Think Slim, Issue #010 - Don't go Hungry

April 30, 2005

Look great, feel great

Hi

Did you see the movie "Supersize me" when it first came out? I just saw the film for the first time on TV this week. Wow! I feel like I'll never eat fast food again.

If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I wouldn't have believed anyone's health and general feeling of well-being could change so much in just 30 days. I could go on but there's more about this in the Recommendation section below. The best fast food antidote ever...

On a different note, we seem to have had March winds and April showers all at the same time this month here in Edinburgh – hopefully there's some better weather on the way for summer.

Here's to sunny days wherever you are – especially if you have some time off this weekend for May Day.

Have a great month

Love

P.S. There are quite a few postings on the Think Slim blog this month. See them all at http://smallchange.typepad.com/thinkslim.

Contents

Feature article : Don't go Hungry

You would think that being hungry is a good thing when you're on a diet – after all if you're hungry you aren't eating too much.

But actually getting too hungry is the very worst thing you can do.

You know how it is when you've forced yourself to live on lettuce and fruit all day and then you eat the fridge empty in the evening. You just can't help yourself. Your body is crying out for food.

The problem is when you're hungry you'll eat anything in sight, healthy or unhealthy. And because the easiest foods to grab are chocolate bars and fatty snacks, more often than not it will be the unhealthy calorie-dense stuff you choose.

It's not great either to eat when you're not hungry (loading up your body with food in case you get hungry later). Your body doesn't need food right then and you'll just convert those excess calories to fat.

But planning ahead CAN make a difference. Just don't go eating ahead.

Always know where your next meal or snack is coming from! This means having readily available healthy meals and snacks – ones you can cook or prepare ahead and have ready in 10 minutes when hunger strikes.

Some people have a real fear about getting hungry and not being able to eat right away. If it helps, always carry an apple or banana with you and maybe a handful of nuts and raisins in a plastic bag so that you never have to worry about having access to something quick and healthy. Great idea to have a bottle of water with you too so you're not tempted by sugary soda and milky coffee when you get thirsty!

If you plan 3 healthy meals and a couple of snacks and don't eat them until you get hungry you will be gving yourself the best possible chance of success on your diet.

This month's tip : Undersize me

When you're choosing food at the supermarket or selecting food at a restaurant or even at home go for the smallest size available.

For example when you have a banana, pick the smallest in the bunch. Buy smaller bread rolls and thinly sliced bread. Buy cake in single portion sizes. Eat the smallest portion of fries if you must eat fast food. Even go for the children's meal!

Our stomachs are satisfied with a lot less food than we think and you may be amazed how you are just as satisfied with a lot less.

Recommendation: Supersize Me - the documentary

Is anyone really still taking their kids to fast food places after watching this movie?

Maybe the horror of it will fade away in a while and I’ll take my two to get their fix again sometime, but certainly not for a while.

The film which is set in the US (but could apply to most countries in the Western world) explores the effects of America's hunger for fast food in a tongue in cheek kind of way. It’s truly scary and highly compelling viewing.

Morgan Spurlock, the director, producer and guinea pig of the film travels around America interviewing experts and consumers in 20 cities, all the while living on nothing but McDonald's for an entire month. He had just three simple rules:

1. He could only eat and drink what was available over the counter (water included!)
2. He would only supersize his meals where it was offered to him
3. He had to eat every item on the menu at least once

Neither Morgan nor the doctors and nutritionist who followed his "progress" could believe how badly his health suffered as a result. Not only did he feel terrible, have no energy and put on over 20lbs pounds in weight but his blood and liver tests showed that the diet was highly dangerous too – much more dangerous than anyone would have thought. It was touch and go whether Morgan would actually complete the month, not because of being sick of the sight of the stuff or hating the rolls of fat around his middle but because of liver failure. And in a guy who was in great shape at the start. It took him almost a year to lose the weight he gained!

Definitely worth watching and making up your own mind. You can get it on video or DVD. Also see the official website of the movie at www.supersizeme.com

Wishing you a fantastic "undersize me" kind of month, looking and feeling great

Janice Elizabeth Small

P.S. I hope you enjoyed this newsletter. If you have any comments or suggestions for future issues, please let me know. I'd love to hear from you. Just reply to this ezine.

P.P.S.Know anyone else who might enjoy it? Please pass it on. If you received this from a friend you can sign up for your own copy at....

www.weight-loss-motivation-program.com

copyright © 2005, J. Small. All Rights reserved.

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