Calorie Counting Vs Calorie Splurging
How often do we find ourselves reaching for the fatty option come lunchtime, or teatime come to that, when you just want a quick fix and can't be bothered to make anything?
Answer? Probably all of us at one time or another have felt like that, and if you do it on a regular basis, chances are you'll be overweight and unfit before you know it.
The key to achieving a balanced diet is to have everything in moderation, otherwise it will drive you crazy having to cut out your favourite foods.
Swapping calorie laden products for a lower fat version is all very well, but chances are it will probably taste horrendous and you end up picking at fatty foods even more because you're still hungry.
So why not try swapping your favourite foods for a week with lower fat options, just to see how you get on. By adjusting your diet in the week, by Friday, in theory you should feel lighter and happier.
You also, without realising it, are storing up the calories you save each day, so that at the weekend you can relax more with what you eat, and have a sweet treat without the guilt.
So, firstly get rid of that morning pastry and have a bowl of porridge instead, which you can either make in the office or purchase from a shop in advance.
For lunch, tuck into a filling chicken wrap with low fat mayo and some crisps, so you don't feel like your denying yourself anything. Instead of water, try having a fruit smoothie instead, although take care to check that the sugar content isn't higher than the fruit, otherwise you're pretty much back to square one.
Teatime can often create the most problems, as you're shattered from a hard days work and have no desire whatsoever to cook. Try summoning up the energy to create a stir fry, which is quick, easy and healthy to make and won't leave you bogged down like a takeaway pizza.
Then we have those social occasions, where it's just rude not to participate in drinking activities, and you feel like a wet blanket by just having a water when all your mates are drinking.
Well, fear not! Instead of guzzling a bottle of wine with the girls, stick with having a gin and slim line tonic, which only has 178 calories in it, compared to a bottle of wine, which has a staggering 555 calories to its name.
Have a go at making these changes to see if it makes any difference to your week, you may find you feel more energetic and awake by eating the right foods.