I really should put this blog under the category of “Food” because that’s what I want to be doing right now – eating food. However, I am not going to because both my trainer and my pilates instructor read this blog. Soooooo…
In case any of you are dropping a few pounds mid-summer, here are a couple of my tips and tricks, all of which will hopefully be featured in Tracey Mallett’s new Body After Baby book. We’ll see!
* Sleep in your gym clothes. That way when you wake up in the morning you just have to put your socks and tennies on and head out the door. I happen to think it’s better if you’re still asleep because then you won’t notice as much how painful the whole thing is.
* Drink Diet Seltzer water. Diet Seltzer on ice with a squeeze of lime really does feel like a cocktail.
* Suck in your tummy. I have this little ball in my car that has like a spring or chime or something in it that when I turn corners it will randomly make a sound. I know this sounds cuckoo but every time I hear the chime I suck my stomach in (and mention something to myself that I am thankful for. The thankful part has nothing to do with losing weight other than it gets me out of a rancid mood usually.)
* Listen to books/classes on tape when you exercise. Sometimes the only way I can go for my power walk (or treadmill run, etc.) is if I’m going to look forward to whatever it is I’ve got on tape. I currently love Edward Hallowell’s Crazy Busy and also Ready for Anything by David Allen because they motivate me and make me feel great. If you listen to books on tape you’ll want to exercise just so you can hear what happens next in the story.
* Eat whole fruit pops (whether you make them yourself or Dreyer’s does.) I have a raging sweet tooth and sometimes that only thing that helps is to indulge. The real fruit pops are good because they are sweet but not too caloric. Sugar free Jello works too.
* Drink green tea. Don’t know why but it helps.
* Saw Oprah yesterday and Dr. Oz was on with a good reminder. Get lots of fiber. Fiber keeps your whole system going and keeps you full. I forget this one every now and then but I swear that when I start the day with McCann’s Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal (not the instant but the real 30 minute stuff – make it in two batches for the next day too) I eat less.
* Pre-prepare everything. I make a huge batch of fruit salad and now buy the big tray of cut vegetables with ranch dressing at the market. When I’m starving and just feel like eating, I have something to reach for that’s more exciting than just an apple.
Good luck! As of today I’ve still got 15.5 pounds to go but I’m getting there!
Photo compliments of www.amihungry.com
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