Brooklyn Queens Land Trust

Losing or Keeping the Weight Off.

Dec 20, 2005

There are several ways to lose weight and/or stay healthy while staying guilt free and without spending your life savings.

You should always talk to your doctor before you start any weight loss or fitness plan. This is not medical advice.

Exercise is one of the best ways to shed pounds. Walking is free. Except for the cost of the equipment, biking and skating are relatively inexpensive and burn calories. Row boating drops pounds. Gardening burns calories and provides healthy foods to help keep the calories and the cost of healthy eating down.

If you do decide to join a gym, be sure to visit all that are close to home or work, or it's almost certain that you won't make it a regular pitstop.

Compare prices and look for bargains. It seems that gyms are constantly offering specials. Ask for a guest pass that will allow you to try the equipment out before you make any final decisions. Some gyms give a free memberships to employees or members that help with childcare or other jobs like picking up the towels, monitoring the weight room, et al. Do NOT commit to a contract unless and until you are certain you will use the gym.

Healthy food can be expensive, but gardeners can have an on-hand supply, especially if food preservaion is used. Canning, freezing, drying methods are used to have fresh food on hand year 'round. For the non-gardeners reading this article, either learn how to garden or make friends with a gardener!!! They make great friends. If you don't believe it, just ask ME...I'll set you straight.

Don't be afraid to try new fruits and vegetables, especially whatever is on special at the local green grocers that week. Don't stress if you buy yourself some treats once in a while. After indulging, take an hour walk. Walk for a half hour and then return home. It will help burn off the calories. Walk and chat with your children, mate, or friends. Some of my favorite healthy treats include frozen grapes or strawberries dipped in vanilla yogurt; vanilla yogurt with a chopped banana or strawberries or blueberries (frozen in summer); and cut up vegetables dipped in hot salsa.Mild salsa isn't bad, I just prefer the zip of jalapeno peppers.

The internet is a wonderful source of low calorie meal ideas. The internet is also a wonderful source of support. Here are a few websites that our Environmental Interns found:

Centers for Disease Control's

5 a day: Fruit and Vegetable of the Month

http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/5ADay/month/index.htm

Opens to a picture chart of fruits and vegetables that when clicked, gives information on the food choice, including recipes.

Nutrition for Everyone: Quick Tips for Weight Loss and Maintenance

http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/nutrition/nutrition_for_everyone/quick_tips/tipping_scales.htm



Whole Health MD.com Food Index

http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/items_index/1,1538,FO,00.html

This website lists food alphabetically and gives helpful information like: what to look for while shopping; how to prepare it; the nutritional value of it; how to store it; and why to eat it.


and

Harvard School of Public Health's The Nutrition Source: Knowledge for Healthy Eating

Harvard University At the Nutrition Source, explores the latest science about healthy eating for adults, answering key questions:

How helpful is the USDA's new My Pyramid "food guidance system"?
Should you still be concerned about fat intake?
Should you eat more or fewer carbohydrates?
What about eggs?
Fiber?
Calcium?



Your first step is to create a plan! You can lose weight without breaking the bank, your hopes and your spirit.


Make it a good day.
Ed.