Tips to Lose Weight

Sometimes losing weight has as much to do with what we eat as it does in how active we are. Here are a few food tips to keep in mind as we all struggle to keep those extra Christmas pounds off:

1. Add hot spices to your food, as they can stimulate your metabolism and help you burn more calories.

2. EAT BREAKFAST! Research shows that people who skip breakfast are more likely to be overweight.

3. Most fruits and vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories; substituting them for high-calorie foods can be a calorie-reducing strategy.

4. When eating out, add little or no butter to your food.

5. Don't eat just because you're bored or because 'tis the season. Eat only when you are hungry. Begin to listen better to your body and to the signs it gives when you are truly hungry or when it's simply boredom.

6. Stop eating when you're full. When you feel full, it's time to stop eating. If you're at a restaurant, you can take home leftovers. 

7. Skip or limit the breading on meat, poultry or fish. Breading adds fat and calories and causes the food to soak up more fat during frying.

8. Take your lunch to work instead of going out to a restaurant - on a side note Thirty-One Gifts have Thermal Totes on sale during the month of January! www.mythirtyone.com/kristieboyd.

9. Eat 4-5 small meals a day instead of 2-3 big meals. Dinner should be your last meal of the day.

10. Be able to enjoy your favorite foods, but make sure to do so in moderation only.

11. Eat more whole grains and fiber. Eat less sugar and fatty foods.

12. Never skip meals! You will end up bingeing later on when you feel extremely hungry.

13. Don't turn to food for comfort. When you feel stressed, go for a walk, listen to your favorite music or call a friend.

14. Stock your kitchen with fresh fruits and other healty snacks and avoid buying unhealthy snacks.

15. Brush your teach right after dinner so you can be reminded not to eat after that.

16. Portion control, portion control, portion control!!

17. Choose fish more often for lunch or dinner. Look for fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, trout and herring.

18. Limit juice, soda and sugar-sweetened beverages. They can add excess sugar and "empty calories."

19. Eat slowly and allow your stomach time to signal to your brain that you are getting full.

20. Don't stand near the food at parties. You will be tempted to eat more than you need to.

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince Of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6