OT: What's in your email inbox?
mochaspresso
sales spam? We used to have a lot of interesting ot discussions.
So, I'm posting the first message that was in my email inbox today.
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Seven Unhealthy Habits That Prevent Us From Losing Weight
By Frances Largeman, R.D.
Skipping Breakfast
We all know the deal: breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
Still, many of us skip it thinking that it will help us shed pounds.
In fact, this bad habit actually packs on the pudge. A recent study
found that those who ate ready-to-eat breakfast cereal, hot cereal or
even quick breads (like muffins and banana bread) had significantly
lower BMIs (body mass indices) than those who skipped breakfast.
Eating at Your Desk
Everyone is time-crunched, so it makes sense these days to eat when
and where we can — in the car, at our desks and in front of the TV.
Unfortunately, when we tune into work or to our favorite show, we
generally tune out healthy eating habits and don't pay attention to
internal cues that tell us we're full. Make time for meals as often as
you can. When you designate only the dining room, kitchen and
restaurants as places to eat, you're less likely to be distracted and
overeat.
Cleaning Your Plate
Calories add up. So, even that light pasta dish or bean burrito can
add girth if you're taking in more calories than you're burning off.
Beverages and snack foods are common culprits for including multiple
servings in what looks to be a single-serving size container. Without
thinking, you can down 180 to 240 calories in beverages that are
otherwise healthy. Check the label and stick to the portion size, even
if it means putting the rest in the fridge or taking home a doggie
bag.
Forgetting Fitness
Many dieters think that just cutting back on calories will lead to
lifelong weight loss. This works initially, but only for a while and
often leads to yo-yo dieting. Studies show that most people who
successfully lose weight and keep it off long-term do so by both
cutting calories and adding regular exercise to their lives. Couch
potatoes take heart: just 2,000 steps a day will go a long way toward
keeping off unwanted pounds. Get a pedometer and get going!
Late-night Monster
This is by far one of the most common ways people sabotage their
weight loss goals. They've been good all day and had a reasonable
dinner. Then they plant themselves in front of the TV, where the
munchie monster calls and they head for the chips or ice cream. Other
folks are plagued by late-night eating due to long hours at the
office. If this is your case, make sure to keep healthy snacks on hand
so that you can make a smart choice about what to eat when you finally
get home.
Fat Phobia
If you eschew fat of any kind and live in the land of fat-free food,
you're not getting the bargain you hoped for. In addition to making
food taste wonderful, fat also helps us feel satisfied. Cut it out of
your diet and you'll feel the need to stock up on fat-free, but
calorie-full foods, like cookies and pretzels. You're better off
keeping your fat intake to about 30% of your total calories and
enjoying small portions of your favorite foods once in a while.
The Bar Scene
Alcohol, no matter what form it comes in — beer, wine or spirits —
packs on the calories mercilessly. Not only does alcohol contribute
seven calories per gram, it also has the effect of making you eat more
during a meal. You don't need to be a teetotaler; just try to stick to
one drink (for women) or two drinks (for men) per day. If you're at a
bar or a party, space each drink you have with a glass of water and
avoid super-sugary and calorie-packed tropical and frozen drinks.
Also, don't head out for a night on the town without eating something
first. Otherwise, you'll fill up on nutrient-free alcohol and really
hate yourself in the morning.
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