Stepping off the diet roller coaster

by Christine Lusita | | Lifestyle

Good news: Losing weight just got easier! You’re about to reacquaint you with foods you enjoy. Yes, really. I know you’ve been conditioned to punish yourself with spray butter and fat-free mayo, but that nonsense stops here and now. This plan is all about working with what is—your likes, your lifestyle, your time and energy. You’re going to choose your foods and learn to shop for them, prep them, and eat them in a way that will work for you and get you at your best weight. So let’s get going!

STEP ONE: CHOOSE IT!

Yes, this step is pretty much as simple as it sounds. Just list the foods you like to eat and the foods you don’t! Make a top 10 or top 15 list so that you can stick to the foods that really matter to you.

Don’t be surprised if this feels a bit weird at first. If you’ve ridden the ol’ Diet Merry-Go- Round a couple dozen times, you may have become completely disconnected to even knowing which food you enjoy! Writing it down will help you kick-start your feel-good relationship to food.

However, I do have a caveat. I want you to ground this list in reality. In other words, if your top five foods are mashed potatoes, steak, fried chicken, pizza, and ice cream, then you’d better be either a sumo wrestler or a farmhand. So when I say choose food you like, keep it to proteins, vegetables, fruits, and carbs.

Remember, the whole point is to build a healthy and sustainable relationship with food No one can sustain a healthy relationship with cheese-in-the-crust pizza. (And if Froot Loops or fried chicken really has to stay on the list, I’ll show you how to deal with that lat- er. We’ll have choices that will satisfy your cravings without pushing you off your goals.)

Now, for each food on your “like” list, ask yourself these questions:

1) Does eating this food make me feel lousy, or good?

2) Is this food in line with my intentions and goals?

3) Do I enjoy eating this?
4) Does it taste good?

*This is an excerpt from my book The Right Fit Formula. For an exact plan based on your lifestyle, pick up a copy!

The Clutter of Work

by Christine Lusita | | Lifestyle

I think we can all agree: work is stressful. But your workplace doesn’t have to be. With my clients, I see an inverse relationship between messiness and efficiency: the cleaner the space, the more work gets done. Plus, the more efficient they are, the more fit they are! Efficient people have time and energy for self-care, and they have the satisfaction of accomplishment. That’s a one-two punch for living your best life.

To be at your best, then, you need to set the stage for a great day. Here’s what I suggest:

  • Downsize your to-do list. Make it no more than five items per day and prioritize what must be done and what should be done. Long lists guarantee failure and frustration. Short ones ensure success.
  • Create a positive “eye space.” Clear the clutter from your line of vision. Add in flowers or an inspirational quote or photo. Just remember: one or two photos are fine; 20 photos make you cross-eyed. (Ever notice that the fancier the store, the fewer the number of items in the window? It’s how retailers say, “Attention: This is important.”)
  • Corral your email time. Pick a time of day that you’ll tackle that message pile and stick to it. Send an automated response explaining that you’ll be in touch later. One client removed her work email from her phone, and another refused to listen to phoned-in complaints and demands. She uses Voice to Text instead so she can scan the messages stress-free.
  • No more pings and dings! Get rid of the apps that take you out of the moment. Ditch the dings, bells, and notifications. Are you more efficient now than before you knew about Instagram? I thought so.

This is an excerpt from The Right Fit Formula