The Calorie Count
“Counting calories. Tracking carbs. Calculating fat grams. Monitoring sugar intake.”
Worried about your waistline after this time in quarantine? Whether regularly tracking nutrients or just trying to maintain health, counting calories can be quite burdensome. Not to mention that unhealthy thoughts and emotions tend to surface when reviewing every dish with a magnifying glass. Keeping strict parameters can cause everyday life to become completely unenjoyable.
So what is a person to do to responsibly maintain an adequate level of wellness?
Let me offer a few suggestions for increasing your wellness as you hope to decrease your waistline.
1. Water.
Prior to a meal, plan to consume 8 oz of room temperature water. Water helps to curb cravings between meals, assists in filling your stomach to help avoid overeating and aids with digestion. Luke warm water is able to hydrate your body and organs more quickly than a cold glass because the body must expend energy to warm the cool water before it can be absorbed. When it comes to digestion, drinking cold water may actually hinder the digestive process. Because the body is a warm system, it uses heat to break down food within the stomach in turn gathering nutrients. Putting cold foods and beverages into the stomach on a regular basis can weaken the function of the digestive tract (1, 2).
(Hint: If you’re thinking “I just can’t drink plain water at room temperature, that doesn’t sound palatable!” then put a lemon wedge in it or even splurge for sparkling water with a little bubble!)
2. Move.
Spend time each day getting your family moving in a creative way. Whether it’s walking or running behind a stroller, pulling a wagon or hitting a local park, it will be well worth it. If distance cardio workouts aren’t your thing, then opt for a friendly game of tag or a playground workout instead.
3. Have a conversation with yourself.
Maybe you're not yet comfortable with the psychology of healthy eating but here’s the thing: You are your best ally when it comes to making healthy choices. Before going into each day, set aside a few moments in which you structure your plan and set a goal for health. This might mean that you ponder your plan as you sip your morning coffee. Or maybe take a more visual approach by writing down your goal to post and view on a regular basis. This healthy goal should be simple and within your control, such as “I will choose veggies first.” Or “I will drink one glass of water before each meal.” It might even be, “I will take myself off the hook of counting calories and allow myself a little more freedom in my food choices.” Once your goal is decided, share it with a valued friend or family member who can help to keep you accountable!
Navigating a season of building healthier habits doesn't have to be stress-filled when it comes to wellness choices. Make a plan, pause and take time to be thankful for where you are headed on your journey.
References:
Which Is Better: Drinking Cold Or Warm Water? (2015, August 30). Retrieved November 08, 2017, from http://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/drinking-cold-or-warm-water/
D. (2016, August 22). Why you should drink water and other beverages at room temperature. Retrieved November 08, 2017, from https://dianeatwood.com/drink-room-temperature/