I received a great question from a reader last week. Since it's one that I've received several times I thought it would be helpful to share it with everyone...
Question:
Your blog inspired me this week, and I can't thank you enough for sharing your knowledge with the world. Would you offer some suggestions on how you balance nutrition, exercise (what type and how much) to reach your goal weight? I still feel like I am struggling to find the right combination of nutrition/exercise/stress management for weight loss. Do you have any quick advice for me? Thank you for your help and time!
~ A Reader
How do you balance nutrition & exercise to reach your goal weight?
Answer:
When it comes to finding the balance with nutrition, exercise and weight loss, we are all different so there's no one right way. It takes experimentation to find your own perfect recipe.
A big shift for me came when I stopped using exercise as part of my weight loss/weight maintenance formula. I exercise everyday - mostly walking and yoga - but I do it for my health and energy and stress management - not for weight loss.
I walk 20-30 minutes per day. I also do 20-30 minutes of yoga most days.
For exercise to be beneficial in my life it has to be enjoyable. Once I start pushing too hard or getting too extreme, I end up sabotaging myself with "I deserve it" thinking such as, "I spent an hour at the gym so it's okay to have an extra glass of wine or dessert."
I also find that sleep and stress management are critical to my success. When I'm overtired I'm hungrier. When I'm stressed my cravings for comfort foods increase.
After decades of trial and error the solution for me is a slow and steady approach. I won't do anything to lose weight that I'm not willing to do forever. Learning to maintain weight loss can be just as challenging as losing it.
Little changes over time will lead to the lasting weight loss success you seek. I'm living proof.
One of my favorite yoga teachers is fond of saying, "A little bit of yoga done often is better than a lot of yoga done occasionally. I've discovered that this wisdom applies to most any change you are trying to make in life.
If you need a gentle reset with your healthy eating and weight loss goals, be sure to check out my 28-Day Smart Start Weight Loss eCourse and eBook which is based on my philosophy of slow and steady changes for lasting weight loss success.
Hi Martha - This 28-Day Smart Start Challenge has been wonderful. Thank you for all of the support and encouragement. I have definitely made some positive changes that I plan to continue!" ~ Bronwyn C.
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Betsy
Dear Martha, I am yet again the girl who bought your ebook bundle and can never find where it is!
I have a question for you. I don’t understand why if I take a cup of strawberries and blen it up a little then eat it...I don’t have to count the points BUT...if I blend it up a lot and drink it...I do!
Thank you for all your tips and advice. How will I know how to find when you answer me?
Martha McKinnon
Hi Betsy, The question regarding blended fruits and vegetables is one that I get often! Here's a post I wrote to explain it: https://simple-nourished-living.com/how-to-count-ww-smartpoints-for-fruits-vegetables-blended-into-drinks-smoothies/