January is a time for fresh starts and for making New Year’s Resolutions. Maybe you make resolutions, and maybe not. But since everyone wants good health, I thought I’d ask some of my friends from TOPS what has worked for them. They have kindly agreed to let me share these tried and true practices with you, their friends in our community. Maybe you’ll try some of them. Their names have been changed to … you know. Andora said that when she buys groceries she sticks to wholesome foods. She doesn’t toss “goodies” into the shopping cart, so they never get through her front door. And if they’re not in the house, she can’t eat them.
Beatrix said she searches on line for exciting recipes that use nutritious foods. She also enjoys experimenting with vegetables and fruits that she hasn’t tried before. “Be adventurous!” she declares.
Cassandra, Davina, and Evanora all recommend exercise. Cassandra exercises for at least 10 minutes each day, and a good 30 minutes to an hour 3 times each week. “You’ll feel great afterwards,” she promises. Davina urges, “Walk, join a fitness class, find a buddy to walk with, but keep moving.” Evanora said that walking is the best exercise she knows. It gets her out and enjoying each day.
Flora has maintained a healthy weight for many years, practicing portion control. By using a slightly smaller plate and taking just enough of everything, as well as eating slowly so she can appreciate each delicious mouthful, she enjoys her meals and doesn’t need to go back for seconds.
Gardenia says perseverance works best for her. “Don’t give up if you've had a bad day or even a bad week.” She applies this approach to every aspect of her life.
Helga says that drinking water, staying hydrated, has made a huge difference in her life. She has lost and kept off many pounds largely by drinking water before meals, and her overall health has improved considerably.
Isadora gets a good night’s sleep now, and as a result of enough sleep her eating habits have changed. Where she once snacked in the afternoon as well as in the middle of the night, she now eats three nutritious meals a day and is maintaining a healthy weight. She recommends sleeping in darkened room and having warm feet. “A sleep mask for your eyes and warm socks for your feet,” she states.
Jonquil keeps a food journal. She records what she eats each day as a constant reminder to her that her health is all important and that she only needs to eat three well-balanced meals a day. “Don’t diet! Just change you eating habits,” is her advice.
Kisla has a similar strategy. She uses her Fitbit to track her food and to make sure she is getting enough protein each day. It also gives her a little signal to get up and move!
We wish you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year. We hope some of these simple tips will work for you.
We’d love to see you at TOPS. We meet every Wednesday morning at the Community Centre, from 9:00 to 10:00. TOPS is a low-cost, enjoyable, self-help program that cheerfully welcomes everyone. (Your first visit is free.) If you want to Take Off Pounds Sensibly with us, please call...
Submitted by Amber Harvey