Tips for a Healthy Valentine's Day

From intimate meals to decadent desserts, couples across the globe will be celebrating romance this February 14th. Love it or hate it, Valentine's Day remains one of the biggest restaurant nights of the year - one that often involves heavy dinners. But with a few tips and some planning, you can get through the big night without adding inches to your waistline.

Step away from the bread basket. If you'd like a roll, grab one then move it outside of your reaching distance. The same goes for chips, should you be at a Mexican restaurant. Grab a small handful and then stay away from them the rest of the night.

Meal modifications are key. Feel free to make special requests. Ask the waiter if they can put the sauce on the side - or to substitute veggies for the french fries. Find out if your meal can be made without butter, oil or salt...anything that could help cut down on calories. And remember: in terms of calories, grilled is usually better than fried and baked is better than braised.

Start out healthy. Consider ordering a light salad or soup to kick things off. This will help to fill you up before you dive into the big meal. You also might want to split an entrée with your significant other.

Practice portion control. Remember that restaurant sizes are often larger than normal. Consider eating half of your meal and putting the rest in a doggie bag.

Avoid all the bells and whistles. Don't add a bunch of extras to your meal. When it comes to a salad, avoid topping it off with buttery croutons, grated cheese, bacon and dollops of high-fat dressing. The same goes with a burger, baked potato and other entrees.

Think red. Red bell peppers, radicchio, cherries, strawberries, red beans, red onions and tomatoes, for example, are all packed with vitamins, cancer-fighting antioxidants or cholesterol-busting fiber and protein. In addition, a daily glass of red wine is believed to help reduce the risk of blood clots and keep the cardiovascular system in shape. So forgo that cocktail, which can be loaded with sugar, and have a glass of red wine instead (and ask if they serve a light version).

Don't always give the gift of chocolate. If you and your significant other are trying to lose or maintain weight, consider purchasing a fruit basket instead of a box of chocolate, or baking a low-calorie dessert. It's also important to remember that a number of sugar-free candies and chocolate brands are available and can be found at your local grocery store or the candy section of an area pharmacy. A bouquet of flowers, healthy cookbook, personal training sessions or a day spa gift certificate could also prove worthy gift substitutes.

Do not completely deprive yourself. Valentine's Day is a time for laughter, fun and food. Having a small slice of cake or a couple truffles will not lead to weight gain. Moderation is key. And if you do pop the lid off that box of chocolates this Valentine's Day, don't feel guilty. Research indicates chocolate is chock-full of healthy compounds and may actually help prevent heart disease, enhance immune systems and give us a feeling of well-being.

Consider dining in this year. A great way to save calories, money and avoid crowds. Find an easy reduced calorie meal that you can cook with or for your significant other at home. Rent some romantic movies and make a healthy dessert, like strawberry shortcake sprinkled with your favorite low-calorie sweetener, and enjoy!

Written at http://www.caloriecontrol.org/articles-and-video/feature-articles/a-heart-healthy-valentines-day

17 Habits Of Thin People -–Habits That Can Help You Keep Your Weight Under Control

Imagine the freedom thin people have to eat anything at any time they wish to eat.

“Aren’t they worried about chances of some disease? How do they maintain to be slimmer always? Do they have any secret habits behind this? Are they thin by nature or have they adopted any peculiar workout to become thin always?”

Well, here you will find some interesting information about the habits of thin people.

These are not something very different from what normally people do. But skinny people might do things differently than a normal person does. Let’s take a look at those habits.

What do thin people do?

1. Completely avoid snacks

Eat three meals in a day. It can include lean protein, fresh and useful vegetables, a good amount of grains etc. Having a well balanced meal without any fatty snacks in between is what they usually do.

2. Water is the primary and most preferred beverage

Our body needs a plenty of water to keep our cells hydrated.

There is no such replacement for water. Drinking tea, soda etc are never good replacements for what water provides to our body.

Almost 80% of our body is in liquid form anddrinking pure water makes sure that our body temperature is kept balanced.

3. Never worry about their body weight

This is one of the main reasons that stop you from freely eating your choice of food. Instead ofworrying about your weight, start eating in an enjoyable manner which can make you healthy and active.

Always think positively by saying yourself that, ‘I am healthy, I have a fit body and I am at my right weight.’

