PERFECT FIT

Has the New Year gotten to you? You know what I’m talking about – that feeling of excitement in your gut as 2008 greets you with the promise that you can turn things around, shake off past mistakes and become better.And for many people, the dream for the New Year is about losing weight.It might be helpful to evaluate why we eat.At first glance, the answer to that question seems obvious – we eat when we are hungry – for energy and to sustain life. That’s partially right, but that’s not always the reason.The truth is that many of us eat too much. Our bodies simply don’t need all of the calories that we consume, and it shows in a physique that is less than svelte.Here are four basic reasons that people eat:

1. Because we’re hungry – This one is obvious. We eat when our body tells us that it’s hungry and needing fuel. Just like the car lets you know when it’s time for a filler up, the body is great at letting us know that energy stores are low. Eating when hungry and stopping when full is a healthy thing.
2. Because we’re emotional. Think back – can you remember a time when you turned to food after a stressful confrontation? Or how about when you’ve soothed the blues away by treating your sweet tooth? And it’s not just negative emotions that lead to emotional eating – many of us reward happiness with unnecessary calories as well.
3. Because we’re social. “Come on, have a slice of pizza with us.” No one likes to eat alone, and so we feel obligated to eat with others. When eating becomes a social activity with no thought to the calories that are being consumed, only one thing will result: weight gain.
4. Because we’re habitual.Some people find themselves relaxing in front of the television at the end of the day with a snack, associating watching television with eating. Maybe a trip to the vending machine during a break has become a habit.

Here is my challenge to you: Take the time to examine why you are eating, and choose to only eat only when you’re truly hungry.This small action has the potential to dramatically improve your physique and overall health in the coming year.Improving the diet is only half the equation when it comes to reshaping the body. The quickest and most permanent results are achieved when good eating habits are accompanied by challenging exercise.Recipe of the monthLight and tasty egg saladServings: 2Here’s what you need…4 hard-boiled eggs with yolks removed1 hard-boiled egg2 tablespoons nonfat mayonnaise2 stalks celery, finely diced2 whole wheat English muffins, toasted1 teaspoon onion powder1 pinch celery seedssalt and cracked black pepper to taste2 small tomatoes, slicedChop the egg whites and the whole egg and place in a mixing bowl. Stir in the mayonnaise, celery, onion powder, celery seeds, salt and pepper. Cover and chill. Mix well.Place English muffins on plate and serve with egg salad and sliced tomato.Nutritional analysis: One serving equals: 226 calories, 5g fat, 31g carbohydrate, and 15g protein.David Corder NSCA-CPTwww.perfectfitwc.com