Diet Tribe

There is no pill or trendy new diet that can accomplish what sensible eating and exercise does. The only way to lose weight is to burn more calories than you consume. This does not mean to starve yourself, but to eat bulkier, lower-calorie foods. For instance, rather than having turkey on white bread for lunch, have turkey on 100% WHOLE WHEAT bread, with a piece of lettuce or several slices of tomato. It’s important to consume 100% whole grains rather than enriched because whole grains have all their fiber and original nutrients whereas enriched have only a portion- which has been added. The nutrients are always good for you, but high-fiber foods will keep you fuller for longer, so that you don’t eat as often.

In addition, rather than having a handful of chips for a snack, have an apple. An apple is pleasantly sweet (or tart, if you like the green variety), but is also largely water. This water will fill you up surprisingly so you won’t be likely to eat later. Finally, for dinner, you could have a piece of baked (or fried) chicken, corn-on-the-cob, and a small bowl of frozen yougurt for dessert. For breakfast, you could have whole grain pancakes and a piece of fruit.

Don’t think of skipping meals because that will only set you back. When you go without food for a long time, your metabolism slows down so as not to use up your energy. True, you could eventually lose weight by fasting, but you would also be weak and unhealthy.

For exercise, you should buy a rope with which to jump. It doesn’t need to be expensive, as a decent rope can be found for about five dollars.

Most importantly about all this is CONSISTENCY. The weight will not come off in a few days, but only in at least a week, and only 1-2 pounds at that. The body is not mean to lose weight quickly.