Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Diet Mantras: Three Words to Eliminate to be Successful in Following a Diet....

How To Succesfully Follow A Diet

Almost everyone has tried to "go on a diet" or "is on a diet" or is planning to "go on a diet"! But very few are able to stick to it and reap the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Why does this happen? Why do people "stop dieting'? Why isn't everyone able to succeed ?
Being successful in anything takes a lot of hard work, dedication and planning. The same goes with sticking with a diet or rather changing to a healthy lifestyle.
According to Bernard Roth, a professor of engineering at Stanford University changing a few words could be the answer to being successful.  Let's try and put the same theory to being successful in following a diet or lifestyle change and maybe it might help you to be more healthy.
In his new book "The Achievement Habit", Prof. Roth suggests two verbal tweaks that could change the way you think about the world and in doing so become successful in life.
He suggests that:
 Instead of Saying 
 Use the Word
 But
 And
 Have to
 Want to



Let's try to use it in the usual 'dieting parlance':
1)Instead of saying : I have a party to attend, but I'm on a diet
Say: I have a party to attend and I'm on a diet.

According to Prof Roth-using the word 'but' just creates a conflict or a reason for something that actually doesn't exist. By replacing it with 'and' you remove the conflict and simply find a solution to do both. Maybe you'll chose to eat something before going to the party or chose wisely or control the portion size at the party. Here are a couple of articles that can help you to choose wisely and enjoy the party while still not going overboard as far as your diet is concerned:


2) Instead of saying: I have to diet.
Say: I want to diet!
Again, this subtle word swap helps in realizing that what you chose to do, even if they are difficult, are in fact what you have chosen to do for a healthier life.

3)Along with these two, it would also help is if you could swap the word "diet" for "lifestyle change".
A 'diet' brings a mental image of a very restrictive, boring and unappetizing foods which doesn't in anyway help you in sticking to it. A lifestyle change sounds so much better and incorporates not just changes in what you eat but also includes other factors like physical activity that will together change the quality of your life.
So instead of saying:have to go on a diet.
Say: I want to change my lifestyle.

Make these 3 swaps and you could be on your way to leading a healthier life!


Friday, February 5, 2016

How to Exercise When the Weather is Bent on Being a Spoilsport



Don't let the weather be an excuse for not exercising. 

After the long, hot summer months, the monsoon rains bring much needed relief from the heat. The rains, which are a welcome change, can spell the end for outdoor exercises for all health enthusiasts. The rains or even the snow also tend to bring to the table steaming teas along with hot ‘pakoras’.
So how does one take care of the diet and exercise during with all these hurdles?
Here are some tips to help you continue your weight loss journey:
Exercise:
  • Outsmart the rains/snow and join a gym/aerobics/yoga/dance class. Since these are conducted indoors, the rains are highly unlikely to hamper your fitness plans!
  • Invest in some exercise machines like the treadmill/elliptical/exer-cycle and burn those calories without having to leave your home (make sure to exercise otherwise you’ll end up using them to dry your wet clothes)!
  • If joining a gym/exercise class or buying exercise equipment isn’t too friendly on your pocket-then pick up some exercise DVD’s or surf the internet for exercises that you can do at home.
  • Keep yourself active-take the stairs whenever possible, jog inside the house, do simple home exercises.
Doing this will keep your metabolism from slowing down.
Diet:
  • Avoid binging on fried foods (pakoras, chips, namkeens, samosas,etc) as far as possible. Moderation is the key word here.
  • Snack on the grilled buttas/makkai/corn that seem to pop up everywhere with the rains. Nothing smells better than corn being roasted over hot coals on a rainy day, besides the fiber makes it an excellent healthy snack.
  • Eat light meals and keep yourself hydrated by drinking loads of water.
Precautions: A word of caution as the monsoons also brings with it the dangers of waterborne diseases like cholera, jaundice, typhoid and diarrhea.
Here are some tips to avoid falling sick this monsoon:
  • Drink only boiled/ bottled water. Carry a bottle of water from home to avoid drinking water from unsafe sources.
  • All vegetables and fruits should be washed well in clean water especially those that are consumed raw. Avoid eating salads and cut fruits, juices,golas and chaats from the street vendors.
  • Eat home cooked meals as far as possible. If it isn’t feasible at all times, then opt for cooked meals like roti/chawal with sabzi/dal. Avoid sandwiches, raitas, salads, which can contain raw vegetables.
  • With these simple precautions you can prevent yourself from falling sick which will end up as another excuse for not exercising.
Just keep in mind that the monsoon season is no excuse for NOT exercising.