And here you thought you were just doing something really good for your body. Well, while many health shakes and smoothies are just that; good for you, many are just sugar laden, calorie loaded diet traps, all dressed up to look like healthy drinks because they have some fruit and/or yogurt in them.
Don't be fooled!
Here's how to make sure your health shake or smoothie is really the smart choice that you intended for it to be:
Less is more
Of course it is. Not more than 3 to 4 ingredients. And remember that fruits like banana and dates are high in calories. Not a sin, but when you add in the milk, sugar and a few other items, the calorie count does start to escalate.
Skip the sugar
Yes. Rough it for a change! While it might taste a bit more 'raw' and less sweet, it's a better way to go, especially if you're one who does the smoothie thing frequently.
Low fat milk or yogurt only, please!
Cut out calories by insisting upon the skimmed down version of thsese items. Will save you a ton of calories in the long run.
Get the smaller size
Going for the jumbo, super large, 20 ounce doesn't really make a whole lot of sense if you're trying to watch your cals, does it? Of course, it doesn't!
Stick to the small or medium and leave the larger sizes alone! That one tip might help keep you from being a larger size yourself!
So, still do your smoothies, but not too often, and tweak them a little to make them just that much healthier and less calorie filled. Then, it really will be the healthier choice.
These are all the rage right now, aren't they? The one Beyonce supposedly used that advises drinking cayenne pepper and lemon water, and the one touted by that chick from The Biggest Loser, right? They're everywhere! Question is, what do you really think is going to happen after you "cleanse and burn" off all the fat and cals you accumulated over a period of time? Hmmm? They're going to come right back on within a week or two, because you still didn't change your basic eating habits, that's what. Oh, you'll be good for a while, lasting more than a few days, even, after that cleanse. But pretty soon it will all fade away, just as all quick fixes eventually do.
The only reason anyone should be trying to lose weight in a not so reasonable amount of time (like, say, in a week) is if they're trying to look good for a special event, like a wedding or a class reunion, a boxing weigh in, or a role in a movie that you just suddenly got the call for. And even then, you shouldn't be trying to do it in less than 10 days or a week. Not only is doing that a bit dangerous, but also, you end up feeling like hell while you're going through this process of starving yourself, drinking strange liquids in place of food, and not eating.
Stop going for the quick fixes, people. Curtail the unhealthy eating, get up and off the couch and get some activity going on in your life. And some exercise....
And THEN you'll be looking fit and fierce ALL the time! Now, put down that cayenne pepper and go get on the treadmill.....NOW!
Not for your husband or wife. Not for your friends. Not to try to catch some guy who's into skinny chicks (or to get some girl). Do it for yourself. Because you know you should. Because you know that if you really put your mind to it, you can. Because you know it's healthier for your self, your body and your life in general.
Find a way to do it. If plan A doesn't work, keep it movin' and get right on to plan B. This IS doable. Just set your mind, firm up that resolve, get determined and get it DONE!
You really CAN do it!
