NBC Philadelphia /

Health

Never Say Diet

Updated 10:16 AM EDT, Sun, Feb 1, 2009

Related Topics: Diet and Nutrition | Health and Fitness

0 Comments   Post a comment Post a Comment

FilmMagic

The media that surrounds us is harmful, and sometimes it's hard to see that. If you find yourself comparing your looks or body to someone in a magazine, that's the first clue that you're doing your body image some damage.

 

Don't say it! You've heard the word. You know what it means. Chances are you've even tried to do it once or twice. Well, don't. Don't do it; don't think about it; and certainly don't say it.

Below you'll find some great tips and fun alternatives to... that thing... to keep in mind for January. Check back for a new tip each weekday.

Week 1

1/5: DANCE!
Dancing is one of the best ways to burn calories without knowing it. A 140-pound person can burn an average of 349 calories in an hour of fast social dancing and 191 calories in slower styles.

1/6: 100
Cutting 100 calories everyday isn't all that hard. In fact, cutting that daily 100 will drop about 10 pounds in a year. Drinking nonfat or 1% milk instead of whole milk will do the trick.

1/7: Buddy Up
The buddy system is fun and effective, and helps you stay in shape. Knowing you're not alone and that you have the support of a friend keeps you motivated. Some friendly competition could kick your booty into gear as well!

1/8: Mind Your Food
Being a mindful eater allows you to enjoy your splurge, without feeling the post-splurge-guilt. Save your favorite cookie for after dinner, you'll appreciate it more and be able to eat it happily.

1/9: No More Mirror Madness
Looking in the mirror is harmful to your self-esteem, and making a conscious effort to avoid those quick glances on your way out will make all the difference. Try taping a note on your mirror that has "STOP!" written on it.

Week 2

1/12: Bring Sexy to Your Back
Put the sexy back in your booty! Simple exercises such as squatting can shape up your bottom. But first you need proper alignment to avoid injury.

1/13: Shop Healthy
Go food shopping the healthy way. Tricks like eating before you go or choosing seasonal produce will boost your weight loss.

1/14: Mix It Up
Don't just walk it, work it! Doing interval aerobics throughout your walking work out will help keep up your energy and get the most out of your work out.

1/15: Jot It Down
Try to remember the positive things about your workout habits. Keeping a food journal and reading it routinely will help keep your confidence up and weight down.

1/16: Erase Negativity
Erase those negative thoughts out of your mind — literally. Writing down negative thoughts on a piece of paper and then erasing them after will help you erase them from your head as well.

Week 3

1/19: Push Your Age Down
Reverse aging with this simple yet effective trick. Doing the classic pushup will help tighten your body and make you look younger.

1/20: Walk
This math problem won't get you an A on the test, but it'll help you drop some pounds. A daily 30-minute walk can burn an extra 100-150 calories.

1/21: Burning Muscles
Distinguishing between fat and muscle is extremely important; yet very hard to do. One pound of muscle on your body burns about 30 to 50 calories a day. A pound of fat only burns about 3!

1/22: Write Your Weight Down
Writing down everything you eat is a great way to be help you lose weight. This is where selective memory really comes into play, and if you have written proof there's no fooling anyone!

1/23: Get Creative
Arts and crafts aren't just for kids. Not only is it a fun activity, but being creative about your self esteem will help you in the long run.

Week 4

1/26: Add Color
Adding flavor and color to your dish will give you more to look forward to when eating meals. Try different fruits and veggies, as well as new combinations of your favorite foods to keep things interesting.

1/27: Substitute for Monster Foods
Identifying your problem foods may seem like a monster of a task, but it's actually the first step to losing weight. If you find substitutes that are lower in calories but just as tasty, you're already on the right track.

1/28: Take a Breather
Taking a break is a good thing. If you're putting too much stress on your weight-loss and workout plan, you can get caught up and brought down. Take some time to relax and rejuvenate your body and mind.

1/29: Take Your Time
You must give yourself time to adjust to your new healthy eating plan. Remember, developing a habit takes about three weeks, so start off at a realistic pace and keep your attitude positive.

1/30: Move Over, Media
Do a "harmful media" purge. Take all the magazines, websites, and TV channels and rid them from your life. Why waste your time looking at images that will only be detrimental to your self esteem?

You can join the Never Say Diet Challenge for community support and more helpful tips.

Post a Comment

Name


Comment - You have 2000 characters left

Enter both words below, separated by a space, in the field located to the lower right. Can't read the words below? Try different words or an audio captcha. What's this?