This morning when I woke up I as soooooooo hungry. I ate this big bowl of cereal and there was just a little bit left in the box. I thought it was silly to put back the last bite so I ate it. I felt awful, full and bloated! Plus those extra calories aren’t needed. So in this case, don’t do as I did…don’t eat the last bite!
I’ve received so many questions about extra skin after baby. Many moms want to know “will the extra skin ever go away?” The answer is two-fold. First you need to assess whether it’s skin or fat or a combo of both. Now if it’s fat the folds are thick and if it’s skin the folds are thinner and there’s usually more of them. The benefits of body fat is you can work on your diet and exercise and lose body fat which will reduce the roll. Now if you’ve lost the body fat and it’s strictly skin it will typically decrease in size a few months after having your baby. However, if you gained alot of weight during your pregnancy and or had multiples then lost a lot of weight the extra skin may never go away. In this case the only way to reduce the extra skin is through surgery. A few of my clients have had the surgery and were extremely pleased with their result both emotionally and physically.
One of the biggest ways we gain weight is through using food to reduce anxiety and stress. The first step towards stopping emotional eating is to become aware of it. Wear a rubber band and gently snap it every time you notice that you desire food to reduce stress. Once you have an awareness make a healthy choice that won’t pack on the pounds. Step away from the stress or stressor and take deep breathes outside, go for a short walk, email a friend, call a friend…anything BUT reaching for food to “fill you up”.
How many times have you stopped yourself from eating when you’re hungry because it was only 10 a.m. and lunch wasn’t till 12? Listen to your body and watch the pounds melt. That means eating when you’re hungry, and chosing your snacks wisely. Some great snacks include nuts, raw veggies, bananas, and balance bars.
Are you trying to lose weight, but find it nearly impossible due to your cravings? Would you say you have a sweet tooth? You’re not alone, many people do, including me! To through your sweet tooth a curve ball try these healthy options prior to reaching for high calorie, high sugar, high fat foods:
*banana with peanut butter
*grapes and low-fat cheese
*a couple of handfuls of high fiber cereal like Kashi Go Lean Crunch (no, they don’t pay me, I love it!)
*nuts
Once you eat any of these food combos your craving should subside. When you combine fiber, protein, and carbs you’re more likely to get satisfied. Still not satisfied? Go ahead have your sweet, but I betcha it will be a smaller portion!