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My objective was simplicity, so all of you
with greater will-power and more discipline, cut me some slack, OK? For
the rest of us, I hope you find them useful.
1. Eat less. I used to eat until I was full,
and then snack as a hobby. And, sometimes I still do. But, more and
more, I decide when I've eaten enough, leave room for a treat later, and
simply choose to eat a little less. I think it helps.
2. Drink more water. I used to try to
drink 8 glasses a day, but I usually ended up either losing count…or
just going to the bathroom a lot. Now, on my way to the table I stop by
the sink and grab a glass of water. I figure that's more water than most
people drink, it probably helps me eat less (see Rule #1), and sometimes
it reminds me to drink even more. Close enough.
3. Eat more fruit. Benjamin Franklin
said, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." I just know apples, a
banana, some grapes or something "exotic" like a mango or a kiwi tastes
good, and it's the fastest, most portable and convenient food I've
found. A handful of those little baby carrots beats a sandwich by a good
90 seconds!
4. Eat your vegetables. Yeah, still
listening to my mother. But on the positive side, they're so easy! No
sauces, no mixing or blending or nothing! Raw, steamed or microwaved,
they're great for adding color to a meal (greens, yellows, and beans in
all sorts of colors). I know fresh and organically grown is best, and
sometimes I buy them that way….
5. Eat more rice and baked potatoes. I
score points with my doctor, my "significant other" and again, it's
about the easiest cooking I've figured out.
6. Stretch when you feel like it. I used
to follow a routine that recommended stretching and yoga for about 30
minutes every morning. Wonderful stuff! Very healthy. And someday I'm
going to give it another try! For now, every morning, and several times
during the day, I stand up and try to reach the ceiling. I bend, twist,
shake my shoulders, breath deep, whatever seems to feel good at the
moment. Then I get back to work. |
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7. Avoid exercise and elevators. OK,
I believe jogging and sweating and lifting weights are good for
me. And I do some of it. But I also find it useful to walk
around the block to get the mail (the box is across the street)
or take the stairs instead of the elevator. I walk the dog, push
the lawnmower and play tennis and golf with my friends. That way
I figure I'm exercising and leaving the gyms open for the rest
of you.
8. Spend time with
friends. Talking, sharing dreams, giving and receiving support,
solving life's great mysteries and debating politics or religion
with a friend does wonders for the soul. And, hugs are good. And
if you have a life-partner, I find talking regularly seems to
avoid a number of other problems, as well!
9. Laugh every day. Tell a joke,
wrestle with your dog or play with the kids next door, but have
some fun! Life's short.
10. Plan for dessert! At the end
of the day, I really like something special to top it all off.
So, I plan for a bite of chocolate or a cup of low-fat pudding
or yogurt or a handful of fresh grapes. It sure seems to beat
restlessly searching the cupboards and refrigerator for
"something" and ending up with a big bowl of ice cream!
Finally, a few words of
experience. It's OK to "slip" once in a while. At least it
better be OK...I seem to do it periodically. Just get up again
tomorrow, make the rules simpler, more fun or more appropriate
for your situation and get right back on! I don't think the
objective is perfection -- there's no point in having a heart
attack getting all stressed out about the rules! Just go have
some fun!
By Philip_E._Humbert |
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