Are you sabotaging your own weight loss efforts?
Isn’t trying to figure out how to lose weight CONFUSING?! About the time you decide to incorporate a health change a new study comes out saying that it’s not so healthy after all.
I think this is SO frustrating, don’t you?
It’s time to hear the UNBIASED truth from someone who doesn’t have an agenda other than to give you the facts about what foods you REALLY should be eating to achieve a healthy weight and feel your best, and which ones shouldn’t touch your lips (despite the media hype).
Motivation – Do you have what it takes to change your habits?
If you’ve ever tried to make a diet or lifestyle change you know it’s not an easy process. You need a compelling reason to keep moving forward.
What is your compelling reason?
There are two different types of motivators – intrinsic and extrinsic.
Intrinsic motivation is when you are motivated by internal factors. This form of motivation drives you to take action for the fun of it or just because you know it’s good for you and the right thing to do. Intrinsic motivation means you do something because of the satisfaction you feel from completing a task. Hobbies are usually motivated by intrinsic factors.
Extrinsic motivation is when you are spurred to change your habits due to external forces, such as wanting to lose weight or lower your cholesterol for your family so they worry less. Another form of extrinsic motivation may be tangible rewards you give yourself for achieving a goal. The Biggest Loser provides a great example of external motivation – lose the greatest percent body weight and win $’s. Other forms of rewards you can use for extrinsic motivation may include new clothes or a new CD/book when a goal is accomplished.
Typically, intrinsic motivators tend to keep you going in the long run, but using both forms of motivation can be essential to your success. Extrinsic motivators may keep you moving forward in the short term, while intrinsic motivators are the reason you stick with it long term.
Take a step back from the craziness of everyday life and really look at the “why” behind your desire to start walking in the evenings or your goal of packing a lunch instead of eating out.
Ask yourself . . .
Have you taken action and started to move forward towards your goal? Are you just thinking about it? What type of reward could you put in place to spur you on from an external point of view? What reminder could you put in place to keep you moving forward internally?
Here’s a quick example for someone trying to lose weight:
Goal: Walk after supper for at least 20 minutes 5 nights a week.
Extrinsic Motivator: Achieve walking goal for 2 weeks and reward yourself with a new book.
Intrinsic Motivator: Place picture of yourself from 10 years ago (when you were at your ideal body weight) on the refrigerator door as a constant reminder of how great you’ll feel once you reach your goal weight.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Heart Health Made Easy
Weight Loss Plateau – Steps to Break Through
An individual recently submitted the following question at the Vital Health Zone:
I am 47 years old, I weigh 75 kg. I take Breakfast-oatmeal Lunch- 3 chappathis, Dinner-2 chappathi or cornflakes. Small meal 1 apple, 1 piece papaya, and some biscuits. I go for 1 hr morning brisk walk, and do half an hour exercises. But i have not reduced. For my age and ht I should be 55kg. What should I do?
Here’s the answer I provided:
Diet Myths – 5 Biggest Diet Myths Revealed!
Losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight is a key step towards heart health. Later this month I’m hosting a free teleclass with fellow dietitian Ursula Ridens if you want to know how to lose we1ght and keep it off – permanently!
You are invited to the FREE teleclass on Tuesday, August 31, titled
“5 Biggest Dieting Myths Revealed“
On this call, we’re revealing EXACTLY which dieting strategies will help you shed the pounds once and for all, so you can look good, feel great, and enjoy life!
(And more importantly, how YOU can lose we1ght and keep it off – permanently!)
In this information packed call, you’ll discover:
Hidden Calories: Watch out!
There are some changes you may make in an attempt to be healthier than can actually be sabotaging your weight loss efforts. Let’s discuss some hidden calories that may hide in some supposedly “healthy” choices.
Bagels and Muffins
Muffins and bagels have changed drastically over the years. In the past, if you grabbed a muffin at your local coffee shop they would’ve been about the size of a tennis ball. Nowadays muffins are closer to softball size, while bagels have increased an average of 4-6 inches in diameter.
The increased size equals a dramatic calorie increase. One standard muffin or bagel can provide 400-600 calories.
If you’re in a hurry and the only option is to grab breakfast on the run, choose to eat half the muffin or bagel and save the rest for another day.
Salads
Just because it’s a salad doesn’t mean it’s the best choice on the menu.
Steps to Lose Weight
Here are a few steps to promote weight loss:
- Increase physical activity throughout your daily routine (i.e. park further from your office door, take the stairs instead of the elevator)
- Cut back on dining out (i.e. pack a lunch for work)
- Keep fresh fruits and vegetables within reach
- Clean out your cupboards and eliminate foods that don’t support heart health
- Cut back on TV time (just how many hours do you log each day in front of the tv?)
The list of steps you can take to promote weight loss and reduce heart disease risk goes on and on. Take it one step and a time!
Receive 1-A-Week Weight Loss Tips at http://www.weightlosswithlisa.com.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
https://www.lisanelsonrd.com
