Friday, July 25, 2008

HEALTHIER EATING


GENERAL GUIDELINES
Knowing what, when, and how much to eat plays a vital role in establishing, healthy eating habits. Following these simple guidelines and maintaining an eating discipline will optimize your energy level and ability to burn calories. One of the most powerful ways to successfully change your eating habits is to keep a journal. By keeping track of your food intake and your exercise, it takes the guess work out of knowing what worked for you and what didn't. So you can easily adjust and fine tune your diet plan to your personal experiences and needs.
WHY DIET MATTERS
It shows that diet and exercise go hand and hand to promote fitness and physical performance. One reason for this relationship is that when you expend more calories that you consume, you burn body fat and built lean muscle. But since you need energy to exercise, or to do anything for that matter, you must insure everything you eat is of the highest quality to provide you with the fuel you need. Another reason that diet matters is metabolism. A nutrient rich well intervened diet program keeps your metabolism rate high to burn the maximum amount of calories, even when you not working out. A healthy diet regulates blood sugar to balance hormonal secretions, promoting optimal fat burn and a steady energy supply to the body.
WHEN TO EAT
It is important to follow a regular eating schedule. First, it keeps your blood sugar stable instead of peaking and crashing, which can lead to overheating during exercise and a generally poor feeling. Second, regular meals will speed up your metabolism by challenging it to keep burning calories, instead of storing them in a game of "feast or famine."
TOSS THE JUNK
Any time is always a good time to get rid of all the junk food you currently possess. Food high in saturated and trans fat, sodium, and sugar should be the first to be thrown out ( i.e., processed meats, cookies, candy, pastries, chips, soda, high-sodium frozen foods, canned soups etc.). You know them. You think you love them. They are the problem. Throw them away and don't get that stuff anymore. If you taking a diet plan seriously remember if you think its junk food, it probably is.
"Don'ts" that can throw you off your diet plan ¨
Skipping meals and eating off schedule. ¨ Following fads and trends, such as overemphasizing certain food groups and completely excluding others. ¨ Not planning your food choices ahead. ¨ Skimping on fruits and vegetables, your natural supply of anti aging nutrients.

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