1) Drink crap loads of water. And I mean tons.
This makes you look better, your eyes clearer, your skin glow, flushes out salt and toxins, prevents water retention, makes you feel fuller, prevents false hunger pangs and helps fight constipation, allegedly!
Also, if, like me, you think that all this bottle water propaganda is baloney, then the tap-stuff is mighty cheap!
http://www.weightlossforall.com/benefits-water-drinking.htm
2) Everyone has a different physiology.
For instance, my rat-bag, jammy little brothers do not put on weight at all. And they exist on pizza, pork-pies, beer and crisps. True: they will have heart attacks, but all the same, they have not changed weight since starting upper school, and have not been an ounce overweight in their lives, so they will look fab until they keel over with shooting pains in their arms. Unfair genetics, I say!
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/slow-metabolism/AN00618
3) BMI versus weight versus muscle
I am approximately *mutters* lbs 'overweight, according to the BMI, however, did you know that overweight used to be 28 and above rather than the 25 and above it is now. That was when the statistics for obesity shot up overnight...
According to our friend the BMI, for my height: 5ft 7'', I could be a 'healthy' weight at anything between approx 9st to 11st 3lb (though this varies wildly depending on whose chart you use).
People with large frames or muscle mass frequently come up as overweight on the BMI.
http://www.brighthub.com/health/diet-nutrition/articles/16635.aspx
4) The difference between 'mouth-hunger' and 'tummy-hunger'
Do you just want something to put in your mouth, or are you actually hungry??
Try (one time at least!) eating a normal plate of food whilst blindfolded, or with your eyes shut (not messy food, I hasten to add!). I bet you'd leave a lot more of it if you couldn't see it there... A lot of us these days are very reluctant to 'waste' food, even if we don't want it. If you're really not hungry, don't eat it - save it for another day or give it to the dog. If you really can't trust yourself, squirt fairy liquid over it!
http://www.megahowto.com/how-to-distinguish-between-physical-and-psychological-hunger
5) Try and focus on what you're eating
Like me, have you ever started eating something delicious and the next minute it's all gone with scant memories of actually eating it? Are you zoning out when you're eating?? Be present with your food and enjoy it.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Zoning-out-while-eating-only-to-sadly-realize-all-your-foods-gone/
6) Eat 'The French' way...
The first few mouthfuls of anything delicious are always the best.
http://frenchwomendontgetfat.com/
7) Certain foods ARE addictive! (I KNEW IT!)
If you get hungry, are you also cranky, forgetful and completely irrational?? This can lead to cravings for foods that trigger the release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin or dopamine to feel better - and where do you think we find these?? Comfort food...
Serotonin is responsible for the calming and relaxation states with a general sense of well being. High levels of serotonin can cause a person to feel sluggish and drowsy. Low levels of serotonin will cause intense food cravings. Serotonin is released in the brain as a result of eating carbohydrates such as fruits, breads, grains and vegetables to a lesser extent. Lower GI foods are a better bet to help stabilise this.
On the other hand:
Dopamine and norepinephrine are responsible for alertness, increased energy with quicker, more accurate reaction times. Protein consumption causes these two neurotransmitters to be released in the brain. Good protein sources include meat, chicken, fish, nuts, soy products, eggs and dairy products. (hey, maybe that's why I'm in such a good mood!)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7533668/Junk-food-as-addictive-as-heroin-and-smoking.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/foodanddrinknews/5673512/Why-junk-food-really-is-addictive.html
http://www.more2hug.com/moodfood.html
I loves ya in whatever package you come...
MWAH!!
Lou x
