Be Good To Yourself Tips

[Rachael1]

I thought we could have a thread for tips and ideas for achieving healthier lifestyles - like a favourite non-foodie treat, or a way to reduce fat/sugar/calorie content in fave foods, an easy exercise tip (i.e. taking the stairs.) You know the sort of things you get in snippets in magazines.

I used to do this a lot more than I have been lately - but I mean to get back into the way of it (as in using this particular shower gel, I don't been that I haven't been showering generally ):
I have a Boots' Brazil Nut and Vanilla shower gel which really smells sweet and gorgeous - like a dessert - and by the time I've washed myself with it I really couldn't face eating anything sweet and chocolatey.

Does anyone have any gems of their own they would like to share?

[EllieJane]

Originally Posted by Rachael1

I have a Boots' Brazil Nut and Vanilla shower gel which really smells sweet and gorgeous - like a dessert - and by the time I've washed myself with it I really couldn't face eating anything sweet and chocolatey.

I am sure that would make me crave something sweet - like when you can smell the danishes when you walk past the bakery!

[Rachael1]

I've found it works best if I shower after I've eaten so I'm not that hungry anyway. Then by the time I've used that stuff, the smell of anything else sweet makes me feel a bit sickly. Doesn't sound as if that would be nice, but it works!

[LittleMissMe]

when you're sat down watching tv or something pull in your belly muscles and hold for a count of 10-do this a few times until your mind wanders and you forget. Then when you remember again pull them in again! I used to do it at work and had a lovely stomach!

Also if youre trying to diet and crave snacks I used to have an Innocent smoothie instead of sweets or chocolate which gave me the sugar high I craved and filled me up for a while!

[matilda s mum]

my tip is to always try to eat something for breakfast as it gets your metabolism started and gets you burning calories early in the day.

Also, apparently people sometimes think they are hungry when they are actually thirsty. so before eating something, drink a glass of water and then see if you are still hungry. you will be sometimes obviously, but not every time...

I did have another tip but have forgotten it. think I might need to go to bed now as am shattered!

[wagonmonkey]

I have started freezing little pots of yogurt (I put a hole in the top of the foil and stick a popsicle stick through before freezing) and in a few hours I have a popsicle. I try to have a few on hand (especially good way to use up yogurt that is coming up to date). Takes quite a while to consume it frozen, rather than a minute or so spooning it up.

Sorry, not a non-food idea, but it is much better than other sweet treats.

[Rachael1]

Originally Posted by wagonmonkey

I have started freezing little pots of yogurt (I put a hole in the top of the foil and stick a popsicle stick through before freezing) and in a few hours I have a popsicle. I try to have a few on hand (especially good way to use up yogurt that is coming up to date). Takes quite a while to consume it frozen, rather than a minute or so spooning it up.

Sorry, not a non-food idea, but it is much better than other sweet treats.

No - I like food ideas too! More the merrier! And in fact, this would be a great way to freeze Evie's yoghurts when they're about to go out of date - I could actually just spoon them into the ice lolly moulds. Don't know why I hadn't thought of that before!

[Rachael1]

Originally Posted by LittleMissMe

when you're sat down watching tv or something pull in your belly muscles and hold for a count of 10-do this a few times until your mind wanders and you forget. Then when you remember again pull them in again! I used to do it at work and had a lovely stomach!

LittleMissMe - I used to do sit-ups in the adverts when watching tv in the evenings, but nowadays Evie crawls all over me if I attempt it in daytime and by evening I can't be arsed! Will try the belly muscles idea - at the mo I do the pelvic floor tightening when I'm sitting for a little while - shall do them both at the same time from now on!

Matilda's Mum - I've started having a decaf coffee with vanilla, a little brown sugar and full fat milk instead of the choccy after my lunch or inthe afternoon. I suppose it isn't as good as water (!) but then I feel full up after my coffee and have satisfied the sweet craving with less fat and sugar too.

[jewel]

when you hae a craving for something sweet, brush your teeth instead. Having clean teeth and minty breath normally takes away the desire....for a little while anyway!

[jules06]

I have probably bored the lot of you going on about porridge, but it is great for so many reasons. It staves off hunger so you go longer without wanting to eat things and you can eat it anytime of the day or night.

Oats are an excellent source of complex carbohydrate, meaning they release their energy slowly. it also levels the blood sugars aswell so no lows where you crave something sweet