4. Always eat Breakfast

Being the first meal of the day, it is never a good idea to skip breakfast.

Breakfasts jumpstart your day by ‘breaking the fast.‘ It is very significant to have this meal even at your workplace, at your home, the farm, at office, or in school.

Eating a healthy breakfast keeps you set for the rest of the day.

5. Do not skip meals

Naturally thin people never skip meals, especially breakfast.

Have you ever skipped your meal expecting to lose your weight?
If so, keep in mind that you are inviting some diseases your way! Skipping a meal and keeping your stomach empty is harmful for your stomach and its digestive system.

Moreover, the next time you eat after a skipped meal, you have all the chances to eat more food which in turn increase the calories.

6. Concentrate and enjoy the meal

If you notice you can see that skinny people do not do any other activity while they eat. This takes away the entire fun and enjoyment of your food [conscious eating].

7. Know when to eat

Thin people are usually softer. They do not allow any one to spoil their mood. They do not let anyone else down. And they stick to their 3 time meal schedule.

As in some cases, the feelings like disappointment, anger or sadness are misinterpreted as hunger and people tend to eat more [emotional eating].

8. Avoid typical foods

Most of the thin people do not like foods that have the possibility of expansion inside the stomach after we eat.

Bread is a typical example for that. Once you eat a few pieces of bread, it gives you a feeling of full stomach.

But in actuality, it gets expanded inside your stomach and gives you that feeling. Thin people try to avoid these types of foods.

9. Keep away from ice creams

Ice creams contain much fat and less taste except that it is sweet. Flavor is very less in ice creams.

It is always better for you to choose some flavored dish, even though it is just a spoon full.

This always has the advantage over the large amount of half-flavored dish you eat.

10. Eat later

Imagine you are hungry and about to leave your office. What would you do? Will you wait until you reach home and eat something?

Or you would stop by at some of your favorite restaurants on the way home? Normally, people who are overweight do not withstand hunger but thin people are always able to do so.

11. Tired to eat

Unimaginable, right? But there are some cases of thin people who find it a very heavy task to spend time to eat.

12. Sleep as in demand

One of the attracting habits of thin people is that they sleep like their body demands.

Just imagine if you are sleepy and hungry at the same time. What would you prefer to do then? Many of the thin people might give themselves a nap first and then eat and enjoy their food later.

13. Eat when they are hungry

Have you ever tried to find the difference between being hungry and waiting for the time to eat?Naturally thin people eat when they are really hungry.

In other words when it is their eating time, they really are hungry. As said earlier, they are hungry because they do not take in any snacks between their 3-meal schedules .

14. Never cheat the mind

“It is enough. I will eat this too even though it is my most favorite dish. Well, let me have this piece too since my friend is insisting.”

These are some typical instances where you might overeat sometimes. This does not happen with most naturally thin people. They stop eating when they think it is enough for them.

15. “I am hungry”

Desire to eat at a given point of time is not hunger. If you are an over weighted person and so much used to eat, it is definite that it would be very difficult to differ the real hunger even if the time is on.

How do thin people handle this situation? They take only a small portion of food. This would be something good to adopt to bring down your weight.

16. Hate when stomach is full

Some studies have shown that thin people do not like the feeling of a full stomach. They think that it greatly affects their following time at office and their work performance.

17. “I know how much to eat”

It is true that you eat only 3 times a day.

What if you get to eat your favorite dish all the time? Would you stop when you have to? This is very much important.

Most thin people are able to stop when they are done with their portion even if it is their favorite food. So the next time you see a thin person pass by your direction, you no longer have to be puzzled why they are thin and look leaner than most of the people around you.

They just happened to employ ordinary measures that all the other thin individuals do. Thin people just happened to approach life differently. In this regard, it is never too late to change yours.

If you want to become thin, you might as well consider what have been doing and try incorporating their healthy habits to your lifestyle. Who knows, after a month or two you will already achieve what you have been dreaming about.

Lastly, don’t be insecure with thin people because sometimes their bodies were just made that way.
Written by Neelima Reddy at http://www.weightlossdietwatch.com/features/17-habits-of-thin-people/

7 Healthy Holiday Tips To Help You Reach Your Weight Loss Goals

With visions of sugar plums and holiday treats dancing in your head it is time for you to follow my healthy holiday tips for weight loss. According to the British Nutrition Foundation, between the holidays of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s, people gain between three and seven extra pounds. Although that may not seem like a large weight gain, once this weight is gained most people do not lose it. As your certified trainer I can help you with my healthy holiday tips so that you can reach your weight loss goals!

