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FAT NATION


THE BIG CHALLENGE
Eat, drink and exercise yourself to better health
Janette Marshall
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HOW TO THINK SLIM

Man riding a bike through the woodsTo change the way you relate to food and alter your eating habits, you need to start behaving more like a slim person, many of whom practise “restricted eating”. For example, if a slim person eats a lot at one meal or one day, he or she usually compensates by eating less at the next meal or on the following day.

Think about how you currently behave towards food, and then consider ways to change your behaviour. You may be in the habit of eating on “automatic pilot” without really thinking about whether or not you are really hungry. Instead, engage your brain before reaching for food.


1. Walk around temptation


Change your route to and from work, school or the shops if you find you cannot go past the coffee shop without popping in for a latte and muffin, or past the chip shop without stopping and eating.

a woman eating chocolate

2. Plan your snack attacks


If the vending machine at work is sending you siren calls all day, take in pre-planned healthy snacks and keep them ready for those mid-morning hunger pangs.




A woman eating an appple3. Fuel yourself up first


If you tend to buy sweets or sugary drinks whenever you visit the garage to fill up your car, have a healthy nibble before, or keep healthy snacks in the car itself.




4. Keep a clear head


If drinking alcohol lowers your resistance to saying “no” to food and leads to overeating, drink less, or on fewer occasions. Alcoholic drinks can also be fattening in themselves, so doing this really will help to reduce your waistline.

Fridge with the double doors openA selection of fruit and vegetables
5. Beware of the fridge


If you’re partial to nibbling on bits of cheese or other high-fat, bite-sized treats, replace them with healthy alternatives, such as fruit and low-fat yoghurts.


6. Teach yourself new habits...

Old behaviour

  • Piling up your plate

  • Having second helpings

  • Eating in front of the TV

  • Turning to high-fat comfort foods
    when under stress

  • Snacking when you are bored

New behaviour

  • Have a sensible portion

  • Pass up on the seconds

  • Sit at the table to eat

  • Try relaxation breathing techniques


  • Phone a friend or go for a walk

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Ask yourself

“Am I hungry?”

“Do I need this?”

“Will I regret eating this?”

“Am I about to eat because of an urge (mental craving for food) or because I am hungry?”


Then act accordingly!