We have all heard it hundreds of times, “ Eat your fruits and vegetables.” But how many of us actually accomplish ingesting 5-7 servings a day? Not the majority of us, I can promise you that. Yet one of the ongoing complaints that I hear weekly, if not daily is, “I can’t seem to get my weight to budge” or “I cannot lose any weight even though I am exercising regularly...what’s up with that?” There is much more to getting the scale to show positive results than just exercise or just eating right or just one of anything. We are complex beings who have minds, bodies, as well as souls, and when we begin to take care of all of our aspects, change is inevitable...every time.
For today, I want to bring your awareness back to the nutrition component because it is one of those areas that so many find slippery. Getting enough calories is as important as getting too many. But even more critical is where those calories come from. The body needs plenty of fiber and nutrients to be truly satisfied. When you eat an excessive amount of high carbohydrate foods that are mostly empty calories nutritionally speaking, you are setting yourself up for cravings and disaster.
The recommended 5-7 servings of fruits and vegetables is a very important component to maintaining and/or losing weight because, for one thing, the fiber in those foods helps to slow down digestion. As we eat our foods each day, if they are passing through us very quickly due to lack of fiber, the bowel does not get the time it requires to absorb the nutrients out of those foods. Secondly, fruits and vegetables are absolutely loaded with nutrients that our bodies need, which is another reason why it is necessary to do our best to work them into our diets. If weight loss is high on your list, I highly recommend that you consider this challenge. For one full month, make a real commitment to get at least 4 servings of vegetables and 1 serving of fruit every day. Yes, it takes planning, however, if you stick to this plan two things are going to happen. First, after a week or so you will stop having those weird cravings that seem to come out of the blue. Next, you are going to feel genuinely full and satisfied after each meal and consequently, your hunger will be kept at bay. These are both cornerstones to successful weight loss and to the added benefit of feeling energetic and vital. You see, when your body is getting the proper nutrition and that nutrition is being assimilated into your body in a steady and continuous manner, your energy levels must go up. By deciding to eat in this way you will feel better physically and the scale will begin to go down. You will be satiated and stop nibbling all the time and you will have more energy throughout the day, all because you chose to get adequate fruits and veggies into your diet.
Truly, we have been given remarkable bodies that serve us 24/7 in so many amazing and wonderful ways. It really is the least we can do to provide adequate fuel to this hard working machine. It wants you to be healthy, vibrant and energetic but it cannot be that without your commitment and cooperation. It always boils down to taking responsibility for your health and well-being because the truth is, no one else can or even wants to, do it for you. I’m afraid there is still no magic pill and chances are, there never will be. Keep a positive attitude, exercise regularly, eat your 5-7 servings of fruits and vegetables. And don’t forget to give thanks to the powers that be for this body, for this opportunity to live life and for all the blessings we are so fortunate to have living in the good old USA. Life is uncertain so decide to cherish every minute, even the not so pleasant ones, for the alternative is ...well not really inviting, if you know what I mean. Happy mind, body and spirit fitness to all.
About
I am certified in fitness and exercise by the American Council on Exercise (A.C.E.) and a weight loss and nutrition professional certified by Lifestyle Management Associates. I have an Associates Degree from Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York and have spent 23 years working in the physical fitness industry in such places as Duke Diet and Fitness and Structure House, both located in Durham, North Carolina. Also, I have worked at Ice Castle International Training Center (for Olympic figure skaters) in Lake Arrowhead, California. I currently own a very successful exercise and fitness studio in Waynesville, North Carolina, The Fitness Connection.
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