1. Start Your Day with a Workout

With the sun rising later in the winter due to daylight savings, it is often hard to get motivated to get up out of bed and get going. Get up and push yourself to a wake up workout so you have the payoff of bettered health, more energy, and a better body. I rise early every day because this is usually the only time I can find to dedicate to focus on my personal fitness so do what works with your schedule. This is one of my effective holiday tips that really transforms you.

2. Stock Your Home with Healthy Treats

Ditch the apple pie from your countertop and replace this with some healthy baked apples with a sprinkle of cinnamon you will be sure to love. You will save some calories and your waistline by making the healthier choice. And make sure your home is stocked with plenty of fruit as your healthy treats.

3. Entertain The Healthy Way

Do you find yourself begging your guests to take the leftover pie home so you can eliminate temptation? Stop feeding your guests all the foods that you do not even want in your home and make skinny changes. If you make dark chocolate covered strawberries you are providing your guests with some antioxidants and you will be guilt free. A fruit salad is always the star of all the dessert platters so why not make this for your next holiday event.

 4. Keep a Food Diary

Start keeping a food diary so you can track your food intake. This comes in handy over the holidays when you are cooking. Often when we graze throughout the day we are unaware that all this extra noshing can add up to mega calories. You can track your calories online on myfitnesspal.com or any other online site you choose.

5. Share Your Knowledge with Friends And Family

If your friends and family are asking you how you look so good, share your fitness and health knowledge. If you pay it forward and motivate them, you will better their health and you will feel great. Remember to only share this information to willing individuals because if they are not interested you could get on their nerves which is definitely not a good thing. I never push but I always help those that have open arms and positive energy.

6. Enjoy Your Hot Beverage

Did you know? If you substitute your daily latte, apple cider or hot chocolate for a cup of coffee or tea, it can save between 150 and 500 calories a day. Over the three-month winter period of pre and post-holiday time, that’s a saving of up to 21,000 calories - equivalent to 6 pounds of body fat! Now that is well worth the swap!

7. Catch Plenty of Zzzzzs

According to a Case Western Reserve University study, women who sleep for five or fewer hours a night are 32 percent more likely to gain weight and 15 percent more likely to become obese than women who sleep for seven or more hours. It is believed that lack of sleep may slow metabolism or decrease the calories burned by spontaneous activities such as fidgeting. What better reason could there be to get some extra shut eye this winter? Eeek I better start getting more sleep! Do you get adequate sleep?

I hope my tips will help you avoid holiday weight gain and have a blessed and healthy holiday season. Wishing you good health and cheer for a happy new year! Are you ready to make healthy changes this holiday season?

To find out more by Tara Zimliki, please go to http://weightloss.allwomenstalk.com/healthy-holiday-tips-to-help-you-reach-your-weight-loss-goals.

Proven Methods to Avoid Overeating

If you have ever tried to lose weight, you know how difficult it is to stay clear of the foods that caused you to gain weight in the first place. Once you start a diet, how many times do you search for reasons to tell your self, it's ok, have a piece of cake or slice of pizza? If you're like me, fairly frequently. The problem is, once I have a "forbidden food", I tell myself I might as well go ahead and eat want I want the rest of the day and then start fresh tomorrow. Tomorrow comes then I tell myself, I will wait and get a fresh start on Monday. If you are a career dieter, you know exactly what I am talking about.
There are several situations that cause me to repeat this cycle over and over again.
I will share four of these situations and what I do to overcome the temptation.

Situation # 1 - Parties and Social Events

 Christmas parties, birthday parties, anniversaries, weddings, etc. What they all have in common is an abundance of food. When you pass on that piece of pie or cheese dip, other guest encourage you to try just a little. They tell you one piece won't hurt; besides it's a special occasion. Soon you have a nibble then another and so on. Before you know it, you are stuffed and feeling guilty.

