Making food less appealing in an appealing way

Here's a nice way to like chocolate seem less appealing  ....... how about taking yourself to that fabulous sandy beach, on a beautiful day, or somewhere else that is fabulously great which isn't linked to food ......

In a recent study, college students were asked to take themselves back to a time that they loved every time a food craving came up and to maintain the alternate image until the craving faded. In the short time of the study their cravings reduced. http://www.realage.com/health-tips/curb-food-cravings-with-imagination?eid=1010648525&memberid=16531472

No time to exercise?

Often when we are busy the first thing that we skip is the exercise, though in reality 10 minutes is achievable ....

Here are some great tips at

http://www.active.com/women/Articles/Stay-Slim-and-Trim-in-10-Minutes.htm?cmp=17-7-271

• Skip (10 minutes burns 114 calories)
• Run a 10 minute lap eg round the office block, up the street and back
• Wall push ups, to build upper body strength
• A special 10 minute segment on an exercise DVD, or just 10 minutes of a DVD.
• Calf raises or contracting your abdominals whilst standing in a queue
• Dance!!

Quote from confuscious

"When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps."-Confucious


An interesting learning over the past few weeks has been a "fat thinking strategy" of dealing with the inevitable ups and downs of living with 3 step children and my partner.  I have been using the lightning process to help me to stay calm and relaxed around it all and it has worked brilliantly well.  I have noticed though I have absent mindedly been using food as a means of comfort of dealing with it all, just a bit, usually at the end of the day when I am tired. I also have a food diary which I stopped keeping.  


I am very pleased that there are  so many huge positive differences in what I would have done in the old days.  I am pleased that I have kept my weight stable.  I want to wear all those lovely clothes.  So,  the goal is the same and I am rolling back the end point  and taking the learning to adjust what I am doing, and reinstating my food diary!

5 tips on losing weight from Psychologist Prof Richard Wiseman

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12068595

Hi Everyone,

Been through Christmas, and have kept my weight stable, I am very pleased as as far back as I can remember I have put on 4 pounds at Christmas.  I have eaten a bit of chocolate etc, but my rich food strategy has worked well - I have only eaten tiny amounts at a time.  Saw an interesting piece from the New York Times that I'll put in place this week . Apparently researchers have found that a  brisk walk round the block can really dampen cravings.  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/04/health/04really.html?_r=1

Happy New Year!

Jenny

Remembering to Cut down on the refined carbs

Just got back from my evening walk (have a audio great book to accompany it) and am settling down to a nice evening of telly and relaxation.  I came across this interesting article in the LA times - it's rather atkins - and includes a timely reminder about the unuseful way the body processes refined carbs, such as white flour, sugar, potatoes and white rice:

http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-carbs-20101220,0,5464425.story?page=2&utm_medium=feed&track=rss&utm_campaign=Feed:%20latimes/features/health%20(L.A.%20Times%20-%20Health)&utm_source=feedburner

Going Into Christmas Positive and wth a game plan!

Go Into Christmas Positive and wth a game plan!

I am doing OK - strategies are working and I am starting to gain the right weight for me! I was aware I was going into Christmas concerned that I might go completely off track. Brains tend to complete what they picture, so I am starting to fill my brain with how I want to spend Christmas - making heatlhy choices, and really enjoying TINY amounts of the other stuff!

I have  made a decision it's going to be easy!  I know that old belief of  it's going to be hard used to be an almost a self-fulfilling prophesy,  if you expect the lure of that certain food to be irresistible then it will be.

I have a plan, the best way to for achieving our goals.  I know there is going to be snacks around, lots of them, and loads of nice food to pick on.  I have decided to reach the end of the christmas break having eaten around 1200 calories each, by choosing healthful foods and stopping eating when I am full.  I am making a point of saying no when somebody says Jenny would you like one of these, even if it is from the children! (OK maybe I'll say yes  once or twice!).

I have  also made a decision not to feel guilty.  I am already practiced in the strategies of losing weight and I am continuing to use them - putting exercise and keep an eye on the calories.  I'll also stand on those scales next Tuesday!  I want to know how well things are going to fine tune them if I need to.