After over eating throughout the holiday season you may be tempted to go on a fast or juice cleanse, but let me caution you not to. Why not? Because if you continue to over and under eat it will only keep you in the cycle of perpetual dieting. As a Registered Dietitian I do not want you to “diet” even though the word is in my name. What I want is for you to change the way you think about eating in general and change what your day-to-day diet consists of to align with your personal health goals. There are very few “good” or “bad” foods, but there are foods we should aim to eat more of and foods we should eat less of; the sooner you accept that and practice that, the better off you’ll be. Regardless I am sure you are feeling bloated, sluggish, and disappointed from indulging over these past few weeks so knowing that I am going to give you 5 simple tips to help you start feeling like yourself again. My only request is that after you do these 5 things, you begin to practice the fundamentals to a healthy lifestyle, rid yourself of dieting, and finally commit to wellness.
- Out of sight, out of mind: There are probably leftover holiday meals and desserts lurking in your refrigerator and since you’ve enjoyed them it is now time to get rid of them. If you have an issue with wasting or throwing away food then give it to family or friends so you’re not tempting to eat it again.
- Stay hydrated with water: Chances are you are feeling bloated from all the added sodium in the foods prepared so the best way to rid that feeling is to drink plenty of water. Initially you’ll still feel bloated, but when you have drunken enough the bloat will go down. Want to make sure you are drinking enough? Check the color of your urine, if it’s a dark yellow, drink more water, if it’s pale yellow or clear, you’re fully hydrated and should start to feel better soon!
- Do not skip meals: Instead have smaller well balanced meals and limit foods with added salt, fat, sugar, sauces, and gravies. These foods may make you feel even more lethargic.
- Get active: Rather than restricting calories by under eating, take a group fitness class, go to the gym, or go for a walk to burn it off. Some physical activity will also make you feel more energized and can alleviate that sluggish feeling.
- Forgive yourself: We cannot change the past. What’s done is done so now it’s up to you to learn from it. You are capable of getting back on track. With a little planning and dietary adjustments you’ll be feeling better in no time!
For more on-on-one help, e-mail me today at [email protected].
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