How I avoid it:
Just before leaving, I will enjoy a large healthy meal so I am full for the next couple of hours. If I do get hungry, and I typically do, the first thing I will go for is the veggie tray. Often times, veggies may not be available so a little food knowledge will come in handy. Search the table for other healthy alternatives. If there are sandwiches on whole grain bread, you are in good shape. If not, toss the bread and enjoy a piece of ham or turkey. Just stay away from the chicken wings, chips and dips. If you are asked to bring a dish, make sure it is healthy choice so you are sure to have a healthy snack. Many times I will bring the veggie tray and/or flavored rice cakes. If you have no other choice, choose the healthiest food and eat a small portion.

Situation #2 - Spouse or Significant Other Sabotage

It's difficult to eat healthy if your spouse or significant other does not necessarily eat the same way. Not that they would try to sabotage your diet, it's just not food choices they currently want to make.

How I avoid it:
My wife does not always eat the same things I do, but that's ok. We normally make enough chicken or fish to last a couple of days. That way I always have a good choice for a lunch, snack or dinner. If my wife decides she wants pasta and garlic bread, I boil broccoli, heat a piece of chicken and we are both happy. If she insists on Chinese, I will make the healthiest choice off the menu and eat in moderation. I just make sure it is the exception and not the rule.

Situation # 3 - When Looking in the Mirror, you don't see yourself as Overweight

How I avoid it.
Many times I look in the mirror and say to myself, "self, you don't look that over weight". When I see a picture with me in it, my response changes, it's more like, "Oh my gosh, I can't believe how fat I look. So grab your worst fat picture and keep it with you. Next time you decide you want a piece of pizza, look at the picture.

Situation # 4 - All or Nothing Attitude

This situation is my worst enemy. A cold Friday night, my wife and I snuggle up and watch a movie. She decides she wants pizza so I think about situation # 2 and say ok, I will have just a piece or two. Well the pizza gets there and I have a piece or two. Next thing I know, I am telling myself, "well, you already blew it, might as well eat all you want and start fresh tomorrow.

How I avoid it.
This is the most difficult situation for me. I find often times I just can't avoid it so we compromise. Normally, we decide I am too weak. She understands and supports my efforts to be healthy. We will opt instead to make our own pizza. You would be surprised how good a whole grain tortilla, grilled chicken, fat free cheese, tomato sauce, onion and turkey bacon taste oven baked!. There are times she will order a pizza but she will either get a personal size or the next smallest. That way, if I do fall to temptation, there will not be too much to eat.

Written byMike Conley at: http://ezinearticles.com/?Proven-Methods-to-Avoid-Overeating&id=340641

Raw Food Benefits - Uncommon Tips for the Uncommon Eater

If you eat raw, you're most likely idealist like me. You want the energy to do the things you want. You want to look good in your body and feel good in your mind. And you want to avoid the ailments of modern society. Experience and study have shown that these guidelines help bring about that favorable lifestyle.

Optimal Digestion: Chewing and Liquids

Digestion doesn't begin after you swallow. 80% of the enzymes that break down fats, sugars and proteins dwell in your mouth.

Cooked food doesn't usually require much chewing so most people aren't keen on using the old jaw bone. But simply chewing more makes meals more nutritious! More of the food becomes usable to the body. It goes toward building muscle and energizing you instead of being stored as fat. 

• Chew your food until its warm and sweet.

Warmth means proteins and fats are being broken down. Sweetness indicated that sugars are burning.

People usually have a beverage with their meals. But liquids swish digestive enzymes out of the mouth. It takes at least 20 minutes for the mouth the gain its normal digestive power after drinking.

• Enjoy drinks about half an hour before meals

Having green juices 30 minutes before eating solid food actually boosts digestion. The vegetable juices stimulate enzyme activity.

Food Combining: Melons are good.. ALONE

The common melon digests in about 20 minutes. Other foods take 2 hours or more. Throw a melon in with slower digesting foods and it will ferment. This doesn't exactly feel the most pleasant and might leave you gassy.

• Melons go in alone

You really shouldn't eat unsoaked nuts and seeds at all. Every one of them (except hemp) contains enzyme inhibitors that stop your digestive enzymes from properly breaking down food.

But if you do decide to eat some unsprouted almonds or some dried sunflower seeds, don't combine them with others foods. Their slow digesting proteins take the longest to digest. Other foods will be over digested, causing bloating and nausea.

