There’s No Magic Pill
Written by Wendy Corr on October 25, 2017
As a nutritionist, I am often approached by people who are anxious to get healthier, but they want a magic pill or shake or once a day activity that will magically help them to lose the weight or reduce their discomfort. But in my experience, there’s no magic potion that will reverse your health decline – but there ARE simple ways to get the results you need! I’m Wendy Corr, and in today’s wellness tip, I’ll show you how making simple lifestyle changes can drastically improve your quality of life!
A study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that participants who made one small, potentially permanent change in their food choices and/or physical activity each week lost more than twice as much belly fat, 2½ more inches off their waistlines, and about 4 times more weight during a 4-month program, compared with those who followed traditional calorie-restriction and physical-activity guidelines.
So how do my clients succeed? I have a simple formula that I take them through a week at a time, making small changes each week.
First of all, tracking is huge. This is the number one step I have all my clients take – because it makes them more conscious of every bite and every choice. It also gives me a snapshot of their preferences, which allows us to move onto substitutions for their favorite foods in later weeks.
Then we add in exercise. Moderate exercise, not a full blown workout. We start out with 30 minutes 4 days a week, then gradually add in strength training as part of their routine.
One of the most important parts of the program I use with my clients is accountability. If you are looking to make changes to your health, having someone who is looking out for your well-being is crucial to your success. Make sure that they know what you need to succeed – whether it’s steering you away from toxic food, or encouraging you to do your workout, having a buddy makes all the difference in the world!
Education is one of my best tools. When people know how processed food and a sedentary lifestyle affect their health, they are much more likely to stick with a program that will eventually bring them more energy and less pain! I suggest documentaries like What The Health and Food Matters, as well as books like Fast Food Genocide by Dr. Joel Fuhrman and The Daniel Plan by Pastor Rick Warren. These books and films point out what’s wrong with our standard American diet, and give scientific evidence and real life testimonies to the benefits of adopting a whole food diet.
If you’re looking to make a difference in your health for the long term, adopting these strategies will ensure your success – and a better quality of life for the REST of your life!
Thanks for tuning in to Wellness with Wendy! For more health and wellness news and advice, follow my blog on mybighornbasin.com. See you again next time for Wellness with Wendy!
