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....'