Love is in the diet

It is Valentine's Day, so lets talk about LOVE and DIET. I believe that everything you do in life should be because you love it, not because you are afraid of something, especially when it comes to weight loss. So, with that in mind, I have 5 tips that can help you reach your health goal while LOVING every minute of it. 

First, make a commitment to weight loss because you love your body, not because you dislike it. A common mistake many people make is wanting to lose weight because they are afraid their current bodies are not good enough, and so they want to change them. The problem with that mentality is that it is fear-based and action that results from this type of thinking will make you miserable and set you up for failure. Instead, look at your body with appreciation and love. Once your thinking is love-based, your new diet will only bring pleasure and health into your life.

Second, make a list of foods that you love and that love you back. Do you remember that feeling of finding the perfect wedding dress, when you knew it was the one? You loved the way it felt and how it made you look. A diet should make you feel the same. The best way to make sure you are getting all of your nutrition is selecting the best quality, un-processed foods for each part of your meal. Remember, you are going on a diet because you love your body, so don't sabotage yourself. Eat only until you are satisfied (not full) and don't feed your body anything that doesn't nurture it. 

Third, deconstruct your cravings. Cravings are usually your body's signal for nutritional needs. For example, your daily chocolate and sugar cravings may simply mean that your body needs fast-burning energy. In order to avoid these cravings, increase your intake of greens, fruits and vegetables. They are full of nutrition and low in calories, so your body will feel nurtured, satisfied and full of energy. 

Fourth, find a fitness program that you actually enjoy. It is a scientific fact that exercise can burn calories and give you endorphins, but if you are hating every minute of it, you are more likely to over-eat afterward. In order for the physical activity to work, it needs to be  felt as a "reward" in itself, not a punishment that you want to avoid. 

Lastly, don't forget to breathe. Mediation is one of the most effective ways to release the extra weight, but it is often overlooked. By taking at least 5 minutes every morning and evening to slow down your breathing and calm your system, you will dramatically change the way your body operates. Slow, deep breaths will send a signal to your brain to stop the production of cortisol, a powerful fat-storing hormone, and instruct your body to release the pounds your it doesn't need.