Advice for New Dieters

In the last few weeks, I seem to be getting quite a few emails from folks who are just getting started with their weight-loss journey.

So in the spirit of cooperation and helpfulness, I’ve pulled together a list of advice that I wish someone had been kind enough to share with me a year or so ago…

• If you’re going to incorporate meal replacement bars into your diet, just eat one or two at a time, not seven or eight.
• “Shin splints” are injuries to the front of the outer leg resulting from inflammation to the tendon, not equipment you ask for at the running shoe store.
• It looks like more food if you use a smaller plate, so I use one of my daughter Pisa’s Barbie dishes.
• You can make a delicious “Green Monster” smoothie by putting in some fresh spinach and/or green M&M’s.
• Most personal trainers do not want to be paid in yarn.
• A cheap way to make your own skim milk is to buy whole milk, pour half of it down the drain and fill it back up with water.
• It’s important to eat four to six servings of fruit roll-ups every day.
• Writing down what you eat can really be helpful on your journey, unless you write down nothing but “Milk Duds” and “Canned Frosting”.
• You know what works as an appetite suppressant? Keeping a live hedgehog in your mouth all day.
• Truth: it's a bad idea to skip breakfast. Myth: it's a bad idea to skip "second" breakfast.
  
• Only swallow two-thirds of what you eat.
• It’s important to drink a lot of water. I forget how much exactly, but I always just try to drink half an aquarium.

All kidding aside, nobody knows more than me than it's tough building up some momentum on this journey. Best of luck to anyone and everyone just getting started with their trek. It may seem tough now, but before long you'll have plenty to smile about.

x