Healthy Heart Tips

You have probably let your weight go a bit, are eating the wrong foods and not getting enough exercise. It is time to take some serious action. Start with setting some realistic goals and come up with a healthy eating plan that works for you where you are eating wholesome and nutritionally balanced meals that are calorie controlled, reduced in fat and salt and high in fibre and protein.

Use these 10 tips to help you stay motivated.

1. Make a list of all the most important reasons why you need to lose weight keeping in mind the difference it will make to your heart, the rest of your body, and your mood. Stick it on the fridge so you can constantly be reminded of your goals.
2. Stay positive. Aim to be successful. The main key to weight loss and good health is a positive attitude. If things get a too hard, talk to someone about it.
3. Weigh yourself every day. Don’t worry if the weight loss is slow, especially after the first few weeks. If you see your weight rise, take action. Ask yourself why and change what you may be doing wrong. Move more, keep your food portions under control, and remind yourself of the difference it will make.
4. Reward your successes. Congratulate yourself on your achievements, even if progress is slow. Keep an old photo of yourself to remind you of how far you have come.
5. Keep your splurges under control. If you really want to give yourself that occasional treat, make sure you cut down on calories somewhere else, and do a bit of extra exercise.
6. Keep a record. Write down what you eat every day and how much you are exercising. Read your notes regularly. It has been proven that this can really help with motivation and weight loss.
7. Keep your portions under control. The less you put on your plate the less you will eat, and you will slowly get used to eating smaller portions. Take less of the high calorie food and eat bigger portions of vegies and salads. Eat slowly.
8. Make sure you get your daily exercise. Even the slightest bit of exercise burns calories and relieves stress. Regular half hour walks at least 4 times a week can help with weight loss
9. Enjoy how you feel. As you lose weight and exercise, you will keep feel better than you did before. You may also find you sleep better and have more energy. Even losing just a few kilos can do wonders for your body and your mood.
10. Consume less sugar. If you really crave something sweet, eat just a small portion. Eat slowly, savour every bite, and resist the temptation to have more.