How you grocery shop could be doing you harm
A SYDNEY doctor has revealed that how people grocery shop could be part of the reason why they have packed on the kilos. Now for the first time, he has spilt secrets on how people should hit the store in order to lose weight for good.
Lifestyle
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ONE of the keys to losing weight and keeping it off is being prepared for the day ahead.
Instead of relying on takeaway, the vending machine and snacks — an easy trap to fall into given how time poor everyone is — bringing your breakfast, lunch or dinner will ensure a healthy day.
Beyond that, recent research has shown there is even more reason not to rely on ready-to-eat convenience foods with more than 40 per cent of ready-to-eat meals having an unsatisfactory level of bacteria, including bacteria that causes food poisoning and bacteria that comes from faeces.
The latest science also suggests we should be rethinking the amount of exercise we are doing.
We need to be doing a measly 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise five days per week — something that two in three people don’t do.
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On top of that, we should be including muscle-strengthening activities on two days per week. Even body-weight exercises in the convenience of your own home reduce your risk of dying by a whopping 20 per cent.
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Here are four things that you should incorporate into your routine to ensure you are planned for the week ahead and to get the most out of your day:
1. Grocery shop on a full stomach and do it once per week
Shopping once per week prevents those impulse buys and feelings of guilt that come with eating treats more often than we should. The more frequently we go to the supermarket, the more chance we are of making those unhealthy purchases of our favourite not so nutritious foods, strategically placed as we wait at the check-out.
Having enough food for the week will safeguard you in the workplace and ensure you don’t neglect cooking dinner at home after a long day.
2. Take frequent breaks during your work day
Activity can be performed in bouts of 10 minutes duration to achieve the cumulative total per day. So next time someone tells you those short strolls aren’t helping, ignore them! As well as the health benefits, your productivity in the office will improve through frequent breaks.
Research has proven that the most effective workers are those that work for blocks of no greater than 50 minutes at a time.
3. Prepare your to do list and daily plan at the start of each day
Every time you think of something to do, write it down or add it to your notes on your phone.
Plan out your day the night before or first thing in the morning and break it down into 30 minutes blocks to ensure you are using your time effectively and to ensure you don’t neglect your health. If exercise is in the calendar, you are more likely to do it.
4. Cook in big batches to use for the following day
You don’t need to be cooking every day. Make it easier for yourself by cooking in big batches so that you can freeze some for a later meal in the week or to take as leftovers for lunch the following day. This is a great timesaving tip to ensure you are always prepared for emergencies and so that you don’t have to find time to prepare lunch each morning.
Dr Nick Fuller is the author of Interval Weight Loss, which is a scientifically proven way of redefining the weight your body wants to be, to ensure you lose it and keep it off. For more information go to Interval Weight Loss.
