Recession Proof your Diet by Heather Stefan

With the current state of the economy, many of us are feeling stressed-out. It is hard to think about putting our weight loss goals in front of the many worries that we may be feeling. For many people, food is a way of covering up the emotions and anxieties that we feel. It's easy to get away from healthy eating and exercising when we lack motivation and feel depressed. And, during hard economic times, we may give up on luxuries like our gym memberships or shopping at high-end health food stores. We settle with a survival-mode mentality instead of really trying to succeed and thrive. I am going to show you that even when hard times hit, we can still succeed in losing weight!

Use exercise as a stress-reliever
Nothing feels better than to take your stress out on a good workout. If you've gotten rid of your gym membership to save money, there are many types of exercises that you can do without a lot of cash. Map out a one-mile route and use it to walk, jog or bike ride. If you live in an area that you can't walk in your neighborhood, get a yearly pass to a metro park, which are usually around $20 for the entire year and take advantage of hiking through nature. Another way to exercise without spending a lot of money is to rent exercise DVD's from your local library. If you know a friend who is a personal trainer or who owns a gym, ask to swap trades. Maybe your profession could help out someone else in exchange for a training session.

Eat stress-reducing foods
There are many foods that can actually help you relieve stress and you don't need an expensive health food store to reap their benefits. Foods that are rich in B vitamins may actually boost serotonin levels, the hormone that helps us feel good. Foods like dark green vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains can help you boost your serotonin levels and make you feel better. If you tend to pick sweets when you feel stressed-out, try reaching for an ounce of a good dark chocolate or a piece of fruit. Also, a cup of herbal tea may help you relax and help soothe you after a long stressful day.

Get some rest
When we don't get enough sleep, we lack energy. We gravitate towards foods that are high in sugar or caffeine to give our bodies an extra jolt to keep going. And, we also may skip our workouts because we are tired. Lack of sleep has been shown to increase appetites in people, causing people to consume more calories than those who get eight or more hours of sleep. It's important to use good sleeping habits and strive for a goal of eight hours each night. Limit caffeine consumption to no more than two cups of coffee each day and drink more water for added energy. When you do exercise, try not to exercise too late in the evening. This could actually give you a boost of energy before bedtime. Also try relaxation techniques like meditation or a hot bath to create a restful mindset before bed.

Take a moment for yourself
Sometimes, all we need is some time to ourselves to regenerate our soul. If you feeling anxious and stressed, put on some comfy clothes, pour yourself a cup of hot tea, light a candle and put on some relaxing music. Taking a time-out for yourself can help get you back to your old self and help you to focus on what stresses you are facing. Learn to tackle stress head-on, with a positive approach, and be thankful each day for the blessings you do have in your life.


About the Blogger:
Heather Stefan is a licensed provider for Real Living Nutrition Services, as well as a health educator and writer. Heather specializes in using a non-diet approach for weight management. She also likes to educate families on the inportance of good nutrition and family meals. For more information, please visit her website at http://www.heatherstefanrd.com/