COOK LESS-NO JUNK FOOD

by Jaycee
(Ghana)

I have three teenage sons - who are always hungry.
Over the years I had started snacking along with them.... they burn the cals, I store them.
My solution is to cook less, just so I'm not tempted to revisit the leftovers, and I stock up on fruits so in between meals ...that's all there is!no junk food
The boys initially thought I was going nuts. Now when I'm going shopping I will often get a reminder like, 'We're out of bananas'....glad they're learning a more healthy attitude. Glad I'm losing weight.

Only Eat What You Can Hold In One Hand

by Travis Scott
(Queensland, Australia)

If you can't hold the food you want in one hand, don't eat it.

That doesn't mean put it in a bag' and hold the bag with one hand.

No, it means that if you feel like that Big Mac, large fires or Supersized Coke, try holding them with just one hand. It's a great way to get into the habit of eating smaller portions - just make sure you don't cheat by piling things up!

Tea is a lifesaver

by Claire
(UK)

Drinking tea can help, when you're trying to lose weight. When my tummy is rumbling like mad, I make a cup of tea rather than reaching for the biscuits.

My favourite is black tea with a little sugar and milk. I think it's better to enjoy my cuppa as I like it, rather than give in and have a slice of chocolate cake. Or two.

Black tea is a great thirst quencher, and if I make a pot, I can have a second cup. I don't drink it too strong, but a small pot can keep me going from lunch to my evening meal.

I also like mint tea. I used to think mint tea was disgusting - but it may be an acquired taste. If you're not sure you like mint tea, try it two or three times and see if you get to like it as much as I do.

I make a nice strong cup for this one, add a little honey, sip slowly and wait for that wonderful calm stomach feeling that it gives.

A piece of fruit followed by the mint tea is very refreshing, too.

Be happy, to lose weight

by Kiran Rao
(Bangalore, India)

Being unhappy and depressed makes one eat all the wrong foods and eat in excess too. If you have a happy frame of mind and are content with your life you will never over-indulge in anything and will be in control of yourself. It is the unhappy lot who finds relief in over-eating and indulging in habits which are self-destructive. So tell yourself that life is good and it will be good.

Learn to control your mind and do not allow it to dwell on unhappy events and tensions which are part of your life. Think of the more pleasant things that have happened in your life and enjoy each day for itself. Self-pity and brooding only add to depression and this in turn makes you over eat to give you a certain false comfort level.

Brush your teeth early!

by Sasha
(Scotland)

This simple way of tackling evening hunger really works for me. Brush your teeth straight after eating your evening meal, and you'll feel less like snacking during the evening - something do to with not wanting to lose that nice fresh feeling your mouth.

Eat all day long

by Suzanne
(USA)

I've found I love to put food in my mouth, so instead of waking up and eating a big breakfast or a huge lunch and dinner I please myself by eating every 2 hours. SMALL meals, and sometimes not meals just snacks but healthy ones. I always pair fruits & veggies with a protein like low fat cheese or natural peanut butter, no filler lunchmeats.

I stay away from bread and sugar all together, I will have an occasional multigrain cracker every now and then, but since I am eating continuously I always have an appetite, but am never ravenously hungry, if that makes any sense at all.

I have maintained a healthy weight eating this way for 3 years now, no ups and downs and everything is very regular.

Cut it out! - use low fat snacks

by Vicky
(UK)

I am a Mom who works full time and then has my beautiful daughter to look after whenever I am not at work. We already eat healthy meals, but when the little one has gone to bed I always turned to snacking!
All I have done is change to low fat snacks...I still have cakes and crisps but low fat ones...and they taste just as good! I have also cut out milk and sugar in my coffee.
It's easy and I have lost over a stone in a month!

MAKING LASTING HABIT CHANGES

by Jacqui
(Ghana)

I am a 42 year young mum. I am a pharmacist,and work full time. I have lost 9 kg in the last year, not by going on a diet exactly but by making a few premeditated lifestyle changes that are paying off. I have dropped from a UK size 22 to a size 16/18.

I walk about 30 min 4-6 mornings a week-and do upper body exercises after my walk, when the weather is bad I jog in place to some music for 6-8min and then do my upper body workout, about 10 min.

I have gone lacto-vegetarian, and am loving it,its been a whole year since I ate flesh....my eyes are clearer,hair and skin visibly better and energy levels are up.


I try not to eat fried food more than twice a week, even then I only eat a small amount about a quarter portion, and I squeeze the fries,doughnut,or whatever between a wad of folded paper towels, the amount of oil that comes out is sometimes so much that it puts me off the food...I had no idea fried food could absorb so much.

I snack on fruit or vegetables,eating as much of my meals as is practical raw, because that is the most healthy form of food.

I eat my heaviest meal in the morning- fueling up for the day,then have a medium lunch and a small supper.


In order to get all this exercise and breakfastdone, I plan ahead, and wake up at 4am daily, I know,I know.... but it's worth it. That means bed by 10pm.

I am losing weight slowly, but I am enjoying life more fully and my children are learning better eating habits.We indulge in processed foods and sweets as an occasional treat now as opposed to these items being a shopping list basic. I can see that with time our choices will change even more - till processed, canned food will become a last alternative. It's a learning process.

The children are experimenting with smoothie mixes, which have replaced sodas and ice cream in our home, the last being a raw ripe plantain and pineapple smoothie,my 17 year old son's experiment which was a pleasant tasting,creamy peach coloured treat.

Had I not decided to make healthy changes a year ago, we would pretty much be still eating too much junk.
As the NIKE slogan goes...'JUST DO IT....'

Morning Ritual

by Shilpi
(New Jersey)

Add a tspn honey, a tspn fresh lemon juice and a pinch of black salt to a glass of warm water and have it empty stomach in the morning.

It acts as a cleansing agent and also helps in weight loss.

Easiest Way to Burn The Fat

by Neha Mahajan
(India)

After losing around 8 kg in last 3 months, I can say that drinking 2 glasses of hot water definitely helps in burning those extra fats..one as soon as you get up in the morning and the other one just before you go to bed..Try this - it works..

SBI!