15 Ways to Stay Slim for Life - Part Three

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.  If you have not read the last two blog post please stop reading this one and catch yourself up.  This is part three of the three part series on 15 ways to stay slim for life!

15 Ways to Stay Slim for Life

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

Going on Vacation

Why you might pack on pounds When you’re trying new foods, ditching exercise for sleeping in, and not sticking to a routine, a getaway creates the perfect storm for weight gain, says Batayneh.

Stay thin Picking a rental property over a hotel means you’ll have an opportunity to cook meals at home, which can cut down on your daily calorie intake. When you’re dining out, choose one item to indulge in, whether it’s a margarita or freshly baked bread. Finally, pack healthy snacks such as a Kind Nuts & Spices bars (each has less than 5 g of sugar along with 5 to 7 g of protein and fiber) in your bag so you don’t go overboard when you need a little nosh.

Winter

Why you might pack on pounds When you’re chilled to the bone, eating can be one of the fastest ways to warm up. Digesting food increases your metabolic rate and generates heat, McAllister says.

Stay thin Just because you’re hungry or cold doesn’t mean you need a 450-calorie latte. Warm up with a bowl of chicken or vegetable broth-based soup or a cup of tea.

Raising a Child

Why you might pack on pounds “I get so much sleep,” said no mom ever. Being tired is a way of life for many new mothers, but it can do serious damage to your waistline. Research has linked a lack of sleep to weight gain, as sleep deprivation drives down levels of the appetite-suppressing hormone leptin while increasing levels of ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates hunger, McAllister says.

Stay thin If eight hours a night isn’t going to happen, make sure you get the best quality of sleep possible. Use darkening shades, buy a white noise fan, and keep the temperature in your bedroom at 66 degrees, which has been shown to optimize sleep

Summer

Why you might pack on pounds It doesn’t get dark as early, so you’re probably eating dinner later or snacking into the wee hours of the night. You could also be throwing back beers at a baseball game or sipping sangria on a deck, and those calories add up quickly, Zied says.

Stay thin You don’t need to give up ice cream or barbecues, just don’t indulge of in all of summer’s tempting treats in one day. But it’s all about calories in and out, so don’t do both on one day. And we hate to be a buzz-kill, but if you find that you’re always gaining weight during the summer, you may want to do a calorie count to figure out when you have room in your diet to splurge on a hot dog – and when you need to stick with a salad.

Menopause

Why you might pack on pounds The hormonal changes that happen during menopause make women more likely to gain weight in their abdominal areas, Keri Glassman says. In fact, women burn about 200 fewer calories per day when they’re post-menopausal, according to a study published in the International Journal of Obesity.

Stay thin While the average person may burn 200 fewer calories daily, your experience may be different, notes Keri Glassman. Slowly reduce your calorie intake or increase your exercise frequency until you stop gaining.