Many diets that begin at the start of a month also end in failure before the month is over. When you decide that you need to lose weight, always begin with a period of reflection. Make up your mind that you need to lose weight, decide that you will give yourself time, and then plan how you will do it.
Start by being organized. Decide when is the best time for you — when you are at home, or working? When the children are on holiday, or at school? Then ask yourself why you are overweight — is it because you eat too much? Or snack too much? Or do you eat out of boredom? For comfort? Or due to stress?
Read about Suzan — she had a very busy stressful life working in the market. She had two children to see to when she returned home from work and was too tired to have a social life. Her only comfort was food and although she did not eat at work, when she came home she ate all evening. This is a picture of an unhappy woman who feels that she is in a trap. She needs to cope with her stress at work without using food as a comfort. She needs to feel positive about herself for having such a good position in the company. She needs to learn how to deal with stress so that it does not affect her work. Marketing is a stressful job, but we can only do our best.
Sue needs to have fun and quality time with her children. Children must always come first with their mother. Enjoying your children is very important to women. Taking care of them is part of the joy of motherhood. She also needs to have quality time with her husband and make time for herself too, to do some of the things that she enjoys.
After reflecting and acting on these important points, Suzan will find that the reorganisation of her eating habits will fall into place.
Recipe of the Week
Salmon Chowder
Serves 6
Ingredients
1 slice uncooked beef bacon, diced
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
1 cup clam juice or fish stock
6 small red potatoes
450 g salmon, cut into 1 cm pieces
2 cups skimmed milk
1 red pepper, diced
1 teaspoon fresh dill, chopped
Method
Put the beef bacon in a large saucepan and heat over low heat. Add the onion, celery, thyme and bay leaf, turn heat up to medium, and cook until vegetables are soft. Dice the potatoes and add them to the soup pot with the clam juice. Simmer until the potatoes are just tender. Add the milk, peppers, salmon and dill and cook until the salmon is just cooked through. Remove the thyme and bay leaf. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Slimming Lifestyle
Smaller Dishes
If you’re trying to cut down on your food intake, try using smaller dishes. This will force you to serve smaller portions, which in turn equals fewer calories. My Healthy Eating Guide will help you to develop healthy eating habits — just email [email protected] for a free copy
Ask Alva
Fitness magazines are now writing about taking 10,000 steps a day, but no matter how hard I try, I just can’t do it. I’m not lazy, but I’m quite disheartened. Do you have any advice? Meryl — 130
When I read your letter I decided to ask my mother-in-law to wear a pedometer for a week. She is 82 but extremely active and over a week she averaged 6,000 steps a day. Try adding some walking tricks to your day — like walking up stairs instead of taking the lift — parking your car a distance from your office — or walking around when talking on the phone. Also, try to make the effort to walk or run for at least 20 minutes every day. You will be amazed just how the steps add up! Alva
