5 Sugar Free Snacks To Help You Abstain From Sugar

Today begins the first day of Lent that many of my Christian friends use as a catalyst to get off sugar. At least for the short them. This helps motivate them to get off the sugar and give their bodies a break from having to deal with it all the time.

My cousin Diane that does this every year. Without a doubt, she is a sugar addict, whether she admits it or not. Frequently she eats chocolate or other sugar laden desserts for lunch. She did this for years while teaching elementary school. She felt it gave her the extra boost to get through the afternoon with the little ones. Plus, she just plain liked it.

If you want to break the sugar habit, you too can use Lent as an inspiration. Or at least as a timeline or as a challenge. But since deprivation is the most fattening food you can have (in my opinion), finding sugar free snacks that will satisfy you instead is a better solution.

Here are some that have worked for me:

1. 20 almonds ( some will tell you the palm of your hand, I like to measure them out)

2. Low fat cream cheese stuffed in celery. ( Satisfies the need for crunch and chewing, plus you get fiber)

3. Low fat mozzarella cheese sticks with small 4 oz. apple, sliced. ( I one had a client who lost 100 pounds in 6 months by using this as her main snack. Many times she would not even use the cheese. She liked to slice the apple into 16 slices. Why 16 slices? No particular reason, that is just how she did it and it became a good habit for her).

4. Low sugar yogurt with 1/4 cup of Shredded Wheat cereal, crumbled up, used as a topping, with 1/4 cup fresh blueberries.

5. Heat 1/2 cup blueberries on top of stove, mash them up, and then mix with 1 cup plain non-fat yogurt. Pour over 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal. Very delicious and VERY filling.

You can use these ideas as a starting point to get off sugar during the next 6 weeks. The first 3 days are the hardest, so know that if you get beyond that point, it will become much easier to do. You will be shocked at how good you start to feel and how much more energy you will have. It's one thing to talk about it, it is totally different when you actually experience it.

Aerobic Exercise - Best Aerobic Exercise for Beginners

Safely Perform Aerobic Workouts

Aerobic exercising is a fabulous way to get your heart rate climbing. Aerobics can help to keep your heart healthy, as well as to build your endurance, promoting effective body weight loss. However, unsafe exercising can result in injuries. Make sure that your workout is a rewarding experience by following the safety tips included in this article.

The first and most important safety tip concerns your dress while exercising. Since aerobic exercising involves moving around rapidly, having good shoes are very important. Excess wear and tear on shoes or loose laces can promote loss of traction and falls. Other clothing items which are especially heavy or very tight may result in excessive overheating. Clothing must allow the exerciser to release heat and to move freely during workouts. Loose clothing can also interfere with successful workouts.

Working out at home is another area of concern. The exercise area must be large enough to avoid injuries from bumping into any items, especially sharp items, walls and corners. Wet floors can ruin your day causing slipping and falling. Make sure to keep small children and pets at a safe distance from the exercise area.

All exercise equipment must have proper maintenance to avoid the dangers of malfunctions during operation. Cleanliness is another important part of a safe home environment. Nasty viruses and bacteria are possible due to sweating and breathing in a dirty area. Disinfect equipment as often as is necessary.

Another safety tip is to exercise at your own rate. Of course, you must exercise at the greatest intensity to get the most benefit from the exercises. However, overworking yourself can lead to cramping or to pulling your muscles, or other overworking stress and strain injuries.

A trainer or your own doctor can explain the basics of safe exercising. Your workout should begin with a warming period and end with a cooling period. Using the proper exercises for your particular body, gender, and age are important. The workout should get you to feel great, without creating any injury to your body.

Keeping yourself safe is the best tip of all. When you have an injury, you are out of action, possibly for an extended period of time, and all training advantages are lost to you. Health and safety go hand in hand, so take all the possible safety precautions whether you choose to workout at home or at the gym.