WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?

I hate to diet.
Diets never work for me.
I can lose weight but never see to keep the weight off
Eating healthy is too expensive and takes too much time
Been there, done that...

Sound familiar? Sound negative? Healthy eating does not have to be a negative experience, it can actually be quite the opposite. It all depends on your attitude. If we go into something thinking it is not going to work, guess what? It won't work. Changing our attitude about food and diets can be the first step towards success.

Step 1

Stop thinking of it as a diet, start thinking of it as a way of life.

Step 2

Do not try to make changes that you cannot live with FOREVER! If you like your glass of wine or the occasional desert. Don't eliminate these items from your food plan. Am I telling you that you can eat desert whenever you want? NO. But I am trying to help you get away from the all or nothing mentality.

Step 3

Educate yourself. Learn as much about nutrition and health as you can from a reputable source. Try not to get sucked into the diet of the week! I tell my clients to put on blinders when they are at the grocery store and not look at all the magazine ads about quick weight loss.

Step 4

Become educated about your family health history. Diabetes? Heart Disease? Cancer, Obesity? Knowledge is powerful and motivating. History tends to repeat itself. Healthy changes that you make now, can pay off in the long run for you and your family.

Step 5

Take a moment and jot down what and who you are doing this for. What is motivating you? Losing weight for a class reunion or special event is motivating to some degree but taking charge of your health and diet so you physically feel better, have more energy and set a good example for your kids is even more motivating! Take the focus off the scale and try to concentrate on your physical well being. I guarantee, if you do this, the scale will follow. FYI - 1 pound a week for a year equals 52 pounds!
Step 6

Write down your goals and share them with someone! Seeing them on a piece of paper and having the accountability to someone else is powerful and may be just the boost that you need.

Step 7

Develop habits that you can live with for the long haul. Have this be the last time you do this. Make permanent changes that you can stick with for the rest of your life.

"MOTIVATION IS WHAT GET YOU STARTED, HABITS ARE WHAT KEEPS YOU GOING" Jim Ryun

Feel free to contact me if you would like some help setting your goals

Noreen Gallo MSRD
603 598-0292
chgallo@comcast.net

HELLO HOLIDAYS!

Holidays are a time for enjoying family and friends. A time to relax, slow down and appreciate the ones we love the most. Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the "EATING SEASON" which can make living the healthy clean life tough. What to do? White knuckle it and feel deprived? Throw in the towel and overdo it, only to feel sluggish and disappointed on January 1? There has to be an easier way. Guess what - there is!
Here are a few tips to keep in mind before Turkey day is here!

DO NOT SKIP MEALS

I know on paper it makes sense to save your calories so you will have more to enjoy at the celebration but this is exactly what you should not do. Going long periods of time between meals only decreases your blood sugar making it much more difficult to show restraint when the pie arrives. In addition, low blood sugar can make you grouchy and tired - not good when the family is all together.

ALLOW YOURSELF SMALL AMOUNTS OF THE FOOD YOU LOVE

After the first few bites, it all tastes the same. Take a small portion, eat off of a small plate and put your fork down after the first bite or two and see if you really need more.

CHOOSE WHAT YOU WANT AND WALK AWAY FROM THE TABLE

This pertains to buffets and cocktail parties. Standing next to the food table can be the kiss of death. Once you start chatting with friends, you are not paying attention to what you are putting in your mouth. Calories galore!

DRINK LOTS OF WATER

Hunger is one of the first signs of dehydration. Before you decide to eat, have a big glass of water or seltzer. This will serve two purposes. Rehydration and keeping your stomach full. Try alternating a bottle of water for every higher calorie drink you consume. It will slow your drinking calories down.

Last but not least remember the word is holiDAY not holiWEEK! Give yourself permission to enjoy the day but try not to have the eating roll over to the next day or days. Give the leftovers away or freeze them for a later time.

ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS - Noreen