Dieting, From A Practical Perspective

      Common sense is not common at all.  In fact, each one of us has our own version of what common sense is and this is based on our own past experience with just about anything and everything.

      For example, practically speaking, we each, most likely, have our own ideas of what works and what doesn't work when it comes to losing weight.  I can remember one of my sisters telling me each Monday morning, "Now, this week I'm definitely going to start my diet".  I can't remember her ever really being on any type of a diet or losing any weight for that matter.

     The trick is to find a few areas where you know for sure that you can muster the strength to cut back some of your calorie intake.  Now, speaking for myself, there are at least a couple of consumption vises that I refuse to sacrifice, at any cost, such as my morning coffee/malt concoction.  Without it, I doubt that I could drag myself out of bed.  On the other hand, I don't have any problem passing up the sodas and french fries.

     When I think back on my 'junk food' days and how I developed the ability to strip away the garbage bit by bit, I recall my addiction to breakfast cereals loaded with sugar!  This habit was rather easy to phase out once I cleared the hurdle of actually reading the labels and selecting brands that contained less sugar and therefore fewer calories.  Not exactly rocket science but it's the habits we get ourselves into that are so hard to break.

     Within a couple of months I discovered that I actually preferred the ability to discern the tasty flavors of oats, rice, whole wheat, etc.  This was a milestone for me.  And, not only did I enjoy the natural full flavors of unprocessed grains, I still had energy in my engine at 11:30 am.

     Of course this breakfast idea is only the beginning.  There are hundreds of ways to modify our meal routines, even slightly, which is certain to shed calories and pounds.  

More about my common sense eating habits later.