Weight loss: Tips for the Contemplation Stage

At this stage, you are gaining awareness of the links between your habits and your weight.

• The closer to the earth you eat, the healthier you will be. The more food is processed, the unhealthier it is.
  
  
• Eat fruit instead of drinking it.
  
  
• Aim for rich colors of fruits, vegetables and grains at each meal.
  
  
• Wake up your body by eating something after rising (try fruit, whole grain bread, half a sandwich, a cup of nonfat yogurt).
  
  
• Small lifestyle changes can dramatically improve health. If you cut out 1 pat of butter or margarine each day you will automatically lose 6 pounds in a year. Climb 1 extra flight of stairs each day and you will lose 16 pounds in a year. Omitting one can of regular soda each day will also amount to an annual 16-pound weight loss.
  
  
• Put all your meals on a plate before eating. This will help you become mindful of when and what you are eating.
  
  
• Try to sit while you are eating and focus on the meal. Don’t engage in other activities at the same time. This will slow down your eating.
  
  
• If you go out for a meal, ask when ordering that half the meal be boxed up to go.