Control your Appetite with 2 Easy Tricks
If we’re going to talk about healthy lifestyles, obviously eating right and exercising are going to be at the top of the list. But sometimes the difference between success and failure can be the smallest of things. Here are a couple of ideas to help tip the scales in your favor..
Snack Between Meals. This might seem counter-intuitive, but when done correctly (in moderation and with healthy snacks), it can help you achieve your goals.
- Small, healthy snacks only.
- Carrots, an apple, a banana, other fruits or vegetables, nuts, granola, etc.
- This will keep your hunger in check, which will help you to avoid over-eating at your next meal.
- On those days where you’re too busy for lunch (and lord knows we all have them in this business!), this will help keep your body from slowing down your metabolism in an effort to conserve your fat stores.
Personal Example - I eat a 220-calorie PowerBar every day at about 10:00. If I end up eating an early lunch, I’m not all that hungry. And if I have to wait until later to eat lunch, I’m still ok. (and if I end up skipping lunch altogether, I pull another PowerBar out of my desk!)
Eat Slowly. There is a considerable delay between your stomach being full, and your brain getting the message to stop eating. The goal is to allow your brain time to get the "I’m full now" signal from your stomach BEFORE your stomach is over-filled! Rather than cleaning your plate and feeling completely stuffed, you’ll walk away from the table feeling comfortable, while still having a lot of calories left on your plate.
- Chew your food more.
- Engage in conversation in-between bites.
- Take a sip of water after a couple of bites.
- Make a conscious effort to slow down.
Personal Example - Friday night is pizza night at our house, and I LOVE pizza! If I come home from work hungry and motivated to eat, I can polish off half of a large pizza - easily. But when I follow my own advice and slow down, I’m full after a couple of slices. (and I don’t need to lay down afterward with a food-coma!)
| * Harvest Point * |
These little tricks aren’t going to make you "lose 20 pounds next week", any more than some other time-saving tip will help you get rich quick. But in a lifestyle of moderation, diligence, persistence, and trying to do the right things, sometimes it’s the little tricks that can help you come out ahead. Snacking Between Meals and Eating Slowly are 2 of these little tricks.
Has anyone else tried these tricks? Were they successful for you? What other little tricks have you tried?
Posted: October 13th, 2008 under Healthy Living.
Comment from Dean
Time October 14, 2008 at 5:35 am
Eat slow and stop when you are full. This is the best thing I have ever done for weight loss. It is amazing I actually eat half the amount or less that I used to at a meal.