Think Slim, Issue #021 - Get slim AND stay slim

March 29, 2006

Look great, feel great

Hi

It's all change here at Think Slim as we are moving to new web hosts and a new site design in the next week or two.

Unfortunately, it means that you'll need to reconfirm your subscription if you want to continue receiving Think Slim each month.

It's not all bad though, as loyal subscribers will receive a special gift "101 Healthy Snack Ideas" as a thank you for staying with us.

Look for the confirmation message which will come in the next day or so if you would like to receive your gift.

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 : Get Slim AND Stay Slim

Most of us spend our time focusing much more on trying to get slim than we do on how we're going to stay slim once we arrive at our target weight.

Somehow it feels like if we could just get to where we want to be, that would be an end of it, we'd never have to diet again. Or maybe we think we'll worry about sticking at our target weight when we actually reach it.

But you can actually help yourself stay slim for the long term by the way you choose to get slim!

As you know in simple terms, getting slim is just a matter of eating less food than you need for your level of activity. And you can do that by temporarily reducing your food intake or increasing the amount of exercise you do (or both).

But the problem with weight loss by the temporary methods taught in most weight loss programs is that when you stop following the program, you end up going right back to eating the same foods in the same quantities as you were before and if you stop your exercise program too, you'll swiftly pile all the weight back on again.

To lose weight permanently you have to make permanent changes. This is probably not news to you. It's just common sense. The problem lies in trying to make those changes permanent when you really just want to get back to eating chips and chocolate and spending cosy evenings watching TV instead of at the gym.

And the solution?

Don't try to change your whole life in one go! Don't even go on a diet! Instead, make changes one at a time and make them stick before moving on to make more changes. As you see the effects of each change and how much healthier you feel you will be more motivated to continue.

Start with those changes which are relatively easy to do. Cut down on portion sizes bit by bit rather than changing everything you love to eat. Move a little more each day rather than following a full gym program. Switch to lower fat foods. Drink more water and less cola. Eat more fruit and less cake. Get out and about more.

As you gradually change to a healthier lifestyle, the changes will stick because you will feel and look so much better for it.

To make this work more easily

1. Log your changes in a notebook and keep a tally of how well you're doing
2. Change one eating habit and one exercise habit a week and keep monitoring until they really are habits
3. Measure your progress by how many habits you change - see the scales going down as a bonus
4. Make each habit something which feels reasonably achievable
5. Make your habits in positive terms ("Eat salad every day" not "No more chocolate")

And don't forget to reward yourself (with a non-food treat) when you keep to your habits each week.

Copyright 2006, Janice Elizabeth Small

If you want to discover the 24 step by step changes I use with my clients who want to permanently lose weight take a look at the Weight Loss Handbook This is an online coaching programme which helps you start thinking and acting like the slim person you are inside. You'll learn how to take on those slim habits and slot them easily into your life.

Click Here for more information.

This month's tip : Make your own Oil Spray

Use less fat when preparing food by using an oil spray rather than pouring oil into the pan.

You can buy an olive oil spray at the supermarket or make your own and reduce calories further by mixing the oil with water.

To make your own buy a pump spray bottle from kitchen supply stores and fill with one part olive oil to seven parts water. To cook with the spray mix, always use a non-stick pan and heat this before adding the oil from the spray. And if food starts to stick at any point, you don't need to add more oil, just add one or two spoons of water.

Recommendation : No More Diets newsletter

Learn how to give up diets for good and still lose weight by changing your habits. The No More Diets newsletter is completely free and you get a 15 page report "How to Lose Weight without Dieting - 7 secrets the diet industry doesn't want you to know" when you subscribe. Just follow the link to "Free Report" at www.SimplySlimming.com

NOTE: While you can still sign up for a free report there - the "No More Diets" newsletter has now been amalgamated with "Think Slim"

Wishing you a fantastic 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 © 2006, J. Small. All Rights reserved.

Back to Back Issues Page