30 Day Mediterranean Lifestyle Challenge
Cyndi Fales from Lifework Strategies explains how you can use our Mediterranean Lifestyle Challenge to spur weight loss.
 |
| Image from the ironyou.com |
The Mediterranean
Lifestyle has many benefits— safe, nutritious, easy to follow, support with diabetes
prevention/control and heart health, live longer… and the list goes on. The Mediterranean diet isn’t always known for
being a “Weight Loss” diet; however, the lifestyle can absolutely support you in
achieving a healthy weight. Mindful
eating, eating with others, and enjoying food as well as eating real,
nutritious food can all support you with dropping pounds. However, all weight loss efforts go back to
the simple equation of eating fewer calories than your daily recommended max
and/or burning off extra by exercising.
Approximately 80%
of weight loss is a result of our nutrition—what we put in our bodies. The other 20% is exercise and genetics. There are many health benefits to exercising and exercise is part of the
weight loss equation. If you are really looking to drop pounds; however, focus on nutrition.
The Sonoma Diet lays out low calorie meal planning for
weight loss in Wave 1. All the meals and recipes are in writing for you to take
this first step. This first 10 days are restrictive and can lead to rapid weight
loss because they create a calorie deficit—through the recipes and recommendations you will
learn to break your dependence on refined foods, plan balanced meals, and become more aware of portion control. These healthy habits will put you on the right track for healthy eating well beyond those first
10 days. You will most likely notice the
smaller portions and probably be a little hungry. Make sure you drink plenty of water through
out the day. Talk with your doctor or a
wellness coach to discuss specific dietary needs or daily calorie
recommendations. ASHA employees and
dependents can call LWS (your EAP) to work one-on-one with a nutrition wellness
coaching (877-252-8550). Check out this
past blog post for more info on the wellness coaching program how to start.
Wave 2 will help
you continue your weight loss—but it is not as restrictive (calorie and food selection)
as Wave 1. You will continue with
mindful eating and focus on enjoying your meals.
Finally, you will be ready for Wave 3 once you have reached your goal
weight. How quickly and whether you keep
the pounds off is up to you. If weight loss isn't your goal, you can reap the health benefits of adopting a Mediterranean diet by starting with Wave 2 or Wave 3.
No comments:
Post a Comment