Live Healthy NYC: Keep It Simple!

Live Healthy NYC: Keep It Simple!: It turns out that the key to losing and keeping weight off isn't simply a matter of what you eat or how much you exercise...

Keep It Simple!

It turns out that the key to losing and keeping weight off isn't simply a matter of what you eat or how much you exercise- it's your attitude. Lasting weight loss is a slow process and it's all too easy to give up before you reach your goal.

Set Realistic Goals for Diet Success
The first step to maintaining your mojo should take place before you cut a single calorie. In fact, one of the strongest predictors of long-term diet success lies in setting the right goal at the start.

Go Slow
Diet success entails making real lifestyle changes, and that doesn't happen overnight. You have a better chance at keeping the weight off if you lose it slowly.

Expect Setbacks
Everyone is bound to give in to temptation (hello, hot fudge sundae) from time to time. The danger isn't a single splurge but letting it become an excuse for an all-out binge. Call it the "I've already blown it so I might as well eat the entire bag of Oreos" syndrome.

Don't Be a Perfectionist
So what do you do if you've scarfed down a pint of ice cream before noon? Perfectionist thinking gets in the way of success. Bottom line when you slip up: Forget about it. Tomorrow is a new (healthier) day.

Be Patient
One of the biggest diet motivation-busters is the dreaded weight loss plateau. You've been doing everything right, exercising and eating well, and the numbers on the scale have been steadily dropping. Then suddenly: nada. The scale stays stuck for several days in a row. This is perfectly normal. Turn it around and congratulate yourself on the diet success you've had so far. But, look honestly to see if you're backsliding in little ways with your eating. A few minor adjustments and you'll soon be back on course.

Reward Yourself
Dieting is hard work -- and it's not always a whole lot of fun. Small rewards can provide an incentive to keep going. But make sure your rewards are not food-related. (Translation: Rewarding yourself for losing 5 pounds with a box of chocolates is not what I’m talking about.) Set mini-goals along the way and reward yourself when you reach them. Your reward could be a massage, a round of golf, a new pair of jeans, or a hot bubble bath. Celebrating your diet success will fortify your resolve to continue. 

Remember healthy eating is a lifelong goal, not a one-time project!

Make healthy choices about the foods you eat and the beverages you drink. It’s simple- follow these healthy eating tips and watch what you put on your plate. You will feel good and have the energy you need to do the activities you enjoy.

• Make half your plate fruits and veggies.
• Make half the grains you eat whole grains.
• Choose fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk, yogurt or cheese.
• Drink water instead of sugary drinks.
• Choose lean sources of protein.
• Compare sodium in foods like soup and frozen meals and choose foods with less sodium.
• Eat some seafood.
• Pay attention to portion size.