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NUTRMTION
Of course, every good health and fitness program will also include a good
nutrition component.
Good nutrition is likely the most important factor in
maintaining ideal body weight and managing weight loss.
There are a variety of schools of thought regarding which nutrition program,
diet or eating plan is best. While we do not promote or endorse any particular
one, here are some things to consider that will help you get on the road to a
healthy diet:
Understand
Caloric
Balance.
How many
Calories
you intake,
and how
many Calories
you burn off will determine
whether
you will gain or lose
weight
day to day. It is impossible
to achieve
weight
loss without
some
sort
of "Caloric
deficit"
that can be obtained
through
cutting
Calories,
or burn-
ing off more than
you take in. The wisest
approach
is to do a little of both
- cutting
Calories
and exercising.
It is the only
proven
long-term
weight
management
program
that is successful.
You should
ensure
that you are
consuming
at least
1,200
Calories
per day total.
A total weight
loss of no
more than 2 Ibs. per week
is recommended
for long-term
weight
management.
Eat a variety
of foods.
Regardless
of your eating
plan, you should
be sure
to include
a variety
of foods
in your
diet, maximizing
your intake
of fruits
and
vegetables
whenever
possible.
Colorful
meals and snacks
that are divided
amongst
the 4 food groups
will ensure
that you obtain
the nutrients
needed
for your
body to function
at optimal
levels.
Any diet that focuses
on just one
food group
source
or processed
foods
can be unhealthy
in the long run, and
should
be avoided.
Don't
focus too much
on any particular
meal or snack,
but rather
on your overall
intake of a variety
of different
foods
during
any
given day.
Drink water.
Our bodies
are made
up of over 70%
water,
and most
of us
don't drink
enough.
Carry water
with
you everywhere
you go, and drink as
often
as you can. This helps the body function
at optimum
levels, and can
significantly
help with
weight
management.
Eat more often
and be mindful
of your
portions.
Research
has shown
that it can be helpful
to eat smaller
meals
more often
versus
3 larger meals
a day if you are looking
to promote
healthy
weight
maintenance
or weight
loss. And we have discovered
that many
portions
we eat are much
larger
than necessary,
and can be laden with
Calories.
So, try snacking
more and
not eating
so many
large meals,
and share your snacks
or food
with
others
(or break your
portions
in half) to help manage
your
Caloric
intake.
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