NUTRITION AMMUNITION
by Victoria Harrison
...to shed pounds forever
Question: 
I’m 47 years old and over the years have put on weight. It seems that I can follow a diet for a time and then I just succumb to food urges. Can you suggest how I can stay on track?
Answer:
Eating habits, self image and activity can dramatically affect your weight, and changing these can help weight management. Some of these lifestyle habits have been with you for years; they may even be passed down from your family. You may be unaware of these habits.
Here are some questions to help determine what you need to change. Do you:
- Skip breakfast and then eat late at night?
- Eat only 2 large meals a day and then snack?
- Eat your meals quickly?
- Eat while watching TV or using the computer?
- Eat more desserts than fruits?
- Prefer fried foods and meat at most meals?
- Always prepare too much and feel obligated to finish it?
- Overeat when in certain moods or doing certain activities?
- Often consume empty calories beverages, i.e. with sugar, distilled spirits, etc.?
- Dislike cooking and depend on prepared or fast food at least 5 times per week?
- Give exercise a low priority or drive rather than walk?
- Believe that short term weight loss “diets” work?
- Have a negative self-body image?
- Rely on weight scales (which can drive you crazy)?
Making changes seems formidable but here’s how to start:
- Choose one habit you wish to change and record daily what you ate and how you managed change
- When you feel you have mastered this change go on to other changes
- Read books about nutrition and health for motivation to continue making changes
- Consider emphasizing a plant based diet, eating more whole grains, fruits and vegetables and less animal protein
- Don’t hesitate to seek help from excellent, knowledgeable weight management people, such as dietitians and Weight Watchers, to make particularly difficult changes such as unhealthy relationships with food
- View food and lifestyle changes as permanent and give yourself time to adjust to them
Prescription for Lifelong Healthy Weight
Most dieters focus on shedding pounds not on good health. Many methods don’t support our health and wellbeing – they are like trying to build a house on sand. The failure rate is about 95%.
Seek out weight loss programs that teach sound nutrition and cooking skills. Certainly avoid programs which offer liquid meal replacements, slimming pills or expensive specifically packaged meals.
A healthy lifestyle requires a balance of body, mind and spirit, which involves changes in three key areas: healthful eating, active lifestyle and a positive self and body image. Remember – don’t let shape or size serve as an excuse to avoid living life to its fullest. Life could pass you by.
Do you have a nutrition question?
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