For many of us, it's a no-brainer to take take care of our vehicles. After all, without transportation, how else would we manage to arrive at work, or obtain our basic needs? I might be a little oddball, I happen to prefer walking,and cycling, to driving. So when it comes to maintaining my personal vehicle it comes in the form of diet and exercise rather than ethanol-free gasoline and regular oil changes.
Supplements are Not a Substitute
I wasn't always so serious about my health. A major health scare was the wake-up call I needed to take a hard look at the sort of fuel I was putting into my body. For years I had been telling myself that I simply didn't have time to exercise or prepare healthy meals, relying on the fad diet and “miracle” pill of the moment to help me keep my weight in check.
Not all supplements are created equal, I've learned. Some are truly beneficial, and have become part of my daily routine, while others have simply been a waste of money. I wouldn't recommend anyone rely solely on supplements as a substitute for a healthy lifestyle. Combined with a sensible diet and moderate exercise, supplements may be something to consider as you work towards your own weight loss goals.
The When, What, and Why of Supplements
- Wake Up – Sufficient hydration is important. To aid the body in expelling toxins, start the day with a tall glass of clean, pure water with a multivitamin. I like to drink a cup of hot lemon water in the morning before I have any coffee or breakfast, it's a great way to clear out all the excess goo that collects in my sinuses at night. Try it for a week, you'll see what I mean.
- Breakfast – It used to take me a couple of hours to really wake up in the morning, then I started eating a light meal consisting of high protein and low carbohydrates to really supercharge my day. There's nothing quite like a big plate of fruit to get me going. When I'm on the go, I simply toss everything into a Vitamix blender and whip into a delicious smoothie. If I'm feeling adventurous I might toss in a scoop of protein powder for an extra punch of nutrition.
- Mid-Morning Snack – When it comes to the mid-morning snack, it's wise to Include nuts and fruits, sources of protein to avoid the mid-afternoon carbohydrate crash. Fruits and vegetables include plenty of natural carbohydrates that the body can burn efficiently. Compared to refined products such as white bread and pretty much anything that comes in a box with a label.
- Lunch – Rather than loading up on large, heavy meals throughout the day that take a lot of excess energy to digest, eating smaller size portions throughout the day will keep energy levels on a more even keel. At lunch time, enjoy a colorful garden salad with some flax seed, and hemp seed to aid digestion.
- Afternoon Snack – Short breaks in the afternoon call for a quick snack that's easy to prepare. I happen to love banana smoothies. Simply toss a blend of fresh and frozen bananas into a blender with a splash of coconut water and some raw cocoa nibs, adding in a scoop of whey protein is optional, the final result tastes just like a Mounds candy bar without any of the guilt.
- Dinner – Keep this meal small to ensure your sleep is actually focused on restoration rather than digestion. Some great dinner options include lean protein, simple carbohydrates, fish, and quinoa. This is a good time to take some magnesium and zinc as well because most dieters simply don't consume enough nuts and seeds.
- Evening Snack – Cravings are bound to strike, we are a nation of nibblers after all. A cup of tea is a great way to keep your body hydrated. If you really need something to chew on, keep it simple, light, and healthy. Popcorn, or a small handful of trail mix are fantastic options. That microwave popcorn or store-bought trail mix packed with candies, sugar, and salt, doesn't count – not by a long shot.
Supplements – What to Look For
Because your health is important, take a little bit of time to comparison shop and read the labels of various products. Look for certified pure and organic products, if you're looking for high quality supplements and vitamins make sure the product is manufactured in the United States since not all products are made of the same quality. Not all stores may stock what you're looking for, when it comes to finding the best organic vitamins it's easy to find them online.
Freelance writer, Mark Harris, loves to be outdoors. He loves his stay-at-home job because it allows him to work from any place his laptop can pick up a signal. Loving the feeling of being a tourist in his hometown of White Rock BC where he lives with his wife. Wanting to enjoy as many outdoors adventures as possible with his spouse, Mark often browses sites like www.biogirlhealth.com for the best information that will keep her by his side for years to come.
