5 Simple & Easy Ways to Lose Weight...While You Eat! ('Recipe' list included)

"There's nothing more important than our good health - that's our principal capital asset. "
-Arlen Specter

Let's face it... we all LOVE food! But why don't we find ways to take the delicious, yummy foods we all love to benefit us in a healthy way as well?
As I have read and gathered some POWERFUL points from blog, "Diet for Women of Linda," whose author shared some encouraging messages on this same topic, I am delighted to pass this on to YOU today!
​So, join in on this wonderful adventure of discovering 5 simple, yet easy ways to enjoy food, and lose weight... while still eating foods you'll enjoy.

#1): Visualize Your Weight Loss Goals
Visualization is basically the practice of "seeing yourself where you desire to be." So before you start counting calories or going crazy about the foods you desire to eat, begin to imagine what it would be like to BE your dream size right now. 
How does it feel, look, etc.? Are you comfortable in your "own skin?" Once you decide where you want to be, then the fun & exciting things can happen!

#2): Keep Track of your Successes
I'm currently taking a course to that is encouraging me to get back to "The TRUTH of Who I Am." To put it more simply, however, this basically means that I should keep track of what my body is telling me... what the voice of "TRUTH" within is guiding/leading me to do right now. So, the next time you sit down to eat, consider what the Proverbs says: 

Proverbs 23:1-3 (KJV): 
When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee: And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.

Thus, become more conscious of what is before you each time you're about to eat. You don't necessarily have to stop eating the things you love... BUT, you DO need to monitor and check your progress. Then, celebrate EVERY TIME you succeed at doing this. Each time you eat smaller portions, or say no to the 2nd or 3rd round of servings, give yourself a little pat on the back for doing a great job.  
(P.S. Also, you can write your successes (or wins) in a book or journal).

#3): Plan Your Meals
Although "Meal Planning" is kind of like a huge craze right now, it IS very practical and logical. If you PLAN what you're going to do, then you will NOT be planning to fail. That's why I love the quote that says, "If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail." - Benjamin Franklin. 
Make sure you PLAN what you are going to eat each day. As Ms. Woodard said in her blog post (about this same topic), "...to avoid being faced with the dilemma of making bad food choices, make sure to pack healthy and nutritious foods when you leave the house."  Just take the time to figure out the foods you can eat that will help you achieve point #2, as well as stay on track with your new health goal.

#4): Stay Accountable; and  
#5): Get/Receive Support
Although you can do things by yourself, it is best to have an accountability partner to help you stay on track. It may be a physical person, OR it could even be the alarm/calendar on your phone that will alert you when to eat your healthy snacks, exercise, or to do another activity that is aligned with your health goal. 
While many people may think, "Oh, I'm good by myself... I don't need anybody 'in my business' anyways." that's usually when problems arise.  Always remember this: "NO MAN IS AN ISLAND."  As I have recently learned and discovered, we must learn to receive Love and Support so that we can be powerful. In order to gain success even more effectively, seek out help--Love and Support--and then, when it makes its appearance to you, RECEIVE it! What is also so great about these last two steps is that having an accountability/support partner can also be FUN, as well as helpful for the other person as well. So, you get both the benefit of having fun, helping someone else, and creating a better, healthier, more amazing life for yourself also. To end this last point, I again make reference to what Linda Woodard also stated in her blog: "A collection of friends you can call on for inspiration will be invaluable. Your friends can be big time supporters when the going gets tough. Your friends can help motivate you to get out of the house. Besides, you would do your best for them too!" 

​So.... As I also promised, check out this wonderful recipe list that Ms. Woodard shared on her blog. It's great! I've tried out a few already, and absolutely LOVE it. Comment below to let us know how it's working for you...

Until next time!
To Your Self Love, and to Embracing & Accepting Yourself so you can live a Healthy Life... Stay 4EvrBless!