Fitness Column 3 - Your Diet


A lot of us are scared of the word ‘diet’. Why? Diet usually means being strict with ourselves; no snack bits or take-aways, no full fat drinks or sweet treats. In actual fact we should concentrate on what’s in our diet, which doesn't mean we can’t be naughty!

I’m a great believer in everything in moderation. I have a slight addiction to pic ‘n’ mix sweets, I’ll eat chocolate cake until the cows come home and I can be found raiding all snack cupboards for crisps and snacks - all treats I allow myself.

Telling yourself you can’t have something only makes you want it more, so if you’re heading in to a new food routine, it’s better to ease the bad foods out slowly.

Planning.
We’ve all heard ‘failure to prepare is preparing to fail’ well that’s exactly it in this case. By sorting a new food plan, knowing when you’re eating and what you’re eating is half the battle. Preparing your food the night before and actually looking forward to eating it will make a lot of difference.

Talk to someone in the profession

Getting advise from someone who knows what they’re talking about is a great way to get started. See if they have any techniques that can make food preparation easier and maybe ask them what they do in their diet. I include Herbalife in my diet and have done for years. One shake for breakfast and I’m sorted on my morning commute to work!


Cheat meals.
Giving yourself a day of the week where you can have a cheat day can often slow your weekly progress. I would always suggest, if you fancy something, have it! Not to the extent that you’re eating a take away every night because you fancy it, but maybe have that tiny piece of chocolate to curb the craving! Have control over your mind and cravings.

A good tool to monitor your daily diet is an app called ‘My Fitness Pal’ you can download it for free and scan the barcode of what you’re eating and drinking. Once scanned, all the information will be logged on to your daily diet counter.

Top tips;
Avoid the isle end discounts;
Set weekly targets;
Have plenty of choice in your weekly meals;
Eat 3- 5 times a day, including small snack (nuts, boiled eggs, fruits); and
Consume 2-3 litres of water a day.