10 Small Things

I read this, saved it, and thought I'd share it.

Great ideas mostly, happy reading!


10 Small Things to Do Today for Results Tomorrow!

Eat in the A.M.: Every morning, as soon as you get out of bed, have something to eat or drink. Lisa Dorfman, Sports Nutritionist, says that even a piece of fruit or coffee with an ounce of milk will help kick-start your metabolism. "Research shows that any food [you eat] in the a.m. breaks the physiological fast, the state your body has been in while you sleep - hence the word 'breakfast,'" says Lisa.

Reduce Stress: Keep stress in check by adding exercise, prayer or meditation to your daily routine. Stress can actually set off a chain of hormonal events that can result in excess fat deposits.

Sofa Aerobics: While you're watching television, stand up and sit down repeatedly during each commercial break until you're tired or the break is over. This is basically a modified squat thrust. "Start with a minimum of two sets of 8 to 12 reps," said Karen Merrill, ACE 2004 personal trainer of the year. "Make sure you focus on good form to keep your core engaged and work the abs along with the legs."

Spice it Up: Carry a bottle of red pepper flakes in your work bag or keep a jar of hot chili peppers in the refrigerator at work, advises Dorfman. There's evidence that adding them to your lunches may help boost your metabolism.

Extreme Eating: Make a conscious effort to eat very cold snacks, like a popsicle, or very hot ones, like a cup of hot consommé. The extreme temperatures will make you eat slower, which gives your body time to signal your brain once you've had enough to eat.

Gab on the Go: Make your weekly phone calls to loved ones on your cell phone while taking a brisk walk. You'll burn a few calories and make your mother happy.

Stair Master: At the top of every hour at work, head into the stairwell and walk up and down a few flights to get your heart pumping. Once you start to feel fatigued, take a brief rest: Brace yourself on the hand rail and work your calves by doing toe raises on the top step.

Eliminate One Fat: Each day, make one non-fat substitution. Swap out half and half with fat-free creamer in your coffee, for example. You can save hundreds of fat calories each day that would otherwise go straight to your hips and thighs.

Tell the World: Put together a support team. Whether they're family or friends, tell them about your goals so they can help you stay on course and encourage your progress. "Get as many people on your side as you can - at work, at home - who know what you want to do and are there to support you," says Merrill. "With a solid support team, there's no reason you can't accomplish what you set out to do."

Bribe Yourself: Buy a bathing suit you absolutely adore, even if it's a bit out of your price range, and use it as a reward for when you're done shaping up. Not only will the promise of a splurge help motivate you, it's also guaranteed to make you happier about how you look when you finally slip it on.