HEALTH IS A PRECIOUS GIFT

Our health is a precious gift from God. Our diet plays an important role in health. How wise it is for us to seek to do the best we can in what we eat. How important for us to exercise self-discipline and self-control when tempted to eat what we know is not good for us. God gave these truths to us for our benefit. To me it's a privilege to be healthy,  to look healthy and to feel healthy spiritually, emotionally, and financially when I'm shopping. Others notice what we say and do as well. When we ignore these truths, we hurt ourselves and, as so often is the case, others are made to suffer, as well.

ARE OTHER PEOPLE MAKING YOUR DIET FAIL?

Diet and weight loss programs are notoriously hard to stick to. For many people starting and successfully completing a diet is one of the toughest things to do. It is also one of the most rewarding.

In this article I want to make you aware of something that can have a huge affect on you losing weight. And believe it or not it's nothing to do with which diet you take or whether or not you exercise. Instead I want to focus on how other people can stop you from losing weight.

You can be made of mentally strong stuff. You might have stuck at a diet and exercise program without  a  image for weeks. And then, out of the blue, you're invited to a meal with friends or maybe a work lunch. You know you're going to have to eat out and you start to get a little nervous. Sticking to your diet at home is fine because you are in control. You have picked the food in your cupboards and fridge.

Eating out is a whole different story. Your friends, family or work colleagues may be eating the fattiest and most unhealthy meals on the menu and you feel tempted. You're only human after all.

So what can you eat without destroying your diet? You can choose one meal a week that is your favorited food, because you are adjusting to change.

It is very important that people know you are on a diet program. If they know this and you are intent on losing weight they are much less likely to try to encourage you to eat something that will get you off track. So be honest and up front from the start explaining that you are in the process of shedding a few pounds and want to stick to it.

If they are genuine people they will be impressed by your strength and determination. When picking from the menu, it's best to pick something that is made up of mostly salads, vegetables or fruits. It won't taste as nice as the steaks and other feasts but it will allow you to stay on track and eat the healthiest things on the menu.

The problem with eating out is that even if the meals that could usually be quite healthy, like a chicken salad can often be full of fat. Especially if there is a ton of dressing on it. So it's best to order something that has no dressing and preferably no meat. Often restaurants fry the meat for speed and this is what makes the food so tasty but unfortunately also so unhealthy.

Raw vegetables are always a good choice, because they help you burn fat by boosting your metabolism. So any raw vegetable dish without a dressing will keep you sticking to a healthy diet.

Another thing to do is to use control if there is a buffet cart there. It is important that when you lose weight you concentrate on eating regular, small sized meals throughout the day. A buffet cart can easily cause problems because it is so tempting to go back for seconds and then thirds.

Check the amount of food you are going to eat before you take that bite. If you think that the food provided to you exceed the portion control limit you are allowed, eat according to your portion limit and then carry the leftovers back home to be eaten on the next day. Ask for a box from the restaurant for leftovers.

Drink water or pure fruit juice instead of alcohol or fizzy drinks that are packed with calories, because it will make your meal an unhealthy one in regards to your goals.

I need to reiterate the point that it is fine to eat out now and then. However be sure that if this is a regualar occurrence you exercise caution or you could find yourself being more and more impartial to the fatty foods that you have worked so hard to avoid. All it takes is a few meals for you to want to get off your diet and back onto your old program of unhealthy foods and fats.

Stick to your program. Your health and future depend on it. Stay focus and stable.

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STAYING ON TRACK FOR LONG TERM WEIGHT LOSS

The idea that you have to change your lifestyle to change your weight is not a new one. It is just common sense that if you are overweight then there is some part of your every day life that needs to be corrected. This could be an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise or a combination of other things.

What many people struggle to realize is that changing your every day lifestyle is not an easy thing to do. Many people start new diet programs more than happy to make changes if it means they'll lose weight. Unfortunately when the going gets a little tougher than they expected they tend to give up very easily.

There is more to weight loss than just diet and exercise. You need to change your lifestyle and be motivated and have the right mindset in order to begin a diet in the first place. It is the most important, and least talked about factor in successful weight loss.

The first step in staying on track for long term weight loss is to realize that you really can do it. The only difference between those who lose weight successfully and those who fail is persistence.

In order to stay motivated and persistent you need to avoid thinking negatively. When you don't see instant results think positively and keep your eyes on the prize. If you constantly focus on why you can't exercise or can't lose weight or stick to a diet you'll end up failing.

Instead focus on small victories at a time. Most people want to lose lots of weight and do it quickly. They have a long term goal in mind but are not sure how they're going to get there. Well by focusing on small challenges at a time you will find you are much more positive. By focusing on the next meal or the next exercise rather than only massive weight loss you'll find yourself being a lot more positive over a consistent period.

Don't criticise yourself if you do make the odd slip up. We're all allowed to make a mistake every now and then. And if you find yourself getting a quick burger at  lunch time, don't beat yourself up over it. This will only result in you becoming despondent about your diet. Instead get back on track by working off some of the calories from the slip up with a good exercise.

Make sure that the people you surround yourself with know that you have a weight loss goal. If your friends and family know that you are on a diet program they are much less likely to try and tempt you to fast food restaurants and to places where your plans and goals can go out of the window. Tell them that you want and need their support if you are to reach where you want to be. If you follow these tips there is no reason why you won't be able to lose weight. Remember, that you can achieve whatever you believe in your mind. If you believe you can lose weight you will.

