Campus Life

Your healthy weight - the healthy way

If you're one of the many people who made their New Year's Resolution to lose weight, then here are five ways to help fast track your goal.
LIQUID CALORIES
Proper hydration helps control your appetite and fight fatigue. Focus on water and other hydrating fluids like milk and 100 per cent real fruit or vegetable juice (maximum recommended juice intake is 125-250 ml/day). Limit your caffeine containing drinks to no more than four cups per day. Avoid choosing pop and specialty drinks laden with sugar or fat as much as possible.

POWER SNACKS
Make snacks nutrient dense but not energy dense. Include fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds (60 ml maximum serving size per day), yogurt or milk (dairy or soy). Watch your appetite and cravings decrease (because of blood sugar control) along with your waist!

START THE DAY RIGHT
Eat breakfast; it boosts your metabolism. A balanced breakfast includes at least three of the four food groups. Include a protein source and fibre, both of which will help control blood sugar, cravings and aid in weight loss.

PLAN FOR ACTIVITY IN YOUR DAY
Schedule activity in your calendar as a meeting to help you stay committed. You can also break activity into 10-minute sessions. Park at the far end of the parking lot, take a 10-minute brisk walk at coffee break or stretch in front of your favorite TV show for 10 minutes at night – an easy way to fit 30 minutes of activity into your day!

I LIKE TO MOVE IT, MOVE IT!
Regular physical activity is a critical part of reaching your healthy weight goal. Canada's Physical Activity Guide (PAG) recommends 30 to 60 minutes of daily physical activity. Get your copy of PAG at www.healthcanada.ca/paguide