Healthy Life Style Tips

Tip #1 H20 is Key

Give the soda and juice a rest. I lost 5 pounds in a month and the only thing that I changed was my intake of juice and soda. That is it! Just count the calories. I was consuming about 500 calories a day from drinking juice. Unbelievable! Replace the sugary drinks with water and watch the pounds fall off. Literally! If losing weight is not a good enough incentive just remember that sweetened juices and soda are linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

Tip # 2 Partner Up

Living a healthy lifestyle is the only way to reach and maintain the goals that you have set. It's hard to make major lifestyle changes when you're doing it by yourself. Finding others with similar goals can greatly improve your chances of having permanent success. When your willpower waivers having friends that understand your situation will provide you with the support that you need to continue.

Tip #3 Catch Those Z's

Researchers studying weight loss at Laval University in Quebec found that sleep may influence levels of leptin -- a hormone produced by fat cells. According to the research leptin affects body weight regulation in the hypothalamus by suppressing the appetite and burning fat stored in tissue. Sleep has also been linked to helping the body process stored carbohydrates faster and in regulating hormones and blood sugar.

Tip #4 Release Writing

Keep a journal to write about your feelings. I initially only wrote when I was upset. Then I started to track when I felt hungry and when I had an urge to overindulge (i.e. bad day at work, worrying, late at night, etc.) I have coined my journal; the mood journal. This has helped me to discover trends in my eating cycle. For instance, I learned that every time I thought about my family and friends and how I missed being around them I would get what one of my good friend calls “snacky”. I've learned to write about my feelings instead of trying to feed the feelings with extra calories.

Tip # 5 Clean Sweep

Remove all of the unhealthy foods. I found that when I was forced to leave the house to pick up what I was craving I would redirect my attention to the mood that gave me the idea in the first place. The Clean Sweep has been one of my best discoveries yet.

Tip # 6 Don't Believe The Hype

Don't fall into the quick fix trap. Being overweight is more than just eating too much! You did not gain it overnight and you will not lose it overnight. This is a lifestyle overhaul. Crash dieting and magic pills are not the answer. Remember that a lifestyle change is a combination of feeling good emotionally, spiritually and mentally.

Tip # 7 Consult an Expert

You do not have to spend thousands of dollars to tap into the success you are longing for. Read a book, or shall I say lots of books. Research is the key. I learned that reading is a great way to learn about how the body work, how to do certain exercises and how to eat properly throughout the day. Check out Body for Life by Bill Phillips. Even if you are not ready to go full fledge into the twelve week program. The information that he provides is excellent.

Tip # 8 Know What Makes You Tick

For the next week write down what you eat and when you eat. The when is extremely important. I tend to eat many of my calories at night. Over time, you will see patterns emerge that reveal your distinct eating cycle.

Tip # 9 Stop Making Excuses

Make the journey a daily commitment. Schedule in time for exercising and release writing. It is as important as eating a healthy breakfast.

Tip # 10 One Day At A Time

If you've had a bad day don't fret. A day is just that- one day. Continue your journey you haven't failed yet.

For more great tips please enter your email information below.

(IMPORTANT NOTE: Your email will be used to receive winning tips only and will not be sold or solicited to any third party.)