Quit Packing on the Pounds!

In the quest for a better body, you visit the gym regularly, shop for veggies and lean protein, drink lots of water…right? As much as you strive to do the best and be the best, there are some bumps in the road. Some that you might not even realize, and some that you might just be ignoring.

Here are 3 very common diet danger zones that you need to be aware of:

1. Liquid Calories - These are so dangerous for your diet! A Starbucks Iced Caramel Mocha, Non-Fat, No-Whip is 410 calories, but will not fill you up and has no nutritional value. So, then you find yourself eating lunch on top of that, and ending up with a much higher calorie count than you should have. On the same note, drinking margaritas at happy hour will give you higher calories than if you had a glass of white wine. The better choice is to have a seltzer water with lime, or an iced tea. If you must indulge in an alcoholic beverage, shoot for a lower calorie glass of wine, or a wine spritzer. And when it comes to your coffee, just take it black, and save all the sugar and cream. You will have saved yourself the no-no of downing the caloric equivalent of an entire meal, and you will be on the path to losing weight.
2. Weekend Binges - When you've been "good" all week, it can be tempting to over-indulge on the weekend. I know this one all too well. Sunday Brunch is the culprit in my case. Oh, monday is not till tomorrow, so I can treat myself today! Well, add to that dinners out with friends on friday and saturday nights, and you've got an enitre weekend of bingeing. The better plan is to eat just as healthy as you would on a weekday, and let yourself have a "treat" every day of the week. If that is a Bloody Mary on sunday morning, fine. A small basket of chips and salsa with a cocktail on friday happy hour, fine. Just don't cheat yourself of a better body because you went all out from Friday at 5pm till Sunday when you fell asleep.
3. Lunch at the Desk - We know that eating in front of the TV is bad, you tend to eat more and lose track of portions, but the same is true if you nosh at the computer. Cracking open your lunch while working, responding to emails, returning phone calls, etc. leaves you with the distinct feeling that you never even ate lunch, because you never enjoyed it. Take your wekk deserved lunch break, sit outside with a girlfriend and eat your lunch, go to the office kitchen and chat with co-workers while you eat, or make a lunch date with a friend for salads. Focus on your food and you will eat less of it, and feel more satisfied.

Be eXcellent! - Ms. X