shouldn’t’ be doing, but do anyway. Treats are nice, and we need them to feel sane these days. But your motto should be ‘everything in moderation’: try to avoid overindulging in:

• Alcohol
• Smoking
• Fizzy drinks and processed foods (anything with loads of colourings and additives)
• Illegal substances!
• Late nights
• Take-aways

Making your lifestyle healthier really isn’t hard, and you will feel the effects instantly – we guarantee it!

Further Information

For further information, and for more great ways to have fun with your family, log on to www.myfamilyuk.com. With a huge collection of articles covering everything from child safety to rainy day activities, you’ll find all the help, guidance and entertainment you need to be a great parent. Go to My Family UK now!

My Family UK is a brand new website that is turning the online focus back onto families. We’re dedicated to supporting you and your family live the life you choose to the full, with games, tips, offers and articles on all aspects of parenting. If your family means the world to you, check out www.myfamilyuk.com.

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