Good intentions NOT to make in September
September is a time when it’s great to review and refocus. Weather cooling down, nights drawing in, kids back to school. It’s a bit like a New Year – but without all the tinsel and palaver. Yes, it’s the ideal point in the calendar for setting yourself a target to get losing weight, but hold it right there… often the resolutions people make are totally misguided and can actually hinder and keep them further from their goal! We’ve compiled some weight-loss dos and don’ts that will make your resolutions a whole lot more realistic…
- DON’T keep your goals secret in case you don’t achieve them
Telling other people about your goals is a great way to help you stick to them. It adds a layer of commitment so they’re more likely to happen. So if you’re serious about making some positive changes, don’t keep it quiet!
DO spread the word – this will increase your chances of success
2. DON’T swap full-sugar drinks for diet versions
Diet drinks may not contain sugar but are usually packed with artificial sweeteners instead. Most studies show that artificial sweeteners can still cause weight gain, and are also commonly associated with a whole host of other unwanted side-effects.
DO swap sugary drinks for pure fruit juice diluted with filtered water
3. DON’T choose margarine instead of butter
Margarine may be lower in fat but it’s a type of fat your body can’t process as well. And your body does actually need the fats found in butter, just in small amounts.
DO stick with proper butter, just use a bit less
4. DON’T stop eating nuts and seeds, because they’re ‘full of fat’
Nuts and seeds are powerhouses of nutrition; they do contain fat but most often they contain essential fats that are lacking from Western diets.
DO eat more nuts and seeds not less if you want to improve your health.
5. DON’T go zero-fat or low-fat
Zero-fat or low-fat products (like yogurt) are usually packed with sugar and/or artificial sweeteners to compensate for the lack of taste.
DO choose the full-fat versions and just eat a bit less.
6. DON’T ditch the yoga and do more cardio instead
In our fast-paced Western lifestyle it’s never been more important to plan in a regular time for deep relaxation. While heart-pumping workouts are great for you it’s important to keep stress levels at bay by having a healthy balance that includes more relaxing types of exercise as well.
DO come to our yoga, yogic relaxation… or enroll on our mindfulness course
For a full programme of guidance on losing weight healthily book an appointment with our naturopathic nutritionist Rhi Hepple or our weight loss coach/mentor Shelley Edwards