• Combine only soaked nuts and seeds with other foods

Usually sweet and acid fruits (example: pears and sour apples) don't mix well. They call for two different digestion responses. A confused stomach expends a lot of valuable energy and leaves you drained.

Don't mix sweet and sour fruits.

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There is one exception. Lemons have proven themselves very versatile! They promote digestion when combined with just about anything.

We went (or are going) raw because we want to look and feel our best. Simple tips like these make all the difference. Little distinctions help you get the results you want and keep moving forward. Why try to figure it all out on your own? Experienced raw fooders want to give you their wisdom so you don't have to suffer the trial and error. So take advantage of this Free Raw Food Diet Presentation and discover the proven raw food diet strategies of thriving raw fooders.

Written by Angela R Parker at: http://ezinearticles.com/?Raw-Food-Benefits---Uncommon-Tips-for-the-Uncommon-Eater&id=6328136

Juice Weight Loss Recipes - A Sweet Way Towards a Perfect Body

Today, losing weight can now be done in a very juicy way. Unlike other weight loss methods, juice weight loss recipes do not oblige you to eat boring food and to indulge in tiring exercises. Before, the perfect juice for losing weight is a glass of water with a splash of lemon. However, there are a lot of other more exciting juice recipes that can help men and women to be perfectly fit today.
What is good about these juice recipes is that they give natural vitamins to your body that are of no question great for your health. Fruit and vegetable juices can make the stomach feel full considering the fact that it actually is not a full meal. This is actually fine since weight loss juices can give you the nutrients you can get from a full meal.
Diet juices can be made in a lot of variations, from a single fruit to a combination of two or more. It can also be a mix of a fruit and a vegetable. Whatever you wish to combine, that is fine as long as you get to enjoy it. Here are some juice weight loss recipes that can become your exciting weight loss buddy daily:

• Flying Orange Juice. This is made out of two pears, three grapefruits plus one sweet potato. Indeed, this is a sweet and refreshing drink, without any hangover.
• Papaya Passion. To have this, you must prepare a combination of one medium-sized papaya, one red apple, and five pitted dates on it.
• Strawberry Delight. This includes a refreshing blend of around four to eight strawberries, one to two bananas, and about eight to 10 dates.
• Potassium Drink. This juice differs in any other weight loss juice recipes because it is richer in vitamins and it contains potassium. This is a blend of one celery stalk, a handful of spinach, a handful of parsley, four carrots, and half a lemon.
• Joggers' Paradise.  This is another healthy juice made from a combination of one small yam, three oranges, and two pears. This juice is commonly known as muscle-blasting and power-pushing juice drink.
• Calcium Drink. A glass of calcium drink can be accomplished with a combination of three carrots, an apple, half a cup of broccoli, a handful of parsley, and half a lemon.

Moreover, these combinations of fruits and vegetables are helpful keys in detoxifying your body and are proven to be useful in internal cleansing. They also increase the vitamin intake of the body. Basically, a glass of juice done in a combination of fruits and vegetables also provides a package of vitamins, enzymes, minerals, and photochemical that is helpful for the health of your body.
So if you no longer want to suffer from your tiring exercise workouts and from your boring food diet, you can take a glass of juice and get the same results. For sure, if you have a regular intake of any of these juice weight loss recipes, you will never have to lose with your weight problem. One sip of a refreshing and sweet juice can definitely give you a sweet result.

Written by Ronald Yip at: http://ezinearticles.com/?Juice-Weight-Loss-Recipes---A-Sweet-Way-Towards-a-Perfect-Body&id=3113840

Developing a Healthy Weight Loss Plan

This has been in for a long while now; a little flab here and an extra inch there are widely regarded as being bad news. Look around and you will see weight loss representatives eager to help you start off on programs for healthy weight loss. "Healthy" -- now that is a word to emphasize. Fad diets are all over the place these days. Most often, they are not ways of guaranteeing healthy weight loss. After all, what is the point of losing weight if you end up with metabolism-related problems? Obesity does lead to health problems, but so do fad diets. So how does one come across a healthy weight loss program?

Obesity eats your energy levels and affects your self-esteem. Your neighbors might suggest a crash diet program that worked wonders for her. However, this does not mean that the same diet would work for you. Yo-yo dieting is bad news for health more often than not. Cut down on your fatty indulgences and drink some protein shakes and you could be on your way to losing fat and building muscles. On the flip side, however, you could end up with kidney troubles. Similarly, reducing your calorie intake might help you shave off a few inches in the short term. However, the weight loss might not be a permanent one.

