ARTICLES (continued)...
Okay,now we will focus on the
most popular
topic around, weight loss…
Everyone
wants to lose weight, they dream about it, obsess over
it, and talk about it
constantly. This
isn’t healthy
living. Any
obsession takes away from your
spirituality. So, if you find yourself looking in the mirror and hating
your
appearance, then I would suggest that you find a way to stop. Even if
you have
to cover every mirror in your home or less dramatically, seek
professional
help.. Do what it takes to not be obsessive about weight, or anything
else for
that matter.
By the way, many of you know that the scale is not an accurate measure of your fat percentage. Right?! Muscle weighs more than fat, and if you’re athletic and muscular like I am, then you know that the scale is not a good indicator that should be relied on solely. The BMI is just a general indicator of your Body Fat Percentage. (See tables below for more on the BMI). Being fit, toned, and feeling healthy is what people should strive for…not the unrealistic hopes of being a size 0-2. What 5’8 woman do you know looks good being a size 0? Skinny doesn’t necessarily equate to being healthy. And to think that people starve themselves to achieve the goal of being waif thin.
Dieting is defined as eating and drinking according to a regulated system..most diets today are FADS! You will certainly lose weight, but once you stop, the weight creeps back on, sometimes twice as much. Not eating or starving yourself is a bad idea as well. This slows down your metabolism. Your metabolism is your body’s internal regulator and your furnace. You have to feed the furnace to get a strong fire. If you need to burn fat, feed your furnace with foods that are healthier for your body. Try to eat lean meats, fresh fruit and vegetables, legumes(beans and peas), foods that are low sodium, foods that are low in sugar. A high fiber diet is best. It keeps our bowels functioning regularly and prevents intestinal diseases as well. It helps us to manage our weight and keep cholesterol levels low. Diabetics are suggested eat high fiber foods because it controls blood sugar levels. There are 2 types of fiber: insoluble fibers (known as roughage); and there is soluble fiber inclusive of foods such as bran, whole grain bread, rice, popcorn, apples, berries, broccoli, etc. Both fibers are good for you, so add them to your meals. An adult body needs 20-30 grams per day. A child needs 7+ their age=?. Be aware that adding too much fiber to your diet can cause constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and excessive intestinal gas. Such gas-forming foods include prunes, broccoli, apples, eggplants, soy beans, wheat, soluble fibers, potatoes, cabbage, corn, peas, and lentils. These side effects will subside eventually. Gradually incorporate high fiberous foods into your diet. Drink water to help ease the flow.
A
suggestion to those who yo-yo diet: if you don't plan on cutting out
the foods
you love for the rest of your life, then try not to restrict your
dietary intake in an extreme way. Eat
when hungry, or if your body can’t
distinguish when you’re “truly” hungry,
then eat every 2-3 hours in small
quantities. Sometimes thirst is misinterpreted as hunger, so try to
drink water
often. Don’t drink TOO much, because you will lower your
sodium levels, and
that can send your body into a state of shock. Do you see the
reoccurring
theme? Everything
should be done in moderation. Also, take a
multivitamin & get some form of exercise. It all sounds
cliché, but it
works. No one ever gained weight doing these practices. Taking control of your
weight is the first
step of taking control of your life!
Everyone has specific needs
and what may work for
your buddy may not work for you. Keep that in mind the next time you
sign up for any program or weight loss method.
-Authored by Tesheca
LaRose, CEO & President of HHH Services
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