Every winter I gain 15 pounds (mostly out of sheer laziness). Every summer I take it back off again. I have been doing this for 15 years so I know what causes me to gain the weight and I also know what I need to do to take it off.
To lose the weight I don’t get expensive pills, I don’t buy the expensive gym membership, I don’t count every calorie I eat and I don’t starve myself….instead I change three simple things. Lastly I top it all off with patience. It isn’t an overnight thing – it is going to take three months. But if you start in October, by New Years Eve you can be 15 pounds lighter.
Patience is the key to success. One half to one pound a week is the most you should try to lose. If you are losing a half pound to a pound a week, you are right on track. Any more pounds lost and you may be starving yourself, or worse — dehydrating yourself.
Step one: I don’t go to the gym. I don’t swim laps in the pool. I simply walk 45 minutes a day. I take my pooches and I head to the leashless Dog Park, up the mountain or even around the block. I like to “spice it up” because each walking space has a different terrain and I believe that that works different muscles. But I do it every day. My dogs are happy and much less likely to be naughty. I also get some fresh air and I think about my day. Some days I will bring my iPod. Sometimes even my husband or kids go with me and we talk about our day!
Step two: Eat fiber. It sounds so very simple, but eating fiber keeps my hunger down and my energy up. Believe me, the thought of eating veggies and fruit doesn’t always sound that fun, but soon you just get used to doing it. I’m not going to lie – I would like to eat crackers, steak and potatoes for every meal. But you make yourself do it. Once you eat all of that, you eat less of the other stuff. The less you eat, the more your stomach shrinks and the fewer calories you need to burn.
Step three: Pilates. I swear by it. Just find a video or a book. Any one of them will do – they are all really very similar. With Pilates you are essentially stretching the muscles thin. Pilates tightens up the muscles in a few days. That is what keeps you motivated – when you can see things shrinking. So although the actual weight takes longer, the inches disappear faster.
Do not deprive yourself. We are human. If I don’t let myself have cookies, I soon find myself polishing off a whole bag of them. I allow myself two real sodas a week. I have never liked diet soda. I like the real thing. But I limit myself to two a week. It is always a good idea to limit (but not eliminate) things like that. However if you are able to, then you are a better dieter than I am folks!
I firmly believe that getting healthier and financial health goes hand in hand. When you watch one, you make more careful choices with the other. Also healthier food can be a lot more inexpensive than processed food, especially when you figure how much bad health could cost you in the long run. Even adding one of my three dieting tips can make you healthier and happier. It certainly can’t hurt to try!
A penny saved is a penny earned! Take all of your money that you saved on expensive diets and put it into a savings account that works for you! savings accounts – compare savings rates here.
