Ways To Stay Slim For Life - Part Two

Now that I have been on my journey to a new me for over 20 months I have begun to wonder what happens when I get to my goal weight. Not that I am anywhere near my goal, but I still have given much thought to what my life will be like when I am living in a healthier body. There was a recent article on msn.com in the healthy living section that got my attention and I want to share some of it with my readers.

I will post it over the next three days because it was a little too lengthy to post as one post.  This is the second of the three post.  If you did not read yesterday's post, please stop and do so now.

15 Ways to Stay Slim for Life

Make it through life’s big obstacles and events without gaining a pound

The Holidays

Why you might pack on pounds Eggnog, mashed potatoes, stuffing, Christmas cookies, and potato latkes are just a few of the high-calorie foods that are probably on your “to eat” list every November and December, says Rania Batayneh, MPH, owner of Essential Nutrition For You, a nutrition consulting firm. The average person gains a pound during the holidays and never loses it, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. (Search: Healthy holiday recipes)

Stay thin Sip sugar-free hot cocoa spiked with Peppermint Schnapps over eggnog, and for dessert, pick pumpkin instead of pecan pie to cut calories in half. If mindless munching at holiday parties is your downfall, carry a drink in one hand and a clutch in the other so you won’t be able to pick at the spread.

Marriage

Why you might pack on pounds You did the wedding dress workout plan, your big day has come and gone, and now you can relax. “You’re comfortable, and you might think to yourself, ‘Well, I am married now. I don’t need to impress him anymore,’” says Nicole Glassman, holistic nutritionist and owner of Mindful Health in New York City. Also, if your schedules differ, you may eat a large snack before dinner—or eat dinner twice—in order to dine with your spouse. And who wants to get out of bed to hit the gym?

Stay thin Working out with your partner gives the two of you time to bond and keeps you both motivated, says Glassman. When you’re eating with your special someone, pay attention to your own body’s needs and recognize that your partner’s food requirements may be vastly different than yours.

Your Office Job

Why you might pack on pounds When you sit all day, your body tends to swell and become fatigued, says Glassman. And when you’re tired, you’re more likely to turn to the vending machine conveniently located a few feet from your desk. Your pick-me-up may provide a quick boost of energy, but you’ll crash shortly after and might become too tired to go to the gym after work, says Glassman.

Stay thin Take a 20-minute walk during lunch to boost circulation and ward offer afternoon junk food cravings. Staying hydrated will also combat fatigue and help your body move fluids out of your system. Aim to drink eight glasses of water daily. Finally, keep healthy snacks, like almonds and apples, in your desk drawer so you don’t turn to sugar.

Having a Baby

Why you might pack on pounds You need to shed the baby weight, but you’ve temporarily lost your workout mojo. Post-pregnancy hormonal changes can make you weepy and unmotivated, says Rallie McAllister, MD, co-author of The Mommy MD Guide to Pregnancy and Birth. Weight loss is put on the back burner—sometimes for years. In fact, moms gain an average of 20 pounds in just 10 years, according to a study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Stay thin Take a break from mom duties to enjoy your favorite form of exercise and you’ll remember that you had a life—and a body—before baby.

Turning 30

Why you might pack on pounds When your 20s are over, your muscle mass—and metabolic rate—begin to decrease. Muscle tissue torches calories even when you’re sitting, but the less of it you have, the fewer calories you’ll burn, explains Keri Glassman, RD, owner of Nutritious Life, a nutrition practice in New York City.

Stay thin Compensate for muscle loss by understanding that you’re not going to be able to eat like you did in your 20s, Glassman suggests. Also try adding an extra workout each week or cutting out a dessert to make up for the extra calories your body won’t be burning.