So how does one come up with a healthy weight loss plan? Popeye, the well-known cartoon character is always shown eating spinach, while his friend Wimpy is constantly chowing on hamburgers and fries. The results are there for all to see. While Wimpy is flabby, Popeye is muscular enough to take on any villain that comes his way. It is just another reminder that the key to healthy weight loss lies in eating right.

To begin with, one's weight loss targets need to be reasonable. You can't just wake up a week before Christmas and hope to lose twenty pounds before that Christmas Eve party. Not only is this an unreasonable target, but achieving it can only be done through unhealthy means. You need to develop a healthy weight loss plan. This would involve setting reasonable goals. Tell yourself that you will lose two pounds a week and work towards it. Start slow, be patient and be persistent -- that is the secret to healthy weight loss.

It is best to visit a doctor or a qualified dietitian to figure out what would be a healthy weight loss plan for you. Each person has a different kind of metabolism combined with different health issues. You will need to chart out a suitable diet plan that will give you your daily dose of carbohydrate, calories, proteins, fats, and vitamins. You would also have to start doing some regular exercise. You could set out for a jog every morning; or you could get together with some friends and join an aerobics class. If you are the sporty type, playing tennis more often could work wonders. Healthy weight loss need not be a faraway dream if you are focused on your goal.

"Lose 10 Pounds in 1 Month" (realistically)

Written by Ethan Quinn and available at: http://ezinearticles.com/?Developing-a-Healthy-Weight-Loss-Plan&id=1330590

Dieting on the Holidays, Tips For Christmas

If you have been on a diet or maintaining your weight and you don't want to blow it during the holidays, here are some healthy holiday tips.

Can one meal of eating whatever you want really hurt you? The answer is yes. It does a couple of things. After you eat the big meal, it could make you feel sluggish, which will get you a little depressed, because you knew you should not have eaten that much. Then you could see a couple pound weight gain.

You should enjoy some of your favorite foods in moderation. You only live once, and the holidays are important. Don't try to totally diet, it could backfire and make you feel more stressed on the holidays. Treat yourself to good food, less fat, and moderation. Don't use January 1st as a date for watching you weight again. Watch you weight the day after the big holiday meal. Here are some tips for the holidays.

Don't bring home leftovers from the relatives house. That will not be a good idea. If you have leftovers, save just a little bit for your house. Give the rest to your company.

You can substitute some of your foods with less fat ingredients, or less fat items.

Instead of making a turkey, and using heavy stuffing, make Cornish Hens. They are like little chickens with a mild taste. Stuff it with Lipton-Knorr Chicken Rice - Rice Sides, a package rice you prepare. When preparing only cook on stove so it is still pretty moist, when you stuff it in the hens, it will cook more in oven. When hens are almost done drizzle on top Ocean Spray can fruit, Crushed Fruit, it is in a container in the fruit isle that looks like a soft margarine plastic tub.

Instead of Green Bean Casserole, just make some of the steamable whole green bean variety bag and sprinkle 2% Parmesan cheese on top. Squash or yams baked with a little light margarine and cinnamon is also good. If you must have rolls, eat only one. Pillsbury make a reduced fat crescent rolls, that you bake.

Here are some kid friendly low fat desert ideas. Make Rice Krispie gift package treats. Make Rice Krispie Treats as indicated on back of cereal box. I only use 2 1/2 tbl of margarine not 3. Cut into small squares, take the peeling kind of red licorice, the string kind, and wrap around each side of treat and tie in a bow. Take a round plate and layer them around, put another set of treats , going in a little. Keep adding layers until only one will fit on top, and it should look like a tree.

Take fancy beverage glasses, and make Jell-o Parfaits, with sugar free Jell-o and lite Cool Whip. Use red and green Jell-o. Refer to Mykoodles.com for recipe.

If you are making cookies on the holidays, give some away as gifts. Only keep a few days worth in your house. Oatmeal raisin cookies are healthy, if you don't eat a lot. Peanut butter is a good source of protein, but is high in fat.

Written by Lauren Jones at: http://ezinearticles.com/?Dieting-on-the-Holidays,-Tips-For-Christmas&id=1754814