15 Ways to Stay Slim for Life - Part One

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.

 

15 Ways to Stay Slim for Life

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

 

College

Why you might pack on pounds If college is your first time away from home, it’s probably your first shot at choosing your own meals. And while mom may have said no to pizza for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, she’s not there to stop you from overeating at the all-you-can-eat cafeteria. Combine that with late night food deliveries and snacking during study sessions, and it’s hard to believe that the freshman 15 isn’t more like a freshman 50.

Stay thin “Keep a daily food diary so you become accountable for what you’re eating,” says Elisa Zied, RD, author of Nutrition at Your Fingertips. “You’re probably logging many hours at a desk, so stash nuts and fruit nearby so you’re reaching for healthy snacks rather than junk.”

Getting Sick

Why you might pack on pounds The common cold has been linked to Ad36, a virus that could make you gain weight, according to a 2011 study from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana.

Stay thin Since researchers aren’t exactly sure why the Ad36 virus is out to get your waistline, and a vaccine is still in the works, all that scientists suggest right now is to wash your hands frequently or eat healthy foods that fight sickness.

 

Stress

Why you might pack on pounds Stress raises levels of cortisol, a hormone that can make you feel hungry, according to a recent study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. Plus, if you make a habit of eating when you feel frazzled, your body may begin to link stress with needing food.

Stay thin Choose an activity to replace stress eating, says Jason Block, MD, lead study author and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. It should be something that can relax you at least momentarily. For ideas, check out the best workouts to banish stress.

A New Relationship

Why you might pack on pounds You’re going out to dinner with your new boyfriend or girlfriend instead of whipping up meals at home. You’re also not as concerned about the way your body looks because you’ve already found love.

Stay thin If you’re a woman and want to eat the same foods as your metabolism-busting man, aim to eat about a third less of your meal than he does, says Lisa Young, PhD, RD, author of The Portion Teller Plan.

A Bad Breakup

Why you might pack on pounds When you’re depressed, it’s easy to turn to Drs. Ben and Jerry to make yourself feel better, says Young.

Stay thin For the first few days, it’s okay to spend time on the sofa, but curl up with a bowl of low-calorie frozen yogurt instead of ice cream. And then get out of the house so you’re not home alone with the fridge. Bonus: If you venture out, you may meet someone new. (Or you could try to meet a healthy match online.)