To Eat or Not to Eat?

One of the things that really bother me as I go through my weight management program is whether I should eat or not? Well, let me rephrase that - it's more like I feel guilty when I eat. It worries me that I will be gaining back the pounds and the body fat I lost everytime I eat. Yes, paranoid even if I eat moderately now compared to how I eat before.

My daughter told me once (oh well, several times), "Mom it's not like you will gain weight overnight." She's right. I just need to hear that. I read once that it will take 3,500 calories to gain a pound. That also calms me down. :)

I read a lot about weight management and working out. These are the things I learned and am now practicing.

1. Skipping meals will not make you lose weight because the body consumes the muscles when hungry and stores the fat. The best is to eat less more often, about 6 small meals a day.

2. I take in quick absorbing carbs, like a bowl of oats, two hours before work out (three hours if I'm doing yoga). This will give me the energy and the fuel I need to last an hour and a half of exercising.

3. I am moving on from coffee to drinking tea. I prefer decaffeinated. Tea has antioxidants and has zero calories.

4. Fruits, fruit juice with L-carnitine, boiled bananas and hard boiled eggs are included in my diet as well as wheat bread and whole wheat pasta. I avoid white rice and if I have some craving, I only give in to two spoonfuls or half a cup, maximum, and that should be good for one day.

5. I eat or at least drink juice a few minutes after a tough work out even if I am not hungry. The body needs nourishment to replace lost carb and helps repair protein which aids in better metabolism.

These are the random five important learning I have incorporated in my weight management. I have to psyche myself that it is alright to eat, in fact, I should eat...eat properly to achieve my fitness goals.