Simple Low Calorie Snacking Solution.

I notice when I try to improve my eating habits.. I can get incredibly hungry.    Snacking when you are at home all day is a really tough habit to break.   One simple solution I have come up with is when my first snack attack of the day hits I take out an entire bunch of celery and fill the sink with water.  I separate the celery and put it in the water and leave it.   When ever a snack attack hits I grab a stalk or two or three.   This really helps curb those hunger pains.   If I can remember I also try to drink a glass of water with the celery.    Since I am a salt lover I always have some of my favorite flavored salt to add to the celery.

Also I try to put tons of lettuce on my sandwiches and in my tortillas.   This is also filling.   Yes I still miss M&Ms, candy bars and potato chips... but this helps me to feel not quite so deprived.

Getting Back On Track

With Thanksgiving and Christmas season here and gone, some would say this is a bad time to get back on track if you have let your eating plan slide.  I think it is the perfect time.  Cut out desserts, sweets, and chips and add in exercise.  In just 45 minutes on the treadmill you can easily burn 250 plus calories and speed up your metabolism.   I think a treadmill is a great investment to make.  Look at it as liposuction that keeps working.   Start Slow.. maybe 3.6 or 3.7  mph and work up to at least a 4.0 mph walk.  In less than one month you will see results.  For me the muscle that seems to changes the quickest is my heart.  I feel like I can push it so much faster heartwise... but the rest of my muscles are a lot slower.   I have to be careful or my knees start to hurt if I add on too much too quickly.  I try ibuprofen for knee pain.. it really helps.   Fast music makes a big difference too.   There is an ipod nano that is just 50$.  You can come up with some great really fast music to help keep you motivated.

I am really looking forward to running again.  I find the fast walking is easier on a treadmill rather than outside but I love to run outside.   The weather here is perfect running weather.  The holidays are a perfect time to exercise in New Mexico.   Try it and you will have a happier holiday time.