Awaken Your Metabolism & … Enter a Giveaway
Written by Corinne Dobbas, MS, RD // August 14, 2010 // Exercise, Health, Nutrition // 23 Comments
I’m excited to tell you that CSN stores has offered a GGB reader the chance to win a $40 gift certificate, which may be used at any of their 200 online stores! CSN Stores has everything from dinnerware, to cookware, to suitcases, so I’m sure you’ll have no trouble finding something to spend the dough on! However, before we discuss the entering details, let’s talk metabolism!
Awaken Your Metabolism
Sometimes we let ourselves get into a rut. We think, “The scale hasn’t budged! That’s it … I’m going on a diet! No more breakfast and a light lunch for me. I am determined.”
As much as I’d like to tell you that this is a sure-fire way to lose some extra pounds, it’s just not. There’s no way around it. In fact, most who take on this approach end up gaining weight in the long run because they’ve slowed down their metabolism.
When you start skipping meals, your body goes into “survival mode” and begins holding on to calories instead of burning them up. In other words, meal skipping has slowed your engine, and is causing your body to hold on to all it’s got. This is most noticeable when you starve yourself for more than 12 hours and your metabolic rate decreases by about 40 percent—not good when you’re trying to lean up!
Now that I’ve told you what NOT to do … you’re probably wondering what you should do.
Let’s take a look at the top three ways to get your metabolism metabolizing!
1.Eat Breakfast: This simple act awakens your metabolism and starts things churning and burning. Simply put, those who eat breakfast are generally thinner than those who don’t and are more likely to maintain a healthy weight. So grab some high-fiber eats with a source of protein, like Greek yogurt and berries with a high-fiber cereal, or eggs on whole wheat toast with an orange. And if you’re an AM exerciser who doesn’t fair well with pre-exercise meals, at least try to get in a banana, whole-grain toast, or a small handful of almonds. Studies show that those who do have pre-exercise fuel work out harder and longer.
2. Nosh Every Four Hours:Envision your body as an engine that needs adequate fuel every few hours to perform at its peak performance. If you eat every few hours, your body will hum along efficiently, and you’ll never let yourself get too hungry, which essentially sets you up for “binge-like behavior” once food comes into sight. Just remember to eat “clean,” whole foods that you recognize and have some lean protein with some high-fiber carbs, like whole grains, fruits, or veggies, at each meal and snack. For example, if you’re just noshing on an apple for a snack, add a slice of low-fat cheese or a small handful of walnuts for an added protein boost (with a touch of fat) to help keep you satisfied and your blood sugar even-keeled.
3. Exercise: Get in a daily sweat session at least four times per week for 30 minutes. And for some real calorie-burning action, don’t forget your weights at least twice a week! The more muscle you have, the more calories you torch while going about your day.
Now, Entering the Giveaway!!!
There are a few ways you can nab the $40 gift certificate to CSN Stores. Please note that you must enter before the end of the day on Wednesday, August 18th. The winner will be notified on Thursday, August 19th.
Let’s count the ways!
- Become a Fan of Nutrition with Corinne on Facebook. All who become Nutrition with Corinne Fans as of this post’s date, will automatically be entered!
- Leave a comment on this post about how you keep a positive self image in today’s skinnified world! If you’d like your comment mentioned in my next post with your name say, “Spread the word.” Then, it will be included with your blog and/or Twitter name (please list in your comment) in the next GGB post!
- For an extra entry, get on Twitter and tweet, “ Giveaway from @RDCorinne! Enter to win a $40 gift certificate by 8/18 at http://bit.ly/aOwTFv ”
- Note: if you do all three, you’ll be entered three times!
I say goodbye to fad diets, bogus "fat-burning" pills, and processed, non-food food. And, I smile hello to a healthifying lifestyle full of fruits, veggies, and whole grains, sweaty workouts, the occasional "chocolate fix," sleep, family and friend time, and quality "me time" with a focus on health. I look forward to your comments and thoughts as the posts healthify on by!
