Healthy Living Tips To Keep Weight Off

I've been slim for about 10 years (of course with a few ups and downs!) and have just realized that there are a lot of things I have been doing over the years automatically to help keep my weight down. I don't exercise but I do try to walk places and go up stairs when I can. My food eating habits are what really changed. Here are a few suggestions:

• Cut Out Dairy (or Cut Down): When I became vegan (basically I don't eat any animal products), I noticed that when I cut the dairy out of my diet the pounds dropped like crazy. There are amazing substitutes for dairy products. They take time getting used to but when you see how you look and feel it'll be hard to go back! If you can't quit dairy, cut down. It's amazing how dairy can pack on the pounds!
• Eat High Cocoa Content Dark Chocolate: I eat chocolate every day. Usually 1 square, sometimes two. I get the expensive organic DARK stuff that has about 15 squares which last me almost two weeks. I find that after one of the really dark pieces, I don't want more as the high cocoa content helps my craving! Same goes for coffee, once you have a really strong cup it's unlikely you'll want 5 of them.
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  Some companies have incredible fun chocolate bars like http://www.zazubean.com or http://www.dagobachocolate.com or http://www.greenandblacks.com/. I like Zazubean because they have one called Lunatic for women with herbs to help with PMS :)
• Make Your Own Popcorn Bags: I started eating the 100 calorie prepackaged microwave popcorn (mini bags). I eat one in the evening as a snack. After realizing how much I was spending, I decided to make my own. Just put 2 Tbsp of kernels in a paper bag and pop in microwave for a little over a minute. Spray with a little low fat margarine and use nutritional yeast instead of salt to cut down on sodium and up your B vitamin intake!
• Eat More During The Day And Less At Night: I got used to eating a lot in the morning and throughout the day but have a tiny meal at night followed my a small bag of popcorn for the evening munchies. I don't even think about it anymore, it's something I just do. If I eat too much at night I don't feel good. Listen to your body! :)
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• Eat Less: When going out to eat, ask if you can order from the kids menu. I find the portions are perfect. The adult meals in North American restaurants are way too big. If you're like me, you don't like wasting food so it's hard to leave anything on the plate even if it's too much. If you can't order from the kids menu, take a friend with you and share a meal together ... even more fun on a date! Wait 15 minutes after eating your meal to see if you are still up for dessert. Usually I end up being too full if I wait and barely ever eat dessert.

Eating right isn't only about losing weight but about overall health. Bad diet can also age a person! I am 38 and am constantly mistaken for a university student! YAY! So spoil yourself, no need for plastic surgery or expensive wrinkle creams. Food heals and makes us beautiful inside and out!

For some yummy vegan recipes:

• http://www.theppk.com
• http://www.vegweb.com
• http://www.fatfreevegan.com/
• http://www.goveg.com

Enjoy!