Thin in a Fat World
You can do it...
Counting calories can be a pain in the neck or as easy as... pie. It's all in the preparation. Here are some easy tips to help you get started... from the queen of snacking!
Making It Last
Make yourself an entire meal that will take you more than five minutes to eat. My lunch often involves lots of little things... not your typical sandwich and a beverage. How long would that take you to eat? My typical lunch often includes chopped veggies, low fat crackers, along with a slice of low fat cheese, and then I finish it off with apple slices and lemon. As you can imagine, it takes me more than a few minutes to finish this lunch and when lunch is over, I feel that I have actually eaten. How often have you wolfed down your lunch without tasting one bite?
Do You Have Any Idea?
Unless you write down every single thing you consume over a day, you probably have no idea what or how much you are eating. And that can add to a lot of calories over a year. Just think about the possibilities. It might be a good idea to start a food journal just to see what and when you eat. It might surprise you. I know that my worst time for snacking is in the afternoon. Knowing this, I am able to make take care of the problem by having lots of vegetables chopped and ready to go.
More Tips For School or the Office
If your worst enemy is the vending machine, be sure to pack yourself a small insulated bag with treats that will help you avoid it. There are so many healthy alternatives (yogurt, homemade trailmix or granola, not to mention chopped veggies.) And the best part... you won't fell guilty. Actually, you will feel quite proud of yourself!
Thank God It's Friday
Sticking to your best intentions all week long is wonderful, but it is perfectly okay to treat yourself every once in a while. Why not choose one night over the weekend to give yourself a pat on the back with something just a little decadent. For me, if we are out, it is a Margarita, and if I'm at home, a little chocolate while watching tv. During the week, eating after dinner is a big no-no!
