A healthy diet is one where you get a good combination of protein, carbohydrates, and minimal fat. Eating 'whole foods' is the best diet. Whole foods are meat, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains that are as close to their original state as possible.
For example- meat. Meat should be broiled,grilled, baked, or boiled (not a favorite of mine) and not deep fried or have a bunch of chemicals, gravies or sauces added to it. Lunch meats, bolognas, hot dogs,sausages, bacon, (the processed meats) all have a very high amount of fat in them and they are chemically processed. They are NOT good for you. Turkey, chicken, fish, and shellfish are the best meat choices. White meat is better than dark meat- lower fat content
Vegetables- fresh vegetables are best for your diet. However, some people (very few) have delicate stomachs and need their veggies steamed. Steamed, boiled, broiled vegetables are ok. Frozen is ok. Watch the store canned vegetables- the companies usually add salt and some other 'stuff' that is not necessary.
Fruits- Fresh is best. Frozen is good too. Canned fruits are not a good choice, unless you can read the label and see that it is packed in another fruit juice, and not a syrup of some kind. If it says any chemicals on the ingredient list- you don't want it.
Breads- You want anything that is made with whole grain and that does not have high fructose corn syrup. You will find this really limits your choices- but it is important. Start comparing labels. Avoid white bread. It is too processed, and has no real value compared to the whole grains. Oatmeal is good, wheat is good...
So- if you eat these foods in this way- you will eliminate and you NEED to eliminate the following:
Pop- of all kinds- even the diet. The chemicals and artificial sweeteners in soda are very harmful to your body
Fried foods- foods that are deep fried have a very harmful, weight gaining effect on your body b/c of the trans fats in the fry oil. Don't eat them anymore- they are hurting your body
Doughnuts- again- fried, and very high sugar content
Foods that come in a box- high sugar, too many chemicals, HFCS--- this refers to mac n cheese, hamburger helper, snack cakes, crackers, cereals
Well, is this pretty scary to you? Does it seem too tough? Thats ok. I understand that you have spent a lifetime eating some of these things. I suggest that you start by eliminating the most obviously wrong choices that you currently are making.
HFCS is in most every processed food there is. It is a sweetener. There have been some recent ads by the 'corn companies' talking about how we are wrong to be alarmed by the presence of it in our foods. They are wrong. See www.mercola.com for more info on that subject. Just type in HFCS into their search bar and read those articles.
Do the same with artificial sweeteners.
I also have more information available for anyone who is interested in learning more about this. There are healthy recipes available!
Exercise is going to be important for you too, in your weight loss efforts. You don't have to get crazy with this and spend all your time on it. Just 30 minutes a day, 3-4 times per week would be a great place to start.
Since you care for your horses, you already spend some of your time staying active, so it is possible for you to incorporate some great moves into your day that will help you lose this weight.
If you are interested in losing more- let me know and I'll be happy to help you!
Linn Ash, LMT, Independent Beach Body Coach
