ACCORDING TO many statistics, about 75 percent of Americans are either trying to lose or maintain their weight. "Dieting" has become as American, shall we say, as apple pie.
Now, with Thanksgiving behind us, many are surely feeling not only the post-Thanksgiving bloat around the waistline, but feeling guilty as well.
Well, there's no need in crying over spilled milk; you enjoyed the holiday and now it's time to get back on track.
Sure, you could go on another crazy diet and lose a few pounds quickly, but why not stop dieting and just change your diet permanently?
Honestly, if your goal is to get healthy and fit, then do yourself a favor and stop dieting - changing your diet permanently along with daily exercise is the optimal way to maintain weight loss.
Sorry, even with all of the technological, pharmacological, and surgical procedures, despite all these so-called advances, when the rubber meets the road, you still have to do the only proven method for permanent weight loss and maintenance, which is: portion control and exercise.
That's it. It's just that simple, although I admit it's hard. Just remember, what gets measured gets improved.
The simplest way to start is to begin by eating less of the foods you currently enjoy.
Initially, try cutting back 25 percent of what you typically eat. Let's say, if you typically eat a sandwich, cut it in quarters and eat only three of the quarters. If you put 10 sugars in your coffee, try seven. If you generally drink three 16-ounce sodas each day, cut it down to two. Modest changes like this will add up to nearly 500 fewer calories, which will net you big-time weight loss over time.
Adding simple daily exercises such as walking, swimming, calisthenics and stretching will not only help you to manage your weight, but more importantly, also strengthen and tone your body.
No, you don't have to run in marathons, become a vegan, or a bodybuilder to achieve your goals.
You simply must decide to get out of denial, stop looking for the next quick fix and get into the driver's seat of your life.
As best stated by the great Chinese philosopher, Lao-tzu, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
Kimberly Garrison is a wellness coach and owner of One on One Ultimate Fitness in Philadelphia. Her column appears Wednesdays. More at 1on1ultimatefitness.com.