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TRUE TEMPERANCE

True temperance, is to dispense entirely with everything hurtful and to use judiciously that which is healthful.

Question! How temperate are you? In what areas do you need to change? Are you suffering from some negative effects from wrong practices?

Some of us do not realize how much our habits of diet have to do with our health, our character, our usefulness in this world, and our eternal destiny.

Our appetite should ever be in subjection to the moral and intellectual powers. Our body should be servant to our mind and not the mind to our body.

REMEMBER! Information is not preventive if we do not act on it.

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THE PRIVILEGE OF FOOD AND A DIET

It's a privilege to have food and a diet in a positive way. When we give to much attention to food and our diet it can become very stressful, especially when we have nothing to compare to. We can do ourself a favor in a positive way, by searching out for what's best for us as an individual, because we are all different with different needs, issues, and sizes.

Reading, seeking, searching and finding without doing means nothing if we do not act on it and change. We must train ourself as well as discipline ourself to get the best results possible.

Doing what's right and not what's easy takes courage, determination, and persistence with a positive attitude without excuses.

We can control what we say and do, but not what happens to us.

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WHY MOST DIETS WORK AT FIRST AND THEN FAIL

When it comes to starting a new diet most people manage to lose weight for the first few weeks. They rapidly shed some pounds and think they've finally found their ultimate diet. Unfortunately as so many looking to lose weight have found out this is generally a temporary thing.

Within a few weeks of starting a new diet most people will stop losing the weight they initially did. They stand up on the scales and wonder why they're not getting the results they were when the diet program first began. The answer to this question is that, you probably have hit what is called a "weight loss plateau". This usually occurs because your body has become used to the diet program you have begun.

You see with so many of these diets they are created to provide you with an initial hit that shocks your body with something new. Because this is new your body will start burning fat in order to sustain it's usual levels.

While this is great at first within a few weeks your body will have become accustomed to the new diet program. Your body becomes used to the new and (if you have one) new exercise program and is no longer shocked into burning off fat. This is what makes so many people give up diets so very quickly.

So how do you combat this weight loss plateau? Well first stop concentrating solely on counting calories. So many peopole begin a diet and do nothing but count how many calories they consume. They think that if they eat less calories they'll lose weight, which they will at first before the body becomes used to it. Because low calories are being consumed, your metabolic rate has no real reason to increase itself.
Your metabolic rate burns more fat the higher it is. So if it is at a low point because of such low calories consumption it won't burn fat.

In order to burn fat successfully and fight plateaus you need to create a high metabolic rate. The easiest way to do that is to fuel it throughtout the day. You can do this by eating small, regular meals rather than the normal three of breakfast, lunch and dinner. Most people gorge themselves at these intervals and that does not do their body any justice.

Focus on eating healthy foods with small healthy snacks as needed. Eating burgers and chips will not do you any justice. Exercising will also help you in your quest for weight loss by raising your metabolic rate.

Forget the pie in the sky diets that say you can lose weight without doing any exercise. They might, and I do mean might, work for a little while, but then you will hit the weight loss plateau and give up or try another diet.

Starting off a little at a time with a brisk walk or enjoyable bike ride a few times a week will make the world of difference to your weight loss goals. Make sure you don't become disheartened by your own weight loss plateau. You now understand why it happens, and how to avoid it!

Train yourself to do your best, without the stress of someone else.

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HOW TO EAT YOURSELF THIN

Most diet programs, whether they say it or not, rely on the fact you stop eating so much. As crazy as it sounds the key to losing weight is to actually eat more of the foods that feed your blood cells and strengthens your immune system. In fact many experts are now coming around to the idea that the three meals of breakfast, lunch and dinner should be supplemented with healthy snacks.

In between your ususal three meals of breakfast, lunch and dinner it's ok to add in three small, if needed, healthy snacks breaks. The reason for this is the less hungry you are through the day the less you'll feel the need to reach for a chocolate bar after you haven't eaten for a few hours.

Also, diets that actually restrict how much you eat do more harm than good, because you are effectively starving your body. By doing this you actually end up storing more fat as your body attempts to conserve its energy.

The key here is not how much you eat but what you eat. Obviously eating pizza six times a day is not going to do you any good with regards to your weight loss goals. But by knowing the right foods, you can actually eat more and weigh less. A healthy body can be created in the kitchen. Another misrepresentation when it comes to diet programs is the choices of what you have to eat are often bland and boring. They need not be! As long as you eat healthy foods the odd little snack of your favorite food won't do too much harm.

One of the biggest mistakes people make is skipping meals and gorging themselves to feed their hunger. Sometimes this can't be helped. You may have to work a long day and not have the chance to eat. However this will result in unwanted fat.

Rather than having three large meals a day, break them up into six smaller meals. This will not only give you more energy throughout the day but it will enable your body to process the food in good time and therefore you will be able to burn calories naturally throughout the day.

It is useless following a diet plan that makes you unhappy. Instead focus on eating regularly and having a treat from time to time, with a simple exercise plan, you will soon notice that you actually eat more and lose weight at the same time as increasing your energy levels throughout the day.

Want to lose weight without feeling like you're on a diet? Find out how at www.herbsandbooks.com