23 Comments on " Awaken Your Metabolism & … Enter a Giveaway "
In today’s skinnified world, I keep my sanity by putting my trust in my body to reach its natural size, shape and tone on its own. Of course, I fuel it with healthy whole foods and keep it moving with regular hard exercise sessions to help the process, but in the end — my body knows better than any skinny girl magazine spread does, and I just try to listen to it
Spread the word!
Love your outlook Danielle! Thanks for the comment
Breakfast is so key. I’m always trying to remind my friends of the importance of breakfast!
Great giveaway. The best way to keep a positive body image is to simply follow your body’s cues. By listening to your body, you can ensure that you’ll feel your best, and in return, have a positive image of yourself!
I keep in mind that I don’t have to look super skinny to be pretty. I try to look and feel healthy. Plus my boyfriend says I need to gain weight which always helps
I like you on Facebook as Jennifer Keefer
HobartsMama {at} aol.com
I try to eat well and exercise — I don’t always succeed, but I remind myself that as long as I am healthy, not looking like a model is NOT important!
HobartsMama {AT} AOL.COM
I make sure to surround myself with positive people like my family and friends. Being around positive people, in turn, makes me a more positive person. I also try to treat my body well by exercising and eating healthy.
Spread the Word
I like you on FB as sarah linette!
http://twitter.com/DuckyBunny/status/21279451963
I tweeted
I try to make smart choices, but also cut myself some slack when I make a poor one rather than dogging on myself, which inevitably seems to lead to more poor choices from being down. Staying positive is definitely a huge factor in success!
I stay positive by reminding myself that I am strong, and that skinny is not an attribute I strive toward. I work towards developing other attributes within myself that are not skinny but that are strong, fast, healthy, happy, and nice to others.
Spread the word sista-
I tweeted!
oooo Great Giveaway!!
I am obviously already a fan of Nutrition with Corinne
How do I keep a positive self image in todays world? I have banned fat talk from my life, and instead use positive mantras of strength and beauty to get by. I eat real whole foods, and get exercise to feel great about myself. I surround myself by real people who are beautiful, and uplifting, and remind myself that people come in all different shapes and sizes and that you don’t have to be a size 00 to be gorgeous. If you feel like spreading the Guiltless word, that would be fabulous! Steph and I can’t wait to feature your guest post!
I stay positive by reminding myself and my clients that your body is a gift! If you learn to appreciate your body for all the wonderful things that it does for you each and every day, you begin to treat your body better by eating well and exercising. Eating well and exercising leads to feeling GOOD! When you feel good, little things like your dress size aren’t really an issue any more!
Joy comes from within!
I liked on fb as pennypinchingpixie
my positive self image comes from my husband and family and they love me no matter what
I am absolutely loving all your positive self image thoughts! I heart my readers!
I’m a fan on Facebook!
I focus on health, not size or shape…it keeps me feeling great about me!
Great post Corinne! I really love your tips and I appreciate that you talked about how skipping meals is NOT the way to go!
I became a fan on you on Facebook.
I tweeted.
I keep a positive self-imagine by reminding myself that no matter what, I will always be me, and nothing can change that. We are all unique in our own way and I strive everyday to focus on the positives and not the negatives. While I may hate my stomach, I love my legs, my soft skin, and my bright white teeth! Focusing on the negative things gets me nowhere, but focusing on the positive things makes me feel good about myself and I’m better able to make others feel good about themselves too! I think it’s also important to NOT focus only on physical attributes, but to also remind yourself that beauty is only skin deep. Positive attitudes and wearing a smile on your face can really make people attracted to you, no matter WHAT you look like!
(you can post this if you want!)
I try to keep positive by believing that in the end things will be ok, and it’s not worth the stress and pain of worrying about external things like how I look, what job I have, or if I’m not doing enough. I try to look at who I am and how far I’ve come, enjoy life and be thankful for the wonderful people in my life. I try not to compare myself to others, but look inside to find that inspiration within myself and focus on the positives
Spread the word (@eatingRD)
A big congrats to Grace from Food-Fitness-FreshAir!!! She won the CSN gift certificate!
Thanks for all your awesome comments and stay tuned for my next post where your notes on a positive self image will be posted!!!
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