Two Day Magazine

It’s never too late to start taking better care of yourself!

This is not a diet plan, I promise. There is nothing worse than perusing the internet, looking for motivation to start eating better, and all that is bombarding you are fad diets and reasons why you can’t lose weight. Well, fear not, dear readers. Here are some positive habits to pick up in 2012....and the side effect? Well, you may drop a few pounds, but more importantly, you will start to feel great!

Eat With Purpose.

So often we find ourselves mindlessly munching on snacks when we are bored, tired, emotional or stressed out. Before we know it, an empty bag of chips is laughing at us, and we are left wondering why we were even eating in the first place.
    Healthy Habit: Eat from smaller dishes and in controlled portions. Different studies suggest that we mindlessly eat more when our plates or bowls are larger. Easy fix? Simply switch to smaller sized bowls or plates to avoid consuming more than you are actually hungry for.

Close the Kitchen at Night.   

It’s easy to get into the habit of snacking at night. We all do it from time to time. Heck, Oprah even swore that she would stop eating after 7:30 p.m. to speed up her own weight loss. And can us, the mere mortals, have the same goal? Of course!
     Healthy Habit: It has been shown that when you eat at night, your body responds to the food differently than when you eat earlier in the day. If you are trying to lose weight, closing the kitchen after dinner is a must to help you stay on track. Brush your teeth to deter yourself from reaching for snacks after hours and busy yourself in the evening with other activities (wink!).

Start Your Day with a Delicious (and Nutritious!) Breakfast

I know, I am definitely guilty of skipping breakfast occasionally, as well, but this is one habit I definitely want to create in the New Year. When we skip meals, our metabolism slows down, as well as feeling sluggish mid-morning. Trust me, skipping breakfast is a sure fire way to overeat later in the day.
    Healthy Habit: We don’t always have time for a big breakfast in the morning, so try a filling fruit and vegetable smoothie in the morning, complete with a protein or meal-replacement powder. (I prefer Raw Meal or Sun Warrior.) Coconut yogurt, granola and fruit is another yummy option, or whip up a delicious tofu or egg scramble with some veggies and a side of fruit. Quinoa can also be eaten as a porridge or try steel-cut oats for a boost of nutrition and protein. Whatever your pleasure, please have some breakfast!

Eat Sloooooowly

Eating too fast is a surefire way to overeat and cause indigestion. It often leaves you feeling as though you want more food and leads to mindless eating. Yes, we are all busy and on the run, but whenever you can....slooooow dooooown....
     Healthy Habit: If it helps, try eating with the hand you don’t write with. This will slow down how fast you eat your food. Put your fork down between each bite. Take smaller bites and chew each bite with purpose. Savor the flavor of your food, the smell and the presentation. Make meals meaningful with your subtle new appreciation for your food.

Reduce Food Anxiety

Everywhere you look, there seem to be new rules every day to eating. No carbs! No fruit! No fast food! There are so many restrictions, one has to wonder, what is safe to eat?
    Healthy Habit: Restrictions rarely work in the long run. Changing the way you think about food could help you to make better food decisions. Think moderation, not denial. If you like steak, have a steak, but maybe have it once a month, not every week. Enjoy dessert? Eat it. Just have one slice of cake, not a whole cake (and not every night). Snack smarter. If you like sweets, stock up on delicious fruits or make your own sweets. You will have a new appreciation for how long it takes to produce it, which may make you reach for it less often.

Let’s make 2012 the best year yet!

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twoday magazine wants to know: What healthy habit are you picking up this year? Facebook us your thoughts!

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