The New You and Improved Diet
My clients are often surprised when I ask them about all the areas of their lives unrelated to food. I ask about sleep, stress, how organized their fridge is, and when was the last time they got a massage among other things.
[See Stressed Out? Try Mindfulness Meditation]
This is because no matter how motivated you are, and no matter how great that grocery list is, if you do not "fix" and control all the non-food areas of your life, you won't be successful with dieting, your jeans won't fit better, and you will not be or feel any healthier. That sounds rough, huh? It doesn't have to be!
My new book, The New You and Improved Diet: 8 Rules to Lose Weight and Change Your Life Forever is about eating--not NOT eating. The first rule is: Eat More, Not Less. Of course this eating should consist of you choosing healthful, delicious, whole, and unprocessed foods. But this is just one of the eight rules! None of the others are about eating!
Unlike much of what you may have read, this book discusses all the other areas of our lives that affect our health, wellness, and, of course, weight. It describes how they connect and how they can help you finally be your best you now!
Let's take a look at a couple of rules to give you a little taste of the book (pun intended!) and help you put some New You into your life ASAP!
Breathe Your Way Thin: Excessive stress can wreak havoc on our health. An estimated 75 to 90 percent of all doctors' visits are related to stress. Scientists will tell you that stress is responsible for contributing to disease, lowered immunity, and, yes, increased hunger!
Deep breathing helps to reduce and release this stress. You can use deep breathing to undo some of the hormonal damage caused by stress.
Here is your tip: Before each meal or snack, breathe in while counting to eight, hold your breath for a heartbeat or two, and then exhale slowly while counting to eight. You feel better already, don't you?
[See Forget Yoga. Try One of These Quirky Ways to De-Stress]
Put Yourself First: Health researchers have found a persistent connection between poor self care, low self esteem, and binge eating.
So many people come into my office after years of practicing poor self care. Instead of spending a little extra time finding pleasure in things that they enjoy, such as reading a book, taking a long shower, or going to a movie, they shove a sleeve of oreos in their mouths for a moment of immediate gratification (that is often followed by feeling gross and some regret).
[See How to Conquer Food Cravings]
Pampering with food doesn't work, but you may need help learning that pampering yourself with preventative care will take away the need for those oreos!
Here is your tip: Take five minutes for a tender gesture of self care at the end of every day. You might flip through a magazine, call a friend, look at photos, or use the face mask you got for your birthday. Looking forward to this time every day will remind you that your soul needs feeding as much as your body needs food.
[See How to Stop Feeling Selfish About 'Me Time']
These are just two of the eight behaviors that will unveil the thinner, healthier, and happier you. If you begin to pay attention to all of the behaviors that will make you whole and healthy, the weight loss will be a pleasant side effect. The increased energy and happier disposition will motivate you to stick with your hard work. The New You will almost magically transform, and you will be thinner, happier, feel better, and have more energy!!
Hungry for more? Write to eatandrun@usnews.com with your questions, concerns, and feedback.
Keri Glassman, MS, RD, CDN, is the founder and president of Keri Glassman, Nutritious Life, a nutrition practice based in New York City, and Nutritious Life Meals, a gourmet, healthy, daily diet delivery program available across the U.S. She is a member of Women's Health Magazine's advisory board and has authored four books: The New You and Improved Diet, Slim Calm Sexy Diet, The O2 Diet, and The Snack Factor Diet. Her expertise is regularly featured on the Today show, Good Morning America, and Access Hollywood Live, among others, and she hosts "A Little Bit Better" on Youtube's Livestrong Woman channel. Read more of Keri's tips every day on Facebook!
