Surmising a Slimmer Summer

Though I posted this several posts ago, now seemed like a good time to dig it back out since summer seems to be on the horizon.

Well, we finally made it. Last month I was really wondering if it would ever come. Thank God it’s finally Spring! I am not a cold weather person. I would sooner sweat than shiver so I’m always glad to see that last pile of you-know-what melt. I’m of the opinion that it’s actual name is a four letter word for a reason. And now that my least favorite season is out of the way, I expect that most of us are pondering the ways in which we can look less like Frosty and melt away that pesky winter weight. Here are a few healthy ideas for a slimmer summer.

Though it originally took me some time to get used to the idea, whole wheat flour is not only beneficial for the digestive tract, but it has the potential to bring some stability for those who find that their blood sugar tends to run high. Eating whole wheat breads and pastas in place of the "bleached, enriched" white stuff is an easy change that can make a noticeable difference when done consistently. And these things can be easily found at your typical grocery store.

Another easy change is oatmeal in place of potato chips and pretzels. And when I say oatmeal, I’m not talking about the stuff that comes in little packets that’s loaded with lots of sugar and midget pieces of dried up polygons that they try to pass off as fruit. I’m talking the old fashioned stuff that comes in the cardboard canister. By the way, the old-fashioned stuff can be microwaved. Don’t let the "old-fashioned" thing fool ya. This also can be purchased at your typical grocery store. And it’s not bad at all when you mix it with a teaspoon or two of a sugar substitute and some REAL fruit – like a chopped banana, apple or some strawberries.

And speaking of sugar, the white granulated stuff is one of the worst for interfering with weight loss। For whatever ridiculous reason, almost every food manufacturer likes to include it in prepackaged items. They like to use high fructose corn syrup and dextrose, too. And you’ll find it in the most unexpected of places if you’re an avid label reader – places such as spaghetti sauce, salad dressing, even canned fruit and breakfast cereal. The good news is that some sugar substitutes that you can cook with include Splenda, Altern and Aprive. And they can even be sprinkled over cereal, in coffee or tea or wherever you might want a little extra sweetness. Once again, stocked in your typical grocery store.

As much as most of us don’t like to hear the "e" word, exercise that is, it does make a difference. Not only in our weight, but also in reducing our stress level. Finding a form that you like is really important because it can make a big difference in your ability to motivate yourself to stick with it. Having an "exercise buddy" can be helpful, too. Walking and hiking are great forms of exercise. Other options are dancing, swimming, biking, chasing after your kids and just about any sport that gets you up and moving three or four days a week for at least 15 minutes. While this is by no means a complete list of options for a slimmer summer, it will hopefully spark a few ideas along the way.